Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 85 Spatial Rubber Plantation and Spell Innovation

Inside the study of the Deep Water Bay villa, Lin Yan's mind stirred, and his figure vanished from the spot, entering the Qiankun Space.

The sight before him startled him slightly. The vast plain that had originally been planned for planting rubber trees had now been completely transformed.

Little Seven stood upright, one little paw on its hip, the other pointing and giving orders to the busy puppets: "Over here! Dig the tree pits to the correct standard! Right! Straighten that sapling! Water it with spring water, yes, the water from that river over there, just water it thoroughly!"

It was busy as a bee, its golden scales shimmering in the soft light of the room, looking every bit like a foreman. Meanwhile, the silent, loyal puppets meticulously carried out each of its commands, whether clear or slightly chaotic.

Upon seeing Lin Yan appear, Xiao Qi immediately skipped over, shouting proudly, "Brother, look! Aren't my plants great? They're growing so fast!"

Lin Yan looked up and couldn't help but admire it. The rubber saplings that had been transplanted not long ago were now lush and green. Under the 365-fold acceleration of time in the space, the nourishment of the rich basic spiritual energy, and the irrigation of the clear river water drawn from the space, these rubber trees seemed to have broken free from the shackles of time and were growing at an astonishing speed.

The grafted stumps, which were originally only as thick as an arm, now have noticeably thicker trunks, and their bark is smooth and full of vitality. The crowns are lush and expansive, and the leaves are thick and glossy green, swaying gently in the breeze, exuding a vigorous life force. Looking around, the newly opened rubber plantation is a continuous expanse of green, changing every day, with each tree growing upwards and expanding outwards.

"Well done, Little Seven." Lin Yan smiled and ruffled its hair. The little guy squinted its eyes proudly, its tail wagging even more enthusiastically. "That spirit spring water is for better things to drink. These trees are strong enough with just a little river water!"

After admiring this vibrant "green miracle," Lin Yan walked to a pile of documents. There were all the books, notes, and tools about rubber processing that Lin Er had brought back from Malaysia.

He picked up a booklet about rubber coagulation processes and flipped through it. It detailed the complex process of adding coagulants such as acetic acid and controlling pH and temperature. Another document described the heavy machinery and long working hours required for tableting, granulation, and drying.

"The traditional method is too cumbersome and inefficient," Lin Yan muttered to himself. "Since we have readily available manpower..." His gaze fell upon the puppets, which possessed immense strength and could precisely execute magical commands, "Could we use magic instead?"

He immediately summoned several puppet captains in charge of the area and handed them the information he had.

"Study these processes carefully," Lin Yan instructed. "Think about how to use your magic to replace or optimize these time-consuming and laborious steps. The goal is: higher efficiency, less waste, and better quality."

A glint flashed in the puppets' eyes as they swiftly received and processed the information. A moment later, one of the puppet captains stepped forward:

"Master, based on analysis, the traditional procedures can be optimized with the following spells:"

1. Purification and Refinement: The collected latex does not require complex filtration and sedimentation. It can be separated from impurities directly by casting a clear-turbidity separation spell (a low-level water attribute spell variant), which is completed instantly and with extremely high purity.

2. Coagulation and Shaping: No chemical coagulants are required. Point coagulation (a type of freezing technique) can be applied, precisely controlling the low temperature to cause the latex protein to coagulate instantly and uniformly, leaving no chemical residue and resulting in better coagulation.

3. Dehydration and creping: No heavy-duty rolling machinery is required. It can be used by combining divine sense and object manipulation techniques to directly shape and dehydrate the solidified rubber block. The thickness and texture can be precisely controlled, increasing efficiency by a hundredfold.

4. Drying process: Simply build a smokehouse or hot air chamber. You can put a wisp of the earth fire from the refining room into it, and the excess moisture will evaporate instantly. The heating will be even, ensuring that the outside is never burnt and the inside is damp, resulting in consistent quality.

Lin Yan's eyes lit up as he listened. These puppets were indeed the best workers and engineers! They could not only execute orders perfectly, but also optimize processes based on existing conditions.

"Excellent!" Lin Yan praised. "Following this line of thinking, immediately devise a complete 'spell production line.' Propose a plan as soon as possible regarding what spells are needed and how many puppet hours are required."

"Yes, Master!" The puppet captain accepted the order and immediately led the other puppets aside to begin more detailed deductions and calculations.

Lin Yan looked at all this with satisfaction. He seemed to see that soon, in this space, an unprecedented, highly efficient and magical primary rubber processing production line would appear, and this continuous supply of high-quality raw materials would be imported into the mainland at low prices, which would greatly alleviate the country's industrial thirst and truly realize his "three benefits in one fell swoop" idea.

Xiao Qi curiously came over, looking at the puppets who were discussing them with "eyes shining", and then at the satisfied smile on her brother's face. Although she didn't quite understand what had happened, she felt that it was a good thing, and happily rubbed against Lin Yan's leg.

Within this space, the rubber trees sway gently in the breeze, growing ceaselessly. This is a production revolution that combines traditional industry with extraordinary power.

Through the mysterious spatial imprint, Lin Yan's consciousness, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, transmitted a clear message to Lin San's sea of ​​consciousness in Beijing: "Lin San, the rubber plantation in this space will be ready for mass production within ten days. Go and sound them out, see if they need this rubber."

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Lin Yan could even clearly "see" that on the other side of his mind, Lin San's brows furrowed slightly, and a silent eye roll almost appeared—of course, this was more of an interesting imagination based on Lin Yan's understanding of Lin San's way of thinking.

"Young Master," Lin San's response came through telepathically, still steady, but with a hint of almost sarcastic undertones, "Even if you send a boatload of hay there now, as long as it's at cost price, they'll hold a meeting overnight to figure out how to allocate it. This is natural rubber, a strategic resource strictly embargoed by the West. To them, it's ten times more valuable than the same weight of grain. How could they possibly refuse it? The key issue has always been the price we offer and how to deliver this hot potato, which they covet so much, safely and without causing any unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan couldn't help but smile inwardly. He had indeed asked an unnecessary question, completely forgetting the dire situation his country was currently facing. He composed himself and explained his pre-conceived plan to Lin San in detail: "We won't provide finished products, only pre-processed rubber raw materials, such as smoked sheets or standard granulated rubber. Let them find their own ways to build factories for further processing, producing finished products like tires and seals. This way, we can quench their thirst for raw materials, preserve the autonomy of their industrial system, and incidentally train a group of skilled workers for them."

"This arrangement is excellent," Lin San thought in agreement. "It achieves three goals at once, and the boundaries are clearly defined. I will contact them immediately through confidential channels."

As Lin San had predicted, things unfolded exactly as he had. The news, delivered through top-secret channels, immediately caused a massive upheaval at the highest levels. Rubber! And not just any rubber, but rubber in large quantities, at a price far below the exorbitant levels of the international black market—practically calculated at cost! For the newly established People's Republic of China, heavily blockaded by the Iron Curtain and with almost every industrial sector desperately in need of supplies, this was not just a timely help, but a godsend—a strategic lifeline capable of reviving countless factories and construction projects!

Its importance even prompted a high-ranking figure who was overseeing military affairs in the south to make a special trip back to Beijing a week later. In a seemingly ordinary but heavily guarded courtyard house, a highly confidential meeting quietly took place. Lin San, responsible for receiving the meeting, immediately recognized the elderly man—though his face showed signs of travel fatigue, his eyes were still bright and his demeanor extraordinary—as Marshal Ye Jianying. The fact that this leader, who was well-versed in the situation in South China, highly respected and trusted both within and outside the military, personally attended demonstrated the extent of the importance Ye Jianying placed on this matter.

Inside the meeting room, the aroma of tea filled the air, yet the atmosphere was even more somber than the autumn air outside.

"Mr. Lin San," Marshal Ye's voice was loud and clear, carrying the straightforwardness unique to soldiers, yet containing immense solemnity, "Your company has repeatedly extended a helping hand when we were in our most difficult times, first with affordable grain, and now with this crucial rubber! Such kindness cannot be measured by the word 'business.' On behalf of the nation and the people, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to your company!" His words were firm and resolute, each word carrying a heavy weight.

"Marshal Ye, you flatter me," Lin San said calmly, bowing slightly as he handed over a prepared top-secret document. "Our group is simply seeking a mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperation model. This is a preliminary supply plan in detail; please take a look."

Marshal Ye took the document, put on his glasses, and examined it extremely carefully. The document, titled "Primary Natural Rubber Product Supply Plan (Top Secret)," was clear in its terms and well-considered.

1. Product Target: Clearly defined as primary processed natural rubber products that meet international standards, mainly smoked sheets (RSS) and standard granulated rubber (STR), with detailed technical specifications provided.

2. Pricing Principles:

The core principle is to calculate based on our actual production cost (a concise cost breakdown is even attached later).

A specific price of 800 RMB/ton has been tentatively set (this is a figure calculated by Lin San, which is far lower than the desperate black market price under the international blockade, and even 10-20% lower than the cost price of normal international channels, almost half-sale and half-gift).

The terms also state that the price may be negotiated and adjusted annually based on fluctuations in international commodity prices, but the principle is always to break even with a small profit, and never to make a profit as the primary objective.

3. Settlement method:

We accept settlements in hard currencies such as gold and silver, or in the form of antiques, jade, and artworks (with detailed appraisal standards and pricing methods) that are jointly recognized by experts from both parties.

4. Delivery Mode:

Delivery location: a secluded harbor or abandoned warehouse in a remote but convenient location for loading and unloading on Hainan Island, China (the specific location will be notified separately via encrypted message before each transaction).

Transportation responsibility: Lin's Group shall be fully responsible for the safe transportation of the goods from the point of origin to the designated delivery location. All risks and costs incurred during this process shall be borne by our company.

Receiving Process: Upon receiving our confidential telegram confirming that the goods are ready, you must dispatch your own absolutely reliable and politically sound team to pick up the goods and be responsible for all subsequent domestic transportation, warehousing, and security work. Our responsibility terminates upon completion of the delivery at the designated location.

5. Confidentiality and Security Clauses (The Core of the Core):

To reiterate, this is "Top Secret," with a level of secrecy equivalent to that of a nuclear weapons program. You are strictly prohibited from disclosing the existence of this transaction in any form, and even more so from revealing any information regarding the Lin Group as a supplier.

It is strictly forbidden to investigate our sources of goods, production bases and transportation details by any means. In particular, it is strictly forbidden to monitor, track, intercept or investigate any of our vessels, vehicles and personnel used to carry out transportation tasks (the clause is in bold here and clearly states: in order to avoid irreparable misunderstandings and inconveniences between the two parties, this clause must be strictly observed).

To maintain a consistent narrative, the source of the rubber could be explained as "domestic production (Hainan/Yunnan test sites)," "collected through secret channels by patriotic overseas Chinese," or "anonymous aid from a friendly country through special means."

6. Additional Support: As a gesture of goodwill, we can provide you with a complete set of international technical standards for relevant primary rubber products free of charge, for your reference in establishing your own quality inspection and control system.

Marshal Ye's gaze slowly moved across the pages, his fingertips even pausing slightly when he saw the astonishingly low price, the flexible payment terms, and the detailed cost breakdown. When he read the exceptionally strict confidentiality clause, especially the words "absolutely prohibited from investigation," his thick eyebrows twitched, but he quickly regained his composure. Finally, he slowly put down the document, removed his glasses, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement and a relieved sense of accomplishment.

"Good! Good! Good!" He exclaimed three times, gently patting the sofa armrest with his heavy hand. His voice was steady but couldn't hide his joy. "This price! These terms! Mr. Lin, your group's actions have long surpassed ordinary business practices. This is truly a timely help, a rescue for our national industry from its dire straits! It benefits the present and future generations!"

He particularly expressed strong agreement with the two points: "not using foreign exchange" and "encouraging us to build our own deep processing capabilities": "This arrangement is excellent! It not only helped us get through the most difficult period, but also taught us how to fish, helping our own industrial system truly stand up! Let's do it this way! I completely agree!"

Regarding the most crucial, even somewhat "inhumane," confidentiality clause and the requirement not to inquire about transportation details, Marshal Ye's expression hardened, his body unconsciously straightened, and he looked at Lin San with sharp and sincere eyes, making a solemn promise:

"Mr. Lin, please rest assured!" His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a nail driven into wood. "We are very clear about and understand the stakes involved here. Your group has taken such a risk to provide us with such crucial strategic materials in this way; this is an act of national heroism! If we were to engage in any spying or scheming behind the scenes, wouldn't we be betraying our trust and disappointing our true friends? All terms, including the confidentiality clauses, will be strictly enforced! We will only be responsible for receiving the goods in Hainan Island and making payment as agreed. We will never inquire about or investigate where the goods came from or how they crossed the ocean! I, Ye Jianying, hereby guarantee this to you with my party spirit, my personal integrity, and my military integrity!"

The talks concluded in an atmosphere of high mutual trust and sincere gratitude. Marshal Ye rose, grasped Lin San's hand firmly, and held it for a long time: "Thank you again! Please be sure to convey to the person in charge of your group that the Chinese people will never forget this profound friendship shown in times of hardship!"

After seeing Marshal Ye off, Lin San stood for a moment in the quiet courtyard, then reported to Lin Yan through the invisible spatial imprint: "Young Master, everything is settled. Marshal Ye, on behalf of his side, has fully agreed to all of our plans and solemnly promised, with his personal reputation and position, to strictly abide by all terms, especially the absolute confidentiality clause."

On the vast plains of space, Lin Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the rubber plantation before him, which, under the 365-fold time acceleration, was already lush and verdant, with rubber trees providing shade, and was about to usher in its first large-scale magical harvest. A gratified and meaningful smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth.

A silent yet incredibly vital rubber pipeline was thus quietly laid out. Like a vast root system lurking underground, it will continuously supply the lifeblood of industry—rubber—to the body of our nation, which urgently needs development.