Chapter 394: Internal Combustion Engine

The twentieth year of Hongwu, the first day of the Spring Festival.

Tie Mu Er's manor, Sama Erhan.

Before dawn, Zhu Yong was already awake.

He wasn't woken by noise; it was a habit cultivated over the years.

No matter how exhausted the previous day was, he would naturally open his eyes at the appointed hour.

He lay there, staring at the dust on the ceiling, and the familiar voice in his mind sounded right on time.

"Ding… Sign‑in for the twentieth year of Hongwu is now open. Claim reward?"

"Claim…"

"Congratulations, host! You have received: automobile internal combustion engine blueprint + comprehensive automobile development guide (including engine principles, transmission system, fuel formula, full set of vehicle design blueprints)."

In an instant, a flood of information surged into his mind.

Four‑stroke principle, carburetor structure, ignition system, gearbox, driveshaft, steering mechanism… page after page of blueprints, line after line of text, ran through his mind.

Zhu Yong closed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Internal combustion engine.

This thing is far smaller and lighter than a steam engine.

Steam engines are too large, usable only on trains and ships.

An internal combustion engine is different; it can be mounted on a vehicle and run on roads that aren't railways.

With this, traveling from Sama Erhan back to Yingtian would no longer require months of bumpy road travel.

He opened his eyes and turned his head toward the side. Guanyin Nu was still asleep, breathing shallow and even, her belly already slightly swollen. It had been discovered last autumn; the doctor said it was three months along and the fetus was stable.

At thirty‑four, she was considered an advanced‑age mother.

Zhu Yong felt a bit worried, but kept it to himself.

He knew Guanyin Nu's temperament; if he said it, she would think about it even more.

He rose lightly, slipped on his clothes, and walked to the outer chamber.

Xiao Zhu was already up, boiling water.

Seeing him emerge, she quickly bowed and said, "Prince."

"Hmm, the princess is awake, call her…"

Zhu Yong stepped out of the room and stood in the corridor.

Winter in Sama Erhan was far colder than in Yingtian Prefecture; breath came out as white vapor.

The pomegranate tree in the courtyard was barren, with a few lingering dead leaves still clinging to its branches.

He inhaled deeply, the crisp air flooding his lungs, and he felt fully awake.

The blueprints still whirred in his mind.

The internal combustion engine—this contraption is far more complex than a steam engine; he couldn't guarantee whether the people of the Ministry of Works could understand it.

But if the blueprints were taken back and studied gradually, they could eventually build it.

He didn't recall the exact details of how automobiles developed in his previous life, but he knew the general progression: first the internal combustion engine, then the automobile, followed by roads, gas stations, step by step.

"Prince, the princess is awake," Xiao Zhu came out of the house.

Zhu Yong turned and walked back.

Guanyin Nu was already sitting up, leaning against the headboard, her hair loose, a hint of sleep still on her face.

Seeing him enter, she smiled slightly and said, "Prince, you're up so early."

"Couldn't sleep; today is the first day of the Spring Festival, and the White-bearded Old Man gave us something again," Zhu Yong sat on the bedside, grasped her hand, and said.

Guanyin Nu's eyes brightened, and she couldn't help asking, "What?"

"An internal combustion engine—smaller than a steam engine, can be mounted on a vehicle."

Guanyin Nu didn't fully understand, but from her husband's expression she knew it was something good.

"Then we should send it back to Great Ming?"

"Hmm, we have to send it back; not only the thing, but we also have to return," Zhu Yong paused, then spoke again.

Guanyin Nu was startled for a moment.

"You're pregnant, and the winter here is too cold. The doctor says the fetus is stable, but given your age, Yingtian Prefecture is warmer, the Imperial Medical Bureau staff are all there, the Sixth Prince is also there; while the belly is still small, we should go back," Zhu Yong said, holding her hand.

Guanyin Nu was silent for a moment, then softly said, "Prince, you miss home."

Zhu Yong did not deny it.

He missed home.

He missed his parents, his elder brother, his several younger brothers, and Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Qiong Jiong.

The two children had returned last autumn and had been away for several months.

Zhu Huanhuan wrote that everything was fine in Yingtian Prefecture, and the imperial grandmother had people preparing delicious food every day.

Zhu Qiong Jiong was studying at Dabentang, keeping company with Zhu Xiongying; his characters were still crooked, but better than when he was in Sama Erhan.

Generally, a feudal prince returning to the capital must first submit a memorial, but Zhu Yong didn't bother with that; he knew he was a simpleton, and forgetting was commonplace.

"Alright, back…" Guanyin Nu smiled.

Zhu Yong nodded, rose, and walked outward.

At the doorway, he turned back and said, "Lie down a bit longer; I'll make arrangements."

Leaving the main courtyard, he strode toward the study.

Zhang Wu was already waiting at the door, clasping his fists and saying, "Prince, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Zhang Wu, make preparations; in a few days we'll return to Great Ming," Zhu Yong pushed open the study door, entered, sat down, and said.

Zhang Wu was startled and asked, "Prince, are you going back?"

Hmm, the Princess is pregnant; the winter here is too cold, so we'll go back to nurture the fetus.

Zhang Wu finally realized and hurriedly said, "Congratulations, Prince!"

Zhu Yong waved his hand, telling him to sit down.

Here at Tie Mu Er Mansion, you and Chen Heng keep watch; the counties to the west have just appointed new magistrates, so stay vigilant, don't cause trouble, and let Wang Gui keep watch over Constantinople.

Zhang Wu responded to each instruction.

Zhu Yong added, "Also, the White-bearded Old Man gave something today—a Blueprint of the internal combustion engine—I'll take it back. If anything urgent arises here, send a rider with a swift horse to deliver a message."

Zhang Wu clasped his fists and said, "Prince, rest assured."

Leaving the study, Zhu Yong went to the back courtyard.

Chen Heng was practicing with a sword in the courtyard; upon seeing him, he quickly sheathed his blade and saluted.

"Chen Heng, in a few days I'll return to Great Ming; here at Tie Mu Er Mansion, you and Zhang Wu keep watch."

Chen Heng was also startled for a moment, then laughed, "Prince, are you going back for the New Year?"

"The Princess is pregnant; we're going back to nurture the fetus."

Chen Heng quickly offered congratulations and asked, "Prince, when are you leaving?"

"In three to five days, just pack up and leave."

Chen Heng nodded, turned around, and went to make arrangements.

Zhu Yong stood in the courtyard, looking at the eastern sky.

The sky had already brightened; the sun rose from behind the city walls, bathing the whole city in golden light.

He stood for a while, then turned and walked toward the main courtyard.

Guanyin Nu had already gotten up and was combing her hair.

Xiao Zhu stood behind her, helping her arrange her hair.

"Prince, are all the things packed?" Guanyin Nu looked at him from the mirror.

"Hmm, Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng are watching this side, no problem."

Guanyin Nu nodded, then asked, "Huan Huan and Qiong Jiong—have you written a letter to tell them?"

"Not yet; once we reach Ying Tian Mansion, we'll tell them, give them a surprise."

Guanyin Nu smiled.

Zhu Yong sat beside her, watching her comb her hair.

Having been at Tie Mu Er Mansion for over three years, she had followed him east and west, never complaining.

This time returning, she can finally rest well.

Ying Tian Mansion is warm, the Imperial Medical Office staff are all present, and the Sixth Prince is also there.

He thought, perhaps the Sixth Prince should take Guanyin Nu's pulse.

Although the physician said the fetus is stable, the Sixth Prince's medical skill is good, so checking would be more reassuring.

"Prince, what are you thinking?" Guanyin Nu looked at him from the mirror.

Zhu Yong shook his head, "Nothing, just wondering what to bring back for my parents."

Guanyin Nu smiled, "Last time Brother went back, he brought a lot; this time bring less, travel lighter."

Zhu Yong thought it over and agreed.

After three days of packing, everything that should be taken was loaded onto the carriage.

He personally kept the Blueprint of the internal combustion engine, carrying it close to his body.

There were also some local specialties: a few Persian carpets, several boxes of Wine, a few boxes of gems, all for his family.