After ensuring that the cement would not be delayed in manufacturing, Su Ziheng finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he set his eyes on Wang Boyang, the person in charge of the gunpowder workshop, "Wang Daochang, may I ask if there are any raw materials missing in the production of gunpowder?" ”

Wang Boyang said: "Back to the words of Lord Changshi, the current quantity of sulfur and charcoal is still supplied, but the raw materials of nitrate are insufficient, after the production of a batch of gunpowder, if it is not replenished in time, it is estimated that the production will be stopped next month." ”

Su Ziheng frowned when he heard this, on Zhenbao Island, Su Ziheng discovered the existence of sulfur mines, but no trace of saltpeter mines was found, which made him quite depressed.

Nitrate is very important in Su Ziheng's plan, and there are countless places where gunpowder can be used. Whether it is in industry or in the military, it will play a pivotal role.

He turned his head to look at Yao Fusu, who was sitting next to him, and said with a smile on his face: "Your Royal Highness the Prince, there is one thing to trouble you next, don't you know where there are saltpeter mines in Great Xia?" Can you please send a batch of saltpeter over there every month? When the time comes, we will settle with perfume and soap. ”

Yao Fusu thought for a while, nodded and said: "There should be a saltpeter mine, because every summer the palace will use pure saltpeter to make ice, and my father will also reward a lot of ice cubes for the hundred officials of the imperial court to cool off." As for the specific origin, we have to wait for Gu to go back and ask, if Donghai County is not far away, Gu will arrange a special person to mine a sufficient amount of saltpeter every month to transport it to Donghai County. ”

Su Ziheng said happily: "That's really grateful to His Royal Highness the Prince." ”

Saying that, he turned his head and glanced at Zhong Chengda, the acting chief bookkeeper, and said: "Zhong master book, before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince transports the saltpeter back, you also need to include the saltpeter procurement items in the raw material procurement list, and you will have to purchase the maximum amount every month in the future, don't be afraid to buy more." If there is more, we will hoard it, and the stock of saltpeter and sulfur raw materials is not too much. ”

Zhong Chengda said solemnly: "I will obey the order of Lord Changshi. ”

Su Ziheng pondered for a moment, but was still quite dissatisfied, and said worriedly: "Nitrate is our strategic raw material reserve, if we can't mine and manufacture it ourselves, it's always not safe." I remember that there was a method of making nitrate from the soil, which could be boiled with dung, and I dare to ask if there are toilets built in Donghai County now? ”

Zhong Chengda said with a blank face: "Lord Changshi, this subordinate official never knew that the internal affairs were not the responsibility of the subordinate official. ”

Su Ziheng patted his head, smiled at him embarrassedly, shifted his gaze to Zhong Qinghan, and arched his hand: "Your Royal Highness Princess, is there still no candidate for the post of Fucheng?" ”

Zhong Qinghan shook his head and said, "This palace originally wanted to ask Lord Zhao to take the position of the prince, but he politely refused. He said that he only wanted to be in charge of various construction projects in Tokai County, and did not want to manage other things. ”

Su Ziheng said: "Then an agent should also be appointed first, otherwise the person in charge of many things will not be found." ”

Zhong Qinghan said: "This palace understands that an acting mansion will be selected in the next few days." Until then, if something happens, this palace can temporarily act as an agent. ”

Su Ziheng smiled, "Then there is Her Royal Highness Princess Lao." Now, with the gradual increase in the population of the county, the health problem must not be ignored, otherwise once someone gets sick, it is likely to spread on a large scale. Later, when the officials go back, they will compile a health manual, and when the time comes, they will follow the content written above, and everyone must strictly implement it. ”

When Zhong Qinghan heard that he would be infected with an infectious disease, his face immediately became serious, and he couldn't help nodding and said, "Su Changshi, please rest assured, this palace will definitely publicize it in place." ”

Su Ziheng said: "Before this, it is better to let those workers who have nothing to do for the time being start digging pits and building toilets first, and arrange that all workers must be convenient in the toilet and must not defecate in the open." ”

Seeing that Zhong Qinghan did not understand the construction of toilets, Su Ziheng continued to explain: "Toilets can ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of the environment; Manure can be used to fatten crops and increase food production; Moreover, the manure can be used to boil nitrate, which is an effective way to ensure our stable production of nitrate. ”

When Zhong Qinghan heard that there were so many benefits of building a toilet, he couldn't help but say solemnly: "This palace knows that it will definitely do what Su Changshi said, and ensure that the toilet is built in the fastest time." ”

The meeting went on in an orderly manner, and after arranging one thing after another, Su Ziheng set his eyes on Xu Lin, who was acting in the army, "Xu Senjun, may I ask how many stones have been mined by that group of pirate captives during this time?" ”

Xu Lin said with a smile: "Back to Lord Changshi's words, after half a month of mining, tens of thousands of catties of gunpowder have been consumed, and hundreds of thousands of stones of different sizes have been mined in the Beishan Quarry. Due to the limited number of stonemasons in the city, the number of stones processed suitable for the construction of the government office is not large, and the lower officials have arranged for the soldiers of the Black Crow Army to carve the stones together. ”

Su Ziheng said: "As long as the quarried stones do not affect the construction of the government, there is no need to carve the surface of the stones." What we want is to build the government office in the shortest possible time, so that all office workers have a stable office space. ”

Zhong Qinghan also agreed: "Lord Changshi is right, it's not time to enjoy it now, so there's no need to be too gorgeous." ”

Xu Lin leaned over and saluted, "Obey, Your Highness the Princess!" ”

Su Ziheng instructed: "A team of crows can be arranged to escort the pirate captives to transport the processed stones, and officially start the construction of the government office in the selected location." ”

Xu Lin said: "No! ”

Su Ziheng set his eyes on Zhao Chengming and asked, "Lord Zhao, I don't know if you have any good suggestions for the design of the mansion?" ”

Zhao Chengming said: "Look at what specifications Her Royal Highness the princess needs to build." Generally speaking, they all sit in the north and face south, and the main buildings are arranged on a central axis in turn, with the left and right on both sides, and the front hall and the back sleep. ”

Su Ziheng glanced back at Zhong Qinghan and asked softly, "Your Royal Highness the Princess, do you need to set up a dormitory in the palace?" According to the opinion of the lower officials, some bedrooms can be built for the officials to rest temporarily, and there is no need for the dormitory of the princess's mansion to be built in the same place as the palace, right? ”

Zhong Qinghan didn't answer his question immediately, but looked at everyone present, "What do you Aiqing think of Lord Changshi's proposal?" ”

"This ......" Many officials are silent, in this era of the family and the country, from the imperial palace to the county government, almost all adopt the pattern of the front hall and the back bed.

The front office, the back rest, the concept of the family and the country. But Su Ziheng wants to distinguish between public and private, the office location is purely for office use, and he will go back to his home after work, so there is no need to stay in the government all the time.