Chapter 229 Infrastructure

Rong Ye's heart couldn't take it, he was really afraid that his baby would disappear just like that.

"Then I'll take you with me next time."

"You're not fully recovered yet. It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back!"

Xie Shuangbai went in to get something.

"Here you go, I remember I have this on my bookshelf."

In high school, he became interested in military history and bought a book that recorded wars from ancient times to modern times.

Rong Ye took it and took a look. Although the words on it were a little difficult to understand, he could roughly guess it.

Xie Shuangbai explained to him that this was simplified Chinese.

He turned to a page that included a section on war simulation.

"That's right. Use a sand table to simulate the geographical features. This will make it easier for you to command the battle."

Rongye watched very seriously.

"It's indeed convenient. I've also asked Lin He to research the telescope you gave me before, but there's no news yet."

"A telescope requires glass, and I wonder if the Dayin Dynasty has the technology to make glass."

"It doesn't matter if you can't do it. Having one is already a rare thing."

"Actually, glass is mainly made of quartz sand, pure alkali, limestone, borax, and alumina. It also needs to reach a certain temperature when melting. There are many uncertainties, so we need to experiment. I'll write to Lin He about what I know."

One of them was reading quietly, and the other was writing quietly.

Xie Shuangbai wrote two letters and gave one to Rong Wu, asking him to send it to Youranju early the next morning.

One letter was given to Rong Yi, asking him to give it to Lin He.

Rongye saw that it was getting late, so he reluctantly put down the book.

"It is indeed very helpful. You must keep this book safe and do not let anyone see it."

"Okay, if you want to see it, tell me."

Xie Shuangbai took the book, and it disappeared in an instant.

"Rongye, do you still remember the foreign trade policy I mentioned to you before?"

"Remember, you mean we trade with the barbarians?"

Xie Shuangbai nodded softly.

"From what I've observed, our camp is neither too far nor too close to the barbarians. We might as well build a trade center there and demolish all the vacant, dilapidated villages behind the camp and rebuild. It's better than living in tents, and it would also solve the problem of accompanying military dependents."

Rongye thought about it and it was indeed feasible.

"Okay, tomorrow Qin Yan and I will look at the terrain, and we will also send someone to see what the barbarians are willing to do. We can rebuild the village first."

"Okay, the road must be well built. The cement is solid and won't get muddy even when it rains. I guarantee the barbarians will be attracted by it. As for the barbarians, if they want to repair it," Xie Shuangbai said shrewdly, "they will have to pay for it."

Rong Ye looked at him with a smile: "You have the final say."

The next day, Rong Ye took Qin Yan to carefully inspect the surrounding terrain.

Their camp was located more than 100 miles away from the Jade Snow Mountain, and more than 100 miles behind the Jade Snow Mountain was the barbarian's lair.

If you ride a fast horse, it will take more than three hours, and if you transport goods, it will take a whole day.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, it would be best if we didn't move our main camp. It would be best to establish a trading zone 10-20 miles ahead."

Rong Ye calculated the distance in his mind and looked around, "Well, I'll do as you say."

Rong Ye ordered again: "Qin Yan, you will go to the barbarian tribe in person tomorrow and meet with their leader, Bartel, to discuss trade matters."

After Rong Ye came back from the inspection, he directly announced the reconstruction of the camp. For a moment, the whole camp was in an uproar. Some people thought it was good, some thought it was not, but they did not dare to comment on the prince's order.

Rongye is never the kind of person who will stop just because someone says something is not good.

The first task Zhao Dunzi received was to rebuild all the dilapidated villages within 50 miles behind the camp.

Of course Xie Shuangbai also got the news. After lunch, he went to find Zhao Dunzi.

"Brother Zhao, I received the mission, right?"

Zhao Dunzi was confused after receiving the order. When he saw Xie Shuangbai coming, he quickly grabbed him.

"Shuang'er, you came just in time. I wanted to ask you how to renovate this. Someone taught me how to use cement yesterday, but I still don't quite get it."

Seeing that he was in a panic, Xie Shuangbai said:

"Don't worry, using cement isn't difficult. I'm here today to talk to you about how to renovate it."

Xie Shuangbai took out the three-dimensional drawing he had drawn.

He pointed to the rear of the camp and said:

"Brother Zhao, we need to focus on this area. If there are no problems, I plan to build this entire area into a three-story residential complex."

Zhao Dunzi was shocked. "Three floors? That would slow down the process and increase the difficulty. I'm afraid..."

"Don't worry, we're not building a three-story building, just a portion. The three floors, from the first to the third, all belong to one family. Only two families live in one building, and only generals are eligible for this allocation.

The interior is built just like the one I live in at Youranju. You had no problem with it before, and you will definitely be able to do it this time too."

Xie Shuangbai added, "Single soldiers sleep in large bunk beds, which require building a kang (a type of kang) bed. This isn't difficult, you've already mastered it."

Zhao Dunzi was indeed sure about the kang bed.

"Okay, then I'll assign one group to build the large bunk bed and another to build the small building. But even then, we still won't have enough manpower."

"Deputy General Qin and Commander Wang will send troops to assist you. You'll also need to build toilets and bathrooms similar to those in the workshop. This time, we'll build a larger bathroom that can accommodate at least 100 people."

"Okay, let's go check out the terrain first. I'll arrange for people when I get back."

Rong Wu took the two of them to check the terrain.

Xie Shuangbai once again felt the desolation of Fencheng, with ruined villages everywhere.

Just looking at it, you can tell that this place must have been ravaged by war in the past.

Zhao Dunzi is from Fencheng. Looking at the dilapidated village in front of him, he also thought of the village he had left before.

"My old village was no different from this place. All the villagers died."

Xie Shuangbai didn't know how to comfort him. It was impossible to empathize with him without experiencing the cruelty of war.

He patted his shoulder gently and said, "It's all in the past, Brother Zhao. We must remember these pains, use them as a warning, and seek peace for our descendants."

Zhao Dunzi looked at Xie Shuangbai and nodded, "Yes, you are right. Let's seek peace for the child."

Rong Wu took them to visit many places around the area. Zhao Dunzi took note of what Xie Shuangbai said. After returning, they completed the three-dimensional map.

Zhao Dunzi was eager to try and was waiting to start working with the workers tomorrow.

Rong Ye also instructed Qin Mu and Wang Ge to fully support the engineering team's reconstruction, and the two of them patted their chests and promised to complete the task.

There is strength in numbers, and for a time the border camp was bustling with infrastructure construction.

Qin Yan was not idle either. After receiving the reply from the barbarians, he also led a team of people to the barbarians to discuss trade.

The barbarians have been severely damaged since the last war, and each tribe has lost a lot of men. Fortunately, their Chaha tribe did not participate, otherwise they would not be able to imagine the consequences.

After receiving the letter, Chaha leader Bataille notified the top leaders of the Chaha group to hold a meeting.

They are all here to participate in the negotiations today.

As the leader, he didn't know much about business, but fortunately his third brother Batelli was well versed in it.

So today he mainly talked with the envoy.