Chapter 378: Technical Whimsy

South of Bianliangcheng, the Bureau of Construction directly under the Ministry of Works.

This place is utterly unlike the solemn dignity of Huangcheng and the dust blowing along the Bian River banks.

Inside the towering walls are rows upon rows of massive workshops.

The air is filled with a distinctive mixture of timber, metal, coal, and paint.

The clinking of hammer strikes, sawing wood, the creak of turning gears, and the artisans' vigorous shouts weave together a symphony full of power and creation.

In the largest workshop, Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian squats before a huge, unfinished wooden framework of a device.

He still wears that faded old official robe, its cuffs and collar stained with sawdust and oil.

His grayish hair is haphazardly tied up, his brows furrowed as he stares at the sketch in his hand, muttering to himself.

Around him, a dozen or so senior craftsmen and advanced apprentices from the Ministry of Works hold their breath, waiting for his instructions.

This device's framework resembles a traditional catapult, but many key parts have been peculiarly altered.

Especially the huge tip serving as the throwing arm—its structure and fastening differ greatly from those of an ordinary catapult.

At the tip's end is not a simple leather pouch, but a complex 'launching bowl' made of multiple layers of tough leather and specially made metal springs.

At the base, two large disc‑like structures with cranks and intricate gear sets have been installed side by side, vaguely resembling the core components of a vortex machine.

"No, still not right…"

Zhao Lao Nian shakes his head sharply and slaps the sketch onto a thick wooden board serving as a table nearby.

"This won't work!"

"With this structure, the throwing arm has enough rebound force, but directional control is too poor!"

"The stone shot would probably not even reach the city wall's edge—it'd fly all the way to grandma's house!"

A craftsman in charge of structure said carefully:

"Minister, if we want both power and accuracy, this base and turning mechanism would have to be extremely heavy and sturdy—probably impossible to move, usable only as a fixed defensive device."

Zhao Lao Nian's eyes widened.

"Who said it had to be fixed?"

"What I want is something that can keep up with the army!"

"Shi Dun up north keeps yelling for a big thing that can smash the Iron Crow Army's turtle shells—if it can't be moved, what's the use? Just for show?"

He frustratedly scratched his head, walked twice around the device's framework, and finally his gaze fell on the 'launching bowl' and the vortex disc on the base.

"The 'dragon‑stirring ship' is driven by water flow; our contraption relies on human or animal power turning this crank to store energy…"

He murmured to himself.

"The key is how to release the stored energy more smoothly and controllably…"

"Just like… just like the water of the Bian River, which looks calm normally but, once channeled into a narrow streambed, can burst forth with vigor…"

He suddenly crouched and, with his finger, drew lines and symbols on the sawdust‑covered floor that no one could understand.

The artisans had long grown accustomed to their minister's such demeanor, knowing he had sunk into another bout of deep thought, and none dared to speak up and disturb him.

Just then, a slight rustling came from the workshop entrance.

Only to see Crown Prince Chen Hong appear at the doorway, accompanied by a young palace attendant and an Eastern Palace guard.

He had clearly come on purpose today, wearing a narrow‑sleeved common robe for ease of movement, his small face showing curiosity and excitement as he peered into the workshop.

A Ministry of Works clerk hurried forward to greet and announce him.

Only then did Zhao Lao Nian snap out of his reverie, look up and see the prince, startle a little, quickly rise, brush sawdust off his clothes, and prepare to salute.

"Master Zhao, no need for much ceremony."

Chen Hong strode in quickly, his voice clear.

"I happen to have free time today; recalling Master Zhang saying you have something new here, I wanted to take a look—am I disturbing you?"

He looked at the huge, power‑filled device framework, his eyes shining.

Zhao Lao Nian took a liking to this diligent, studious crown prince, especially his interest in investigating things, which suited his temperament.

"Your Highness, it's an honor for this humble servant's workshop to have you come."

He pointed at the device framework.

"This is the 'vortex cannon' this humble servant has been pondering; the idea is good, but there's still a snag at the crucial point."

Chen Hong stepped closer and tilted his head to examine the complex structure.

"Master Zhao, is this a catapult that uses vortex power?"

"It… it looks far more formidable than those bed crossbows on the walls of Xiongzhou!"

Zhao Lao Nian rare‑ly showed a hint of smile, proudly presenting the fruit of the artisans' labor.

"Your Highness has keen eyes."

"A bed crossbow draws power from its arms, shoots bolts, strong penetration, but against thick city walls—or those iron‑lump monsters—it struggles a bit."

"Our vortex cannon's idea is to convert human or animal power turning the crank into stored energy via this gear set and vortex disc, then release it instantly to launch stone shots weighing dozens to hundreds of jin!"

"Once completed, smashing city walls or enemy formations—each shot leaves a pit!"

He spoke while gesturing, saliva flying.

Chen Hong listened, entranced, his small face full of longing.

"Then… why does it still jam?"

At this, Zhao Lao Nian drooped again, sighed, and pointed to the junction of the base and the throwing arm.

"The difficulty lies right here."

"Storing power is easy, but how to make this big guy release it steadily and accurately while still being mobile—that's the hard part."

"The rebound force of the throwing arm is too great; the existing framework can't handle it, so it easily falls apart or shoots off‑target."

Chen Hong followed his gaze, examining those intricate mortise‑and‑tenon joints and metal fittings, his little brows furrowing just like Zhao Lao Nian's.

Although he couldn't understand the specific technical details, he could grasp Zhao Lao Nian's predicament—how to restrain and control a great power.

This made him inexplicably recall what Zhang Cheng had said when teaching him about governance: the way of a ruler lies in governing people and in commanding power; great power, if not restrained and guided, will turn against its wielder.

"Master Zhao," Chen Hong suddenly said, with a hint of uncertainty.

I… I recently read the 'Bixue' chapter of the Mozi, which mentions a lever that uses the lever principle to move a heavy object with a small force.

Also, in the Kaogong Ji, when making wheels, they emphasize the use of compass, square, string, ink, water, and plumb line to ensure straightness and level.

Could we, when accumulating power, add a labor-saving structure similar to a lever, or when releasing, use methods like a heavy weight or plumb line to assist in stabilizing the direction?

These words of his were purely what he had gained from reading recently, combined with his own imagination—naive and superficial.

However, hearing this, Zhao Lao Nian, who was stuck in a mental rut, felt it like a flash of light cutting through darkness!

Lever… labor-saving… heavy weight… plumb line…

Zhao Lao Nian slapped his thigh, his eyes instantly blazing with excitement.

Exactly! Damn it, why didn't I think of that!

Just thinking about brute-force reinforcement! We can add an auxiliary labor-saving cocking mechanism!

Stabilizing direction doesn't have to rely solely on a fixed structure! We can add an adjustable counterweight! Just like… just like the lead weight used to measure water depth on a ship!

By adjusting the counterweight before firing according to the target's distance, couldn't we affect the trajectory?

He was so excited he waved his arms and kicked his legs, not even noticing the crown prince present; he immediately grabbed a charcoal stick and quickly drew on the new wooden board, shouting out new modification orders to the surrounding artisans with a crackling sound.

Chen Hong watched Zhao Lao Nian suddenly enter a state of selflessness, feeling at a loss, yet seeing him inspired by his words, a surge of indescribable accomplishment welled up in his heart.

As it turns out, the principles in the books can truly be applied in practice.

As it turns out, I too can take part in such a remarkable creation.

He stayed in the workshop for an entire afternoon.

Watching the artisans modify the equipment with great enthusiasm based on Zhao Lao Nian's new idea;

Listening to Zhao Lao Nian explain the principles of various structures in the most straightforward, even somewhat vulgar language;

He even personally touched those cold metal components and the fragrant wood.

Until the sun set behind the mountains, the palace attendant reminded him repeatedly before Chen Hong reluctantly bade farewell and left.

Before leaving, Zhao Lao Nian solemnly said to the crown prince:

"Your Highness, your single remark today is truly the finishing touch!"

"This old minister, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, thanks Your Highness!"

"Once this vortex cannon is completed, I will first invite Your Highness to try it out!"

Chen Hong's little face flushed with excitement.

"I will definitely come!"

"Master Zhao, if there's anything I can help with, you must tell me."

On the way back to the Eastern Palace, Chen Hong remained immersed in the workshop's vibrant, creative atmosphere.

He truly felt for the first time that, besides the classics and statecraft, the world holds another kind of mighty power that can change it.

It stems from observation, from thought, from countless failed attempts, ultimately coalescing into tangible things that can shatter city walls, clear river channels, and propel ships.

This power, too, is awe-inspiring.

And all of this was quietly reported to the Zichen Hall.

Chen Wen gazed at the memorial reporting that the crown prince had cited the Mozi and the Kaogong Ji in the Ministry of Works, inspiring Zhao Lao Nian, and fell into deep thought.

The crown prince's interest in the investigation of things seemed to exceed his expectations.

Is this a blessing or a curse?

As an heir apparent, knowing the hardship of farming and the skill of artisans is naturally a good thing.

But if one becomes overly absorbed in frivolous craftsmanship, will they deviate from the proper way of a ruler?

He picked up the vermilion brush and began to review the memorial slowly:

"Known. The crown prince's eagerness to learn is commendable. Yet the essence of an heir apparent lies in cultivating virtue and clarifying principle. The investigation of things may be studied, but not obsessed over. Let the Eastern Palace lecturer provide proper guidance."

The brushstroke landed, setting the tone.

But he also harbored a hint of doubt.

Zhao Lao Nian's creations based on the vortex principle are indeed transforming this dynasty in reality.

Perhaps the way of investigating things is not merely simple frivolous craftsmanship.

The empire's future seems to be quietly steering toward a direction even he cannot fully predict.