Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 491 - 439: Cement

Su Jingchen knew that as an official in Yangcheng, it was only a matter of time before he would meet Jun Mobai, but he didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Moreover, it was not him going to Linzhou to pay respects to Jun Mobai, but Jun Mobai who took the initiative to come to the Yangcheng County Government to see him.

After Su Jingchen performed the grand ritual of kneeling before Jun Mobai, he exchanged a brief glance with Qi Yunfan behind Jun Mobai, and quickly stepped aside.

He must not let Jun Mobai know about the relationship between him and Qi Yunfan.

"I heard that the Yangcheng County Government had no money for expenses, so Lord Su spent his own money to hire doctors for the people and bought a large amount of medicine?"

As soon as Jun Mobai sat down, he began to scrutinize Su Jingchen, suspecting that Su Jingchen did this just to attract his attention.

Su Jingchen stood below, slightly bowed, "Your Highness, Yangcheng is my hometown. Eight years ago, during the disaster, my family hurriedly left Yangcheng, and when we returned, it had changed beyond recognition.

The Emperor granted me the opportunity to benefit my hometown’s people, and I should devote myself wholeheartedly. Wealth is extrinsic, you can’t take it with you when you die. It’s better to spend it on the people for their benefit, which would also accumulate virtue for me and my wife."

"Oh, your wife has no issue with you spending large amounts of family wealth?"

Since being assigned by the late Emperor to the Northern Land years ago, Jun Mobai had not returned to the Capital. After the new Emperor came to power, he was made the King of Linzhou, permanently stationed there.

Originally, he didn’t know that Su Jingchen’s wife was Yu Xiaolian, nor did he know she was a seventh-rank official until he learned it from the letter from County Magistrate Qian.

Perhaps in the past, when Jun Tingye was the Crown Prince, he often opposed Jun Tingye, leading to Jun Tingye being particularly cautious of him now. Therefore, when seeking news from the Capital, he was always the last to know.

"Your Highness, my wife is educated and reasonable, understanding the bigger picture. She is not petty.

She not only supports me but often gives me advice, planning ways to benefit the people."

Su Jingchen thought it would be good to discuss the matter of cement with Jun Mobai, as this would allow both Yangcheng and Linzhou to build roads simultaneously, potentially completing a road before the cold weather set in.

"Oh, it seems your wife also deserves credit in this?" Jun Mobai raised an eyebrow.

Su Jingchen nodded, "Yes!"

"I wonder what beneficial suggestions Madame Su has provided Lord Su for the nation and its people?" At this moment, Jun Mobai’s impression of Su Jingchen was not favorable.

An official, when meeting with a superior, should discuss current affairs, yet Su Jingchen incessantly praised his wife.

Too young, too shallow, Jun Mobai thought to himself.

"Your Highness, please follow me, I have something to show you!"

Su Jingchen invited Jun Mobai to the backyard of the county government.

In the backyard, Cao Gen and Zhao Ping were following Yu Xiaolian’s proportions to make cement.

Jun Mobai frowned, "This... is Su Jingchen bringing him here to play with mud?"

Su Jingchen handed a solidified piece of cement to Jun Mobai.

"Your Highness, this is called cement, made from limestone mineral. If the proportions are correct, it becomes extremely hard, comparable to rock. It is the result of a long development process by my wife. Please have a look, Your Highness!"

Although Jun Mobai initially disdained the black-gray cement, hearing Su Jingchen’s high praises, he couldn’t help but take it.

Jun Mobai tried to exert a third of his Inner Strength, but found that the cement block only lost a tiny bit of debris, piquing his interest. He then exerted his full strength and found that what Su Jingchen said was true; the material was as hard as stone.

"How is this made?" Jun Mobai suddenly became excited, his gaze at Su Jingchen changing.

Su Jingchen directed Jun Mobai to the front, letting Cao Gen demonstrate the process again for Jun Mobai to see.

Cao Gen poured the prepared slurry into square molds, "Your Highness, our lady said that leaving this slurry alone for twelve hours will result in solid cement blocks."

Feeling incredulous, Jun Mobai immediately instructed Fu Qing to guard the freshly made wet cement block and show it to him once it solidified the next day.

Unexpectedly, what began as a trip of interest resulted in a significant gain, making Jun Mobai very happy.

"Your Highness, with this cement, there will be no need to laboriously cut and grind stone blocks for construction in the future. We could erect tall buildings using just this cement," Qi Yunfan spoke.

Jun Mobai rubbed his hands, "If this cement truly is that good, Linzhou will prosper."

For each state wanting to build cement roads, they would need to purchase cement from him. How large would such an income be? The thought made Jun Mobai very excited.

Knowing that Jun Mobai was summoned by County Magistrate Qian, Su Jingchen wasn’t going to waste the chance to bring him down.

He openly accused County Magistrate Qian in front of him.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, County Magistrate Qian quickly explained, "Your Highness, the discrepancies in the county government’s accounts are entirely due to Secretary Wang’s incompetence and have nothing to do with this official!"

"How can it have nothing to do with you? Secretary Wang is under your command. If he errs and you haven’t investigated, it is a failure to supervise. Yet, you claim it has nothing to do with you?" The scale in Jun Mobai’s heart had now completely tilted towards Su Jingchen.

Frightened by Jun Mobai’s reprimand, County Magistrate Qian broke out in cold sweat. Ever since Jun Mobai became the King of Linzhou, he had sent him several gifts. So why was the King of Linzhou now siding with Su Jingchen?

Wasn’t he here to support him?

Bravely, County Magistrate Qian began to defend himself, "Your Highness, I have indeed been negligent, but for Lord Su to claim that Secretary Wang embezzled Official Silver under my instructions, I do not accept.

Unless Lord Su produces evidence, then Lord Su is making baseless accusations against me."

Jun Mobai knew well about County Magistrate Qian’s embezzlement. The expensive gifts sent to Linzhou in the past clearly equaled County Magistrate Qian’s ten-year salary. Who would believe he hadn’t embezzled?

However, Jun Mobai wasn’t there to take down County Magistrate Qian; he had other plans for him.

"Lord Su, do you have evidence?" Jun Mobai asked Su Jingchen, with interest.

If Su Jingchen could produce concrete evidence and successfully make cement, Jun Mobai would gladly return the favor by dealing with County Magistrate Qian for him.

Compared to County Magistrate Qian, who could only give him money, Su Jingchen, who could earn money and benefit the people, was clearly the best choice.