How should I put it?
I've heard some eccentric craftsmen say that fired bricks are a perfect substitute for adobe bricks in construction, but this idea only circulated among the upper class and the aristocratic construction industry.
In small places like their villages and counties, craftsmen only know some traditional and outdated techniques, even if they yearn for them or have the urge to imitate them.
But no one had ever seen it or tried it, and they were still skeptical.
But the bricks produced in this kiln under the guidance of Zheng Quchi are enough to open their eyes wide.
After they made and touched the fired bricks themselves, they began to believe that fired bricks could replace adobe bricks.
They even began to look forward to the new trend of folk construction that they would initiate, and to how their hands would change the phenomenon of the inferior mud-brick and thatched houses that were ridiculed in the State of Ye.
They couldn't wait to see what Zheng Quchi's batch of custom-made brick blanks would look like after firing.
——
All the engineering and construction were carried out in an orderly manner under Zheng Quchi's arrangement, and she adopted the method of carrying out one project in three sections at the same time.
The project involved reconstruction, repair, and reinforcement, with different trades working on-site simultaneously, all managed by a foreman she dispatched.
As long as Zheng Quchi has a reasonable process and plan in mind, this is not difficult.
Furthermore, once the relevant difficulties are overcome, the arduous and monotonous construction project can be undertaken without much worry.
After all, most of the stonemasons hired by Fuxian County were skilled craftsmen. If she were to truly compete in craftsmanship, she would have to admit defeat. All she could do was take care of various miscellaneous tasks.
For example, the quality, schedule, technology, and quantity of work in the early stages of construction; follow-up, surveying, and construction guidance in the middle stages; and various acceptance procedures in the later stages.
However, her existence was not unimportant, because while a missing craftsman could be replaced and a shortage of many could be addressed later, her position was crucial to the success or failure of the entire project.
At first, no one realized how important she was.
But soon, when they resumed work, they were no longer like headless flies, constantly being reassigned to this task or encountering troubles that caused them to stop working. Instead, everything was like boarding a ship and sailing smoothly towards their destination.
The stark contrast between before and after immediately became apparent.
They couldn't help but discuss among themselves that this dark-skinned young man seemed to be quite capable and competent.
But they were also strange.
This dark-skinned boy is quite young, where did he learn all these intricacies? She actually managed to sort out this originally chaotic fortification in one go.
Of course, this is the opinion of some of the shantytown workers who are optimistic and who see Zheng Quchi all the time.
Another group of people with dark hearts act as if she had climbed to the top by clinging to a powerful backer, putting on a show of deception.
Thinking you know some skills and then showing off your meager abilities, you might end up falling flat on your face one day.
Where there are people, there is gossip. Even though Zheng Quchi's "promotion" had nothing to do with them, they still secretly slandered and speculated about her.
As evening fell, Zheng Quchi returned to Guixupo and planned to visit the construction site, but unexpectedly encountered Mu Ke on the way.
Mu Ke had been waiting for her for ages.
"Quick, quick, follow me! We've done it!"
"What succeeded?"
Zheng Quchi didn't react for a moment.
The moment Mu Ke saw her, he couldn't stop smiling.
"The earthmoving device you redesigned for our county—no, you mean a crane? The carpenters have been working overnight to finish it. Come with me to take a look!"
He grabbed her and ran.
Zheng Quchi was also very pleased to hear this.
"You finished it in just a few days? That's incredibly fast!"
"That's right, but it was thanks to General Yuwen's support that we were able to make it go smoothly. Otherwise, we would still be too inexperienced."
Yuwen Sheng's craftsmen?
Aren't they a group of high-end carpenters from the big city of Taiyuan?
Upon hearing this, Zheng Quchi immediately became curious. She had always been in contact with carpenters who made furniture in the countryside, but someone who could be a craftsman for Yuwen Sheng, this great demon, must be of extraordinary skill.
It is at least at the national level.
If she could exchange experiences and ideas with them, and hone her skills, she would definitely benefit greatly.
With this humble yet expectant feeling, she ran over with Mu Ke.
The crane was transported to the flat ground of the quarry.
As the sun set, seeing the crane from her hand-drawn blueprints now standing vividly before her eyes, the sight truly made her take a deep breath.
Although it doesn't look as sophisticated as modern machinery, and even has a thickened base to support its weight, making it look somewhat bulky... its function and purpose are very real.
She stared intently, then asked, "Have you tested it?"
Mu Ke shook his head, and seeing her staring at the "lifting" with a look of wonder, he couldn't help but find it a little funny.
This is clearly something she drew, but she seems to be looking at it with the same sense of wonder as they are seeing it for the first time.
"Not yet. This is something you invented, so of course you should be the one to try it out. The other craftsmen and I just pieced it together and made some initial adjustments to the parts."
"Okay, I'll do it."
Zheng Quchi did not refuse. She guessed that although they had made this thing, no one had ever used it. Naturally, they would put forward her as the first person to "take the plunge".
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
