Industry began in 1937

This trip to Liujia Taizi was much farther than the trip to Shipenyu, and the mountain road was much more rugged.

Chen Yuan's foot injury was protected by thick shoe soles and ointment, but it still ached slightly after continuous travel.

But he felt much better. Even though it hurt, he gritted his teeth and endured it, thinking only about replenishing his copper and leather as soon as possible.

Once he has completed these steps, he will be able to start the generator and feel more confident.

As for the future, we can gradually increase the power generation capacity.

Just as Old Han had said, Liujia Taizi was indeed a more scattered mountain village, with dozens of households scattered in several mountain valleys.

Chen Yuan has figured it out now.

Choosing such a mountain valley, facing the sun and sheltered by the wind, provides warmth for living.

There are many fields enclosed by stones on one side of the valley at the foot of the mountain.

Although it looks bare now, it must be a very lush field in the summer.

There is water and light.

It seems that the older generation had a very good reason for choosing to live here.

Upon arriving in the village, thanks to his previous experiences and the introduction of Old Han, a familiar face, Chen Yuan immediately revealed his "hard stuff"—sewing needles, thimbles, spatulas, scissors, and nails.

These items, especially the thimble and spatula, are highly sought after in such a remote mountain village.

The exchange went exceptionally smoothly.

It was also because Chen Yuan's prices were not high; compared to the peddlers who used to go from village to village, his ironware was quite cheap.

This is not just a matter of production methods, but also because Chen Yuan wants to collect all the materials as soon as possible so that he can start the flint platform.

For this purpose, the standards for exchange are not so fixed.

Besides the expected hundreds of copper coins, a few small copper buttons, a copper ear pick, and some old objects covered in rust, the villagers here also brought out an old copper ladle with a broken handle but of excellent quality, and a small roll of thin, oxidized, blackened copper wire stripped from some old electrical wire! Although it was thin and brittle, it was definitely pure copper!

Chen Yuan used up all the ironware he brought, exchanging it for a pile of copper and scrap iron, and also got two fairly sturdy old hemp ropes and a large piece of leather.

The copper wire and copper ladle were unexpected surprises, especially the coil of copper wire. Although the amount was small, perhaps only a little over an ounce, it might be useful in a critical situation for a generator that needs to wind coils.

Chen Yuan estimated that the weight of the copper should be enough, and the leather should be almost ready as well.

Finally, they even exchanged it for two meters of homespun cloth spun by the villagers themselves.

Chen Yuan felt that this homespun cloth was thick and solid. Although it was rough and stiff to the touch, Chen Yuan, who had already accepted the coldness of this era, felt that being thick and solid was good.

Aesthetics, softness, and smoothness are not important.

He had already begun to abandon the standards by which later generations evaluated clothing materials.

As the sun dipped below midday, the two hurriedly began their journey home.

It was already afternoon when we returned to Gouzi Village.

Chen Yuan didn't even bother to count his spoils. He first handed the heavy bundle, mixed with copper coins and copper pieces, to Old Man Han: "Old Man Han, I'm going back now."

"Come to my house for a meal," Old Han invited again.

"No, I want to make some more things. We'll go to other villages in a couple of days. Give this piece of cloth to the auntie and ask her to make the bedding for me."

Chen Yuan handed the homespun cloth he had exchanged to Old Man Han.

"Zhan." (meaning "okay," a colloquial expression)

"Take these grains." Chen Yuan took out the small cloth bag of millet he had exchanged for.

"Not sticky."

"I've troubled you to take me around these past two days, and I'll need your help again in the future. I can't do that."

Once or twice is a gesture of goodwill, but if it happens too often, it becomes a nuisance.

Old Han hesitated a few times, but Chen Yuan was very determined, so he accepted it.

He could tell that Chen Yuan genuinely wanted to give it, and besides, his family was indeed short of food.

Chen Yuan felt relieved after receiving the grain.

In the future, we'll definitely need him to take us to the mountain villages again.

It's always easier to get things done here if you know someone here; otherwise, Chen Yuan wouldn't be able to understand their heavy dialect.

Chen Yuan felt somewhat excited as he left Gouzi Village.

Back at the "Flint" platform, Chen Yuan, his hands trembling slightly, placed the last bag of copper materials, along with the coil of copper wire, two hemp ropes, leather, and iron materials, into the material area.

Then, he used all his strength to press his palm onto the interactive panel.

The light screen lit up, and the deep blue light seemed to carry a hint of urgency.

Energy level: 0.34%. Five or six hours have passed since he left; roughly estimated, nearly 55 hours have elapsed in total.

There is less than a day left until the 72-hour limit is reached.

"Flint! Scan and compile all the copper data! Quickly!" Chen Yuan practically roared.

[Final copper material summary scan...]

The data on the screen jumped rapidly, finally settling on a single frame:

Additional copper material: approximately 0.6 kg in total.

Total copper content: 1.78 kg.

"Human energy conversion" requirement: 1.5 kg.

Status: Requirement met!

New leather: Approximately 1.2 kg in total.

Total copper content: 2.1 metric tons.

"Human energy conversion" requirement: 2 kg.

Status: Requirement met!

"Enough! Enough! Enough copper! Enough leather!" Chen Yuan looked at the words "Demands met," his heart pounding wildly, almost leaping out of his chest. An indescribable surge of heat rushed to his head, making his eyes sting.

After overcoming countless difficulties and running around, the crucial copper has finally been collected!

He forced himself to calm down and quickly took stock of the other materials: there was enough steel, enough copper, and enough leather and wood for insulation.

Most importantly, it still has 0.34% energy left!

"Immediately activate the 'Human Power Conversion' basic unit manufacturing process! Input all specified materials!" Chen Yuan's voice was hoarse but resolute.

"Priority: Ensure the integrity of core power generation functions and basic mechanical structure! Execute!"

[Instruction confirmed. Final material conformity check...passed.]

[Manufacturing of the basic unit for "human-powered energy conversion" has commenced. Estimated energy consumption: 0.30%. Estimated time: 3 hours.]

[WARNING: After manufacturing is complete, platform power will drop to 0.04%, only able to maintain the core identifier and minimal external interfaces. Administrators, please be aware. Confirm?]

0.30%! This means that once the platform is completed, it will almost exhaust all its energy and enter a deeper "hibernation" state than before, retaining only a sliver of life that is not completely locked away.

This is a truly desperate gamble.

Chen Yuan looked at the cold number "0.04%" and then at the heavy copper material in his hand, which represented countless hopes and hardships, without the slightest hesitation.

"Confirmed! Execute immediately!"

[Final confirmation. Manufacturing process fully initiated. Energy output locked. Materials input...]

Inside the "Flint" platform, an unprecedentedly deep and powerful roar erupted, as if a slumbering steel behemoth had been completely awakened.

The metal casing trembled slightly, and the complex flow of light and the sounds of mechanical operation could be vaguely seen inside.

This undertaking was far more significant and lasting than any previous small-scale production.

Chen Yuan retreated to a distance, sat down with his back against the rock, and stared intently at the huge metal body that was emitting a roar and heat.

Three hours, the final three hours.

Every minute and every second felt like an eternity.

He dared not close his eyes or be distracted; his palms were covered in cold sweat.

The mountain wind howled, the sun set, twilight descended, and the starlight reappeared... He was completely unaware, his entire mind focused on the roaring sound.

When the familiar, soft "beep" sound that marked the completion of the manufacturing finally rang out, and the discharge port on the side of the platform slowly slid open, Chen Yuan almost jumped up and staggered over.

In the soft light, a compact machine, full of industrial power and beauty, quietly appeared before him.

The main body is a sturdy cast iron frame, with a heavy cast iron flywheel reinforced with ribs installed in the center, and belt grooves reserved on the edge of the flywheel.

The flywheel is connected to a sturdy crank and two large cast iron pedals on one side.

On the other side, a finely machined steel spindle extends horizontally, with both ends of the spindle mounted in two bright yellow bronze bearing seats, and simple oil injection holes on the outside of the bearing seats.

At the end of the main shaft, a small cast iron drive wheel is mounted.

Parallel to the main shaft, on the other side of the frame, is a small, cylindrical metal housing with heat sinks—that is the stator of the permanent magnet generator.

A thinner drive shaft, also equipped with bronze bearings, extends from both ends of the generator housing, with another small pulley at one end, connected to the drive wheel on the main shaft via a sturdy leather belt.

The other end is a standard electrical output interface with a protective cover.

The entire mechanism is seamless and has strong lines. Although it is devoid of any decoration, its precision, solidity, and beauty born of pure function are breathtaking.

Next to it were a few small tools: a special wrench, a small can of shiny black grease with a unique smell, a small roll of insulating tape, and a few standard bolts.

These are the repair tools; the supplies provided by the flint platform are quite comprehensive.

With trembling hands, Chen Yuan gently stroked the cold flywheel, its smooth spindle and exquisite bronze bearings. He tried to turn the flywheel by hand.

Silky smooth!

There was only a very faint, pleasant "rustling" sound from inside the bearing, and the steady inertia brought about by the weight of the flywheel itself.

With a little force, the flywheel began to spin smoothly, driving the driven wheel at one end of the generator to rotate synchronously via the belt.

It's done! It really is done!

Following the simple wiring diagram that appeared on the platform, he carefully connected the two rough, insulated wires leading from the generator output interface to a dedicated charging input port on the side of the "Flint" platform, where an indicator light had just lit up.

Connection complete.

He took a deep breath and sat down on the simple wooden stool in front of the human-powered generator, placing his feet on the foot pedal.

He glanced at the barely visible energy display on the platform, which showed only 0.04% remaining, gritted his teeth, and with all his might, slammed down the pedal!

"Creak—"

The new belts and mechanisms need to be broken in, which makes a slight noise.

But then, the heavy flywheel began to spin, faster and faster, emitting a deep, powerful whistle. The belt drive was smooth, the main shaft rotated, and the bronze bearings ran smoothly.

The magnetic core inside the generator cuts through magnetic field lines, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy...

Chen Yuan stared intently at the surface of the "Flint" platform.

One second, two seconds, five seconds...

Just when he was almost in despair, the indicator light on the side of the platform, which represents external energy access, suddenly lit up a steady green!

Although the light wasn't strong, it was definitely shining!

Almost simultaneously, the main interactive screen lit up automatically, and a faint line of text appeared, enough to bring tears to Chen Yuan's eyes:

External green power access... Conversion efficiency 9.7%... Current input power: extremely low... Core energy replenishment in progress... 0.041%... 0.042%...

The numbers were jumping upwards at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, extremely slowly, yet steadily and continuously.

Although it's slow, and each jump requires him to exert all his strength and stomp for a long time, it's growing!

The "Flint" platform, a creation from the future that was once on the verge of permanent slumber, finally regained its faintest pulse of life on a late autumn night in the Taihang Mountains in 1937 through the most primitive human trampling.