Chapter 520 - 518: Is It Still Difficult?
Previously, when testing the Chain Inversion Device, most of the parts were made by woodworkers. Even the strongest wood is still wood, which is easier to carve and polish. Ironworking, however, is different. Although at that time ironworkers still valued their craftsmanship, able to create delicate items, mass-producing mechanical parts was not an easy task—it could not afford the time-consuming effort of several blacksmiths hammering away.
Fortunately, the parts are still in the prototype stage, where issues can be identified and remedied promptly.
Wong Qiao had arranged for the craftsmen to produce the parts of the Chain Inversion Device. Ye Xinyan gathered Wong Qiao, Zhou Biyao, and the official in charge sent by Jinrong to the workshop to discuss the tools needed for mass-producing ironware.
After some discussion, under Ye Xinyan’s intentional guidance, Wong Qiao and the two craftsmen sent by Jinrong, who had worked at the court’s Imperial Workshops Bureau, proposed several solutions.
Based on these solutions, Ye Xinyan roughly sketched out two commonly used mechanical tools—the bench vice—along with several mold designs for something like a hand-cranked grinding wheel.
The two craftsmen brought by Jinrong were also skilled artisans, one named Zhang Mian and the other Wang Huan. This was their first encounter with Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao.
When they set out, Mr. Hu, the chief advisor of the mansion, repeatedly urged them that Miss Ye was an expert in mechanical engineering and the Imperial Workshops, and with her status evident, they must respect the foreman of Clear Water Village and follow Miss Ye’s command in all things.
Before they left, His Highness Prince Yu also cautioned them that, since they were going to the Qi family, they must strictly obey Miss Ye’s orders and, except for urgent commands from the mansion, follow her lead in all matters.