After leaving the ironworks, Xia Huai'an took his attendants to Xiaoyu Township. First, he wanted to discuss with Blacksmith Zhao and the others about setting up an iron-smelting plant near the ironworks, and second, he wanted to take the opportunity to bring Mother Xia and her family to live in Banan Prefecture City.
According to Xia Huai'an's plan, the next step was to vigorously develop commerce, with Banan Prefecture City serving as the development center. Moreover, as the Prefect, he needed to stay frequently at the prefectural office to handle various official duties.
Inside the Steelworks, Xia Huai'an summoned Blacksmith Zhao, Zhao Jin, and dozens of technical backbone staff, using a charcoal stick to draw three concentric circles on a bluestone slab: "The most important thing about a wheel is that its shape must be a completely true circle so that it is lightweight, effortless, and sturdy. Take a look, Factory Director Zhao—this outer steel hoop is fitted over the wooden hub, with thirty-six spokes embedded in the middle like the markings on a sundial, so that the force can be distributed evenly."
Chapter 116