Chapter 1807 – I Want to Build a Bicycle for a Joyride
Zhang Ping and the others, after repeated experiments and explorations, combined with Jiang Pengji’s hints, managed to produce natural rubber capable of making solid tires. However, these tires were rather heavy, and the bicycle design Jiang Pengji had provided was only halfway done, with the other half still in the works.
Why did Jiang Pengji suddenly think of the woodworking workshop?
Because she remembered she hadn’t taken Wei Ci for a ride on a bike yet.
Riding required a bicycle, and Zhang Ping and the others were so slow that they hadn’t delivered a finished product to her yet.
As the saying goes, doing it yourself leads to abundance. So, Jiang Pengji decided to inspect the progress at the woodworking workshop and became so engrossed that she couldn’t leave.
Thanks to the time spent there, Jiang Pengji noticed that the workshop had developed into a somewhat distorted state.
They had accumulated enough experience, and their hands-on and creative skills weren’t low, but there were significant gaps. Aside from Zhang Ping and a few other skilled craftsmen, the rest could only follow templates without even understanding why they did it, let alone improving it.
When she asked Zhang Ping, he thought it was a matter of personal talent.
The Mo family’s teachings were inherently difficult, typically selecting gifted disciples. Those without talent who entered the Mo family would end up as merely decent craftsmen. Jiang Pengji frowned and inquired how the Mo family taught their disciples, uncovering the crux of the issue.
Zhang Ping cautiously said, “Does the Lord feel something is amiss?”
Everyone said that pregnant women’s tempers were unpredictable, and since their leader held the power of life and death, her anger could spell disaster.
Jiang Pengji remarked, “I see where the problem lies. Has Xiheng taken note of the arithmetic courses for the students at Golden Scales Academy?”
Zhang Ping replied, “I have vaguely heard of it.”
Jiang Pengji earnestly discussed with Zhang Ping, “Let me say something you might not want to hear: the Mo family’s teachings themselves are not suitable for the complexities of court politics, but that doesn’t mean that Mo’s contributions are any lesser than those of Confucianism or Legalism. On the contrary, in terms of people’s livelihoods, it has a significant role that neither Confucianism nor Legalism can match. Whether it’s Confucian, Legal, or Mo, the inheritance is the foundation of passing down knowledge. Without successors, no matter how astonishing the knowledge is, it will go unpassed. I don’t think the Mo family places excessive talent requirements on their successors; rather, I feel they have taken a wrong turn or lost their way. In my observation of the woodworking workshop, I see that many people know how to follow blueprints and possess great skills, but they get flustered with even minor adjustments to the components. Many methods of production have commonalities; if we can summarize these commonalities, wouldn’t it reduce a lot of detours? Wouldn’t it simplify everything?”
Zhang Ping pondered for a long time after hearing this, vaguely grasping something but not fully comprehending.
He could only seek further advice from Jiang Pengji.
“I am foolish; please further enlighten me, my Lord.”
Jiang Pengji explained, “For instance, in the ‘Zhou Bi Suan Jing’, Shang Gao says, ‘Thus, the fold of the beam is triangular, the width is three, the length four, and the diagonal five.’ In ‘Jiu Zhang Suan Shu’, it states, ‘The two sides multiplied and combined and then the square root gives the hypotenuse.’ Beyond this example, are there any other unchanging principles? I believe that if we can unravel or summarize these, future generations can also follow an easier path. Right now, the most important thing for the woodworking workshop isn’t how many siege machines or defensive contraptions they invent. When the world is stable, their role will shift from attacking enemies to deterring mischievous countries that would harm the common people, preventing outside threats from infringing upon them. However, this doesn’t mean the workshop loses its significance; it should shift to studying things beneficial to the people. I hope it can develop further, reach greater heights, and even incorporate this knowledge into the textbooks at Golden Scales Academy for the students to learn!”
Experience is something that is understood through practice, but knowledge is different; rote memorization is better than knowing nothing at all.
Zhang Ping fell silent for a long time, occasionally flashing a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Regarding the study of principles, Jiang Pengji intended for Zhang Ping and the others to follow their instincts but did not expect them to hit a dead end.
Thus, she had to lend a hand.
Jiang Pengji could only say so much; how much Zhang Ping and his companions could comprehend would depend on their own fortune.
After finishing with Zhang Ping, Jiang Pengji continued working on her bicycle.
Other parts were manageable, but the most challenging aspect to produce was the chain.
She didn’t know what the old-fashioned bicycles looked like, so she blindly followed the scribbles from the idle viewer, drawing many circles.
This was also the fundamental reason why Zhang Ping had been unable to complete the bicycle for months.
How could he make sense of those chaotic circles?!
Unsure if it was Jiang Pengji’s deep-seated frustration, when she was over eight months pregnant, she happened to dream that a certain beleaguered bike factory worker of a millennium-old era had time-traveled. Coincidentally, this person’s new identity was that of someone from the woodworking workshop, right in front of Jiang Pengji at the moment of crossing over.
They exchanged glances, and the atmosphere was palpably awkward.
“I want a bicycle!”
After chasing for over a decade, the streamer was making a request—what idle fish would dare refuse?
Not to mention this idle fish had been unemployed at home for over two months, worrying about how to make a living. Now he was suddenly chosen as the lucky one.
If he pulled it off, he could become an internet sensation immediately!
“Build, build, build!”
The Empress of the Mountain Spirit nodded repeatedly, insisting that not making a bicycle wasn’t manly!
But—
The Empress looked a bit jittery as she gazed at Jiang Pengji’s belly, feeling she could put her hands nowhere comfortably.
Before seven months, Jiang Pengji’s belly had been excessively flat, even slimmer than an A4 sheet, showcasing beautiful abs.
After seven months, her belly began to gradually swell like an inflated balloon, changing every day.
Now, at over eight months, she finally resembled a soon-to-give-birth mother.
The key was that it was twins; it would be challenging to carry them to full term. Normally, they’d be born just after nine months.
The Empress had some hesitations; if he “assisted in wrongdoing” by building the bicycle, would this remarkable lady ride it with her big belly?
In the end, strong survival instincts overwhelmed the anxiety.
With his involvement, the bicycle underwent several modifications, finally dazzlingly debuting after half a month!
Zhang Ping stared at the supposed bicycle in bewilderment, confused about how to use this thing.
It couldn’t even stand straight when pushed; after all, it was a two-wheeler, not a tricycle; without support, it would fall!
Jiang Pengji enthusiastically exclaimed, “I’ll teach you how to operate this thing!”
Idle Fish: “???”
Zhang Ping: “!!!”
The Empress of the Mountain Spirit, “…”
Nightmare come true.
Stowaway Non-Money: I remember if I’m not mistaken… the streamer should be unable to ride a bike.
Jiang Pengji’s era was far more advanced technologically; bicycles were essentially extinct!
The average person wouldn’t ride a bike, but she had long legs. Even if she couldn’t ride well, she wouldn’t fall and would slowly find her balance.
As one of the top-notch combatants in the Federation, how could she struggle with a bicycle?
Yet—
The moment she grasped the handlebars, her belly started to feel a subtle pain, which intensified.
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Is this the Old Commander’s survival instinct acting up?
Zhang Ping cautiously asked, “My Lord, is something wrong?”
Jiang Pengji, one hand cradling her belly and with a calm expression, spoke words that sent Zhang Ping into a panic.
“I’m not riding anymore; let’s go, we’re heading to the delivery room.”
