Ningguang's face flushed red, and she immediately felt like backing out. However, when she remembered that she still owed Su Han a wager, she realized it might not be a big deal after all, because dancing also involved hugging.
Su Han saw the rich lady hesitating and knew she was embarrassed. He was just about to suggest switching to a different mode of travel when Ningguang unexpectedly reached out her small hand toward him.
"What are you standing there for? If we don't leave now, it'll be noon soon."
"Sorry, I got distracted."
Su Han smiled softly and took her hand, then activated the treasure. The two of them rose into the sky pressed closely together.
Ningguang felt her body lift into emptiness, and she immediately shut her eyes in nervousness. Her fingers tightened around Su Han's arm. This was her first time flying. Although she usually stayed in the Jade Chamber, this feeling was completely different from simply being high in the air.
"All right, don't be afraid. Flying treasures are actually very safe. You can try opening your eyes."
Hearing Su Han's gentle voice, Ningguang slowly opened her eyes. She was surprised to find that they were already high above the ground, and there was a layer of golden light protecting them, so there was no cold or wind.
Seeing how small everything was beneath her feet, Ningguang felt for the first time that flying seemed quite fun. She looked into the distance and smiled.
"Can you lower us a little? Otherwise, I won't be able to see the scenery below."
"Of course."
Once the height was lowered to about five hundred meters, they could clearly see everything beneath them.
Su Han noticed that the road from Liyue Harbor to Wangshu Inn was completely packed with workers. What confused him was that they were paving the road using mountain stones. Although this was sturdy, it became extremely slippery on rainy days, and the construction progress was very slow.
"Can't this be sped up? At this rate it'll take forever."
"This is already very fast. Every laborer we could recruit has been recruited. Even the workers who used to make stone tools have been brought here to build the road. I promised that they would get their own new home in the city."
When Su Han heard this, he shook his head.
"I'm not saying they're not working hard. I'm saying chiseling stone is too much of a waste of time. Transporting it delays progress, and cutting it takes too much time and effort."
"But everyone has always done it this way. Do you have some other idea?"
"Have you ever heard of cement?"
For road building, cement was the most convenient. Bag after bag, mix it and pour it, and it would set on its own. The material was extremely strong. Most importantly, it saved tremendous manpower and resources.
Ningguang thought about it and realized she had no impression of such a thing, so she shook her head.
"Cement? What is that? I've never heard of it."
Su Han's eyes lit up. He knew Liyue didn't have cement.
"The thing called cement is made by mixing limestone, clay, iron ore, and so on in certain proportions. When you add water later, it becomes moldable, and once it sets, it becomes as hard as stone. When we arrive, arrange for some alchemists to research it. If they succeed, we'll save a huge amount on road construction in the future, and we can make money off it too."
"Cement has many uses?"
"Building houses, paving roads, cement can be used for all kinds of things."
When Ningguang heard that cement could be used for so much, she immediately complained.
"You knew such a valuable formula and didn't tell me earlier? Would I ever treat you unfairly?"
"If I hadn't seen them still using stone slabs to build roads, I wouldn't have remembered it."
Su Han felt wronged. If he had known Liyue didn't have cement, he would have borrowed money from the Hall Master to start a factory long ago. He wouldn't have had to suffer these three months.
Ningguang sighed.
"Then when we arrive, we'll find some alchemists first. Let them research it while we inspect the city."
"No problem."
Traveling from Liyue Harbor to Guili Plains didn't take long, and they arrived in less than half an hour.
The ruins that used to stand there had already been blasted clear, and even the foundations were being excavated. From afar, Su Han and Ningguang saw Keqing sitting on a mountaintop drawing.
"Keqing, what are you doing here?"
Hearing the voice above, Master Keqing raised her head in confusion, only to see Su Han bringing Ningguang.
"Huh? Why are you two here? And Su Han, weren't you in Mond?"
"I just got back yesterday. I went to see Ningguang to catch up, and she invited me here. Are you drafting the city layout? Can we take a look?"
"Of course. There are a lot of things I'm troubled about."
Keqing placed the huge blueprint on the ground. Su Han and Ningguang lowered their heads to look. They saw that Keqing had put a tremendous amount of work into the city: entertainment facilities, commercial streets, and even watchtowers and defensive walls suited to Guili Plains.
After Su Han examined it for a while, he noticed that many parts used massive stone blocks. He frowned.
"This design will take a lot of time and money, won't it?"
"If I don't do it this way and monsters break in at night, ordinary wooden houses won't be able to withstand them. And since there's plenty of stone nearby, quarrying locally can save some money. Also, houses that are too cheap won't be liked by young people."
Keqing was helpless. Considering safety and aesthetics, she had no choice but to use large amounts of stone. Wooden houses were cheaper, but they didn't last.
This was when Ningguang asked suddenly:
"Can't cement replace stone? For example, for the foundations?"
"Pure cement won't work, but if you add steel reinforcement inside, it would be no problem."
"Then we really need to make cement quickly. Keqing, let's finalize the plan for now. Don't worry about funding. Go gather the nearby alchemists. They don't need to blow up any more mountains. Have them research the formula. There will be great rewards for success."
"Cement? A formula? What is that? Can cement really replace stone?"
Master Keqing was full of doubt. If it really could replace stone, her work would be much easier.
Ningguang nodded.
"It really can replace stone, and transportation is very convenient. We'll explain in detail later. First, let's see if we can produce cement. If it works, then this city's construction is settled."
If they did not need to consume enormous manpower and wealth, there was no need to worry about cutting costs.
Before long, the alchemists nearby were gathered. Each was given an alchemy blueprint. Keqing then said:
"Your task now is to research the formula in your hands. Whoever finishes first will be rewarded with a shop in the new city."
When everyone heard that they could earn a shop, they immediately rushed to the temporary laboratory with their formulas.
Watching the excited alchemists, Su Han turned to Ningguang and Keqing.
"If cement can be produced, I suggest turning Mingyun Village into a cement factory. That way we can increase revenue, improve the environment of the region, and transportation will be convenient too."
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