Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Let's start the demonstration."

Following Fang Zheng's order, Han Qi began to tinker with the two models, and as the flame ignited, the water tank inside the model train gradually began to boil.

Under Li Yuanzhao's incredibly shocked gaze, the little train slowly moved.

As the speed gradually increased, it began to circle around the track.

The entire demonstration was incredibly smooth.

Although it was just a model, Fang Zheng was already very satisfied.

Putting aside everything else, at least the feasibility verification had passed, and that was an epoch-making innovation!

He glanced sideways at Li Yuanzhao's expression and saw him staring intently at the little train, his eyes filled with unprecedented enthusiasm.

Fang Zheng was even more satisfied.

Even if a real train couldn't be created in a short period of time, selling train toys would be a huge hit!

This thing wasn't just for kids; even adults would become addicted to watching it.

Even he, who had transmigrated, hadn't played with such high-end toys as a child, and it made him itch with desire.

So many idle princes and nobles in the capital. Wouldn't they swarm it upon seeing it?

Then, he could organize a modification and racing competition or something.

What if a few modification geniuses emerged from among them... perhaps there could be major inventions!

After all, games have always had a significant role in promoting technology.

It's just a pity that this kind of technology should be considered a state secret and cannot be revealed in a high-profile manner.

Li Yuanzhao was drooling as he watched, and he turned to ask Fang Zheng: "Lao Fang, how about setting up a set of this in my Eastern Palace?"

"Not a big problem. If Your Highness likes it, I'll have someone make you a set, but you can only play with it in private. Don't let anyone know."

"No problem!" Li Yuanzhao thumped his chest loudly!

Seeing that both of them were satisfied, Han Qi grinned from ear to ear and quickly asked for credit: "Master, what do you think? Is this result okay?"

"No, it's far from enough. I want something practical. This... at best, it can only be considered a toy."

Although Fang Zheng was happy in his heart, his expression was still very calm.

These bastards are already arrogant enough; he couldn't let them get any more complacent.

"If it's scaled up proportionally, can it be made into a vehicle that can carry people and goods?" Fang Zheng asked.

Han Qi said dejectedly: "Master, the problem lies here. This little car seems to be able to move smoothly. But once it's enlarged, various uncontrollable problems will arise, and adjustments must be made to the structure and materials. If it's just a simple loss of control, that's fine, but I'm afraid it will explode like other equipment, causing casualties. We are still working on overcoming these problems."

"However, the institute has already built a prototype for testing. Master, please follow me."

Prototype... Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes, both excited and somewhat surprised.

He originally thought that seeing a small model would be the end of it, but there was already a prototype?

Han Qi led the way.

Li Yuanzhao was still staring intently at the little train running on the track, and Fang Zheng pulled him away.

The three of them arrived at the second warehouse in the blink of an eye.

Fang Zheng felt inexplicably nervous. When Han Qi opened the warehouse door, a dark, huge object was immediately revealed in front of the three of them.

Fang Zheng only felt his heart skip a beat, and old memories flooded into his mind!

That dark object was the locomotive, the real locomotive! Although the shape was slightly different from the one in his previous life, it was generally similar.

Li Yuanzhao slowly opened his mouth wide, his expression extremely shocked.

Isn't this thing just the toy from just now? If such a huge lump of iron were to run... that would be too terrifying. Wouldn't it be a god-slaying god and a Buddha-slaying Buddha?

Fang Zheng silently circled the locomotive twice, breathing rapidly, his emotions rising even higher.

No one understood the significance of this thing more than he did.

He was witnessing history, he was witnessing history again!

No... not just witnessing, he was creating history again, and this time he could feel it very clearly... the developmental opportunity from the agricultural era to industry.

The appearance of the locomotive seemed extremely incongruous, but this intense contrast brought a very strong impact, especially to him.

Fang Zheng couldn't help but touch the cold body of the car and sighed.

Now, he felt that he finally deserved the title of transmigrator...

"Can this car move?"

Han Qi shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Not yet... it's not completely impossible, but it can only move for a moment, at least the wheels have turned."

Fang Zheng nodded and walked to Han Qi, patting him on the shoulder: "Very good, being able to move even a little is very good. This is a big step for mankind!"

To be honest, he only provided the concept, and he couldn't help with the specific details. He didn't expect a group of country bumpkins from Taoyuan County to create a miracle from scratch.

At this moment, he no longer had any thoughts of being critical.

Being encouraged like this by Fang Zheng, Han Qi felt a huge grievance welling up in his heart.

For so many years... so many research institutes in the county, they had always been scolded as useless.

But now, the master personally acknowledged them... he could die without regret!

"Why didn't you report this to me earlier after this thing was made?" Fang Zheng asked, staring at the locomotive.

"Master, it's actually only been made recently. We wanted to report it, but it's still too far from being usable, so we wanted to wait until it was completely finished before notifying you... I didn't expect you to take the time to come and see it in person today."

Han Qi's face was slightly ashamed.

Fang Zheng nodded: "Based on your experience, how much longer will it take for it to run? I want a specific number."

A specific number...

Han Qi looked embarrassed: "It takes several months to build such a machine. I think at least... three years."

Fang Zheng was secretly delighted. For the advent of the train, three years... was really too short!

"Five years. I'll give you five years. Within five years, I want to see it successfully running on the track. During this period, if you need manpower, find it from the East Suburb Academy. Don't wait for the approval from above. Report how much silver you need directly to me."

Han Qi froze in place, followed by ecstasy!

Three years was estimated based on the current situation. If more investment could be added, five years would be no problem.

"Don't worry, Master! I will definitely live up to my mission!"

Fang Zheng hummed and looked at Li Yuanzhao: "Your Highness, how do you feel?"

Li Yuanzhao shook his head: "I don't understand, it's unbelievable... I've really opened my eyes today. Lao Fang, how is your brain wired? You can come up with such outrageous things."

As he spoke, a sense of shame welled up in Li Yuanzhao's heart.

What was he playing with before! What tigers and leopards, were just cats and dogs. Lao Fang's toys were much more fun!

"I just don't know how the carrying capacity of this car will be in the future. If it far exceeds that of a carriage, and tracks are laid all over the country, and this car is used for transportation, then wouldn't there be no need for long-distance travel by carriages and horses in the future, and the supplies for military expeditions... hiss, it's unimaginable!"

After speaking, Li Yuanzhao fell into deep thought again.

He really reacted quickly, Fang Zheng thought, connecting everything to war.

Suddenly, Li Yuanzhao raised his head sharply, his eyes filled with excitement, and said: "I suddenly had a brilliant idea just now. You said... since steam can drive such a big iron thing, then why do we have to use it to build a car? Why not build a giant iron man, put two cannons on his shoulders, turn his fingers into muskets, and control it with people inside. Wouldn't it be a killing machine on the battlefield! Am I right?"

"..."

Fang Zheng roared in his heart, this was a bit too much of a jump forward, directly evolving into a steam-powered Gundam!

"Uh... Good idea, Your Highness!"

......