Chapter 78 Chapter 78 I already knew
The opening ceremony was held with great ceremony. As Emperor Qianlong's procession entered the station, music was heard inside.
This is a new piece of music composed by Yunlu and officials from the Ministry of Rites, and it will be used in the opening ceremony.
Fuheng and the officials from the Railway Department knelt beside him to welcome him and shouted "Long live the emperor" three times.
Qianlong personally helped Fuheng up and waited until the officials from the Ministry of Rites said the auspicious time had arrived before he walked towards the train that was stopped on the tracks.
After repeated tests, the train had nine carriages: the front four were for cargo, one was for coal and charcoal, and the back four were for passengers.
Under the guidance of Fuheng and others, Qianlong boarded the second to last carriage.
This carriage was built specially for him.
Yonghuang, Yonglian and Yongzhang followed behind. Although they were amazed when they got on the car, they did not dare to shout loudly.
Yonghuang then quietly asked Yonglian, "Can the windows of this car be opened?"
Yonglian said, "Of course you can. The train needs ventilation, but it's difficult to operate while the train is moving, as coal dust will fly up."
He had visited this carriage before and participated in the discussion during its design.
Qianlong took his seat, with the three princes sitting behind him. Fuheng sat opposite Qianlong and introduced the stops the train would pass.
The Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway passes through Badaling. Before laying the line, the Railway Department repeatedly surveyed the terrain and designed a herringbone railway. This section of the line was also the most difficult to lay.
The bus departs from Nankou, passes through Juyongguan, Badaling, Xuanhua, and finally arrives in Zhangjiakou. The entire journey takes about six hours.
Today, Qianlong only traveled from Nankou to Juyongguan, and then took a carriage back to Beijing.
With a long whistle, the train slowly drove out of the platform.
Several young boys couldn't help but lean over the car window to look out, and the scenery outside the window quickly receded.
"It's so fast!" Hongzhou said. "When I heard you talk about the speed before, I couldn't imagine it. Now I understand. It would be great if every province could have a train."
Qianlong was also thinking about this problem. This train was more comfortable than he had imagined. The carriage was much more spacious than the small train that was tested in Nanyuan last time, and the glass windows were also bright.
He could work and review memorials in the car without any delay. Later, when he took court ministers on inspection tours, no one accused him of wasting people's money and time.
Next autumn, he would definitely take his mother on a train ride to Mulan for the hunting trip.
Qianlong then asked about the cost of the car and its future operation mode. Yonglian had a lot of say in this matter because he came up with many ideas.
"This train sells tickets by station. For example, from Nankou to Juyongguan, it's 100 wen per person, and to Xuanhua, 200 wen. Cargo is charged by weight."
Qianlong nodded and said, "The ticket price cannot be set too high. This train is for the convenience of the people."
It should be an official from the Ministry of Industry.
Everyone took the train to Juyongguan and visited the platform on the lower side of Juyongguan.
The waiting area was a bit simple, a big shed with rows of long benches underneath.
Qianlong said: "When this railway starts to make money, we will first build the platforms along the route."
Hong Zhou suggested, "We should set up a separate room for the dignitaries to wait for their trains, and we can charge them for tea, snacks and other refreshments."
Yonglian thought to himself, isn't this the VIP room? "Sixth Uncle, this is a good idea!"
Railway officials quickly came up with a series of ways to make money, including contracting out the business of selling tea, cakes and snacks at the station.
The train can also be divided into VIP carriages, which simply replace the wooden seats with soft couches and add some tables, screens, etc. It is not unreasonable to triple or quadruple the ticket price.
In order to show off their status, those dignitaries would definitely be willing to pay this money.
Qianlong discovered that Hongzhou was also very good at making money, and he and his own Yonglian had similar interests.
But he didn't stop them. Laying railways and manufacturing steam locomotives were too expensive. If this railway did not make money, the court would not be able to build the next one.
The convoy outside the station was ready, and Qianlong returned to the capital with a large group of people.
On the way back, everyone was discussing steam trains in the carriage.
Hongzhou persuaded Yunli to buy a few shops near the station and open restaurants and inns in the future. These places would definitely not be deserted in the future.
These matters were taken care of by the palace servants, so Yunli said, "Your father will go back and find a few people for you. You tell them how much money they need, and just tell your mother." Since the child had a mind for making money, he let him practice.
Yonghuang and Yongzhang were two honest children. Instead of thinking about making money, they were discussing where the next railway would be built.
Yonghuang thought that a railway should be built from the capital to Shengjing, but this road was difficult to build. It was too cold outside the Great Wall in winter and trains were prone to malfunction.
Yong Zhang believed that the railway should be built along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou line and extended to Shanxi, as Shanxi had a developed commercial sector and could also boost commerce in other cities along the route.
At this time, Yonglian was in Qianlong's carriage, listening to Fuheng and Haiwang discussing the tax collection issue of the Railway Department.
The Railway Department was originally under the Ministry of Revenue, so taxes naturally went to the Ministry. However, trains required steam engines, which were provided by the Manufacturing Bureau. Hai Wang felt the Manufacturing Bureau had the right to collect some of the taxes. Fu Heng agreed to the Manufacturing Bureau collecting taxes, but the two disagreed on how much to collect.
Qianlong felt a headache after hearing this and thought this matter was very troublesome.
Yonglian picked up the paper and pen from the table in front of Qianlong.
"There's no need to argue about this. Just calculate the cost first, and then distribute it proportionally. Let me do the math..."
Hai Wang and Fu Heng couldn't help but stop and look at Yonglian lovingly as he settled the accounts.
Qianlong: “…”
Isn't it the job of the lower-level officials to settle accounts? How can a decision-maker be doing this?
Qianlong couldn't help but imagine his son sitting on the dragon throne in the future, and the officials below arguing with each other, so he took out paper and pen to start settling accounts.
Although this scene is not very decent, it seems to be tolerable if the problem can be solved.
Yonglian calculated quickly and reported the result to Haiwang and Fuheng, adding, "This cost is based on what you reported previously, but the price of cast iron and wood will change every year, so the ratio should be recalculated every year."
Hai Wang was convinced by this method, and Fu Heng would not undermine his nephew, so the two agreed to collect taxes according to this method in the future.
When I returned to the palace, it was already dark.
The young boys were so hungry that their stomachs were growling, and they were already discussing eating hotpot later.
Qianlong had wanted his sons to accompany him for dinner, but before he even reached the Yangxin Palace, he saw the eunuchs from the Imperial Concubine's Palace running in hurriedly, kneeling down and crying, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is not well."
Qianlong's heart sank. Although he had been prepared, he was still very sad. He sent his sons back to the prince's residence and hurried to the imperial concubine's palace.
The Queen and Concubine Xian had already arrived, and both couldn't help crying.
The Queen then suggested that Emperor Qianlong promote the concubine to a higher rank.
This is to follow the example of the Imperial Noble Consort Dunshu, who was given the title of Imperial Noble Consort when she was seriously ill.
Qianlong agreed and immediately asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare the document for the imperial concubine's canonization.
The imperial concubine's face was pale and her breathing was rapid. Qianlong held her hand and asked her if she had any last wishes.
The Imperial Concubine curled her lips and said, "Your Majesty has come to see me. I have no regrets."
She had many regrets. She had no children, her younger brother was convicted, and she wanted to help her niece, but the emperor refused.
What else was there for her to say? She might as well leave a good impression on the emperor in the end.
Two days later, Imperial Noble Consort Gao died of illness, and Emperor Qianlong gave her the posthumous title of "Huixian".
The funeral was held with great ceremony, and Emperor Qianlong even wrote a eulogy.
The ladies of state and the inner court went to mourn according to the ritual. Concubine Chun and Concubine Jia were sad, but also somewhat relieved.
Everyone knows that the imperial concubine’s biggest regret is that she has no children. Even if she is favored, it is empty.
Empress Xian was thinking that she had no children and no one was favored. If she died of illness one day, her life would be even more miserable than that of the imperial concubine.
The Empress was incredibly busy, with the general election just days away, and many women of high rank took the opportunity to visit the Empress while mourning. Some royal families had their eyes on a particular girl and asked the Empress to arrange a marriage for her, while others had a daughter running for the election and asked the Empress to look after her.
Anyone who can speak to the Queen must be of high status or seniority, and the Queen cannot refuse them.
In the evening, Emperor Qianlong came to Changchun Palace for dinner. When he mentioned Imperial Noble Consort Huixian, he couldn't help crying.
He came to see the queen every day these days and reminisced about the imperial concubine with her.
The Empress had been feeling sad for the past two days, but she couldn't stand Qianlong's daily antics. When she heard him mention Huixian again, she said, "When I die one day, can you use the characters Xiaoxian as my posthumous title?"
Niu Lun was also present at the time. The little girl opened her eyes wide in shock and looked at the Empress Dowager.
Qianlong was stunned for a moment, then felt even more sad. He sighed, "Why do you say that? I'm afraid your posthumous title is not something I can decide."
This means that he, the emperor, will die before the empress.
The Niulun people were dumbfounded. What were Khan Ama and E Niang doing? Why were they discussing posthumous titles?
She quickly changed the subject and showed Qianlong her newly written lyrics.
That night, Niu Lun returned to his room, still thinking about what had just happened.
She had always thought that Khan Ama and Empress Dowager Cixi were the most loving couple in the world, and she hoped that she could meet a prince consort like Khan Ama. But now she thought it was better to forget it.
In the past, Niu Lun was very eager to get married. In fact, she already knew that Khan Ama had taken a fancy to Prince Darhan's grandson Balzhuer.
She also knew that this man was good-looking and would please the Queen Mother.
But at this moment, Niu Lun was a little less looking forward to getting married.
A few days later, Yonglian came to Changchun Palace to pay his respects to his mother. Niu Lun called his brother into the house to talk and told him what Khan Ama and his mother had said that day.
"My mother's words were so ominous, they made me feel uncomfortable. And then Khan Ama said that out of spite. I was really scared at the time, thinking they were going to have a quarrel. But the next day Khan Ama came again, bringing a pot of daffodils. The two of them were chatting and laughing while admiring the daffodils."
Niu Lun expressed his incomprehension.
Yonglian said, "How can we quarrel if we don't want to reconcile?" Khan Ama and E Niang are not such people. Even if they have some grudges in their hearts, they will not show it on their faces.
Not everyone can be like the Empress Dowager Cixi in history and break off relations with the Emperor. There is a price to pay for that.
Niu Lun sighed, "I don't know why, but when they quarrel, I don't feel so bad."
Yonglian sighed as well, but as a child, it was impossible for him to interfere in such matters. He could only tell his sister, "Mother has been busy lately, so you should help her out."
Niu Lun had learned some skills in handling palace affairs from the Empress. She nodded, "I know. I'm the one who arranged the clothing for each palace this year."
Yonglian praised his sister for her ability. Niu Lun was so happy that he smiled and said mysteriously, "Second brother, do you want to know which girl the Empress Dowager chose for you as your legitimate wife?"
"The audition is just starting tomorrow? And you already know about it?" Yonglian raised his eyebrows.
Niu Lun nodded, "It's already about 70% accurate."
"Whose family?" Yonglian was of course curious about his own marriage.
"I won't tell you." Niu Lun smirked, "If it's not true, it will be troublesome."
Yonglian: "...You're deliberately trying to keep me in suspense, aren't you?"
"yes!"
"You bad girl!" Yonglian couldn't do anything to his sister, so he snorted, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. I'll know in a couple of days anyway."
Niu Lun smiled and said, "You will definitely be happy if you know."
The second brother likes to read Nanxing's books. If he knew that Nanxing was his future wife, he would definitely be overjoyed.
Niu Lun was laughing inwardly when he heard Yonglian say, "Master Shu's daughter is also going to participate in the selection this year."
"Ah...how did you know?"
"Of course it's because of my age." Yonglian murmured.
Nanxing will discuss marriage after participating in the talent show. Can she still write storybooks after getting married?
Yonglian has always known that Nanxing is Shuhede's daughter. Although Nanxing did not write about the Jade Emperor helping Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang in the Northern Expedition, the imaginative style of "Journey to the West" is unique to her.
Moreover, Uncle Hongxiao said that Shuhede's followers were very similar to the servants who went to the editorial team of "Guochao News" to submit manuscripts for Nanxing.
Uncle Hongxiao guessed that they were father and son.
Knowing Nanxing's identity, Yonglian also told Hongxiao not to tell anyone so as not to affect the reputation of the Shu family girl.
In order to make Nanxing's identity more hidden, Hongxiao told a familiar bookseller that Nanxing was the Red Belt Jueluo he knew.
Later, this statement spread and even Fu Wen and others believed it.
In addition, Nanxing's writing style has a bit of vulgarity, so no one would guess that Nanxing is actually an unmarried girl.
After she gets married, will her husband's family be unhappy if they know that she writes these things?
Yonglian couldn't help but sigh when he thought that he might never see Nanxing's book again.
"Second brother," Niu Lun patted Yonglian, who seemed lost in thought, and asked tentatively, "Have you taken a fancy to the young lady from the Shu family?"
"Don't talk nonsense, I haven't even seen her." Yonglian said hurriedly.
"Then why did you mention her?" Niu Lun asked curiously.
"Since she is my master's daughter, I naturally pay more attention to her," Yonglian said.
Niu Lun smiled and said, "Do you want me to take a look for you?"
Yonglian shook his head quickly and glanced at the wall clock. "Khan Ama should still be in the Yangxin Palace now. I'll go find him." Then he stood up and ran away in a hurry.
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