Production

"Keep it up!" Li Ming shouted, observing the workers constructing the pump that would soon be in operation.

The pumpjack they were building had a traditional design, unlike the modern sucker rod pump that was prevalent. It was a simpler version with a central supporting beam known as the Walking Beam. The beam was laid horizontally and supported by chains on either side. At the end of one chain was a thin tube, which served as the main rod to pump the fluid to the surface. To prevent spillage, a large tube had been planted at least one meter into the ground around the hole, and the top of the tube was sealed, except for a single open hole at the side.

With the pumpjack set up correctly, Li Ming gestured to Li Xuan, indicating they could begin the pumping process. Li Xuan then pointed out the two workers who would handle the pump and gave them instructions.

The workers nodded, having been briefed on the production method. Their task was to swing the beam at a consistent rate, matching the shift of pressure. Initially, they felt resistance from the tube, but they soon got the hang of it and continued their work.

As the workers pumped the beam up and down, Li Ming approached the basin where the oil would collect. Curious, Li Xuan stood next to him, waiting to see the results.

It didn't take long before they witnessed the outcome. Li Xuan gasped in disbelief as she saw the previously empty tube suddenly release black liquid. The pump had successfully extracted crude oil.

Even the workers were astonished by their accomplishment. However, their momentary surprise caused them to pause for a second, interrupting the flow.

Confused, Li Xuan wondered if something was wrong, but she quickly realized it was the workers' hesitation. Once they resumed pumping, the crude oil began flowing again.

"This is...," Li Xuan exclaimed, astonished by the effectiveness of the pump. She had never expected such a simple method to work. She recalled Li Ming's expertise in constructing the pumpjack and understood why it was successful. The pump itself had existed, but its appearance was not widely known, explaining her initial shock.

Within a minute, they could see the oil filling up the basin, and the liquid level started to rise. Li Xuan calculated the potential output, considering the current flow rate.

"Just by doing this, we can obtain about one liter per minute," Li Xuan thought, envisioning the daily and monthly production rates. "In the past, people would often extract resources from this location, but the spring would dry up because the liquid couldn't be replaced quickly enough. However, with this pump, we can control the production rate and ensure stability."

Li Ming agreed, adding his insight. "If they pump at a constant rate, the burden won't be too great since they don't need to start from scratch each time. Based on my calculations, we might deplete this well in one or two years. Of course, we need to manage our production rate. From the current flow, we can expect around a hundred liters per day."

"We can definitely do much more," Li Xuan acknowledged.

Li Ming, however, emphasized the importance of moderation. "I treat them as workers, not slaves," he replied, expressing his concern for their well-being. "For now, we want to measure the pump's capabilities and make further arrangements. Once they reach the quota, they can rest for the day."

Li Xuan was surprised by Li Ming's generosity. "You are extremely considerate."

Li Ming shrugged. "I believe in treating workers fairly. In any case, that's our current plan. This is just one well, but if we expand to multiple wells, the production rate will skyrocket."

Li Xuan nodded, realizing the immense potential of the oil extraction process. She calculated the profits they could generate and the impact it would have on the Li Clan's income.

Li Xuan nodded with a serious expression, realizing the potential impact of scaling up their operations. She glanced at the oil and contemplated, "If one well can produce a hundred liters per day, then ten wells will produce a thousand liters. Considering that we sell about a third of what we can currently expect, that's around thirty-three liters, with some reserved for the distillation process."

Li Ming chimed in, "I'm not sure about the pricing yet, but regular oil usually sells for 2 coppers per liter. Just considering the crude oil, we can generate 2,000 coppers, which equals 20 silver coins. However, since this is a new product, if we slightly increase the price for its better quality, we can raise the profit to around 22-24 silver coins, but let's just think about the lowest one for now. And this is only the production from ten wells."

Li Xuan's excitement grew as she continued to calculate the potential profits. "If we continue to expand and have a hundred wells, that would be 200 silver coins or 2 gold coins per day. The more we expand, the higher our profits will grow. Additionally, as Li Ming improves the tools, the production rate will increase. In that case, there's a chance to generate at least 200 gold coins per day, equivalent to 72,000 gold coins per year."

"Currently, our Li Clan's yearly income is about 200,000 gold coins. By producing oil alone, we can increase our income by almost a third. If we follow Li Ming's plan, we might be able to achieve this within one or two years. After that, the Li Clan will pale in comparison," Li Xuan concluded, realizing the immense potential of their endeavor.

However, she still had not factored in the potential profits from other oil products they could sell in the future.

Li Ming and Li Xuan both understood that there were additional costs, such as wages and tool production, to consider. However, if they executed Li Ming's plan successfully, they could reach a stage where their income matched or even surpassed that of the Li Clan within a couple of years.

Li Ming looked at Li Xuan, who seemed lost in her thoughts. He waved his hand to get her attention.

Li Xuan snapped back to reality, a bit embarrassed. "Yes?"

"I believe you now understand why I chose that particular location as our headquarters. It's the lowest point that connects the entire land. By creating a pipeline to that location, we can facilitate the flow of oil without the need for additional workers. It's time for us to see the distillation construction," Li Ming explained.

Li Xuan agreed, her excitement evident. "Let's go."

Li Ming cautioned her about the distillation process. "Currently, we have limited technology to separate the oil, so we'll need to follow a three-step process. The first step is to remove gas from the oil, which can be used as fuel for heating the oil later. However, this step is not completed yet, so we'll have to wait. The second step involves light heating, which we'll have to substitute with another process for now. Once we've completed the first two steps, we can proceed with the final process of heating the oil and separating it."

Li Xuan reassured him, mentioning that the necessary preparations were already underway. They only needed to wait for the distillation barrel to arrive.

Satisfied with the progress, Li Ming estimated they would finish this phase in two days. After that, they would focus on finding an investor.

Li Xuan nodded, determined to ensure the smooth execution of their plans.

Li Ming knew he wouldn't have much downtime in the near future, but as he trained others and delegated tasks, his responsibilities would gradually shift. He felt excited imagining the prospects of the oil company. Once he accomplished his mission, he would become a prominent figure in the industry, creating an oil empire that could rival the leaders of giant oil companies on Earth.

Li Xuan looked at Li Ming with newfound admiration, realizing she had underestimated his capabilities. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, she finally understood the extent of Li Ming's potential.

Li Ming and Li Xuan headed towards the distillation construction site, ready to continue their journey toward building an oil company.