Zidan returned to his chamber in the palace, but this time his mind wasn't occupied by nightmares—it was racing with ideas. Having ensured the people of Kisor had enough food, it was time to put his real plan into action. He settled into his plush chair and closed his eyes. In the darkness of his consciousness, the Neuralink chip began to glow.
The chip wasn't just a database; it was an interactive mental interface, like a vast library unfolding before him. Zidan navigated through its "sections," scanning technologies that could make a real difference in this primitive world. He skipped over advanced weapons—his ability to manufacture them was limited—and moved through medicine, mechanical engineering, and agriculture.
"I need something fundamental, something that will literally change Kisor's infrastructure," Zidan thought as his mind raced through the chip's contents. "Something that will strengthen our defenses and boost our productivity."
The chip paused at the "Advanced Building Materials" section. The word "cement" flashed before him. Zidan's eyes lit up. Cement! The foundational building material that had transformed the face of Earth. Could it be made here?
Zidan focused on this option. The chip responded, displaying detailed diagrams, 3D images, and textual explanations.
"Portland cement: The most common type of cement, serving as the primary binding agent in concrete and mortar. It primarily consists of calcium carbonate (typically from limestone), silica (from sand or clay), alumina (from clay or bauxite), and iron oxide (from clay or iron ore). These components are ground and mixed in precise proportions, then heated in a rotary kiln at extremely high temperatures (up to 1450°C) to form clinker. The clinker is then ground with a small amount of gypsum to produce the final cement."
Zidan read carefully. Limestone, sand, clay, iron oxide... "We have all these materials in abundance around us!" he thought excitedly. "Of course, a kiln at 1450°C is impossible right now. But the chip mentions 'handmade' or 'traditional' cement!"
The chip's focus shifted to "Primitive Hydraulic Cement."
"Hydraulic cement: Characterized by its ability to harden even underwater. A primitive version can be produced using burnt limestone (quicklime) and clay rich in silica and alumina. The limestone is burned in simpler kilns (lime kilns) at temperatures between 900 and 1000°C. The quicklime is then ground with burnt or raw clay in specific proportions. While inferior to modern Portland cement, this type offers significantly greater strength and durability compared to ordinary clay or lime mortar, and can be used for building walls, fortifying roads, and improving infrastructure."
Zidan smiled. "This is what I need! Earth factory quality? No. Quality that serves our purpose and surpasses everything here? Absolutely!"
Zidan spent the next hours studying the fine details: mixing ratios, types of feasible primitive kilns, manual grinding methods. It was complex, but the chip provided everything he needed. He meticulously copied the diagrams and step-by-step instructions onto a blank parchment using ink and a quill he found in Zidan's study. The drawings were intricate, filled with symbols and measurements no one in this era would understand.
When he finished, he carefully rolled up the parchment and summoned his personal servant. "Deliver this message to Smith, the head of industries in Kisor. I want him to come to me immediately after reading it. And tell him it's extremely urgent."
---
The office of Smith, Head of Industries
Smith was a burly man in his late forties, his face rough and his eyes sharp. He managed Kisor's large blacksmithing workshop and was considered the master of the town's manual industries. When the message reached him, he opened it curiously, then his eyes widened in astonishment. Strange drawings, complex instructions, words he'd never heard before: "hydraulic cement," "clinker," "1000-degree heat."
"What nonsense is this?" Smith muttered to himself, scratching his thick beard. "Has the young baron lost his mind?"
But then he remembered that the baron had just opened the granaries and done what no noble had done before. This was odd, but not insane. Moments later, he recalled the servant's words: "Tell him it's extremely urgent, and a generous reward awaits."
Money! That convinced Smith. Whatever this nonsense the baron had sent, money knew no nonsense. He put on his coat and headed to the palace.
---
In Zidan's office, Smith stood holding the cement parchment. "My lord, what is this?" Smith asked, his voice thick with skepticism. "Strange drawings, words I've never heard. Is this some new kind of alchemy?"
"Not alchemy, Smith—science," Zidan said calmly, gesturing to the chair before him. "Sit. This is a project that will change all of Kisor."
Smith sat hesitantly. "Go on, my lord."
"These drawings outline a method to produce a new building material, stronger and more durable than anything you use now. It can withstand time and be used to build walls, fortify roads, even construct small irrigation dams. We call it cement."
Smith stared at the drawings, then looked up. "My lord, we use stone, lime, and clay for building. What's the difference?"
"The difference is strength and durability, Smith. This material will be far stronger, building structures that last centuries. Imagine our castles, walls, roads—all a hundred times stronger. This will save us immense labor in the future and protect us better."
"But... how do we make it? The drawings are complex, my lord. And the temperatures you mention—1000 degrees? That requires special kilns."
"Yes, it does. And that's why you're here, Smith." Zidan's eyes gleamed with determination. "I want you to oversee the construction of these kilns. I've provided preliminary designs for manual lime kilns that will suffice for producing this cement. It'll be difficult at first, but once we perfect the process, Kisor will be the only town in the kingdom with this technology."
"Technology?" Smith repeated, still not entirely convinced. "Will this cost much?"
"It'll require great effort initially, but the returns will be greater. As for raw materials, we have them in abundance here—limestone, sand, clay... All we need is hard work. And for you, Smith, there will be a very generous reward for every successful batch of cement. Plus, I'll give you a percentage of everything sold or used."
Smith's eyes gleamed at the mention of reward and percentage. This was language he understood. "My lord, if it's about money... I'll do my best. But what's the use of all this with Duke Frederick's army approaching?"
"Its use is that we'll build impregnable fortifications, Smith. Stronger walls, fortified streets—this is our real defense. I want work to begin immediately. Gather your most skilled workers and start building the kilns. I'll provide more details and drawings as needed."
Despite his doubts, Smith agreed. "As you command, my lord. I'll start at once." Smith left the office, and though puzzled, he felt a thrill of excitement.
---
Back in Zidan's chamber
After dismissing Smith, Zidan returned to his Neuralink. Cement was just the beginning. Now, he had to address another urgent problem: agriculture. Hunger was a constant challenge, and food distribution wasn't a long-term solution. Agricultural production had to increase.
Zidan searched the "Agriculture and Irrigation" section. The chip highlighted "Primitive Water Engine" and "Organic Fertilizers."
He focused first on the water engine. The diagrams showed a primitive type of water pump powered by currents or animals, capable of lifting water from rivers or wells to higher farmland. "This will save labor and expand irrigated land," Zidan thought. He copied the schematics onto a new parchment.
Then he moved to fertilizers.
"Organic fertilizers: Natural materials derived from plants, animals, or minerals, used to improve soil fertility and nourish plants. Includes manure (animal dung), green manure, and plant residues. These fertilizers enhance soil structure, increase water retention, and slowly release essential nutrients."
"Animal manure and human waste!" Zidan's eyes lit up. "They're abundant and practically free! But how do I convince people to collect them?"
He summarized the information on another parchment, with simple explanations of how organic fertilizers increased crop yields. He summoned Javier again.
When Javier entered, his face showed exhaustion from the distribution rounds. "Your orders, my lord?"
"Javier, I have a new plan to boost agricultural production." Zidan handed him the parchment. "These schematics show how to build a simple water engine for irrigation. This other page explains the importance of organic fertilizers. I want this implemented immediately."
Javier took the parchments and stared at them. "A water engine... maybe. But organic fertilizers? My lord, we sometimes use animal manure, but this human waste you mention... it's filthy! People will revolt. It's indecent."
"Indecent?" Zidan raised an eyebrow. "Javier, is hunger decent? Is child death decent? These materials, however unpleasant they seem, will turn our land into a paradise. They'll triple or quadruple our yields. You must trust me on this."
"But my lord, how do we collect it?" Javier's face showed clear disgust. "Do we ask people to gather their own waste? Who would do that?"
"Here's the key part." Zidan's lips curled into a sly smile. "We'll offer incentives. I'll give every civilian three copper coins for every pound of waste or manure they collect and deliver to designated points."
Javier froze. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell slightly open. "What?! Three copper coins... for every pound of... filth? My lord, have you gone mad? No one's ever heard of such a thing!"
"No, Javier, I'm not mad. I'm dead serious." Zidan replied calmly. "Think about it: First, we'll get vast amounts of fertilizer, greatly increasing our yields. Second, we'll encourage people to clean the town's streets of waste, improving public hygiene and health. Two birds with one stone, Javier."
Javier was still in shock. He'd expected the young Zidan to make odd decisions, but this surpassed all expectations. Paying people to collect waste was madness by any measure.
"My lord, this... this will set an unheard-of precedent. People will think you've lost your mind." Javier made one last attempt to dissuade him.
"Let them think what they want, Javier. I care about results." Zidan said firmly. "Do you think I fear gossip? Do you think I'll let people starve just because I'm afraid to be different?"
Javier sighed deeply. He saw unshakable determination in Zidan's eyes. He'd watched this young man change suddenly, feeding the hungry and thinking about the town's future in ways no other noble had. Javier had served Zidan's family loyally for years and had sworn allegiance to the baron.
"Very well, my lord." Javier finally conceded, abandoning all resistance. "I'll carry out your orders. I'll send the criers out early tomorrow morning, and we'll set up collection points. I'll also oversee the water engine construction."
"Well done, Javier. I never doubted your loyalty." Zidan felt relieved. "This is just the beginning. We have much more to do."
Javier left the room, leaving Zidan alone again. Ideas raced through Zidan's mind—cement, water engines, fertilizers. These were the first steps toward turning Kisor into a modern fortress and fertile oasis. He knew the road would be long and hard, especially with Duke Frederick's army approaching. But he was ready. He held the keys to human progress in his hands and was prepared to unlock them in this world.