Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The assembled officials collectively gasped, staring at him in disbelief.

What a ruthless person!

From ancient times until now, no one has ever dared to utter such harsh words in court.

Today can be considered a witnessing of history!

"Prefect Fang, you mustn't speak recklessly!" Guo Tianyang said, stretching his neck, unable to restrain himself.

His voice even trembled slightly.

As you think during the day, so you dream at night.

Is this day... finally arriving?

Emperor Jing glanced sideways, looking at him with a strange expression, and coughed lightly: "Fang Qing, could it be that you truly believe the words of some monk or Taoist, that building railways will safeguard the nation's destiny?"

Fang Zheng Yi did not answer directly, taking a deep breath, he said: "Your subject firmly believes that the railway can safeguard the nation's destiny. The construction is already eighty or ninety percent complete, and we must not fail at the last hurdle, otherwise, your subject will die with regret."

"I implore Your Majesty and all my colleagues to grant me some more time, and I will give everyone a satisfactory answer."

Emperor Jing forced a smile, while the officials were even more speechless.

It's just a road, what national destiny are you safeguarding?

Isn't this just being deceived, the behavior of someone stubborn and unyielding? Not turning back until hitting a brick wall.

After a short while, Emperor Jing spoke: "Since Fang Qing has already made up his mind on this matter, then give him two more months. If he cannot give everyone a satisfactory answer after two months, then the railway will be dismantled!"

"Esteemed officials, this matter need not be discussed further."

....

After the court session ended, Emperor Jing remained in the empty hall, gently rubbing his brow.

Since Emperor Jing had not left, Guo Tianyang naturally remained to attend to him.

After a long while, Emperor Jing said: "Go, send someone to investigate Dongjiao University and find out what exactly that railway is for. Be discreet and do not use force. If there really are妖 people (lit.妖 means demon, but in this context, it refers to people who use magic, tricks, or deception) who have misled Zheng Yi, bring them to me!"

"This humble servant will go and arrange it." Guo Tianyang replied in a low voice, but as he was about to turn and leave, he seemed to remember something and hesitated in place.

"What is it?" Emperor Jing asked.

"This humble servant... this humble servant wants to ask, if Lord Fang cannot satisfy the officials, then the castration...."

Bang!

Emperor Jing suddenly slammed the table and stood up, his face flushed with anger, scolding: "Are you senile?! That is my son-in-law, get out!"

Guo Tianyang's mind went blank, and he felt a burst of regret in his heart.

Why couldn't I stop myself from saying what was on my mind!

Damn it, my brain is getting worse every year.

"Yes! This humble servant will go and do it!"

.....

Two days later, outside Dongjiao University, at the train station.

A brand-new building had begun to appear simultaneously with the construction of the railway outside Dongjiao University.

From the outside, this building could be described as luxurious, occupying a considerable area.

The main body was in the shape of a tower, with a huge clock embedded in the middle, constantly displaying the time.

The central position of the main body was written with five striking red characters: 【Dongjiao University Station】

The doors below the buildings on the left and right sides were all made of transparent glass. The skylights at the top were also all designed with glass.

Looking from the outside in, the inside was spacious and bright, with many empty stalls vaguely visible.

In fact, since this train station was built outside Dongjiao University, few people had entered it, and no one even knew what this building was for.

Today, the first test run of the train was to begin here.

In order to prevent outside prying or accidents, the Jinyiwei were specially ordered to conduct high-intensity patrols and monitoring along the test section of the railway.

As the train's first departure station, the Steam Institute had moved many pieces of equipment here for future maintenance and testing.

When Fang Zheng Yi and Li Yuan Zhao led all the personnel from the Steam Institute and several elite painters from Dongjiao Academy to arrive here.

Li Yuan Zhao walked in front, looking extremely excited.

For the past half year, it could be said that he had been stationed in the Steam Institute, watching the train every day.

He couldn't wait to eat and sleep with the train.

After nearly a year of hard work, today was finally the day for further verification!

The thought of a behemoth weighing thousands of pounds soon galloping on the rails filled him with excitement.

Moreover, his efforts had contributed to the emergence of this behemoth. No man could resist such temptation!

Seeing his eager appearance, Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but remind him: "Your Highness, you haven't forgotten how to operate the train later, have you? We must not make any mistakes the first time. This thing is so big, if something goes wrong, people will die."

Li Yuan Zhao puffed out his chest, his eyes shining: "Forget? How could I forget? I dream of driving the train! I have practiced it thousands of times and have complete confidence."

"Today can finally be considered a dream come true. I'm telling you, no one can stop me! Don't you trust me?"

"Of course, I trust Your Highness. What I mean is, if you are completely confident, then add me, let's drive together. I can shovel coal too." Fang Zheng Yi said, rubbing his hands.

Li Yuan Zhao chuckled: "I thought it was something. Then you can come. But why did you bring a bunch of painters here today? They haven't seen a train before."

"Don't ask, they will have their uses later."

After the two finished speaking, they continued to walk inside, and soon left the hall and arrived at the location where the train was parked.

At this moment, the train was still covered with black cloth. When someone stepped forward to uncover the black cloth, the ferocious appearance of the locomotive was immediately revealed to everyone.

The pure black body, with distinct edges and corners, was full of cold killing intent.

Fortunately, the circular front of the car softened its image somewhat.

A group of painters brought by Fang Zheng Yi chattered and discussed.

They were originally teaching sketching at the school and were inexplicably called to this place.

They still didn't know what they were supposed to do.

Someone plucked up the courage to ask: "Lord Fang, do you need us to paint this thing?"

Fang Zheng Yi looked at the train, shook his head gently, and smiled: "No, you will have plenty of opportunities to paint this thing in the future if you want. Now, follow behind His Highness and get on the train. Don't move around, don't talk too much, understand?"

"Understood!" The painters agreed in unison.

Afterward, everyone began to board the train one by one. After everyone had boarded the train, Li Yuan Zhao personally checked around to make sure there were no problems before returning to the driver's cab.

Fang Zheng Yi had been waiting here for a long time, touching this and that. Looking like a curious baby.

Although he had been paying attention to the train, it was the first time he had ever entered the train's driver's cab.

Seeing this, Li Yuan Zhao smiled and said: "Old Fang, you should add coal, don't mess with anything else."

Fang Zheng Yi nodded: "Your Highness, you know more about the inside, I'll listen to your arrangements."

Li Yuan Zhao smiled, but a sense of nervousness inexplicably arose in his heart. He took two deep breaths, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"Let's begin!"

......

(Sorry brothers, I coded very early today, but I was very depressed, feeling uncomfortable, writing and deleting, and only now have I finished modifying it to my satisfaction. Sorry嗷!!!)