The goods had finally arrived!
Although Cheng Ye had cultivated considerable composure by now, he couldn't help raising his eyebrows slightly, a flash of barely concealed excitement in his eyes.
Affected by satellite city construction material allocation, this batch of chassis should have been delivered two days ago, but was delayed day after day.
It was now the sixth day since the first batch of inspectors went out on contract work.
If delayed a few more days, when the second batch of satellite city contract quotas opened, the material transport lines would only get more congested, possibly dragging on even longer.
"Sang Tao, my ordered chassis has arrived. I need to go to the inspection station to receive the goods. Could you trouble yourself to make the trip with me?"
Cheng Ye turned to look at Sang Tao, who was still in a daze, asking with a smile.
Sang Tao was stunned for a moment, instinctively nodding in agreement, clearly not yet recovered from Cheng Ye's skillful car dismantling just now.
These past days, this peculiar Inspector Cheng would arrive at the Mechanical Department punctually at nine every morning, like clocking in for duty, not leaving until seven-thirty in the evening with the apprentice workers, rain or shine.
Mornings were spent "flipping" through Mechanical Department books, going through all the basic books the Works Department kept.Afternoons were spent diving into the warehouse for hands-on practice, from initially being unable to handle a wrench steadily to now skillfully dismantling entire vehicles.
How many days had Inspector Cheng used?
Counting the first half-day visit, it was at most five and a half days!
How long would it take regular apprentice workers to reach his level of proficiency?
At minimum, half a year.
"Inspector Cheng, Sang Tao is still young and might miss something. Let me accompany you instead," Sang Hezheng emerged from behind the crowd, his expression appearing calm but unable to hide the complexity in his eyes.
"That would be wonderful! With Master Sang along, I'll definitely feel at ease. I just worry about delaying your current work."
Cheng Ye immediately nodded, casually removing his oil-stained work clothes and walking unconcernedly to the water tap by the door to wash his hands.
He vaguely sensed Sang Hezheng had something to discuss with him.
Indeed, after Sang Hezheng drove the Mechanical Department's large van out the gate and just turned the street corner, he couldn't help speaking up:
"Inspector Cheng, did you study this sort of thing in the inner city before?"
This simple-sounding question was the result of half a day's consideration.
Actually, he wanted more to ask whether those books were flipped through once or carefully read through completely.
His confusion wasn't unreasonable, anyone who saw how Cheng Ye read books would be puzzled.
Was that reading?
That was simply flipping pages at a speed that wouldn't allow ordinary people to even read through once completely.
Understanding the content within?
Forget it. Even if old-era high-level talents who'd received twelve years of education starting from age six came over, they couldn't possibly have such exaggerated learning speed but after much consideration, asking directly would be too offensive, yet his curiosity was unbearable.
Because on the first day when Cheng Ye started, he was genuinely a complete novice.
He could barely see some imitative ability, but definitely bore no resemblance to his current proficiency.
More importantly, these five and a half days, Cheng Ye never had anyone teach him hands-on.
He just stood there watching with the apprentices and learned all the details.
"Yes, I was quite interested in these things when I was in the inner city before, learned parts of it here and there, so picking it up again is faster now."
Cheng Ye leaned back in the passenger seat, speaking as if discussing something completely ordinary.
In dimensions others couldn't perceive, a translucent panel had quietly appeared in his vision, automatically jumping to his personal page:
[Collector: Cheng Ye]
[Current Rank: lv.2 Rising Star (27.7/100)]
[Life Level: 1]
[Skills: Heart-Protecting Fire, Wild Grass Physique, Intermediate Mechanical Repair (79.1%), Intermediate Mechanical Assembly (87.5%)]
[...]
After five days, Basic Mechanical Principles and Intermediate Mechanical Identification had long reached 100%.
Those once unfamiliar blueprint symbols and mechanical theories had now become foundation etched in his mind.
Dismantling cars was like washing vegetables, cutting vegetables, cooking and stir-frying.
No longer confined to fixed forms and techniques, no matter how he dismantled or where he started, the final speed and results were veteran master level.
The two newly found skills were also nearly exhausted. At this pace, he could completely master them by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.
Of course, achieving this efficiency was thanks to the Mechanical Department treasure trove.
Due to the vigorous construction of the first phase's twelve satellite cities, all departmental charging stations were running at full capacity, with the power grid extending from the buffer zone toward outside the city.
To prioritize construction power supply, most residential areas in the buffer zone were without power during daytime.
Power was only restored at eight in the evening but the Mechanical Department was obviously not included. Though its charging stations were also occupied, it had independent industrial circuits and industrial outlets.
Each warehouse interior had several 32A/250V circuits suitable for welding machine use.
Charging efficiency could reach about 8kw. Each day in the warehouse alone could supplement over 20% charge value, plus home charging at night, accumulating exactly 25% charge value daily.
The only minor incident was failing once during the second Lv2 skill search, leaving current charge value at only 31%.
However, Cheng Ye didn't mind. Once this batch of chassis and components were assembled into vehicles, he could legitimately drive to inspection station or Works Department fast-charging stations for power.
Having charging stations for power was definitely qualitative change!
Those skills that couldn't be fused and characteristics that couldn't be exchanged would all soon be available.
"Then you... truly are a genius."
Sang Hezheng opened his mouth, only managing to squeeze out this dry compliment after a long pause.
"Don't say that, Master Sang. Your two sons are the real geniuses," Cheng Ye smiled and rolled down the window.
As the Void Mist further dispersed, temperatures were rapidly rising to around ten degrees.
Slight breezes carrying roadside dust blew in, lifting his somewhat long bangs, adding a casual air.
Different people required different approaches to building relationships.
For these Mechanical Department veteran masters, many had been there since Happiness City's establishment.
Having weathered storms for years, they were accustomed to human relationships and benefit exchanges.
Using conventional approaches to build rapport would only relegate him to mundane, clichéd relationships, ultimately becoming just another ordinary connection but what he wanted wasn't this kind of relationship, but special relationships that people would remember and be impressed by.
Genius.
A good label.
Since the Sang brothers were already clever, Cheng Ye simply performed even more dramatically.
It seemed this chess move was correct.
Next was giving Master Sang an opportunity to open topics and quickly strengthen their relationship.
"They're decent, but compared to you..."
"Wrong, Master Sang."
Cheng Ye leaned back in his seat, his tone becoming more serious, "In this world, people can't be compared. I might be faster at learning mechanics, quickly reaching your level, but I'm destined never to spend a lifetime with machinery like you, whether in R&D or continued proficiency. I don't have that level or that much time, at most I can achieve familiarity and general understanding."
"But Sang Tao and Sang Zhe are different. They can settle down to work on details, study blueprints for half a day, pondering underlying principles. These are things I don't have and can't do. So people shouldn't compare themselves to others, if comparing, compare with yesterday's self. Learning a bit more today than yesterday is profit."
"Mm," Sang Hezheng's grip on the steering wheel tightened, "Happiness City doesn't lack researchers. Their qualifications aren't enough to enter the inner city's Happiness Research Institute."
"Have you tried having them take researcher exams?"
"No." Sang Hezheng smiled bitterly, his expression complex, "Ordinary researchers who enter that place never come out again. For some people, it's heaven for research, but for our family, it's a prison locking people away for life."
"I don't want them trapped in laboratories forever, needing approval just to see sunlight."
"Right, you want them to enter as top researchers immediately, how's that possible?"
Cheng Ye laughed, "Sang Zhe is suitable for research, but Sang Tao, he's thought about going independent, hasn't he?"
"He has."
Sang Hezheng nodded frankly, his grip on the steering wheel loosening, his tone carrying helplessness: "These years I've saved some contribution points. Not enough for the whole family to live in the inner city, but enough to pool money for a small factory. Sang Tao had this idea two years ago, but I never agreed."
The so-called "whole family" was indeed quite large.
Sang Hezheng had two spouses. Sang Tao and Sang Zhe were half-brothers with different mothers, plus two younger sisters.
Sang Tao and Sang Zhe married at sixteen. Now Sang Tao had one son and one daughter, the elder seven, the younger five. Sang Zhe also had a three-year-old daughter.
Adding relatives from the spouses' sides, the extended family totaled over twenty people.
Even though Sang Hezheng had worked at the Mechanical Department for over ten years with various "additional income" opportunities, he couldn't easily produce twenty thousand contribution points like Lee Matteo.
But Cheng Ye estimated Sang Hezheng's savings were substantial, at least over ten thousand, otherwise he wouldn't dare mention opening a factory.
After all, just purchasing technical qualifications required a large sum of contribution points, not to mention equipment, renting space, and hiring workers.
"What aspect did Sang Tao consider for the factory?"
"What else could it be? Just mechanical processing to earn some small money."
It wasn't that Sang Hezheng was deliberately vague, but the family had never seriously discussed opening a factory, naturally never discussing specifics, only having a vague direction.
"Then forget about it," Cheng Ye shook his head seriously, "Mechanical processing only earns hard money, exhausting and thankless. If it happens to clash with a satellite city's main industry, small factories can't withstand it. You could lose everything."
"Exactly!" Sang Hezheng nodded repeatedly, then suddenly shifted topics, "But recently with so many migrants arriving, there's more work in the buffer zone. He keeps nagging about opening a factory, saying we should profit from the current bustle."
This last sentence was almost explicit suggestion.
Cheng Ye smiled inwardly but maintained a serious expression, "Master Sang, really don't be impulsive. The current situation is so unstable. Migrants are numerous, but risks are also high. It looks profitable but losing money is easier."
He paused deliberately, directing toward himself, "Like my establishing a caravan, putting out twenty thousand contribution points, frankly, it's just testing the waters. If luck is bad, this money could disappear without a trace. I'm prepared for losses."
He spoke casually, but hearing this struck Sang Hezheng differently.
His family's hard-earned savings of over ten years were, in Inspector Cheng's mouth, merely stones for "testing waters."
Sigh, truly people couldn't be compared, comparisons were maddening!
The car suddenly quieted, leaving only whooshing wind noise, tire noise, and the motor's slight humming during acceleration.
Sang Hezheng said no more. Cheng Ye didn't initiate conversation either. Both had their thoughts, temporarily lacking better opportunities to continue.
When the van drove through the city district, they soon saw South Inspection Station's outline.
And a particularly conspicuous two-section container truck parked roadside.
Chassis for six vehicles plus various components and harnesses requiring industrial zone allocation were all loaded inside.
Even at cost price according to Old Sun's order, one truck's total value reached 9,700 points, nearly ten thousand.
"Finally delivered!"
Cheng Ye opened the car door and got out. The person standing by the container immediately approached with a smile.
"Inspector Cheng! Sorry to keep you waiting!" The middle-aged man smiled, holding a document, "I'm Huang San, sales manager from Happiness Auto Factory. Just call me Xiao San. Really sorry for the three-day delay. The industrial zone has been busy transferring equipment to satellite cities. Vehicle scheduling was tight, the factory couldn't spare delivery vehicles. I rushed over as soon as I got the dispatch order today."
"Manager Huang is too polite. Thanks for making the trip personally," Cheng Ye shook hands with him, showing no dissatisfaction in his tone.
"Not at all!" Huang San sighed in relief, quickly gesturing for accompanying workers to open the container's rear door, "Normally, for an order your size, I could deliver the next day. Please look, chassis and components are all here, not one piece missing."
The rear door slowly opened, revealing silver-white chassis neatly arranged inside, looking like oversized toy components. These chassis weren't top-tier for collision strength but excelled in repair convenience, broken parts could be directly replaced without laborious repairs.
Stacks of tempered bulletproof glass sat nearby.
Additionally, interior plastic panels, door hinges, wheel rims and tires, brake assemblies, mirrors and taillight assemblies, dense components arranged orderly. Even the finest harnesses were waterproof-bagged and clearly categorized.
"Master Sang, please help me verify together," Cheng Ye didn't dare be careless, taking the component list from Huang San and entering the truck with Sang Hezheng for item-by-item inspection.
While checking components, Cheng Ye couldn't help admiring Happiness City's solid industrial foundation.
From tiny screws to complete chassis assemblies, everything was factory-produced without any dependence on imports from other sanctuary cities.
He understood that complete automotive industrial chains were far more than simply "assembling parts", they required penetrating downward to base materials, core components, and precision manufacturing equipment foundations. Independent coverage meant at least:
Independent raw materials, self-researched and produced core components, independent manufacturing equipment.
These three independences were achievements Happiness City fought for during the first Great Development Era, also the foundation for its stable footing and transcendent status in Shi Province.
Even if new development eras emerged, rising sanctuary cities would find it difficult to shake Happiness City's foundation.
Only equal-scale sanctuary cities were qualified to contend with Happiness City.
The two spent two hours on verification, checking every detail from model specifications to completeness.
After confirming everything was fine, Huang San quickly approached: "Inspector Cheng, rest assured, before this order left the factory, the factory director specially arranged five inspections to prevent problems. If you're unsatisfied, we'll immediately return and exchange!"
Cheng Ye waved dismissively with a smile.
Though knowing this was courtesy, with Happiness Auto Factory's scale, the factory director was equivalent to a buffer zone departmental deputy director, hardly likely to personally oversee such a small order.
But the words sounded pleasant and gave him face.
"No problems. Please help transport to the Mechanical Department, Manager Huang. I need to assemble vehicles there."
"No problem! Arranging immediately!" Huang San promptly agreed, turning to direct workers in re-securing the container.
Watching the truck slowly start, the stone that had hung in Cheng Ye's heart for several days finally settled.
Besides learning mechanical knowledge, he hadn't been idle these days. Battery testing and ordering were already arranged.
Just a phone call to the inspection station now, and within half an hour, staff could deliver selected batteries to the Mechanical Department.
Even the old components picked from the scrap yard didn't trouble Sang Hezheng, after finding the 'Intermediate Mechanical Repair' skill, he'd personally crouched in warehouses refurbishing them bit by bit: rust removal, gasket replacement, parameter calibration, harness replacement.
His own things, every step done extremely solidly, no different from new.
Now with chassis and new components arrived, caravan vehicle assembly could finally officially begin.
Even if the second batch contract list really included Big Wave Town, he needn't panic, tonight he could assemble all vehicles!
"Master Sang, please work overtime with me tonight. Thanks."
"No problem!" Sang Hezheng nodded without hesitation, immediately taking out his defense communicator to call Sang Tao, "I'll have the young men all stay. Tonight we'll work overtime to guarantee assembling the vehicles!"
When he blurted this out, he himself didn't realize anything wrong.
Previously, even if an inspector asked, he'd at least hesitate, considering benefit exchanges.
But facing Cheng Ye's request, he showed no hesitation, his mind filled only with thoughts of "getting more contact with Inspector Cheng" and "maybe more opportunities later."
This mindset shift established relationship network foundations.
Going forward would be step-by-step familiarity.
Cheng Ye wasn't anxious. When the pedestrian street was built, when Big Wave Town had capacity for light industry development.
Connections with the Sang family would immediately link up, no need to reveal purposes now.
Additionally, Cheng Ye took out his defense communicator and dialed: "Big Dragon, from tonight, suspend militia night training. Let everyone sleep well, keep weapons and equipment ready, prepare for wilderness departure."
"Yes, sir!" Came Big Dragon's crisp response, with background shouting audible.
Three hundred militia selected by Elder He had begun full-time training four days ago.
All were retired veterans from former pioneering legions, but having not left Happiness Defense Line for years, individual combat effectiveness couldn't be counted on yet but after these days' formation training and basic tactical coordination, they could achieve orders and prohibitions, forming a considerable force when organized into squads.
Cheng Ye understood the second round of satellite city contracts wouldn't wait long.
Tomorrow marked the seventh day since the first round began. The second round would open in at most three to five more days.
The critical point for opening was when the Void Mist covering Shi Province completely dispersed.
After hanging up, he leaned back in the van's seat, mentally reviewing refugee settlement data.
These six days, satellite cities had successively recruited over two hundred thousand refugees from outside Happiness Defense Line. Though the view still showed crowds of people, data indicated fewer than five hundred thousand refugees remained outside the defense line.
Of these, two hundred thousand would stay in Satellite City No. 1 for construction, one hundred thousand would settle in the buffer zone.
The remaining two hundred thousand would need settlement by the second batch of satellite cities.
On the surface, Happiness City was steadily digesting the million-person population, but only those in the buffer zone knew how many undercurrents flowed beneath the calm.
Recent nighttime artillery and gunfire had grown increasingly dense, often lasting from two or three in the morning until dawn.
As populations migrated, infection sources and infected entities wandering around Shi Province seemed drawn by scent toward the defense line. Currently manageable through legion firepower suppression, but when the second batch of satellite cities began work with even broader scope, even if fire support could respond timely, inevitable gaps would be exploited.
"Wonder how Lee Matteo's Dongping Town is doing..."
As the vehicle left South Inspection Station, Cheng Ye's gaze swept over vague tent outlines outside the defense line, involuntarily speculating.
Lee Matteo said returning to the buffer zone required a month, now only six days had passed. Presumably still handling assessment matters, unsure whether Dongping Town's construction planning encountered troubles.
But this reverie didn't last long. Upon returning to the Mechanical Department, Cheng Ye immediately adjusted his state and threw himself into vehicle assembly preparations.
Compared to refurbishing old components and repairing faulty parts, vehicle assembly wasn't technical work, just following blueprints to piece together components but precisely because of this, ensuring subsequent vehicle stability depended entirely on assembly details.
Whether screws were tightened enough, whether harnesses were correctly positioned.
In wilderness bumps and combat, these could cause vehicle problems large and small, even breakdowns.
At six in the evening, all components and batteries completed secondary inspection. Six chassis had corresponding parts neatly stacked nearby.
Sang Hezheng didn't dare be careless, calling two experienced veteran masters from other warehouses to help.
Three veteran masters plus Sang Tao and Sang Zhe, adding Cheng Ye, exactly one person per vehicle.
Apprentices specially brought two strings of firecrackers, wanting to set them off before starting for good luck but just as they lit them, the sky suddenly darkened. Lead-gray clouds rapidly gathered, and scattered raindrops fell like tangled hemp, instantly wetting the ground.
"This..." Sang Hezheng frowned, looking at Cheng Ye with hesitation.
"No problem, this is good." Cheng Ye looked up at the sky, then toward the horizon, "When this rain falls, the Void Mist will finally disperse."
Others followed his gaze and indeed saw the pale white mist covering distant wilderness visibly dissipating, with originally blurred horizons gradually clarifying.
"Come, let's begin!"
Cheng Ye hesitated no more, simply stepping forward to take the lighter and ignite the firecrackers.
Crackling sounds exploded in the rain curtain, scattered sparks quickly extinguished by rainwater but dispelling everyone's hesitation.
In this world where even transcendents truly existed, Cheng Ye had personally witnessed battles between "immortals."
He no longer believed in "gods, Buddhas, ghosts, or spirits," much less "destiny and reincarnation."
Stopping work because of rain? Don't joke.
Never mind rain, even if knives fell from the sky, tonight all six vehicles must be completely assembled.
Rain gradually intensified, pounding the warehouse's metal roof with "pitter-patter" sounds, adding white noise that made everyone more focused.
Inside the shed, work proceeded intensely.
No excess conversation, only the "click" of wrenches tightening bolts and the "clank" of colliding parts. Everyone bent their heads, eyes fixed on their work.
Since no complex intelligent equipment was involved, no precision sensors required calibration, and no so-called vehicle systems needed adjustment.
Even chassis comfort and suspension firmness, these "particular tasks", needed no extra attention. Vehicles for wilderness needed durability, not comfort.
Precisely because of this, progress exceeded expectations.
At exactly eleven PM, Sang Hezheng led six apprentices in completing the first transport vehicle's framework.
He wiped forehead sweat and pressed the start button.
Click.
The vehicle's headlights suddenly blazed, warm yellow light piercing the darkness outside the shed.
Then he climbed into the driver's seat, shifting to forward gear. The vehicle swayed forward half a meter before stopping steadily. The shed immediately erupted in applause.
"Hehe, didn't expect this old man to grab first place!"
Sang Hezheng smiled and pushed open the door, waved his hand, then immediately had apprentices begin interior installation.
Cheng Ye had salvaged plenty of seats from the scrap yard, each vehicle could be fully equipped.
With sufficient components, naturally everything would be installed at once to avoid future assembly troubles.
Within half an hour, the other two veteran masters successively completed their assigned vehicle assemblies.
Power-on, test drives, each vehicle ran steadily, with wave after wave of applause seemingly suppressing even the rain sounds.
However, surprisingly, the fourth to complete assembly wasn't the Sang brothers but Cheng Ye.
The off-road vehicle completed main component installation.
After enabling engineering test mode, Cheng Ye crouched in the driver's seat, fingertips gripping the steering wheel somewhat tensely, extremely nervously pressing the accelerator.
Hum.
Faint motor sounds arose, speed limited to 1 mph.
Tires paused momentarily, slowly rolling forward.
Cheng Ye stared ahead at the metal wall, peripheral vision catching people gradually retreating outside the door, his heart feeling struck by something.
He'd never imagined personally assembling a vehicle would be such a wondrous experience.
Emotions buried in his chest for days seemed to explode instantly.
Unclear whether excitement or elation.
The machinery before him was no longer cold components but extensions of hands and feet, able to carry him across wilderness to destinations.
When he reversed the vehicle to its original position and pushed open the door, nearby applause had become thunderous.
"Impressive, Master Cheng!"
Sang Hezheng gave him a thumbs up, eyes full of admiration.
Sang Tao and Sang Zhe also applauded, their eyes showing no displeasure at being "surpassed," only pure recognition.
Truly pure people.
Cheng Ye thought, smiling. He increasingly enjoyed this wasteland feeling.
No scheming, no external distractions, just focusing on doing good work earned genuine recognition.
"The matter is settled."
Taking the towel an apprentice offered to wipe hot sweat from his head, he exhaled deeply, looking toward the interwoven rain curtain.
Lightning streaks flashed across, accompanied by rumbling thunder.
With vehicle assembly complete and Void Mist dispersing, the next phase of plans could finally begin!