Chương 7: Preparation
"Then, I will come again tomorrow. I will be the one assisting you in your task," Li Xuan politely clasped her hands and expressed her intention.
"Alright, thank you, Miss Li Xuan," Li Ming replied, returning the gesture.
"Since we're going to cooperate for a long time, there's no need to use titles. Please call me Li Xuan," she suggested with a smile.
Li Ming saw the convenience in dropping formalities, indicating that their business partnership would be on equal terms. "In that case, please call me Li Ming. It's more convenient that way," he emphasized.
Without hesitation, Li Xuan agreed, "I understand. I'm looking forward to working with you, Li Ming."
"Same here, Li Xuan," Li Ming nodded in agreement.
After the exchange, Li Xuan left, leaving Li Ming alone in the room. As he closed the doors, Li Ming couldn't help but slump onto the floor.
"Haa..." he sighed heavily, feeling the fatigue wash over him. It was his first experience in a business negotiation, and he had struggled to mimic their way of speaking.
"As expected of a prominent clan, their way of speaking is simply different. They are clearly distinguished from common people. Nevertheless, I should start preparing for the oil exploration and exploitation."
Li Ming's gaze fell upon the watch Eyses had given him, and he muttered to himself, "The exploration can be conducted based on Eyses' descriptions. The problem lies in the drilling process. If the reservoir is deep, it will be challenging to dig into the ground."
"It seems I have to construct a Spring Pole," Li Ming recalled the image of the tool Eyses had shown him. "The Spring Pole is a simple device consisting of a flexible wooden pole or beam attached to a fulcrum or anchored at one end. The other end is fitted with a digging tool or a chisel-like bit called a 'spoon.'"
"It is manually operated by individuals who use their weight or force to pull down on the free end of the pole, creating tension. Since it involves repetitive manual labor, I will require manpower from the Li Clan."
"While doing so, I should also begin searching for metal and gradually revolutionize the machinery. Eventually, I'll have to develop a modern drilling rig. Ah, and there's that famous pump that always appears in stock images related to oil wells, the pump that resembles a horse."
Li Ming knew there was a lot of work ahead of him. However, for the time being, he needed to create a drawing of the Spring Pole. His eyes fell upon the table in the room, where he noticed a few blank papers and a feather pen. Though unfamiliar with drawing, he attempted to sketch the tool to the best of his ability.
Numerous failed attempts passed, and hours slipped away unnoticed. Eventually, he managed to produce one drawing that, while a bit rough, was far better than the others. It should be sufficient for a craftsman to understand with a few inquiries. Satisfied, Li Ming retired to sleep.
The next morning, Li Xuan arrived at his room, knocking on the door.
"Mhm?" Li Ming abruptly opened his eyes, realizing he had overslept upon hearing Li Xuan's voice from behind the door.
Checking the window, he saw the sun already high in the sky. "Not good," he muttered to himself. Li Ming glanced around, contemplating whether to change his clothes or not.
In the end, he only wore his military pants and plain green t-shirt. He then opened the door while having an awkward smile, "Good morning. I apologize for making you wait."
Outside, Li Xuan was wearing lightweight tunic made of silk, its deep azure hue accentuating her noble lineage. Beneath the tunic, Li Xuan had flexible pants that reached her knees.
Meanwhile, Li Ming sported a folded t-shirt and disheveled hair. Rather than getting angry, Li Xuan chuckled and said, "I'm glad you enjoyed your rest last night."
"Ahaha... Give me ten, no, five minutes to prepare myself," Li Ming felt embarrassed.
"Sure, please take your time," Li Xuan responded.
Before Li Ming closed the door, he handed the drawing he made to Li Xuan. "By the way, is there a craftsman who can create this tool?"
Li Xuan examined the drawing while Li Ming used the opportunity to change his clothes. Opting for lightweight attire and carrying only necessary equipment, he left behind his bulletproof vest and safely stored his rifle. He even tied a string to the storage door to see if the Li Clan intended to inspect his equipment.
After a while, he emerged from the room and asked, "Do you think it's possible?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself, but there is a skilled craftsman in town. We should visit him first to determine if it's feasible or not. The tool doesn't seem overly complicated, although some parts in the drawing confuse me. Nevertheless, I grasp the general idea," Li Xuan explained.
"Alright then, shall we go?" Li Ming smiled.
"Yes, this way please," Li Xuan extended her hand, leading Li Ming outside. They had prepared a carriage for the day's outing.
Once they departed from the mansion, Li Xuan couldn't help but inquire, "I thought about it last night. How do you plan to find oil? We usually stumble upon it seeping out of the ground, so we extract it until it runs dry."
Li Ming pondered for a moment. This was his chance to showcase the knowledge he had gained from Eyses yesterday.
"The problem with this method is that we can only extract what the soil produces. So, I'm afraid the amount is a bit too small for our liking," Li Xuan expressed her concern.
Li Ming nodded, understanding her point. He responded, "In that case, you should have a water well, right?"
"Yes, of course," Li Xuan confirmed.
"Actually, the principle is similar. You have to dig into the ground and let the oil flow into the hole before bringing it up. But unlike a water well, we don't need such a large reservoir," Li Ming explained with a smile. "That's why I will introduce a method to extract the oil. I will need the necessary equipment and a few people, as it is labor-intensive."
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