He found an excuse to temporarily send Wang Lici away and detailed the recent plans to be executed, highlighting the parts that required the Ancestor’s cooperation. Ancestor Longyan’s snow-white hair gently danced in the wind, her eyes like stars shone with a mesmerizing light, her words plain yet carrying an undertone of slaughter: "Shouzhe’s plan is very good, but why is it that I am only arranged as the backup? The Yin Poison within me has been mostly refined, and when it’s time to act, I no longer need to worry about backlash in the short term." "Even if this plan lures in an old fiend, I, Wang Longyan, can slay it at some cost. If it lures two old fiends, there’s no fear as well." Wang Shouzhe rubbed his forehead; everything about Ancestor Longyan was fine except her excessively fierce nature. The battles between these two families are akin to playing cards; who throws in their trump card right from the start? He had arranged Ancestor Longyan into the plan merely as a precaution, to be used as a last resort. As her condition was rapidly improving, how could he let her take such risks anymore? This kind of thinking is unacceptable. Immediately, Wang Shouzhe respectfully clasped his hands, saying, "Ancestor, the conflict between the Black Tortoise Clans is not about individual bravery or cruelty, nor is it like marching into battle. Because those participating are all our relatives, household generals, or close friends. A single mistake could lead to irreparable loss." Ancestor Longyan’s delicate body shivered, calming her down slightly, she apologetically said, "Shouzhe, you are right. I, Wang Longyan, have been willful and pampered half my life, committing many errors, and causing much irreparable past. It’s necessary to calm down and deeply reflect on my inadequacies." "Ancestor." Wang Shouzhe quickly said, "Your great contributions and sacrifices for the family are unquestionable, and we juniors have always kept them in our hearts. It’s just that times have changed; our Wang family is in the dark while the Liu and Zhao families are in the open. What we need to do is protect ourselves while taking a big chunk out of them. It’s like taking some interest before collecting the debt." "In terms of strategy, I am not as good as Shouzhe." Ancestor Longyan’s eyes flickered, "I will fully rely on your arrangements." Upon receiving Ancestor Longyan’s approval, Wang Shouzhe also felt a burden lifted from his heart. In reality, he did not need Ancestor Longyan to be involved in this plan. As he said, what he feared most was the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances. Ancestor Longyan’s role was meant to be a last resort card, to be used only if necessary, especially since her body is just beginning to recover. "In that case." Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands and took his leave, "I respectfully ask Ancestor to rest well, and when it’s time to act, I will notify Ancestor again." After saying this, Wang Shouzhe took his leave. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to pull along Wang Lici, who was eating, to prevent her from disturbing the Ancestor’s rest. More than an hour later. At the pier in the backyard, a small boat slowly departed. Wang Lici, holding a bundle, was bewildered in the wind. Apart from her change of clothes in that bundle, there was also a large pile of ancient texts and classics carefully selected by her fourth uncle. Just like that, she’s been arranged? "Big Girl." Wang Shouzhe waved tearful goodbyes from the shore, "While contributing to the family at Xingsheng Farm, make sure to listen to Grandfather Six. Among all the younger siblings and the younger generation at home, it’s you that Fourth Uncle dotes on and values the most. This good task, your brother Wang Zongwei might not get in his next life." "Many, many thanks for Fourth Uncle’s high regard." Wang Lici’s tears streamed like a fountain, "I’m truly grateful to you." "No need for thanks, everything is understood without words." Wang Shouzhe was also filled with emotions, feeling like sending off a daughter in marriage, having the impulse to wipe away tears, "Wang Ju, Wang Bamboo. You both must take good care of Miss Lici along the way, do not slack off in the slightest." The two female household generals responded solemnly in unison, then they simultaneously fixed their gaze on Wang Lici. Apparently, their real task wasn’t to take care of her, but to "escort" her. The boat gradually drifted away. Only then did Wang Shouzhe stop waving goodbye, walking back briskly and cheerfully. Actually, arranging her was his intent to temper her personality. This unruly child was used to idleness and even dared to fantasize about acquiring a Black Tortoise Combat Technique that required no cultivation, just eating and drinking all day to become very powerful? Is there such a Black Tortoise Combat Technique or cultivation method, give Wang Shouzhe a dozen!? Your wild imagination is even larger than mine as a transmigrator. How long to grind her down? Three months is too long, half a month too short. Then let’s make it a month, by then she should be tempered enough. Then I’ll keep her by my side to teach and guide her well. Lici, oh Lici, don’t blame your fourth uncle for being ruthless. As the saying goes, a treasure sword comes out from honing, plum blossom fragrance comes from the bitter cold. Without effort, how can there be reward? Accompanying him, Wang Gui was even more cautious. He really feared inadvertently offending the patriarch and being sent to dig mines. Originally, Wang Shouzhe thought about taking Wang Lici for a walk around Guardian City to collect some spirit stones for use. But now, Changning Guard was indeed too chaotic, he preferred not to take that risk for the time being. Wang Shouzhe had just returned to the courtyard. The doorward came hastily to report, saying Gongsun Zhong from the Gongsun Family, along with Wang Liuyu from the Liu generation, had come home to visit, and they came after receiving a letter from the patriarch. Upon hearing they had arrived. Wang Shouzhe’s mood lifted; this meant that there was progress in the matter he had entrusted to Gongsun Zhong to investigate. He immediately asked the doorward to lead the way to the courtyard for entertaining distinguished guests. Right now, it is evening, and the crowd is enjoying the cool breeze. "Third Aunt, Third Uncle," Wang Shouzhe greeted with cupped hands as he entered. Gongsun Zhong and Wang Liuyu hurriedly returned the salute. Although they were of higher seniority, Wang Shouzhe was the Clan Leader of the Wang Family. "Luotong and Luojing are here too," Wang Shouzhe smiled and greeted his two sisters, and then respectfully saluted Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou, "Shouzhe greets Fourth Aunt." Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou had taken care of him and Wang Luoyi for a period, a kindness forever remembered. "No need to be so polite, Shouzhe," Xu Zhirou hurriedly returned the respectful salute. Their presence here was entirely normal, given that Wang Liuyu and Luojing’s late father, Wang Dingbang, were full siblings, naturally making the relationship between the families special. What followed was some hosting and dining. Wang Shouzhe met alone with Gongsun Zhong, who had the household servants deliver some items to his courtyard. There were baskets of stones, some iron ore powder, white gypsum, and a variety of other miscellaneous items. "Shouzhe, I brought everything you described in your letter. Not sure if they’re right, so I brought a lot of miscellaneous items," said Gongsun Zhong, whose dark skin gave away his honest and straightforward nature. Since the age of eighteen, he had been working in the Gongsun Family’s mines and was very familiar with various mineral stones. If Wang Shouzhe wanted to make cement, he couldn’t avoid involving the Gongsun Family. To be frank, there was no need to avoid it. Given the strength of the Ping’an Wang Family, attempting to monopolize the benefits of cement posed too great a risk. In his plan, the cement industry, if successfully developed, should at least involve the Gongsun Family and the East Port Chen Family together. Of course, the premise was successful research and development. "Thank you, Third Uncle. How much in total?" Wang Shouzhe expressed his gratitude, "So I can settle the accounts with you." "It’s all worthless waste, not even ten cartloads in total," Gongsun Zhong hurriedly waved his hand, "My second uncle also instructed me not to take any money." "Thank you, Third Uncle, and also thank Grandfather," Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands in thanks, without making any fuss over it. After a short chat, the taciturn Gongsun Zhong took his leave. Regarding the research and development of cement, Wang Shouzhe already had some ideas. Recently, he had been trying to recall, roughly determining some directions. It’s not very different from lime; it involves burning limestone with various other things and then mixing with gypsum and grinding it into powder. Most of the raw materials are very cheap, with the only slightly valuable one being iron powder, though its content should be low. Wang Shouzhe naturally would not personally conduct the research on cement. Instead, he had previously sought out a family of kiln workers from a collateral line of the Wang Family, a small family that had been building kilns and making bricks for generations. It is said that their ancestor was also a kiln worker and had followed Ancestor Zhou Xuan southward due to that skill. Many of the bricks in this main residence were made by that collateral family. "Wang Gui," Wang Shouzhe handed the written "Cement Research Guide" to Wang Gui for handling, "These are compiled clues about [Iron Cement] from ancient texts, with properties similar to lime. Beyond that, I don’t know much. Tomorrow morning, you will deliver this information and those ten cartloads of research materials to Wang, yes, Wang Jingyuan." "Yes, Patriarch," Wang Gui followed the instruction and collected the materials. Wang Shouzhe naturally attached great importance to the area of cement, hoping for a successful breakthrough, but he was ultimately an amateur. It was better to provide the ideas to professionals; the kiln workers, having dealt with bricks and tiles all their lives, are familiar with lime and even some homemade adhesives. These professionals are experienced and not without intelligence. Often, what they lack is merely a flash of inspiration. As for whether the development succeeds immediately or not, it doesn’t matter; take it slow, and eventually it will work out. Similarly, in the area of papermaking, Wang Shouzhe also only wrote a "Paper Research Guide," then found some smart and reliable collateral family carpenters and, after providing some research funds, let them handle it themselves. Having a large collateral population has this advantage; you can always find some talents across various fields. Meanwhile, Wang Shouzhe’s current greater focus needed to be on the grand plan of countering the Liu Family and the Zhao Family. Outside the Anjiang Dingpu Ferry, a medium-sized, luxuriously designed tower ship floated on the wave-stirred river. This ship was clearly not a transport vessel but one specifically for the travel of those of noble status. The tower of this ship was exquisitely built, made entirely of expensive materials and colors, exuding an aura of luxury and sophistication. The main hall of the tower was even more lavishly decorated, as if a noble family descendant had moved their expensive living room and bedroom onto the ship. Those antique flower vases looked incredibly precious; aren’t they afraid that a gust of wind could shatter them? Such magnificence was evident. However, at this moment, two very young and gallant men were facing each other in this hall. Beside them stood a stunningly beautiful, otherworldly woman, standing obediently with her hands down, both fearful and deferentially. Her captivating eyes darted furtively from one man to the other. In her quiet heart, she decided with secret pleasure that the Patriarch was more handsome.