In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

Liu Canjun had only asked the question casually, but he didn't expect such a strong rebuttal. He said somewhat helplessly, "I just wanted to know, I didn't mean anything by it."

Upon hearing this, the general leading the troops immediately retorted with a snort, "We know you too well. We know who you are. We can tell what you're up to just by the slightest movement of your butt. We've already figured out what you're thinking."

Upon hearing this, Liu, the military advisor, said directly, "You people are too rude. I won't talk to you; I'll talk to the general."

“Old Liu, don’t we know your personality? You say we’re rude? We didn’t say a word when you were being rude,” one of the generals retorted.

To avoid further arguments, Zhao Zexuan told them to calm down and explained, "Just build ordinary earthen houses, try to make them as big as possible, ideally one that can sleep ten people."

Hearing this, Liu Canjun felt relieved, and the other generals didn't object much either. After all, compared to the drafty tents they used to live in, having an earthen house to live in now was already much better.

Seeing that no one raised any objections, Zhao Zexuan asked, "Does anyone else have any objections?"

The generals shook their heads, indicating that they had no other opinions for the time being.

Seeing this, Zhao Zexuan said, "Alright, then let's settle this matter like this."

"Wang Zong, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Make sure the house can be completed before winter arrives."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zong immediately stood up and said, "Your subordinate obeys."

Winter was approaching, and the generals were all very busy, so as soon as the meeting ended, they left. Mo Bei stepped forward at this time to report on the matter of the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).

"So, it's really possible to make a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed)?" For the first time, Zhao Zexuan couldn't help but stand up and ask in surprise.

Mo Bei nodded and continued, "It really can be made. It's in the side room next to Madam's room right now. If you don't believe me, General, you can go and take a look!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Zexuan got up and walked out, saying as he went, "Let's go take a look."

When Zhao Zexuan arrived with Mo Bei, Su Li had already made up the bed on the kang (a heated brick bed). She was standing in front of the kang, studying the opening of the kang.

Upon seeing Zhao Zexuan return, Su Li greeted him, saying, "Come and see, feel the warmth of this heated kang."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan nodded to Su Li, then reached out and touched the surface of the kang (a heated brick bed) to examine it carefully.

Seeing Zhao Zexuan's serious expression, Su Li asked, "How is it? How do you feel?"

Hearing this, Zhao Zexuan withdrew his hand, turned to look at Su Li and said, "Very good, thank you."

"No need to thank me, helping me is helping myself too," Su Li said earnestly.

Zhao Zexuan had brought up the topic of Xie many times, and Su Li had heard it many times as well, so the two did not continue the conversation.

Thinking about her plans, Su Li said to Zhao Zexuan, "This heated kang can be fully rebuilt, but I have requirements; we need to set a standard!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan said, "Whatever your request, please make it."

Seeing Zhao Zexuan agree so readily, Su Li couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to listen to what I want to ask before letting me make any demands? Aren't you afraid I'll make some outrageous requests?"

Zhao Zexuan: "You don't know how. If you did, you wouldn't have let someone make this thing."

Su Li couldn't refute these words, and she didn't want to test Zhao Zexuan any further, so she said directly, "If you want to build a heated kang, you have to take action. I need to exchange work points for it!"

"Work points, how many work points are needed? What if we don't have enough work points?" Zhao Zexuan asked.

“It takes five hundred work points to exchange for it. If you don’t have enough, you can owe it to me first, but you must pay it back in the end,” Su Li said.

“Okay.” Zhao Zexuan nodded immediately.

"Don't you even hesitate? Don't you think I've set the price too high?" Su Li asked.

“No, the heated kang bed is worth the price. Living is not someone else’s business, it’s their own business,” Zhao Zexuan said firmly.

Zhao Zexuan didn't object, so Su Li was relieved and said, "Then let's settle on this. Tomorrow, you should tell the people about this and emphasize the importance of the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed). Make sure it's built before winter arrives, so there will be less trouble."

Zhao Zexuan nodded, indicating that he understood. He remembered the earthen houses he was going to build for the soldiers and said, "Today I discussed with the generals and we decided to build earthen houses on the road from the north city to the south city so that our soldiers can be stationed there."

The location where the soldiers were stationed was the result of careful consideration by Zhao Zexuan and his team. Su Li wasn't surprised; what surprised her was that Zhao Zexuan would specifically explain this to her.

After a while, Su Li finally realized the key point and asked, "You want to build heated brick beds on those earthen houses, right? No problem, you can let Uncle Zhao and the others build them. I have no objection. Only when the soldiers are well rested can our safety be guaranteed."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan said, "I thank you on behalf of the soldiers."

Su Li: "No need to thank me, I have other purposes."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan looked at Su Li with some confusion and asked, "What?"

"Once the heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed) in the earthen house is built, you should gather the people of the city to visit it and let them understand its purpose," Su Li said.

“No problem. I will make sure every single person in the city has a chance to visit. The opportunity is right in front of them; whether they can seize it is up to them,” Zhao Zexuan nodded.

Su Li thought so too, and nodded in agreement.

“I will need to travel frequently between the South City and the North City in the next few days, so I may not be at the manor often. Take good care of yourself, and if there is anything you need, please ask Mo Bei to do it,” Zhao Zexuan instructed.

Su Li understood that Zhao Zexuan had been busy lately, so she nodded and said, "Don't worry, I understand."

Because Zhao Zexuan had other matters to arrange and soldiers were waiting for his reply, he left quickly after inspecting the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).

After Zhao Zexuan left, Su Li waved to Mo Bei, indicating that she had something to say.

Seeing this, Mo Bei carefully leaned closer to listen, and after a moment said, "Understood, I will do it now."

"Go ahead, go ahead, and remember to let as many people as possible know," Su Li couldn't help but urge.

Mo Bei: "Okay."

……

By the second day, news had spread throughout the North and South of the city that craftsmen had invented something called a heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed), which could be used to keep one warm in winter.

The news spread far and wide, and almost everyone in the city knew about it. Everyone gathered together to discuss the matter, especially at Aunt Wang's house, where there were an unusually large number of people.

"Auntie, do you think this news is true? Is there really such a powerful thing?" a young man asked curiously.

Aunt Wang was also wondering where the news came from; she had never heard of such a thing before.

Because she was unaware of the situation, Aunt Wang honestly replied, "I don't know either..."