The two returned to the异世界. Xiao Xun immediately went to the research building behind the arsenal. Most of the people coming and going were goblins. It had to be said that they were indeed more talented in weapons research than ordinary races.
Entering Zeppelin's office, it was filled with scattered draft papers.
Guan Jiawen and Zeppelin were arguing about something. Zeppelin had to stand on his desk to be as tall as Guan Jiawen. They were both red-faced and refused to yield to each other.
"What's going on?"
Hearing Xiao Xun's question, they quickly composed themselves and looked at him simultaneously.
Guan Jiawen was the first to speak, "He doesn't know how to build an atomic bomb at all. He doesn't even have the theoretical foundation or data support. I told him the principle, and he said I was talking nonsense."
Zeppelin was clearly no match for Guan Jiawen's sharp tongue. He stammered, opened his mouth, and after a long time, couldn't say anything coherent.
Xiao Xun walked up to them. "I know he doesn't. Otherwise, why would I ask you to come? Your task is to assist him, to be his assistant, not his teacher."
Upon hearing Xiao Xun speaking in his favor, Zeppelin's confidence grew. He held up his draft papers and said, "Your Highness Swain, the data she's talking about cannot be calculated with the current manpower. She insists that there is something called a supercomputer that can do it. I have lived for so long and have never heard of such a thing."
Xiao Xun nodded, "I will find a way to handle the data. We won't dwell on this. We are racing against time. I just want to know what stage it's at, what else is needed, and how long it will take."
Guan Jiawen turned to look at Zeppelin. Seeing him lower his head in silence, she said to Xiao Xun, "With the current level of understanding, it's impossible to build. At most, we can make a shell, and adding some gunpowder inside would make it usable, but it definitely won't have the astonishing power of an atomic bomb."
Xiao Xun became a little angry. "Does that mean all this time has been spent going in circles?"
"We not only lack theory, but many materials simply don't exist in this world."
Xiao Xun stroked his chin. "I've sent all the materials and resources that can be mined in this country here. Have you looked at them? Are they not there, or do you not recognize them, or do you need them to be purified or processed, and you don't know how?"
"There are no such materials. The structure of the seawater and soil here is different from ours... it's impossible to extract and process what is needed for fission."
Xiao Xun turned to ask Zeppelin, "How did you think of developing such a powerful atomic bomb? Did you see something, or hear about it somewhere?"
Zeppelin replied, "I once observed a star constantly contracting through an astronomical telescope. When it contracted to a critical point, it instantly magnified, pulverizing all the surrounding asteroid belts and planets. So, I thought about whether we could replicate that scene to create a weapon of immense power."
Xiao Xun blinked and looked at Guan Jiawen. "What is this situation?"
Guan Jiawen nodded. "That's right, this is nuclear fusion. An atomic bomb is nuclear fission. The research direction is deviated."
Xiao Xun asked curiously, "Then what weapon is nuclear fusion?"
"For fusion, there's only the three-phase bomb, but this material is extremely unstable and uncontrollable. If not handled properly, we might get hit before we even hit the enemy."
"How does its power compare to an atomic bomb..."
Guan Jiawen said excitedly, "Naturally, the three-phase bomb is more powerful, but its manufacturing process and difficulty are also not ordinary. However, I know the basic formulas. As for the rest, I'm not entirely sure, as I haven't studied this area."
Xiao Xun bit his lip. Time was of the essence. If they researched atomic bombs, there were no corresponding materials. If they researched the three-phase bomb, everything would have to start anew.
Weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Xun clenched his fist and hit the wall. "Alright, Guan Jiawen, you cooperate fully with Zeppelin in researching the three-phase bomb. Tell the people at the door what you need, and they will do their best to satisfy all your requirements."
Guan Jiawen voiced her concerns, "But with the three-phase bomb, I'm also in the dark."
"You at least have the foundation for atomic bombs. Don't worry, I'll find a way to get you blueprints and data when I go back. Your task now is to find me the materials that can trigger nuclear fusion."
Guan Jiawen said, "I know what this substance is. Most of it is extracted from seawater, so I request to establish a research institute by the sea."
Zeppelin immediately objected, "No, the sea is where the Deep Sea Legion is. It's too dangerous."
Guan Jiawen then asked, "Can we transport the seawater here?"
Xiao Xun shook his head. "That's not realistic either. The sea is too far from here. The cost of transporting it back and forth is too high, and it's inconvenient."
Xiao Xun gritted his teeth. "How about this: my Phoenix army has built a coastal defense line by the sea, and there's no sign of it being breached yet. I'll have them build a laboratory. Once it's built, you can go there secretly. I will send heavy troops to guard the surroundings."
Seeing Zeppelin still hesitant, Guan Jiawen pointed at him. "Old man, you're already old, why are you more afraid of death than I am? If you can develop the ultimate weapon you've been dreaming of, people all over the world will erect monuments and statues for you!"
When Zeppelin heard Guan Jiawen say this, it seemed to touch his soul. He clenched his fist fiercely. "Yes, at most it's just a life. We'll risk it."
Then he looked at Xiao Xun. Xiao Xun understood what he meant. "Your grandson will receive the best treatment in the empire. You can rest assured!"
Zeppelin was immensely grateful. "Thank you, Your Highness. I have no regrets."
When Xiao Xun came out of the research lab, he found the entire city celebrating joyfully, with most people heading in one direction.
Xiao Xun asked Bai Yang, who was behind him, "What's happening? Is it a festival today?"
Bai Yang instantly disappeared and then reappeared. "My lord, it's the railway you laid from the coastal defense line; it has now reached the capital."
Xiao Xun sighed, "They're not stopping work even in this cold winter. I feel for them."
He then led Bai Yang towards the direction of the railway.
The people looked at the countless sleepers, the bent rails, and the small stones of basically uniform size, not knowing what they were for. They only knew that a large building as beautiful as a palace had been built early on the outskirts of the capital.
And then they saw the slaves spreading stones on the ground, placing sleepers, and finally laying the oddly shaped iron bars on both sides of the sleepers, fixing them with exceptionally large screws. It took two people to tighten these screws.
Furthermore, this railway was not a single track but a double track, allowing trains to turn around at stations.
Xiao Xun watched the slaves working in thin clothing while the overseers, wearing thick fur coats, whipped them from time to time to urge them on. A pang of sympathy struck him.
Everyone in the world was resisting the Four Great Demon Kings. Everyone was equal, so how could there still be slaves?
He decided to abolish slavery and shared this idea with Empress Sailaifei.