Chapter 257: Can We Build One?

Zhu Yong, standing beside him, said: "Father, this car can now travel Thirty Li, faster than a horse carriage. Once the Ministry of Works further improves the steam engine, it will be even faster."

"Thirty Li—so from Yingtian to Fengyang, we could get there very quickly, right?" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes brightened, he said in surprise.

"Yes, Fengyang is reachable quickly, and if we modify the car it can also haul cargo—one car can replace a dozen horse carriages," Zhu Yong said beside him.

Zhu Yuanzhang fell silent.

He stared at the cement road stretching ahead, at the Imperial City receding farther, and suddenly said: "Yong Er, in these ten‑plus years you have given us far too much."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said: "Father, I didn't do much; it all came from the immortals in my dreams."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and gave him a deep look.

This second son, he still understood.

Simple‑minded he may be, but his mind sees everything clearly.

He just chooses not to expose it.

"Alright, let's go back. I'm in a good mood today; come to the palace this evening and the three of us will have a drink," Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said.

"Yes!" Zhu Yong replied.

…

The steam car turned around at the end of Chang'an Street and slowly drove back to Cheng Tian Men.

The officials waiting at the gate had already been in an uproar.

"Th‑this… what kind of divine artifact is this?"

"Where on earth did Prince Wu obtain these strange and exotic items?"

"Cement, steam engine, and now this iron car… I've lived sixty years, and today I finally open my eyes!"

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were also among the crowd.

The two had missed it earlier; now seeing the steam car return, their eyes widened.

"Fourth brother, about this thing—can we make one?" Zhu Shuang whispered.

Zhu Gang shot him a glance and said: "Third brother, what are you thinking? This is Second Prince's treasure; how dare you ask for it?"

"I… I was just thinking," Zhu Shuang stammered.

Zhu Gang ignored him, gazing at the steam car with yearning in his eyes.

He recalled how, in childhood, Second Prince taught them martial arts and recently led them into battle.

Back then he thought Second Prince was simple‑minded; now he knows the simple one is himself.

The steam car halted, and Zhu Yuanzhang stepped down.

The officials knelt on the ground with a clatter.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling them to rise.

"Did everyone see it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, we all saw it," Tao Kai said trembling.

"What do you think?"

Tao Kai opened his mouth, unsure what to say.

Should he call it a clever trick?

He dared not.

Call it a divine miracle?

That also seemed wrong.

In the end Zhu Biao stepped in, standing up and saying: "Imperial Father, Minister Tao is a civil official and does not understand these; even if he speaks, he cannot say much."

Zhu Yuanzhang, hearing this, waved his hand and said: "Fine, let's not discuss that. Where is the Minister of Works?"

A middle‑aged official pushed his way out of the crowd and respectfully called out: "I am here!"

"These steam engines, cement roads, and this iron car are all concocted by your Ministry of Works.

We don't care how you do it; just one rule—if you lack anything, speak up. Money, manpower—we'll provide. But you must put the money to proper use, otherwise..." Zhu Yuanzhang said, his cold eyes fixed on the Minister of Works as he spoke slowly.

The Minister of Works instantly replied with trembling fear: "I… I obey the decree!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, turned to Zhu Biao and said: "Biao, take the cement Yong Er produced, lay it down quickly. First pave the imperial road from Yingtian to Yangzhou, then Yingtian to Suzhou, then Yingtian to Hangzhou. We will make Great Ming's roads harder than stone slabs."

"Yes, Father," Zhu Biao hurriedly replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the steam car again and suddenly asked: "What is this thing called?"

Zhu Yong was startled and said: "I… just call it a steam car."

"Steam car… not grand enough. We shall grant it a name: 'Divine Swift'." Zhu Yuanzhang said after a moment's thought.

"Divine Swift Car… sounds good! Thank you, Father!" Zhu Yong recited.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and led Zhu Biao back to the palace.

The officials gathered around, asking Zhu Yong questions in a noisy chorus.

Zhu Yong fielded them one by one, while his mind drifted to another matter.

Divine Swift Car—this name is indeed fine.

However, Zhu Yong hadn't expected his old father to still enjoy naming things.

Yet in the future there will be trains, telegraphs…

Then, what name should Father give?

…

Evening, the setting sun sank in the west.

Zhu Yong led his whole family back to Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong returned to Wu Wang Fu with his family.

Just as they entered the back courtyard, Zhu Xiongying ran over.

"Second Uncle! Second Uncle! I couldn't go today; could you run it again tomorrow and let me have a ride too?" Zhu Xiongying said with a hopeful face. He had just run back from Dabentang, and only after hearing the eunuchs say it did he realize that his second uncle had taken the divine‑travel carriage out today.

Zhu Yong heard that and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Alright, I'll take you tomorrow."

Zhu Xiongying jumped up in delight.

Zhu Huanhuan pursed her lips beside him and said, "Xiong Ying brother, you're already nine years old and still so unstable."

Zhu Xiongying retorted, "Where am I unstable?"

Zhu Huanhuan pointed at his bouncing foot and said, "Isn't this it?"

Zhu Xiongying: "…"

Zhu Qiong Jiong clapped beside them and shouted, "Xiong Ying brother jumps! Xiong Ying brother jumps!"

Zhu Xiongying's face turned red.

Zhu Yong laughed heartily, scooped up his little son and said, "Come on, let's go eat."

The family went inside.

The last ray of the setting sun fell on the steam carriage in the courtyard.

The iron plates on the vehicle's body glimmered with a dark gold hue.

The chimney had long since cooled.

But tomorrow it will start up again.

Along the cement road, carrying more people, it races toward farther places.

……

At nightfall, Zhu Biao arrived.

The two brothers sat in the study, a pot of Wine and several small dishes laid before them.

"Second Brother, that carriage today really opened Elder Brother's eyes; a toast to you." Zhu Biao lifted his wine cup and said.

Zhu Yong clinked cups with him and drained it in one gulp.

"Elder Brother, how are the steam engine improvements going over at the Ministry of Works?"

"It's okay, just the lifespan isn't long; after a few hundred li you have to replace parts. But with your cement, road repairs are faster, and broken parts can be delivered promptly.

When the steam engine gets better, steamships won't need to keep a spare engine on hand all the time."

Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "That's good."

Zhu Biao suddenly said, "Second Brother, tell me… this cement, this steam engine, and this carriage—what will Great Ming become in ten years?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, then laughed, "I don't know either. But it will definitely be better than now."

Zhu Biao smiled.

Indeed, it will surely be better than now.

Who would have dared to imagine roads could be as hard as Stone?

Who would have dared to imagine a carriage without horses could run faster than a horse?

Now they're all realized.

What about the future?

Who knows.

But it will certainly keep getting better.

The two brothers clinked their cups.

Outside the window, Moonlight spilled onto the newly laid cement road, shining brilliantly white.

In the distance, a night watchman beat a gong as he passed.

"The heavens are dry, the earth is arid… be careful with fire and candles…"

The voice faded farther and farther away.