For a whole day, I was holed up at home, racking my brain to write a long list.
Some items I needed to prepare myself, while others required Li Shimin's assistance.
Especially the mining and silver refining craftsmen.
Fang Family Village truly had no one suitable, so I had to ask Li Shimin for help.
I transcribed all the matters requiring Li Shimin's intervention onto a piece of paper and had Huang Sheng deliver it outside Chengtian Gate.
Then, it would be passed inside by the imperial guards.
I myself headed to the workshop to start crafting some items.
The winds and waves at sea were strong, and the sun was harsh.
Therefore, the craftsmen accompanying the ship needed a sufficiently large hat.
Moreover, it had to be sturdy, made from materials that could withstand wind and sun.
Without a doubt, cowhide was the most suitable.
In the sewing room, Hua Niang and the others' daily work now involved mending and repairing for the Skyfire Army and thousands of craftsmen.
Regarding the style of work clothes, Fang Er drew a rough sketch for Hua Niang, and Wang Er Niang, the most skilled seamstress, was tasked with making a sample garment.
The sewing room shared a similarity with Fang Er's studio.
That is, Hua Niang had a stock of common fabrics and leathers.
In just over an hour, Fang Er changed into his work clothes and donned a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.
The entire set of work clothes, with a total of ten pockets, was enough for craftsmen to store small items or tools.
The lower body was a pair of work pants like those from later generations, and the upper body consisted of a long-sleeved shirt and a director's vest.
It was casual and convenient for movement, with loose-fitting clothes ensuring good ventilation.
At the same time, the wide brim of the hat was sufficient to shield from the sun at sea.
I sent someone to call the accompanying craftsmen selected by Li Shun over to take their measurements.
They were also joined by the steam engine technicians chosen by Zhao Gang.
A total of thirty people.
Fang Er was surprised to find Yan Shuangying among these thirty.
So, he asked,
"Why were you selected?"
Yan Shuangying quickly saluted Fang Er and replied,
"My Lord, I requested it from Manager Li myself.
Life in the workshop is too monotonous; I wish to venture out with you, my Lord.
I have already learned to use a gun, and I will not bring shame to you, my Lord, on the ship."
"Oh?"
Fang Er was somewhat surprised.
"It's only been two days, and it's rained intermittently. The Skyfire Army hasn't trained much. You've already learned to use a gun?"
Seeing Fang Er's disbelief, Yan Shuangying became anxious,
fearing that Fang Er would forbid him from boarding the ship.
"If my Lord doesn't believe me, I will demonstrate it now."
Fang Er glanced at the other craftsmen still having their measurements taken and nodded at Yan Shuangying.
"Come out with me."
After leaving the sewing room, Fang Er asked,
"What kind of guns have you learned to use?"
Yan Shuangying scratched his head.
"I can use the Yun Yi-style and Dragon Fang."
Outside, it was still raining, and Guan Chang, who was driving Fang Er, was bored.
Fang Er opened the car door and instructed him,
"Go to the military camp and bring back one Dragon Fang and one Yun Yi-style each. Don't forget the ammunition."
Guan Chang nodded.
He drove off to retrieve the guns, and soon, two firearms were brought back.
Fang Er said to Yan Shuangying,
"Find your own target and let me see."
Yan Shuangying was excited. He first picked up the Dragon Fang sniper rifle, loaded it, raised the gun, and aimed into the distance.
"My Lord, at one hundred and thirty paces, due south, the lowest branch on that willow tree."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a bang, and the shot was fired.
At this distance, Fang Er clearly saw the branch being snapped and falling.
Fang Er asked in surprise,
"How long have you been practicing?"
Yan Shuangying's face showed a proud expression.
"Reporting to my Lord, in total, about two hours."
"Damn!"
If Yan Yun Qi could quickly get the hang of firearms, Fang Er could accept it, as they were all martial artists by origin.
But Yan Shuangying, this craftsman, has such heaven-defying talent?
Fang Er decided not to have him try the Yun Yi-style rifle.
It was unnecessary.
He casually drew his own handgun and handed it over.
"Try this!"
"The range is one hundred meters."
Yan Shuangying took the handgun and said somewhat awkwardly,
"My Lord, I don't know how to use this."
After Fang Er briefly explained its usage, Yan Shuangying's eyes lit up.
"It can fire continuously, this is much more satisfying than the Dragon Fang sniper."
He loaded the handgun and looked around for a target this time.
In the distance, a wooden barrel caught his eye.
It was about seventy to eighty meters away.
"My Lord, I will shoot that wooden barrel."
Fang Er nodded, his face filled with anticipation.
Yan Shuangying raised the handgun and fired two shots consecutively at the wooden barrel.
The wooden barrel, full of rainwater, instantly gained two bullet holes.
The water inside the barrel began to flow out through the bullet holes.
Bang bang bang bang bang~~
He continuously pulled the trigger, emptying a magazine.
The wooden barrel had a neat row of ten bullet holes.
He respectfully returned the gun to Fang Er.
"My Lord, this handgun is fast, but the power is not satisfying enough."
Fang Er pondered for a moment and then said,
"Go inside and get your measurements taken first. I've noted your concerns about the gun.
Train well. You will be in charge of these accompanying craftsmen."
Yan Shuangying was overjoyed.
"Thank you, my Lord!"
With that, he excitedly entered the sewing room.