Chapter 1618: The Future of the Steam Engine

Newton looked at Hu Xi'er's face in fear, nodding repeatedly to show he understood everything.

Hu Xi'er brandished a kitchen knife, the cold glint making his eyes sting: "Don't cause me any trouble."

Newton swallowed hard, repeatedly indicating that he would absolutely not cause her any trouble.

Over these past few days, the person Newton feared most was Hu Xi'er; he truly didn't know how Mocheng managed to handle her.

This was many times more difficult than solving a math problem.

Just at this moment, Stephenson walked over with a smile, looking at Hu Xi'er and saying politely: "Apologies, Madam, it seems I have come at a bad time. I shall visit another day."

Stephenson expressed his apologies, and after finishing, he put on his hat and prepared to leave.

The scene of Hu Xi'er threatening Newton just now had truly frightened Stephenson a little.

Seeing that there was still a stranger present and thinking of her own actions just now, Hu Xi'er's face flushed red in an instant.

How could there be someone else here?

She glared angrily at Newton, as if questioning him why he hadn't told her someone else had arrived.

Newton didn't dare to speak; he had already told Hu Xi'er about this matter.

He had tried to explain it once before, but the subsequent outcome had been very miserable.

Hu Xi'er withdrew her sharp gaze, looked at this stranger, changed her previous embarrassed expression, and smiled: "Apologies, I've made you laugh. It's like this: my husband Mocheng and I are temporarily staying at Newton's home, and feeling there is nothing we can do to repay him, I am just cooking a few dishes for the two of them to eat."

Stephenson was just about to leave, but upon hearing Hu Xi'er's words, he also wore an awkward smile: "Oh, so that's how it is. You and your husband are staying at Newton's..."

Halfway through his sentence, Stephenson suddenly realized something was not quite right.

Husband? Staying?

Stephenson looked at Newton blankly; what did this mean, what did it mean to be staying, and what did it mean that she already had a husband?

So she wasn't your wife after all.

"Newton, so you aren't married yet." Stephenson instantly lost his interest in gossip.

Newton was just about to explain something, but he suddenly felt a murderous aura, which scared him so much that a layer of fine, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

If looks could kill, Newton would probably have already died hundreds of times by now.

Newton swallowed his saliva, seeing Hu Xi'er's knife-like gaze fixed tightly upon him.

Hu Xi'er opened her mouth and said in a low voice, yet filled with murderous intent: "Think carefully before you answer."

Newton's face was calm, but his heart was occupied by fear; he gave two dry laughs and said: "I already told you all before, she is a friend's wife; it seems you misunderstood."

While saying this, Newton blinked his eyes rapidly, as if to say: 'Brother, I did say this, don't you forget.'

Stephenson didn't react immediately and said blankly: "You did seem to say that at the time."

Hearing this, Newton felt the murderous aura fading and finally let out a sigh of relief.

"But you also didn't seem to say it like that." Stephenson recalled for a moment and said again.

The string that Newton had loosened tightened once more; he glanced at Hu Xi'er and fled like the wind, saying as he ran: "I'm going to call Mocheng to eat."

Hu Xi'er watched him go upstairs and hide in the Laboratory, paying him no more mind.

She looked at Stephenson with a smile and asked: "Please wait a moment, I am preparing two more dishes."

Although Hu Xi'er's words sounded calm, to Stephenson's ears, they were words that absolutely could not be refused.

Stephenson sat down at the dining table.

It didn't take long for the dishes to be served.

Mocheng was also dragged out by Newton; in essence, Mocheng and Newton were in the same situation, though Mocheng's situation was slightly better.

But he still needed someone to drag him out before he would eat.

Mocheng was used as a shield by Newton and sat at the dining table.

Newton introduced everyone to Stephenson, and everyone introduced themselves to Stephenson.

Stephenson introduced himself.

Stephenson was surprised by Mocheng's identity; he was actually a scientist from Longyan, and one had to know that the Giant Steam Engine was imported from Longyan.

Stephenson's favor for Mocheng rose to a new level.

Since he was a child, he had been exposed to steam engines used for pumping water in Coal Mines, and he had a natural love for steam engines.

Thinking that Longyan could develop such a powerful steam engine as the Giant Steam Engine, Stephenson was filled with respect for the Longyan people.

Especially after learning that Mocheng had also participated in the research of the Giant Steam Engine.

"Oh, then why does the British royal family not let Mr. Mocheng also participate in the research of the Dreadnought-class Battleship? With his participation, our progress should be much faster," Stephenson said naively.

Newton had been told the reason by others, so he remained silent.

Mocheng and Hu Xi'er looked at Stephenson and fell into silence.

Looking at the silent group, Stephenson did not realize at all what a foolish question he had asked, and continued: "What, did I say something wrong?"

After a long while, Hu Xi'er said faintly: "Mr. Stephenson, precisely because we are Longyan people, we absolutely cannot participate in the research work of the Dreadnought-class Battleship."

"Knowledge still has national borders."

Stephenson finally realized what this sentence meant, and he nodded: "I understand, my apologies."

Hu Xi'er did not continue speaking.

The scene once fell into an awkward atmosphere.

Newton reluctantly broke the deadlock, and he smiled: "I invited Mr. Stephenson over today because he has an idea he wants to discuss with Mocheng."

"Rest assured, it is regarding academics."

Hearing this, Mocheng perked up and asked: "Does Mr. Stephenson have something he wishes to exchange with me?"

Facing Mocheng's inquiry, Stephenson showed an embarrassed smile.

His background was quite humble, and the reason he was able to participate in the research of the Dreadnought-class Battleship was entirely because he understood steam engines too well.

That was why George III had allowed him to join the research group.

"It is like this, I have an idea, imagine if a Steam Engine could provide power for a ship, could provide power for a ship weighing several tons, and make it travel quickly, then why couldn't a Steam Engine provide power for a Horse Carriage?"

"If a Steam Engine could provide power for a Horse Carriage, we would have a ship on land, and it could transport more goods while traveling on land."

"This would provide greater possibilities for our current transport industry?" Stephenson said excitedly.

After hearing this idea, Newton and Mo Cheng both fell into silence.

Regarding this proposal from Stephenson, they had never imagined it before.

But they felt that this future would definitely be realized!

Stephenson was right; in the future, a similar machine should be born.

A machine like this.

"Your proposal is very good, I think it is very challenging, but it is a bit unrealistic right now, I don't think it can be realized," Newton gave his own opinion.