These individuals, while not possessing profound theoretical knowledge, included over a dozen master craftsmen like Old Third Niu, who had toiled in the ironworks their entire lives.
In this era of underdeveloped productivity and extreme material scarcity, their experience was likely more practical than the fragmented pieces of knowledge in Han Mo’s mind.
"Yes!"
The next morning, as dawn broke, the sounds of hammers striking stone already echoed from the mining site outside.
By the time Han Mo emerged from his tent, all the master craftsmen from the mine, numbering over a dozen, were waiting.
Looking at their graying hair and the fear evident in their eyes, Han Mo couldn’t help but smile slightly again.
It seemed that the fear of officials was not something that could be changed overnight.
After walking through the entire ironworks with these craftsmen for more than ten rounds, Han Mo finally had a general idea.
“My lord, Governor Lin of Quanzhou is waiting outside!”
So many things had happened in just one day and one night, and Lin Yushu was truly filled with trepidation at this moment.
All six managers of the entire ironworks had been beaten to death by Han Mo in a single day, and even Cai Yunting, the Transport Commissioner with a powerful background, had not come out unscathed. If he, the Quanzhou prefect, were not afraid, it would be truly astonishing.
“He’s arrived at the perfect time. Esteemed elders, please go about your business. Later, find someone to compile what we’ve discussed into drawings, and then we can review it again for any further matters to discuss!”
"Yes!"
Seeing how much Han Mo valued their opinions, these old craftsmen, who had toiled in the ironworks their entire lives, felt an indescribable excitement at this moment.
“Governor Lin, you’ve arrived at just the right time. If you hadn’t, I was just about to look for you!”
As Han Mo spoke, he stepped forward and grabbed Lin Yushu’s sleeve.
“My lord, please give your subordinate any orders. As long as it is within my ability, your subordinate will fulfill it without fail!”
“Good, with your words, I am reassured. Come, look here!”
As Han Mo spoke, he pulled Lin Yushu by his sleeve to a large rock nearby.
“Look at this site below. Although it’s not particularly flat, it’s fortunate that there’s enough space. My intention is that after the spring plowing, we will gather laborers from various regions to level this place again and rebuild new smelting furnaces. What do you think?”
“This, this entire vast area is to be used for rebuilding the ironworks?”
Looking in the direction Han Mo was pointing, Lin Yushu’s eyes widened. How much money would this cost?
Let alone the treasury of Quanzhou, even if the treasury of the Transport Commission were emptied, it might not be enough to raise so much money.
“As for money and provisions, you don’t need to worry about that. Provisions will be sent. As for the copper coins, I believe Governor Cai should have prepared almost enough!”
Was it money or life?
Han Mo believed that Cai Yunting would be able to calculate this transaction correctly.
He had not directly beheaded him, which was already showing great respect to Cai Jing. He was only asking him to contribute some money and provisions. If this fellow still didn’t know his place, Han Mo would have no qualms about executing him, and Cai Jing would have nothing to say.
“Governor Cai?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Yushu’s mouth twitched. The news had already spread throughout Quanzhou city that the Transport Commissioner, Governor Cai, had sold off his assets overnight.
So, after all this talk, the root of the problem lay here…
“What? Governor Lin, do you also want to contribute money with him?”
Seeing his peculiar expression, Han Mo couldn’t help but ask half-jokingly.
“My lord truly jokes…”
After hearing Han Mo’s words, Lin Yushu’s face turned green.
Although he was not a good person either, compared to the lucrative Transport Commission, his opportunities for illicit gains as the Quanzhou prefect were far too limited.
“Alright, I won’t say much more about other matters. But you should understand what I intend to do. I am too lazy to deal with your messy affairs now. I will be blunt: if anyone dares to hinder me in this matter, don’t blame me for settling accounts with you! Governor Lin, do you understand what I am saying?”
“My lord, rest assured, your subordinate will handle this matter after returning!”
Seeing the smile on Han Mo’s face, Lin Yushu dared not utter another word of nonsense.
“No rush, there is still some time before the spring plowing. Whatever we delay, we cannot delay the spring plowing!”
"Yes!"
Secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Lin Yushu hesitantly looked in the direction Han Mo was pointing again.
After staying at Qingyang Ironworks for a full five days, Han Mo finally returned to Quanzhou city.
In just three days, Cai Yunting had indeed engaged in a tearful clearance sale. Fortunately, there were quite a few wealthy merchants in Quanzhou city, and he managed to raise all the funds Han Mo needed.
After sending all the lists of funds to Han Mo’s temporary residence, Cai Yunting fell seriously ill upon returning home.
It was nothing else, only pain and heartache…
The efforts he had painstakingly accumulated for most of his life, now more than half of his fortune was given to Han Mo. If he said he was not resentful in his heart, even he himself would not believe it.
“My lord, this matter cannot be let go just like that! This young man could do it once, could he not do it a second time? What if he runs out of money halfway through construction? Wouldn’t you then lose the other half of your fortune as well…”
As Cai Yunting’s confidant, seeing him suffer such a great loss, Cao Zi’an naturally did not want to see him suffer in silence.
“What else can be done? He holds the handle. Can I still confront him forcefully?”
Although Cai Yunting thought about it more and more and became angry, the situation was beyond his control. Since the man held the handle, even if he was unwilling in his heart, he could only endure it for now.
“My lord, don’t forget what this young man took the money and provisions for. The imperial court did spend a lot of money to expand Qingyang Ironworks before, but there was no imperial decree this time!”
“You mean…”
“My lord, look at the current situation. The Fang La rebellion has just been quelled. Instead of focusing on restoring the livelihoods and welfare of the people, this young man is undertaking massive construction projects. If you were to impeach him at this time, and also inform Prime Minister Cai, do you think his position would still be tenable?”