Chapter 72

......

Subsequently.

Finding an excuse to temporarily send Wang Lici away, he pointed out the plan that needed to be executed recently and the parts that required the cooperation of the old ancestor.

In the pavilion.

The old ancestor Longyan's snow-white long hair gently danced in the wind, and her star-like eyes emitted a captivating light. Her tone was calm but filled with a sense of killing: "Shouzhe's plan is good, but why only arrange for me to be the backup? The Yinsha poison in my body has been refined to a large extent, and I don't need to worry about the backlash in a short time."

"If this plan attracts an old ghost, I, Wang Longyan, can pay a price and kill it. Even if it attracts two old ghosts, there's no need to fear."

Wang Shouzhe rubbed his forehead; everything about his old ancestor Longyan was fine, except for her fiery temper.

This battle between the two families was like a card game; who would throw a royal flush right at the beginning?

He arranged the old ancestor Longyan into the plan just as a backup, a last resort. Now that her injuries were rapidly improving, how could he let her pay a price again?

This kind of thinking was unacceptable.

Immediately, Wang Shouzhe solemnly clasped his hands and said, "Old Ancestor, this confrontation between the Xuanwu families is not about personal bravery or military strategy. Every participant is a family member, a retainer, or a close friend. Once a mistake occurs, it could result in irreparable losses."

The old ancestor Longyan's delicate body trembled slightly, and she calmed down a bit, apologizing, "Shouzhe, you are right. I, Wang Longyan, have been capricious and spoiled for half a lifetime, committing many mistakes and causing many irreparable pasts. I must calm down and seriously reflect on my shortcomings."

"Old Ancestor." Wang Shouzhe hurriedly said, "Your contributions and sacrifices to the family are beyond question, and we, the younger generation, remember them in our hearts. But times have changed. We, the Wangs, are in the dark, while the Lius and Zhaos are in the open. What we need to do is protect ourselves while taking a big bite out of the other side. It's like collecting interest before the debt is paid."

"In terms of strategy, I am far inferior to Shouzhe." The old ancestor Longyan's eyes flickered, "Just arrange everything as you see fit."

With the old ancestor Longyan's approval, Wang Shouzhe felt a great burden lifted. In fact, he didn't need her to participate in the plan. As he said, the biggest fear was unexpected situations.

The old ancestor Longyan's role was to serve as the final trump card, to be used only if absolutely necessary, as her body was just beginning to recover.

"Since that's the case." Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands and took his leave, "Please take good care of your health, Old Ancestor. I will inform you when the time comes."

With that, Wang Shouzhe left.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to drag away Wang Lici, who had been sent to eat, to avoid disturbing the old ancestor's rest.

......

An hour later.

At the rear courtyard dock, a black-roofed boat slowly sailed out. Wang Lici, holding a bag that was flapping in the wind, was in a mess. Inside the bag were not only her clothes but also a large number of ancient books and famous works carefully selected by her fourth uncle.

Was she being sent away?

"Big girl." Wang Shouzhe waved goodbye on the shore, "While contributing to the family at Xingxing Farm, be sure to listen to the Sixth Elder. Among all the younger siblings and juniors, your fourth uncle loves and values you the most. This kind of good job, your brother Wang Zongwei won't get in his next life."

"Thank you, Fourth Uncle." Wang Lici's tears welled up, "I am so grateful to you."

"No need to thank me, everything is understood without words." Wang Shouzhe was also deeply moved, as if sending off a daughter for marriage, with a strong urge to wipe away tears, "Wang Ju, Wang Zhu. You two must take good care of Miss Lici on the journey, and under no circumstances should you be negligent."

"Yes, Master."

The two female retainers responded solemnly and then fixed their gaze on Wang Lici. Clearly, their real task was not to take care of her but to "escort" her.

The boat gradually sailed away.

Wang Shouzhe stopped waving and walked back with a light and joyful step.

However, the arrangement was just that. In reality, Wang Shouzhe was just sending her there to temper her character. He didn't want this spoiled child to be lazy and idle all day, even dreaming of some Xuanwu combat technique that would make her strong without cultivation, just by eating and drinking.

Where are such Xuanwu combat techniques or cultivation methods? Give him a dozen of them?

How can your imagination be bigger than mine, a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "time traveler" or "穿越者")?

Unrealistic!

How long should she be tempered? Three months is too long, half a month is too short. One month, then. By then, she should be tempered enough. Then, he would bring her back and teach her properly.

Lici, Lici, don't blame your fourth uncle for being heartless.

As the saying goes, a sharp sword comes from tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from enduring the bitter cold. Without effort, how can there be rewards?

Wang Gui, who followed him, became even more cautious. He was truly afraid of accidentally offending the master and being sent to mine.

Originally, Wang Shouzhe had planned to take Wang Lici to Weicheng for a stroll and pick up some spirit stones. But now, Changning Wei was too chaotic, and he preferred not to take the risk.

Just as Wang Shouzhe returned to the courtyard.

A gatekeeper ran over to report that Gongsun Zhong from the Gongsun family and Wang Liuyu from the Liu generation had come to visit their family. They said they came after receiving the master's letter.

Hearing they had arrived.

Wang Shouzhe's mood lifted. That meant the matter he had entrusted to Gongsun Zhong had been resolved. He immediately asked the gatekeeper to lead the way to the guest courtyard.

It was now evening, and everyone was cooling off.

"Third Aunt, Third Uncle." Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands in greeting as he entered.

Gongsun Zhong and Wang Liuyu hurriedly returned the greeting. Although they were of a higher generation, Wang Shouzhe was the head of the Wang family.

"Luo Tong and Luo Jing are also here." Wang Shouzhe smiled and greeted his two sisters, then solemnly bowed to his fourth aunt Xu Zhirou, "Shouzhe greets Fourth Aunt."

Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou had raised him and Wang Luoyi for a period, and he always remembered this kindness.

"Shouzhe, you are too polite." Xu Zhirou also hurriedly returned the greeting.

Their presence here was quite normal. Wang Liuyu and Luo Jing's deceased father, Wang Dingbang, were close siblings, so their relationship was naturally special.

After some hospitality and a meal.

In the evening.

Wang Shouzhe met with Gongsun Zhong alone. Gongsun Zhong sent his retainers to deliver some items to Wang Shouzhe's courtyard.

Basket after basket of stones, some iron ore powder, some white gypsum, and various other things.

"Shouzhe, the things you described in your letter, I have brought them. Since I wasn't sure if they were right, I brought a lot of different things." Gongsun Zhong, a very honest and straightforward man with dark skin, had been working in the Gongsun family's mines since he was eighteen and was extremely familiar with various minerals and stones. If Wang Shouzhe wanted to make cement, he couldn't avoid the Gongsun family.

Moreover, to be honest, there was no need to avoid them. With the strength of the Wang family, trying to monopolize the cement business would be too risky. In his plan, if the cement industry was successful, he would at least need to involve the Gongsun family and the Donggang Chen family.

Of course, the prerequisite was successful research and development.

"Thank you, Third Uncle, how much does it cost?" Wang Shouzhe said gratefully, "I will settle the payment with you."

"These are just some worthless scraps, not even a dozen carts of stuff," Gongsun Zhong hurriedly waved his hand, "My second uncle also instructed not to charge."

"Then thank you, Third Uncle, and thank you, Grandfather." Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands in gratitude and didn't fuss over the matter.

After a brief chat, the inarticulate Gongsun Zhong took his leave.

Wang Shouzhe had a basic idea for cement research and had been trying to recall some directions recently. This material was not much different from oyster ash, made by calcining limestone with various other things, then mixing it with gypsum and grinding it into powder.

Most of the raw materials were very cheap, with iron powder being the only slightly expensive one, but its content should be low.

Wang Shouzhe naturally wouldn't personally develop cement but had already found a kiln worker from a collateral branch of the Wang family. This kiln worker's family had been building kilns and firing bricks for many generations.

It was said that their ancestor was a kiln worker who followed the old ancestor Zhou Xuan south because of this skill. Many of the bricks in the main residence were made by this collateral branch.

"Wang Gui." Wang Shouzhe handed the "Cement Research Guide" he had written to Wang Gui, "These are clues and characteristics of 'iron mud' from ancient texts, similar to oyster ash. I don't understand much more. Tomorrow morning, take this information and the dozen carts of research materials to Wang, yes, Wang Jingyuan."

"Yes, Master." Wang Gui took the materials as instructed.

Wang Shouzhe placed great importance on cement and hoped for successful development, but he was an outsider. It was better to provide ideas to professionals. Kiln workers, who deal with bricks and tiles all their lives, are familiar with oyster ash and even some soil-based binders.

These professionals are experienced and often intelligent. Many times, they just lack a spark of inspiration.

If it takes some time to develop, that's fine. It will eventually be done.

Similarly, for papermaking, Wang Shouzhe wrote a "Paper Research Guide" and found some intelligent and reliable collateral relatives from the woodworking industry, provided them with research funds, and let them handle it.

The large population of collateral branches has its advantages, as it's always possible to find talented people in various industries.

Wang Shouzhe's current focus was on the major plan to counter the Liu and Zhao families.

......

Night.

It was already late.

Outside the Anjiang Dingpu ferry, the river was rippling with waves, and a medium-sized, luxurious pavilion boat was floating on the water. This boat was clearly not a transport vessel but was specifically designed for the travel of high-ranking individuals.

The pavilion was exquisitely crafted, using expensive wood and colors, exuding a sense of luxury and elegance.

The main hall of the pavilion was even more luxurious, as if a wealthy family had moved their expensive living room and bedroom onto the boat. The valuable antique vases, which could shatter in a single wave, only added to the extravagance.

However, at this moment, two very young and heroic men were facing each other in the hall. A stunningly beautiful woman, who seemed to have descended from the heavens, stood respectfully with her hands hanging down.

Her captivating eyes would secretly glance at one, then the other.

The master is still more handsome. She secretly concluded, feeling a bit pleased.