The Academy, Director's Office.
Fang Er sat behind his desk, looking at Li Tai, one of the Four Divine Beasts, and gave them an order: to get the modification workshop up and running as quickly as possible.
Previous research had been on a small scale. Moving from the laboratory to large-scale modification required many more steps; it was not something that could be achieved overnight.
The current academy had more than doubled in size since its inception. The rows of factory buildings represented the production of numerous projects.
Fang Er, accompanied by Li Qinglong and Tai, went into one of the workshops.
A group of people were already waiting there, including masters of mechanics like Lu Ban and Mozi.
In an era of backward productivity, they were capable of creating all sorts of exquisite mechanisms and buildings. Calling them mechanical masters seemed entirely fitting.
The workshop was filled with various types of wood and tools. Using wood to create prototypes and adjusting various data before starting the actual work had become their routine.
"Well, it's the young friend. You're a rare visitor here!"
Lu Juban, the project leader, smiled and nodded at Fang Er as he pushed the door open.
Fang Er had never asked these elders to change their form of address, and they, knowing why he was here, also liked to call him "young friend."
This form of address was affectionate, and Fang Er liked it very much.
As he was exchanging pleasantries with these elders, the weapons that had been prepared in advance were brought in one after another.
They were mainly missile-based, such as RPGs and Stingers, as well as ion guns brought back from planet Atali. These would later be installed on mechs, but their installation positions and layouts still needed consideration.
A few wooden mech prototypes, left over from Lu Ban's previous research, were now perfectly suited for this purpose.
A 30-meter-tall mech lay flat in front of Fang Er. Beside it were two large chests filled with blueprints for this mech.
Fang Er skipped over a large portion of them, focusing only on the outline of the external shape.
Measuring dimensions, finalizing the plan...
As he pondered, he discussed his ideas with these elders.
"Your ideas are excellent, young friend, but these things cannot simply be hung on. The loading, aiming, and firing of weapons all require a separate control system."
"Creating a new transmission system wouldn't be difficult, but the internal space of this armor is limited, and I fear it won't fit."
"Originally, the lower half of this armor was entirely occupied by the transmission and power systems. If, as you say, we need to install weapons on the lower half, I think it will be very troublesome!"
Lu Juban stroked his beard thoughtfully after listening to Fang Er's explanation.
The others nodded in agreement.
Fang Er frowned, sat down on the mech's hand, and rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought.
Troublesome...
But it seemed they only found it troublesome, not impossible, and didn't refuse it outright.
This meant his plan was still feasible.
After carefully considering the issues raised by Lu Juban for a while, his eyes suddenly lit up. He contacted Xi Tong and explained the problem to her.
Less than half an hour later, Xi Tong arrived.
"You want to create a system for this thing?"
As soon as she entered, she pointed to the mech on the ground and asked.
Fang Er nodded and replied, "That's right. A new system, redoing the power and control, and ideally integrating them."
Xi Tong casually flipped through the blueprints in the box and frowned.
"The system isn't a problem; I can whip one up for you anytime."
"But you need to understand that having a system doesn't solve the current problem."
"The system only serves to regulate and control; the specific hardware equipment must also be sufficiently advanced."
Fang Er nodded. She was right; the system was just software. No matter how powerful the software, it required hardware support to run.
"That's not an issue. I will issue an order to make this project the number one priority in the academy."
After speaking, he pulled Li Qinglong and Tai aside and gave them a series of instructions.
The academy had numerous projects, but the number one project had always been vacant.
This designation held special significance.
Once a project was initiated, all personnel and resources were to be directed towards the number one project.
After the order was issued, personnel who were temporarily without projects began to arrive.
Lu Juban stood on the mech, took out the blueprints from the box, and explained the key points to them one by one.
Afterward, Fang Er pointed out the areas that needed modification, and everyone brainstormed how to make the changes.
As they began to work, the difficulty involved far exceeded his expectations.
Five days later, Wang Xuance arrived in a hurry.
"My Lord, the ships of the Golden Sabre Army and the Beiwai Army have arrived at the dock."
Fang Er threw down the wrench in his hand and looked at Lu Juban.
Lu Juban understood his meaning and stroked his beard, smiling.
"Young friend, this thing is unlikely to be resolved in a day or two. I estimate that a prototype will take at least a month to modify."
"So, feel free to attend to your other business. I'll have someone notify you when we have results here."
"Thank you, senior!"
Fang Er bowed respectfully, then left the workshop with Wang Xuance.
At the Australian dock, by the time Fang Er arrived, the Golden Sabre Army and the Beiwai Army had already formed their ranks and were about to proceed to their respective barracks to rest.
"Duke Fang!"
Seeing him arrive, Yang Jiye and Yue Fei stepped forward, clasped their fists, and said in unison.
"You have both worked hard!"
Fang Er nodded in satisfaction, looking at the elite soldiers behind them.
"As expected of elite troops, their military bearing is truly inspiring!"
Both the Beiwai Army and the Golden Sabre Army were now armored and armed, looking majestic.
They represented the pinnacle of cold weapon armies, and they had also had considerable exposure to firearms in the Americas.
Yang Yansi and Yue Yun, among others, were now holding Barrett sniper rifles, their eyes like those of an eagle scanning everything around them.
"We are honored by your regard, My Lord. We shall follow your commands henceforth!"
Yang Jiye clasped his fists again with a smile.
Fang Er had not granted them official titles or ranks when they were first appointed, but they had not made a fuss about it.
Everyone was keenly aware that the root of the Great Tang's current prosperity and strength lay with the Duke of Anguo before them!
Following his lead would never be wrong!
This was the consensus between Yang Jiye and Yue Fei.