Come, stand by the Mountain Leader.
Fang Er beckoned to Ma Yu.
Hearing this, Ma Yu obediently walked over.
Fang Er scooped Ma Yu into the cabin of the helicopter and looked at him: "Tell the Mountain Leader, what made you think of doing these things?"
Ma Yu was startled at first, then overjoyed, finding himself standing inside a helicopter!
Thinking about the Mountain Leader's question, he suppressed his excitement.
"Mountain Leader, your student decided to do this after learning a word."
That word was taught by Mr. Ma Zhou, and it's called "jing yi qiu jing" (striving for excellence).
"It means, one cannot be content with the status quo; one must do better!"
All right, the word "jing yi qiu jing" didn't exist in the Tang Dynasty; it was something he had inadvertently said before.
When had Ma Zhou overheard it?
That wasn't important. What was important was that Ma Yu's actions were undoubtedly methods commonly used in later generations for breeding superior varieties.
This was truly remarkable.
He had heard of it in his previous life, but in that era of information explosion, he had heard too many things. If Ma Yu hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have remembered.
Fang Er's eyes were fixed on Ma Yu: "From today onwards, whatever land on the estate you fancy, you may use it!"
"Do whatever you want!"
"If you need labor, find Commander Qi and have him assign you a squad of soldiers."
"If you lack anything, ask your grandfather and say it's the Mountain Leader's wish."
"In short, as long as you can achieve something in this endeavor, all your needs will be met by the Mountain Leader!"
Fang Er's tone was very serious.
After hearing these words, Ma Yu was so shocked that he covered his mouth, his face filled with disbelief.
"Mountain Leader, are you telling the truth?"
"Indeed. So, go ahead and do it!"
With that, Fang Er stepped back two paces, then beckoned Bao'er over, and lifted him into the helicopter as well.
Then he turned to the others: "What about you? What preparations have you made on your journey to pursue your ideals?"
"Do you still remember your original aspirations and remain true to your original intentions?"
"Mountain Leader!"
Another student, named Ma Ding, stepped forward and raised his hand.
"Speak."
"For the past six months, your student has obtained some materials from the workshop and figured out a more durable concrete mixture."
After speaking, Ma Ding took a dried concrete block from his pocket and handed it to Fang Er.
Fang Er took it curiously.
The concrete block was round and smooth, almost polished to a sheen.
If Ma Ding hadn't said it, Fang Er would have thought it was a river stone.
He weighed it in his hand and looked at Ma Ding: "Do you mind if the Mountain Leader smashes this?"
Ma Ding's face showed some reluctance. He had carried this concrete block with him for over two months, playing with it in his spare time, and it had become his cherished possession.
But thinking that his materials were limited and this was his most successful piece, he gritted his teeth and nodded, realizing that if he didn't smash it, the Mountain Leader might not believe him.
"Please, Mountain Leader, examine it!"
Seeing his pained expression, Fang Er chuckled.
He casually handed the concrete block back to him: "The Mountain Leader believes you for now. When you return from the sky, could you make another one for the Mountain Leader with your hands?"
Ma Ding was overjoyed. He didn't have to smash it, and the Mountain Leader intended to provide him with more materials.
It wasn't until Fang Er lifted him into the helicopter that he realized what the Mountain Leader had said – returning from the sky.
Could he also ride in a helicopter and see the sky?
Fang Er's gaze swept over the remaining students.
After that, several more students stepped forward.
Liu Laosi's grandson, Liu Ye, helped Liu Laosi create something to clean the pigsty, which was essentially a steel pipe with a steel plate attached to the end with molten iron.
Li Shun's child, Li Ping'an, faced the landing boats on the five-toothed great ships at the shipyard every day after school. No one knew what this young man was thinking, but he actually devised a harvester!
Although the craftsmen in the workshop did the actual work, the overall idea came from him.
And after verification, it proved to be usable.
The principle was to install a human-pushed chassis onto the diesel engine, which would then drive the cutter head to directly sever the wheat from its roots.
In essence, it was a modification of the original transmission system and propeller on the engine.
Although it was much cruder compared to modern harvesters, it was enough to do the work of ten strong laborers!
The other students also had their own achievements. Perhaps in later generations, their difficulties would seem like child's play.
But it had to be admitted that in this era, these ideas were rare!
Fang Er had them all board the helicopter, then looked at Ma Yu and said: "Call out all your companions."
Ma Yu, with an excited expression, stood at the cabin door and called out a string of names to the students outside.
Ma Qing, Ma Hong, Ma Douzi!
Ye Xiang, Liu He, Da Cihua!
~~~~~
He called out over a dozen students by name.
"Alright, everyone come over. Ma Yu has made a contribution, and you have all done well!"
The more than ten students were still in a daze, even as they boarded the helicopter.
He fastened their seatbelts and closed the cabin door.
Then he said to Zhang Tian: "Take them up for a spin. Fly steady, and if you drop even one, I'll skin you alive!"
"Hehehehe, Your Grace, rest assured! I guarantee everyone will be safe and sound!"
"Little rascals, hold on tight!"
"Uncle Zhang is taking you for a wild ride~~!"
Fang Er and the other students retreated, watching the helicopter fly away.
The students left behind were filled with envy, as were Ma Tongyuan, Ma Zhou, Xue Zhiqian, and others who had gathered at some point.
Fang Er smiled as he looked at their expressions.
Envious, aren't you?
Jealous, aren't you?
Covetous, aren't you?
This is what they deserve!
Next time, show your achievements, and if the Mountain Leader is satisfied, you can too!
"Please rest assured, Mountain Leader!"
"Your students will study hard and read with dedication!"
The students spoke in unison, their voices the loudest, expressing their determination.
"Alright, you can all disperse. Go back and study diligently, and await the Mountain Leader's next assessment!"
Fang Er, with a smile on his face, ushered them back to the classroom.
Only then did Ma Tongyuan and the others approach Fang Er to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Mountain Leader."
Fang Er nodded slightly: "Good! You have all done well! I am very satisfied!"
"Students like Bao'er, Ma Yu, Ma Ding, Liu Ye, and Li Ping'an – the more the better!"
"Youth, anything is possible. Those old craftsmen are constrained by habit in their thinking."
"Innovation relies on the next generation, so your burden is heavy!"
What he said was indeed true. Those craftsmen who were accustomed to doing whatever their masters wanted had ossified thinking. It was difficult for them to innovate anything new.
But these young students, after their minds were enlightened, were in a stage of unrestrained imagination.
They dared to think anything, dared to do anything!
If there were more such students, perhaps a hundred schools of thought contending could reappear in the Great Tang!
In later generations, China, from its founding to its world-leading technological advancement, took less than a century.
And this was achieved under constant blockade by enemies.
Now, with his guidance, coupled with the imagination of these children, nothing is impossible!