Li Chen knew perfectly well what he ought to do now, so he continued to take an economic approach, offering benefits to others and using the leverage of these two major commissions to drive the Puppet Masters under his command and the underworld into working for him.
The enthusiasm everyone displayed was astonishing. Before long, all kinds of materials, manpower, and resources arrived one after another, and production began in full swing.
Even while still on his way back, Li Chen had ordered Heavenly Pivot to make all the necessary preparations. Now, Mechanism Puppets poured steadily off the production lines.
In September, Li Chen visited a Puppet Workshop at the foot of Broad Cloud Peak to inspect the results of its recent production and refinement.
The man in charge was Liu Tong, formerly an Outer-Courtyard Disciple of the Heavenly Dragon Gate. He had been waiting inside with his Puppeteer Apprentices and several craftsmen for some time. When Li Chen arrived, they all bowed. "Greetings, Peak Master!"
"No need for ceremony. Take me inside for a look."
Li Chen waved a hand, and his Mechanized Flying Chair floated inward.
The Puppet Sisters attending him followed him inside.
"This way, Peak Master."
Liu Tong hurried a short distance ahead to lead the way.
Seated in his Flying Chair, Li Chen surveyed his surroundings as he went. Towers and factory buildings stood in orderly rows, while the stockpiles of materials and mechanical installations were clean and neatly arranged. He could not help chuckling inwardly.
Still, he said nothing more about it.
This workshop was the principal workshop of the former Base No. 1 under Broad Cloud Peak. Nearly all its equipment and instruments had been produced by Heavenly Pivot, and it had more than six automated production lines designed personally by Li Chen.