Chapter 108 Electric Scooter: Wei Zhongxian's Private Stash
These two thousand elite soldiers were not all killed at once; those who were clever enough to surrender were captured and prepared to be dispersed and sent to Songyang County.
They just need Zhuge Liang to give them a few days of ideological education.
Everyone else went off to do their work, but Huo Qubing lingered around Jiang Ge, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't, making it clear that he had something on his mind.
"What's wrong?"
Django asked directly.
Huo Qubing was also very direct: "Magistrate Jiang, last time it was three thousand, this time..." What happened?
Surely it's not like only Yue Fei gets paid while the others don't?
He wants to buy a motorcycle...
Huo Qubing had a wish: to buy a motorcycle so that he would be the coolest guy in the Han Dynasty.
After Huo Qubing's reminder, Jiang Ge realized what she had forgotten: she had forgotten to pay the others, as she was too stunned to look at Yue Fei.
Add it, add it.
It was right after get off work hours, and everyone was heading to the administration office.
Once everyone had arrived, Django distributed the rewards for this event.
Three thousand yuan per person, although it can't compare to fifty thousand yuan, is still much better than a salary. Wei Zhongxian's eyes flickered a few times when he saw the account balance.
Unlike others who spend money as soon as they have it, Wei Zhongxian secretly saved three thousand yuan. With this latest three thousand yuan, he now has six thousand yuan.
Just looking at this balance is enough to make anyone envious.
Wei Zhongxian was satisfied and didn't touch the money this time. He would save it all up; if it could grant immortality, it could surely regenerate any defects.
Besides, he wasn't born a eunuch; he had a precious child before.
All he wants now is for his precious baby to grow back. Even the most exquisite baby he holds at night is just a cold, lifeless thing. How can it compare to the baby that grew back naturally?
The Ming Dynasty must be saved, and so must our precious baby!
This precious child is far more important than the Ming Dynasty.
Just as he was lost in his daydream, a steady voice came from behind him: "Eunuch Wei, what a refined interest you have. What are you looking at?"
Wei Zhongxian's account was hanging in mid-air, and it still had a balance.
Wei Zhongxian hurriedly turned around, cold sweat beading on his back. He forced a dry laugh and said, "I was just checking the weather..."
"Oh?" Zheng He stepped forward, the pleasant scent of soapberry wafting towards him. "What is the purpose of the six thousand dollars in Eunuch Wei's account?"
Wei Zhongxian's expression changed drastically, and he took two steps back like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: "You, you, you..."
You've been talking for ages and still haven't come up with a clear answer.
“Songyang County is only so big. Every time Eunuch Wei takes the money, he disappears, which inevitably attracts attention.” Zheng He’s tone was calm, but every word was like a knife.
"Zheng He!" Wei Zhongxian finally dropped his pretense, his shrill voice rising eight octaves, "Our family affairs are none of your business!"
Everyone turned to look at the two men, never expecting that Wei Zhongxian, who was always smiling, could actually lose his temper. But this was ultimately a matter for the Ming Dynasty, and no one else could interfere.
Zheng He remained calm and focused intently on Wei Zhongxian, saying, "His Majesty is currently worried about the people of the world."
Wei Zhongxian's eyes flickered, his hand gripping his phone tightly in his sleeve: "That's a matter for the court, what does it have to do with us?"
What he truly wanted to say was that this was the Zhu family's domain. He had already attained immortality, and the fate of the nation was no longer his concern.
“Eunuch Wei,” Zheng He suddenly became serious, clasped his hands and bowed deeply, “you once headed the Directorate of Ceremonial and oversaw the administration of the court. Now that you have the opportunity to save the Ming Dynasty, why not use this money for the benefit of the nation? Just by purchasing grain seeds, you can save tens of thousands of lives.”
The trees rustled outside the window, and a fallen leaf landed on Wei Zhongxian's shoulder. He thought of the Chongzhen Emperor's young yet sorrowful face, and of his own former glory and power. But soon, the empty feeling in his chest pulled him back to reality.
"It's easy for Lord Zheng to talk when he's not the one suffering!" Wei Zhongxian retorted sarcastically. "You made seven voyages to the Western Ocean, earning your place in history, so naturally you don't understand the suffering of people like us who are disabled!"
In Wei Zhongxian's view, Zheng He had transcended the ranks of eunuchs, and his contributions were no less than those of any general who expanded the territory.
Zheng He is remembered in history, but what about him?
A flicker of pity crossed Zheng He's eyes: "I was castrated at thirteen, how could I not understand? But precisely because of my disability, I should prioritize the affairs of the state. Eunuch Wei, wealth is ultimately just an external thing..."
"Bullshit!" Wei Zhongxian suddenly roared in fury, his face contorted with wrinkles. "You hypocrites! If there really were a way to make you a complete man again, wouldn't you be tempted?"
Zheng He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "If personal gains and losses are placed alongside those of the country and its people, then my personal gains and losses are insignificant."
It's easy to tell from Zheng He's expression that he genuinely thought so.
Wei Zhongxian was speechless.
“Eunuch Wei,” Zheng He regained his composure, his tone turning stern, “do you know how many soldiers froze to death outside the Great Wall because of the military funds you embezzled in the Nine Garrisons? How many civilians became dead by the roadside because of the disaster relief funds you withheld?”
These are all debts that must be repaid eventually.
A gust of wind blew by, and Wei Zhongxian's face alternated between pale and flushed, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He thought of his own luxurious life while the disaster victims were forced to eat tree bark; he thought of the silver he had spent building shrines for the living while the soldiers on the frontier wore tattered armor...
“Now there is an opportunity to make amends,” Zheng He stepped forward, his voice booming like a great bell, “Give this money to His Majesty, even if it can only buy a pound of grain seeds or a bag of refined salt, it will be atonement!”
Wei Zhongxian staggered backward, his back hitting the rough wall. Two images flashed through his mind: on one hand, regaining his great treasure, and on the other, the withered faces of the people.
"Our family...our family..." Wei Zhongxian's voice suddenly became hoarse, like a deflated balloon.
Seeing this, Zheng He softened his tone: "Lord Wei, the deficiency lies not in the body, but in the heart. If you could use this money to save the country and leave your name in history, wouldn't that be far better than..."
"Shut up!" Wei Zhongxian suddenly screamed, shoving Zheng He aside and running out. "Our family affairs are none of your business!"
Zheng He slowly turned his head and sighed. If Wei Zhongxian continued like this, the next time he "fell ill," it wouldn't be a problem that could be solved with just a beating.
The argument between the two was just a minor incident and did not dampen Huo Qubing's enthusiasm for buying a motorcycle.
He browsed the merchandise.
These motorcycles cost tens of thousands of yuan, how can they be so expensive?
He can't afford it with three thousand yuan right now...
Jiang Ge kindly suggested, "Would you like to take a look at electric scooters? They're much cheaper, you can get one for just over two thousand."
If you can't buy a motorcycle, you can buy an electric scooter. One Aima can take you anywhere.
Huo Qubing's eyes lit up: "An electric scooter? How fast can it go?"
"It should be similar to a thoroughbred horse, but this thing never tires..." The young general immediately jumped up: "Let me see!"
Half an hour later, Huo Qubing rode a gleaming black electric scooter back to Dahan, with a complimentary "Electric Scooter User Manual" and "Modification Guide" hanging on the handlebars. Although not as flashy as a motorcycle, this little iron horse was quiet and agile, and had its own unique charm.
"Anyway, it takes much longer than a real horse running!" Huo Qubing comforted himself.
In front of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an City.
The guards were on their routine patrol when they suddenly noticed a strange phenomenon—the Marquis of Champion, Huo Qubing, rode a black two-wheeled chariot silently towards them. The chariot made no sound of hooves or wheels, appearing before the palace gate like a ghost.
"Wh...what is that?" The captain of the guard rubbed his eyes.
Huo Qubing grinned and deliberately pressed the carriage bell. "Ding-a-ling—" The crisp sound of the bell was particularly jarring in front of the silent palace gate, startling several guards who almost jumped up.
"Make way! Make way!" Huo Qubing shouted, and the electric scooter made a nimble turn, drawing a beautiful arc across the square without raising a single speck of dust.
The horses of the Imperial Stables pricked up their ears in confusion. They could smell the metallic and rubbery scents, but they could not hear any familiar threatening sounds. For a moment, they did not know how to react.
At that moment, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, was hunting in the Shanglin Garden when he suddenly heard a strange noise coming from the direction of the palace gate, followed by a chaotic shouting. The imperial carriage lurched violently, and Liu Che almost fell off his seat.
"What's going on?" Liu Che lifted the curtain and saw Huo Qubing riding a monster he had never seen before, having a great time in front of the palace gate.
"Qubing!" The emperor's voice changed drastically. "What...what is this?!"
Huo Qubing braced himself on one foot and casually removed his sunglasses—a gift from Magistrate Jiang, said to be an essential item for riding a bicycle.
"Your Majesty, this thing is called an electric scooter, and it can travel a thousand miles a day." He patted the front of the scooter affectionately. "It lasts even longer than a Ferghana horse!"
Liu Che's eyes widened, and he disregarded his imperial dignity, taking three steps at a time to reach the electric vehicle. He carefully touched the smooth paint: "Does this iron beast need to be fed?"
"No need, no need, just charge it." Huo Qubing proudly introduced, "Magistrate Jiang said that two cents can charge it for four hours."
This left Liu Che completely bewildered, but it did nothing to diminish his curiosity. The emperor circled the electric cart once, then suddenly asked, "May I try it?"
Huo Qubing's eyes lit up, and he patted the back seat: "Your Majesty, please take a seat! I'll give you a ride around!"
Just as Liu Che was about to take a step, the eunuchs behind him knelt down, crying, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! This item is of unknown origin; what if..."
"Enough with the nonsense!" Liu Che flicked his sleeve. "Could Qu Bing possibly harm me?"
His Majesty the Emperor carefully climbed onto the back seat, his hands gripping Huo Qubing's belt tightly. Huo Qubing grinned, "Your Majesty, hold on tight!" With that, he twisted the throttle, and the electric scooter shot off like an arrow.
"Slow down! Slow down—ah!!!" Liu Che's startled cry quickly turned into an excited cheer, "How wonderful! This thing is truly wonderful!"
When Liu Che got off the plane, he was still reluctant to leave, but Huo Qubing had already pressed the accelerator again.
It flew away.
General Wei Qing was training his troops on the drill ground when he suddenly felt a cool breeze behind him. He turned around abruptly and saw Huo Qubing riding a strange two-wheeled vehicle, which had silently stopped three steps behind him.
"Ah!" Even Wei Qing, a seasoned general who had fought countless battles, was startled. "You brat! Why did you leave without a sound!"
Huo Qubing grinned as he took off his helmet: "Uncle, this is my new electric scooter, in silent mode!"
Wei Qing looked closely and saw that the iron beast was indeed strange. It had neither a horse's head nor a horse's tail, only two wheels and a board, yet it could stand steadily.
"This thing...is rather interesting." Wei Qing couldn't help but circle the electric scooter once. "Really, not a sound at all?"
"Look!" Huo Qubing gently turned the handlebars, and the electric scooter glided forward silently. "Nighttime reconnaissance of the enemy camp, without anyone noticing!"
Wei Qing's eyes lit up, but he immediately straightened his face again: "Fancy talk! Warfare relies on real swords and spears!"
“Uncle, you are mistaken.” Huo Qubing took out a scroll of bamboo slips from the basket of the cart. “Look, this is the ‘Electric Vehicle Modification Guide’. We can add arrow boxes, long gun racks, and even pull a small cart to transport grain and fodder!”
Wei Qing took the bamboo slips, his brows furrowing deeper with each reading: "What...what kind of nonsense is this..."
Just then, a groan came from the back seat of the electric scooter. Wei Qing then realized that Huo Guang had been tied to the back seat at some point and was so carsick that his face had turned pale.
"Huo Qubing!" Wei Qing's roar echoed across the training ground, "You've bullied your brother again!"
Huo Qubing chuckled and untied the ropes: "I was just letting him experience it..."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the drill ground. Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, arrived in his imperial carriage at breakneck speed. As soon as the emperor alighted, he excitedly exclaimed, "Qubing! I want one of those electric scooters too!"
Wei Qing's vision blurred, and he nearly fainted. He could almost see the scene in the near future: the Emperor and Huo Qubing riding these electric scooters recklessly...
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Author's note: Huo Qubing couldn't use the national subsidy to buy an electric scooter [doge][doge][doge]
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