"Uncle Shan, may I interject a few words, if you don't mind?" Xiangbei knew that she had to step in to explain this matter.
"Miss Bei, please go ahead. I'm eager to hear your detailed explanation," Chengshan, having seen her intelligence during their time in Dongbin, didn't find anything inappropriate about Xiaobei speaking up.
"Every mountain, river, landscape, and even every piece of rock and gravel is like a letter left by the earth, telling the natural changes over ancient years. This place was once a limestone cave full of caves.
During an eruption, lava flowed down from the mountain, perhaps accompanied by numerous small volcanic activities under the sea.
Due to the cooling effect of seawater, the outer layer solidified and enveloped the hot magma inside. The high temperature changed the characteristics of many substances, similar to the molten iron during the forging of a blade.
Molten iron can remove many impurities, so I believe there should be multiple copper veins on the surface of that area, with the interior being composed of iron after high-temperature melting." Xiangbei changed her tone, stopping Chengshan's impending question.
"Uncle Shan, it's late today. Tomorrow morning, I'll explain in detail, including the transformation of the shallow beach near the water boundary.
Additionally, I'll write down a formula for you to arrange the production of some small explosives.
After obtaining samples from the foot of the mountain tomorrow, we can further discuss. Now, I would like to know the specific number of people in the camp to plan how to cook tonight's dinner. Would that be acceptable?"
"Miss Bei, what you said is enlightening. I have countless questions to seek clarification, and I hope Miss Xiaobei won't hesitate to enlighten me tomorrow," Chengshan stepped aside.
"Now, let's have Cheng Hai report the number of people in the defense camp to you," Chengmo gestured for Cheng Hai to step forward.
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll inform Miss Xiaobei. The Cheng Family Defense Camp here is divided into seven sections, each with a leader, overseeing seven districts. A district has a leader, overseeing seven camps. Each camp has a leader, overseeing seven garrisons. Each garrison has a leader, overseeing seven squads. Each squad has seven members.
Following the tradition, eight thousand people are stationed outside, with each defense leader and the remaining soldiers in the camp," Cheng Hai reported.
"Well, that's 7 leaders, 49 districts, 343 camps, 2401 garrisons, 16807 squads, plus 1 district leader, 7 camp leaders, 49 garrison leaders, and 343 squad leaders, totaling 20,007 people. Eight thousand are stationed outside, and tonight's dinner will have 12,000 participants. The food is sufficient, but it seems we can only have seafood hot pot with steamed rice as the main dish. Let's keep the kitchen boiling rice soup continuously. The rice will be steamed twice as the staple food.
Seven camp leaders and forty-nine garrison leaders should come to the main kitchen to observe how I prepare the seafood broth.
Then, return to guide your units.
I'll take care of preparing the seasoning, and each level officer can bring it back.
The charcoal roasting method should be familiar to everyone.
As for the department heads and defense leaders, let's enjoy the meal together with me and Chengmo.
Everyone, lend a hand. I can handle cooking for sixty people without any problem," Xiaobei spoke for a while, but there was no response.
Puzzled, she looked at them and then at the quietly standing Chengmo. Without a reaction, Xiangbei leaned over, preparing to playfully startle them. Suddenly, she heard a few people kneeling behind her.
"We sincerely ask the lady to teach us the speedy calculation divine skill!"
"Get up, quickly. There's no divine skill involved, the method of speedy calculation is just a technique using Arabic numerals.
It takes a bit of time to master, and I had already agreed with Chengmo to teach you. Even if you didn't ask, I would have taught you. Get up, er, Chengmo, Chengmo, you say something to let them don't kneel to me."
"Ah? Ah, everyone get up. Her knowledge can't be emptied in a day or two. We're all family, there's plenty of time in the future. Let's prepare dinner first.
Cheng Hai, make arrangements. About ten people will be enough here."
"Yes, wise Your Highness! Your Highness, please don't trouble yourself." The group of people laughed and left, chatting and murmuring along the way.
Chengmo listened attentively for a while and found it amusing. These guys were thinking about selling the master's charm for a girl's clever ideas. Wait until I bring her into the house, and there will be good times ahead for all of you.
"Xiaobei, just guide them; don't tire yourself out."
"I understand. I can handle it on my own. Don't worry. I'm really happy today. Thank you, Chengmo."
"I should be thanking you, Xiaobei. Thank you for being willing to share my secret. Thank you for becoming my backbone! Xiaobei, have you noticed? The change in their address. They all call me 'Your Highness.' It's been almost two years here, and they've always called me 'Young Master.'"
"Regardless of what they call you, I can see that they genuinely follow you, care for you, and even adore you. Titles are just labels; don't pay too much attention to it. You're so good and outstanding. As long as you persist in refining yourself until you can lead them forward, earning their recognition is just a matter of time."