Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

This banquet lasted until dusk.

Discussions were constant and the atmosphere was lively. Many people, driven by strong curiosity and alcohol, kept asking Fang Zheng Yi questions.

Fortunately, he was well-prepared and answered all questions one by one.

Only when his mouth was dry did he finally satisfy everyone's curiosity.

At the end of the banquet, Emperor Jing was drunk, a satisfied smile still on his face: "Zheng Yi, your research and development of the steam engine, and your supervision of its construction, are unparalleled achievements! You have made indelible contributions to the country! From today onwards, railway matters will be handled primarily by Dongjiao University and the Royal Academy of Sciences, with the Ministry of Works coordinating. No one else is allowed to interfere!"

"Dongjiao University... must expand its enrollment! Expand it greatly, with funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue!"

"And the various directors of the Ministry of Works must study scientific theory at Dongjiao University. Since the establishment of Dongjiao University and the Royal Academy of Sciences, they have repeatedly achieved remarkable feats. The Ministry of Works is far behind. Let them study the design of this... steam engine train properly. If they still achieve nothing, I... will not support idlers!"

Although some of what Emperor Jing said was drunken ramblings, Fang Zheng Yi's mouth was already grinning from ear to ear.

Regardless of whether he was drunk or not, the Emperor's word is law. He said it in front of so many people, so it must be honored.

With this promise, his wish was fulfilled, a complete success!

The officials were still raising their glasses, Emperor Jing, supporting himself on the table, staggered to his feet: "It's getting late. We'll discuss any matters tomorrow. It's time to go back. Prepare the carriage."

Fang Zheng Yi said: "Your Majesty, the train is already waiting for everyone at the station. Please, Your Majesty, move to the station."

The ministers were all smiles.

Go back by train? Going back by train is good! We just love riding the train!

......

As expected, after this exhibition, the train became a sensation in the capital.

The people of the capital, regarding this magnificent and magical novelty, transformed from fear to adoration in just two or three days.

The railway operated continuously for three days. Coupled with the collective promotion by Banshan Daily and the Six Ministries' newspapers, a trend has swept through the people.

After getting off work and eating their fill, they would squat beside the railway to watch the train.

The train station and the railway tracks were often crowded with people.

Whenever the train passed by, a group of meerkat-like, clueless people would raise their hands and cheer in unison.

Meerkat

The scene was both bizarre and a little amusing.

There were also superstitious people who knelt down and worshiped the train, and there were also those who were bold enough to deliberately put stones on the tracks.

Even more, several gluttonous people found tempting 'jerky' by the railway, and after mistakenly eating it, were sent to the clinic...

There was no end to the strange phenomena caused by ignorance.

To prevent accidents, Banshan Daily urgently published several popular science articles about the railway.

Only then did this trend subside somewhat.

Compared to the popularity among the people, the court became more cautious.

.....

Inside the Cabinet, there was a peaceful atmosphere. Everyone in the room was holding Banshan Daily, reading about the public sentiment of the day.

After a long while, Li Yansong took off his glasses and let out a long sigh: "It's really terrifying. The train is still operating stably without any problems, which is enough to show that what Fang Zheng Yi said is not false."

"It seems that the railway connecting Taoyuan County and Hengjiang Prefecture is inevitable."

Zheng Qiao put down the newspaper and hesitated: "Is it too hasty... That's an investment counted in millions of taels. It's only been a few days?"

Li Yansong shook his head: "His Majesty is determined to build it, and Taoyuan County has already taken the lead. Once this railway is completed, Hengjiang Prefecture will be no different from the capital region. At that time, the flow of materials will inevitably be greatly accelerated, and even military expenditure will be saved a lot."

"His Majesty's attitude is already very clear, and no one in the court opposes it... Who wouldn't want to see the grand scene of the railway running through the whole country?"

"A change unseen in a thousand years... Fang Zheng Yi has really created something extraordinary."

Zheng Qiao felt a sense of awe.

Since returning from Taoyuan County that day, the second day after waking up from his drunkenness, he had recorded everything he had seen and heard in his diary.

Every time he looked back, the more he delved into it, the more shocked he became. This railway seemed to have countless benefits.

It's just that the trouble now is that although this thing has many benefits, the initial investment is also frighteningly high.

If the fleet's overseas income was not exceptionally high, I am afraid the court would not have the魄力 to make such a quick decision.

And there is another troublesome matter, the court is still considering how to reward Fang Zheng Yi.

He has been promoted too quickly. The merits he has made before, almost every single one of them can be greatly celebrated. The power in his hands and the Emperor's favor are unmatched in the court. Now, another sensational train has emerged... It's really difficult.

At this moment, Zhang Dongxiang suddenly said: "The train is so popular, wouldn't the land prices along the railway be rising?"

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao simultaneously turned their heads, curiously looking at him: "You just thought of that?"

What, they have already taken action!?

Zhang Dongxiang's face stiffened, and a sense of foreboding rose in his heart: "What do you mean?"

"It's already risen, it rose on the second day. Even the wasteland along the railway has doubled in price."

Zhang Dongxiang was dumbfounded, and suddenly slapped his thigh: "Why didn't you say so earlier? If you had told me earlier, I would have also bought some land. How much did you buy?"

The expressions of Li Yansong and the other two gradually became strange again: "We can't buy it. We went to ask a long time ago. People from the brokerage firm said that at the beginning of the railway construction, a mysterious person bought up all the land along the railway at a low price."

"You don't even need to think about it, it must be Fang Zheng Yi. This kid had already planned it! Cunning!"

Zhang Dongxiang gritted his teeth: "He really deserves to die! He had a plan long ago and kept it hidden. He keeps calling me Third Uncle. I even bought him a lot of milk tablets!"

"Are there any milk tablets left? Give me two. That thing is really fragrant."

"Here you go."

Li Yansong chewed on the milk tablet and said: "The land is indeed all in Fang Zheng Yi's hands, and there is no news of it being sold for the time being. But recently, houses outside Taoyuan County are being sold, and I heard that the price is rising very sharply."

"Forget it. I sent someone to inquire. The location is outside Taoyuan County, and the houses are pitifully small, probably only one-tenth of an acre. Who would buy such a house?" Zheng Qiao shook his head with a smile and said, "There are also large houses, but they must not be cheap."

Zhang Dongxiang's eyes lit up: "What's wrong with the houses being small? As long as the price rises, buy it and sell it again. What's the difference between that and buying land? You just have high standards. You're used to living in big houses and you don't look down on small houses?"

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao's eyes lit up at the same time, and then they returned to calm.

Zheng Qiao picked up the newspaper again and seriously read the news, saying indifferently: "I'm not interested. Land prices in Taoyuan County have always been frighteningly high. Those who can go there are all rich people. Who would look up to a small house? It's said that the price is rising, but it's just being hyped up."

Li Yansong put on his glasses again and chuckled: "That's right, who would buy a small house outside the city? Don't send silver to Fang Zheng Yi for nothing."

......