Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 262 Mining
After the geodetic sonic mapping instrument completed the rough mapping, Louis finally finalized the location of the test mining point.

On the west side of the seventh mining ring, there is a depression with stable rock strata and clear sound wave echoes.

Compared to the abandoned mine tunnels scattered all over the mountain, this place is a pristine land that has not yet been eroded.

The trial mining was then launched, and the process was meticulously divided into several stages. Everyone was following the "Operation Deployment Summary" from the Red Tide Territory's administrative office step by step.

During the first few days of construction, the entire Seventh Mine Ring was immersed in a tense yet orderly atmosphere.

The first sound to come from the earth vein sonic boomer was not the hoe or pick, but the heavy hammer of the earth vein sonic boomer.

"Thump—thump—" The low-frequency vibrations spread in circles inside the mountain. The technicians knelt on the rock strata, gently touching the animal skin vibrating discs with their hands to record each beat.

The geological survey team, carrying blueprints and copper wire, under Valentine's command, redrawn the entire mining area.

The old mining maps were no longer accurate, and Louis made it clear that the mining lines must be determined first to ensure the most basic safety.

Soon a brand-new "mineral layer map" appeared on their screen, with red lines indicating active mineral deposits, black lines marking collapsed remains, and blue lines representing areas where water flow, swamp layers, or cavities might exist.

"After seeing this map, I realized that all those nobles in the past were just making things up blindly," Valentine exclaimed, looking at the blueprints. "This isn't a mineral vein; it's a trap."

Kyle glanced at Louis standing to the side and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Sir, this picture..."

“I know why they failed,” Louis said calmly, “so I’m going to make sure we succeed.”

Then came the clearing of obstacles. The entrance to the old mine tunnel was covered with snow as thick as bones, and the collapsed rocks were mixed with frozen soil, making it impossible to enter directly.

The team of craftsmen, along with a group of trained migrants, worked in groups, using rollers, pry bars, and heating lamps to reopen the main alleyway that had collapsed more than a decade ago.

Several young miners tried to pry the frozen rocks but failed and were soon replaced by experienced craftsmen who carefully handled the fault joints.

Valentine stood on high ground, directing the operation, sometimes shouting, sometimes nodding, using his seasoned experience to command with great confidence.

While the mine tunnel clearing was underway, infrastructure planning was also being carried out simultaneously.

Temporary support workshops, miners' rest areas, and material warehouses were set up on the ground, and the bellows blowers connecting the ventilation shaft and the shaft opening were also installed one after another.

The water supply pipeline was rebuilt according to the mountain terrain, and the water was diverted to a collection well set up in a low-lying area of ​​the mine. Craftsmen installed a manual pump to pump the water at regular intervals.

"Ventilate first, then drain the water, only then can we talk about safety." This is a phrase Valentine repeats time and again.

The reconstruction of the well shaft is even more complex.

The old main shaft was selected as the main vertical transportation channel. The interior was reinforced with wooden piles and metal support rings, and a small derrick was built on top, equipped with a "hand-cranked pulley lifting device".

While not as convenient as large machinery, it is stable and safe enough, making it ideal for initial operations.

Lighting was not neglected either; fixed mine lamps such as oil lamps and phosphor lamps were arranged in an orderly manner along both sides of the mine tunnel, providing brightness and durability.

Each miner is equipped with a whistle, signal baton, and handbell in case of sudden collapse or gas leak.

“The mine is life, the wind is lungs, the water is disaster, and the lamp is eyes,” Louis said at the first internal briefing. “If you can’t protect these four things, don’t go down the mine.”

Next came the installation of the rail-wheel sliding system, which Louis particularly emphasized.

This is not the traditional wooden rail or animal-drawn transport, but a new type of "inlaid rail" module created by the Red Tide Blacksmiths Guild.

Each section of the metal guide channel can be pre-assembled, and once assembled, only a dozen or so people are needed to push the cart forward.

The rails are fitted with shock-absorbing copper pads, which makes the ore transport almost noiseless and stable.

“This is for the future, not for temporary stockpiling,” Louis once said.

Kyle once asked in bewilderment, "The future?"

“Ten or twenty years from now, we can still transport things without manpower.” Louis turned to look at him.

Regarding security, Louis proposed a rare "artisan-knight collaboration system".

Each mining team was assigned a knight to wait outside the mine entrance, who did not enter the mine but controlled the bell and rope mechanism.

Once any unusual activity is detected, such as collapse, tremors, monsters, or gas anomalies, it will be detected.

Ring the bell to immediately activate the "well withdrawal mechanism," thereby triggering the Knights' team to provide support and blockade.

Kyle remained silent for a long time after listening, and finally sighed, "My lord... you have thought of everything for everyone."

Valentine was more direct: "He's not some kind of lord... he's treating us like his own sons."

This entire preliminary design, from geological surveys to the sliding rail system, from the supporting steel trusses to the emergency escape routes, was all drawn up by Louis himself and implemented by Valentine and his team.

They spent almost the entire night staring at the drawings, unlike other nobles who were aloof and superior, they truly used their brains and worked alongside the workers.

This earned the admiration of Valentine, Kyle, and other Starforge management.

Thanks to this, the "skeleton" of the mine was already in place before the tunnels were even dug.

It is not a temporary labor site, but an industrial artery leading from the wellhead to the future of the red tide.

Once all the preliminary construction work was completed, the next step was to attempt mining.

Valentine led several core technicians and personally delivered two different blasting devices to the front of the mine tunnel.

“This is a Shock-Rending Magic Bomb,” he explained to Kyle, patting the metal casing.

"It is mainly used to 'shatter' the rock structure. The principle is similar to the explosives of the old era, but ours uses magic marrow oil plus a compressed shock energy core. After it explodes, the shock wave is controlled with extreme precision. It will shake for a maximum of three zhang (approximately 10 meters) and will not collapse the echo well."

Kyle nodded, his gaze still lingering on another oddly shaped cylinder.

"What about this?"

“This one is even more tricky, a rock-piercing flammable bullet.” Valentine chuckled. “It’s sealed in ceramic, filled with fire scale paste and finely refined burnt iron powder. Once activated, the temperature can melt the iron sheet into water.”

He gestured with his fingers as if his hand was burning hot, then added: "It's used to deal with those hard rock core layers that you can't blast through no matter what, or rock sections that need to be 'uncollapsed,' such as near ore veins or at tunnel intersections."

After a pause, Valentine praised without reservation: "This thing is entirely the invention of you and Lord Hillco... I think you're not here to mine, but to teach the world what a new era is."

"Stop flattering me, get things done quickly," Louis replied calmly, but couldn't hide the confidence in his eyes.

Before the actual blasting, the team of craftsmen had already completed the development tunnels for the target ore layer, which were the horizontally opened working tunnels.

The rail-wheel sliding system, already laid out in the tunnel, stood quietly waiting. Supports reinforced the walls on both sides, and drainage ditches extended to the wellhead at the rear. Oil lamps lit up one by one along the walls, illuminating a mixture of dampness and rust.

Technicians used red powder to mark the blasting area clearly on the rock surface, distinguishing the ore-bearing layer from the low-ore layer.

Valentine explained the detonation point numbers and ignition sequence to several craftsmen.

The demolition officially began.

The shattering explosive bombs were deployed in the disintegration zone, which is a place with many natural fissures and signs of loosening of the rock strata.

After the device is implanted into the rock mass, it is gently tightened with a hand-held rock drill, and then the wire is led out to a safe point.

Rock-penetrating explosives are used in hard rock layers and near the main ore vein, in conjunction with stabilizing piles and gypsum pads to ensure smooth cuts and prevent collapse.

"Multiple points, small quantities, phased blasting, and advance no more than five meters." This was a strict rule set by Louis.

The craftsmen nodded to each other and quickly retreated to the rear.

Louis stood at the front of the mine tunnel and waved his hand to give the order.

The ignition wire was slowly pulled away, followed by a series of low, muffled thuds.

boom! boom!
The Shattering Explosive Bomb detonated first, creating spiderweb-like cracks in the rock strata, which trembled violently but did not collapse.

A few seconds later, the rock-piercing agent was activated. The red light snaked along the rock surface, burning through the hard rock and creating smooth, mirror-like cuts.

The entire mountainside appeared to have been cleaved open by both a sharp blade and raging flames.

Even before the dust had settled after the explosion, Valentine rushed forward to check the results.

His gaze swept across the four walls. The support was intact, the rock layers were flat, and some rock surfaces even revealed traces of minerals that shimmered with a crystalline light.

"The entire mine tunnel is open!" he shouted excitedly. "It didn't collapse, it didn't tilt, the ore vein has surfaced!"

Kyle stared in disbelief. He was fixed on the glittering rock formation, as if he were seeing a gem opening its eyes from the earth.

"This is our mining process? This is too..." he murmured, unsure how to describe it.

“This is just the beginning,” Louis said calmly. “Once the next generation of explosives is complete, there will be no need for workers to drill wells; they will only need to recycle the ore.” Valentine grinned from ear to ear, then turned directly to the craftsmen and technicians and roared, “Did you all see that clearly? This is the real demolition of civilization! Learn it and engrave it into your bones!”

Applause and cheers erupted like a landslide.

Amidst the deafening cheers, the first batch of crushed ore was carefully loaded into a sliding car.

The pulley turned slowly, and the vehicle, carrying the freshly blasted ore, slid along the silent chute, like a silver dragon heading towards the future, passing through the darkness of the mine and heading towards the primary screening area on the surface.

There, technicians skillfully sorted the ore, and waste rock was quickly removed.

Those pieces of Qi vein stones, gleaming with a faint blue fluorescence, were like the most dazzling stars in the night sky, and were carefully piled up in the "mining area".

"Look! It's a Qi vein stone! It's a real treasure!" A young ore-screening technician exclaimed excitedly, his voice trembling as he held the ore in his hands, almost jumping for joy.

Kyle rushed over, staring at the gleaming mineral core, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice trembling: "...We're rich! We're really rich!"

At that moment, the entire mining area fell into a brief silence, followed by a burst of enthusiastic cheers. Applause, shouts, and laughter mingled together, almost lifting the sky.

They seemed to see a future of gold and silver mountains, and the light that belonged to the Red Tide Territory.

This is no ordinary ore; it is a strategic treasure, fuel that countless magical craftsmen dream of!

When the raw ore was neatly loaded onto carts pulled by oxen and slowly slid down from the mine entrance toward the transfer shed at the foot of the mountain, the miners and technicians almost jumped for joy, spontaneously applauding and cheering.

"This is a true miracle!" someone shouted. "We've truly found hope in this abandoned mine!"

In fact, before the trial mining, many people, including some technicians and veteran miners, had secretly questioned Louis's decision.

They dared not speak openly, but whispered among themselves:
"Why choose this mine? This place was mined before, but nothing good was found, so it was abandoned."

"This mineral layer is too deep and too cold, so cold that the rocks are harder than iron. Even if there were veins, they would probably have been frozen away long ago."

"Lord Louis...does he really know what he's doing?"

Some even speculate that this is just a show put on by those in power, using a seemingly difficult mine to establish their authority. If the mine really fails to operate, it will ultimately be these low-level workers who suffer.

But now, that dark blue Qi vein stone stands before everyone's eyes.

It emitted a soft yet dazzling light, like a silent slap that shattered all past doubts and contempt.

Those technicians who had previously shaken their heads in their hearts were now blushing and dared not speak. They just stood there silently, clutching their notepads tightly, unsure whether they felt guilty or shocked.

"...It's actually true."

“In this abandoned mine that has been frozen for more than ten years... we can actually dig out Qi vein stones.”

Their complete submission was not due to orders, but to that ore, which was like a beating heart—vibrant, passionate, and undeniable.

At that moment, all doubts vanished.

They finally understood that the young lord, who seemed calm and detached in his blueprints and systems, had foreseen a future that they could not see from the very beginning.

Louis stood on a distant rocky hill, his gaze calm and resolute.

He did not get excited by the cheers of the crowd, nor did he show the slightest surprise.

This was already within his expectations, after all, he had access to the daily intelligence system and knew that the resources of this mine were not limited to this.

He had already made many preparations for this.

Therefore, what he holds in his hands is no longer just a mining pick, but a complete set of process-oriented, standardized, and replicable industrial systems.

Louis watched quietly as the technician held up the Qi Vein Stone, and the miners danced with excitement, some even kneeling in the snow to kiss the ground.

The pulse of Starforge finally pounded, vigorous and enduring.

With the successful completion of the first round of trial mining, the mine tunnel model and blasting process developed under Louis's leadership were officially confirmed as feasible.

Not only was the ore vein confirmed, but all parameters, including rock strata stability, blasting model, transportation system, and geological impact, also met the predicted targets.

Kyle, as excited as a child, patted the mine map and shouted, "We can work here for thirty years without changing the pithead! This location was practically made for you, sir!"

Valentine went even further, saying, "If word gets out, those old dogs in the capital will come to us asking how to mine gold."

But Louis did not become complacent because of this, and quickly promoted the entire system to multiple sub-wells in the seventh mining ring.

Of course, after the successful trial mining, Xingduanling's mine tunnels were no longer a bunch of temporary digs where people were crammed together, but officially entered an organized, disciplined, and promising stage of industrial mining.

The first step was the mining operation system established by Louis.

Instead of adopting the common slave system found around the world, he established a more stable "three-shift, eight-hour rotation system".

The 24-hour shift is divided into three segments: eight hours of operation per shift and two hours of handover and recording, ensuring that the mine can operate at any time while minimizing manpower overload and accident risks.

The shifts are as follows: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM is the "morning shift," 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM is the "middle shift," and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM the next day is the "night shift."

Each work group has a fixed staff and cannot be temporarily changed.

Miners must sign in daily; those who do not complete the required hours will have their wages and food deducted.

Each shift is led by a team of operation technicians, including one on-duty technician, one safety supervisor, and two support inspectors.

"Won't this shift system slow down the progress?" Kyle frowned slightly when he first learned about the regulations.

Valentine did not answer immediately, but looked at the miners who were lining up.

"So what if it's slower?" He was unusually calm. "Do you know how mining is done in other places? In other mining territories, they work day and night, without rest or holidays. They're whipped until their bones are exposed, and they still have to keep going down into the mine."

He paused, then pointed to the young miners who were loading tools: "They are young and strong, they can last five years at most. After five years, they will either die from the heat of the mine, be buried in a cave-in, or go blind or become lame and be thrown into the snow forest as bait."

Kyle was stunned and didn't say anything.

Valentine scoffed, but his tone betrayed respect:

“But look here, there’s hot water, handover, and records. We work three shifts, eight hours each, not because there are a lot of us, but because…” He looked toward the mine entrance that had been blasted open in the distance.

"It's because Lord Louis said, 'Miners aren't consumables, they're people.'"

At this point, he suddenly laughed: "Don't think that having many rules is just for show. We're not fighting over a mine; we're going to work for ten or twenty years. If you're still thinking about working your butt off and then going back to the city to drink... well, you're mistaken."

He patted Kyle on the shoulder: "We're building a mine, not digging a graveyard."

At first, few of the miners believed things would turn out well here.

Most of them were refugees who fled famine in the winter and came to the Red Tide Territory. When they heard that they were being sent to the Star Forging Territory to mine ore, their first reaction was: "We're doomed. It's slave work to mine ore. No one will care if we die."

Their previous days were like living in hell.

They were always hungry, their clothes were tattered, and the biting cold wind blew straight into their bones.

Their living conditions were even worse: a dilapidated hut made of a few broken planks, with a leaky roof and wind whistling through the cracks in the walls, making them shiver with cold at night.

Even so, few people are willing to come to the mines, because many have been to the mines before and know that it is real slave work.

With almost no safety measures in place, people were so exhausted they felt like their bones were about to fall apart. If they died, no one would collect their bodies, and even their cries were swallowed up by the wind and snow.

“There, our lives are like grass, trampled on at will,” a former miner from another territory in the North said through gritted teeth.

However, when they arrived at Starforge Territory, they gradually saw something different.

There are people monitoring safety underground at regular intervals, and the blasting is carefully calculated; it's not just random explosions.

The food was much better than before, and they could even have delicious meat soup.

The ground-level dormitories are also very warm, with neat and clean beds, so even in the cold winter, you can get a good night's sleep.

Valentine and the technicians would often say that the adults themselves gave the order to ensure the safety and dignity of the miners.

“This Lord Louis is not like other nobles who only know how to exploit and oppress,” an older miner said, patting his chest. “He truly treats us like human beings.”

“I never expected this,” the young man said in surprise. “I thought this was an iron cage, but it’s a thousand times better than our old shack.”

Finally, one day, a miner stood at the entrance of the ventilation shaft, gazing at the snow-covered plains swept by the cold wind in the distance, and murmured to himself, "I shouldn't have doubted Lord Louis. At least this place has given us hope for a new life."

They had come to realize that this was not a slave camp, but a paradise in their suffering.

(End of this chapter)