Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“Your Highness, let me show you something fun.”

“What is it?”

Fang Zheng Yi mysteriously pulled out a rectangular, shiny silver box.

This little box was about one finger long and one finger thick.

Li Yuan Zhao's gaze focused on it, curiously asking, “What's this?”

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly and pushed with his thumb.

The top half of the small box clicked open and flipped to the back.

Revealing the strange structure inside.

There was a protrusion and a small black roller on the side.

Fang Zheng Yi placed his thumb on the roller and pushed slightly.

With a 'snap' sound, a flame sparked.

After rubbing it several times, a steady flame finally ignited completely.

Li Yuan Zhao's eyes lit up: “Oh, it's on fire! This thing is interesting. It's much better than a fire stick. What's it called?”

Fang Zheng Yi said triumphantly: “It's a lighter. Broadened your horizons, haven't I?”

Li Yuan Zhao couldn't wait to snatch it over and play with it. After playing with it several times, he nodded vigorously: “Good stuff, really good stuff. This thing is very useful. What's the principle behind it?”

“It's just flint and alcohol. I went to Dongda and spent three days getting someone to make it,” Fang Zheng Yi explained. “But it's not practical. The alcohol evaporates in a day. You have to keep injecting alcohol, which is not as good as a fire stick.”

Li Yuan Zhao immediately lost interest and threw the lighter back: “Then this is just a toy, useless. Why not use fierce oil? That stuff doesn't evaporate easily.”

“It doesn't ignite. I've already asked the School of Chemistry to research new fuels. Maybe some useful components can be found from fierce oil. Maybe it can be used for those four-wheeled vehicles you mentioned in the future,” Fang Zheng Yi said with a smile.

“Hey, that makes sense! But why did you suddenly think of this thing?”

“I just thought of it and asked someone to make it. But Your Highness, what's the matter that you suddenly came to me today?”

Li Yuan Zhao pondered: “Aren't you building a high-rise in Taoyuan County? How's it going?”

Fang Zheng Yi was stunned: “It's almost done. The overall construction has been completed. Now we are decorating the surrounding environment and debugging some equipment. After it's completely finished in a few days, I plan to invite His Majesty and the officials to take a look. What, is there a problem?”

Li Yuan Zhao nodded: “I heard some rumors in the capital... Some people saw the high-rise from Taoyuan County and came back saying that the building was built so high because living people were used as foundation piles to make it successful...”

“Bullshit!” Fang Zheng Yi slammed the table in anger.

In his previous life, this kind of groundless nonsense was everywhere on construction sites.

He didn't expect that this kind of rumor could still appear now. It's really strange!

“This is an engineering miracle. What living foundation piles? If I find out which bastard said it, I'll use him as a pile for the next building!” Fang Zheng Yi said indignantly.

After popularizing scientific concepts for so many years, it is still inevitable that there will be such rumors.

Li Yuan Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: “That's good. It was spread so mysteriously that even the waiters in my restaurant were talking about it. I almost believed it.”

Fang Zheng Yi said with contempt: “You can't believe anyone, Your Highness, especially since you personally built the train.”

Li Yuan Zhao scratched his nose, a little embarrassed: “Okay, call me when you're ready. I'll go and see it too. Then I'll go first. I have an appointment with several big merchants today.”

......

Inside the warm pavilion, Emperor Jing was discussing matters with the ministers.

Several small tables were set up on the ground, with melons and fruits on them.

The atmosphere was very relaxed, and everyone chatted while eating.

Just as they were halfway through, a eunuch came to report.

“Your Majesty, Marquis Jianye requests an audience.”

Emperor Jing waved his hand casually.

When Fang Zheng Yi entered, he casually pointed to an empty seat, signaling him to sit down.

Fang Zheng Yi did not sit down, cupped his hands towards everyone, and faced Emperor Jing: “Your Majesty, do you still remember the skyscraper I mentioned to you a few months ago? I am here today to inform Your Majesty that the skyscraper has been completed. What do you think... when will you have time to personally inspect it in Taoyuan County?”

Before Emperor Jing could speak, Li Yan Song was unhappy: “Marquis Jianye, do you have to personally trouble His Majesty to go to Taoyuan County for such a trivial matter?”

“Now the overseas situation is complicated and domestic affairs are busy. How can His Majesty easily leave the palace?”

Fang Zheng Yi said unhurriedly: “Not only His Majesty, but everyone present can go, everyone go together.”

“Marquis, are you listening to me?” Li Yan Song said displeased.

“I heard you,” Fang Zheng Yi said with a cheeky smile, “but this building in Taoyuan County is extraordinary! It is the wisdom of Dongjiao University and countless craftsmen, and can be called the number one building in the world!”

“I believe that with the rapid growth of the population in our Great Jing and the increasingly obvious trend of gathering in large cities, such buildings may become common in the future, which is very meaningful!”

Everyone was amused.

He's really exaggerating!

We won't talk about trains and cannons, we admit that you, Lord Fang, are awesome!

Now you even want to give some pointers on building houses, isn't that a bit too much?

Someone joked: “I've also heard about the skyscraper built by the Marquis. I heard that it is more than ten zhang high. As far as I know, only tower buildings are built so high, right? You built a house for people to live in, wouldn't it be exhausting for people living on the top floor to run up and down every day!”

“You said that population gathering does exist, but Taoyuan County has already built six-story buildings, right? I think that six-story building is excellent. Even if the population of our Great Jing increases six times, there is no need to build a building more than ten zhang high.”

Fang Zheng Yi smiled without saying a word.

He really couldn't refute what these people said.

In terms of practicality, skyscrapers are indeed unnecessary in this era, and even seem very impractical.

However, it can be used as a technical demonstration, a means of promoting technology, and even a landmark to attract people.

In terms of commercial value, this kind of building will definitely attract attention crazily in the early stage, which is beyond doubt.

After pondering for a moment, Fang Zheng Yi said: “Everyone, His Majesty has been in the palace for a long time and is busy with state affairs. Although state affairs are important, His Majesty's health is even more important. Combining work and rest is the way to maintain health.”

“It won't take long, just one day. Everyone go and take a look and have some fun. I, Fang Zheng Yi, guarantee with my reputation that everyone will not make this trip in vain and will have their eyes opened. When have I ever disappointed you?”

Huh!?

Many people nodded unconsciously.

Li Yan Song raised an eyebrow.

That's true. Fang Zheng Yi's performances... as long as he doesn't flatter too much, they are still quite good.

That's much more interesting than those messy auspicious omens!

It has to be said that it is impressive, and this time it may be a big show.

Fang Zheng Yi continued to face Emperor Jing: “Your Majesty, in fact, I also have some selfish motives. After the completion of this building, many rumors have spread among the people, saying that the building was built with living people as foundation piles. If such rumors spread, it would really corrupt the world and people's hearts.”

“Therefore, as long as Your Majesty goes, these low-level malicious rumors will be defeated without attacking.”

Emperor Jing smiled: “Alright, don't say so much. It's not a troublesome thing to go to Taoyuan County now. In a few days, when you all are resting, you beloved ministers can accompany me to see this so-called skyscraper.”

......