The Emperor, this Captain Fang, at such a young age, to be able to write such a book, should be adequate, right?
Empress Changsun also quietly followed, and after hearing Zhang Zimin's account, she whispered in Li Er's ear.
Indeed, his talent is not shallow, but he simply dislikes the imperial court.
Li Er said somewhat unwillingly.
It doesn't matter, wherever he is, he is always the Emperor's subject.
Guanyinbi is right, no matter whether he is in the court or not, he is always my subject. Let's go, I'll take you to meet this subject.
Li Er was relieved after hearing Empress Changsun's words, and a smile appeared on his face. He took Empress Changsun's hand and walked out of the school.
Fang Residence.
Zhu Zi saw Li Er arrive and had a vague impression, but he was not sure.
You are?
Li Er did not reply. A guard took out a waist token and handed it over.
Imperial Guard!
Zhu Zi was startled. He was a retired soldier and understood these military waist tokens.
Please wait, I'll go report now.
Zhu Zi returned the waist token to the guard.
Fang Er was in the courtyard holding a chicken drumstick, teasing Wangcai. Seeing Zhu Zi rushing in, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Young Master, there's a man and a woman at the gate, accompanied by Imperial Guards. The man looks like someone from the manor who came last time.
Zhu Zi replied quickly.
A man and a woman? Forget it, I'll go out and see.
Fang Er got up and went out, confused.
When he reached the door, he saw Li Er talking to a woman.
Fang Er was about to speak when Li Er stopped him with a look.
Damn it, is this a secret visit in disguise?
I heard you've developed new farm tools here?
Hearing Li Er's words, Fang Er was relieved. It turned out he was playing the game of "Bai Long Yu Fu" (a metaphor for a ruler visiting incognito).
You mean the curved-shaft plow, right? That's correct.
Since Li Er did not address himself as "朕" (zhen, the imperial "I"), Fang Er also mustered his courage and did not call him "皇上" (Huang Shang, Emperor).
Come, take me to see them.
Li Er nodded at the perceptive Fang Er.
It's a bit far, outside the manor, about three to four li.
It doesn't matter, I came by carriage. Let's go together, you lead the way.
Li Er and Empress Changsun got into the carriage. Fang Er sat on the shafts, and the guard led the horse. Following Fang Er's directions, they headed towards the workshop.
Empress Changsun remained silent, and Li Er did not introduce her.
Fang Er muttered to himself.
Is this the Empress? Or some other woman?
Your Majesty, we have arrived.
Upon arrival, Fang Er jumped off the carriage and said softly.
Li Er helped Empress Changsun down from the carriage.
Looking at the workshop before them, it had changed again from when he last visited.
The entire Fang Family Manor seemed to be constantly changing. He wondered what it would look like next time he visited.
Fang Er asked someone to call Niu Liang. He also brought the curved-shaft plow and the old ox. Wang Wu and Lin San also followed.
Niu Liang, this gentleman wants to see our curved-shaft plow. You guys go demonstrate it.
Niu Liang and Lin San carried the curved-shaft plow, and Wang Wu led the ox, following behind.
They arrived at the barren land. Just as the ox was being harnessed, Li Er came up.
Here, let me try.
Li Er snatched the plow shaft from Niu Liang's hand.
Niu Liang was a bit bewildered and looked at Fang Er.
Who is this guy?
Go lead the ox, let him try.
Fang Er said to Niu Liang.
So, Niu Liang led the ox, walking in front.
Li Er held the plow shaft and followed behind.
As soon as the plow entered the soil, he felt the difference.
The plowing was very fast, and when he tried to change direction, it was much easier than the plows he had seen before.
Li Er, with a look of surprise, urged Niu Liang to speed up.
One pass, two passes.
This guy seemed addicted to playing. He had only said he wanted to try, but in the end, he turned over two mu of land in one go.
The old ox was so tired that it was panting and lay at the edge of the field, refusing to get up.
Li Er, still unsatisfied, patted the dust off his clothes and walked over to Fang Er.
This curved-shaft plow is truly a good thing. After plowing this land, I didn't feel tired at all.
Empress Changsun quickly stepped forward and used a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
You're fine, but you've made the ox collapse.
Niu Liang couldn't help but interject upon hearing Li Er's words.
They're talking about you! You've made the ox collapse! You should be more careful.
Empress Changsun chuckled and said to Li Er.
Fang Er also found it amusing but still glared at Niu Liang.
It's okay, Captain Fang, can you take me to see the workshop?
Li Er was a little embarrassed, feeling that he had overworked the ox. He wanted to change the subject.
As the couple joked, Fang Er felt awkward and took the opportunity to lead Li Er to the carpentry workshop.
In the workshop, several carpenters were working.
Each person was responsible for a part. Once it was done, it was piled aside, and they continued to make the next one.
Li Er didn't pay much attention at first.
But after watching for a while, he realized something was wrong.
The pile of parts were all identical, making it difficult to find any differences.
This is division of labor. They are each responsible for only one thing. The advantage is that practice makes perfect, and efficiency will be significantly improved. Finally, they will be assembled.
Fang Er explained from the side.
In the carpentry workshop, he adopted a assembly line method.
The old man and three youngsters on the manor, along with Wang Wu and Lin San, were each responsible for a part of the curved-shaft plow, which was then assembled by Niu Liang.
Of course, regarding the dimensions, the workshop had already achieved precision down to the millimeter. The tolerance for each part could not exceed one millimeter, otherwise it would be considered substandard.
Whoever makes it suffers.
Therefore, these people worked very conscientiously.
Li Er stood there, stunned, after hearing Fang Er's explanation.
They were all intelligent people and understood at a glance.
He was now thinking about the division of labor system and what effect it would have if used in the imperial court.
What's wrong?
Empress Changsun nudged his back with her hand, seeing him standing there dazedly.
Captain Fang, your method is not simple. I was just thinking if this division of labor could be used elsewhere.
Li Er said, looking at Fang Er with admiration.
Huh? Oh! I'm not sure about that. How about you try it when you get back?
Fang Er very decisively avoided the question.
Empress Changsun looked at him thoughtfully.
Li Er did not notice, looking at the pile of assembled plow shafts on the side.
You don't need to worry about the iron material. It will be delivered to you soon. Just, what price are you planning to sell your curved-shaft plow for?
He was more concerned about this.
At first, he had considered having the Ministry of Works learn to manufacture them.
But after trying the curved-shaft plow, he dismissed the idea.
The entire plow head of the curved-shaft plow was made of refined steel!
It was too extravagant!
Even his palace guards didn't have refined steel armor!
He had also considered asking Fang Er for the method of mass-producing refined steel, but the thought only flashed through his mind.
He had only been in contact with Fang Er for less than a month, and this young man had already given him too many surprises.
Gunpowder, salt production, firearms, cannons, and now the curved-shaft plow.
He didn't want to trade future surprises for the method of steel refining.