Given the unique properties of aluminum, Fang Er directly brought the ingots back to his manor.
Before he could figure out a suitable alloy formula, all the produced aluminum ore was stored at home, preventing anyone from smuggling it out and passing it off as silver.
He detached a camp from his third division to take charge of security at the aluminum workshop, then sent for Tan Zong from the iron mine.
As a grand master craftsman, his usual job was to oversee the general plan, with subordinates managing the minor details.
By the time Tan Zong arrived, the aluminum ingots had already been moved to a side courtyard, guarded by a company of soldiers.
Upon seeing the aluminum ingots, Tan Zong initially mistook them for silver, as they were highly deceptive.
After an explanation, Fang Er stated the reason for summoning him.
If used directly, this material was too soft and needed to be combined with other metals.
For example, manganese, tungsten, and zinc. The ores sent by the various tribes on the grassland contained these.
He called this new material, created by combining multiple metals, an alloy.
Bronze, for instance, was an alloy.
The grassland tribes had sent many ores, and he was entrusting Tan Zong with the task of researching alloy formulas from now on.
He was to quickly develop alloys that were light, hard, and resistant to deformation.
Every trial production must be recorded, and any metal produced, whether usable for the time being or not, must be numbered and kept on file.
With that, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Tan Zong.
The paper contained the mixing ratios for various alloys, which Fang Er had copied from a book on mineral resources.
Once Tan Zong verified them, the helicopters could be refitted.
The other metals needed for creating alloys could either be smelted directly or extracted through electrolysis.
Those that could be directly smelted and extracted could be processed at the iron mine, while for those requiring electrolysis, Tan Zong was instructed to work with Zhang Fanle.
Yes, Your Grace.
Tan Zong took the formula and carefully folded it, tucking it into his chest.
Yo ho! This mansion is truly damn big!
Just then, a hearty voice echoed from a distance.
Fang Er blinked in surprise. This voice sounded like Chai Shao's?
Following the sound, he saw it was indeed his father-in-law.
Rubbing his eyes to confirm he wasn't mistaken, he dismissed Tan Zong and strode to meet Chai Shao.
Your son-in-law greets you, Father-in-law. Why have you come to Shenyang?
Slap!
Chai Shao immediately landed a smack on Fang Er's head.
You little brat, you've abandoned my daughter at Fang Family Village and paid no attention to her, haven't you?
I let you come here to enjoy your leisure!
Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap!
Chai Shao cursed while his hands continued to rain down slaps on Fang Er's head.
Fang Er was completely stunned by this.
Stop! Stop hitting me!
If you don't stop, I'll call for help!
Go ahead and call! You can shout your lungs out, it'll be no use! It's my right to beat my son-in-law. This is exactly how the former Emperor beat me!
Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap!
Fang Er was enraged and shouted towards the distance, "Guards! Someone is attempting assassination!"
Assassination! I'm assassinating your grandfather!
You damn dog, you've left your wife at home for nearly three months, and you said you'd send for her!
Slap, slap, slap, slap!
Chai Shao showed no mercy, hitting Fang Er until his head buzzed.
After he returned to court with his troops, he discovered that Fang Er had left his pregnant daughter, Chai Yue, at the village while he himself had brought his concubine to Shenyang. How could he tolerate this?
Initially, Chai Yue defended Fang Er, saying he would send a helicopter back to pick her up.
But after waiting and waiting, the helicopter never returned.
Chai Shao was furious. "Damn it, is this how you treat people?"
So, he directly brought his personal guards, greeted Chai Yue at Fang Family Village, and headed to Shenyang to settle scores with Fang Er.
Chai Yue, unable to dissuade him, could only accompany him.
Moreover, it wasn't just the father and daughter who came.
Protect His Grace! Quickly, capture that assassin!
The Skyfire Army soldiers guarding the manor heard Fang Er's cry and quickly rushed over.
One of them raised his Cloud II model, seemingly ready to shoot Chai Shao.
Fang Er, still dazed, quickly shouted, "Don't shoot!"
After saying that, his vision went black as Chai Shao knocked him unconscious.
His falling to the ground terrified the Skyfire Army soldiers present.
Well, an entire two squads, thirty soldiers, immediately surrounded them.
His Grace ordered, "Don't shoot, capture him alive!"
You damn dog, daring to lay hands on His Grace, watch me beat you to death!
Without much of a struggle, Chai Shao was subdued.
Those selected to serve as guards in the manor could not possibly be ordinary individuals; even if they were not as skilled as those in the reserve unit, the difference was limited.
Four soldiers carried Fang Er to the back courtyard, while the remaining twenty-six seized Chai Shao and began beating him.
In the back courtyard, Chai Yue and Xiao Qing were holding hands, chatting about the events of the past two months, when they saw Fang Er being carried in.
Master?
Seeing Fang Er's state, Chai Yue was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed to check on him.
Fang Er's military uniform on his upper body was torn, and there were bruises on his neck.
Xiao Qing, stammering, asked the soldier who brought him back, "M-master, w-what happened to him?"
Reporting to the First Madam and Second Madam, an assassin entered the manor, and His Grace was knocked unconscious by the assassin.
We've asked the Madams to quickly return to their rooms. I've already sent for reinforcements, and they will arrive shortly!
Hearing the soldier's explanation, Chai Yue seemed to guess something and quickly asked.
What did the assassin look like?
Replying to the Madam, the assassin was a man, about fifty years old, sturdy built, and seemed to have a grudge against His Grace. When the soldiers rushed forward, they heard him cursing His Grace.
However, Madam, please don't worry, the assassin has been apprehended. His Grace ordered him to be captured alive. Once reinforcements arrive, I will interrogate him.
Take me to see him!
Chai Yue was anxious. Although her husband was unconscious, he wasn't seriously injured. If it were a real assassin, they wouldn't have held back.
Thinking about what her father said on the way, she had already concluded in her mind that the person who hit her husband was her father.
It was just that the family's guards stumbled upon them, and these men seemingly didn't recognize him, hence this misunderstanding.
The soldier said with a distressed face, "Madam, it's too dangerous. It would be safer for you to stay in your room. We don't know if the assassin has accomplices."
Hurry and lead the way. The one who hit Master might not be an assassin.
Chai Yue became impatient and retorted at the soldier.
Yes, yes, yes, Madam, please.
Chai Yue asked Xiao Qing to look after Fang Er, and then she, along with two maids, Yu Lu and another, followed the soldier to the front courtyard.