Three days later.
Zhu Zi and Ma Chao departed with a thousand Tianhuo Army soldiers.
Fang Er was fortunate that the Tianhuo Army was still using mass-produced flintlock rifles. Otherwise, ammunition supply would have been a problem on this journey. Zhu Zi had already learned how to prepare gunpowder, so ammunition was no longer a concern.
Inside the Chen residence.
Fang Er rolled up the blueprints from the stone table and walked out of the courtyard. He got into the pickup truck and headed straight for the iron ore mountain. The cement road was still under construction, but it was already more than halfway finished. The pickup truck sped along the wild land beside the road. The artisans working were drawn by the roar of the engine. What was that? It's so fast! Although it was wild land, it wasn't too difficult to traverse. Fang Er was having a blast driving! The pickup truck's immense weight and the excellent performance of the Michelin tires, while bumpy, were still acceptable. They covered a hundred miles in half an hour!
"Big Grandpa, I heard the roar from far away!" Tan Zong shouted. "Quickly call back the miners, there's a landslide!" A group of blacksmiths dashed off to relay the message to the mining area. Before they could reach the mine, the pickup truck stopped beside the blast furnace. Seeing Fang Er descend, Tan Zong was bewildered! What was this thing? It let out a thunderous roar! He walked closer, observing it curiously. It was made of steel! Was there some divine beast hidden inside? "My Lord, what kind of mount is this?" Fang Er smiled and patted the pickup truck's engine cover. "This is a Tang-brand Big Pickup! It can travel two thousand li a day! Made entirely of steel!" Tan Zong's eyes widened! "Travel two thousand li a day? Isn't that faster than a thousand-li horse? And it's made of steel, is this some kind of immortal technique, my Lord?" Fang Er shook his head. "This is not an immortal technique, but the craftsmanship of blacksmiths. I will teach you all this in the future. Come, here are some things that need to be made immediately. Here are the blueprints, take a look first." He spread the blueprints on the pickup truck's engine cover and pointed to the diagrams of various parts, explaining them to Tan Zong. Although Tan Zong didn't know what these parts were for, he listened intently. Fang Er spoke until his throat was dry the entire day. After a night's rest, at dawn the next day, Fang Er began making molds with Tan Zong and several blacksmiths. There were many small parts. The blacksmiths were divided into groups, with each group responsible for making molds for specific parts. As each mold was finished, it was moved to a shady spot and covered with grass mats to air dry. The weather was too hot; if they were left outside, they would crack. Once the first set of molds was made, they were instructed to make ten more sets. Fang Er then returned to Shenyang City. With the vehicle, things became much more convenient. It used to take half a day to travel by horse, but now it took less than an hour. The next day, Fang Er began mass-producing engines. The hundred shi of steel that was here had been used up during the previous pickup truck production, leaving only scraps. After Liu Meng became enamored with the pickup truck, he voluntarily ensured that the steel ingots in the warehouse were maintained at two hundred shi. Therefore, there was no need for immediate transportation. An average of one V16 engine was assembled every five days and placed in the adjacent warehouse. Half a month later, just as the third engine was assembled, Liu Meng arrived to report that Cheng Yaojin had returned with the new firearms corps and artillery battalion. Fang Er put down his tools, wiped his hands, and walked out of the military armaments division. He could see Cheng Yaojin's contingent from a distance outside the city gate. Besides people and horses, there were also numerous ox carts, laden with boxes and sacks. Fang Er drove the pickup truck to meet them. Cheng Yaojin, riding his horse, heard the roaring sound approaching and quickly took out his telescope to see. He saw a dark monster charging towards them. Judging by its speed, it was faster than his warhorse at full gallop! Just as he was about to order Tie Lao Ba to prepare the mortars, raising his hand, he saw Fang Er sitting in the vehicle. Cheng Yaojin was stunned! It had been less than two months since they parted ways at Dandong City, and what new marvel had this young brother Fang come up with? He spurred his warhorse to meet Fang Er. A vehicle and a horse, three li apart. Knowing the car's speed is fifty yards and the horse's speed is thirty yards, how long until they meet? Alright! Fang Er drove the pickup truck and smoothly stopped in front of Cheng Yaojin. He got out of the vehicle. Cheng Yaojin pointed at the pickup truck and asked, "Brother, what in the world is this thing? It's much faster than my horse." Fang Er gestured to the pickup truck. "Get in, brother, I'll give you an experience." Cheng Yaojin let go of his warhorse, leaving it on the road. Naturally, someone behind him would lead it away.