Fang Er left Chai Shao's home as night was falling.
Driving back to Fang Family Village, he grinned foolishly the entire way.
Seeing Fang Er's smiling face, Xiao Qing finally relaxed.
This young master was too much to worry about.
After serving Fang Er a simple dinner, he went to rest.
In Fang Er's bed.
Xiao Qing looked at his face.
A little shyly, he asked.
Young master, is the young madam good-tempered?
Fang Er ruffled his head.
Don't worry, Yue'er is a very kind person. From now on, you must not act spoiled or bully her, understand?
Xiao Qing chuckled.
Young master, what are you saying? She is the young madam, and Qing'er is just a servant. How could I dare to bully her?
As long as the young madam treats Qing'er well, Qing'er will have no other desires.
Fang Er felt a pang in his heart for some reason.
Don't worry, in young master's heart, you are all the same. Come, let's sleep.
Haha, I'm dividing again.
The next day, just as dawn broke.
Fang Er woke up refreshed and washed up.
With a biscuit in his mouth, he headed to the workshop.
Fang Er had already given the blueprints to Zhao Gang earlier.
The assembly of the locomotive was already underway.
Fang Er took a stroll, inspected everything, and pointed out a few minor errors.
Zhao Gang and his team made the corrections apologetically.
It was not until the hour of Snake.
The locomotive was assembled.
Fang Er conducted the final inspection.
Just as he finished, he heard the sound of many horses' hooves approaching from a distance.
He climbed onto the locomotive and looked towards the sound.
It was Li Shimin and the court officials.
Leading the way were the imperial guards, flying dragon banners.
Fang Er jumped off the locomotive and went to meet them.
Li Shimin saw a giant thing several times larger than the armored vehicle from afar.
Upon reaching Fang Er, he pointed and asked.
Is this the train you spoke of?
Fang Er nodded.
Yes, this is it. It was just assembled, and after an inspection, it can be tested soon.
Chai Shao dismounted and walked out of the formation.
As he walked, he rubbed his throbbing head.
Damn, the wine that kid gave me yesterday was too strong!
He walked to the side of the train, looked at it, and then said to Fang Er.
This thing is so big, can it run?
Cheng Yaojin slapped him on the back with a laugh.
He squinted and asked him.
Old Chai, who are you looking down on?
If my brother says it can run, it definitely can.
Chai Shao looked at Cheng Yaojin with disdain.
Your brother is my son-in-law, so what? Is this great nephew trying to cause trouble?
Li Shimin saw that if this continued, the two would surely start fighting.
He quickly put away his horsewhip and pointed at the locomotive, saying to Fang Er.
Then let it move, let me and these ministers have our eyes opened.
Fang Er cupped his fists: Your Majesty, please wait here a moment, I will go prepare.
With that, he turned to go back.
The moment he turned, he saw Chai Yue following at the very end of the approaching procession.
She was dressed in a sleek outfit, looking very heroic.
Fang Er had rarely seen anyone dressed like this since he arrived in the Great Tang.
His eyes lit up, he gave Li Shimin a fawning smile, and then walked towards Chai Yue.
Li Shimin just shook his head, saying nothing.
As for taking Fang Er as a son-in-law, he only thought about it.
Such a good talent, becoming a驸马 (son-in-law of the emperor) would waste half of it.
Chai Yue was his sister's daughter, and due to her special relationship with Princess Pingyang.
Li Shimin and Li Yuan showed extra care towards Chai Yue.
In reality, marrying Chai Yue was not much different from marrying a princess.
However, it avoided the constraints of the驸马 title.
This would allow Fang Er to better utilize his abilities.
Fang Er walked to Chai Yue's side.
Why are you at the back? Come with me, I'll take you to see.
After speaking, he reached out to take Chai Yue's hand.
Chai Yue's face turned red. To make such an intimate gesture in front of so many people.
She was still a bit shy.
She tried to dodge but couldn't.
Her small hand was firmly grasped by Fang Er.
He pulled her towards the locomotive.
Reaching the locomotive.
Chai Yue's heart was filled with shock.
Could this steel giant have come from her young master's hands?
Is there anything he cannot do?
I heard that Hua Niang's cooking skills were also taught by him.
Fang Er found a suitable spot for Chai Yue.
Wait here for a moment. After the test drive, I will teach you how to drive.
Chai Yue nodded with a blush.
Go ahead, be careful.
Fang Er smiled and walked towards the locomotive.
Zhao Gang and his team were already accustomed to the emperor and these officials visiting every now and then.
After saluting Li Shimin, they continued with their own tasks.
Fang Er climbed onto the locomotive.
He asked the workers to leave, keeping only Zhao Gang and his two subordinates.
Come, load coal, and light the fire.
Fang Er gave the order to light the fire.
Shovelfuls of coal were filled into the bottom of the boiler.
A small can of accelerant was poured in.
Then, it was ignited with a torch.
The furnace fire burned brighter and brighter.
The needle on the boiler's pressure gauge slowly moved.
When the pressure was sufficient.
Fang Er pulled the valve.
Violent steam rushed from the boiler through the pipes into the cylinders, pushing the pistons.
The two pistons alternated in their work.
The wheels beneath the locomotive were driven by the connecting rods attached to the tails of the pistons.
They slowly began to turn.
As the pressure increased.
The wheels began to roll forward, pulling the locomotive along.
The initial speed was very slow, like a snail's pace.
But as the entire train started moving, the powerful inertia made the train faster and faster!
Those below looked on with their mouths agape.
Cheng Yaojin slapped Chai Shao on the back again.
Heh heh! How about that? Don't you even trust your own son-in-law?
Are you convinced now?
Chai Shao was furious.
This guy is relentless, isn't he?
Staring into Cheng Yaojin's eyes, he said.
Great nephew! The Emperor is here, so I'm giving you face. When the Emperor leaves, see how I deal with you!
Cheng Yaojin was also displeased.
Damn it, he was the one who met Fang Er first, but this guy snatched him away.
And now he's using Fang Er to take advantage of him in terms of seniority.
Can he tolerate this?
You old cur, Chai dog, you dare to call me great nephew again, and see if I, Old Cheng, don't tear you apart, you old bones!
The two of them shoved each other and moved away from the crowd's sight.
Li Jing walked behind Li Shimin.
Your Majesty, if this thing can truly travel two thousand li a day and carry a thousand tons as the Marquis of Liaodong claims.
Then it would truly be a national weapon!
Li Shimin nodded.
That's why I've asked you all to come and witness it.
After this locust plague is over, we must plan carefully for the next steps.
Nan Yue has always been unwilling to surrender. I think there's no need to keep them around anymore.
Fang Xuanling spoke.
Your Majesty, Duke Wei, you only see the advantage of this object in warfare.
But you have overlooked its other benefits.