My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 114: Piloting the Assembly Line
Zhu Yuanzhang kept one of the seven sets of computer projector equipment that Li Hanxin sent, and the rest were taken to the Jiangzao Academy by Li Min.

This caused quite a stir again. The first batch of students who entered the Craftsman Academy had been waiting for a long time.

I am finally going to see the long-legged lady of my dreams!

Not only students but also teachers were excited. However, they were not there to see the long white legs. Instead, they wanted to use the projector for teaching, which had endless uses.

The Confucian scholars who followed Wu Daoxing into the academy were somewhat skeptical. They had naturally heard various rumors about moving pictures in the academy, but they just laughed it off.

Aren’t moving pictures just shadow plays? It seems like no one has ever seen it before. What’s the big deal?

Wu Daoxing also thought so. After he and the Confucian scholars saw the first beam of light coming out of the projector, he never took his eyes off the screen!
What kind of magical method is this that can print a fairyland-like scene on canvas?

The characters and houses inside look real. No, they are real.

Many Confucian students couldn't help but touch the curtain with their hands, as if this would take them to the fairyland.

Everyone was so fascinated by the painting that they dared not breathe, for fear of disturbing the immortal in the painting.

It was not until the video was finished that everyone woke up as if from a dream and rushed to the toilet like a swarm of bees.

Lu Youcai couldn't help laughing when watching this scene. Even Wu Daoxing and Wu Daru were not immune to it. Wasn't he like this when he first saw the video?
As someone who had been through it, he understood the feelings of Wu Daoxing and the students at this moment.

Shocking, astonishing, it feels like a dream.

Wu Daoxing now completely understood why His Majesty insisted on establishing this Craftsmen Academy.

If the hot air balloon only allowed him to witness the power of craftsmen, then what he saw today completely overturned his imagination!
The skills of the craftsmen, of course, should now be called science and technology, are far greater than we realize!
The new word "science and technology" was the only thing he gained from watching the video for the first time.

In his view, science is the way to study the world and explore the laws of nature, while technology is the way to change the world!
For many years, Wu Daoxing had been troubled by his inability to make progress in his studies. After coming into contact with the concept of science, he suddenly realized that this was the "Tao" that he would pursue throughout his life!
Afterwards, he published his first major work, On the Way of Science, in the "Da Ming Weekly".

The article states: “Confucianism says that everything in the world has its own principles, and this principle is the true meaning of the universe.

Scientists also seek to explore this truth. They use observation, experiment, and reasoning to explore the mysteries of all things, which coincides with the principle of "investigating things and seeking knowledge."

To study things and acquire knowledge, that is, to explore the principles in order to fulfill one's nature and to understand Heaven in order to comprehend destiny, is the key to the Confucian pursuit of the truth. The study of science is also to explore the principles of things in order to understand the way of nature.

Therefore, the two are connected, exploring the secrets of heaven and earth together, in order to seek the ultimate truth. "

Once the article was published, it immediately caused a sensation in the literary world. For a time, everyone was discussing the relationship between science and Confucianism. Many Confucian scholars always mentioned science, as if they could understand the truth of heaven and earth in this way.

Many people have begun to learn to say the word "science". Even the chefs in restaurants would occasionally say a word or two about it when teaching their apprentices.

"The way you cut vegetables is unscientific!"

Of course, this also aroused the indignation of many stubborn conservatives. Some old Confucian scholars believed that Wu Daoxing had betrayed the teachings of the sages. How could the word "science" be compared with Confucianism? This was simply treason and against heaven!

However, the words of the sour Confucians did not cause much waves, and their voices were soon drowned out by the torrent of scientific discussions.

With Wu Daoxing's exemplary role, great scholars such as Lan Zhi also joined in the discussion of science and Confucianism. For a time, science became the hottest word in the Ming Dynasty.

Compared to the wave of scientific exploration in the outside world, the situation in the Industry Department is quite different. Li Min brought the assembly line production method to the Industry Department, but was opposed by a group of skilled craftsmen.

The reason for opposition is very simple. They are all experienced workers who are well versed in the manufacture of guns and are already master-level craftsmen. If they are asked to specialize in the manufacture of one process, isn't this treating them as apprentices?

Craftsmen also have their own dignity. What they are proud of is that they have fully mastered the craft of making guns. However, if these techniques are separated, it would be a blasphemy to this craft.

Moreover, if a group of people were to make a gun separately, they would only be in a mess and at a loss, and they would not believe that they could be more efficient than a skilled craftsman in making a complete gun.

Li Min and Zhu Yuanzhang had already discussed this and decided to use a control group method to test the assembly line as Li Han suggested.

"Master Li, will this control group method really work? Once the group adopts the assembly line production, the speed will not be as good as the craftsmen who produce normally. Given the mood of the craftsmen now, will the promotion of the assembly line die?"

Director Liu from the Industry Department said with some concern.

"Master Liu, you don't have to worry about this matter. Just follow the process of the assembly line and do it strictly."

Li Min was full of confidence. He did not have confidence in His Majesty, but in the extraordinary person behind His Majesty.

From witnessing the magic of the wireless radio, to the needle-fired gun, and then to the construction of the steamship, the magical things described by the strange man are becoming a reality step by step.

"And Chief Liu, the group that uses the assembly line production method must select newcomers!"

"Isn't this... too hasty?"

Manager Liu widened his eyes. This is a brand new and unproven method, and it requires the use of novices. Lord Li, if you want to make things difficult for yourself, this is not the way to do it!

"Master Liu, don't worry. I only dared to employ a novice after careful consideration."

Seeing that Liu was still worried, Li Min explained:
“First, novices are not as arrogant as experienced ones, are easier to train, and are more receptive to new ideas.

Secondly, according to the production idea of ​​the assembly line, every novice only needs to master the skills within his or her own responsibility, and the training time will be greatly shortened.

Third, if the control group of novices succeeds and their production speed is higher than that of the old masters, then don’t you think the old masters will have to accept assembly line production obediently? "

Manager Liu thought about it carefully and felt that what Li Min said made sense, but he still believed that the risk was too great.

However, since the Minister of Works had made up his mind, he, as the person in charge, could not refute it. So he followed Li Min's instructions and carefully selected 200 new workers to train them in assembly line production.

When the news that 200 novices would be selected as a comparison with the old masters spread in the Industry Department, many old masters also started talking about it.

"Master Li, are you confused? When it comes to making guns, how can those novices be our opponents?"

"Brother, you are right. The craftsmanship of making a gun is not the same as making a kitchen knife. It is not something that can be made by just swinging a hammer a few times!"

"Brothers, we have to work hard and not lose to those rookies. We also need to let the Shangshu and the master take a good look at our craftsmanship. It's not just talk!"

Thus, the first assembly line of the Ming Dynasty was born with difficulty amid the opposition and doubts of the craftsmen.

(End of this chapter)