"This waterwheel is built strangely, with parts extending from the middle. And its shape is a bit odd, resembling the fangs of a beast."
Princess Xin Yue observed the distant waterwheel with curiosity, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Those are the gears of the transmission system. While their precision isn't high, for such a large mechanism, they are quite usable."
Chu Chen explained to her.
Gears, in terms of technical requirements, could be considered both high and low.
High, because once miniaturized, they were truly beyond the capabilities of ordinary craftsmen. Low, because larger gears were merely a bit more troublesome to construct, with even armor requiring more technical skill.
A circle with several inserted slots, fitted into an iron shaft, then secured with wooden cylinders to fix the middle, and on the outer edge, protruding teeth like a beast's fangs.
In large objects, the primary requirement was simply to drive rotation. Precision, with manual labor, could keep errors within one to three centimeters, and with careful polishing, below one centimeter.
As for bearings, carriages already had them. This technology was mastered by the people of Yun Yue Kingdom and even the various nations of the Qingzhou Continent, simply by replacing wooden shafts with iron ones.
"Gears of the transmission system?"
Princess Xin Yue nodded, as if understanding.
"These transmission devices, as the river water flows, turn the waterwheel. The shaft in the center of the waterwheel then drives these gears, which in turn drive other gears. The force extends to the land, capable of driving terrestrial objects to rotate."
Chu Chen explained to her again.
Coincidentally, the craftsmen had already begun assembling the land-based components.
Princess Xin Yue channeled her spiritual energy to enhance her vision, focusing on the work of the craftsmen.
After another incense stick's worth of time, the land-based mechanisms were installed. Princess Xin Yue had observed the entire process, but she couldn't comprehend the purpose of those iron rods and circular iron plates.
However, it didn't matter; she would soon witness the effect of this special waterwheel.
The moment the installation was complete, Wang Erhu, who had been directing the work, excitedly ordered the full iron table to be set up, followed by placing the iron bloom upon it.
Soon, the river's flow turned the waterwheel, which drove the axle, and the axle, in turn, powered the connecting rods. Finally, a massive steel hammer slowly rose.
Then, a resounding "CLANG~" of metal striking echoed all around.
"It's done! It actually worked!"
"How magical! The hammer is forging by itself, without any human effort!"
Wang Tong, Wang Erhu, Princess Xin Yue, along with a group of craftsmen and apprentices, stared at the scene in stunned silence, and then, except for Princess Xin Yue, they all shouted with excitement.
"It truly works without human intervention!"
Princess Xin Yue, who had unconsciously stood up, looked at the hydraulic forging machine with astonishment.
The entire process took less than an hour to create such a forging machine that required no human power. It was truly astonishing.
Chu Chen smiled slightly. "Why don't we go closer and take a look?"
"Mm-hmm~"
Princess Xin Yue, with a look of curiosity and excitement, took Chu Chen's hand, and they walked forward together.
"Prime Minister! It's done, it can truly forge by itself!"
Wang Tong exclaimed, speaking beside Chu Chen.
"I heard you. It's just a hydraulic forging machine." Chu Chen helplessly rubbed his ear. These men from the Ministry of Works were all so loud.
"However, it's not entirely without human effort. At the very least, a loader is still needed to oversee it."
"That is still incredibly impressive. Originally, this task required a skilled craftsman, but now, only one or two craftsmen are needed to inspect the quality, and the rest of the work can be handled by ordinary people with slightly more strength. Even apprentices are not needed!"
"Prime Minister, this can save the Ministry of Works a great deal of manpower! Furthermore, I believe that departments like the Sword and Blade Division and the Armor Division, when forging weapons and armor, all require such machinery!"
Wang Tong continued to shout excitedly.
For him, this was an incredibly miraculous device. If he hadn't witnessed its creation and installation with his own eyes, he might have suspected that some spirits were hiding inside, operating it.
"You've given me an idea. Later, we'll build more hydraulic forging machines. Once they replace some of the craftsmen, we'll reassign the craftsmen from the Sword and Blade Division and the Armor Division. Some will be transferred to your forging department, and the rest, I plan to establish a craftsman academy to recruit and train students on a large scale."
"A craftsman academy? Ah, this..."
Wang Tong was stunned. Craftsmen, being such lowly individuals, were to be taught in an academy? This seemed rather improper.
However, he didn't voice his thoughts.
"Never mind. For now, have this thing stopped."
"Yes!"
Soon, Wang Tong ordered some key parts to be removed, and the automatic forging process came to a halt.
The connection between the land-based part of the hydraulic forging machine and the waterwheel had several clasps. Removing them would stop the machine. Otherwise, if something broke, it would be difficult to repair.
This was called what? It was called modular assembly, or modularization!
Wang Tong hadn't understood the purpose of these parts at first. Now, seeing the parts being removed and the hydraulic forging machine immediately stopping its forging, with only the waterwheel still turning, he immediately understood.
"Prime Minister, your insights are extraordinary, truly a marvel of craftsmanship! If these parts break, they can simply be replaced with new ones, which is far better than having to remake the entire thing as before!"
Wang Tong said with great admiration.
"This is called modularization of parts. In the future, when manufacturing machines or tools, you can use this method."
Chu Chen smiled slightly and offered his guidance.
"Your subordinate has learned a great deal. Prime Minister, rest assured, in the future, when manufacturing machines, your subordinate will definitely use this method, and I will also publicize that this was invented by the Prime Minister."
Wang Tong appeared to have learned his lesson, but he didn't forget to flatter Chu Chen.
"Hahaha, you, my good man, would do better to have people quickly assemble the other machine instead of wasting time with flattery."
Chu Chen shook his head and said with amusement.
"Yes! Your subordinate will have people attend to it immediately."
Wang Tong bowed and accepted the order, then pulled a few craftsmen who were still engrossed in discussing the hydraulic forging machine to the rear to assemble another machine.
"Another machine? Will it also work without human effort?"
Princess Xin Yue's eyes lit up, and she asked curiously.
"Not exactly. Without the force of nature, it still requires human power to operate." Chu Chen shook his head and then said, "However, it has the advantage of being able to use animal power instead of human labor. Its function is roughly the same as this hydraulic forging machine, simply replacing the river with human or animal power."
"I see. But animal power... do beasts also forge?"
"Alright, I suppose I've said too much."