Gods have their own troubles, and mortals have their own happiness.
If we compare it with Zhu Youxiao, the emperor also has joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness, and has many worries.
This has nothing to do with material enjoyment and is perfectly normal. Everyone is constantly dealing with problems in life, and the emperor is of course also a human being.
Fortunately, there was a gentle and docile woman by his side, who soothed his sorrow and anger with soft words, allowing him to regain his normal state of mind and continue to shoulder the responsibilities he should bear.
It would be great if I had a versatile person like Wang Meng, who could manage the government in an orderly manner, and the seas and rivers would be peaceful and the world would be at peace. I could then just sit back and enjoy myself.
Zhu Youxiao had thought about this more than once, but in the end it was just wishful thinking. There was no other way. In terms of broad knowledge and far-sightedness, who could surpass him?
Even if he could be somewhat reassured, someone who could see the Ming Dynasty's many accumulated problems and had the courage to promote benefits and eliminate them, he still hadn't found one.
Zhu Youxiao was filled with emotion and helplessness. He took the tea offered by Fan Xiaohui and drank it slowly. In a blink of an eye, he saw that Fan Xiaohui was no longer nervous. She probably felt relieved after seeing that his anger had mostly subsided.
"Xiaohui, what gift will you present to congratulate me on my birthday?" Zhu Youxiao stared at the girl with a look of mixed joy and worry on her face with a half-smile.
Fan Xiaohui smiled shyly and said, "Your Majesty, I don't have anything precious, but my needlework is decent enough. I've been thinking of embroidering a silk handkerchief for Your Majesty these past few days to express my congratulations."
Zhu Youxiao felt warm in his heart, but deliberately teased: "The palace people have been paid, how much have you saved? Why not give it all to congratulate me."
Fan Xiaohui blinked her eyes, a look of reluctance flashing across her face. She knew the emperor was teasing her. How could the emperor care about the little money she had saved?
Zhu Youxiao extended his hand and beckoned the smiling maid to his side. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I am looking forward to receiving the silk handkerchief you embroidered. It will definitely be a great gift."
Fan Xiaohui's ears felt itchy and her body felt a little weak, so she subconsciously said "hmm".
…………………….
The news of the flying experiment had already spread throughout the capital, and Damingmen Square was specially opened to ordinary people.
Although no one knows why the emperor set the rule of resting every seven days, the rest days have become the days when the capital is more lively, with more people coming and shops doing better business.
People came from all directions early in the morning. Everyone knew that although it was open to the public, the place was so small and there must be restrictions.
During the Ming Dynasty, the area between Daming Gate and Zhengyang Gate was a bustling city street, commonly known as "Chessboard Street." As the boundary between the imperial city and the city, a dismounting monument stood outside Daming Gate, where civil officials dismounted their sedan chairs and military officers dismounted their horses. Inside the gate lay the Imperial Road.
Those who came to watch the fun thought they came quite early, but those who were doing small business came even earlier, and after taking a good seat they started shouting out their wares.
The restaurants and teahouses closer to Daming Gate had all been reserved in advance. These were people of status and wealth, and even if they couldn't get a close look, they didn't want to crowd in with the common people.
"Thirsty water, thirsty water, iced thirsty water." The girl from Liaodong has a clear voice and is very hospitable. Even when the autumn heat is still raging, business is really good.
"Give me two bowls of water." A middle-aged scholar wiped the sweat off his face, threw copper coins into the big bowl, and turned to look at the behemoth in the square.
Another young scholar followed, still complaining, "If I had come earlier, maybe I could have entered the circle and seen the holy face."
The middle-aged scholar didn't take it seriously and said, "We're so close, and the etiquette is very strict. How can we watch casually like here?"
As he spoke, the middle-aged scholar took the thirsty water and took a big sip. A cool feeling spread throughout his body and he let out a long breath of comfort.
The young scholar shrugged helplessly and reached out to take the thirsty water handed to him.
The imperial guards had already cordoned off a large open area, allowing only personnel from the Academy of Sciences responsible for experimental operations to enter, while all outsiders were kept outside.
Xu Fuyuan, Wang Jizhong and others were busy and did not feel tired, but were very excited.
Leaping into space and soaring into the sky were things only gods could do. But today, they were about to demonstrate their "miracle" to the world. This included the emperor, of course. And since this was something that would go down in history, how could they not be excited?
The hot air balloon was made of wire mesh as the frame and oilcloth as the skin. It was very large, bulky and ugly, and could not be compared with those in later generations.
But it was heated by kerosene, had a load capacity of 300 kilograms, and could be raised 20 to 30 meters, which was an extremely remarkable construction at the time.
"Inspect carefully and make sure there are no mistakes." Xu Fuyuan stole a glance at the Daming Gate and said, "There are so many people watching. The Emperor might even show up. It would be so embarrassing if we fail."
Wang Jizhong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Wansui will definitely come, otherwise why would he put it here for experimentation?"
After a pause, Wang Ji said again, "Don't be nervous, Brother Xu. We've tried this many times. There won't be any problems."
Xu Fuyuan nodded, but still worried, so he went to check the wooden stakes nailed to the ground and the ropes connecting the stakes and the hot air balloon.
Today's hot air balloons can only float in the air, but they lack the power to fly and turn. However, such devices are already under development.
Zhang Yita came over and said with a smile, "The propeller that Brother Shen drew is being made by a craftsman. It's a pity that it won't be ready for this demonstration."
"It's been a long time since I saw Brother Shen." Xu Fuyuan sighed, looking up at the hot air balloon expanding under the heating of the whirring kerosene stove, and the bulging skin gradually filled the space in the wire cage.
Zhang Yita was about to speak when he heard a commotion and turned around to look.
"Your Majesty has arrived." Xu Fuyuan's voice trembled with excitement, and his eyes looked towards the Daming Gate.
A bright yellow figure, surrounded by guards and palace servants, appeared at the Daming Gate. First, the imperial guards knelt on one knee, shouting "Long live!" Then, everyone present followed, shouting "Long live!" like thunder.
Zhu Youxiao enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention and ruling the world, so he ordered people to convey his oral instructions, saying that those present did not need to bow and could just look up and watch without any crime.
Xu Fuyuan and others prepared more and more nervously. The hot air balloon's lifting force became stronger and stronger, the ropes were stretched tight, and the basket tied with sandbags was swaying and about to take off from the ground.
It’s time to take off, it’s time to go to the sky!
Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips slightly, showing full confidence in the demonstration and no sign of surprise.
But the people around the emperor, as well as the officials and common people present, were all staring intently, watching the huge, round, strange object slowly rise up, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"Is there someone inside?!" Fan Xiaohui's eyes widened and she couldn't help but mutter. Li Chengcheng nodded repeatedly, his face full of shock.
The emperor smiled and thought to himself: How can I be so shocked if there is no one around? I even want to put a hot air balloon in the palace and take you guys flying!
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