Chapter 403: Eighty Percent

Zhu Biao's eyes brightened and said: "You mean sending people to Europe?"

"Hmm, send a few clever ones, follow a European merchant's ship back, and get a clear picture of them."

Zhu Biao pondered briefly, then said: "This isn't urgent; we must plan carefully. You sit down first; I have something else to tell you."

Zhu Yong sat down on the chair.

Zhu Biao took a pamphlet from the drawer and handed it to him.

"This just came from the Ministry of Works, it's the budget for the internal combustion engine."

Zhu Yong took it and opened it.

The pamphlet listed the various expenses for the internal combustion engine project—material costs, labor costs, equipment costs—totaling over two hundred thousand taels.

He closed the pamphlet and placed it on the table.

"Brother, the money is well spent."

Zhu Biao nodded and said: "I know it's worth it, but the Ministry of Revenue has objections, saying the Ministry of Works has spent too much these years—building railways, constructing ships, making guns and cannons—each draining millions of taels."

"This year they added the internal combustion engine, and the Minister of Revenue cries poverty before me every day."

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said: "Brother, how about this—deduct the engine money from my salary."

Zhu Biao glared at him: "Your salary, how much is it a year? What could it possibly cover?"

Zhu Yong fell silent.

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the courtyard outside.

"Second brother, it's not that I'm reluctant to spend; I'm afraid the money will be spent and the things won't be produced, and then it will be hard to answer Imperial Father."

Zhu Yong also stood and walked to his side.

"Brother, the items will definitely be made; I'm watching over Song Li's side, it won't fall short."

Zhu Biao turned around and looked at him.

"Second brother, tell me honestly, this internal combustion engine—how confident are you really?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said: "Eighty percent."

"Eighty percent?"

"Eighty percent."

Zhu Biao stared at him for a while, then smiled.

"Fine, eighty percent is eighty percent; I'll have the Ministry of Revenue allocate the silver."

Coming out of the Eastern Palace, it was already afternoon.

Zhu Yong rode his horse back, and when he passed the Qinhuai River, he halted the horse and stood by the riverbank for a while.

Painted boats drifted across the water, and the faint sound of silk and bamboo instruments floated over.

The willows on the bank had turned green, their branches hanging over the water, swaying in the wind.

He suddenly recalled the Hongwu Third Year, when he first stood here.

At that time he had just been recognized as a descendant, knew nothing, and found everything fresh.

Now, he is the Wu King of Great Ming, the master of Tie Mu Er Fu, and the promoter of the internal combustion engine.

Along the way he has done many things, and many things remain undone.

He swung onto his horse and continued back.

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, night was already falling.

Guanyin Nu was sitting in the courtyard sunbathing, her belly already large; Zhu Huanhuan sat beside her, holding a book in her hands.

Zhu Qiong Jiong was in the courtyard lifting a Stone Lock, a one‑hundred‑eighty‑jin stone, as if playing.

"Father!" Seeing Zhu Yong enter, Zhu Qiong Jiong dropped the Stone Lock and ran over.

Zhu Yong glanced at his son, a twelve‑year‑old boy, thin and dark, his arms covered with muscle.

"What did you practice today?"

"Lifting the Stone Lock, shooting arrows, and sparring a bit with Uncle Zhang Wu on swordsmanship," Zhu Qiong Jiong grinned.

Zhu Yong nodded and patted his shoulder.

"Alright, go wash up, and we'll eat in a bit."

Zhu Qiong Jiong replied, and ran into the house.

Zhu Huanhuan set the book down and stood up.

"Father, did you go to the Ministry of Works today?"

"Hmm, went to check on the internal combustion engine." Zhu Yong sat on the corridor steps and took the tea Zhu Huanhuan handed him.

Guanyin Nu rose from her chair, walked slowly over, and sat down beside him.

"Prince, can the internal combustion engine be built?"

"It can, just a bit slow..." Zhu Yong took a sip of tea and placed the cup on the railing.

Guanyin Nu nodded and said nothing more.

Zhu Huanhuan stood aside and whispered, "Father, will those blond‑haired, blue‑eyed people from Third Uncle's side still come?"

"They will, but your Third Uncle can handle it, and Uncle Mu is watching in the South Sea, so nothing major will happen." Zhu Yong said calmly.

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and said nothing more.

The setting sun sank in the west, dyeing the whole courtyard golden.

In the distance, toward the Qinhuai River, faint silk‑and‑bamboo music could be heard.

Zhu Yong leaned against a pillar, eyes closed.

His mind kept turning over those matters.

The internal combustion engine, Australia's fleet, the South Sea defenses, and the European continent marked on that sea chart.

Those people with yellow hair and blue eyes will eventually come back.

But that's fine.

Come if they do; Great Ming is not afraid.

He opened his eyes and looked at the old locust tree in the courtyard.

The branches were already covered with fresh leaves, and a few sparrows chattered on the twigs.

Spring has arrived.

Zhu Huanhuan poked her head out of the house and said, "Father, mother, it's time to eat."

The family gathered around the table, and steaming dishes were brought out, their aroma filling the air.

Zhu Qiong Jiong ate ravenously, his cheeks puffed out round.

Zhu Huanhuan ate gracefully, chewing in small bites.

Zhu Yong looked at the two children, then at Guanyin Nu, and a vague sense of satisfaction suddenly rose in his heart.

With wife and children by his side, the household was peaceful.

It is enough.

At night, Zhu Yong sat in the study, a Blueprint of the internal combustion engine spread before him.

He stared at it for a long time, then picked up a pen and wrote along the edge of the Blueprint: "Intake valve spring, requires repeated testing to find the optimal spring force."

This was what he had thought of today in the Workshop.

The internal combustion engine's intake valve relies on a spring to reset; if the spring force is too great, airflow is insufficient; if too weak, the valve does not close tightly.

That balance can only be found through repeated experiments.

He set the pen down, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

The door opened.

Guanyin Nu walked in, carrying a bowl of soup.

"Prince, it's late night; have a bowl of soup to warm your body."

Zhu Yong opened his eyes, took the bowl, and took a sip.

It was chicken soup, very fresh.

"Prince, still thinking about the internal combustion engine?" Guanyin Nu sat down opposite him.

Zhu Yong nodded.

"If this thing can be built, traveling from Yingtian to Sa Ma Er Han won't take so long anymore."

Guanyin Nu looked at him and said softly, "Prince, do you want to return?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "It's fine, just a bit worried; after all, the territories just conquered in the vassal lands haven't fully settled yet..."

"So when the internal combustion engine is made, you'll go back to see?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "I won't wait for the engine; I'll wait until the railway reaches Sa Ma Er Han, then I'll go back. Internal combustion locomotives are fast, but the tracks aren't finished; trains are slower but reliable.

By then the child will have been born, right!"

Guanyin Nu nodded and asked no further.

Outside the window, Moonlight was like water.

In the distance, the night watchman's gong could be heard faintly.

Zhu Yong stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night outside.

The night in Yingtian Prefecture was quiet and peaceful.

This land is one he and countless others have guarded together.

What he protects is not only the land, but also the people on it.

"Prince, it's time to rest." Guanyin Nu came over and said softly.

Zhu Yong nodded, turned, and walked out of the study with her.

The night deepened, and the lights of Wu Wang Fu went out one by one.

In the distance, a few dog barks could be heard faintly.

A new day is about to arrive soon.