Chapter 2707: Wagering and Magic Rubber Shoes

Despite Yatewude's recommendation, considering the importance of Magic Glue research, Xia Duo still did not hand it directly to Yi Nu Wei Qi, but instead proposed a wager—

"I will first appoint Yi Nu Wei Qi as the acting Supervisor of the Magic Glue Research Center and provide all possible conveniences. If the research center can produce practical glue pipes before the underground portion of the Linshui Village reconstruction project officially begins, then the 'acting' part of this title can be removed. If not, I will appoint another Supervisor."

After speaking, Xia Duo looked at Yi Nu Wei Qi, who was wearing a shocked expression, "How about it? Do you have the confidence to do it well?"

Yi Nu Wei Qi was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly promised in a loud voice: "Yes, I definitely can!"

"Very good! This is what a Mage of the new era should look like!"

Xia Duo felt very satisfied with Yi Nu Wei Qi's attitude, and next, he would fulfill his promise to provide Yi Nu Wei Qi with necessary conveniences.

If Yi Nu Wei Qi achieved results, he would not only be the Supervisor of the Magic Glue Research Center, but he would also include the other party in the new batch of the Inheritance Ritual list to help the other party grow rapidly.

Even if no results were achieved, with Yi Nu Wei Qi's current performance, he had already left a sufficiently deep impression in Xia Duo's heart, and if there were opportunities for cultivation in the future, he would naturally not forget the other party.

……

After signing a material and personnel authorization Document on the spot and handing it to Yi Nu Wei Qi, Xia Duo then left the barracks with Laidun.

Considering that the Linshui Village reconstruction was imminent, Jieyi's Portable Laboratory would not be taken back for the time being, but would continue to be handed over to Yi Nu Wei Qi to establish the Magic Glue Research Center.

It would not be too late to relocate after producing practical water pipes. As for Jieyi staying there during this period, this actually did not conflict; Jieyi was a Magic Affairs Officer, and the work he usually did was research related to Magic Civilianization.

And although Magic Glue did not directly involve Magic, whether it was the farming of Mo Jiao Guai Yang Zhi Chang, the extraction of glue materials, or the completion of the final product, none could be separated from Magic, which was entirely the duty of a Magic Affairs Officer.

Therefore, during the next period, Jieyi would also be with Yi Nu Wei Qi and the others, whether researching Magic Glue or starting new projects, it would all be in this laboratory anyway.

The Second-level Laboratory was very large and enough to accommodate them using it together.

……

After coming out of the barracks, Xia Duo did not go to the north, but stood by the sentry post outside the barracks and chatted with Laidun, "It is estimated that it will take some time to research practical Magic Glue water pipes, and after they are researched, they still need to be produced. This time is estimated not to be too short. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

"It seems the Lord is really concerned about the Application of Magic Glue. If you want to use it in this Linshui Village reconstruction project, all plans need to be rearranged."

"When there is an opportunity to do better, of course, one must strive to do better."

Xia Duo first set the tone, and then further explained: "The Application prospects of Magic Glue are broad. Just from what we can see now, there are at least two applications: city pipelines and tires."

"And the latter is not just Bicycle tires; couldn't other vehicles use them too? Take Steam Cars, for example; they can be used not only for tires but also for steam seals."

"Besides, think about what kind of shoes most of the territory's residents wear now. If you use Magic Glue for the soles, wouldn't it be more comfortable?"

If it were any other application, Laidun might not have had such an intuitive feeling, but when it came to shoes, his feelings were too deep. Born an orphan, he had never worn any good shoes since he could remember.

Most of the time he was barefoot, and it wasn't until he was ten or so that he had his first pair of straw sandals. Later, he wore cloth shoes and leather shoes; the latter two were slightly more comfortable, but the price was not cheap, especially for ordinary people.

If they wanted to make them themselves, most people didn't have that skill, and only a small number of shoemakers monopolized the manufacturing method, so it was conceivable that the output was very limited.

Since the development of Daxia Territory, the craft of linen shoes had been gradually developed and opened to all residents, but in this Nan Jing area, only Savile Territory grew flax. There were wild ones, but very few, and one had to go deep into the forest to find them, which was not worth the loss.

Using the fabric that could make a set of clothes to make a shoe, and with a longer production cycle, most residents chose straw sandals.

Picking some grass leaves or vines with decent flexibility by the river or in the forest, without pursuing any craftsmanship, it was considered usable if it could protect the toes and soles of the feet.

But were such shoes comfortable?

Obviously not comfortable. Laidun was wearing a pair of straw sandals on his feet at this moment. He collected the materials and wove them himself; his craftsmanship was better than most residents, but in terms of comfort, even the most ordinary cloth shoes could not compare.

Not to mention leather shoes.

And now, the climate had entered winter, and the straw sandals were drafty on all sides. The cold air invaded from the soles of the feet, and people with poor physical constitutions might not be able to bear it at all.

The reason he wore straw sandals was that since Laidun became the Administrator of the Territory, he had made a vow that he would eat what the residents ate and use what the residents used.

Now that most residents wore straw sandals, he naturally could not choose the leather shoes he actually had the qualifications and capital to own.

Hearing the Lord mention Magic Glue shoe-making at this moment, Laidun's heart suddenly became fiery. Being able to make water pipes obviously meant being able to hold water, and being able to hold water undoubtedly meant being able to block the wind.

And better elasticity could bring a more comfortable experience. As for cold protection, as long as the shoes were made larger, one could stuff dry grass, linen, or even fur inside.

In any case, it would be better than any kind of shoe the residents were currently using!

"Lord, can Magic Glue really be used to make shoes?" Laidun did not even notice that his tone was trembling slightly.

At present, there were no major problems with the food, clothing, housing, and transportation of the Daxia Territory residents, but there were too many places that could be improved, and shoes were one of the most prominent aspects!

Regarding Laidun's doubt, Xia Duo asked back: "Why not? The residents can use Magic Desk Lamps, use Magic stoves, and use Magic Heaters, why can't they use shoes made of Magic Glue?"

Speaking of this, Xia Duo reminded Laidun again, "If you want everyone to get a pair of Magic Glue shoes as soon as possible, then the construction of the Mo Jiao Guai Yang Zhi Chang cannot be delayed! I think the workshop area of the future Linshui Town can start construction in advance!"

"Yes, I will go and arrange it immediately."

"In addition to the Mo Jiao Guai Yang Zhi Chang, there is also the Magic Glue Product workshop, which should also be prepared in advance. You don't need to consider the progress on Yi Nu Wei Qi's side. Regardless of whether there are results there, you must prepare the basic infrastructure in advance here. As long as there are results there, production can be put into operation here immediately."

"Yes, I understand."

"In addition, it is foreseeable that the production capacity of Magic Glue cannot cover all aspects in a short time, so there must be trade-offs. Estimate the usage in advance and prioritize ensuring the supply for the underground part of the Linshui Village reconstruction that is inconvenient to rework later."

"Yes."