Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 775 - 429: May the Sun Shine on Gray Rock_3

Before Louis could utter a word, Director Mike had already risen to his feet.

His movements were so rapid, as if he feared someone might snatch his brilliant notion, he swiftly advanced towards the map. With a firm press of his coarse finger, he indicated the river that snaked through the city.

"No need for Lord Louis to concern yourself with this matter,"

His voice resonated with the distinct confidence of a craftsman, even carrying a trace of exhilaration.

"Indeed, there isn't any fuel for steam engines here," Mike declared, "but this river, it's like a ferocious beast."

He retrieved a charcoal pencil from his pocket and began to rapidly sketch upon the blueprint.

"I have ascertained the flow rate; it is more than sufficient to power a triple linkage waterwheel assembly. This is a novel invention developed by the craftsman's department two years prior."

As the pencil tip descended, the design quickly materialized.

"The initial stage will operate a colossal bellows, forcing air into the mine, thereby resolving the ventilation predicament.

The second stage will activate a chain hoist mechanism to simultaneously draw up water and ore, tackling both drainage and ore extraction challenges."

He paused, then drew a decisive, heavy line at the blueprint's base: "The third stage can be allocated to a hydraulic forging hammer."

A brief, pregnant silence fell over the conference chamber.

Louis, observing the swiftly evolving sketch, lifted his gaze and inquired, "Will this indeed function?"

"We implemented a trial run in the Northern Territory," Mike confirmed without a moment's hesitation, "however, the water flow there lacked sufficient strength; often it fell just short of providing adequate power."

He looked back at the river depicted on the map, his eyes alight with intensity.

"Gray Rock is different. If we can harness this river, it will surpass the capability of ten steam engines."

Louis remained quiet for a moment, choosing not to press for further particulars.

The intricate details of the mechanism, the torque calculations, and the transmission ratios were well beyond his comprehension.

Yet, he was acutely aware of one undeniable truth: Red Tide currently harbored the world's most inventive and audacious craftsmen.

To foster an environment where these individuals could pursue innovative ideas without trepidation, he had invested substantial sums of money, resources, and incurred significant institutional costs...

Therefore, Louis simply nodded, his tone measured yet resolute: "Then, let us proceed with this endeavor."

When it was the turn of Director Mike from the agriculture department, he proceeded to unceremoniously pour a bag of freshly sampled black soil into the tray provided on the table.

The dark earth cascaded out, releasing a damp, pungent, and acidic aroma.

"This soil is unsuitable for cultivation,"

Mike's voice was low but exuded absolute certainty: "The soil is thin, intensely acidic, and receives minimal sunlight. My analysis of the data indicates that if we were to forcibly plant crops from the Northern Territory, the yield would barely cover the cost of the seeds."

He paused, then added a pragmatic assessment: "Relying on grain supplies transported from the Northern Territory is simply not feasible; once heavy snow seals the routes, everything will halt."

Louis did not direct his attention to the tray of soil.

Instead, he walked over to the large map adorning the wall, his eyes scanning the entirety of the province, finally settling upon a region in the south.

His tone was light, yet it effectively severed any possibility of further pessimistic discourse: "See to it that the Black Valley Basin is investigated."

Mike appeared momentarily startled, his gaze instinctively flicking upwards.

"The soil there, while acidic, is exceptionally rich in humus and provides shelter from the wind," Louis continued, speaking as if announcing an already established fact. "The high acidity is not a drawback; rather, it is a condition that can be exploited."

He gestured on the map: "I will arrange for Hillco to dispatch a consignment of our latest crack powder formulation. Begin by neutralizing the acidity, then work on improving the soil structure. Refrain from forming hasty conclusions; conduct experiments across several plots."

Louis swiftly guided the discussion toward practical solutions: "Regarding the issues of sunlight and temperature, while there is no geothermal activity here..."

He picked up the charcoal pencil once more and rapidly sketched a familiar structure onto the blueprint.

"Replicate the Type III glass greenhouse design from the Northern Territory. Utilize steam for heating purposes. The structure can be simplified; prioritize stability above all else."

Louis paused, offering no false promises: "This strategy will not suffice to feed everyone."

"However, combined with the mushrooms cultivated within the mine tunnels, it will at the very least guarantee that every individual receives a daily serving of hot potato and mushroom stew."

"For the remaining deficit, we will make adjustments from the Northern Territory. Subsequently, we will devise methods for soil restoration or the development of new crops incrementally."

Mike did not press for further inquiries. He cast a glance at the bag of black soil before neatly sealing it and returning it to his pocket.

"Since Lord Louis believes it will succeed," he declared, his head lifted, devoid of any trace of doubt, "then something shall indeed flourish on that land."

Following this, Director Mike of the craft office stroked his chin, his knuckles producing a dull thudding sound as they tapped rhythmically against the table.

"The food situation can be resolved, but the challenge of housing persists," he stated plainly. "The construction of greenhouses, factories, and roads all necessitates building materials."

Though Gray Rock Province teems with stones, the processes of extraction, grinding, and transportation are agonizingly slow. At this pace, the completion of the inaugural worker dormitories will be pushed into next year.

Louis shifted his attention to the map, his eyes traversing towns and mining zones before settling on the western expanse designated as wasteland: "Red Earth Slope."

The moment these words were uttered, Mike instinctively raised his head.

Louis met his gaze, his tone placid, as if stating a simple truth.

"Beneath that area lies dark red clay. Excavate it, process it with the plentiful limestone into powder, and then send it to the furnace for firing."

A few individuals around the conference table knitted their brows, while others instinctively consulted their maps.

"This is neither brick nor pottery," Louis elaborated. "It's a specialized hydraulic lime. Once water is added, it solidifies autonomously, and even when submerged, it proves more robust than stone."

Mike remained motionless, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Having dedicated his life to craftsmanship, witnessing the manipulation of steel and alchemical alloys, he had never encountered such a peculiar earth capable of being fired into a material stronger than stone.

Yet, he observed Louis's countenance, noting the familiar resolve making its reappearance.

Within Red Tide, such knowledge was no longer confined to secrecy.