Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Xiao Letian had gradually adapted to his current life.

Ever since Mo Xiaohu brought him to Peach Blossom County, his horizons had been instantly broadened to a whole new realm.

The streets were filled with various snack stalls, brimming with a lively atmosphere.

Various eye-catching signboards, banners, and 'dazzling' advertising slogans were everywhere.

Most importantly, the people of Peach Blossom County had a unique spirit. The common people walking on the street looked full of vitality, always appearing very happy.

Although he lived in the capital, upon closer inspection, it could be said that he lived in the 'slums' of the capital.

The neighbors and folks in the neighborhood had dull eyes, exuding a kind of lifeless feeling from head to toe, making people feel tired just looking at them.

However, none of this mattered until Mo Xiaohu took him to a place to drink tea.

Only then did he realize what a paradise on earth was!

After a brief moment of ecstasy, they went to the Ordnance Workshop to be assigned dormitories.

Although the Ordnance Workshop was far from the bustling area of the county, the assigned accommodations were excellent. Each person had a small courtyard, and more importantly, food and lodging were free!

This day made him overjoyed.

However, his happiness didn't last long before Mo Xiaohu informed them of the so-called 'project'.

To create a ball that could fly into the sky and be controlled in the sky – a hot air balloon!

In Xiao Letian's eyes, this was no less than a fantasy, and the other accompanying students felt the same way.

Except for the people of Peach Blossom County, who firmly believed that it could really be made.

In the days that followed... the so-called hot air balloon that could fly into the sky made no progress.

Not only was there no progress, but a young master Li suddenly appeared, jumping around all day, giving orders everywhere...

Mo Xiaohu could only scratch his head, staring every day at a turned-over, old, tattered, and vaguely worded yellow paper, pondering it over and over again.

Out of pride, he was too embarrassed to ask Master Fang again, otherwise, he would appear incompetent.

Xiao Letian had also been curious about the content of the paper and had personally asked about it.

The answer he received was that it was just a few words left by Principal Fang... but he couldn't remember clearly. The tattered document only wrote vague words such as 'hot air rises'.

Within a few days, with no progress, the mood of the several students selected from Dongjiao University gradually darkened.

Everyone was clearly going to university to learn technology! But they had to come and engage in this flying ball that had no clue and was impossible to achieve!

Then what is the difference between me and those alchemists who deceive people!

On the other hand, the world within Peach Blossom County was really fascinating. After going to a brothel once, they wanted to go again, making several people feel itchy in their hearts.

However, Mo Xiaohu had experience in dealing with this kind of situation!

He directly found a place and let several people go to the women's toilet to pick feces for a few days, and their desires subsided.

It wasn't until that young master Li, who was jumping around, publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the research and development progress that things changed.

Mo Xiaohu couldn't hold back because firstly, he knew the identity of the prince while others didn't, and secondly, after all, it wasn't a good idea to ponder over it with just a few words.

So he directly sent a letter to the capital.

But even after writing a letter to Fang Zhengzhi for help, the freshmen of Dongjiao University still had no confidence, and so did Xiao Letian.

But the next day, a miracle appeared!

A reply letter was sent directly from the capital by express horse, along with a [Zhengyi Lamp]!

A strange lamp made of bamboo strips forming a frame, with white paper pasted on the outside, and a base filled with rosin underneath.

When the Zhengyi Lamp was lit, it actually floated into the sky!

At this moment, the morale of the army was greatly boosted! Everyone was ignited with hope!

Fang Zhengzhi's image unconsciously added a mysterious brilliance in the hearts of everyone.

His figure became even more majestic...

More importantly, the reply letter from the capital also contained the key points for manufacturing a hot air balloon. With the Zhengyi Lamp, Mo Xiaohu instantly had a plan in mind.

Now that there was a breakthrough, the subsequent manufacturing and debugging project began to unfold intensively.

Mo Xiaohu had experience and knew that it couldn't be as simple as just scaling up in proportion.

All materials and shapes had to be redesigned before they could be used.

So he found many carpenters and blacksmiths in the county to brainstorm together.

In just a few days, the basic design and materials were all prepared.

Xiao Letian was only responsible for taking notes, recording the parameters and uses of each material, as well as the subsequent experimental effects.

The rest was acting as a coolie.

Over the course of a few days, after two failures, the hot air balloon still failed to rise.

Although the ball on top was bulging, it failed to take off successfully due to the stitching process or substandard materials.

At this time, Xiao Letian was not discouraged at all, but there was an indescribable sense of fulfillment in his chest.

This was different from studying... When he recited books, he never knew what he was going to do, or what the books he read were for. There was only one goal, which was told to him from childhood, just to pass exams and get promoted to make a fortune.

But now, although the manufacturing of the hot air balloon had failed, he saw such a thing born from scratch.

It brought him a sense of accomplishment, a clear sense of purpose. Every number and every record in his hand clearly knew that it was for the next improvement!

On this day, the third test flight began!

Xiao Letian, as always, waited with excitement for the hot air balloon to take off.

"Light the fire!" Mo Xiaohu gave an order.

The hot air balloon slowly changed from a shriveled state to a bulging state. After a while, the thick hemp rope that bound the hot air balloon basket actually moved!

Xiao Letian stared at the hot air balloon with fanatic eyes, moving his hands non-stop.

But in the next moment, the crowd of onlookers burst out with huge disappointment.

The hot air balloon slowly descended and stayed on the ground, unable to rise any further.

Mo Xiaohu shook his head: "Third experiment, failure! Xiao Xiao, have you recorded the process?"

"I have recorded it, teacher!"

Mo Xiaohu raised his hands: "Everyone doesn't have to be disappointed. Failure is common! Everyone has worked hard these days. Those who want to go back to the capital can go home and have a look first, and then come back tomorrow to continue the research. Let's disperse."

The crowd slowly dispersed, and Xiao Letian handed the notes to Mo Xiaohu.

Mo Xiaohu saw that he looked listless and smiled: "What are you disappointed about? It is normal to fail hundreds of times. Didn't it take off just now? This is a good sign. Maybe it will succeed next time. This thing is not as difficult as imagined, at least much simpler than a musket."

"By the way, you haven't seen muskets and cannons since you came to the Ordnance Workshop, right? I'll take you to see them when you have time."

Cannons: Tools for rectifying national borders

Xiao Letian nodded: "Teacher, I think the power is not enough. Shouldn't we add another kerosene tank? If there are two tanks, the lifting power will be strong enough. Also, for safety reasons, it's good to have a spare one after going up."

"Well, that's a good idea. Also, the leather used this time doesn't seem to be very good... I have to get some better goods from the tanner and see if there is a more suitable one. You go home and rest first. I have found a carriage for you, it's outside the Ordnance Workshop, and it will depart in half an hour."

Xiao Letian responded and turned to leave.

.....