Chapter 046: Completion of the Irrigation Canal

Having identified the issues, Luo Chong promptly began developing an improved model of the cart, primarily focusing on elongating the wheel hubs and ensuring the axle holes were drilled with minimal error to prevent any wobbling.

The addition of more spokes also became necessary. It wasn't that Luo Chong was unwilling to add more; the reality was that without a lathe, creating even a single spoke took significant effort, significantly slowing down the wheel-making process and affecting the uniformity in quality.

Ultimately, Luo Chong decided to use the sharp spikes of the man-eating trees as spokes. Although thinner, increasing their number would enhance the wheel's structural integrity. This idea was inspired by bicycle wheels, which incorporate hundreds of thin spokes capable of supporting significant weight.

Thus, the production of the second cart was much faster. Although the number of spokes increased to 32, they were all natural wooden rods, uniformly cut and easily installed.

However, while assembly speed improved, the structural support did not. The arrow shafts, only about 1 cm in diameter, were too slender for the load the wheels needed to support when fully laden, though they were sufficient for an empty cart. Despite this, the hubs of the second cart were successful in eliminating the wobble.

By the time the third cart was constructed, the design had evolved to include double-layered spokes, increasing from 32 to 64 per wheel. This adjustment significantly enhanced the wheel's durability and load-bearing capacity.

The third cart's design was so successful that it became the standard for mass production. A first batch of 30 carts was quickly assembled. With many able-bodied men and women in the village, these "mud carts" were destined for heavy use, especially in the construction of city walls. Producing them in quantity not only prepared the village for large-scale construction projects but also provided a valuable stockpile of experience for building even larger vehicles in the future.

The abundance of sharp spikes from the man-eating trees made them an easily renewable resource. A simple target practice under these trees would yield a plentiful supply.

The woodworking team, though still small, benefited from the streamlined process, especially with the elimination of the time-consuming spoke-making step. They managed to equip the engineering team with small pushcarts at a rate of three carts every two days.

With the new mud carts, bronze shovels, and giant plows – not to mention two playful mud-loving elephants – the first phase of the irrigation canal project progressed swiftly. The brick-making, previously slowed by manual transport, also sped up with the introduction of the carts.

On the 18th day of construction, a canal stretching 700 meters and at least 4 meters deep was completed, much to Luo Chong's delight. He hadn't anticipated such rapid progress. However, most of the villagers did not understand the true purpose of this massive trench, assuming it was merely for mud collection.

Despite the ample food supplies in Han Village, some members, particularly those from the former Che Ding tribe, quietly criticized Luo Chong's management, preferring food gathering to labor-intensive construction.

The people of Han Village, accustomed to Luo Chong's eccentric yet beneficial projects, showed unwavering support. Luo Chong, on the other hand, saw no point in explaining his actions. Convincing a group of ancient people about agricultural advancements seemed futile; they were primarily concerned with immediate food sources.

Indeed, Luo Chong had drastically accelerated their societal progress. Without his interventions, developing agricultural practices on their own might have taken generations.

As life returned to normal with the completion of the canal, men resumed logging and women gathered food. The construction of 30 carts was completed, and under Luo Chong's guidance, Wood Barrel and Wood Swine began experimenting with even larger carts for future mining operations.

The new cart design was a European-style four-wheeled carriage, which would reduce the burden on the draft animals compared to traditional two-wheeled chariots. These carts would incorporate significant bronze fittings to enhance durability and load capacity.

As Luo Chong processed the last of the ore he had brought, over 400 pounds of copper and tin were reserved as ingots, excluding what had already been cast into tools and weapons. He was also experimenting with bronze alloys for agricultural implements, anticipating the community's future needs.

Through these innovations, Luo Chong not only resolved immediate logistical challenges but also set the foundation for the village's long-term prosperity.