"It seems that this thing is indeed very dangerous, capable of making someone who is extremely averse to mentioning gods describe it as something 'like a god.' Based on your understanding, do you think we should hand this thing over to those three young fellows?" Wen Xian quickly placed a simple seal, locking the starlight powder's glow along with it into the container.
"Even if we give it to them, I'm afraid it would be difficult to achieve any meaningful results. Furthermore, the direction this thing points to is dangerously close to this world. We could almost say it's 'right in front of us.' Allowing those young men to experiment with it would be too risky," Li Xian said, his expression still tense, his eyes fixed on the container in Wen Xian's hand.
"Let's first check the state of all the secret potions to make sure these ancient relics haven't accidentally loosened their seals or formed any unwanted connections with 'some entities right in front of us.' Then, we'll open one of them and observe it for a few days. If there are no issues, we can proceed with the next step of research." Wen Xian patted Li Xian's shoulder, who seemed about to say something more, "We need information—especially concerning the underlying logic and code governing this world. I can't just stand by and watch this immense natural energy without attempting to harness it for something. My spiritual alarm is growing stronger, and I believe you feel the same way. Time, Norton desperately needs time."
Wen Xian turned around as he reached the hallway corner, looking back, "Let's go to Mangshan."
...
The Mangshan Steel Company, the largest company in Mangshan City, is now filled with busy craftsmen and apprentices. The company has started operating and even begun fulfilling its first batch of orders. The blacksmiths' shops, which once resold ironware from other kingdoms, have been integrated into distributors who are now placing orders from Mangshan. The military has also issued their first trial order for equipment, including armor and regular swords. There are also special orders requesting craftsmen to forge long iron rods with materials of even higher quality than the swords they previously made, with particularly ridiculous craftsmanship requirements. They are even required to drill holes in the rods and form concave and convex shapes inside the holes. Master dwarven blacksmiths like Ofen Forge and Thorn Copper, along with arcane scholars such as Wen Tiexin and Lu Ruhai, have been studying the design blueprints for a long time, discarding a large batch of steel pipes as they couldn't meet the required precision. The challenge wasn't just with the iron rod; the rest of the blueprint contained unfamiliar challenges.
Another batch of items to be studied is much simpler, referred to as cannons, which are essentially a larger version of that small iron rod. However, no concave or convex shapes are needed, and several materials and methods have already been provided. Five bronze cannons have been cast, and after trying various methods, the master craftsmen unanimously agree that iron molds work best. Five experimental iron cannons have been forged, followed by large iron balls. These simple objects, whether solid or hollow, were sent to the new workshop, and the air around the newly enclosed wasteland in Mangshan City often resounds with thunderous booms.
Ofen is still in the workshop studying the small steel pipe, while Wen Tiexin has successfully forged a perfect sample using arcane magic. For scholars like them, crafting such an item is easier than creating arcane constructs. But they cannot always rely on magic to help the company produce items; the craftsmen themselves must solve the problems and achieve mass production.
At this moment, a chaotic noise came from outside, and Ofen, irritated, thought that another discipline violation had occurred. Such incidents were frequent, as dwarves are known for their fiery temperaments and impatience. They only show patience when forging iron or mining rare minerals, but otherwise, they are often hasty and troublesome. The habit of drinking and fighting, common in their homeland, has followed them to Mangshan, where the northern cold winds once forced them to drink to stay warm. But now, the warm southern winds don't have the same effect, and drunken dwarves remain oblivious.
"Master! Master! Ofen Master!" The apprentice named A Dong burst in, drenched in sweat, his face red like a cooked crab. He had just been recruited recently. It was said that he had worked in a brick kiln before, with experience in high-temperature environments. He was very proactive and had immediately begun promoting himself as a potential good blacksmith on his first day in the workshop. Despite his thin physique, no one had believed in him. However, Ofen saw something special in A Dong's eyes and chose him as a helper apprentice.
A Dong rushed in, out of breath. He stopped and panted heavily, as if there was something urgent to say but couldn't get the words out.
"Slow down! What's the rush? Is there a fight again?" Ofen asked.
"No… no!" A Dong's answer surprised Ofen. He turned to walk outside, and A Dong hurried to catch up. "Is there a safety incident?"
"Not... not exactly..." A Dong hesitated, but before he could finish, Ofen impatiently cut him off. "Calm down and speak clearly! How can you explain anything when you're all flustered?"
"Master Lu asked me to find you. He said two princes have arrived and that you should attend a meeting," A Dong finally said in one breath, relieved to have conveyed the message. Ofen paused for a moment, then quickly sped up toward the meeting room. Just before reaching the door, he turned and shouted at A Dong, "Go finish your basic training for the day." Then he quickly disappeared through the door.
"I'm not a good chairman; I've only come to see everyone now, after all this time. It's my negligence," Wen Xian said as he sat at the end of the long table, surrounded by master craftsmen and scholars. "This visit isn't just to check the progress of our company's orders, but also to check on everyone's living conditions. If there's anything uncomfortable or in need of improvement in Mangshan City, feel free to let me know. I'll do my best to accommodate. If you have any opinions, you can go to the Mangshan government office, and our staff will also do their best to help."
"The conditions are very good. My treatment is beyond expectation. Many newcomers are still living in tents, but I already have my own brick house, which is great," said one dwarf blacksmith, starting the conversation. Others followed suit, expressing their views on life in Mangshan, and some even raised suggestions, such as the reasonableness of certain rules and compensation for workplace injuries and deaths.
"The blueprints you sent are very complex, especially for the gun barrel, seamless steel, and drilling and forming the required lines. The craftsmanship demands are too high. Even if we can make it, mass production will be nearly impossible and will take more time. As for the other item, the cannon, we've managed to make it, though we're unsure if it meets your expectations. Let me show you," Wen Tiexin said as he led the group to the cannon casting workshop, where ten cannons were lined up quietly.
"Very well. Tonight, I'll host a banquet at the company. The cafeteria is serving an extra meal for all the workers today. Everyone who contributed to the casting of the cannons will receive an additional bonus," Wen Xian instructed the guards to use ox carts to transport the cannons to the testing grounds. "Next, we have a little show. Don't you want to see what the things you've forged are actually going to be used for?"