Chapter 244: Raising a Research Talent by Oneself

Why is Chen Yan insistent on using hardwood instead of iron?

In fact, he was forced into it; the limitations of Tang‑era iron‑working are evident—raw iron is too brittle, breaks easily, and its ductility is poor.

Malleable iron is too soft, not wear‑resistant, and likewise lacks ductility.

Compared with those issues, hardwood is actually more suitable.

And Zhao Qingyue's remark, "Why not use bronze?" instantly opened Chen Yan's mind.

Indeed.

Why not use bronze?

Bronze not only resists corrosion, it also has self‑lubricating properties, and its manufacturing techniques are already quite mature—people can even cast those three‑legged goblets, so making bearings and gears should be no problem.

The more he thought, the brighter Chen Yan's eyes became. "Xiao Qingyue, you're really clever—how did you think of using bronze?"

"Young master, does that even need thinking?" Zhao Qingyue said innocently. "Since iron won't work and hardwood won't work, we naturally have to consider other materials; bronze is a fine choice."

"Why are you so fixated on using wood?"

Chen Yan: "......"

Tao Dashan: "......"

Du Gou wore a look of barely suppressed amusement, forcing himself not to burst out laughing.

The ever‑confident Chen Yan was actually outdone by a child.

This is too hard to swallow!

"... Ahem." Chen Yan cleared his throat, looking pleased. "Hmm, Xiao Qingyue is right—if the other materials don't work, we naturally have to consider alternatives."

"I've actually thought of that for a while, but I wanted to give Old Tao and the others a test to see when they'd figure it out."

"I didn't expect it—Old Tao and the others failed, betraying my trust. A problem that even Xiao Qingyue could voice, they still haven't solved."

"Sigh, truly disappointing."

Tao Dashan: "......"

"I knew it, young master is the best!" Zhao Qingyue's eyes sparkled as she looked at Chen Yan with full admiration.

Hiss! My conscience!

Seeing this, even Chen Yan's double‑life‑hardened thick skin began to crack, especially as Tao Dashan and Du Gou stared at him with odd expressions.

It left him mortally embarrassed.

"Um... Xiao Qingyue." Chen Yan's expression was forced, trying to keep a straight face, as if testing her.

"Besides the bearing issue, did you notice anything else?"

Zhao Qingyue, seeing this, grew a bit nervous; not wanting to disappoint the young master, she furrowed her brows and began to think hard.

Du Gou at this moment had lost his amused attitude and was now utterly awed by Chen Yan.

Look, look.

No wonder they say he can make two Princesses fall head over heels.

With that shameless drive, it's enough for him to study for a lifetime.

Clearly you know nothing yourself, yet you still act as if you're testing them.

There's truly no one else.

"I've got it!" Zhao Qingyue exclaimed excitedly.

"What did you think of? Tell me." Chen Yan felt a surge of joy, eager to see what this clever kid would say next.

"Young master, the reason hardwood gears and bearings break easily is that there are too many billets," Zhao Qingyue explained breezily:

"The number of billets directly affects the pressure on bearings and gears; if you halve the billets to about 10–15, although hardwood still can't endure long‑term use, it will be far better than now."

"Of course, reducing the billet count will directly lower the production efficiency of the hydraulic loom, so it will fall far short of the young master's expectations."

"Therefore I still recommend using bronze."

"If we use bronze and cut the billets down to 20–25, it will definitely be fine."

As her words faded, the workshop was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared at the little girl before them—still not even waist‑high to them—with incredulous eyes, their hearts shaken.

The problem that had plagued them was pinpointed in just a few words, and a solution was offered on the spot?

Tao Dashan even felt as if after all these years he'd lived on a dog's back, yet he was still outdone by a child.

Chen Yan also nearly lost his composure; numbers flashed through his mind, and he finally had to admit.

Xiao Qingyue seemed right.

The loom he wanted to build was based on the hydraulic looms of the Yuan dynasty he remembered.

Back then, their billet count was over thirty.

Chen Yan never sensed any issue, yet he overlooked the fundamental technological limits of the era, wasting a great deal of time.

But there was nothing he could do; after all, he was only a medical student, only half‑knowledgeable about many things.

Getting the hydraulic loom to this level was already the limit he could reach through diligent recollection and heavy investment.

Professional matters still require professionals.

Perhaps this era lacks such a person, but he can cultivate one himself.

Looking at the still‑young, nervous Xiao Qingyue, Chen Yan's gaze grew ever more intense.

Damn it, she really seems like a research talent.

"Xiao Qingyue, what's your dream?" Chen Yan crouched, his tone exceedingly gentle.

"My dream is to be the young master's personal maid," Zhao Qingyue replied without hesitation.

Chen Yan: "......"

Damn it!

You have this talent, yet you keep thinking about being someone's maid?

Chen Yan felt that his previous attention to Zhao Qingyue had still been too little; perhaps, in the future he could teach Xiao Qingyue physics while teaching Xiao Sizi.

Maybe Xiao Qingyue could give him a surprise.

However, before that, he needs to properly guide Xiao Qingyue.

"Old Tao!"

"Ah, Lord Bo!" Tao Dashan hurried forward.

Chen Yan: "Following Xiao Qingyue's method, I'll give you seven days; I want to see the finished product."

"No problem, Lord Bo!" Tao Dashan was full of confidence.

Earlier, because there was no solution, despite spending so much time, there was still little effect.

But now there is a solution: simply find someone to forge a few bronze gears and bearings, then modify the water-powered spinning machine to reduce some spindles.

Seven days is enough.

"Very well, then you go ahead; I'll take Xiao Qingyue and leave." Chen Yan nodded, took Xiao Qingyue's hand, and led Du Gou away.

"Young master, where are we going?"

"Go to where you usually study; today, young master, I will teach you a profound and extensive field of knowledge. With your intellect, if you can learn this, you will leave a deep mark in history and become the person who changes the world!"

"Young master!"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Qing Yue doesn't want to change the world; Qing Yue just wants to be your maid."

"...... Alright, if you learn this knowledge, you will become the most famous maid in history, and along with you, the young master will also gain glory and be able to leave his name in history."

"Really? Young master, I want to learn!!"

"......"