When Wu Liang saw the scene in the field, even though he was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but smile wryly.
In an open space, a strange-looking four-wheeled vehicle, pieced together from wood and steel, was moving slowly.
Its main body was a reinforced four-wheeled carriage frame.
At the front of the vehicle was a huge brass boiler, gurgling with hot steam.
Behind the boiler were complex piston and connecting rod structures, which ultimately drove the two massive rear wheels.
A chimney extended from above the boiler, puffing out thick black smoke.
A disheveled woman with a fiery figure and a ponytail was frantically standing on the vehicle.
She was manipulating several large levers while shouting at the people below:
"Get out of the way! Everyone, get out of the way! I can't stop it! I can't stop it!"
This woman was none other than Suina.
The steam-powered vehicle had clearly lost control and was swaying erratically towards a huge rock.
The surrounding Tribe members let out gasps of alarm.
Just at this critical moment, Wu Liang's figure flickered, instantly appearing in front of the steam engine.
His arm muscles bulged as he firmly braced against the front of the vehicle.
"Screech—creak—"
Amidst a series of ear-piercing friction sounds, the runaway steam-powered vehicle was forcibly stopped by Wu Liang, its four wheels carving deep furrows in the ground.
The entire scene fell silent.
"Wu... Wu Liang?"
Suina stared blankly at the suddenly appearing Wu Liang, her grimy face filled with surprise.
"Is this how you welcome me back?"
Wu Liang released his hands, looking at her with amusement.
"Wow—! You're back!"
Suina reacted with a cheer.
She leaped down from the vehicle, pouncing into Wu Liang's arms like a little swallow.
"You're finally back! I missed you so much!"
She hugged Wu Liang's waist tightly, rubbing all the coal dust from her face onto his clothes.
"Alright, alright, so many people are watching."
Wu Liang patted her back, feeling the softness of the girl in his arms and the familiar scent of engine oil, a warmth spreading in his heart.
"Hmph, I don't care!"
Suina buried her head in his chest, muttering.
"You've been gone for so long this time; you have to make it up to me!"
"Alright, alright, whatever you say."
Wu Liang chuckled helplessly.
Yaduo, Mia, and Di Lulu, who had rushed over, watched this scene with various expressions.
Yaduo observed Suina and the steel monster behind her with interest, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
Mia, on the other hand, pouted slightly, feeling a bit jealous.
Di Lulu smiled gently, happy for Wu Liang.
After a while of doting on Suina, Wu Liang finally turned his attention to the steam-powered vehicle.
He walked around the machine.
Although it looked rough and even somewhat crude, its core structure already possessed the prototype of a steam locomotive.
An independent boiler power system, transmission device, and even a steering and braking mechanism that, while not very effective, did exist.
Suina had managed to tinker this thing out based solely on some basic blueprints and theories he had provided.
"How is it? Amazing, right!"
Suina broke free from Wu Liang's embrace, pointing at her masterpiece like she was presenting a treasure, her face full of pride.
"Amazing, very amazing."
Wu Liang praised her sincerely.
"Even more amazing than I imagined."
Receiving praise from her beloved, Suina was instantly overjoyed, putting her hands on her hips and laughing heartily.
"This is just the first generation!"
She thumped her chest, full of heroic spirit.
"Once I improve it, it will be even better to use."
"Of course! Who do you think I am!"
"However... this is only the first generation, and there are still many problems."
"Its steering is too difficult, and it has no brakes, and the speed control is unstable."
"Just now, the boiler pressure suddenly rose, and it immediately lost control."
Suina started talking non-stop to Wu Liang, completely forgetting the danger she had just been in.
On the other side, the three new beast-girl beauties, Yaduo, Di Lulu, and Mia, were completely dumbfounded.
They stood blankly by the carriage, staring at the black smoke-emitting steel monster.
"Wh-what is that thing?"
Di Lulu's dog ears nervously perked up as she asked in a low voice.
"I don't know... but... but... Chief... he... he stopped it with his bare hands..."
Mia's voice was filled with admiration, and her cat eyes sparkled with stars.
Yaduo's charming fox eyes were fixed on Wu Liang and Suina, and huge waves surged in her heart.
Such a self-propelled steel creation was unheard of!
And Wu Liang's divine strength in stopping it with his bare hands was beyond her imagination.
"This is called a steam locomotive."
"However, it is still very crude, but it proves a possibility!"
Wu Liang's voice was full of power.
"A possibility of traveling a thousand li in a day without horses or manpower!"
"Imagine, we lay a road with steel."
"Let such a vehicle, carrying our warriors and goods, depart from Black Rock Tribe and reach Wailing Swamp within a single day!"
"Whether we go hunting or trading, getting anywhere will become incredibly fast!"
Traveling a thousand li in a day!
These four words exploded like a thunderclap in everyone's minds.
In this era, the fastest carriage could only travel a hundred li a day at most.
Traveling a thousand li in a day was absolutely impossible!
"I declare!"
Wu Liang raised his arm high and shouted loudly:
"The Black Rock Tribe's next most important project—to build a railway that runs through our territory!"
As his voice fell, the entire Black Rock Tribe was first met with a deathly silence, then erupted into a mountain-shaking, sea-roaring cheer.
"Suina."
Wu Liang turned to look at the mature Manager next to him, "Let's go to the Military Workshop."
Inside the Military Workshop, heat waves rolled, and the clanging of hammers was incessant.
When the Artisans saw Wu Liang and Suina enter, they all stopped their work and bowed respectfully.
"Chief!"
"Manager!"
Wu Liang waved his hand, signaling them to continue working.
He led Suina and the others who had arrived upon hearing the news—Akomann, Florgloria, Eliza, and others—into the Military Workshop's most core Research Lab.
Yaduo, Di Lulu, and Mia, as newly added core members, were also permitted to observe.
They curiously surveyed the place; the walls were covered with various blueprints they couldn't understand, and shelves were filled with all sorts of oddly shaped metal parts.
"Everyone's here."
Wu Liang looked around; everyone present was part of his core team.
Without further ado, he had several pieces of rubber brought in and thrown onto the ground.
"What is this for?" Suina asked curiously.
"As you all know, this is called rubber."
Wu Liang said:
"Its greatest properties are elasticity, waterproofing, and insulation."
"Our current wire insulation materials are not good enough; over time, they are not only dangerous but also result in significant energy loss."
"Now that I have rubber, by wrapping copper wires with this rubber, we can create safe and efficient cables, allowing our power system to truly become widespread."
"Not only that."
Wu Liang's gaze turned to Suina.
"Suina, why is your steam engine so bumpy when it runs? Because the wheels are solid wheels."
"Any unevenness on the ground will be directly transmitted to the vehicle body."
"But what if we made hollow tires out of rubber and filled them with air?"
"Pneumatic tires?"
Suina was stunned for a moment, then a flash of inspiration struck her mind.
"I understand! Using the elasticity of rubber to absorb vibrations!"
"This way, the vehicle can run both fast and smoothly! Oh my god, Wu Liang, you're a genius!"