Chapter 67: Apprentice Materials Mechanic

“Nine large crates of potatoes, one small crate of assorted meats, one large crate of wheat, arrows…”
“Overall, the Block Kingdom’s resource reserves are quite impressive! We've surpassed the peak of any king’s reign since the founding of the nation!”
Old Fu was a little puzzled.
Resources—just store a little, that’s enough. If you pile up too much, it’s useless, a waste, isn’t it?
“Your Majesty, I believe there’s no need to stockpile so many supplies…”
“Supplies are the guarantee of survival.”
“But… Your Majesty, having too many supplies might make the Block People complacent…”
“Sigh, you don’t understand!”
A hint of helplessness showed on Mo Fangyuan’s youthful face.
He couldn’t explain these truths to them; these were lessons drawn from countless disasters, summarized in blood and tears by the ancestors of China.
“Anyway, as long as they don’t spoil, storing more is always better.”
Old Fu’s words made Mo Fangyuan realize that there were many clever Block People in this world.
Some possessed wisdom, others had talent—like Old Fu and Ari, both gifted individuals, but they suffered from severe limitations of their era.
Even if they were geniuses, they lacked Mo Fangyuan’s access to the vast ocean of information from the “Global Village” era of Earth, where he, living in an age of “information explosion,” absorbed all kinds of news every day for sixteen years, broadening his horizons.
By comparison, the talented Block People of this world couldn't break free from the confines of their thinking when dealing with matters.
Even if the cage seemed easy to step out of, they simply couldn’t.
Perhaps this was what they meant by “those involved are muddled, the bystanders clear.”
Moreover, Mo Fangyuan possessed countless truths and knowledge painstakingly acquired by predecessors.
Maybe that was one of the reasons why, in so many novels, the protagonist could match wits with ancient geniuses after crossing over, despite being just an ordinary youth in the modern era.
Of course, the presence or absence of the protagonist’s aura was still the main reason.
“Your Majesty! King! New advanced professionals have appeared! And there are two of them!”
Mo Fangyuan, who was trying to have a deeper conversation with Old Fu, was delighted to hear this news.
Calculating the time, the last advanced professional had appeared only last year.
“This is truly an auspicious start! In the second month of the new year, new advanced professionals have emerged—and two at that!”
Mo Fangyuan laughed heartily, looking up at the sky.
“His Majesty the King is the child of fortune, the sun-blessed ruler! The appearance of advanced professionals is only natural!”
Old Fu, who had barely escaped death, hurriedly flattered Mo Fangyuan.
He knew Mo Fangyuan was a “theoretical master”—debating with him was a sure way to get roasted!
“Hmm… But why are you reporting this? I remember I assigned this task to Old Duan.”
Mo Fangyuan noticed Ari’s elegant features and grew puzzled again.
“Hehe… Because the synthesis diagrams obtained by these two advanced professionals made me so happy!”
Ari’s golden cowlick bobbed lightly atop her head as she chuckled, looking quite charming.
“Happy?”

Mo Fangyuan was very curious—what invention could make this monster-slaying general so delighted?
“Let’s go, then. Let’s have a look!”
Among the Block People, every synthesis diagram was incredibly important—it was the hope for their tribe’s development.
“Your Majesty, the first advanced professional is right here!”
Walking on the kingdom avenue cleared of snow, Ari pointed with her slender finger at the large factory on the right.
“This time, the advanced professional is still a carpenter, but it’s not a rank advancement—it’s a career promotion!”
A career promotion was another way for Block People professionals to gain knowledge and skills.
Such promotions were rare, several times harder than ordinary advancement.
But once successful, the knowledge and skills obtained were on a completely different level.
It was like a repairman transforming into a circuit researcher.
“His original profession was carpenter; after advancing, he became a junior materials mechanic!”
“I saw his invention—though I don’t know how to activate it, I’m certain it’s some kind of offensive machine!”
The cowlick atop Ari’s head swayed with the wind, reflecting her mood—she was clearly excited.
“Oh, I see!”
Mo Fangyuan realized suddenly.
No wonder Ari was so excited—the new synthesis diagram was another weapon.
The previous crossbow, capable of long-range attacks, had greatly boosted the night watchmen’s ranged power, making monster-slaying much easier.
This had fueled Ari’s strong desire for new attack weapons, so with another weapon emerging, how could she not be thrilled?
Moreover…
“A mechanic, no less!”
Since ancient times, mechanics had always been a formidable profession.
Whether in novels or in reality, they played crucial roles.
Now, the Block Kingdom had a mechanic—even if he could only research with basic materials, it was already remarkable!
“Let’s go, let’s go! Let’s go inside and take a look!”
Thinking of this, Mo Fangyuan grew excited as well.
A pair of elated youths entered the lumber mill hand in hand.
Ever since the logging yard’s success, Mo Fangyuan, having tasted the benefits, began reforming other industries.
So far, though not many had been fully reformed, there were successful examples.
The lumber mill was a model among them.
The mill’s main function was to process wood—turning logs into planks, then crafting planks into various wooden tools.
Things like wooden fences, doors, chairs, tables… all those wooden blocks closely tied to the Block People’s daily life.
Most of the time, the main task was to turn logs into planks for construction, with other wooden tools made less frequently.
Based on this, Mo Fangyuan divided the carpenters into several teams.

Whenever a task came up, the quotas were distributed evenly.
The group that finished the quota fastest within the allotted time was deemed qualified; any extra work converted into points for leaderboard competition.
The leaderboard system was modeled after the logging yard.
As a result, everyone at the logging yard worked overtime for points.
Work efficiency soared.
“I’m a genius!”
Whenever he remembered the system he personally devised, Mo Fangyuan felt so brilliant!
“Great King! I am your subject, Lu Qi!”
Lu Qi was a villager of short stature, looking somewhat young, carrying an axe and a hammer on his back.
He now bowed his head and bent his body, greeting Mo Fangyuan.
Under Mo Fangyuan’s strict orders, no one in the Block Kingdom was allowed to kneel before others.
Block People were equals; no one had the right to humiliate another.
Mo Fangyuan’s saying, “A man’s knees hold emeralds!” had spread among students,
widely acclaimed as a timeless phrase,
and became a must-know quote in Block Kingdom elementary school language exams.
“No! Block People are born equal! You invented a new synthesis diagram and, through your wisdom and sweat, advanced to mechanic! You deserve respect as a Block Person—there’s no need to honor me so much! Rather, I should be respecting you!”
Glancing around, Mo Fangyuan saw they were surrounded by other carpenters.
He bowed to Lu Qi, then loudly declared, “Block People are born equal!”
“No wonder you’re the King!”
“His Majesty has such noble character!”
“So humble! An example for us all!”
“If only my child had even one of the King’s virtues!”
Mo Fangyuan smiled at the corner of his mouth.
“Yes! Yes… Your Majesty! I will work even harder to contribute everything to the Kingdom!”
Lu Qi shouted excitedly.
Humans are strange creatures—quick to anger, sometimes over trivial matters.
But also kind, willing to help others even when they themselves are struggling.
Sometimes, even facing starvation, one won’t accept charity.
Yet, at times, a small act of help can inspire deep gratitude.
Mo Fangyuan skillfully used this trait, combined with his gift for words, to earn even more respect from the surrounding carpenters.