The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 104 Well
The first defensive post station pilot project was successfully located efficiently. It was not too far from Shuocheng and was jointly supervised by the Patrol Guard Command and the city defense troops and hunting troops stationed in Shuocheng.

As for who will manage it after it's built, Lao Zhao said: We'll discuss it later, after the pilot project is successful.

After reviewing the map, Wen Gu chose an abandoned village as the first post station, where there was a well.

The location was very close to their previous northward route, and the area lacked safe open-air water sources and was a region that many northward teams had passed through.

If a safe resting place could be built there, it could provide food and water for the northward-bound troops, reducing unnecessary losses.

Many northward-bound teams had overcome countless hardships and reached the territory of Xinzhou, only to collapse on the road due to a lack of food and water for the last stretch.

In this era of inconvenient transportation, post stations were still very necessary. Especially in these chaotic times, an extra post station could save more lives and also strengthen control over the region.

With the full support of the person in power, the plan was finalized and action was taken. However, Wen Gu mentioned some minor details about the defense post station to Lao Zhao again.

The initial defensive outposts don't need to be very large. As long as manpower and resources are in place and building materials are available, they can probably be completed before summer. If a monster horde is encountered then, we can test whether we can withstand the impact.

The drinking water needs within the inn can be met as long as there is a well and the groundwater has not dried up; it can be used after a simple cleaning.

However, in addition to the main building shown in the concept sketches, Wen Gu also listed many auxiliary options.

For example, a hand pump is an optional piece of equipment, but the fact that it was drawn up again and brought up again made the Zhao father and son very curious.

In the arid north, if the land is far from surface water sources and the groundwater level is deep, it is necessary to dig even deeper to obtain water.

Modern technology can indeed dig deep wells, though extracting water would be much more laborious. However, in this era, under various survival pressures, physical strength is not a major issue.

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

During the two days that Lao Zhao and the others were discussing the pilot project of the defense post station, Wen Gu asked Madam Shen to help find two craftsmen to make a small model.

At this moment, the Zhao father and son looked at the small models on the table with the same curious expressions.

"Is this the water pump you mentioned, the one I saw during my studies abroad?" Young Master Zhao asked.

“That’s it! This is it!” Wen Gu arranged the props. “The drawings aren’t clear enough, let’s demonstrate with a model.”

A hand pump well is a device that uses pistons, levers, and valves to pump water from underground to the surface, driven by human power.

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

As the story unfolds, the handle is moved up and down, drawing water from the basin below and causing it to flow out of the well's outlet.

“That’s roughly it,” Wen Gu said. “Nowadays, in order to prevent epidemics, we need to minimize water pollution and improve drinking water hygiene. Currently, the well openings are too large, and there is a risk of contamination when multiple people draw water. This kind would be better and easier to use.”

Young Master Zhao couldn't resist and tried it himself.

"It's really good!"

No amount of drawings can compare to a physical demonstration. Old Zhao was quite intrigued and, after trying it out himself, made his decision. "Whether the post station will be useful or not, let's put that aside for now and see how it goes!"

Having achieved their goal of reviewing, they left the props for the Zhao father and son to continue experiencing.

The problem of drawing water from wells was not a concern for wealthy families, since the water they drew would be heated anyway. However, most ordinary people did not have enough firewood to boil water, and their survival to this day was mostly due to luck.

If the water source can be improved, the chances of survival will be greater.

Initially, it may not be used in civilian residential areas. If it is successful, the first areas to use it will definitely be military workshops, camps where troops are stationed outside, and wealthy nobles in the city.

However, as long as the technology and production capacity keep up, given the importance that those in power place on the population, it will definitely be used in the civilian areas.

I picked up the blueprints again. The general direction was set; it was time to apply the pressure.

"Looking at the drawings alone, it seems like a simple machine, but turning it into a real object requires a lot of technical expertise in some details. For example, in terms of casting, the well body needs more iron for testing..."

The Zhao family still needs to expand its smelting workshop, recruit more craftsmen, and strengthen technological innovation!
Old Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "The smelting workshop has recruited a group of craftsmen, allocated some iron, and assigned a few skilled forging craftsmen to be in charge of the things you mentioned."

Provided it doesn't affect the supply of weapons and farm tools, Lao Zhao is still very willing to try some new things.

The main person who brought these things up was Wen Gu, and what Wen Gu said seemed very practical, so he was willing to give more support.

Wen Gu lowered his eyes, thinking to himself: It seems that besides coal mines, Lao Zhao also has iron ore in his hands! He doesn't seem to have much trouble using iron.

I wonder if it's something I just got recently, no wonder I'm more decisive and willing to part with it.

We have coal and iron, but the old problem remains: where are the craftsmen?
We already put pressure on each other with our previous review, and now we're putting pressure on each other again!
The sealing materials involved in piston pumps require experienced craftsmen to figure them out. If the most suitable material is not available, then alternative materials must be explored. The ingenuity of craftsmen should not be underestimated.

Hmm... Master Qingyi's side could also have more responsibilities.

The crude smelting techniques can train apprentices, and Old Zhao has realized their importance. Not every old craftsman is willing to pass on his skills, but under the pressure of survival and the lure of profit, there are always those who are willing.

However, precision casting still needs the support of more experienced craftsmen, so, Lao Zhao, we're short-handed! Let's poach some talent!
Carpenters, potters, blacksmiths, and those who make glue and do exquisite crafts—all kinds of craftsmen are valued!
After offering his advice, and seeing that Old Zhao had indeed taken it to heart and had increased his emphasis on craftsmen and his willingness to poach talent from outside, Wen Gu took his leave with satisfaction.

Old Zhao kept the model of the hand pump well, so even if Young Master Zhao was envious, he couldn't take it with him.

After leaving Old Zhao's place, Young Master Zhao, still not satisfied with his curiosity, sought out Wen Gu to do another set.

Wen Gu simply tossed him a blueprint and told him to find the craftsmen in the manor. They'd already made one set, so making another wouldn't be too difficult.

Young Master Zhao put away the blueprints, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked again about Wen Gu's experiences during his study tour.

The more things Wen Gu brought out, the more regretful Zhao Shaozhu became: "It's a pity I couldn't travel and study back then, and I missed seeing so many wonders of the world!"

“My experience is actually limited, but I believe…” Wen Gu said, “Life is endless, and anything is possible. If you live long enough, you can see everything.”

(End of this chapter)