Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 455 Land Parcel Arrangement

the next day.

The weather in Fengtian is quite nice today, sunny and breezy. In this era, there wasn't such heavy pollution, and you can still see blue skies and white clouds.

It rained for most of yesterday, so the world looked especially vibrant and the air felt incredibly fresh when I went outside today.

The low-lying areas on the ground were still flooded, and the unpaved roads left two deep ruts when driven on. Xiao Wei drove with Xia Maosheng to Wanliu and found a relatively dry spot to park the car.

Chen Hui went to the housing management bureau to get the certificate for the building used by the neighborhood committee.

Engineer Wang and his team are already here, drawing lines and setting out rulers, preparing to build the fence.

Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng walked over: "Engineer Wang."

Engineer Wang turned his head, nodded, and said, "You're here quite early. Have you decided how to build it?"

Xiao Wei said, "We discussed it and decided to repair and pave this road. We'll tear down the school-run factory side and build a row of shops, about three stories high. On this side, the neighborhood committee building will block the way so people can't get through. We'll build a building on this side, as far back as possible, leaving a small open space in front with a fence. I drew a simple diagram, without dimensions, but that's the gist of it. Take a look."

He took out a drawn building diagram from his bag and handed it to Engineer Wang. Engineer Wang threw away his cigarette butt, took the drawing, and looked at it.

Xiao Wei pointed to the map and said, "After that, build a factory next to this building, all the way to the corner of the park wall, from the top of this building to the roadside. Build as big as you can, three stories high."

Engineer Wang looked at the drawing, then at the terrain, located the points Xiao Wei had mentioned, and after thinking for a moment, said, "This factory is huge. What's it for?"

Xiao Wei said, "We already have a food factory; we can just open another one here."

Engineer Wang nodded and said, "It's a bit big. The lighting inside won't be very good if you build it like this, and you'll need pillars in the middle. The span is too large to support without pillars. How about this? Build it on three sides, in a U-shape, with three floors. I'll try to make the middle section smaller for you."

The U-shaped opening faces the office building, and the top is completely enclosed, with a glass panel in the middle to let in light. However, this design means the space between the second and third floors would need to be left open, rendering the space unusable.

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "Okay, we don't really know much about this. As long as you think it's feasible, that's fine. Anyway, I'm just opening a food factory, so as long as the machinery and equipment can be set up, it's fine."

Xia Maosheng said, "Actually, it's quite good to do it the way Engineer Wang suggested. Sunlight can shine in during the day, and leaving a five-meter width in the middle is enough. We might as well build this building and the office building together, and seal off the space in the middle of the first floor where cars can enter. The second floor can be turned into a leisure area where workers can eat and rest, and the third floor can be left open to let in light."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, as long as it's enough, that's fine. No other requirements. We can discuss the specific functions after the building is completed. Engineer Wang, then the factory is next to my home. I live here now. Xiao Hui took the other side of the yard because he wants to live there; he thinks this side is too big."

Engineer Wang laughed and said, "Then you really got a good deal. This is a great site, Kuan Tso."

Xiao Wei said, "He insisted on changing it because he thought it was too big. Here's what I was thinking: the main building should be built inside, no doubt about that, make it bigger, and the annex can be placed in the south corner, just in time to cover the well. I plan to use well water. Would it be okay to build a basement under the annex? We can cover the well inside, and install the pump and water tank directly in the basement."

Engineer Wang stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "That's feasible, but if we do it that way, we'll need to build a damp-proof layer in the basement. This area is a water belt; if we don't build a damp-proof layer, it'll be too damp down there and unusable. Why would you install a water tank underground if you're already installing a water pump?"

Xiao Wei said, "Old Xia's wife said she'd weld a big water tank out of 304 stainless steel and put it down there, then the water pump would just pump water in, and it'd automatically pressurize, so there would be water as soon as the tap upstairs was turned on. Is that even possible?"

Engineer Wang frowned and thought for a while. Then he picked up a small stone, squatted down, drew some calculations, threw away the stone, clapped his hands, and said, "It'll work. Hey, this is a good idea! It's simple and practical. I'll just add a pressure gauge and a water level gauge to the water tank for you. After using it for a few days, we can estimate the water consumption and then replenish the water at designated points. This design works. It's practical."

Xiao Wei said, "If it works, then let's do it this way." The three of them walked towards the old house. Wang Gong said, "I've looked at this pond. It's not stagnant. I'll get some stones and fix it up properly for you. You can raise some small fish in it, which will be nice. It'll also be cool to have a pond in the yard in the summer. We can build a pavilion next to it and plant some flowers and trees."

Xiao Wei turned around and gestured, saying, "Build the road straight in from the neighborhood committee building, all the way to this location inside the school-run factory. Build a row of shops on the school-run factory side, each shop five meters wide, with a three-meter sidewalk at the entrance. Build as deep as possible. The factory buildings on this side should extend directly to the roadside, with a U-shaped opening facing the neighborhood committee. Inside, they should be connected to the office building along the wall."

The road will be six meters wide, leading straight in to build the main gate. From there, a six-room garage will be built. An annex will be built directly opposite the gate. Is that feasible? The main building will be inside, at the north end, running horizontally. A pavilion, slightly larger than the one by the water, will be built at the corner of the wall. A vegetable garden will be left behind the main building, and fruit trees will be planted in the open space outside. Willows will be planted along the pond, and some flowers and grasses will be added.

Wang Gong, holding the sketch Xiao Wei had drawn, listened to Xiao Wei's explanation while comparing the locations, and said, "Okay, we'll make the annex and the main building the same size. I'll adjust the size of your main building; a bigger house is more comfortable. If we use well water, we'll probably need to add a basement to your main building; it's a bit far, and I'm worried the pressure won't be enough. We'll get heating directly from the park, okay?"

Xiao Wei said, "You see, we'll add more if needed. For heating, I'm thinking of installing air conditioning, is that okay?"

Engineer Wang smiled and said, "That'll definitely work. You're not short of money. Let's use air conditioning then. Connecting to the heating system is indeed troublesome, and it looks terrible. Here's what we'll do: you install air conditioning, and I'll lay down underfloor heating for you. That'll be enough, and it'll save you from having to ask others for help."

Xiao Wei asked, "What is underfloor heating?"

Engineer Wang said, "It's floor heating. When it's turned on, the whole floor of the house will be warm. The effect is quite good. The principle is a bit like the heated walls we used to use. By the way, aren't you from the countryside? Your old kang (heated brick bed) works on the same principle."

Xiao Wei asked, "Then we need to light the stove, right?"

Engineer Wang said, "No need, you're not short of money, just use electricity."

Xiao Wei asked, "If we're using electricity, will it be okay if water falls on the ground? We can't electrocute anyone, right?"

Engineer Wang laughed heartily, patted Xiao Wei on the shoulder, and shook his head, saying, "You're such a funny kid. Now I believe you've never been to school. That's electric heating, not running electrical wires on the ground. What are you afraid of about water?"

Xia Maosheng pointed to the three-story buildings next door and asked Engineer Wang, "Those buildings probably have underground pipes, right?"

(End of this chapter)