After everyone got on the bus, Li Changfeng gave the order to start.
Click click click!
The train started to move slowly, and the people sitting inside became excited.
Because Emperor Qianwu and Li Changfeng were present in the first carriage, everyone maintained restraint, but the merchants and representatives from all walks of life in the carriage behind let out bursts of exclamations.
"It's moving! It's really moving!"
"There must be hundreds of people boarding the train. The train can actually pull such a heavy weight!"
"There are hundreds of people, plus His Majesty's bodyguards, there are probably no less than a thousand people. It's really unbelievable!"
"This is much more comfortable than riding in a carriage. It's not bumpy at all. You can even drink tea in it!"
"If such railways were laid throughout Daqian, it would be so convenient for traveling far away in the future!"
"It shouldn't be like this. It's even more convenient to haul goods. You don't have to worry about damage on the road or robbers along the way!"
"Yes, and there is no need for so many people to look at the goods. This is much better than a horse-drawn carriage!"
"..."
As time goes by, the speed becomes faster and faster.
Emperor Qianwu looked through the window at the rapidly passing scenery outside, and sighed: "It's so fast, it's already faster than an ordinary horse."
Li Changfeng smiled and said: "This is nothing, it is far from the design speed."
Generally speaking, a horse can run at a speed of twenty kilometers per hour.
This speed is far from the train's design speed.
As soon as this statement came out, the officials were stunned.
Emperor Qianwu returned his gaze and asked: "How long does it take to reach one hundred miles?"
Li Changfeng smiled and said: "Half an hour."
The design speed of this steam train is 70 kilometers per hour. It is actually impossible to run at top speed. Excluding the acceleration and deceleration time, the average speed is 50 kilometers per hour.
One hour is equal to two hours.
One hundred miles equals fifty kilometers.
Isn’t that just half an hour?
From Li Changfeng's point of view, this speed was too slow.
But for people in this world, it is simply unbelievable.
The ministers could no longer suppress the horror in their hearts, and regardless of Emperor Qianwu's presence, they let out bursts of exclamations.
"A hundred miles in half an hour, how is this possible!"
"According to this calculation, wouldn't it be casual to travel a thousand miles a day? This is absolutely impossible!"
"Such speed cannot exist!"
"Your Highness, you must be joking, right?"
"..."
Even Emperor Qianwu found it unbelievable and asked solemnly: "There is no joke in front of you. Is the speed you mentioned true?"
Li Changfeng smiled lightly and said: "Of course it is true. If you don't believe it, you can time it."
Emperor Qianwu nodded and immediately ordered: "Burn incense and set the time!"
Soon, a stick of incense started burning.
Li Changfeng clapped his hands twice, and a group of service staff walked out one after another, bringing hot tea and seasonal fruits to Emperor Qianwu and the ministers.
"Half an hour is neither long nor short. Let's relax and chat while eating."
…
Before the stick of incense was burned out, a pressure relief sound sounded, and the train began to slow down slowly.
The whole carriage shook, and Emperor Qianwu said in surprise: "Are you at the station?"
Li Changfeng nodded: "That's right."
Then he stood up and said to the officials: "We are about to arrive at the station. You can get off the bus and see if you have reached the terminal."
Soon, the train stopped completely.
Emperor Qianwu and his ministers got off the bus.
When they entered the newly built station and saw the local officials leading the crowd to greet them, everyone was shocked.
"The incense hasn't been burned yet, not even half an hour, my God!"
"Really, it's actually true, it's incredible!"
"This speed is terrifying!"
"..."
Park Jingtai was among the ministers, his whole body trembling because of the shock.
Daqian, there is such a magical thing!
He subconsciously thought that if the railway tracks were laid to Goryeo, wouldn't it be possible to reach Daegan in one day and night?
In addition to the civil and military officials, the accompanying merchants and representatives from all walks of life also looked excited and exclaimed on the platform.
Traveling a hundred miles in half an hour was something they had never dreamed of before. Many merchants were shocked and discovered the huge business opportunities contained in it.
After staying at the terminal for a while, Emperor Qianwu led everyone on to the train.
It took a long time after the train started to move before Emperor Qianwu regained his composure, looked around at the ministers and then spoke slowly.
"My dear friends, now you understand why I tried my best to promote the construction of the railway despite all opinions, right?"
When Li Changfeng proposed this project, everyone opposed it. He endured a lot of pressure for going his own way, and some even called him a fool in private.
Now I can finally feel proud.
All the ministers lowered their heads in shame.
Feng Quji stood up, bowed to Emperor Qianwu, and bowed his hands to the ministers.
"Your Majesty, colleagues!"
When everyone's eyes turned to him, Feng Quji spoke solemnly.
"At first, the old minister was actually opposed to this matter, but later His Highness personally came to convince the old minister. Now that I am the deputy minister of the Ministry of Railways, I will introduce to you the advantages of trains and see if what I say makes sense."
Emperor Qianwu nodded with satisfaction and motioned for him to continue. Naturally, no one among the ministers dared to object.
Feng Quji raised his first finger.
"First, the train is very smooth and comfortable, almost the same as on the ground. In addition to the seats you see, there will be sleeper carriages in the future where you can sleep on for long-distance travel, and there will even be a dining car to provide food."
After a pause, Feng Quji raised his second finger.
"Second, the train runs extremely fast and is very suitable for pulling goods. It is not afraid of robbers and only requires one or two people to load goods, or even no need at all. It will promote the development of Daqian trade."
Then raise a third finger.
"Third, since it can transport people and goods, it can also transport troops, horses, food and grass. The failure of Emperor Tiangao to fulfill his decrees will become a thing of the past! You must already know how much influence the above three points have on my work. !”
After saying that, Feng Quji bowed deeply to Emperor Qianwu with a look of guilt on his face.
"Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision. How could I see so far ahead? I was opposed to it in my heart. Now that I think about it, I feel deeply ashamed of my short-sightedness!"
Emperor Qianwu smiled lightly: "The old prime minister has said it."
Feng Quji smiled bitterly, turned to look at Li Changfeng, and bowed deeply. There was admiration, disbelief, reverence, and even a hint of undetectable enthusiasm in his expression.
"Your Highness..."
Feng Quji thought for a moment, not knowing how to express his complicated feelings, and finally came up with a sentence that old General Ye Qingcang had once commented on Li Changfeng.
"Your Highness, this is truly a blessing for me!"
The ministers also agreed.
"Your Highness is truly a blessing to me!"
I’m going to update a chapter first. I’ve finished writing the rest, but haven’t revised it yet. I’m temporarily out of town for something, so I’ll update it later.