Now that the water quality issue has been solved, Pu Yuan's mood has improved, and he immediately led everyone to look around the Red Cliff Fortress.
"These rocks are really strange. They are almost all red." Everyone walked up the mountain road to the main peak of Chiya. Zhou Xing looked around and said in surprise.
Liu Yin smiled and explained: "Haha, I want Demao to know that this Red Cliff is named after the rocks are all red. Of course, the local people also call this place Chi'an."
"I see." Zhou Xing nodded.
When everyone reached the mountainside, the road suddenly became wider, and a piece of flat land with a radius of tens of feet came into everyone's eyes. Seven or eight houses had been built on the flat land, and the sergeants were carrying wood to continue building residences.
Yang Qing stood on the edge of the cliff, looked around, and praised casually: "Pugong, the place you chose is really easy to defend but difficult to attack."
Pu Yuandao: "I don't know much about military matters, so I didn't think much about it. I just thought that the location here is secretive and there is a water source, so I planned to set up an outpost workshop here.
Unexpectedly, after people from the Dudu Mansion heard about it, they also took a fancy to this place and planned to build a treasury here as a place to store ordnance. This led to the county and the Dudu Mansion jointly building the project. "
Pu Yuan went north to Hanzhong and was tasked with selecting the location of a weapons workshop. Although he felt that Chiya was the best location, he still had to build a workshop in Mianyang. After all, the main force of the Northern Expedition army would be stationed in Mianyang in the future. .
Therefore, Yang Qing felt that the weapons workshop in Chiya could be used to cast high-quality weapons, while the workshop in Mianyang could be used to cast ordinary weapons in large quantities. The two places had their own emphasis and cooperated with each other.
Thinking of this, Yang Qing said: "Pugong, we still need to set up a weapons workshop in Mianyang. Don't put all your thoughts here."
He knew that Pu Yuan, as a master of weapon refining, had always been dedicated to refining those magical weapons and was not that concerned about ordinary weapons, so he reminded him.
"I know, I can save myself the trouble of doing what Zhuge Cheng has asked me to do. It's so verbose!"
Everyone laughed when they heard his irritable tone, and then followed Pu Yuan into a room that was not big but well-decorated, and each chose a seat and sat down.
Hearing the arrival of the Hanzhong prefect, the Sima who led the troops sent to Chiya by the Dudu Mansion hurried over to pay his respects. After Yang Qing asked about some information and encouraged him a few words, the Sima withdrew wisely.
"By the way Pu Gong, Mr. Deheng will also come to Mianyang in two or three days. At that time, I will ask you to work with Mr. Deheng to select the address of the weapons workshop in Mianyang." After taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat, Yang Qing said solemnly.
This was something that had been discussed a long time ago, and Pu Yuan agreed wholeheartedly: "Things here have basically been sorted out. We will wait for the water from the Shu River to be brought back to start the furnace trial, and I will return to Mianyang with you in the afternoon."
"That's very good." Yang Qing nodded.
After lunch, everyone returned immediately. After resting for a night in Baocheng, they returned to Mianyang the next day.
This time Yang Qing came to Mianyang to do a lot of things. It was already October, and the fourth year of Jianxing was almost over. The Prime Minister's Office and the Northern Expedition Army would be stationed in Hanzhong in the spring of next year. Therefore, his first priority when he came to Mianyang was to inspect Yangping. , the construction of camps in Shima and Shima.
Fortunately, Yang Xi is diligent in his official duties and will visit the two camps most days in January. Under his supervision, Shima Camp will be completed in about half a month, and the new Yangping Pass will also be completed before the end of the year. Construction is completed.
Such progress naturally made Yang Qing feel relieved. He was in a happy mood and immediately ordered a large reward for all the people. Not only did they give them a lot of food and wine, but they also gave them an extra half month's wages. After the rewards were given, there was a roar of joy, everyone was grateful, and the people became even more motivated.
"Have you chosen the address of Pu Yuan's workshop?" Yang Qing smelled the smell of alcohol all over Pu Yuan's body and felt helpless, knowing that Pu Yuan had another big drink last night.
In the meeting hall of Mianyang County Temple, Yang Qing, Pu Yuan and others, as well as Ma Jun, who had just arrived yesterday, gathered early in the morning to discuss where the weapons workshop should be located. The matter will be decided today no matter what.
Pu Yuan stretched, stood up and walked to the wooden frame on one side. He pointed to the map of Mianyang hanging on it and said calmly: "Actually, I have been optimistic that the weapons workshop will be located here."
Yang Qing and others gathered around to take a look and saw that the place he was pointing to was Huangsha Township, ten miles east of Mianyang City.
Yang Qing smiled and said: "Haha, since you already have a plan, why didn't you tell me earlier? I'm waiting here scratching my head and worrying."
"Hey, Mingzhi, don't blame me. I only decided on the location of Huangsha last night when I was tipsy." Pu Yuan returned to his seat, picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip.
Everyone also returned to their seats, thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of Huangsha. As a local parent official, Yang Xi was the most familiar with Huangsha Township among everyone. He was thoughtful and immediately asked: "I dare to ask Pu Gong, but Huangsha has iron ore, so why did you choose this place?"
"Well, this is the most important reason." Pu Yuan explained: "Huangsha is located east of Mianyang, between Mianyang and Nanzheng. It is not on the front line of war, so it can be said to be a safe zone. And the terrain of Huangsha is flat, With abundant water resources and iron ore, it is most suitable to build a large weapons workshop."
Yang Qing and others couldn't help but nod after listening. It seems that Huangsha is really a suitable place.
Yang Qing turned to Ma Jun and asked, "What do you think Mr. Deheng?"
Ma Jun knew that this was Yang Qing's respect for his opinion, and was greatly moved in his heart. He replied loudly: "Hui, Mr. Huifu, I think that the place called Huangsha chosen by Pu Pu Gong is very, very appropriate. "
"Well, that's good. Let's go to Huangsha in the afternoon. If there are no other problems, we will set the address of the weapons workshop there, and then we will try to break ground and start construction in three days."
Out of caution, Yang Qing still wanted to go to the site in person before making a decision. Pu Yuan and others had no choice but to agree immediately.
After some investigation, the Huangsha land was indeed suitable for building a weapons workshop. Now that he had made up his mind, Yang Qing immediately and resolutely asked Yang Xi to cooperate with Pu Yuan and Ma Jun to build the workshop.
Ten days later, the weapons workshops in Huangsha and Chiya had officially started construction. Pu Yuan sometimes stayed in Huangsha and sometimes went to Chiya. He was very busy.
On this day, the water from the Shu River had returned to Chiya. Pu Yuan finally waited for this day and immediately prepared to start the furnace for trial production. Since Yang Qing had other official business, only Liu Yin accompanied him to Chiya to test the sword.
"No, there's something wrong with the water!" Pu Yuan touched the Shujiang water he retrieved with his hand and exclaimed in surprise.
Liu Yin asked in confusion: "Pugong, is there something wrong with this water?"
Pu Yuan pondered for a long time and said: "This is not the complete water of the Shu River. It is mixed with other water. Based on many years of experience, the mixed water should be Fu water."
"What, this happened?" Liu Yin asked in shock: "Can Pu Gong be sure?"
Pu Yuan smiled and said: "Hey, I have traveled all over Yizhou for so many years, but I can still tell whether there is Fu River or not."
Liu Yin nodded, turned around and shouted to the person fetching the water: "I've made you a bold female thief, why don't you actually recruit me?"
The leader of the water-fetching sergeant immediately knelt down on the ground: "It's unfair, it's unfair! I hope the Ming court will investigate carefully. The water we collected is all water from the Shu River, and we must not dare to deceive."
Pu Yuan sneered, slashed the water in the barrel with his knife, and said affirmatively: "Why do you think someone has wronged you? I tell you, there are at least eight liters of Fujian water mixed in this, right?"
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the people collecting water were shocked.
Liu Yin looked on with cold eyes and shouted sternly: "If you still dare to deceive me if you don't recruit me from the truth, your skin and flesh will be at risk."
A group of people fetching water were so frightened that they fell to the ground. The leader cried and said: "I know my crime, I know my crime. It is true that I accidentally spilled the water when we were in Fujin. I was afraid of being punished, so I went there." Eight liters of Fujian water was added to make up the amount. I hope the Ming court will forgive me and ask the Ming court to forgive me." After saying this, he kowtowed and confessed his sins.
Liu Yin snorted coldly and looked at Pu Yuan to let him make an idea. Pu Yuan waved his hand: "That's all, the road is long and dangerous, and overturning the water tanker is inevitable. You can just get it again. But remember, even if some of it is lost, you cannot mix it with other river water. You must know the water quality of the Shu River. It contains the essence of gold, and it is most taboo to have impurities mixed in.”
Liu Yin shouted: "Do you understand?"
"Little understand, little Ming
white. "
Liu Yin said: "Go and get water from the Shu River quickly. If such shoddy things happen again, I will definitely not have anything to do with you."
"No." All the water collectors quickly bowed and responded.
After everyone left, Liu Yin looked at Pu Yuan and smiled bitterly: "Pugong, look at this..."
"That's all, let's wait a little longer." Pu Yuan also had no choice but to smile bitterly.
