Chapter 147
Chapter 147
After watching the entire process for making simple concrete, Jin Bao’s little face lit up with another joyful smile.
She caught Xiao Che by the wrist and gently shook it.
“Daddy, can we build new houses here? Houses the uncles can come home to after work. That’ll definitely make them happy.”
Jin Bao blinked her big eyes, her gaze filled with innocence.
Of course Xiao Che intended to build houses. The problem was that construction would cost a fortune, and they did not have much silver on hand.
More importantly, it was already the sixth month. In another three or four months, the land would once again turn white. They would be unable to grow food or continue building houses.
They did not have much time left.
Xiao Che urgently needed to determine how they could complete the first group of homes and reclaim enough land for their first harvest within three or four months.
“Daughter, Daddy wants to build houses too. But we don’t have enough people or money. It’s already the sixth month. In another three or four months, the ground will freeze and we won’t be able to do anything.”
Jin Bao had lived through a Northern Frontier winter. She understood as soon as Xiao Che explained.
“Daddy, Baby knows how to build houses. Baby can make houses that snow won’t crush. Do you want to try?”
Xiao Che looked at her in puzzlement. “What kind of house won’t collapse under heavy snow?”
Jin Bao tilted her head and tried to explain more clearly, but after listening to her for a long time, Xiao Che still did not understand. In the end, she decided to do what she had done before and direct everyone one step at a time.
“Daddy, first we need to build a kiln like the ones used to fire porcelain in Black Pine Valley. Then we put a kind of stone inside and burn it.”
Xiao Che thought he finally understood. His daughter must have “seen” a new firing method.
“Daughter, we can talk through this slowly. For now, let’s return to the Xie Family estate. Judging by the date, your uncle should be back soon.”
New ideas were beginning to take shape in Xiao Che’s mind, but this was not his area of expertise.
He needed to discuss it with Xie Chengyan. Developing the economy and governing the people were matters Xie Chengyan understood far better than he did.
Jin Bao sighed. But the thought of building houses that snow could not crush soon lifted her spirits again.
When Xiao Che and the Shadow Guards returned to the Xie Family estate, Xie Chengyan had indeed arrived with the grain.
Xiao Jingxing had also recovered considerably over the past few days.
To Xiao Che’s even greater delight, Xie Chengyan had brought back the surviving Shadow Guards who had accompanied Xiao Jingxing.
It was a remarkable coincidence.
Ye Yi and the others had become lost in Black Pine Forest and were going in circles when they happened upon Xie Chengyan’s grain convoy.
The two groups nearly fought, but Ye Yi recognized Xie Chengyan.
Knowing the Xie Family and Xiao Family had joined forces, he immediately stepped forward and identified himself.
Only then did he learn that Xiao Che had already taken the Shadow Guards to rescue Xiao Jingxing.
Ye Yi turned back with Xie Chengyan. When he reached the Xie Family estate and saw Xiao Jingxing, everyone was overwhelmed with joy.
Sadly, half the Shadow Guards who had followed Xiao Jingxing had still died.
Had Xiao Jingxing not ordered everyone to retreat, they likely would have all perished there.
The moment Jin Bao returned, she raced to the western side courtyard to see Eldest Brother.
After asking a few questions about Xiao Jingxing’s condition, Xiao Che went with Xie Chengyan to the study in the main courtyard.
A servant brought in a pot of tea, then withdrew.
“Old Xiao, I heard from Long Xia that you took the gold mine. Are the miners obedient?”
Xie Chengyan poured Xiao Che a cup of hot tea.
“I’ve already settled everything at the mine. There is something more important I need to discuss with you now. I want your opinion.”
Xie Chengyan lifted his cup and took a sip before looking at Xiao Che. “Go on.”
“Your estate may stand in a no-man’s-land claimed by no one, but its terrain leaves much to be desired.”
Xiao Che rose and walked to the desk. He spread out a sheet of paper, dipped the brush in ink, and spoke as he drew.
“Look. This point marks our estate. There is a mountain behind it that appears to offer an escape route, but Long Xia has already surveyed it. He says the terrain is not steep enough. If an enemy surrounds us, that mountain cannot shield us.
“The other three sides are open plains, with nowhere to hide. If Prince Cheng’s army attacks, we won’t have the strength to fight back.
“The other three great families around us are also watching closely. If war breaks out, it would be bad enough if they simply stood aside. If they shift allegiance with the wind and strike at us, our situation will become even worse.”
Xie Chengyan had never commanded an army, but he had studied military texts. What Xiao Che described was the very problem that had troubled him all along. He had originally chosen this location because its competing powers and ambiguous ownership allowed him to fish in muddy waters. But the situation changed by the day, and Prince Cheng’s influence had already penetrated the Northern Frontier.
They had to prepare early.
“What do you suggest we do?”
Xiao Che did not answer immediately. He lowered his head and drew another map.
“Look at this. It’s a valley at the foot of the mountain below the gold mine. The terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The mine lies to the north, cliffs rise to the east and west, and the exit is in the south. A river winds through the valley as well. I intend to build a fortified military town here, bring in more people, and develop it steadily. If we don’t seize territory of our own amid this chaos, other powers will devour us piece by piece.”
Xie Chengyan studied the map carefully and nodded.
“This truly is an excellent location. It has water, arable land, and defensible terrain. Right now, we need to accumulate strength and develop steadily.”
That was exactly what Xiao Che had in mind. Fighting had already broken out everywhere else. He would let the other factions wear one another down while his own people kept a low profile and slowly grew stronger. Once his army was powerful and his economy prosperous, they could take the entire Northern Frontier in one decisive stroke.
“I still don’t know where to begin. Help me plan how we should develop the place.”
Xie Chengyan took the brush from Xiao Che.
He lowered his head in thought. A moment later, he began drawing circles and making marks on the paper.
“Old Xiao, I think we should divide the valley like this.
“The center of the ‘palm’ will become our inner city, which will serve as the military base.
“Beyond it, the eastern side of the outer city will be the residential district. We should plan twenty wards in advance, with fifty households in each. The town will have eastern and western markets. The eastern market will contain streets, a medical clinic, a school, and a temple, while the western market will hold the various workshops.
“The western side of the outer city will be the production district. We will reclaim farmland and build a porcelain workshop, fish-drying grounds, and a leather workshop.
“The area closest to the inner city will be used for storage.
“Based on our current population and the number we may reach in the future, we should begin with five large granaries capable of storing ten thousand shi of grain.
“Beside the granaries, we will build three supply warehouses for medicinal herbs, cloth, salt, iron, and other materials.
“At the narrowest point of the southern valley, we will erect a wall five zhang high. The city gate will be made of Black Pine wood plated in iron, one and a half chi thick, with a massive portcullis behind it. Two arrow towers built above the valley will overlook the entire area.”
A smile tugged at Xiao Che’s lips. Xie Chengyan was worthy of being Great Xia’s Chancellor. In such a short time, he had already designed the general layout. They only needed to adjust it to the actual terrain before construction could begin.