Two hundred thousand strings of cash is no small sum!
People usually describe someone as wealthy by saying they are rolling in money!
Ten thousand strings of cash would make someone rich, equivalent to more than 4.6 million in the 21st century.
Two hundred thousand strings of cash is equivalent to 92 million!
A generous reward will always attract brave men; even if people are skeptical, some will still be willing to give it a try.
This year's Lunar New Year's Day was a little special. I heard that the emperor led his officials to the Royal Academy of Sciences early in the morning.
In the wide open space in front of the Academy of Sciences, there stood a heavy steam locomotive.
Perhaps to welcome the New Year, this steam locomotive was painted bright red, giving it a festive look.
I heard that three thousand Imperial Guards were mobilized today, and even the Imperial Guards stationed outside Tokyo were brought into the city. Everything is very strict, and everyone entering or leaving Tokyo is carefully checked.
But this still couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the people.
Because today, the Academy of Sciences will put on a great show.
I heard from the side that someone has come up with a way to get the steam locomotive moving.
However, there are also rumors that it's just hearsay and that such a thing could never have happened.
It's best to do it during the Lunar New Year. People who are usually busy and have free time are particularly fond of watching, especially since the Song Dynasty official gazette has stated that it is permissible to go and watch.
Early in the morning, as soon as the sun rose, many people headed towards the Academy of Sciences.
Zhao Huan sat on the highest floor of the Academy of Sciences, while someone next to him cooked a pot of fresh mutton and prepared sake.
Not only Zhao Huan came today, but he also brought Empress Zhu Lian and Han Chenchen.
Not only that, but also Crown Prince Zhao Chen and Zhao Huan's most beloved youngest daughter, Roujia.
Furthermore, in order to curry favor with the emperor, all the princes of the royal family have also come today, though they are all below.
The only one invited up was Prince Kang, Zhao Gou.
On the open ground, banners fluttered like clouds.
The princes and ministers who were usually high and mighty were now lined up and sitting around, guarded by guards.
In the very center sat Han Gonglian, with a full head of silver hair, Chen Gui, who was gentle and refined, and Sima Qi, who looked somewhat rough.
The sun rose from the east, enveloping the entire Academy of Sciences, making it appear exceptionally solemn and dignified.
People also felt much warmer.
In the morning, several thousand people had already gathered here to watch.
At this moment, Xu Churen was constantly worried.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, so many people are gathering here. What if rioters suddenly appear?
The emperor really has a big heart!
Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss about building a steam locomotive?
If it fails to run, where will the imperial court's face be?
Xu Churen felt that the emperor was being too reckless. He went to the emperor more than once, pleading with him in tears to stop playing around and to be careful not to hurt himself, but the emperor completely ignored him.
Not only did Xu Churen feel that today's events were going to be incredibly embarrassing, but the princes and nobles also felt that they had been busy for nothing.
If it weren't for the emperor's fondness for this kind of thing, they wouldn't be willing to sit here in this freezing weather.
They always felt that ever since the emperor destroyed the Tanguts and developed the south, alleviating the food crisis of the Song Dynasty, he had become arrogant.
They're still obsessed with this kind of nonsense.
Even if we assume he actually gets going today, so what?
Is this thing faster than a horse?
What if it breaks down halfway?
Moreover, this thing, when it runs on a concrete road, will damage the concrete road in a short time.
From any perspective, this thing is completely useless.
The Emperor!
You've gotten too cocky!
What's the point of putting all this random stuff together?
Chen Yang, the Vice Minister of Rites, leaned over and whispered, "Prime Minister Tang, can this thing really run?"
Tang Ke shook his head: "I don't know either."
"Lord Tang, the emperor's actions have always been unexpected by all of us. He might actually be able to run away."
Tang Ke sighed and said, "What good is it if it can run? This kind of thing is cumbersome and slow. Most importantly, the cost of counterfeiting is too high. It's not worth it, not worth it at all!"
"Why did the emperor insist on making this thing run? Judging from the emperor's intention, he wanted to mass-produce it."
Tang Ke wasn't sure either. If this thing were mass-produced, the national treasury wouldn't be able to withstand much of the losses, as the required amount of iron was too high.
On the other side, Prince Jing, Zhao Qi, whispered to Prince Ji, Zhao Xu, "Seventh Brother, what do you think the Emperor is trying to do? I feel like he's been neglecting his duties lately, which doesn't seem like our eldest brother's personality."
Prince Ji whispered, "You know what, this steam engine is really useful. I've heard that some big merchants have already purchased steam engines from the Ministry of Commerce. It's very useful for iron smelting."
"But now the Emperor wants it to replace the horse, which is obviously unrealistic. If it can't be moved today, the court will lose all face."
Prince Ji continued, "Why are you worrying so much? Just focus on being our peaceful King, and nothing will happen!"
Zhao Qi said, "Seventh Brother, have you heard that the Emperor plans to reduce our salaries?"
"Is that so?"
"I only heard it secondhand, but I heard that the government wants to spend more money on these things!"
Zhao Xu was not happy to hear this. They were the emperor's younger brothers and the retired emperor's own sons, unlike ordinary members of the imperial family.
Throughout history, when has a prince ever been exempted from the tributes he received?
"What is the purpose of this thing?!" Zhao Xu's expression changed immediately.
If this is true, then we'll have to find a way.
Since the case of Prince Su, these princes have sold off all the land they could sell, and at bargain prices.
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