Zhang Yibei, Sixth Brother Wu, and the others stood at the entrance of the 0th Workshop, feeling a little nervous.
Ever since the last meal with Zhou Shu, they had never seen him again.
When they returned to the 97th Workshop that day, they had been reprimanded by Superintendent Xiao before being assigned to different workshops to lead their usual lives.
Every day, they had done nothing apart from work. They didn't even have time to ask about Zhou Shu's situation.
Until today, the superintendents sent them to the 0th Workshop along with their tattered belongings. There wasn't a single word of explanation throughout the entire process.
"Brother Zhang, what do you think happened?" Sixth Brother Wu whispered.
The 0th Workshop looked clean and sturdy, unlike the other workshops.
In everyone's eyes, this place was more like the residence of a rich family than a workshop for forging and working.
No one dared push open the main door first.
"I don't know either." Zhang Yibei was also a little flustered. Although he had more seniority in the Forging Division, it was only because he had been a Forging Apprentice for a long time.
His knowledge in other aspects wasn't better than that of other Forging Apprentices.
"Last time, Brother Zhou said he wanted to take us to the 0th Workshop…" Sixth Brother Wu mumbled.
"Old Sixth! You must refer to him as Superintendent Zhou!" Zhang Yibei chided.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Zhou Shu appeared inside. "Old Brother Zhang, Old Brother Wu, you guys are here."
When Zhou Shu saw everyone, a smile appeared on his face. "Sorry, sorry. I was just handling some matters and didn't notice that you came. Sorry for making you wait.
"Everyone, come in. This is the 0th Workshop. It will be your home from now on."
"Superintendent Zhou, have we really been transferred to the 0th Workshop?" Zhang Yibei asked nervously.
"Brother Zhang, didn't I tell you? You don't have to be so polite."
Zhou Shu continued to explain, "Of course it's true. All your contracts have already been transferred to the 0th Workshop. From now on, you are all Forging Apprentices of the 0th Workshop."
"Great!" Zhang Yibei smiled sincerely.
Although it was the same no matter where he went, he felt that he could learn more by following Zhou Shu.
Even if he was a Forging Apprentice, couldn't he have some hope in his heart?
"We will catch up in the future. Now, everyone, follow me. I will show you where you work and where you live." Zhou Shu smiled.
"There's another reason why you were transferred here in a rush. The 0th Workshop received an order from the Imperial Court. We only have a month to hand over a batch of weapons, so we don't have time. After familiarizing yourselves with the environment, we will immediately start work."
"No problem, we'll listen to you, Superintendent." Zhang Yibei was the first to speak, and the others all agreed.
Following Zhou Shu, they stepped through the door. Once they entered, everyone was stunned.
Inside the door, there was a wide open area. Both the length and the width exceeded thirty paces. It was square, and the ground was paved with neat limestone. Around the open area, thick wooden stakes were erected. They were used for testing weapons.
Farther ahead of the open area was a large room that no one had ever seen before!
The room was so big that it was comparable to a palace's main hall.
Everyone thought to themselves that the room would seem empty even with more than thirty people inside.
In the enormous room, smelting furnaces were arranged neatly. Each smelting furnace didn't take up much space, but it was enough for one person to use.
Zhang Yibei and the others had once forged weapons together with Zhou Shu. Upon seeing this scene, they immediately understood that this was the place where everyone would forge weapons together.
"This is where we forge our weapons. I call it the 'factory'." Zhou Shu smiled. "Everyone, follow me. The residential area is at the back."
He led the way through a doorway to the second entry.
When they entered, they found themselves in another large courtyard. Flowers and plants were growing, bringing about a refreshing look.
On three sides of the courtyard were two-story buildings, which were different from what Zhang Yibei and the others had seen before.
The green bricks and tiles made Zhang Yibei and the others feel a bit uneasy. They were afraid that they would dirty something.
"This is where you will live in the future," Zhou Shu said. "Every house has the same specifications. Everyone has one."
He randomly opened a door. "It's not too big inside, but it should be enough for a family of three."
Zhou Shu called Zhang Yibei and the others in to take a look.
Zhang Yibei, Sixth Brother Wu, and the others hesitated for a while before a few of them gathered their courage and walked in.
As soon as they entered, they were greeted by the sight of a spacious and bright living room, followed by two bedrooms and a bathing room.
This was a mansion.
Zhang Yibei's voice trembled as he said, "Superintendent Zhou, is this place really for us to live in?"
He had been a Forging Apprentice at the Forging Division for more than twenty years and had worked hard. His only thought was to buy a house that belonged to him in the capital one day.
This house in front of him was what he dreamed of.
Although he knew that it belonged to the workshop, he was already satisfied to be able to live here.
Compared to the pigsty-like residences in the past, this place was like heaven.
"Of course." Zhou Shu nodded. "Not only can you live here, but your family members can move in as well. However, there are some secrets in the Forging Division. If your family members move in, you have to be careful."
This was needless to say. The Forging Division had always had this rule. The family members of Forging Apprentices could also live in the workshops. But they had to accept the management of the workshops.
Even the dilapidated workshops had a large number of Forging Apprentices' family members living in them, let alone the environment in front of them.
"As long as you guys are still at this Forging Division workshop, you can live here forever," Zhou Shu said with a smile. "If any of your family members come over and are willing, they can help do some cleaning and cooking. They can also collect wages."
"Can I get my wife to come over?" a young Forging Apprentice shouted.
"Of course." Zhou Shu smiled. "This house's soundproofing is alright, but don't delay your work because of this."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Not only was the young man not embarrassed, but he was also in high spirits. "No, my body is fine!"
Zhou Shu spat. I, the superintendent, am still single. These guys really have no sense!
"Alright, Brother Zhang, please count the number of people and give me a name list. As for the houses, each of you will have one according to the number. As for the layout of the rooms, I will leave it to you.
"I only have one request, and that is to take care of your personal hygiene! There is a place to bathe in each house. Every day after you finish your work, you must bathe when you return home. Also, if anyone dares to urinate and defecate in random places, don't blame me for being heartless!"
"Don't worry, Superintendent. If anyone dares to be sloppy, I, Old Zhang, will be the first to kick their balls off!" Zhang Yibei said loudly. If anyone dared to destroy such a clean and tidy place, that person would be their enemy!
The rest of the people were also shouting. They were now full of anticipation for their future lives!
They had originally lived and ate in small work sheds. How could they not cherish it now that they had independent residences?
"The yard in the back is where I live. If there's nothing, don't go in," Zhou Shu added.
Of course, nobody had a problem with this. They had never been allowed to enter the residences of the superintendents without reason.
Just as everyone was discussing the division of houses, Xiao Zongshui, Li Hongyuan, and the others arrived at the 0th Workshop.
Everyone was shocked when they saw the huge factory in the 0th Workshop.
They were even more shocked when they saw the residential area of the Forging Apprentices.
Putting the smelting furnaces together was one thing, but was there a need to give such luxurious residences to Forging Apprentices?
"Isn't it a waste to let Forging Apprentices live in such a good place?" one of the superintendents muttered softly. "As long as they have a place to sleep, it's fine. The Forging Division hired them to work, not to enjoy themselves!"
Although the superintendent spoke softly, Zhou Shu could still hear him clearly.
The other superintendents also looked like they agreed. Zhou Shu laughed coldly in his heart. As expected, they were like the capitalists from his previous life. They thought that apprentices were not hard-working enough!
These fellows wished that Forging Apprentices would work for them without eating, drinking, or sleeping.
Fine, I'll let you have a taste of it.
Maybe you should learn about labor reform?
"Superintendents, since you have already learned about the mission, I won't elaborate further." Zhou Shu said. "Time is of the essence for this mission. The mission is extremely important and requires everyone to work together to complete it.
"If anyone has any questions, it's best to raise them now.
"If you make any excuses during the mission, don't blame me for disregarding our relations!"
Zhou Shu's voice turned cold, and his gaze turned sharp as he stared at Xiao Zongshui and the others.
Xiao Zongshui and the others felt their hair stand on end. They actually felt as if they were facing some big shot.
"Since no one has any problems, if anyone dares to quit later and delay the progress of the mission, don't blame me for not speaking up for you when Great General Meng blames you.
"I can consider our relations, but the military law will not!"
The superintendents felt a chill in their hearts. Military law did not allow mercy. If that really happened, none of them could bear the responsibility.
"Don't worry, Superintendent Zhou. We will definitely cooperate fully." Xiao Zongshui and the others cupped their hands in unison.
"Very well. I know you are all sensible people." Zhou Shu laughed, revealing his white teeth. "After this matter is done, I will definitely report your contributions to the great general truthfully."
For some reason, when Xiao Zongshui and the others saw Zhou Shu's smile, they felt a little scared.
"Now, I'll distribute the tasks that everyone has to be responsible for." Zhou Shu looked at Xiao Zongshui and the others. "I hope that everyone will temporarily forget your positions as superintendents. Do your job well and start anew…"