Chapter 754

“Woo woo…”

The whistle of the steam locomotive sounded at Qingzhou Station. People crowded on both sides of the railway, as the trial run of the steam locomotive today attracted many Qingzhou common people to watch the excitement.

Looking at such a grand scene, Xiao Ming was filled with joy. In his contemporary era, his country had missed the golden period of technological development. Now, he would not let the country he ruled be shamed.

For him, today’s steam locomotive trial run was a historic event where the Great Yu Empire surpassed the West in technology. In the future, new technologies in the Great Yu Empire would only continue to emerge, and fully catching up with the West was just around the corner.

“Your Majesty.”

Lin Wentao was leading his students in a final check of the steam locomotive. The steam locomotive was about to depart for outside the city.

Xiao Ming and Princess Pingyang had now arrived in front of the steam locomotive. Behind them were officials from the Railway Department.

Stepping on the railway tracks, Xiao Ming asked, “Are these railway tracks laid according to the established track standards?”

Lin Wentao was also somewhat excited today. He said, “I have issued Your Majesty’s track standards to the Railway Department, and now every official in the Railway Department knows them by heart.”

As if to confirm Lin Wentao’s words, Princess Pingyang said casually, “These tracks are divided into steel rails, sleepers, connecting parts, ballast, and turnouts.”

“Among them, the sleepers are made of both wood and concrete, laid alternately. The steel rails and components like bolts are made of steel. Coupled with the crushed stone ballast, it is basically a qualified railway.”

Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

Princess Pingyang seemed to intentionally show off in front of Xiao Ming, so she said, “The gauge of these tracks also has its specific requirements. According to the standard, all tracks now belong to the standard gauge, with a width of 1435 millimeters.”

At this point, Xiao Ming praised, “Even Aunt is so familiar with these track standards; I am completely at ease.”

Possessing various technological standards beyond this era, Xiao Ming naturally would not let the Great Yu Empire’s railways grope for track standards themselves. He could directly apply mature railway standards.

After all, from the very beginning, Lin Wentao’s steam locomotive was manufactured according to this standard. However, in contemporary times, the track widths of each country were different, mainly to prevent other countries from directly using their railways during an invasion. For example, Russia used a wider gauge than European railways.

“Your Majesty entrusting such an important matter to a weak woman like me is a sign of your trust. How dare I fail to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations?” Princess Pingyang smiled beautifully.

An official from the Railway Department seized the opportunity to flatter, “Her Highness has indeed worked very hard for this railway matter. She inspects the railway every day. We, your humble servants, are truly humbled.”

Xiao Ming then noticed that Princess Pingyang had gotten a bit darker. He said, “On the day the railway is fully operational, I will personally host a banquet to celebrate for Aunt!”

Princess Pingyang was startled for a moment. In fact, ever since she came to Qingzhou Province, she had lived in constant trepidation. This nephew of hers, seemingly gentle, was also ruthless when it came to killing.

She vividly remembered the day Prince Zhao and his son Zhao Yuanliang were executed by slow slicing. She had once felt ashamed towards Xiao Ming, so she now dared not harbor any improper thoughts. She wholeheartedly worked for the imperial family, only wishing for a glorious second half of her life.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will be waiting for that day,” Princess Pingyang secretly rejoiced. Clearly, her actions in this matter had pleased Xiao Ming.

As time slowly passed, more and more common people gathered on both sides of the railway. As far as the eye could see, there was no end to the crowd. At this moment, Lin Wentao said, “Your Majesty, the steam locomotive is almost ready. Shall we officially begin its operation now?”

Xiao Ming then looked in the direction he came from. At this point, Fei Ji, Pang Yukun, and other officials had also arrived, presumably having been informed by Princess Pingyang.

Nodding, Xiao Ming said, “Begin. Let the common people of Qingzhou and all my beloved ministers witness the operation of the Great Yu Empire’s first steam locomotive.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lin Wentao replied, then gestured towards the platform.

On the platform, there was a station staff member holding a red flag. After receiving Lin Wentao’s signal, he waved the small red flag in his hand.

As he moved, the steam locomotive once again emitted a loud whistle. Then, the train made “chugging, chugging” sounds and began to move on the tracks.

Fei Ji, Pang Yukun, and other officials arrived beside Xiao Ming. After bowing, each craned their necks to watch the steam locomotive.

After the locomotive began to move, pulling its long carriages, Pang Yukun exclaimed, “I never thought this steam locomotive could really pull such long carriages!”

Fei Ji also looked surprised. He said, “Indeed, but it’s running a bit too slowly.”

Xiao Ming smiled without speaking. In contemporary times, the first steam locomotive was also ridiculed when it began operation, but eventually, the steam locomotive phased out traditional ox-and-horse transportation.

Of course, the steam locomotive Lin Wentao manufactured now was in no way comparable to the first steam locomotive. According to Lin Wentao’s tests, the reciprocating high-temperature, high-pressure steam engine he installed was enough to allow the locomotive to reach a speed of sixty-seven kilometers per hour. Although this was much slower than contemporary trains, it was already very remarkable.

Moreover, Lin Wentao was already developing the compound steam engine. This type of steam engine could utilize steam two or even three times, greatly improving the locomotive’s thermal efficiency.

Once this type of steam engine was successfully developed, both steam locomotives and steamships would see a significant increase in speed.

“Chug, chug.”

The steam locomotive’s speed increased after leaving the station. The common people on both sides of the railway let out gasps of surprise.

Before this, many common people had been puzzled about what this strange thing was for. Now, they finally understood.

However, having never seen a steam locomotive before, they were quite startled by the sight. Meanwhile, the students of Bowen Academy mixed in the crowd continuously cheered. This event was also of great significance to them, as it proved the correctness of their abandonment of the Four Books and Five Classics.

Even more shocked than the common people of Qingzhou Province were the Western merchants.

“My God, what is this? What have I seen in the Great Yu Empire?” a young Western merchant exclaimed, while beside him was an older Westerner, the young man’s father.

“This is science.” The young merchant’s father’s eyes gleamed with a wild light.

The young merchant looked at his father. In his memory, his father was very knowledgeable. He continued to ask, “Father, what exactly is this?”

“I don’t know either, but this must be something incredible. Perhaps we should stay here and figure out what they are.” The older merchant’s tone was grave.