She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 520 - 518: Is It Still Difficult?

Chapter 520: Chapter 518: Is It Still Difficult?

Previously, when testing the Chain Inversion Device, most of the parts were made by woodworkers. Even the strongest wood is still wood, which is easier to carve and polish. Ironworking, however, is different. Although at that time ironworkers still valued their craftsmanship, able to create delicate items, mass-producing mechanical parts was not an easy task—it could not afford the time-consuming effort of several blacksmiths hammering away.

Fortunately, the parts are still in the prototype stage, where issues can be identified and remedied promptly.

Wong Qiao had arranged for the craftsmen to produce the parts of the Chain Inversion Device. Ye Xinyan gathered Wong Qiao, Zhou Biyao, and the official in charge sent by Jinrong to the workshop to discuss the tools needed for mass-producing ironware.

After some discussion, under Ye Xinyan’s intentional guidance, Wong Qiao and the two craftsmen sent by Jinrong, who had worked at the court’s Imperial Workshops Bureau, proposed several solutions.

Based on these solutions, Ye Xinyan roughly sketched out two commonly used mechanical tools—the bench vice—along with several mold designs for something like a hand-cranked grinding wheel.

The two craftsmen brought by Jinrong were also skilled artisans, one named Zhang Mian and the other Wang Huan. This was their first encounter with Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao.

When they set out, Mr. Hu, the chief advisor of the mansion, repeatedly urged them that Miss Ye was an expert in mechanical engineering and the Imperial Workshops, and with her status evident, they must respect the foreman of Clear Water Village and follow Miss Ye’s command in all things.

Before they left, His Highness Prince Yu also cautioned them that, since they were going to the Qi family, they must strictly obey Miss Ye’s orders and, except for urgent commands from the mansion, follow her lead in all matters.

They indeed came with the intention to obey orders. The daughter of Duke An’s Mansion was naturally not someone they could afford to offend. However, they inwardly scoffed at the notion of Miss Ye being proficient in mechanical affairs and the Imperial Workshops. How could a woman raised in a grand household really be an expert in such matters? Wasn’t it laughable?

But upon arriving at Clear Water Village and witnessing the trial of the Chain Inversion Device, they were astonished. It turned out that there truly existed women like Miss Ye and craftsmen like Wong Qiao who, with just a few local artisans, could create such heaven-defying machines.

Indeed, if the Chain Inversion Device were made of iron, capable of lifting a thousand catties or even as Miss Ye said, several thousand catties, then this machine would truly be a heaven-defying existence.

Therefore, regarding the tasks arranged by the secluded Miss Ye and Wong Qiao, they harbored no resistance or laziness. If someone could assemble dozens of parts within a metal casing less than a foot in size and still lift heavy weights with smooth transmission, that person’s skill was superior, deserving respect and emulation.

Zhang Mian, Wang Huan, and the craftsmen they brought were still digesting the shock brought by the Chain Inversion Device when they were summoned by Ye Xinyan today to discuss tool fabrication.

They smoothly brought up the key issues following Miss Ye’s inquiries, noting the lack of a good method for securing parts during iron production and the difficulty in handling and exerting force on some very small components. They also pointed out that grinding and filing ironware in large quantities was a slow process, and there needed to be a way to improve efficiency.

Subsequently, Miss Ye sketched out several prototype tools. While the two were pondering how to realize these sketches, the local craftsman Wong Qiao suggested several ideas for improvement.

Then, Miss Ye added a few strokes, and the rough concepts of several mechanical tools emerged.

The entire process took nearly two Shichen Chinese Time, but the speed at which the problem was solved still shocked both of them. If every difficulty in this world could be addressed this way, would there be any problems left?

Ye Xinyan distributed the papers among those present and said, "These are just rough ideas, a direction so to speak. As for how to realize them, you all must work together with your craftsmen, brainstorm and collaborate to bring these into fruition."

Wang Qiao was the official in charge of engineering affairs. Although Zhang Mian and Wang Huan came from the capital and were craftsmen from the court’s elite Imperial Workshops Bureau, having arrived here, Ye Zi had assigned them under his command for arranging their work.

Wang Qiao bowed to Zhang Mian and Wang Huan first, expressing his stance, "Both masters have seen much and know much. I am young and inexperienced. I must rely on you both extensively in this matter."

The two men had warnings from Mr. Hu of the royal mansion and reminders from His Highness Prince Yu, so they were aware of the nuances.

Moreover, as craftsmen, they naturally held a respect for those highly skilled in the trade. This included people like Wang Qiao, who, despite his young age, had quietly led a group of craftsmen in a remote corner of the people’s quarters to create an instrument that could astonish the entire Craftsmanship Sector. This was a mark of great ability!

In the words of Hu Jing, the prince valued not just the craftsmanship of individuals like Zhang Mian but also their character. Zhang Mian and the others were principled people. They admired those with spiritual energy and extraordinary talents, like Wang Qiao, and were keen to learn from such capabilities with humility.

So, hearing Wang Qiao’s words, Zhang Mian was the first to return the bow and respond, "Manager Wang is overpraising us. We also used to think that we were highly skilled craftsmen. But compared to Manager Wang and Miss Ye, we are insignificant. What we know and have done are teachings from our ancestors and masters, incomparable to Manager Wang’s innovative accomplishments. Whatever tasks Manager Wang and Miss Ye command, we will devote ourselves fully." Saying so, they both gave a bow to Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan replied with a smile, "Then we are much obliged. Truth be told, our craftsmen here come from humble origins, while the Imperial Workshops Bureau of the court is where all the top talents in the nation gather. These tools are just conceptual; to perfect them, we will necessarily need your assistance together with Manager Wang."

Wang Huan bowed in response, "We dare not claim to be the top. Before we left, Mr. Hu Jing from the royal mansion told us Miss Ye once said that no matter how outstanding a person is, only if they recognize their shortcomings, can they improve and make progress. If one only remembers they are already the best or at the top, then there will be no room for further improvement. I’m afraid one might spend their whole life stagnating, or even being surpassed by others."

Did she really say that? Ye Xinyan paused, then laughed, "Offhand remarks, I had even forgotten I’d ever said such a thing. But it’s true. Manager Wang and I always keep this in mind, not daring to slack off in the slightest—our apologies for amusing you."

Then, she moved the conversation away from trivialities and back to official business, "Looking at these, most of these tools will use screw threads quite a bit. You all should focus more on threads. With the clamping tools, by utilizing internal and external threads, tightening functions can be achieved, as well as connections and immobile fastenings. Additionally, when crafting the components, precise control of the travel distance can be greatly beneficial with yin yang screw threads. In the end, regardless of the method, the most critical aspect is to improve efficiency."

Ye Xinyan tried to make these words sound casual, as if they were just offhand remarks, but still, Zhang Mian and Wang Huan listened with wide eyes, utterly stunned.