Building Number 1

Over the next few days, as the construction materials arrived, Victor's long-planned territory development could finally be put into action.

Using the calculation module, Victor designed a unique brick and wood structure. The design was structurally sound, relatively material-efficient, and slightly different from the common residences in this world. It also included heated brick beds and insulated chimneys, making it very suitable for northern climates.

From the moment he arrived in Wood Fort Town, Victor had arranged for Powell to assign a portion of the engineering team to build brick kilns to prepare for firing bricks. Large-scale production began once the barbarian slaves were in place.

Today, Victor visited the brick kiln site. The location was chosen far downstream from Wood Fort Town, about 12 kilometers away. This was partly because the kilns generated significant pollution, and placing them here would minimize the impact on residential areas. Additionally, the clay resources in the vicinity were abundant, and transportation to Wood Fort Town via the Great Fish River was relatively convenient.

Under Victor's guidance, the Two Rivers Territory's brick kilns first constructed horseshoe kilns to fire the initial batch of bricks. These bricks were then used to build new kilns, specifically tunnel kilns, as the horseshoe kilns' output was too small to meet the territory's construction needs.

The first tunnel kiln was now complete, and the kiln manager was using it for firing. The adjacent horseshoe kiln had begun to be dismantled.

Victor summoned the kiln manager, Jimmy, who was one of Powell's subordinates.

"When will this batch of bricks be fired, what's the output, and do the kilns still need more people? Besides personnel, what else is needed?"

"Reporting, sir. Our tunnel kiln has 54 chambers, and we've lit three fires. I've divided the workers into three shifts, eight hours each. The first batch of chambers will cool down soon. One fire can produce 60,000 standard bricks, which amounts to about 1.2 million standard bricks per month. We have enough manpower; we were allocated over 500 people, and they're quick with brick making and the tools. However, there's one issue, sir: we don't have enough fuel. Charcoal production is a problem. After firing this batch of 180,000 bricks, we'll likely have to stop work. It will take two days to gather enough charcoal for the next batch, which significantly impacts our work progress."

"Weren't the charcoal and logging teams organized earlier with a similar number of people as the brick factory?"

"Yes, they're already doing their best. If we were still using horseshoe kilns, we'd have enough fuel. But after switching to tunnel kilns, the output increased fivefold, and the material consumption has naturally increased proportionally. Now, our kiln staff can only handle the brick making and shift work for the kilns. Every time we unload a kiln, everyone has to pitch in to move the bricks."

Victor rubbed his forehead. "Industrialization… it requires so much population. This is partly because winter is approaching, so agricultural production hasn't been prioritized, and all available manpower has been deployed. If they're not building houses, they're constructing docks or preparing roads. Brick making, charcoal production, logging, herding, quarrying – every sector needs people. Even half-grown children are being utilized. I thought the more than 6,000 people we have, excluding soldiers, would be enough for production, but we're already stretched thin."

"And this is after the calculation module optimized many production tools. That's right, optimizing tools and techniques increases productivity, but it also speeds up resource consumption. This is practically forcing me to improve productivity. I need higher-calorific fuel, better power sources. I need internal combustion engines, I need generators, I need higher productivity." Victor felt powerless.

"Victor, you don't need to worry too much about this. As you said, this world has many magical plants and animals, and some species can solve the problems you're facing."

"Number 1, have you made any discoveries recently?"

"Yes, Victor. The long-term task you established: functional analysis of known flora and fauna, has already yielded many preliminary results."

"For example, Black Oil Pine and Golden Sunflower. Based on your past life's knowledge, the calculation module detected and calculated that Black Oil Pine wood is rich in oil and has a low proportion of resin acids, mostly terpenes, giving it a very high calorific value – it's practically natural charcoal. As for the plant oil produced by Golden Sunflower, although it's plant oil, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids is peculiar. It can be used as cooking oil, and with simple de-acidification, it can be used as fuel oil with very low consumption. Its calorific value is even higher than aviation kerosene – it's practically natural internal combustion engine oil."

"Number 1, have these research findings confirmed our previous assumptions?"

"Yes, these research results further confirm that your world once had a highly developed civilization that was very adept at using magic energy technology to modify organisms. The effects of these modifications have been preserved exceptionally well. Even after the magic tide receded, a large number of high-quality traits remain. Once the magic energy particle concentration is sufficient to activate the Beacon Lighthouse's database, these plant and animal data samples must be stored properly. They are incredibly precious materials, containing endless wisdom and the hard work of previous civilizations."

"We'll deal with future matters later, but our current problem isn't solved. I need fuel that can be used immediately."

"Victor, you've forgotten. Lord Macut, whom you received a few days ago, his territory is called Black Pine Territory. The vast Black Forest might contain Black Oil Pine or similar plants."

Victor understood Number 1's meaning.

"Number 1, you're truly remarkable. I'll arrange for people to go to Black Pine Territory and contact Macut to procure fuel wood as soon as possible."

Then Victor said to Jimmy, "Don't worry about the fuel. You can slow down the work progress for now. See which aspects of the first batch of brick making can be further optimized and how personnel can be allocated more efficiently. If you can further increase output, I won't be stingy with rewards later."

"Understood, sir. I'll arrange it now." Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief, indicating the pressure these issues had put on him.

Victor then found the managers of the logging and charcoal teams, informing them to maintain normal work progress without rushing. He emphasized the importance of production safety and cherishing manpower, as the territory was severely lacking in human resources. Victor could tolerate insufficient output, but he would severely investigate any personnel casualties caused by rushing to increase production.

After completing these tasks, Victor returned to Wood Fort Town with the raft team transporting bricks and stones. The rafts were pulled along the shore by livestock. The Two Rivers Territory was currently operating at full capacity with humans, cattle, and horses. Victor needed more people and livestock, and he eagerly awaited the return of the fleet to bring him more labor.