"Your Highness, let me show you something fun."

"What?"

Fang Zheng mysteriously took out a small rectangular silver box.

This small box is about one finger long and one finger thick.

Li Yuanzhao looked over and asked curiously, "What is this?"

Fang Zhengyi smiled slightly and gave a thumbs up.

The upper half of the small box popped open with a click and flipped to the back.

The strange internal structure was revealed.

There is a raised piece and a small black roller on the side.

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

With a crackling sound, the flames ignited.

After rubbing it several times, a stable flame finally burned completely.

Li Yuanzhao's eyes lit up: "Oh, it's on fire! This thing is interesting, much more useful than a fire stick, what is it called?"

Fang Zhengyi said proudly: "Lighter, have you learned something new?"

Li Yuanzhao couldn't wait to grab it and play with it. After playing with it for several times, he nodded vigorously: "Good stuff, really good stuff, this thing is very useful, what's the principle behind it?"

"It's flint and alcohol. I went to Dongda University and asked someone to spend three days making it." Fang Zhengyi explained, "But it's not practical. The alcohol evaporates in a day, and you have to keep injecting alcohol later. It's not as good as a tinderbox."

Li Yuanzhao immediately lost interest and threw the lighter back: "Then it's just a toy, it's useless. Why don't you use kerosene? That stuff doesn't evaporate easily."

"It won't light up. I've asked the School of Chemistry to research new fuels. Maybe we can find some useful ingredients in the kerosene. Maybe it can be used for the four-wheeled car you mentioned in the future." Fang Zheng said with a smile.

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

"I'll find someone to do it when I think of it. But your highness, what's the matter that you suddenly asked me to come here today?"

Li Yuanzhao pondered and said, "Aren't you building a high-rise building in Taoyuan County? How is it going?"

Fang Zhengyi was stunned. "Almost done. The whole thing has been completed. Now we are decorating the surrounding environment and debugging some equipment. When it is completely finished in a few days, I will invite His Majesty and all the officials to take a look. What's the matter? Is there any problem?"

Li Yuanzhao nodded and said, "I heard some rumors in the capital...Someone saw a tall building in Taoyuan County and came back to say that the building was built so high because it was built with piles..."

"Bullshit!" Fang Zheng slammed the table in anger.

This kind of groundless nonsense was spread everywhere on the construction site in my previous life.

I didn't expect that such rumors would still appear now, it's really weird!

"This is a miracle of engineering. What do you mean by driving piles? Let me know which bastard said that. I'll use him to drive piles when I build the next building!" Fang Zheng said indignantly.

Even after so many years of popularizing scientific concepts, such rumors are still inevitable.

Li Yuanzhao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, it's so incredible, my waiter at the restaurant also talked about it, I almost believed it."

Fang Zheng said disdainfully, "No one can believe you. Your Highness even built the train himself."

Li Yuanzhao scratched his nose, a little embarrassed: "Okay, when you are ready, call me and I will go with you to see it. I will leave first. Several big merchants have made appointments to meet with me today."

......

In the warm room, Emperor Jing was discussing matters with his ministers.

There were several small tables on the ground, with fruits and vegetables on them.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone was chatting while eating.

When he was halfway through his speech, the eunuch came to report.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Jianye requests an audience."

Emperor Jing waved his hand casually.

As soon as Fang Zheng entered, he pointed to an empty seat and motioned for him to sit down.

Fang Zhengyi did not sit down. He bowed to everyone and said to Emperor Jing: "Your Majesty, do you remember that I told you about the skyscraper a few months ago? I came here today to inform Your Majesty that the skyscraper has been completed. Do you think... when will you have time to go to Taoyuan County to inspect it in person?"

Before Emperor Jing spoke, Li Yansong was already unhappy: "Marquis Jianye, do you still need to trouble your Majesty to go to Taoyuan County for such a trivial matter?"

"The overseas situation is complicated now, and domestic affairs are busy. How can Your Majesty leave the palace so easily?"

Fang Zhengyi said calmly, "Not only Your Majesty, but everyone here can go. Let's go together."

"My Lord, are you listening to me?" Li Yansong asked unhappily.

"I heard it." Fang Zheng said with a grin, "But this building in Taoyuan County is extraordinary! It is the collective wisdom of Dongjiao University and countless craftsmen. It can be called the best building in the world!"

"I think that with the rapid population growth in our city and the increasing trend of gathering in large cities, such buildings may become common in the future, which is very meaningful!"

Everyone was amused.

He was still panting!

Let’s not talk about the trains and cannons, you are so awesome!

Now you need some advice when building a house, isn't that a bit too arrogant?

Someone joked, "I've also heard about the skyscraper that the Marquis built. I heard it's more than ten feet high. As far as I know, only towers are built that high, right? The house you built is for people to live in permanently. Living on the top floor and running up and down every day must be exhausting!"

"You said that this population concentration does exist, but didn't Taoyuan County already build a six-story building? I think that six-story building is excellent. Even if the population of Dajing increases sixfold, there is no need to build a building more than ten meters high."

Fang Zheng smiled but said nothing.

He really couldn't refute what these people said.

In terms of practicality, skyscrapers are indeed unnecessary in today's world and even seem useless.

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

In terms of commercial value, there is no doubt that this kind of building will attract a lot of attention in the early stage.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Zheng said, "Everyone, your majesty has been in the palace for a long time, busy with state affairs. Although state affairs are important, your majesty's health is more important. A combination of work and rest is the way to maintain health."

"It won't take long, just one day, everyone go and have a look and have some fun. I, Fang Zhengyi, guarantee with my reputation that you will have a worthwhile trip and it will broaden your horizons. Can you think of a time when I have let you down?"

Um! ?

Many people nodded unconsciously

Li Yansong raised his eyebrows.

That's true, Fang Zheng's work...is pretty good as long as he doesn't flatter too much.

That's much more interesting than some messed up auspicious omen!

I have to say it's very impressive. Who knows, maybe he can do a big job this time.

Fang Zheng continued to say to Emperor Jing: "Your Majesty, I actually have some selfish motives. After I completed the construction of this building, many rumors spread among the people, saying that the building was built by using living people to drive the stakes. If such rumors spread, it will really corrupt the world and people's hearts."

"So as long as Your Majesty goes there, these vile and malicious rumors will be refuted."

Emperor Jing smiled and said, "Okay, stop talking so much. It's not a big deal to go to Taoyuan County now. After two days of rest, you can accompany me to see this so-called skyscraper."

......