Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 401 Cement has become a rare commodity
As for what had just happened, Simon Lang, who was busy visiting the lighter factory to see how his suggestions were being implemented, was of course completely unaware of it.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't have time to think about anything else.

Because at this very moment, he was checking the quality of the factory's repairs, just like he was doing it in real life, touching and looking at everything.

In particular, the repair status of those large holes that he discovered during his last visit to the lighter factory was a major focus of Simon Lang's attention.

Seeing Ximen Lang constantly tapping this and touching that, the boy was kept very busy.

Director Wang, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but joke.

"I've seen you sitting by this wall pondering for a while now. How's it going? Have you figured anything out yet? Your Aunt Wang and a bunch of experienced workers have been working overtime for days to complete this. Is there a problem with it?"

Upon seeing Director Wang's immediate question, Ximen Lang, like a fortune teller, spent a long time calculating on his fingers, completely captivating the man, before finally uttering his own words.

"At least for now, it seems there are no problems."

This left Director Wang and Hao Pingchuan, who had been waiting there for almost half a day, speechless.

Seeing that Ximen Lang had been dawdling for so long before finally managing to utter this sentence.

Even Hao Pingchuan was starting to lose his temper.

"What the hell? Just now I saw you doing all that divination and calculation, and I thought you could actually figure something out. But this is all? Brother Lang, you really wasted my time."

This made Ximen Lang extremely embarrassed.

Turning around, he saw that even his dear Aunt Wang looked like she couldn't bear to watch, which left him speechless.

First, he pretended to hit him, which startled Hao Pingchuan.

He quickly shut his mouth like a zipper, and never dared to joke around with Ximen Lang again.

Ximen Lang then said helplessly.

"Please, I've never worked in this industry before. Even the term 'mortar pouring,' which is often ridiculed by civil engineering guys, is something I only recently vaguely understood. I have a general idea of ​​what it is all about, but I'm not even sure if I'm right."

"In this situation, how am I supposed to know if there's a quality problem?"

Isn't it?
Although Ximen Lang often comes across various videos by Civil Engineering enthusiasts, most of them are self-deprecating jokes.

Even the word "打灰" (dǎ huī) was something Ximen Lang only recently understood. It doesn't actually mean swinging a stick or hammer to pound it, but rather pouring pre-mixed concrete into a mold. (I only understood what "打灰" actually meant after searching for it while writing this.)
As for more specialized content, he was completely clueless, understanding only nine out of ten things!
Having never been exposed to this before, Ximen Lang had no idea how to do it!
Although Ximen Lang didn't understand the professional issues, he could clearly sense whether Director Wang and the others had put their hearts into it.

I'm genuinely curious about how those holes were filled, and whether that layer of mud on the outside was actually effective.

Completely abandoning his own wild speculations, Ximen Lang directly asked the question.

"Aunt Wang, you've repaired these factory buildings so quickly without disrupting production. I can definitely appreciate your dedication."

"But what exactly are these materials? And this yellowish stuff on the outside, is it a mixture of clay, sand, and lime? Why not use cement to seal it?"

Seeing that Ximen Lang was unconsciously projecting the situation of the future onto the year 55, she first explained to him that the materials used to repair the wall were indeed bricks and mortar.

Then, regarding the question of why better concrete wasn't used for the repairs, Director Wang explained.

"Everyone knows that concrete is better than mortar and is stronger and more durable, but I still need to be able to get my hands on it!"

"Although we are indeed building cement plants at a great pace, it's only a call to action."

"Not only is the production capacity limited, but there are also many places where it's needed! We're just repairing walls and patching a few holes. Even if your Aunt Wang shamelessly begged for this little bit of work, how could I possibly ask for it? Do you think I could open my mouth and compete with those key projects for cement?"

Indeed, although cement is no longer scarce in later generations.

However, in 1955, cement, which would become commonplace in later generations, was still very scarce.

How scarce is it?
It's so rare that even ordinary people have a hard time getting their hands on it!

Especially now that construction is underway everywhere, the limited production capacity that has been developed with great difficulty is simply not enough to meet the demand.

In such a situation, priority would naturally be given to those key projects.

"But don't let the fact that it's made of a mixture of clay, sand, and lime fool you, the quality is absolutely top-notch. It should last at least for the next few years without any problems!"

"Once these few years have passed and cement production gradually increases, I'll figure out a way to make up for it. Perhaps it won't even take two or three years, given our already incredibly profitable business."

"Who knows, I might make a lot of money next year and replace everything here, including these old houses, inside and out!"

When the topic of profits came up, they became very animated, confirming that there was no one else around besides them, Director Wang and Ximen Lang revealed.

"We're currently in the stockpiling phase. Once our production ramps up and lighter factories across the country gradually expand, we'll be ready to really storm into the Western markets by the end of this year at the earliest, or by next spring at the latest, and beat those bastards to a pulp!"

"Let's go with your plan! Start at $5, build up our reputation, and see if those established manufacturers follow suit. If they dare to follow and copy, we'll immediately lower the price and increase our distribution!"

"Even if this stuff only sells for one dollar, we'll still make a profit, a huge profit! We'll crush them so badly they can never lift their heads again, bankrupt them! When that happens, the entire world's market will be ours!"

"By then, renovating a few factory buildings will be no big deal for your Aunt Wang. If we don't like the look of them, we'll just tear them down and rebuild them! What's the big deal? Don't you think so?"

Seeing their spirited demeanor, Ximen Lang wished he could travel back to the day when the business was fully established, so he could see exactly how disposable lighters had slaughtered those established giants.

But that's obviously unrealistic.

There was nothing he could do but suppress these desires.

Then, following Bai Ling's usual methods, she directly poured cold water on Director Wang, who was almost swelling into a sphere.

"Aunt Wang, the idea is good, and it's certainly feasible. But what do we do now? Winter is just around the corner, how are you planning to get through it?"

(End of this chapter)