Chapter 66 Bring All Scholars to Beining City

Holding two wooden boards with handles, he scooped up a portion of the cement, applied it evenly onto the bricks with one board, and then neatly scraped away the excess overflow with the other.

Just like that, a single brick was effortlessly adhered to the wall.

Throughout the entire process, Gulna mentally kept track of the time and was astonished to find it took less than twenty breaths.

With such astonishing speed, it was no wonder that the so-called apartments in this Northern Wilderness District were springing up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

However, since cement was so formidable, crucial to people's livelihoods, and could even be applied to military defense, why wasn't Zhuge Xuan taking any precautions against him?

No, it should be the Prince of Chu.

Without the Prince's authorization, Zhuge Xuan would never have dared to bring him here.

"Mister Zhuge, aren't you afraid of leaking secrets by doing this?"

Gulna asked pointedly.

"The National Advisor need not be reserved. His Highness has given instructions that, apart from the military workshop, you may visit and inspect any other place in Beining City as you wish," Zhuge Xuan replied with a confident and open smile.

Taken aback, Gulna struggled for a long time to figure out the reason, then asked with a dazed expression, "Why is that?"

"His Highness plans to put cement on the market in the near future. If the Jurchen State has any demand for it, we can discuss the terms in detail."

Zhuge Xuan looked at Gulna with a mild smile, giving the latter a sensation akin to being watched by a venomous snake.

"You are actually willing to sell such a divine creation?"

Gulna lost his composure, his face flushing with excitement. He was so thrilled he almost grabbed Zhuge Xuan in an embrace.

"Naturally. Otherwise, why would I be telling the National Advisor all of this?"

Zhuge Xuan had anticipated Gulna's reaction; after all, hadn't he been just as excited when he first learned of it?

"Splendid, splendid! Please convey my gratitude to His Highness."

Gulna's eyes burned with fervor. He seemed to already envision the Jurchen State erecting towering buildings with the aid of this cement.

Before founding their state, the Jurchen people were nomads who were never skilled in architecture.

Even after establishing their nation, many of their craftsmen had actually been abducted from the Great Qi Dynasty.

However, due to a severe scarcity of timber within Jurchen territory, they had to purchase it from Great Qi or other nations, making housing exceptionally expensive and leaving many commoners to endure the elements in tents.

Yet, if they possessed cement, all these problems would be solved instantly.

"No, this matter is of utmost importance. I must return to the Jurchen State immediately."

Restless and agitated, Gulna hurriedly bid farewell to Zhuge Xuan and immediately led his men back toward the Jurchen State at full speed.

Zhuge Xuan made no attempt to detain him and instead reported the entire encounter directly to Qin Xuan.

Upon hearing the report, Qin Xuan merely offered a faint smile. "It seems our first customer has been secured."

"Your Highness, this subordinate still does not understand why we must sell both refined salt and cement to the Jurchen State," Zhuge Xuan asked, puzzled.

In his view, since the Jurchen State was in urgent need of two hundred thousand bundles of refined salt this time, they shouldn't have sold it to them.

As for cement, it was currently a unique commodity exclusive to the world, and it would be best to restrict its use forever solely within Beining City.

Knowing Zhuge Xuan's perspective, but recognizing that such a mindset was far too insular, Qin Xuan explained, "Whether it is refined salt or cement, as long as the secret recipe remains in our hands, it doesn't matter how much we sell."

"But if those barbarian nations use these to grow stronger, it will likewise be detrimental to Beining City," Zhuge Xuan countered.

"Military Advisor, you have overlooked one crucial issue—Beining City is similarly lacking in resources."

Qin Xuan sighed and continued, "The Divine Strategy Army lacks warhorses, and we do not have the time to breed new ones. The best approach is naturally bartering goods for goods."

"Secondly, Beining City is, after all, only a city. It is so small that there are no silver mines within its walls, no sufficient iron ore, and naturally no grasslands or pastures, meaning we cannot enjoy a regular supply of beef and mutton."

"Yet the barbarian nations possess all these things. Why on earth should they sell them to us?"

This rhetorical question left Zhuge Xuan speechless.

Qin Xuan went on, "People can live without refined salt because crude salt can serve as a substitute, and barbarian nations can manage without cement because they have their own traditional building techniques."

"We are merely trading non-essential goods of ours for their absolute necessities, and moreover at a ratio of one to ten, or even one to a hundred. Tell me, which side is truly getting the better deal?"

Hearing these words, Zhuge Xuan was finally enlightened.

Up until now, let alone him, even the other civil and military officials in Beining City had been overwhelmed by one novel and practical invention of Qin Xuan after another.

Yet they had forgotten that from the very beginning, some of Qin Xuan's inventions were simply intended to accumulate wealth.

Even taking a step back, as long as export volumes were strictly controlled, why fear anyone using these goods to counter-attack?

"Technology is constantly progressing and evolving. When everyone else finally begins to use cement, we will likely already possess another weapon capable of destroying it."

With a profound gaze, Qin Xuan spoke in a resolute tone.

Zhuge Xuan trembled slightly, a look of shock crossing his face. "A weapon to destroy cement? Your Highness, does such a miraculous divine instrument truly exist in this world?"

"It does not exist at present, but that does not mean it will not in the future."

This single sentence made Zhuge Xuan's heart skip a beat once more. Based on his understanding of Qin Xuan, he knew this statement was by no means an empty boast.

"Very well, leave the future dealings with Gulna to you."

Qin Xuan smiled and brought up the subject of the Confucian Sage. "We have received a reply from Mister Qiu, but the outcome is far from ideal."

"Did the head of青山 Academy fail to make Master Kong Ru look upon our Beining City with favor?" Zhuge Xuan asked with some displeasure. In his eyes, Qin Xuan was unquestionably the most talented individual in the entire world.

"We cannot entirely blame Master Kong Ru. I originally intended to leverage the connection of Mister Qiu's mentor to first establish familiarity, but they mistakenly thought we were trying to take a shortcut, which in turn might tarnish the reputation of Mister Qiu's mentor," Qin Xuan chuckled bitterly.

Previously, he had entrusted Qiu Xingzhi to implore his mentor to recommend Beining City.

Though called a recommendation, its purpose was merely to make initial contact.

However, Master Kong Ru, a man who could tolerate no sand in his eyes, had written a furious letter back to Qing Shan Academy, denouncing the academy for becoming the running dogs of Beining City.

"Presumably, Master Kong Ru is not yet aware of the civil strife in the capital last year. Had he known the reasons behind it, he would never treat Qing Shan Academy in such a manner," Zhuge Xuan surmised.

Qin Xuan shared the exact same thought.

During the initial palace siege, setting aside the faction courted by the Third Prince, the civil and military officials had already overwhelmingly turned their hearts toward Qin Xuan.

Had the Grand Emperor not intervened, the Great Qi Dynasty would have long since changed hands.

Yet, the Confucian Sage had lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years; even if rumors had reached him, he might not know the truth of the matter.

"In all likelihood, our Beining City has been painted by malicious actors as traitors to Great Qi, which is why Master Kong Ru is so indignant."

Qin Xuan shook his head with self-deprecating amusement. "Therefore, to clear up this misunderstanding, it is time for us to employ some methods."

"Your Highness, do you already have a strategy?" Zhuge Xuan asked in astonishment.

Qin Xuan nodded slightly, speaking with calm confidence, "Next, let us invite all the scholars across the realm to come to Beining City for a lively gathering!"