319: Chapter 319 Planning the New City, Shanghai!

"What are Xu Ning's requirements?"

Zhao Fusu asked Xu Fu.

Xu Fu replied, "The General wants a large amount of cement; he wants to build a paved road between the mining area and the camp."

"Mhm."

"As he should."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fusu nodded in agreement.

Whether it was for generating wealth or increasing the speed of troop movements, building roads was necessary.

"Xu Fu."

Zhao Fusu looked at Xu Fu and said, "You are responsible for establishing the shipping route from Cixi Port to the Shimane Tribe."

Currently, Xu Fu was the only one who knew the route from Great Qin to Japan.

This certainly wouldn't do.

If Xu Fu were to die or become unwilling to lead the way, wouldn't they have to rediscover the route themselves?

More people had to master this route so that he wouldn't be controlled by others.

It was the same principle as not putting all your eggs in one basket.

"By your command!"

With the First Emperor watching from the side, how could Xu Fu dare to say no?

He had spent so many of the First Emperor's resources but had failed to bring back the Elixir of Immortality the Emperor desired.

The First Emperor now felt a mix of love and hate toward him.

The First Emperor still held some hope in his heart, believing that the Elixir of Immortality existed overseas.

After all, that was what Zhao Fusu had told him as well.

"Xu Fu, you've worked hard,"

Zhao Fusu said, "We have arranged a welcoming banquet for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Paramount Leader,"

Xu Fu said gratefully.

"Xu Fu, I have something to discuss with you,"

the First Emperor said, his eyes burning with intensity.

Seeing this, Xu Fu's expression turned bitter.

He knew without even thinking that the First Emperor's purpose in seeking him was once again to ask how the search for the Elixir of Immortality was going.

But he really couldn't find it!

He looked toward Zhao Fusu for help.

In response, Zhao Fusu shrugged; Xu Fu would have to fool the First Emperor himself.

He had very important matters to attend to.

Namely, mobilizing cement for Xu Ning.

Houses built with cement were far sturdier than those made of rammed earth.

Nowadays, the nobility mostly used cement when building houses.

Not to mention, Zhao Fusu needed a large amount of cement to build residential areas around the factories in the New Chang'an City.

The demand for cement was enormous!

Even with the cement factories running around the clock, supply still could not meet demand.

Even if Zhao Fusu wanted to use cement himself, he had to go through the scheduling process.

It seemed necessary to build more cement factories!

Zhao Fusu pondered.

If he transported cement from New Chang'an City to Kuaiji Commandery and then across the sea to Japan, the transportation costs would be too high.

He decided to build a cement factory right at Cixi Port. Once the cement was produced, it could be packaged and shipped directly to Japan.

Looking at the map, the sea route from Cixi Port to the Shimane Tribe was about 1,100 kilometers. Once the steam ironship was successfully developed, it would take only six days to reach Japan!

Zhao Fusu looked at the location of Cixi Port.

Its position was roughly at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

He planned to design a modern new city here, named the Magic Capital!

Speaking of the steam ironship, Zhao Fusu also wanted to know how the shipbuilders at the Wei River Shipyard were doing after several months.

He intended to personally inspect the Wei River Shipyard.

After making his decision, he immediately had someone make the arrangements.

Upon receiving news that Zhao Fusu was coming for an inspection, Zhongli Wei and Ouyang Feng personally came out of the shipyard to welcome him.