Wang Xuecheng and Yan Ci, after great effort, finally made their way through the crowded crowd and arrived at the waiting hall.
"Line up and get on the bus with your ticket."
“Don’t push!”
Boom boom boom!
The stick banged on the table.
"Anyone who doesn't maintain order will be kicked out. After all these years, you still haven't learned to queue!"
"Report, I want to go to the toilet."
"There's a toilet on the left, go there by yourself. This isn't a military camp, there's no point in reporting it."
From what I heard, most of the station staff were veterans, who had just been trained and were on duty for the first time.
"Well, well, I'm going to the toilet. Is this spot still mine?"
"No waiting after the deadline. So, please empty your stomach before queuing."
This statement attracted criticism from many people.
"What the hell are you arguing about!" Boss Niu walked out of the public housing.
Niu Lao Da, a retired soldier from the Tianlang Army, initially worked as a stationmaster at the Balipu Toll Station. He later changed positions and moved to several toll stations.
Some time ago, I heard that Sihai Road and Bridge needed to recruit a group of skilled station staff, preferably those working in Beijing.
Boss Niu slapped his thigh and said, "My chance has come!"
Without any hesitation, Boss Niu signed up for the exam and passed it successfully.
Why did he insist on coming to the capital?
This was because a few years ago, he couldn't resist his wife's nagging and bought a house in Phase 6 of Xinmin County.
He works at a toll station and has to rotate to another job every one or two years. He has no chance to live in a house in Beijing, which is a big loss.
It's a rare job opportunity in Beijing, and the salary is good, so I naturally can't let it go.
After overcoming numerous obstacles and defeating countless competitors, Niu Lao Da stood out and became the stationmaster of the double-track Xinmin County Station.
He had retired from the army and was working in various places, so he was used to everything being in order and in good order.
Seeing someone disobeying the rules, making a lot of noise, and looking like they were about to cause trouble, his temper flared up, "Whoever makes noise again, I'll kick him out."
Boss Niu is tall and strong, and his appearance alone is very intimidating.
Especially his murderous look. When he roared, the volume in the hall dropped instantly.
Seeing that the hall had quieted down, Boss Niu finally calmed down.
He called over two station employees. "Go to the gate and direct people. Remember to let the trains in one by one. Those who board after half an hour will be kicked out. Why rush in before the time comes and join in the fun? This place is so small, there's no room for so many people."
The employees obeyed the order and went to the door to check tickets and provide guidance.
Then Boss Niu called over a few station staff members. "Everyone, lining up together, that's ridiculous! Open the two gates at the back. Those who bought luxury cars will board first, followed by the comfort cars, and finally the standard cars."
"Hurry up and feed the horses. The carriage has arrived at the station. Have the horses been changed?"
In order to ensure the speed of the carriage, horses must be changed after arriving at the station.
There were four stations along the way, two of which were also used to change horses.
For this purpose, a large stable was set up at the other end of the railway track, which was looked after by a dedicated person.
Yan Ci's ticket is for the comfort carriage.
He and Wang Xuecheng were guided to the nearby gate by station staff.
He asked curiously, "Can we get in the car first?"
"Yes."
Beep, beep, beep...
Three quick whistles blew, the gates opened, and the pit stop began.
Those who buy luxury tickets enter the station first and get on the bus first.
Next came Yan Ci and Wang Xuecheng's turn. On the door of the second carriage, the word "Comfort" was written in large letters.
The two men stepped onto the carriage using footstools.
call!
“So spacious!”
Two rows of seats, arranged neatly.
I counted and found there were four rows and sixteen seats.
"Look, the seat numbers are printed on the ticket. We are seats one and two."
"Fifty cents a seat, too expensive."
"Of course being expensive has its advantages. Look, it's full, which shows there are quite a few people willing to spend fifty cents on a double-track carriage."
"Hey, there are also food and drinks for sale."
"Great! I'll have to try out the luxury carriage tomorrow."
“I wonder what a regular carriage looks like.”
The ordinary carriages are filled with benches fixed to the floor.
One carriage can easily accommodate forty or fifty people, including those sitting and standing.
Soon, all the carriages were full.
Twelve strong horses pulled three carriages towards the new Imperial College building.
Someone soon discovered the difference.
"From the Imperial College to Xinmin County, there are five carriages, but only eight strong horses are needed. From Xinmin County to the Imperial College, there are only three carriages, but twelve strong horses are needed. Why is this?"
"Because the road from Xinmin County to the Imperial College is mostly uphill."
"I see."
"Even if it's uphill, I can run fast enough."
"I'm afraid it's two or three times faster than a four-wheeled carriage."
"This is an uphill climb. Three times might not be a problem, but two times is not a big deal."
"Wouldn't it be faster going downhill?"
"It can't be too fast, or it might overturn. As long as it's two or three times faster than a four-wheeled carriage, it'll be a big enough advantage."
"The most important thing is to set up stations along the way so that horses can be changed easily. This way, the carriage can continue to run."
"How can I keep running at night without light?"
"Just hang a few lanterns on the front of the car. At worst, you can just drive slower at night."
"That makes sense. But isn't it a bit too expensive to build a full-length railway track? We also have to be wary of people stealing the tracks."
"Hahaha, you can't steal it. You didn't notice that the rails are fastened with screws and nuts, so they're very tight. Without tools and a lot of strength, there's no way you can pry the rails open."
"What are screws and nuts?"
"When we get to the station, you'll find it if you look carefully."
"Then if I have the tools and the strength..."
"Do you really think the Jinwu Guards are vegetarians? This is the Empress's property. Before you think about taking the railroad tracks, think about whether you and your family's heads are worth chopping off."
When they heard about beheading, everyone fell silent.
Yan Ci sat in the comfort compartment, grinning.
This experience is so fresh.
The biggest feeling is speed, the scenery outside the window passes by quickly.
The second is stability.
Sit firmly in the seat.
There is a conductor sitting at the door of the carriage. If you want to buy food or drinks, just go to him.
The seat is by the window and has a small table that can be put down and used.
"Hey, give me a pound of braised beef and half a pound of rice wine."
Yan Ci was wealthy and didn't care how high the prices on the carriage were.
Wang Xuecheng stopped him and said, "Brother Yan, the things on the bus are twice as expensive as at the market. Don't buy them."
"Try something new, it's my treat."
The small table was put down, and the braised beef and rice wine were served.
After taking a bite, Yan Ci nodded repeatedly, "It tastes authentic. Brother Wang, please eat quickly and don't be polite with me. Just invite me to your house for a drink tomorrow."
Wang Xuecheng said, "Then I won't be polite."
"You're welcome. You're welcome."
The two of them ate braised beef and drank some wine.
The aroma of rice wine filled the noses of the other passengers, making everyone's appetite rise.
Then some people donated money and bought some wine and food to eat.
The carriage gradually slowed down.
"We've arrived at the Col Station. If you want to get off, take your luggage and get ready to get off."
"Look, this platform is so small, is anyone here?"
"There really is someone. Someone is getting on the bus."
"Where?"
People in another row also came over to watch the fun.
"Someone actually got on the train, and it was an ordinary carriage. It's cheaper to get from here to the Imperial College."
"It's a penny cheaper," said the conductor.
"Look, there are more people getting on the luxury carriage."
Bai Zhong, accompanied by a eunuch, stepped into the door of the luxury carriage.
Since he returned to Beijing last year, he has been busy with the construction of the Imperial College.
Today he went from one station to another, riding and experiencing the trains himself, from ordinary carriages to luxury carriages, just to see if there was anything that needed improvement.
The luxury carriage is high-end, classy, luxurious and high-profile, exuding the signal of wealth everywhere.
The floor was covered with a rich peony carpet worth hundreds of taels.
The carriage is made of mahogany, and the curtains are made of Shu brocade...
The word "rich" can be felt in every detail.
Even the footstools for getting on and off the car exude a luxurious feel.
The huge carriage has only six seats, which is comfortable and spacious.
There are two conductors serving.
There is a wine cabinet, providing wine, food and hot soup.
Authentic taste, great price.
Bai Zhong got on the luxury carriage, where there were exactly two empty seats.
The other four guests, each with a wealthy look, were happily enjoying the food and wine.
For this trip, the transportation fee is a small expense, but food and drink are a big expense.
Bai Zhong took a quick look and calculated that the food and wine on the table were worth about twenty taels.
The carriage was running fast on the rails.
When they arrived at the second station, Bai Zhong got off the train with the eunuch.
They waited for the next train, ready to experience the ordinary carriage.
The ordinary carriage was crowded with about fifty or sixty people, including those sitting and standing, and was seriously overloaded.
The smell of sweat hits my nose, that sour smell...
"Open the window and get some fresh air."
"The window was already open."
The windows only have frames, no screens, mainly because it's hot now and needs more ventilation.
"I'm getting squeezed to death."
"Who touched my butt?"
"Is there a thief in the car?"
"Everyone, please be careful with your wallets. Don't let anyone touch them."
"If I had known it would be so crowded, I would have paid a little more for the comfort car."
"Do you have that kind of money? Even if you did, would you be willing to spend it?"
"They're all dishonest merchants. A ride in the comfortable carriage costs fifty cents. Who can afford it?"
"I heard that the comfort car only has sixteen seats, and they're all chairs, and you can eat on them."
"The luxury carriage is even more impressive, with only six seats."
"I really want to go up and broaden my horizons."
Everyone chatted in a flurry, finding joy in the midst of hardship. While experiencing the speed of the double-track carriage, they surrounded themselves with the sour and stinking smell and cursed the owner for being a profiteer.
Finally arrived at the station.
Bai Zhong felt unwell and got off the carriage in a hurry.
The ordinary carriage is really unfriendly to people.
That taste, that sour and refreshing feeling, is unforgettable.
My nose seemed to be malfunctioning, I could only smell sour and stinky smells, but not the scent of green mountains and clear waters.
The eunuch fanned him with a fan and asked, "Master, are you feeling better?"
Bai Zhong rubbed his nose and said, "We need to discuss with Huanyu Bus Company to widen and lengthen the ordinary carriages."
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