Chapter 104: Water Well

The first pilot Defense Post had its location determined with high efficiency. It was not particularly far from Shuo City and was jointly supervised and built by the Patrol Guard Division, the City Defense Army stationed in Shuo City, and the Xianshou Army.

As for who would manage it after completion, Lao Zhao had spoken: discuss it later; discuss it again once the pilot was successful.

Wen Gu looked at the map; the first post was chosen to be at an abandoned Village, where there was a water well.

The location was very close to the route they had taken north previously; that area lacked safe open-air water sources and was also a region passed through by many groups heading north.

If a safe post could be built there, it could also provide food and water replenishment for groups heading north, reducing unnecessary attrition.

How many groups heading north had endured thousands of hardships and dangers only to reach the Xinzhou border, yet collapsed on the road because of a lack of food and water on the final stretch?

In this era of inconvenient transportation, posts were still very necessary. Especially in this chaotic world, one more post could save more living people. At the same time, it could also strengthen control over the region.

With the full support of the person in power, the plan was finalized and set into motion, though Wen Gu brought up a few small details regarding the Defense Post to Lao Zhao again.

The initial Defense Post did not need to be built very large; as long as manpower and supplies were in place and building materials could keep up, it might be finished before summer, at which point if they encountered monster swarms, they could test whether they could withstand the impact.

Regarding the drinking water needs within the post, as long as there was a water well and the groundwater had not dried up, it could be used after being cleaned out.

However, outside of the main building structure drawn on the conceptual sketch, Wen Gu also listed many auxiliary options.

For example, a hand pump—an optional piece of equipment—but because Wen Gu drew it and brought it up again, the Zhao Family father and son were very curious.

There were many arid regions in Beidi; if one was far from surface water sources and the water table was deep, one would need to dig deeper to obtain water.

Current technical levels were indeed capable of digging deep wells, it was just more laborious to extract the water. But in this era, under various survival pressures, physical effort was not a major problem.

Therefore, Wen Gu did not say much on the issue of "saving effort," focusing instead on water source hygiene and threat prevention.

During the two days Lao Zhao and the others were discussing the Defense Post pilot, Wen Gu had Lady Shen help find two craftsmen to make a small model.

At this moment, the Zhao Family father and son were looking at the small model placed on the table with identical expressions of curiosity.

"Is this thing the... hand pump you said you saw during your Study Tour?" Zhao Shaozhu asked.

"That's right! That's it!" Wen Gu set up the props, "What's drawn on the blueprint isn't intuitive enough, so I'll demonstrate with a model."

A hand pump uses a piston, a lever, and valves to draw water from underground to the surface under human power.

Even if the groundwater layer is deep, water can be extracted easily.

While explaining, as Wen Gu moved the handle up and down, the water in the Water Basin below was drawn up and flowed out from the spout of the well pipe.

"It's roughly like this," Wen Gu said, "Nowadays, to prevent Evil Plague, we need to minimize water source pollution and improve drinking water hygiene conditions. The current well openings are too large, and there is a risk of pollution during the process of multiple people drawing water. Changing to this kind would be better, and it's more labor-saving to use."

Zhao Shaozhu could not help himself and tried it personally.

"It really works!"

No amount of drawing is as good as a physical demonstration; Lao Zhao was also very tempted, and after operating it himself, he made a decision.

"Whether the post will use it or not, let's set that aside for now; make it first and test it!"

Wen Gu achieved his goal and left the props for the Zhao Family father and son to continue experiencing.

As for the issue of drawing water from wells, wealthy families did not care, as the water drawn up had to be boiled anyway. However, many commoners might not have that much firewood to boil water; most of those who had survived until now were actually relying on luck.

If improvements could be made to water sources, the survival rate would be greater.

It might not be used in commoner residential areas initially, but if it could be successful, the first areas to use it would certainly be military workshops, camps where outside armies were stationed, and the wealthy households and nobles within the city.

However, as long as the craftsmanship and production capacity kept up, given the importance the power-holders placed on the population, it would certainly be used in commoner areas.

Wen Gu picked up the blueprint again. The general direction had been determined; it was time to apply pressure.

"Looking at the drawing on the blueprint alone, it's a simple machine, but to make it into a physical object, some of the details still require a lot of skill, such as in casting; the well body will need more Iron for testing..."

The Zhao Clan still needed to expand the smelting workshops, recruit more craftsmen, and strengthen technical innovation!

Lao Zhao pondered and said: "The smelting workshop has expanded its recruitment of craftsmen; I will allocate some Iron and assign a few with exquisite casting skills to be specifically responsible for these things you mentioned."

On the premise of not affecting the supply of weapons and farm tools, Lao Zhao was still very willing to make some new attempts.

It was mainly Wen Gu who proposed these, and everything Wen Gu said seemed to have great practicality; he was willing to give more support.

Wen Gu lowered his eyes and thought: It seems that besides Coal mines, Lao Zhao also holds Iron mines in his hands! It doesn't look like there's much pressure to use Iron.

I wonder if it was newly acquired recently; no wonder he was more decisive and generous.

With Coal and Iron, there was still that old problem: what about the craftsmen?

Wen Gu had already applied pressure once before; now he was outputting another wave!

The sealing materials involved in the piston pump required experienced craftsmen to ponder; if the most suitable material didn't exist, then they would have to explore substitute materials—one must not underestimate the ingenious minds of craftsmen.

Hmm... Qingyi Daozhang could also take on more of a burden.

Rough smelting techniques could be used to train apprentices; Lao Zhao had already realized the importance of this. Not every old craftsman was willing to pass on their techniques, but under the pressure of survival and the lure of profit, there would always be those who were willing.

However, precision casting still required the support of more skilled old craftsmen, so, Lao Zhao, there aren't enough people! Go poach some talent!

Carpenters, potters, blacksmiths, and those who make glue or do delicate handiwork—every kind of craftsman should be valued!

After a round of whip... suggestions, seeing that Lao Zhao had indeed taken them to heart and had also strengthened his emphasis on craftsmen and his willingness to poach talent from outside, Wen Gu was finally satisfied and took his leave.

The model of the hand pump was kept by Lao Zhao; even if Zhao Shaozhu was envious, he had no way to take it away.

Coming out from Lao Zhao's place, Zhao Shaozhu, whose curiosity had not been satisfied, asked Wen Gu to make another set.

Wen Gu threw a blueprint directly at him and told him to go find the craftsmen in the manor. Having already made one set, making another wouldn't be too difficult.

Zhao Shaozhu put away the blueprint but did not leave immediately, instead asking Wen Gu about his experiences during his Study Tour again.

The more things Wen Gu brought out, the more Zhao Shaozhu regretted: "It's a pity I wasn't able to go on a Study Tour back then; I haven't been able to see many of the world's wonders with my own eyes!"

"My experiences are actually limited, but I believe..." Wen Gu said, "Life doesn't end early; everything is possible. If you live long enough, you might see anything."