Chapter 37: Evergreen Cement?!

Chen Tong looked at the bustling scene in the general store and sighed softly, forcing a faint smile as he said, "Brother Liu Er, I came here today because I have something important to discuss with you."

Seeing Chen Tong's solemn expression, Liu Er felt a pang of concern and asked, "Big Brother, what is it? You look so serious."

Chen Tong glanced around, pulled Liu Er into a quiet corner, and whispered, "Brother Liu Er, you must make arrangements for your family and children immediately. I sense that some turbulent times are approaching; you need to stay vigilant."

Liu Er looked astonished and asked, "Big Brother, why do you say that all of a sudden? Has something happened?"

Chen Tong shook his head and replied, "Don't ask too many questions. Just trust me. During this period, get your family settled and try to keep them out of the public eye. Keep a close watch on the shop's business as well, and if anything seems wrong, find a place to hide immediately."

Although Liu Er was filled with confusion, he had always trusted Chen Tong implicitly, so he nodded and said, "Alright, Big Brother. Since you say so, I will do as you ask. But can you give me a hint? I’m truly on edge."

Chen Tong patted Liu Er on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, brother. I won't lead you astray. Once this period passes, I will explain everything to you. For now, just do as I say and protect yourself and your family."

Liu Er nodded helplessly and said, "Very well, Big Brother. I will listen to you."

Afterward, Chen Tong gave a few more brief instructions and left the store with Tie Niu. The two rode back to Black Wind Stronghold at full speed. Once they arrived, Chen Tong rushed to his quarters and locked the door behind him. He carefully emptied the bag of copper coins onto his bed.

"Clatter!"

The coins poured out like a tide, instantly forming a small mound on the bed. Looking at them, a light flickered in Chen Tong's eyes, and a strong sense of accomplishment welled up within him. These coins were not just symbols of wealth; they were proof that he could bring hope to Black Wind Stronghold.

Chen Tong closed his eyes and summoned the system in his mind. Soon, the system interface appeared before him like a mysterious curtain of light.

Chen Tong operated the interface with practiced ease, his fingers sliding across the virtual display as he converted the copper coins into system currency. As beams of light flashed and the system prompts chimed continuously, it felt as though he were conducting a symphony of wealth accumulation. Finally, the system indicated that he had successfully converted ten million units of currency.

Looking at the massive figure, Chen Tong sighed with emotion. "I didn't expect to earn so much in such a short time. It seems that earning money from the common people is indeed the fastest way. No wonder capitalists are always trying to exploit others; the temptation of profit is just too great. But I am different from them—I earn this money to ensure the brothers of Black Wind Stronghold lead better lives."

After the conversion, Chen Tong did not slacken. The defense and infrastructure of the stronghold were paramount, and concrete was the key material for improving the fortifications and building quality.

"Search for cement, sand, and gravel..."

A variety of options appeared in the system—different brands, specifications, and origins were all displayed. Chen Tong frowned as he carefully filtered through them, his eyes fixed on the parameters, comparing quality and price. He muttered to himself, shaking his head at times or brightening up at others. After careful deliberation, he selected a batch of high-quality cement, sand, and gravel and placed the order.

Moments later, with a flash of light, large quantities of materials appeared in his room. The cement was well-packaged with exquisite branding, and the sand and gravel particles were uniform, shimmering under the sunlight. The quality looked excellent.

"Wannianqing Cement?!"

Chen Tong stepped out of his room and called for several brothers. "Brothers, move these materials to the open ground in the stronghold. We are going to start making concrete. This stuff is incredibly useful; it will make our stronghold much sturdier."

The brothers looked at each other with confusion. A young man named Xiaohu scratched his head and asked, "Chief, what is this 'concrete'? We’ve never heard of it."

Chen Tong smiled and explained, "Xiaohu, concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water in specific proportions. Once it dries, it becomes as hard as stone. Using it to build walls and houses will make them incredibly solid."

Xiaohu nodded, half-understanding, and replied, "Oh, I see. Chief, you truly know so much."

Everyone worked together to move the materials to the designated spot. However, during the mixing process, problems arose one after another. Since it was their first time working with concrete, their grasp of the proportions was inaccurate; the first few batches were either too thin or too dry to be used.

"Don't worry, brothers. Let's try again. Use a little less water this time and adjust the ratio of cement to sand," Chen Tong directed.

Under his guidance, they tried again and again until they finally succeeded in producing high-quality concrete. Seeing the gray, uniform substance, everyone cheered.

Looking at the materials, Chen Tong already had a grand plan in mind: use this concrete to reinforce the walls of Black Wind Stronghold and build sturdier structures, turning the stronghold into an impenetrable fortress.

He set off to find Xie Qingshuang, whom he eventually found at the training grounds instructing the brothers.

"Qingshuang, I’ve been looking for you. I have something important to discuss." Chen Tong walked up with a serious expression.

Xie Qingshuang paused, waved for the brothers to continue their training, and turned to Chen Tong. "Big Brother Chen, what is so urgent?"

Chen Tong looked around to ensure they were alone, then lowered his voice. "Qingshuang, we've earned a good amount of money recently, and I intend to use it to properly develop Black Wind Stronghold."

Xie Qingshuang nodded slightly, anticipation in her eyes. "Big Brother Chen, I have been thinking the same. Our stronghold is indeed due for some growth."

Chen Tong continued, "I plan to start by reinforcing the stronghold—using concrete to thicken and raise the walls and building new defensive works. This will significantly improve our safety."

Xie Qingshuang’s eyes lit up as she clapped in approval. "That’s a brilliant idea! With stronger defenses, our brothers can rest easier. But surely, just reinforcing the stronghold isn't enough?"

Chen Tong smiled mysteriously. "Exactly. I have an even bigger plan. I want to build a 'Black Wind City' in the small plain below the stronghold."