Today's trains are not very fast, and they stopped several times along the way, so it took several days to reach the outskirts of the Zhou capital.
Lu Yuanbai took his small bag, holding a bag of orchid beans in his hands, looked out at the moonlit night sky, and said softly, "It's so dark here, I can't see anything clearly. Why don't we wait at the station overnight before going?"
Upon hearing this, Tana said without hesitation, "It's best not to delay. Although the area near the capital is safe and Immortal Langyun can do as he pleases, you and I are both officials of the Great Zhou. If we arrive in the capital and stay outside without immediately entering the city to pay our respects, it would be troublesome if someone with ulterior motives catches us in the act."
Lu Yuanbai nodded and said nothing more.
In fact, he grew up in the capital and came from a prominent family. He had a thorough understanding of the ways of the world and understood what Tana said.
But I just feel a little reluctant.
He himself couldn't explain what he was reluctant to leave. After thinking about it, he probably just couldn't bear to leave the days on the train.
It was a small compartment, and once the door was closed, the only sound one could hear was the slight clanging of the train.
The place was not big, and even though he and the female matriarch were sitting opposite each other, he could still smell the refreshing scent of grass on each other.
In the evening, under the afterglow of the setting sun, he could even see tiny specks of light on the man's eyelashes.
Even though he could only play cards and chat, Lu Yuanbo was as happy as if he were in heaven.
I even think, how nice it would be to spend the rest of our lives just with each other.
But after getting off the train, they maintained a polite distance and even glanced at each other when they spoke.
Even though he knew in his heart that this was their normal way of getting along, Lu Yuanbo still felt a little disappointed.
So he turned around and saluted the cold train, saying solemnly: "The mountains remain unchanged, the rivers flow forever, take care on your journey."
This made Tana laugh: "Why are you saying goodbye to it? It doesn't understand."
Lu Yuanbai thought to himself, he was not saying goodbye to the iron lump, he was clearly saying goodbye to his happy life during this period of time.
But he absolutely didn't dare let Tana know this, so he just sighed: "This is my first time riding a train. It's rare. I really don't know when we can meet again."
Tana replied, “Soon.”
"Hey, how did you know that, sir?"
"I'm planning a return trip in ten days. I've already bought the tickets. Why aren't you going?"
Lu Yuanbai: ...Oh.
There was still some distance from the station to the capital, so a car came to pick them up.
It wasn't a horse-drawn carriage, but a brand new car... a carriage pulled by horses.
The people in Langyun felt helpless about this, but they could also understand it.
After all, the number of cars manufactured now is limited, and it is just starting out. In comparison, horse-drawn carriages are actually a step ahead in terms of capacity and comfort. When there are many people, horse-drawn carriages are still the first choice.
The reason why cars were used was probably because the Zhou State attached great importance to the people from Langyun, so they sent the highest standards.
It’s this configuration… a bit of a mix and match.
Xia Ying took out his mobile phone and took a picture, preparing to post it on the system forum.
But compared to the calmness of the Langyun people, the people from the grassland seemed particularly shocked.
If they were not afraid of trains because they saw them so often, then this new windless and automatic car seemed too new.
Many people from the grassland were a little discouraged and even approached their own family head: "Well, actually, we can ride horses, and if that doesn't work, we can also walk."
Tana said, "No, let's all take the carriage."
The man still wanted to struggle.
As a result, Lu Yuanbo explained softly: "Although I don't know where this thing came from, it was obviously sent by the capital city. This is to give us face. No matter what it is, you have to use it."
The grassland people looked at each other and seemed reluctant.
After all, he is used to being wild and is not good at these face-saving things.
So, Lu Yuanbo, the teacher, came up with the most effective solution: "Whoever doesn't sit will have their homework doubled and will have to hand it in tonight."
In an instant, the grassland people who had been resisting straightened their backs and got into the car with high spirits.
It would be more convincing if we ignore the two trembling legs.
Tana looked at them and sighed: "Master Lu is really capable. I thought you were afraid of this thing too."
Lu Yuanbo was about to say that he was not afraid, but he quickly reacted.
Yes, before on the train, he created a pitiful image for himself...
So, the next second, the young master of the Lu family, who had just been speaking righteously, instantly drooped his shoulders, lowered his eyelids, and took a few deep breaths.
Then he secretly glanced at Tana, took a few steps over there, and seeing that Tana didn't move, he moved over again.
Tana felt helpless: "Master, what's wrong?"
Lu Yuanbai said confidently in a tone of grievance: "I don't dare to take the car by myself."
“There are quite a lot of people up there.”
"But only the clan leader said he would protect me. You promised me."
Mr. Lu has a good voice, clear and mellow, and a good-looking appearance, elegant and dignified.
So even if he said something cowardly like that, it would only soften people's hearts and not make them feel annoyed.
Tana's expression instantly relaxed. She let him get on an empty car with her, and whispered to him, "It's okay. I heard from the immortals that although the sound is a bit loud, it's not dangerous."
"Really? It looks scary."
"Really, really, how about you sit next to me? If there's any danger, I can take you away."
"Hmmmm."
However, Xia Ying, who often played poker with them on the train, did not go over to disturb them. He just stood not far away, looking at the horseless carriage with the curtains drawn, with admiration on his face.
Seeing this, Yan Tao, who was about to go to the bus, couldn't help but ask, "Senior, what are you looking at?"
Xia Ying breathed a sigh of relief and said with emotion: "Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills, you are not lying to me."
Yan Tao: ???
However, Lu Yuanbai did not feel afraid at all, and he did not even feel homesick. Instead, he was very anxious.
I have been away from home for a long time, so I am naturally happy to be able to go back and see my parents.
But when he actually entered the gate of the capital and excitedly lifted the curtain to look outside, he was suddenly stunned.
Seeing that half of his body was almost sticking out of the car window, Tana was startled. She quickly reached out and grabbed the belt of the jade pendant around his waist, fearing that he would fall out. She asked, "What are you doing?"
Under normal circumstances, if Tana cared about him so much, Lu Yuanbai would have been so happy that he would have taken off.
But now he showed no intention of turning back, his voice even hoarse: "This is the capital? I've lived here for twenty years. How come it's only been two years and you don't recognize it anymore?"
Tana was puzzled and followed to look.
Then I saw a bright light.
In the past, the capital city was not completely dark at night. There were lampposts on both sides of the road with lanterns hanging on them, which was very beautiful. The vendors would also carry lanterns so that they could see the road clearly.
But the lighting at that time is obviously not the same as the lighting now.
The lamp pole is still a lamp pole, but the thing on it has turned into a small round glowing ball.
The vendors still hang lanterns, but they no longer contain candles, but something brighter.
There will also be colorful and flashing lights hung on both sides of the road.
The pedestrians on the street are no longer walking silently, but are talking and laughing, and their clothes are very different from what we imagined.
There is also a green landscape planted at the intersection of the two widened main roads, and the surrounding area is also bright.
It was obviously carefully constructed. The "Sea and River" pattern formed by the flowers at the bottom didn't look like something that could have grown by itself...
Lu Yuanbai stared at it eagerly, as if he could never see enough.
After a long while, he murmured, "Is this the electricity approved by the organization?"
Tana hesitated and said, "It should be, right?"
Lu Yuanbai gradually began to smile, his eyes looking at the people eating, drinking, playing and making noise on both sides of the road. Compared with the elegant and romantic scenes described in poetry and books, they were much more vulgar, but he particularly liked this atmosphere of fireworks: "It's really beautiful, really beautiful."
Tana was curious: "What beauty?"
Lu Yuanbai said softly: "A peaceful country and a peaceful people are the most beautiful."
Tana didn't fully understand the romance of scholars.
But the man's expression at this moment made the female leader look at him several times.
Under the bright lights, this frail scholar is inexplicably charming.
On the other side, everyone in Langyun was also looking outside.
Xia Ying faced the bright eyes and said softly, "Listen, there is a sound."
Yan Tao was curious: "What's that sound?"
Xia Ying smiled and said, "It's the countdown for us to go home."
Yan Tao laughed along, knowing in her heart that what the other person said was right.
The progress bar has been pulled again and again. At the current speed, returning home is just around the corner.
But soon she leaned against the car window, looking out eagerly, mumbling, "I want to go down for a walk too."
Xia Ying asked her: "Why, do you think it looks good?"
Yan Tao shook her head and replied, "Not really, I'm just a little greedy. The spicy hot pot over there smells so good."
This made Xia Ying feel a little awkward and confused: "If you want to eat it, I can find someone to cook a bowl for you, right?"
Yan Tao said seriously: "It's different. The food on the street always tastes better than what I cook myself."
Xia Ying, who studied medicine, said subconsciously, "But after all, home is more hygienic..." Feeling the little girl's puffed up face, he immediately changed his tone, "But I also think the food at the street stalls is delicious. I have things to do today and tomorrow. Wait until I can finish my work. I'll accompany you to eat from the beginning to the end of the street, okay?"
Yan Tao smiled immediately, and the dimples on her cheeks made the smile extremely sweet, causing Xia Ying to quickly look away.
He was afraid that if he continued watching, he would really need to take insulin...
Yan Tao didn't notice anything strange about this person. She continued looking out the window and asked, "What happened these past two days?"
Xia Ying had calmed down by now, and his voice was much more steady. "Although electricity is spreading rapidly, it's still a little hard for ordinary people to get used to it. Seeing it on the street is fine, but having it in the house is still a bit scary. By comparison, it's much more commonly used in factories."
"The light, you mean?"
"There are also various types of equipment. Once electricity is available, the replacement of these types of equipment will be much faster, and medical and health conditions and standards will also need to be revised. I went there this time to attend a meeting to set new rules."
"Then why should I go too?"
Xia Ying didn't say anything. Perhaps because they had always been in and out of the grassland together, he had already tacitly tied the two of them together in his mind.
Now being asked about the face...
Let me make up a reason.
But before Xia Ying could come up with an answer, Yan Tao said, "Think about it from another angle. It's not a bad idea for me to go with you. After all, I'll need some relevant knowledge in my major in the future, especially for the pastures and farms on the grasslands. I should also give them a sticker."
Seeing that the other party had given him a way out, Xia Ying couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and asked casually, "What are you preparing?"
Yan Tao's voice was sweet and soft: "It's sterilization surgery. Only by cutting it off can it grow strong."
Xia Ying: ...
It's clearly a repetition of words, and it clearly means cute, but I just feel cold.
But the night market trip that the two had agreed on was not immediately fulfilled.
After they finished visiting the factories outside the capital, the day of Kong Lingyun and Colliver's wedding came next.
Perhaps it was to show how much he valued Ban Kui, or perhaps it was to compete with the Qi State not long ago. In short, Princess Lingyun's wedding was held in a grand manner.
The King of Zhou even invited many guests. Even though Qi and Zhou were not on good terms, as small countries, they naturally sent people to congratulate him.
For a moment, the palace was bustling with activity.
On the wedding day, there was a dazzling display of red wedding ceremonies stretching for ten miles, causing a sensation in the capital.
Xia Ying and others did not go to the streets to watch, but stayed in the palace to visit the wedding in another world.
In other words, it's a modified version of the wedding.
Even though Collifer and Princess Lingyun were still wearing the exquisite, beautiful and gorgeous traditional Zhou wedding dresses, modifications could still be seen in the details.
Especially Kong Lingyun’s hair accessories, which were obviously made by He Yiyi and others.
Other places, from the ten-layer cake to the surrounding light shows, are all unique.
As for the background music, it is even more varied.
From traditional to trendy, there was even a court band with mixed instruments from different dimensions performing a wedding march on the spot, which really made Xia Ying feel cyberpunk.
So he tilted his head and asked, "Master Zhong, who arranged all this?"
Zhong Zuo, who was standing nearby, stood up straight, showing none of his usual sloppy demeanor and looking very dignified as an official.
Upon hearing this, he immediately replied, "Of course it's the Ministry of Rites," and then paused, "and our Sixth Young Master."
Xia Ying was surprised: "Kong Zhang? Why is he planning all this?"
Zhong Zuo said with a smile: "It is said that this is the experience learned from Qi State. It can be used... yes, for advertising."
Xia Ying: ...a business genius.
But Zhong Zuo quickly explained, "Of course, the more important thing is to show it to the people. Nowadays, people are still a little afraid of these things that move automatically without wind and emit light. In addition, these are made by themselves, not directly given by immortals, so they will be a little hesitant. But as long as the royal family uses it, it will serve as an example, so the people will naturally follow suit."
It sounds like it makes sense.
It's like using the royal family as a mascot...
Xia Ying then asked, "Was this also Kong Zhang's idea?"
Zhong Zuodao said, "No, that's what Mr. Tan Min thought."
Zhong Zuo had a feeling of "as expected".
Mr. Tan’s political history lessons were indeed not in vain.
Thinking of this, Xia Ying looked around, but did not see Tan Min.
At this time, Lord Tan was in a hidden corridor, and in front of him was Lu Yuanbai with a serious face.
Although Mr. Lu was doing educational work on the grassland, on the surface, he was a banished soldier and still bears the consequences of his crime.
In other words, his life and death is still in the hands of the government, and the person in front of him is the highest-ranking official among them, so naturally he has to be honest.
Fortunately, the questions Tan Min asked him were all common things, and his answers were quite smooth.
But he didn't know that when Lord Tan heard it, it sounded full of loopholes.
He tapped his palm with his fan and asked casually, "Where do you think the focus of power generation should be placed?"
Lu Yuanbai replied respectfully, "Everywhere is good. I dare not make any comments on this matter, but the grassland has both wind and water, and it is indeed a good power generation center."
"So, how's the progress of the enlightenment program on the grasslands that you just mentioned?"
"It's not that fast. We are just stupid people, but the efforts made by the grasslands are worthy of recognition."
"So, you think the people there are reliable enough?"
"I don't have a comparison, so it's hard to say for sure, but it does look like a place with potential for long-term development."
Tan Min was silent for a moment, then said softly, "If I pardon all your crimes now, let you return to the capital, and directly join the Imperial Academy, would you be willing?"
The Hanlin Academy, known as the reserve for the Prime Minister, is a place where only the top three in the imperial examination can enter.
But Lu Yuanbai refused without hesitation: "Thank you for your kindness, my lord. I am still willing to work on the grassland and reflect on my sins..."
"What nonsense!"
Tan Min's voice was cold and angry, which really scared the young master of the Lu family. He swallowed back his words before he finished speaking and choked and hiccuped.
He covered his mouth. After all, he was young and thin-skinned, so his face turned red all of a sudden.
But Tan Min was not amused by him. Instead, he frowned and said sternly, "From the very beginning, you have been trying every possible way to protect Cao Yuan. Tell me, what is your purpose?"
In fact, he already had some guesses in his mind.
Even though Lu Yuanbo just kept talking about not daring and being stupid, it is unusual for a person to give up his position in the Hanlin Academy and go to the grassland to live in the open air.
Is it the benefit of the grassland?
Or maybe he is coveting that piece of border land?
Tan Min even thought about whether he, as a member of the Lu family, wanted to revive those already disgraced aristocratic families.
But at this moment, Lv Yuanbo, with a red face, suddenly murmured: "I, I do have impure intentions."
Tan Min: Death Stare.
Lv Yuanbai: "I do like talking about the patriarch."
Tan Min: ...What did you say?
Lü Yuanbai was too embarrassed to look up, his voice as low as a mosquito's buzz. "She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Proud, heroic, and unique. If I could spend the rest of my life with her, I would be content." At this point, Lü Yuanbai pleaded, "Sir, please don't tell her. I don't want her to think I'm reckless... Actually, our meeting was only possible thanks to your matchmaking. It was you who instructed the Prince Consort to take me to the grasslands so I could see Tana."
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and Lu Yuanbai even forgot to blush.
It was a rare opportunity to express his true feelings, and he couldn't stop talking once he started.
It’s a pity that when Tan Min heard it, it all turned into “Aba Aba”.
Mr. Tan's expression changed from astonishment to helplessness, and finally to confusion.
At the same time, he was also reflecting.
Am I thinking too complicatedly about people's hearts?
I really didn't expect that my conspiracy theory would lead to such a result.
Love-brainedness is indeed an area he cannot understand...
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