Chapter 190 Steam Train

Could her "predecessor" be a scientist?

Zhang Xiao's eyes widened, her mouth involuntarily agape, her face filled with uncontrollable shock.

Her gaze was fixed on the enormous machine before her—a steam engine. Its cast-iron body gleamed with a cold, heavy luster in the dim light. The massive cylinders, along with the intricate connecting rods and valves, formed a mechanical structure that was beyond the comprehension of her time.

Even the overall structure is not rough; every part exudes a rigorous and precise scientific spirit.

But this is the Qing Dynasty! Science is the biggest unscientific thing!

Zhang Xiao's mind was in chaos. Looking around, all he could see were familiar eaves and brackets, green tiles and gray walls. He could also hear the shouts from the street in the distance. This was clearly a scene from the Qing Dynasty, but this steam engine seemed to be an alien object, standing there in a daze.

A profound sense of disorientation overwhelmed her, and Zhang Xiao began to doubt the reality of the world. Had she really traveled through time? Or was it just an absurd dream, or perhaps a fleeting glimpse before her death?

Zhang Xiao looked shocked and dazed, but fortunately, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was among a group of happy and amazed colleagues.

Before I could fully recover from the shock of seeing the steam engine for the first time, my colleagues enthusiastically pulled me deeper into the workshop.

Along the way, his colleagues kept talking, chattering about the grand plan of the Imperial Workshop—to perfect the steam engine as a birthday gift for the Emperor. The higher-ups were pressing hard, and everyone had to put in their best effort.

Zhang Xiao was promoted to join the program due to his outstanding design and mathematical abilities.

Speaking of this, even the female officer who came to summon her couldn't help but feel envious.

Knowing that her identity as a modern designer was what secured her the job, Zhang Xiao wasn't arrogant. After all, compared to the people of the Qing Dynasty who started from scratch, she was simply fortunate to have the opportunity to receive an education.

She cared more about this time-traveling senior than about promotion.

Zhang Xiao composed himself, a hint of probing still lingering in his eyes, and asked softly, "This steam engine is quite a rare thing. Who was the genius who created it?"

The female official, without stopping, glanced at her sideways and shrugged nonchalantly: "How would I know? It's the idea of ​​the higher-ups. As for who it is, that's a secret. But I've heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has come up with quite a few good ideas and pointed everyone in the right direction."

Zhang Xiao's heart skipped a beat, her curiosity instantly piqued, and she hurriedly asked, "Crown Prince? The Crown Prince understands these novelties?"

The female official immediately perked up, her face beaming with pride: "Of course! Our Crown Prince is exceptionally intelligent. Many of the remarkable projects in the Imperial Workshop have benefited from his guidance. Take that improved water conservancy equipment, for example; without His Highness's advice, how could it have been completed so quickly?"

As he spoke, he gave a thumbs-up and shook it, his admiration and praise on his face undisguised. "No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince is like a celestial being descended to earth."

"An immortal descending to earth?"

A cloud of doubts swirled around Zhang Xiao, who could barely control his expression. How did things suddenly shift from a science channel to a metaphysical one?

"Yes, didn't you know?"

The female officer slowed her pace and turned to look at Zhang Xiao with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

Zhang Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly explained, "Sister, you don't know this, but I used to be a servant in a wealthy family. I only cared about things inside the mansion and didn't know much about what was happening outside. If it weren't for His Highness the Crown Prince giving me this opportunity, I wouldn't be here at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau."

"Oh, I see," the female attendant said, a hint of embarrassment on her face, perhaps worried about touching a sore spot. She explained to Zhang Xiao with even more warmth and gentleness, "His Highness the Crown Prince is deeply blessed by Heaven, and his Flying Bird Squadron is invincible..."

As the female official recounted the Crown Prince's glorious deeds to her, Zhang Xiao couldn't help but widen her pupils. Was this true or false? Wasn't this just an ancient method of keeping the people ignorant?

So the crown prince isn't a time traveler, but a reincarnated deity?

Still suspicious, Zhang Xiao was filled with worry and didn't look at the female officer's expression again. She followed her absentmindedly all the way to their destination.

"Alright, this is no longer a place I can go in. Please come in, Lord Zhang."

"Thank you, sister. Oh, I forgot to ask, what's your name?"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiao's question, the female officer smiled gently and said, "Just call me Yu Tan."

"Yu Tan, thank you." Zhang Xiao nodded to her, collected his mixed thoughts, and walked into the courtyard.

Watching her departing figure, Yu Tan's smile gradually faded. Something was definitely wrong. Zhang Xiao, where did you come from?

In the forty-third year, it was Emperor Kangxi's fiftieth birthday, and the celebrations were exceptionally grand. However, because Crown Prince Yinreng said he had a surprise for Kangxi, Kangxi disregarded past customs and led a group of ministers out of the Forbidden City with Yinreng.

A winding, gleaming black railway track lay flat on the earth, like a sleeping iron dragon, gleaming with a cool and strange light under the sunlight.

Looking at the scene before them, the crowd whispered among themselves, their faces blank, unable to make sense of it.

Emperor Kangxi had known for a long time that Bao Cheng and the Imperial Workshop had been working on preparing a birthday gift for him, and he had been happy about it for a long time.

The day had finally arrived, and Kangxi's curiosity grew stronger. He turned to look at Yinreng, about to ask a question.

Just then, a powerful whistle ripped through the sky, like the roar of an ancient beast. Startled, everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a colossal object billowing towards them, trailing thick smoke!

The steam engine, with its solid and heavy steel body, sparked as its wheels collided with the rails, and the chimneys on both sides of the vehicle spewed out white smoke, like an iron dragon riding the clouds.

Before anyone could panic, Yinreng stepped forward and announced loudly, "Father, this is the birthday gift I have prepared for you."

In an instant, all around fell silent, as astonishment gripped everyone's throats.

Emperor Kangxi stood frozen in place, only regaining his senses after a long while. His eyes shone brightly, filled with a complex mix of shock and surprise. He involuntarily took a few steps closer to the steam train, as if to get a better look at this wondrous creation, muttering to himself, "What is this thing? It is so amazing..."

"Your Majesty may sit down and take a look."

Yinreng smiled and extended his hand in invitation. Out of trust in his beloved son, Kangxi accepted without hesitation and boarded the steam train with a group of curious princes and apprehensive ministers.

"The railway connecting the capital with the Mongolian grasslands has been completely completed. Father Emperor can ride a steam train and be surrounded by green grass and blue sky in less than a day."

Looking at the exquisite interior of the train and listening to Yinreng's introduction, Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed: "Excellent! In my life, I have collected countless rare treasures, but none can compare to this! Nor can they match Bao Cheng's sentiment!"

Emperor Kangxi looked at Yinreng with tenderness: "With a son like this, what more could I ask for? Baocheng, with such talent, when will you be willing to take over my heavy responsibilities?"

Yinreng: "??"