Chapter 115: Cement Successfully Developed!

Li Yi had been ennobled as a County Earl of the Founding. This was no ordinary peerage, signaling clearly the high regard in which Li Er held him. However, Li Yi cared little for titles; they were fleeting things that would inevitably be his in time. He had never doubted that. What he truly coveted were Princess Changle and Li Xueyan. If he did not secure them now, they might truly slip through his fingers. Knowing Li Er’s nature, he might marry Changle off to someone else at any moment, leaving Li Yi with nowhere to turn. To the men of this era, especially the politicians, romance was nothing but a joke. Li Yi dared not gamble.

Following his promotion, an endless stream of visitors had descended upon his residence to offer their congratulations. People he knew and strangers alike had come; the stir was so great that the entire capital seemed to know that the Li family had produced a fifteen-year-old prodigy who had earned a title through his own merit. Li Yi had become the idol of all young men and the dream lover of every woman, regardless of age.

Li Yi found the constant attention incredibly tiresome, but there was no helping it; his recent prominence was simply too great. Since Li Er had made the case of Li Yuanchang public—naturally omitting the facts regarding his status as the son of the late Crown Prince and his ties to the former dynasty’s Princess Meiling—the details of Li Yi’s investigation had spread far and wide. Coupled with his past renown for calligraphy and poetry, many were now knocking on his door to seek his guidance, forcing him to stay indoors to avoid the chaos.

Three days after his investiture, in the small courtyard of the Li estate, Li Yi was lounging moodily in a rocking chair, eating an orange. Li Xueyan stood nearby fanning him, while Bingyu sat quietly reading, occasionally casting a glance at him.

"Oh, Xueyan! I am so stifled! Your brother Yi can’t even step out of his own front door anymore! It’s too frustrating! And this tea is a bit too hot. Have you finished peeling the melon seeds?"

"Almost done. Oh, Brother Yi, why are you so upset? Haven't I come to keep you company?"

"True, my Xueyan is the best to me! But tell me, did you skip your lessons again today? Chunfeng told me you’ve been absent-minded lately. Tell me, is something the matter?"

"Oh, I just haven't been sleeping well. What could possibly be wrong?"

Li Yi tossed the orange peel aside and looked Li Xueyan in the eye. "Xueyan, I have never lied to you. Do you think it’s right to deceive me like this?"

Li Xueyan blushed, stammering, "Brother Yi, I know you care for me. I didn't tell you because I trust you!"

"What is the matter, then?"

"What else could it be? My mother is pressuring me about marriage again!"

Li Yi’s gaze faltered, and he felt instantly awkward.

"Brother Yi, please, I trust you completely!"

"Trust me? If you trust me, why are you so distracted all day? Fine, say no more. I know you well enough—you like to bottle things up inside. Sigh, this is my fault. No, it’s Uncle Li’s fault! I’ve done all this, and he still won’t budge. It seems my contributions aren't enough yet!" Li Yi smacked his lips, his eyes darting about before he suddenly sprang to his feet. "Enough! I cannot be lazy any longer. I see now that Uncle Li is doing this on purpose; he’s afraid I’ll slack off! Sigh, I’ve been lying around for too many days. It’s time to get to work. Being too comfortable is a recipe for disaster!"

"Bingyu, stop pouting. Come here and tell me, what’s been happening lately? Just the important things."

Bingyu thought for a moment. "Nothing of great importance, just more people seeking advice or bringing gifts. Oh, right, this morning, Uncle Tie reported that the cement has been successfully developed!"

"What!" Li Yi was stunned for a second, then erupted in a hearty laugh, his boisterous voice scaring away a flock of birds.

"Hahaha, well done! Bingyu, why didn't you tell me sooner? Let's go, bring Juechen over; I’m heading outside the city!"

"Brother Yi, I want to come too!"

"Why would you go? Get back to your lessons! Xueyan, listen to me: this charity work is no trifling matter. You must take it seriously!"

Li Xueyan paused, then nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Brother Yi!"

"Good! Off you go!"

Once she left, Li Yi’s excitement surged again. "Bingyu! What are you doing? Where is the horse?"

"Coming!"

Li Yi followed Bingyu’s gaze and felt a surge of confusion. "Bingyu, I asked for Juechen. Why did you bring me this inferior horse?"

Bingyu rolled her eyes. "Young Master, this *is* Juechen."

"What?" Li Yi looked at the now noticeably plump horse, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry. "Fine! Well, Juechen, you’ve really done it! It seems I have one more subject for my weight-loss program."

With a cold snort, Li Yi vaulted into the saddle and flicked the reins. "Giddy up!"

Outside the city, by the banks of the Wei River, at the former Cheng family brick kiln, a large group of workers stood excitedly, discussing a greyish-white slab. As soon as Li Yi arrived, he was swarmed.

"Young Master, it worked! It really worked!" Tie Yan grabbed Li Yi’s hand, refusing to let go.

"Uncle Tie, is it true? Where is the sample? Let me see it!" Li Yi was jubilant. Cement! If this was truly successful, the Great Tang would take a massive leap forward.

"Yes, yes! Make way, everyone, let the Young Master see the sample!"

Li Yi strode toward the large slab of stone-like material. One look was all he needed; he knew it was cement. He hadn't expected them to actually pull it off. Now, he just had to test its hardness.

Li Yi pulled out his Lengfeng combat knife. This knife had been brought back from Li Yuanchang by Cheng Yaojin. In the past, Cheng Chumo would have certainly embezzled it, but because Li Yi had performed such a great service, Cheng Yaojin hadn't dared to overreach. More importantly, Li Er had ordered twenty more made based on the blade Li Yexu had provided, distributing them to veteran officials like Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin. Thus, Cheng Yaojin didn't lack for such weapons, though that didn't mean they weren't precious—on the contrary, because Li Er had bestowed them upon his ministers, the knife had become a symbol of status, worth a thousand gold pieces.

Li Yi swung the blade down onto the cement slab. Since it was crafted from star-fallen iron, he wasn't afraid of damaging it. With a loud *clack*, he leaned in to inspect the mark. Only a faint scratch remained. Li Yi estimated that while it might not match modern standards, once reinforced with steel, it would be more than sufficient to build six or seven-story towers. Cement had truly been created!

Seeing Li Yi remain silent, Tie Yan grew nervous, fearing something was wrong. "Young Master, is it not right?"

After a second of silence, Li Yi burst into laughter. "Hahaha! It’s right! It’s perfect! Uncle Tie, I never imagined you would actually succeed. I can tell you this: this cement alone is enough to bring honor to your ancestors!"

"Truly?" Tie Yan asked, still unsure. When Li Yi nodded firmly, he began to cheer, and the workers followed suit, their hearts overflowing with emotion and tears streaming down their faces. No one knew how much they had sacrificed for this.