Industry began in 1937

The afternoon sun filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the open ground in the mountain valley.

Chen Yuan looked at the three iron objects placed side by side in front of the "Flint" platform—a heavy iron shaft, a half-gear, and a thick steel plate—and estimated their weight.

The iron shaft is the longest, but it only weighs about 30 kilograms. For a tall and healthy adult male, although it is not light, it is by no means unbearable.

He bent down, gripped the middle of the iron shaft with both hands, exerted his strength in his waist and abdomen, and with a low shout, hoisted the 150-160-centimeter-long iron thing onto his shoulder.

The weight was indeed substantial, making my shoulders feel heavy, but my steps remained steady.

The wound on the sole of my foot stung when I exerted force, but the pain was bearable as I focused on my balance and walking.

He carried the iron axle and steadily walked toward the "Flint" platform not far away.

The cold touch of the metal, transmitted through his thin padded jacket, brought him a sense of security.

He made three round trips, and in less than half an hour, he moved the iron shaft, gears, steel plates, and even the scrap iron pieces from the broken barrel to the foot of the platform, piling them into a small heap.

Looking at the pile of metal covered in dirt and rust, yet representing hope, Chen Yuan calmed his slightly rapid breathing and placed his palm on the cold interactive area of ​​the platform.

The light screen illuminates, displaying an energy level of 0.66%.

The battery level was dropping again, so he needed to collect materials as soon as possible.

"Scan and assess all existing materials, and proceed with the raw material warehousing," he ordered directly.

[Command received. Scanning...]

The screen flashed, quickly displaying a list:

[Scan complete. Total raw materials available for storage:]

Steel materials (mixed low-carbon steel and cast iron): approximately 28.6 kg. (Note: This is sufficient to meet the 20 kg steel material requirement for the basic unit of "human energy conversion," with some surplus.)

Non-ferrous metals: Approximately 0.4 kg of lead-tin alloy scraps.

Other: None. [Note]: There is currently an extreme shortage of key materials required for the "human resource conversion" process.

Copper or equivalent highly conductive metal: ≥ 1.5 kg. (Required, not currently available)

Insulation material: ≥ 1 kg. (Alternatives may be sought, such as dried wood, multiple layers of thick cloth, or tung oil paper.)

Transmission/structural accessories: Hardwood ≥ 15 kg; Leather/Strong rope ≥ 2 kg. (To be collected)

Sure enough, copper was the biggest bottleneck.

But upon seeing the words "surplus steel materials," Chen Yuan's heart stirred.

He had only been thinking about how to gather all the materials for the generator, but he overlooked the fact that the surplus materials themselves could be used to his advantage.

"Flint," he asked, focusing his mind, "without affecting the materials reserved in the basic unit of 'human energy conversion', can the platform manufacture some items using the current surplus steel raw materials?"

【Can】.

"What simple items are valuable for current survival and basic exchange?"

Create a list, prioritizing practicality over material consumption.

The information on the light screen refreshed immediately, clearly indicating that the platform's analysis module was always on standby:

Based on surplus steel raw materials (approximately 8.6 kg) and the current minimum energy consumption manufacturing capacity, the following list of items can be produced:

Standard hand tools (basic set): includes: 3 steel files of different sizes, center punch/scriber, small hammer, and simple calipers.

Materials required: Approximately 0.8 kg of high-quality steel.

Estimated energy consumption: 0.02%.

Value: A core tool for improving the precision and efficiency of manual processing.

Everyday farm tools/tools (easy to repair or make replicas), options include: sickle head, machete head, pickaxe, kitchen knife, scissors (with opposite blades), thick needle/awl, door bolt, hinge, and nails of various sizes (several specifications).

Material required per piece: 0.2 - 1.5 kg (depending on the specific item).

Estimated energy consumption per unit: 0.005% - 0.03%.

These can be directly used for daily life and production, and are the hard currency that mountain villages urgently need.

Structural connectors: standard bolts/nuts/washers (several specifications, small batches).

Materials required: Approximately 0.5 kg of steel (estimated per 100 pieces).

Estimated energy consumption: 0.015%.

Standardized fasteners are highly effective for repairing, reinforcing, and constructing simple wood and iron structures, but few people recognize their value in the current environment.

Chen Yuan immediately rejected this option.

Hunting/Self-Defense Tools (Basic): Optional: Hunting Spear (Heavy), Throwing Darts, Simple Animal Trap Metal Parts, Wrist/Knee Pads Iron Plates.

Material required per piece: 0.3 - 1.2 kg.

Estimated power consumption per unit: 0.01% - 0.025%.

This can improve an individual's survival and defense capabilities, but it needs to be used in conjunction with other materials (wooden poles, ropes, etc.).

Chen Yuan's eyes quickly swept over the list, and his heart began to beat faster involuntarily.

Hope! Not just the hope of survival, but the hope of turning the tide and gaining the initiative!

He used to only think about how to "exchange" things from the village, but now he has the capital to "make" things to exchange!

These seemingly insignificant ironware items are real wealth in mountain villages where resources are extremely scarce and ironware is precious!

He almost instantly ruled out hunting tools and structural components—he had no use for the former now, and the latter was too advanced.

He urgently needed hand tools and had to have a set made.

But more important are the items used for exchange.

Sickles, machetes, kitchen knives, nails... what farming family doesn't need these things?

Which one wouldn't break and you wouldn't feel bad?

If there were readily available, seemingly high-quality replacement parts, or even brand new ones, would they be unwilling to exchange them for food, salt, old clothes, or even information?

A clear plan quickly took shape in my mind.

"Flint, execute the following manufacturing instructions, using surplus steel, with total energy consumption not exceeding 0.1%." He issued the orders clearly, "First, manufacture 'Standard Hand Tools (Basic Set)'. Second, manufacture two machete heads, two sickle heads, and one kitchen knife. Third, manufacture thirty large iron nails and fifty medium iron nails. Calculate the material and energy consumption."

[Command confirmed. Calculation in progress...]

[Manufacturing list confirmed:]

Standard hand tool set (steel file x3, center punch, scribing needle, hammer, calipers): requires 0.8 kg of steel, energy consumption 0.02%.

Two machete heads: require approximately 2.2 kg of steel (1.1 kg per head on average), with an energy consumption of 0.05%.

Sickle heads (2): Requires approximately 1.2 kg of steel (0.6 kg per head on average), with an energy consumption of 0.03%.

Kitchen knife (1 piece): requires approximately 0.4 kg of steel, with an energy consumption of 0.01%.

Large iron nails (30 pieces): require approximately 0.15 kg of steel, with an energy consumption of 0.006%.

Medium-sized iron nails (50 pieces): Requires approximately 0.1 kg of steel, with an energy consumption of 0.004%.

Total steel required: approximately 4.85 kg.

Total energy consumption: approximately 0.12%.

Should we adjust or confirm?

The energy consumption of 0.12% is still within the safe range (0.66% - 0.12% = 0.54%).

The 4.85 kg of steel can be taken from the surplus of 8.6 kg without affecting the reserved 20 kg of generator materials.

Moreover, with these tools and items, his chances of acquiring more resources and finding copper will greatly increase.

"Confirm manufacturing! Priority: Hand tools > Exchange items." Chen Yuan made the decision decisively.

[Manufacturing instructions finalized. Materials locked. Energy consumption pre-deducted. Manufacturing commenced. Estimated total time: 1 hour 45 minutes.]

A clearer and more powerful low rumble came from inside the platform, with the faint sound of metal processing.

Chen Yuan stepped back a few paces, sat down against a rock, and stared intently at the massive metal structure.

This time, it was no longer a desperate attempt to survive, but a planned production, the first step taken for "development" and "exchange".

He didn't sit idle while waiting.

He picked up the rusty spearhead and the wooden spear, patiently polishing and repairing the spearhead with stones, and binding it more securely with vines.

Using the thin stone slabs they found, they tried to carve a straighter, stronger hardwood stick in preparation for making a new spear.

Before hand tools could be made, he could only use these clumsy methods.

Time slipped by in anticipation.

As the sun began to set and a cool mountain breeze blew, the discharge port of the "Flintfire" platform silently slid open.

Chen Yuan immediately got up and went over.

The first thing you see is a small pile of tools separated by some kind of flexible gray fiber pad.

Three steel files with an astonishingly fine, bluish luster.

A head hardened to a deep blue, extremely sharp center punch, along with a scribing needle.

A claw hammer of moderate size with a solid feel.

There is also a metal caliper with clear markings and exquisite workmanship.

Just by looking at it, you can feel its timeless and exquisite craftsmanship.

Next to it were the "goods" he used to exchange.

Two thick-backed, wide-bladed, standard-shaped machete heads, with a gleaming cold light at the sharpened edge.

Two scythe heads with smooth curves and serrated edges.

A kitchen knife with a uniform thickness and a smooth blade.

Each piece features simple lines and no superfluous decorations, yet exudes a solid and reliable aesthetic.

Finally, there were thirty large iron nails and fifty medium iron nails scattered around, each of uniform size and with clearly defined threads.

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Yuanqiang first picked up the calipers, carefully examined the scale, and then tested their opening and closing; they were smooth and precise.

He picked up a new machete head, gently ran his finger along the blade, and felt the potential threat of its sharpness.

Success! With these things, he is no longer just a person seeking help, but a potential, valuable trading partner, or even... a collaborator.

He carefully wrapped all the items separately from the gray fiber pad and the rag that had originally wrapped the tools.

He keeps his hand tools and calipers hidden close to his body; these are his "technical assets."

The knife blades and nails used for replacement were placed in the broken bucket and covered slightly with some dry grass.

After doing all that, he felt a strong hunger and thirst.

At this point, all we could do was go to the mountains to get some water, and we had to endure the hunger.

He picked up the bucket, shouldered the spare hardwood stick, and took one last look at the "Flint" platform.

Energy level: 0.54%. Although it was used up, it brought in tangible resources that can be leveraged. This deal was worthwhile!

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him.

Chen Yuan's steps became much lighter, not because his feet no longer hurt, but because he felt more confident.

He knew that going to Gouzi Village tomorrow would be a completely new beginning.

He was no longer the downtrodden man who tried to gain sympathy by making empty promises of "possibly finding iron," but rather he was carrying the "hard stuff" that the mountain people valued most—ironware—to conduct a real transaction.