Chapter 143: Stunned into Speechlessness

Yun You's eyelids twitched.

He had almost forgotten that his son was researching this very thing.

This brat had actually kept it from his own father, just waiting to stun everyone at the morning court, right?

Yun You was not a little angry.

Unfilial son, actually undermining him!

Yun Shu walked forward carrying a box, his face full of smiles.

He placed the box on the ground and said to everyone, "Please make some room; I want to demonstrate the Steam Train."

Everyone was somewhat surprised and did not react for a moment.

Yan Ning then said, "You all step back first; in a moment, I will let you see the automatic train."

The ministers stepped back, and Yun Shu began to assemble the Railway.

This Railway was also custom-made by him, featuring hidden latches that could secure the tracks.

In just a few minutes, Yun Shu had already assembled the tracks.

Afterward, he took out a strangely shaped piece of sheet metal and placed it on the Railway.

"How does it look to me like this could actually be made?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? He is just a fifteen-year-old boy; how could he possibly make such a mysterious thing?"

"Minister Yun, your child is impressive; I haven't seen him be this impressive before."

Yun You was also dumbfounded.

Since when had his son become so impressive?

For the final step, Yun Shu installed five Carriages behind the train head, each containing some stones and similar items.

At this moment, Yun Shu fiddled with it, and before long, one could see the train head beginning to emit blue smoke.

There was no reaction when it first started, and many ministers began to predict failure.

"I knew it; how could this strange-looking thing move on its own?"

"Sigh, Yun Shu is going to be in trouble; failing at a critical moment, isn't this just wasting everyone's time?"

Hearing these voices, Yun Shu did not react in the slightest.

But soon, the Train moved!

It started off moving very slowly, but the Train's speed quickly picked up, and the heavy objects behind the train remained steady.

The eyes of everyone present lit up.

An automatically moving vehicle, how is this possible?!

But no matter how much people couldn't believe it, the finished product was right before their eyes.

At this moment, the Dadian was silent, with only the sound coming from the Steam Train.

Yun Shu spoke: "The small model is already finished; a normal-sized one can also be made now, but the Railway and coal might be a bit scarce; it would be best to use stainless steel material."

Yan Ze laughed "haha" twice, "The younger generation is to be regarded with respect; this Steam Train is made brilliantly; the method for the Railway can be researched further later."

Yun Shu hinted once more: "The craftsmanship for stainless steel is somewhat difficult..."

It is not something that can be researched just by casually looking into it.

Yan Ze said: "When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight; if we cannot use steel, we will settle for the next best thing and use Iron Mine; besides, I think the production method for steel shouldn't be that difficult."

Both of them understood each other's hints.

Yun Shu thought, they definitely know how to make stainless steel!

The Steam Small Train was still turning and turning, circling the wooden track several times.

Once the coal was used up, it stopped.

Yan Ze asked him: "What is the maximum speed the Steam Train can reach?"

Yun Shu was suddenly a bit uncertain, "It can probably reach over two hundred kilometers per hour."

"It's just that I haven't found a way to increase the speed yet."

Yan Ze said: "No rush, take it slow; it will eventually be researched."

Yan Ning was also very excited, "In the future, we can lay down tracks; going anywhere will be much more convenient."

To avoid not making it into the city in time, or getting lost, forcing them to sleep in the wild.

At this time, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward and asked: "May I ask His Highness, what is the cost of building this train? And the cost of the Railway?"

To make a small one, the Crown Princess had already spent quite a bit of money; making a large one would certainly cost even more.

Yan Ning avoided the topic: "If a railway can be opened, cargo transportation will be much more convenient; not to mention anything else, just speaking of the Capital to the front lines, transporting grain and fodder will be much more convenient."

"It is not just for transport; people can also sit on it, and the carriages can even be equipped with sleeping berths, so there is no need to worry about sleeping in the wilderness at night."

"Building a railway is truly a good thing that benefits the country and the people."

Many officials echoed this.

"If the railway is built, going to various places to inspect the political achievements of officials can also reduce corrupt officials; it really is a good thing."

"More than that; in short, the railway is a good thing, I support building it."

"I also support it..."

Only the Minister of Revenue asked gloomily: "What is the cost of building the railway? And how is the Iron Mine to be found?"

Yan Ning could no longer avoid it, so she said: "The construction cost is not a problem; if it can be opened, charging for passengers and transport can fill the gap."

"Especially once the national railway network is fully built, it will drive trade in various places, and our Daxia dynasty will only become increasingly wealthy."

Yun Shu also mentally calculated the construction cost of the railway at this moment: "Fifty thousand silver per kilometer."

Yan Ning raised an eyebrow, so expensive?

But expensive is expensive; at worst, we won't do it in the near future, and we can talk about it after we are a bit wealthier later.

Yan Ning sighed, there were still too few state-run shops, and Yan Yu and Gou Huangdi were not acting like human beings.

The silver in the national treasury was already scarce, yet they still wanted to build an imperial palace.

The exorbitant taxes and levies could drive people to their deaths.

Yan Ning had many ways to make money, but Daxia was dilapidated everywhere; money was needed here, and money was needed there.

The Minister of Revenue was the first to object: "Fifty thousand taels of silver—from the Capital to Jincheng, wouldn't that cost six million taels?"

The Minister of War did not object, only saying: "Iron is a major problem; our iron seems to be running out."

Yan Ning said: "Iron mines are easy to find; some time ago, there were large quantities of iron mines near Ding'an City, and we can also find an iron mine nearby to save on transportation costs."

Yun Shu's eyes also brightened: "If the iron mine is one we dig ourselves, without needing to buy it with money, the production cost will be even lower."

The Minister of War sighed, "How can iron mines be so easy to find? Moreover, silver was recently allocated to make armor for the soldiers, so iron ore is even more scarce."

Yan Ning waved her hand dismissively, "You don't need to worry about the iron mine; I can find it myself."

Seeing that everyone still did not believe her, Yan Ning then said: "The iron mine in Ding'an City was one I had people go and dig, and I also know where other iron mines are."

The Minister of War was slightly surprised, "How do you know?"

Yan Ning said with a smile: "Of course someone told me; there is an iron mine near the Capital."

The several ministers were truly astonished; the Crown Princess's luck was truly heaven-defying.

Even iron mines could be found by her.

Yan Ning immediately had people go to open an iron mine near the Capital.

One could first build a line to Lancheng in the Northern Frontier to facilitate the transport of grain.

Yan Ning looked at the expressions of the civil and military officials and finally said: "Actually, you do not need to worry; I only have such a concept, and it is not to say that we must build a railway immediately; after all, it is indeed somewhat expensive."

It can be postponed for half a year before considering doing it.

The Minister of Revenue let out a long sigh of relief, preparing to divert Yan Ning's attention: "Your Highness, this official believes we can first expedite the making of textile machines; if we can use textile machines to rebuild them into automatic textile machines, it could also help the common people."

Modify?

Yan Ning asked Yun Shu: "Is it feasible?"