Mo Lan's eyes suddenly lit up as she listened to Ting Yu's explanation. "Where did you see it?"
"Oh, that's a bit far. It's in a remote area, inhabited by a tribe that's known for its singing and dancing, and is very hospitable and friendly. Young Master has made quite a few friends there," Tingyu said with a smile.
Sure enough, the approximate geographical location was correct. "What did you do with those black things?"
"What else could we do? We told the people in the village what we had found out and warned them to stay away from these dangers, especially the drinking water problem. We stayed there for a while and then came back."
As Tingyu spoke, seeing Molan's high level of interest, she couldn't help but remind her, "I advise you not to be curious. That stuff is very pungent when it's hot, has a strange smell, and is pitch black in color. No woman would like it."
"I think I know what you mean." Mo Lan looked at the children chasing rabbits around the bushes in the distance, and curled the corners of her lips.
"Huh? You know?" Tingyu looked at Molan with surprise.
"That stuff is called asphalt, and it's great for paving roads." Although it has many other uses, paving roads was the most practical option at that time.
"Paving roads? That sticky, soft stuff, you'll sink into a hole every time you step on it, are you kidding me?" Thinking of that thing, Tingyu shook her head like a rattle drum.
"Who told you to use pure asphalt? It needs to be mixed with gravel, stirred evenly, before it can be laid on the road surface. Then it needs to be rolled flat with a stone roller, and once it has solidified, it can be walked on."
"Really? Which is better, the blue brick road or the blue brick road?" Tingyu blinked and couldn't help but ask.
"There's no good or bad in this, it's just that the price difference is too big to be compared. Paving roads with blue bricks is too expensive. Only prosperous prefectural cities and imperial cities can afford it. Ordinary county towns and townships can't afford it. With asphalt, plus some gravel, not too much is needed to pave a smooth gravel road. On rainy days, it will no longer be muddy."
"Really? If there are so many benefits, just tell the young master that we need to pave the way for the hands, and bring some back."
"That's hard to say. After all, the journey is quite long. Neither you nor I know if your master will waste time on this. However, I do want some. I'll repair the road at the foot of the mountain later, from the mountain stronghold to Ye County and then to the dock."
As Mo Lan spoke, she couldn't help but smile when she saw Ting Yu looking thoughtful. There was something she hadn't mentioned yet: wherever asphalt could be produced, there was either coal or oil hidden underneath. Listening to Ting Yu's description, the chances of finding oil were very high.
If it really is oil, then the heavy machinery in her mandala can operate; it's just unknown how deep the oil layer is.
Thinking about his own oil reserves, drilling a well shouldn't be a problem.
Just as I was thinking this, I heard a group of children cheering, and then I saw them running towards me, each holding a gray rabbit in their hand.
"Boss, we've caught him."
When the children ran up to her, Mo Lan raised her hand and flicked the forehead of the child closest to her. "Do you know how to handle rabbits?"
Yes,
"Alright, once you've cleaned up, go find Uncle Dapeng to start a fire, and ask Uncle Songjian for seasonings. Let's start grilling!" Looking at these lively and active children, Mo Lan gave them a friendly reminder.
"Sigh~"
Watching them leave happily, and then seeing the few teenagers making a ruckus around Song Jian and the others, and then thinking about the oil underground, he felt a little hesitant.
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