Chapter 12: "Boxer" Experimental Model, Commence Work

After resting for only a single day, Jiang Chen threw himself once more into the whirlwind of work and study. A few days later, March arrived, and Luo Feng departed from Jiangnan Base City with the senior staff of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, heading to the elite training camp known as the “War God Reserve.”

Piece by piece, specially commissioned equipment was delivered to the factory district on the outskirts, assembled in a newly opened area and handed over to Jarvis. Most of these were machine tools and production apparatus, modified according to Jiang Chen’s specifications—a bespoke edition, so to speak.

“Master, the final mechanical arm has been tested and functions perfectly. Production can begin as soon as the materials arrive.” Jarvis’s voice sounded.

Jiang Chen glanced up. On either side of a conveyor belt, dozens of mechanical arms moved in a complex, coordinated dance.

“The blueprints have already been uploaded to your database. Prepare a preliminary plan,” Jiang Chen instructed.

During this period, he had already exchanged for the design blueprint of the [Boxer] powered exoskeleton. However, transforming a blueprint into a tangible machine would require time.

According to the specifications, this three-meter-tall exoskeleton involved tens of thousands of components, with extraordinary complexity. Even following the design to the letter, manufacturing and assembly would be no trivial matter.

Fortunately, with Jarvis’s assistance, many tedious details could be handled without Jiang Chen’s direct involvement, greatly improving efficiency. Jarvis could easily control a vast number of mechanical arms, simultaneously processing and assembling innumerable parts. One “person” could replace tens of thousands of experienced engineers.

That was the true marvel of a highly advanced industrial civilization.

Jarvis’s efficiency was unparalleled, especially with a supercomputer’s computational power as backing. While developing a new project from scratch might pose challenges, analyzing and optimizing existing designs was Jarvis’s forte.

In less than a minute, Jarvis completed the analysis of the [Boxer] blueprint and presented a preliminary plan: “Master, the current production facility can handle all necessary parts. However, I recommend outsourcing some low-tech components. That could reduce our time costs by at least forty percent. Based on information gathered online, there are over a dozen companies in Jiangnan Base City capable of fulfilling these orders.”

A flood of data and information instantly appeared on the screen.

It detailed which parts, due to high technical requirements or confidentiality, must be produced in-house, and which could be outsourced. Even which company would offer the lowest price for each order was meticulously noted.

“Well done.” Jiang Chen smiled. Having Jarvis as an assistant certainly eased his burdens.

“There is, however, a complication,” Jarvis continued. “According to the design, the [Boxer] exoskeleton’s power module requires a micro nuclear reactor no larger than 25 by 15 by 10 centimeters. But under current conditions, such a reactor is almost impossible to manufacture. We will have to use batteries as a substitute. Even the best batteries available only provide ten minutes of full-power operation.”

In a parallel universe, the Tyren Federation ruled the galaxy, their technology far surpassing that of Earth. Even the basic [Boxer] exoskeleton featured designs well beyond Earth’s current capabilities.

Most aspects could be substituted, but the power supply was a significant challenge.

The blueprints included the design and manufacturing process for the micro nuclear reactor, but Earth’s present technology couldn’t achieve it. Switching to batteries would drastically reduce endurance.

Jiang Chen had anticipated this drawback when choosing the [Boxer] exoskeleton.

“It’s fine; we’ll use batteries for now. At worst, they can carry extra spares.” Jiang Chen scanned Jarvis’s list of suppliers and suddenly noticed a name that surprised him: “Xu Heavy Industries? Are they related to the Xu family in the HR Alliance?”

Although Jiang Chen’s arrival had caused a butterfly effect, some events still unfolded as in the original story. The relationship between Luo Feng and Xu Xin was one such case.

During a previous drinking session, Luo Feng had mentioned that Xu Xin’s family was reluctant to accept him as a son-in-law.

Jiang Chen shook his head, dismissing the thought.

“Send emails to Wade Industries, Xu Heavy Industries, Third Industrial Group… Specify our requirements, request quotes and estimated lead times. Prioritize efficiency—whoever delivers fastest gets the contract. If necessary, offer additional payment to expedite orders. Handle that as you see fit.” Jiang Chen instructed, with no intention to show favoritism to the Xu family.

It was a small batch order; considerations of personal connections were unnecessary. Besides, it was Luo Feng who had ties to the Xu family, not Jiang Chen.

“Understood. Cooperation emails have been sent. Replies are expected within three business days,” Jarvis replied. “Master, should I proceed with purchasing raw materials now?”

“Place the orders. For those rare materials not readily available, send a separate email to Li Dawei and ask him to help source them,” Jiang Chen responded.

Given Earth’s current technological level, fully replicating the [Boxer] exoskeleton was no easy feat. Many aspects required downgrading in performance and configuration just to barely meet the requirements.

Even so, it involved numerous special materials, difficult to acquire on the open market—rare metals, superconductors, and the like.

Fortunately, Jiang Chen’s relationship with the military made obtaining these materials manageable.

No sooner had the email been sent than Jiang Chen’s communicator rang—it was Li Dawei calling directly.

He answered, and indeed, the conversation concerned the materials.

“There’s some experimental work requiring these special materials,” Jiang Chen explained, though he kept the specifics vague, brushing aside further questions. “Just deliver them to the factory in the suburbs.”

“Thank you, Elder Li. Deduct the costs from my share.”

“If there are any worthwhile results, you’ll be the first partner I consider. Rest assured.”

After a brief exchange, Jiang Chen hung up. Gazing at the still somewhat empty factory, a thought occurred to him, furrowing his brow. “Jarvis, do you think we need to install some defensive measures here—perhaps weapons?”