The previous Taoist temple was located between the workshop and the Ba River.
It had been completed, but it only had fewer than ten rooms.
Huang Sheng was very loyal, and whatever Fang Er said, he would do.
He gathered all the remaining several hundred strong young men from the manor.
Building thatched huts was easy, and since the weather was hot, there was no need to worry about people freezing.
Moreover, some lumber that the carpentry workshop was preparing for the five-toothed ships could be used for immediate needs.
In just one day, a large area of thatched huts was erected.
After requesting instructions from Fang Er via walkie-talkie, he proceeded to the school to inform Yuan Tiangang.
"Venerable Yuan, my lord has prepared a Taoist temple for you. Please come along."
Yuan Tiangang was very pleased and said to Niu Jizi.
"How about it? Doesn't the Marquis of Liaodong attach great importance to our Taoist sect!"
"Let's go! With so many of us, we shouldn't disturb the children's studies in the school. Let's head to the Taoist temple!"
After speaking, he led his disciples and grandchildren, following Huang Sheng towards the Taoist temple.
Along the way, he kept talking to his juniors about the wonders of the chemistry manuscript.
Words like "three acids and two bases" and "burning and explosion" were frequently mentioned.
Niu Jizi and others listened with great anticipation.
However, good times don't last forever, and even the longest journey eventually comes to an end.
Looking at the Taoist temple before him, which occupied only about an acre of land, Yuan Tiangang looked at Huang Sheng with some confusion.
"This is the Taoist temple the Marquis of Liaodong built for this old man?"
Huang Sheng nodded and said somewhat awkwardly.
"You didn't mention earlier that so many people would be coming, so we only built it this large."
"But look over there."
He pointed to a large area of thatched huts behind the Taoist temple.
"This is what the Marquis had temporarily erected for you. Please make do for now. The Taoist temple will be expanded immediately."
Niu Jizi looked at Yuan Tiangang with eyes full of doubt.
"This is it?"
Yuan Tiangang also realized that he hadn't made himself clear at the time.
But he couldn't say that he, as the elder, had tricked the younger generation.
He put on a brave face and chuckled.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Those who practice asceticism should be free from desires and wants. These thatched huts are perfect for my juniors to temper their Taoist hearts!"
Then he said to Niu Jizi and the others behind him.
"You must seize this opportunity for spiritual cultivation!"
After speaking, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked into the Taoist temple.
Niu Jizi and the others were speechless.
"Why don't you keep such a good opportunity for yourself!"
But a master's command is paramount, so they could only lead the several hundred accompanying Taoist priests and find a thatched hut to live in.
There was only one manuscript. It was fine when Yuan Tiangang read it himself, but now with so many people, there weren't enough to distribute one to each person.
Yuan Tiangang domineeringly took dozens of people to the printing workshop. After consulting with Xue Zhiqian, he personally made printing plates.
The rest were sent away by Niu Jizi, and together with the manor's men, they expanded the Taoist temple.
Days went by one after another.
Fang Er enjoyed the life of teaching children.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-July.
Fang Er was inspecting the crops in the fields.
The sweet potatoes had already started to bear fruit, growing to the size of a fist.
The thousand acres of cotton that had been transplanted had grown to two feet tall, and some were already bearing cotton bolls.
Suddenly, the walkie-talkie on his waist rang.
It was Li Shun's voice, saying the shipyard was completed and asking Fang Er to come for guidance.
He drove to the Ba River shipyard.
After getting out of the car, he saw countless laborers busy reinforcing the riverbanks.
The shipyard was already completed, covering tens of thousands of square meters, and was very spectacular and grand.
The cement floor had finished curing and was ready for use.
After a tour accompanied by Li Shun, Fang Er spoke.
"You are the professionals in shipbuilding. This Marquis will not interfere.
Since the shipyard is ready, start building the large ships.
Li Shun nodded and then suggested.
"My lord, the five-toothed ships are excellent, but without ports and docks, they may not be convenient."
"Should we follow the example of the King of Hejian and hang small boats on the sides of the large ships for landing?"
Fang Er thought for a moment.
Indeed, a five-toothed ship, more than ten meters wide and fifty meters long, could not dock without a port, otherwise, it would definitely run aground.
"Yes, let's hang four five-meter-long small boats on each large ship."
"Like the five-toothed ships, they will be powered by external propellers. In a few days, this Marquis will send people to deliver the diesel engines."
After instructing Li Shun, Fang Er returned to the workshop.
He first inquired about the progress of the Yangzhou Army's armament manufacturing.
To Fang Er's surprise, it was going to be completed in two more days.
This made Fang Er very satisfied.
Zhao Gang and the assault team were all called to the studio.
These people were selected from the one to two hundred people in the entire blacksmith shop, and their skills were among the highest.
Compared to Zhao Gang, they were not much different.
A four-cylinder diesel engine was much simpler than the V16 drawings.
Fang Er drew while explaining to them.
For several days, they ate and slept in the studio.
After the drawings were completed, he personally demonstrated the manufacturing process.
From the engine to the propeller, the entire process captivated the craftsmen.
After the first set was made, Fang Er let them proceed on their own.
He stayed by their side, pointing out shortcomings and explaining how and why to make modifications.
With hands-on teaching, these craftsmen, who already had a solid foundation, made rapid progress.
After only two engines were produced, they could independently complete the manufacturing and assembly of the engines through internal cooperation within the assault team, without Fang Er's direct intervention.
Fang Er was very satisfied with them. Looking at the busy craftsmen, he nodded and then called Zhao Gang out of the studio.
"Let them handle the engines and propellers. You find some more people to work on the cannons.
Mortars are not very suitable for use on ships, so we need to build a new type of breech-loading cannon.
Cannons are not a problem for the Fang Family Manor anymore. After explaining the plan to Zhao Gang, Zhao Gang nodded and said.
"Please rest assured, my lord, we will complete the mission."