After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1275: Chapter 1242: Consolation

Zhao Hanzhang: "Then let them study well, and they can also learn skills like weaving, medicine, or craftsmanship. Having a skill at hand means they will never starve in the future."

Sister Feng nodded repeatedly and asked, "Which is more needed, female weavers, doctors, or craftsmen?"

"All are needed," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "as well as skilled mathematicians, astronomers, and various artisans."

She pointed to the digging path not far away and said, "Don’t underestimate craftsmen. Craftsmen once belonged to the Mo School, whose craftsmanship was unmatched in the world. A good tool can save manpower tenfold."

Sister Feng’s eyes widened, "So a single tool equates to ten people?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

The crowd started to buzz, "The things made by the Chief of Staff don’t achieve such results..."

Fu Tinghan, standing to the side, said, "Compared to the skilled Mo School, I’m still far behind."

After seeing the workers at this camp, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan went to visit other camps to offer their condolences.

Only then could Fu Chang and his group squeeze next to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang asked Fu Chang, "I heard from Ting Han that the riverbed of the section you’re responsible for has risen quite a bit, and the embankment needs to be raised. It’s very difficult to construct?"

Fu Chang nodded, "It’s difficult to construct, but now with explosives to blast stones and a large amount of lime, both the cost and construction speed have increased significantly."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Someone suggested using cement for the embankment before, why wasn’t it used?"

Fu Chang glanced at Fu Tinghan, "This..."

Fu Tinghan explained, "Grinding cement requires a lot of force. Building a suitable hydraulic grinding mill during the rush of the project is costly and time-consuming."

"I consulted craftsmen who have built embankments here over the years. They all use local yellow clay mixed with straw and minerals to build, and then apply a layer of grey clay on the outside. That grey clay is a type of grey sticky clay, also sourced locally, mixed with lime and glutinous rice juice, and a local vine sap for excellent waterproofing."

"I’ve calculated that if you want to finish by February and reduce expenses, this is the best method."

Had Zhao Hanzhang not compressed the construction timeline so much, even if given less money, he could have done better.

But she said that there might be torrential rains in March, so they must complete the embankment a month early. This is the most cost-effective and efficient plan.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, turning to look at the peaceful and serene Yellow River, "Such good water, I must make use of it someday."

Fu Chang sighed, "Indeed, the Yellow River harms people, but it also sustains countless lives. If we can manage the Yellow River well and make full use of it to irrigate the land on both sides, who knows how many good fields can be created to feed people?"

Fu Tinghan knew that Zhao Hanzhang was talking not only about irrigation, but the vast applications of water power, provided their technology meets the requirements.

The complexity of the required technology cannot rely on just Fu Tinghan alone, hence they not only need to cultivate technical talents from a young age but also absorb the existing ones.

It’s uncertain whether they can still find any Mo Family members in the world.

Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, leading his horse, "Let’s go, the second camp is already waiting."

Zhao Hanzhang mounted her horse and led a hundred cavalry along with Fu Tinghan and others to visit various camps.

From officials and generals to soldiers and workers, all were joyful.

Most camps were built on the south bank, but three were on the north bank, where the Yellow River was most treacherous. The north bank, like the south bank, was lower than the riverbed, and during floods, both the north and south banks suffered damage.

For years, the Jin Court did not manage the Yellow River on a large scale, leaving it to the conscience of the county magistrates and prefectural governors on both banks. Those with a bigger conscience organized labor to repair the embankments and clear the silt; those with a smaller conscience, burdened by the situation, merely let it be.

Thus, the riverbed has risen significantly since the past.

Fortunately, it’s winter, with less water. She examined the traces and feared that during the rainy season, the water would overflow the riverbed.

The damaged embankment cannot hold.

A minor overflow at best would scour the banks but a major flood would mean losing fields and villages on both banks.

Because, the riverbed is higher than the villages on both banks; if the embankment is breached, it’s like a waterfall pouring from the sky, flooding fields and villages.

After inspecting the camps on this side, Zhao Hanzhang crossed the river to inspect the opposite side and looked at the embankments being built.

The section they were responsible for was already two-thirds completed, the remaining one-third was taking shape, stones stacked layer by layer, stabilized with mixed yellow clay, and filled.

This construction makes the embankment less prone to collapse.

Stepping on the piled stones, Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where are these stones transported from?"

Fu Tinghan pointed to the distance, showing her, "There’s a thousand people stationed there, their task is to blast and chip stones, and this side sends people to transport them. Five thousand people across the river are responsible for this task."

Not all stones can be used after being blasted with explosives. Some stones are too large and need to be chipped open for easier transport and construction.

Moreover, some places require particularly large stones, with specific size and shape requirements, which cannot all be managed with explosives, requiring manpower to quarry.

Building the Yellow River is very laborious, but quarrying and transporting stones is even more so.

Zhao Hanzhang looked down at their wheelbarrows used for transporting sand and stones, clenching her fist; productivity is still too low, too labor-intensive, and people are too weary.

It was dark, and instead of crossing back to the first camp, the group stayed on the opposite bank.

Chen Cangjiang delightedly offered the main tent for Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan to stay, volunteering to guard the tent door.

Zhao Hanzhang refused, "There’s a trusted aide here, aren’t you starting work tomorrow? Guarding my tent tonight would delay work hours tomorrow."

She said, "Don’t delay because of us, finish early so the soldiers can return to the camp sooner."

Chen Cangjiang appeared somewhat nervous in the firelight, opening his mouth several times, wanting to ask but hesitating.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, "What’s with the hesitation? Speak openly if you have something to say."

Only then did Chen Cangjiang hesitantly ask in a low voice, "Great General, after we repair the Yellow River, will we return to train and fight?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked him in return, "Do you want to fight?"

Chen Cangjiang immediately shouted loudly, "I do! As long as the Great General commands, I will not shy from battle!"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t respond, instead turning to look at the countless campfires behind her, and the jubilant soldiers beside the fires.

Because of her arrival, tonight they celebrate. Today they slaughtered fifteen pigs, making a delicious dinner together with yesterday’s pig feet and entrails. Now, full and satisfied, everyone sang and danced beside the campfire.

Occasionally, two squads would compete against each other.

This is a military camp; they once fought together side by side, becoming familiar with each other, so the atmosphere is more intimate and relaxed than the workers’ camp on the other bank.

Compared to ordinary civilians, they know better how to seize happiness in time.

Everyone revels in joyful chaos.

Zhao Hanzhang stood up, signaling Chen Cangjiang to follow her, and casually chose a fire to sit by.