Chapter 1000

The scenery outside the window flashed by as the steam locomotive moved.

Both Brooke and Henry had complex expressions on their faces. Although rumors about steam locomotives had already spread in Europe, seeing them with their own eyes still shocked them beyond measure.

“Woo woo…”

The whistle of the train sounded, meaning that the steam locomotive was about to enter the station. This train had already stopped at two platforms along the way, and this was the third.

Looking at each other, Brooke and Henry simultaneously looked out the window. At this moment, the trees on both sides of the railway gradually thinned out, and the locomotive entered the outer edge of a city.

Here, black smoke plumes rose into the sky, emitting black or white smoke. The noisy sound of the steam engine could be heard clearly even while sitting in the carriage.

They understood that this was the industrial zone of the Great Yu Empire, a specialized area full of factories. They had also seen similar areas in the two cities they had passed through on their way.

“It’s simply terrifying. The Great Yu Empire’s industrial development is too fast. It is said that a few years ago, factories were only distributed in Qingzhou, but now it seems that every city has its own industrial zone.”

Brooke said. He had been commissioned by the Queen of England to come to the Great Yu Empire.

Henry, sitting opposite Brooke, was from France and represented France in coming to the Great Yu Empire. He said, “We got on the train in Dengzhou, and five hours have passed, but we still haven’t reached Qingzhou. This is the most terrifying thing. If this locomotive were in France, we would have already crossed France. What you see now are only three cities. You can imagine how many such cities there are in this land. Fighting against such a country, our country is simply insane.”

Before coming to Qingzhou, Brooke had been arrogant, but now he suddenly felt a wave of inferiority.

Sighing, he said, “I hope this time we can reach an agreement with the Great Yu Empire’s emperor, otherwise, it will truly be a disaster.”

Unlike Brooke, Henry came from a military background and was a soldier before coming here. He said, “For France, this might be a good thing. André’s foolish policies are leading France into an abyss. It’s time someone woke him up.”

While the two were chatting, the locomotive had been refueled with coal and water. The whistle sounded again, and the steam locomotive rumbled forward. They were heading to Qingzhou, the terminal station of this steam locomotive.

Tang Wenjie sat to the left of Brooke and Henry, across the aisle. Although their conversation was quiet, some words still reached his ears.

Being proficient in various European languages, he could easily grasp the general meaning of what the two were saying.

A cold sneer formed in Tang Wenjie’s heart. He thought, ‘What will make you fear is yet to come.’

At two in the afternoon, the steam locomotive slowly entered Qingzhou Station. This time, the locomotive did not stop at the station within the city but at a new station outside Qingzhou City, Qingzhou East Station.

As more and more stations connected to Qingzhou, the old Qingzhou Station could no longer handle the huge number of locomotives, so the Railway Department built a larger platform, and the old station only stopped a small number of trains.

Compared to the industrial areas they passed on the way, Brooke and Henry were truly enlightened this time. Compared to Qingzhou’s industrial zone, other cities were simply insignificant.

Outside Qingzhou City, one industrial zone was connected to another, completely surrounding Qingzhou City.

“Two envoys, lead your people and follow me. Do not wander off, otherwise, it will be very troublesome if you are caught by the guards,” Tang Wenjie said, seemingly a reminder but actually a threat.

Although Qingzhou’s booming industry could not be hidden, he still wanted these people to know as little as possible.

Brooke and Henry dared not be careless. They were the defeated, so being honest was wise, otherwise, their inappropriate words and actions would only bring disaster to their countries.

Following closely behind Tang Wenjie, the group walked along the wide concrete road into Qingzhou City.

Along the way, the two occasionally examined the road beneath their feet, and then stared intently at the passing bicycles and tricycles. Everything here was so magical that it overwhelmed them.

And just as they were about to reach the city gate, their hearts suddenly tightened, because on both sides of the city gate, soldiers were lined up along the road.

These soldiers wore dark green military uniforms and steel helmets. One hand was vertically pressed against their leg, and the other held a bayonet-fixed rifle vertically on the ground.

In the middle of the formation, there were also six strangely shaped field cannons. Their terrifying destructive power could be seen just from their appearance.

Henry and Brooke immediately felt a chill down their spines. This was the Great Yu Empire displaying its formidable military might to them, and they also understood what these soldiers represented.

Fighting such a powerful empire on the Asian continent, the farthest continent from Europe, was simply insane.

Tang Wenjie noticed the expressions on their faces and was very satisfied. They had not yet shown everything, and whether they would need to use what they hadn’t shown would depend on their sincerity.

Upon entering Qingzhou City, Tang Wenjie arranged for the two to stay in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ inn. At 3:30, he led them to the imperial palace.

In the Zhengda Guangming Hall, Xiao Ming was already waiting for the two of them. To him, the fact that Europe had sent envoys indicated a low posture; they were beginning to realize the need to reduce direct conflict.

“Brooke, Henry pay respects to His Esteemed Emperor of the Great Yu Empire.”

Upon reaching the hall, Brooke and Henry bowed one after another. Then, they took out a list of gifts and read out a long list of luxurious items, such as pearls, gold statues, and jewels.

Xiao Ming was not interested in any of these and merely listened. After all, no amount of jewels was as substantial to him as a colony.

The two finished reading the gift list.

Xiao Ming said sternly, “Your combined fleet ambushed Dengzhou, killed my people, and destroyed my ships. Do you think a mere trifle of treasures can appease me? If you lack sincerity, take these things back. Also, the Great Yu Empire has officially been renamed the Chinese Empire. The Great Yu Empire is a thing of the past.”

Brooke and Henry’s hearts tightened. This Emperor of the Great Yu Empire spoke so aggressively from the start, making them very nervous. But then again, who made them lose the war?

There was nothing wrong with this emperor speaking from the position of a victor.

Brooke was already prepared. He said, “Your Majesty, this is precisely why we have come here. The matter of the combined fleet was entirely due to us listening to the incitement of the Spanish, which caused this misunderstanding. However, the consequences have already occurred, and now we only wish to mend the mistakes we have made. We hope Your Majesty can calm your anger.”

Xiao Ming sneered. It was always a custom to push the blame onto the weaker party. This time, Spain had lost all its colonies in Asia, so they could sell out without any scruples.

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair