Zhang Xiaomi and the others exchanged glances and sprinted towards the tree.
Upon reaching it and seeing its current state, their excited expressions immediately froze.
The tree was mangled beyond recognition, especially its lower section, which had split like an old woman's soles!
"L-Leader, can this tree still be used?" one of the craftsmen stammered.
"Damn it, just as I thought, saving effort has no good outcome," Zhang Xiaomi grumbled, pointing at the tree on the ground. "Cut it into sections. When we have a ship returning next time, have them send it back to the Prince."
"Such good timber, blown to bits like this, several meters are wasted."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Tiangang's displeased voice came from behind.
"You little thief! What are you muttering about? Don't think I can't hear you!"
"This has nothing to do with me. It's because the opening you made was too small."
"Next time you make it bigger, I guarantee this won't happen again."
Zhang Xiaomi wanted to retort, but on second thought, he was only here to look at the tree, not to cut it down every day, so he didn't say anything more.
Li Xiaogong had not gone far, merely circling in the sky and observing the situation with binoculars.
Seeing that the tree had indeed been felled in such a short time, he immediately returned.
"My goodness!"
"What new trick have you conjured up, you old Taoist?"
The break was clearly the result of an explosion. With a tree this thick, gunpowder alone wouldn't achieve such an effect.
Yuan Tiangang was pleased with his reaction, hands on his hips, acting quite smug.
"I'm not bragging to you, Prince. If I wanted to, I could send you back to Dengzhou in minutes."
After saying that, he walked back towards his wooden cabin without looking back.
One must maintain dignity!
Damn it, they dared to exile me. I have treasures, but I won't show them to you!
Li Xiaogong awkwardly rubbed his nose, knowing that Yuan Tiangang was still unhappy about being "exiled" by him, so he followed behind him.
Several days later.
Zhang Xiaomi had already returned to Jinshan Prefecture to ponder the mobile table saw. However, this did not stop the large-scale logging operation from commencing here.
Giant logs needed to be air-dried before use. Drying them here was no different from drying them in the Great Tang. The sooner they were cut, the less worry there would be.
Li Xiaogong ordered young and strong men from the various prefectures of Meizhou to be transported here by helicopter, one trip after another.
At the same time, a batch of newly produced double-handed saws and felling axes was delivered from the Jinshan Prefecture Steel Factory.
These young and strong men, in groups of several, followed the method Zhang Xiaomi had used previously to create openings at the base of the giant trees.
All of this was under Yuan Tiangang's command.
He meticulously calculated the direction from which each tree should be felled and where it would fall before approving the commencement of work.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Continuous explosions echoed through this primeval forest, followed by the crashing of ancient trees.
After falling, these trees were left to air dry, awaiting subsequent processing and transportation.
Shenyang Workshop.
Fang Er visited daily to inspect the work and help solve any problems within his capabilities.
As for issues he couldn't resolve himself, they had to be discussed in meetings where everyone brainstormed solutions.
On this day, Su Feng brought Li Chunfeng over.
"Your Highness, Master Li wishes to speak with you."
Fang Er picked up a cloth, wiped the grease off his hands, and gestured to a chair beside him for Li Chunfeng.
"Please, sit and speak."
Li Chunfeng appeared a bit hesitant. After sitting on the chair, he said somewhat unnaturally.
"Your Highness, I have come seeking your assistance."
Just then, Li Tai also rushed in. "Director! I've finally found you. I have something I don't understand!"
Fang Er casually handed him a bottle of Kang Shuai Fu. "Wait a moment. Let's resolve Master Li's matter first."
Then he turned to Li Chunfeng. "Please continue."
"Thank you, Your Highness Kun," Li Chunfeng said quickly, stating his purpose.
"I have read four words in ancient texts that say 'all things have spirits'."
"But after much contemplation, I cannot fathom what it means."
"My master has gone overseas, and there is no one to enlighten me."
"Therefore, I implore Your Highness Kun to permit me to borrow the Prince's helicopter to visit various Taoist temples."
Upon hearing this, Fang Er understood.
It was said that in times of chaos, Taoist priests flourish, and in prosperous times, monks do. Now that the world was at peace, many Taoist sects had retreated into the mountains. If he had to rely on walking to visit them one by one, ninety-nine percent of the time would be spent on the road.
"Hahaha, I thought it was something significant. This is a small matter."
Fang Er smiled and beckoned Wang Xuance.
"Send six brothers to accompany Master Li."
"Furthermore, when you reach those reclusive Taoist sects, do not be stingy. Offer gifts where appropriate and spend money where needed. All expenses will be covered by me."
"Thank you, Your Highness Kun!" Li Chunfeng stood up excitedly and bowed.
Li Tai, standing nearby, was stunned into silence after hearing Li Chunfeng's words.
Moreover, he kept murmuring to himself.
"All things have spirits?"
"What is spirit?"
"The books you gave me, Director, said that all things are composed of molecules?"
"And molecules are composed of atoms."
"Atoms are composed of a nucleus and orbiting electrons."
"The diameter of an atom is on the order of 10⁻¹⁰ m, and its mass is extremely small, generally on the order of 10⁻²⁷ kg. The mass is mainly concentrated in the protons and neutrons."
"Electrons are distributed outside the atomic nucleus. Electron transitions produce spectra, and electrons determine the chemical properties of an element and greatly influence the atom's magnetism."
"In other words, every atom is magnetic!"
"Then, can it be understood that all things have their unique magnetic fields?"
"And the working principle of the gold dredging ship..."
After muttering for a long time, he suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed loudly.
"I understand!"
Saying this, he ran out without looking back.
Fang Er and Li Chunfeng stared blankly at his retreating figure, wondering what had possessed him.
Little did they know that after returning, Li Tai had gathered all the craftsmen at the work shed.
Pointing at the gold dredging ship whose outer casing had just been reassembled, he said, "Disassemble it for me!"
"Take it apart into eight pieces. The more fragmented, the better!"
After saying this, he grabbed a wrench and climbed onto it first.