Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Nonsense!" Emperor Jing slammed his hand on the table, feeling particularly embarrassed in front of all the old ministers.

What do you mean a car that can run on its own? Isn't that absurd?

If you were to say that building a railway is to protect the dragon vein, that reason would be acceptable.

After all, the common people don't have any objections, and everyone thinks it's a good thing.

As for the dragon vein, no amount of embellishment is too much.

Especially since the lives of the common people are also improving.

But to say a car that can run on its own is simply outrageous!

Are you so idle that you're researching this kind of ghostly knowledge?

Emperor Jing has always deeply abhorred these mysterious things!

The old ministers, led by Li Yansong, exchanged awkward glances.

This matter sounded too stupid, simply stupid beyond measure.

It must be said that Dongjiao University has indeed produced some amazing things. Everyone has also attended classes at Dongjiao University and heard some fresh knowledge.

But to say that a car can run on its own is really unacceptable. It's simply unscientific.

"Someone! Someone! Quickly send someone to tear down the railway for me!" Emperor Jing said, his mentality collapsing.

After suppressing it for nearly half a year, he finally couldn't hold back today.

"Your Majesty, you must not!" Li Yansong said in a deep voice, his face full of bitterness, "Your Majesty, you have already given your word to grant Commander Fang two months. It would be inappropriate to withdraw your decree before the deadline. There is still one month left, it would be better to wait until then to make a decision."

"This matter has already caused heated discussion among the officials. If the railway is demolished in advance, I fear it will damage Your Majesty's heavenly authority. I hope Your Majesty will think thrice."

Nothing is greater than the Emperor's face.

His Majesty shoveled the first bit of dirt for the railway. Not many people know about this matter. Everyone can just keep it to themselves.

However, giving Fang Zheng a time limit was a public decision. It must not be changed arbitrarily, otherwise, where would the Emperor's dignity be?

Emperor Jing closed his eyes in pain.

His heart was full of regret.

How could he have boarded the pirate ship of Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince and insisted on shoveling that bit of dirt?

If it's said to be filial piety, this filial piety is too heavy now... He really can't bear it.

After calming down, Emperor Jing asked expectantly, "Is it possible that they can really build a car that can run on its own? Dongjiao University has created miracles before, like that hot air balloon..."

Xu Wenshu immediately retorted, "There is absolutely no such possibility! Your Majesty, this is simply a fantasy. Such rumors are often spread in folk tales."

"This minister heard that Lord Fang said with certainty that the railway could guard the fate of the country, he must have believed some heretical nonsense."

"Even if you argue until the heavens collapse and the gods descend, so what if a car can run on its own?"

"Does our Great Jing lack people? Aren't there carriages running all over the streets? Why must they run on iron roads? It's too absurd."

The others nodded in agreement.

Emperor Jing was despondent and waved his hand weakly, "I have this matter in mind. Once the two-month deadline arrives, immediately order people to dismantle the railway. You may withdraw."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Emperor Jing smiled wryly.

Wise? Why does that word sound so grating...

......

"The third on-road test is complete, with a load of 60,000 catties, and the test was successful."

In the principal's office, Fang Zheng, who was hunched over his desk, slightly raised his head upon hearing the report from the researcher of the Steam Institute, nodded, and then ordered him to withdraw.

Li Yuanzhao, who was beside him, said, "Old Fang, we've checked it over and over again before each on-road test, and the procedures are almost the same. Shouldn't we just announce the results directly? I think you're being a bit too cautious."

Fang Zheng was still hunched over, writing and drawing something, and said without raising his head, "Your Highness, do you think I'm not in a hurry? You should know better than me what kind of days I've been living this past month. I also hope that the world can see the birth of the train as soon as possible, but the closer we get to the end, the more cautious we must be."

He has been mixing in the court for the past month.

The price of iron continues to rise, and everyone is looking at him with disdain.

Many people are also mocking him in secret, looking at him with the eyes of fools.

He has completely become an object of ridicule.

But so what? It doesn't matter!

Endure the humiliation for a while, and slap their faces back!

"Then when do you plan to... I said, what are you drawing! Can you stop and listen to me for a moment?" Li Yuanzhao stepped forward and slammed his hand on Fang Zheng's desk.

Fang Zheng raised his head and pointed to the newly drawn draft paper on the desk, and said seriously, "This is my new idea for the railway."

"Look, if the railway is to transport goods in the future, it will have a large load, and it will be difficult to move upwards when it encounters a steep slope. I have specially designed a zig-zag railway, using two locomotives to pull and push from the front and back, so that the train can go uphill. This is a great innovation in the history of railways!"

With his interruption, Li Yuanzhao's attention immediately shifted, and he looked down at it.

"Hmm... This is a bit interesting, it's a good idea... No, I'm asking you about the matter at hand. When are you going to make it public? You're not really going to wait until the last day, are you?"

Fang Zheng rubbed his temples: "I don't want to either. The third on-road test has already ended. In theory, we can make it public to the outside world at any time. But if we want to do it in advance, there is still a problem that I haven't figured out."

"What problem? A technical problem?"

"It's not a technical problem. On the day of the debut, I need to invite as many officials from the court as possible. This is difficult to do now." Fang Zheng said tangledly, "His Majesty has no interest in the railway, and the officials look down on it. I have to think of an excuse."

"Old Fang, are you confused? Wouldn't it be enough to tell the truth? Such a divine object, wouldn't anyone want to see it?" Li Yuanzhao sneered.

Fang Zheng glanced at him: "I said there is a car that can carry hundreds of thousands of catties and can run on the road by itself. Do you think anyone would believe it?"

"Do you think I would be kicked out of the court directly for spreading rumors, or would they be happy to come and visit?"

Li Yuanzhao was stunned for a moment, and said hesitantly, "That's true, no one would believe this... Or I can just invite Father Emperor over alone first, and the others will follow."

"You can try it if you're not afraid of getting beaten, but even if you invite him, only a few people will follow. We want to do something big, so we have to do it all in one step!" Fang Zheng put away the draft paper in front of him, "Why have we been secretly working so hard for so long? Isn't it just to work hard quietly and then amaze everyone one day? We must get everyone on the train!"

"Alas! We've completed all the procedures, how can we still be stuck on such a small matter." Li Yuanzhao was annoyed for a while, and then fell into deep thought.

Fang Zheng also shook his head helplessly.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration appeared in Li Yuanzhao's mind: "Old Fang, I have a way, it's guaranteed to work!"

After saying that, he lowered his head and began to pace, licking his lips: "Let's start preparing these two days, let's do it the day after tomorrow! The day after tomorrow, we'll get everyone to Dongjiao University Station!"

"What way?" Fang Zheng asked.

"The day after tomorrow, don't go to court. At that time, I'll send Liu Jin to report to the court that I died at the station!" A strange light flashed in Li Yuanzhao's eyes, "I don't believe anyone would dare not come. Yes, let's do it this way!".

"......"

Fang Zheng was stunned.

This will definitely get everyone to come, but what is this all about? Turning a happy event into a funeral?!

The Crown Prince's brain circuit is still as peculiar as before. His Majesty would be scared to death if he knew. This is too filial!

Fang Zheng couldn't help but howl: "Your Highness! I, Fang Zheng, am loyal to the country all my life. This is the crime of deceiving the Emperor. I don't agree!".

@ Tomato Novel