Chapter 35

The concrete project will be massive in the future—where there is concrete, there is real estate, and the construction of the entire society cannot do without concrete. Even if the real estate market is temporarily lacking, there are still border fortifications, city walls, roads, and bridges to be built, as well as other residential, industrial, and port facilities, all of which require concrete.

In short, for such a large project, Li Xian must find a reliable person in charge.

In the end, Li Xian discovered a talent from the original metallurgy division, under Song Gang—Xiang Yun, who not only had a near-obsessive study of minerals but was also a very conscientious and responsible person.

In one night, Xiang Yun was promoted from the head of the mineral resource research workshop to the new division manager. This promotion was unimaginably stimulating for everyone—what a role model!

Li Xian's words, "A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier," had long permeated the entire valley, almost becoming a motto for everyone.

After a busy period, there were only ten days left until the New Year. Li Xian finally gathered the high-level personnel to prepare for a simple year-end summary.

Li Xian looked at everyone and suddenly smiled: "Everyone, in the past, we have created a glory and a legend. There's no need to repeat the past glory; I just want to say that the future will be even more glorious. One day, you will be proud of the choices you made today.

Next, we will conduct this year's year-end summary, and we will do this every year. The general structure is: what we did this year, what we still need to do, what needs to be improved, and what our future goals are, all of which need to be summarized.

Our achievements so far are:

- Colored lights, glass

- Engines, textile machinery, machine tools, smelting

- Electricity, conductors

- And the concrete project that has already been initiated.

Please report in order."

Sun Ming was the first to report: "In the past, we completed the improvement of colored lights, the production of glass, and the production of glass mirrors. Currently, the relevant personnel have been trained and are ready. Next year, we plan to increase the production of glassware, such as crystal glasses and other items for sale.

This year, we sold a total of 27,000 items, with a profit of 1,763 gold taels..."

The person in charge of the engines, still temporarily from the research department, Tang Rong, reported: "This year, we completed 894 engines. The latest engine has been reduced to 25 cm in height and 85 cm in length, with an output of 6 horsepower.

If connected to a spirit-gathering array, it can reach 9 horsepower.

Next year, we plan to develop a 100-horsepower engine."

He Lin, who was in charge of textiles, was about to stand up, but Li Xian suddenly spoke, "Aunt He, please wait a moment."

Then Li Xian looked at Tang Rong, "Teacher Tang, you underestimate the role of conductors. Conductors are already showing promise. If the research on conductors is successful, engines could potentially break through to 1,000 horsepower. Moreover, the engine is the heart of the entire industry and cannot be limited to just one model.

Next year, we need to research various sizes of engines to meet different needs.

Next year, I also plan to sell engines externally. The best way to control the market is not through a technology blockade but by guiding others, so they always follow in our footsteps and can only chase our backs."

Seeing Li Xian nod, He Lin stood up with a smile, "We have completed the preliminary research on the combined textile machine. Next year, we plan to complete the research on large combined textile machines, aiming for a daily production of 2,000 bolts of cloth.

Additionally, this year we have completed 12,000 bolts of cloth. Next year, we plan to achieve a target of 200,000 bolts of cloth and further reduce the production cost of cloth, making the cost price less than 60% of the market price.

Next year, we also plan to expand the factory, recruit workers, and raise silkworms and hemp; we do not plan to plant cotton, which has high requirements but low yields."

Li Xian shook his head slightly, "Aunt He, you underestimate the power of industry. You will soon see the miracle of industry. Producing 10,000 bolts of cloth a day is not a dream."

Next was Liu Bin, "We have completed the preliminary research on all supporting machine tools; however, the precision and efficiency are far from meeting the current needs of the factory. Next year, we will produce more machine tools, focusing on improving precision and adding multifunctionality. Especially, we will focus on the production of bearing and screw-related machine tools.

Additionally, the weapons custom-made for the sea clan, the five tridents we are responsible for processing, are almost complete, with only the final polishing left. They will be finished before the New Year."

Li Xian spoke again, "Uncle Liu, I have a goal for you. I mentioned the propeller and related transmission and steering mechanisms to you before. We need to start researching the gantry machine tools for processing steel ship bodies.

Additionally, you need to work with Song Gang and Tang Rong to research the welding technology I mentioned. Although magic is good, with the development of industry, magic welding is no longer sufficient in terms of speed or quality.

Also, the 'locomotive' I mentioned can be started for research."

"Understood."

Next was Song Gang from the smelting division, "This year, we have completed the smelting and purification of common metals, including stainless steel and various types of steel. We have also completed the identification and smelting of common metals such as chromium, manganese, aluminum, lead, tin, and zinc.

Next year, we plan to expand production, increase the production of non-metallic substances, and add acid and alkali production workshops."

Li Xian spoke again, "Uncle Song, I have two additional tasks for you. One is the metal wire drawing process. The generator is about to be born, and this will require a large amount of metal wire. Relying solely on magic is time-consuming and results in inconsistent quality.

I need the finest metal wire to be 0.5 mm in diameter, and the thickest to be 3 cm in diameter.

Additionally, we need to research metal foil and sheet metal processes.

Discuss these with Liu Bin."

Next, Tang Rong stood up again, this time for the generator and conductor project. "The generator prototype is mature, stable at about one meter, and can produce the equivalent of 1,000 horsepower per hour. However, it requires the connection of 10 large spirit-gathering arrays for power."

Li Xian thought for a moment, "Uncle Tang, I have an idea. We should separate the spirit-gathering array from the generator, making the generator structure simpler and more reliable. Additionally, we should build one or multiple large spirit-gathering array bases to supply all the spirit energy needed by the factory.

Of course, to achieve this plan, the conductor project must succeed."

"Understood."

"Additionally," Li Xian continued, "Teacher Tang, please make 50 inferior engines for me. I plan to sell them in the capital."

Li Xian's decision to sell engines surprised everyone, but since Li Xian had made the decision, no one could stop him. In scientific research and industry, Li Xian had already established absolute authority.

Finally, it was Xiang Yun's turn, the newly appointed manager. "Young Master, the production steps for concrete have all been tested. Within three months, we can complete the first rotary kiln."

"Very good." Li Xian flipped through his notebook, "Teacher Sun Ming, are the crystal chandeliers ready?"

"They are in the final testing phase. We made a total of 22, all large chandeliers using the best materials."

Li Xian: "Set aside 10 large chandeliers, 1,000 mirrors of various sizes, 1,000 pieces of various glassware, and 500 ordinary chandeliers. I plan to trade with the sea clan before the New Year.

Additionally, recently, produce some one-meter transparent glass spheres. I think the sea clan will like this.

Also, complete the custom weapons for the sea clan within the next five days."

Then, Li Xian turned to He Lin, "Aunt He, work a few more days. Five days from now, I will return to the capital and take all the cloth. I want to make sure all the common people in the capital have a cheap New Year."

After that, Qingyun Valley became busy, with a large number of horse-drawn carriages flooding in. These carriages belonged to the Li family, the Shangguan family, the Yuan family, the Zhang family, and many others rented from carriage rental services. Everyone was determined to make a big comeback during the New Year—after all, the Wang family was still very arrogant.

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