Until the very end, Li Shimin was sweating profusely, but he couldn't insert the small steel rod into the steel ingot.
In a fit of pique, he stuffed the steel ingot and rod back to Fang Er.
"Boy, you try inserting it. I don't believe it! If I can't insert it, can you?"
"Hehehe, Brother Cheng, Brother Yuchi, do you two want to give it a try?"
Fang Er took the items and asked the two with a smile.
Could Yuchi Jingde accept this?
Failing to insert it would be shameful, and succeeding would be akin to slapping Li Shimin's face.
He was the main instigator of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. While he appeared simple and honest, he was actually quite shrewd.
"Brother, you go ahead. I'll just watch quietly how you insert it."
As Yuchi Jingde spoke, he also grabbed the eager Cheng Yaojin and pulled him back.
"Father-in-law, would you like to try?"
"The Emperor wants you to insert it, so just do it. What are you hesitating for!" Chai Shao was not foolish either.
Fang Er smiled without speaking. Since no one else would try, he decided to let them witness the power of a craftsman.
He placed the steel ingot flat again, inserted one end of the steel rod into the hole, then let go and stepped back.
Li Shimin looked at him in confusion, "Didn't I tell you to insert it? Why did you just leave it there?"
"Your Majesty, please don't rush. You'll know soon."
And so, Li Shimin then witnessed a miraculous sight.
"No, this thing won't go in no matter how hard you push, how did it just fall in?" Cheng Yaojin exclaimed in shock.
"Explain to me what is going on." Li Shimin stepped forward and picked up the workpiece to examine it again.
"It's actually very simple. The tolerances are too precise. The gap between the steel rod and the steel ingot's hole is too small. You see, now that they are together, it's hard to even detect a seam?" Fang Er pointed to the position of the hole on the original steel ingot.
Li Shimin examined it closely for a long time and couldn't help but gasp, "It's indeed like this. If one wasn't paying attention, they would almost mistake this seam for a solid piece of steel!"
After his exclamation, he quickly pressed on, "But why wouldn't it go in when forced, yet it fell in on its own?"
"Simply put, the gap is too small. When you force it in, the speed is too fast, and the air inside cannot escape through the gap, so it pushes against the steel rod, preventing it from being inserted. As for why it sprang back when you applied more force, it's because the air inside was compressed by the brute force. The air pressure inside the hole was greater than the air pressure outside, which caused the steel rod to be repelled. However, when placed there and allowed to sink slowly under its own weight, the air inside has enough time to escape. Therefore, over time, it slowly became fully inserted." Fang Er patiently explained.
Li Shimin frowned after listening, "You're making it sound so mysterious with all this talk of air and pressure that I don't understand. You've made it so complicated, but what's the practical use of it?"
Fang Er didn't mind his skepticism and patiently asked, "Does Your Majesty know about electricity?"
"What does this have to do with electricity?"
"Please follow me."
After speaking, Fang Er led Li Shimin and the others to the boiler of the small thermal power plant and pointed to the seam where the boiler met.
"Your Majesty, please look here."
"This boiler was originally in two halves. It's precisely because the grinding and processing were done with such high precision that the hot air inside wouldn't escape from the seams when they were fitted together."
"This is the benefit of high precision."
"Not only that, but also the pickup truck. You've driven and ridden in it. The engine in the vehicle also has very high precision requirements..."
Fang Er rambled on about the importance of high-precision machining for machinery and industry, while Li Shimin's eyes widened with each word.
Finally, Li Shimin slapped his thigh, "Quick, have your subordinate fly a helicopter to bring Du Yiyang to Shenyang for me!"
"I need to ask him if the Ministry of Works has any master craftsmen capable of reaching the Grand Artisan level!"
"This small matter is definitely not a problem, it will just cost some fuel." He called Zhang Tian, and the helicopter quickly took off towards Chang'an.
After the noisy whirring of the propeller faded, Fang Er bowed deeply to Li Shimin.
"Your Majesty, I have already explained the importance of Grand Artisans. Therefore, I, Fang Er, humbly request a position as a Gentleman of Yi Shi for Liu Er Yang, and I implore Your Majesty to grant this request."
Craftsmen were considered to be of a lower status than commoners, and there had never been a precedent for a craftsman to be bestowed with an official title. Even if there were, they held other identities, such as scholars or soldiers. However, recalling Fang Er's words, Li Shimin clearly understood the importance of Grand Artisans to the Great Tang. Even if it was just to lure others with a small gesture, one had to be willing to invest. Otherwise, if all craftsmen were treated as inferiors, who would strive to improve their skills?
"A Gentleman of Yi Shi, a civilian official, Ninth Rank, Lower Grade. An Zhi, your vision is too limited!" Li Shimin smiled and shook his head, then asked, "What is the name of the craftsman who made this item?"
"Liu Er Yang." Hearing Li Shimin's question, Fang Er was overjoyed and quickly replied.
"Liu Er Yang, receive your decree!"
The artisans, hearing Fang Er seeking an official position for Liu Er Yang, could no longer contain their excitement. The Duke's promise had indeed been fulfilled. Although it wasn't for them this time, at least it set a precedent!
Liu Er Yang, hearing Li Shimin call his name, quickly stepped out from the crowd.
"This humble subject is here!"
"Liu Er Yang, for your exquisite craftsmanship and as a national treasure, you are hereby appointed as a Gentleman of Xuan Yi, assigned to the Ministry of Works, and will continue to serve under the master craftsman in Shenyang Commandery. This is the Imperial Decree!"
Li Shimin's casual bestowal of office made the artisans disbelieve their own ears. Especially Liu Er Yang, the recipient!
"Xuan, Xuan, Xuan Yi Lang?"
"Why are you standing there stunned? Hurry and thank His Majesty!" Fang Er patted Liu Er Yang's shoulder with a smile.
Xuan Yi Lang, Seventh Rank, Lower Grade, was eight ranks higher than the Gentleman of Yi Shi he had requested! One had to realize that even the supervisors in the Ministry of Works were only at the Seventh Rank, Upper Grade. Many people had spent their entire lives without reaching such a position!
"This humble subject, no, this subject, Liu Er Yang, thanks His Majesty for his boundless grace!"
"Thank you, Duke, for your nurturing!" Liu Er Yang was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He immediately prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed three times. When he looked up, his forehead was swollen and red, but he seemed to feel no pain, standing there grinning foolishly.