Everyone was using the same tablet, and the batteries were almost drained at the same time. One tablet ran out of power, which meant the rest weren't far behind.
Luckily, they lasted long enough for General Ulric and the others to finish watching the video about how to use the excavators.
General Ulric exchanged glances with the other commanders.
Soon, the commanders assigned tasks to the ten excavators.
"Before it gets dark, let the excavators level the ground so we can set up camp easily."
After the order was given, the excavators got to work.
Most of the operators were still inexperienced, but they quickly improved as they practiced.
Normally, it would take until late at night to clear the grass and set up camp. But with the excavators helping, it was finished before nightfall.
Everyone had their tents set up early. The cooking team had already made several big pots of potato porridge.
Things were starting to run smoothly, though still a bit clumsy.
Back at the base, General Yves received a message from General Ulric. Nearly half the tablets were dead, and the rest wouldn't last much longer.
General Yves had no choice but to write to Sophia.
When Sophia got the message, she slapped her forehead. She had really forgotten that detail.
She quickly placed an order for 100 portable power stations that could be used outdoors.
Even without the video guide, the soldiers had learned the basics and kept practicing. Soon, they were using the excavators and dump trucks with decent skill.
There were only ten excavators, so they were mainly used for the difficult tasks.
They pushed over large trees with deep roots and dug up the roots.
The cranes lifted huge tree trunks and two- or three-ton rocks, then placed them onto dump trucks which hauled them away.
While these machines worked, General Ulric and others stood by watching.
He commented, "Notice how these big machines can still move smoothly even on rough terrain?"
"They really can."
Regular wagons wouldn't even move on such land. That's why they normally stuck to main roads, which were flatter.
"Maybe it's because these machines are heavy. As they roll over, they flatten the ground."
After the machines did their job, it was much easier for the soldiers to clear and prepare the land.
They just had to turn the soil and pick up leftover rocks.
Of course, having more machines would be even better. Then they wouldn't even need a thousand soldiers.
Some of the commanders started getting curious.
"I wonder how much treasure it takes to get one of these machines from the gods?"
"As far as I know," General Ulric said, "every time the Commander offers tribute, it's several boxes full of treasures."
"For something like this, I'd be willing to trade a hundred taels of gold."
General Ulric laughed, "You? Trying to trade just a hundred taels of gold for one of these machines?"
"How much would it really take?"
The others were also curious.
"I've seen the Commander offer up treasures too many times to count. If you really want to know, just ask him yourself. See if he'll give you a reward."
General Ulric figured if they did go and ask for a reward, the machines would still end up being used here, and it might even help ease the Commander's burden.
After the discussion, General Ulric asked, "Everyone full now?"
Though unsure why he asked, the commanders nodded.
General Ulric grinned and pulled out a pack of instant noodles.
"I'm going to make noodles!"
He grabbed a pot of water, opened the pack, and used his rice bowl to soak the noodles.
"Hey! Ulric, you sneaky guy!"
The instant noodles didn't take long. She tore open the package, spread it over the bowl, and let it sit for a while. When the noodles softened, they were ready to eat.
The tent quickly filled with a sour and fragrant smell.
"Ulric! Let me have a bite!"
"Me too! Just one bite!"
A few men in their thirties and forties shared one pack of noodles, taking bites one after another.
Even the broth was finished.
"These noodles and the pickled vegetables are really good!"
"Ulric, do you have more? Don't hide it. There are so many of us, one pack is not enough!"
General Ulric said angrily, "Are your teeth really that wide?"
The others didn't hold back. They started searching through his tent even though he hadn't brought much.
Soon, the four packs of noodles Ulric brought were all gone.
Everyone's stomachs were full.
"Get lost! That was half a month's food for me!" Ulric kicked one of them angrily. If he had known, he would have waited to eat after they left.
Everyone laughed and joked.
"Alright, alright. After we finish this mission and go back, the General will probably reward us. Then you can have it back!"
Ulric looked at them with no patience.
The land clearing was going very well.
Several machines worked together, so the soldiers were not too tired.
Sophia quickly sent over the batteries she had.
Her side was very busy too.
It had been more than half a month since she returned from Shanghai. Sophia finally got the payment from Lide.
Most of the antiques she brought were film items. There were two full sets and many scattered pieces. They did not sell for very high prices, but the total was 240 million. After a 10 percent fee, she got 216 million.
Now she had almost seven billion in hand.
Looking at her money, Sophia felt she could send even more things to General Yves.
She never knew spending money could be so hard.
Luckily, her security system was already set up.
The custom display cabinets had also arrived.
"Move the large ones to the third floor of the warehouse next door. Move the small ones to the third floor of the villa," Sophia told Ronin to watch over things while she went back to the town warehouse to move her treasures.
When she arrived, she realized she could move the small items herself, but many fragile things like porcelain and jade might break if she did it alone.
So she called Peng Jia'an from the security company.
"Manager Peng, I have a job for you."
He arrived quickly by car.
When he saw the antiques, Peng said, "Miss Sophia, sorry, I cannot handle this alone. Wait a moment. I will call my colleagues to help."
Peng was not usually in charge of this work. He thought he could manage, but after seeing the situation, he knew he could not. He needed to call more people.
He whispered to himself, amazed by Sophia's wealth.
After half an hour, his team arrived.
They brought more than ten people, more than ten cars, and professional equipment to handle the antiques safely.