Chapter 486: The Lights Came On…

From the Eastern Palace, it was already almost dark.

Zhu Yong rode back, his mind still turning over the generator.

Build a power station on Zijin Mountain, run poles and wires to the palace, light the lamps, and connect telegraph.

These matters sound simple when spoken, but in practice are a tangled mess.

But there's no rush; take it slowly.

Back at Wu Wang Fu, night had fallen.

Zhu Huanhuan was busy in the kitchen, Guanyin Nu was collecting clothes in the courtyard, and Zhu Qiongjiong and Zhu Qiongwu were fighting crickets inside.

Zhu Yong sat on the corridor, taking the tea handed over by Hu Bo.

"Prince, the meal is ready," Zhu Huanhuan called out from the kitchen.

Zhu Yong stood and walked into the house.

After the meal, Zhu Yong sat in the study, the Blueprint of the generator spread before him.

He had already read it many times, yet each viewing yielded new insight.

Rotor, stator, coil, magnet, commutator—each component was drawn clearly, and every process was explained in detail.

Follow the Blueprint, and it can certainly be built.

The problem is whether the people of the Ministry of Works can understand these drawings.

Song Li said he couldn't understand; can Lin Yuan understand?

He set the Blueprint down and rubbed his brow.

Never mind, tomorrow I'll go to the Ministry of Works to ask.

Early the next day, Zhu Yong went to the Ministry of Works again.

Lin Yuan had already arrived at the office, sitting at his desk absorbed in the Blueprint, so engrossed that he didn't notice Zhu Yong's entrance.

"Vice Minister of Works Wang Gui!" called out Wang Gui.

Lin Yuan looked up, saw Zhu Yong, and hurriedly rose to salute.

"I, Vice Minister of Works Lin Yuan, present myself before the Prince."

Zhu Yong waved his hand, indicating him to sit.

"How are the drawings coming along?"

Lin Yuan's eyes brightened, and he quickly said, "Prince, this… this is astonishing; I have never seen such intricate construction! Rotor, stator, coil, magnet—each part is perfectly placed.

As long as the materials are ready and the craftsmen are diligent, it can certainly be made."

Zhu Yong nodded and asked, "How long will it take to make?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "Prince, I cannot guarantee, but I will devote all effort; Minister Song will also help, and we will strive to finish a prototype as soon as possible."

Zhu Yong patted his shoulder and said, "Good, go handle it; whatever you need, tell this Prince."

Lin Yuan nodded repeatedly.

Leaving the Ministry of Works, Zhu Yong rode toward Zijin Mountain.

Zijin Mountain lies at the northeast corner of Yingtian Fu, about ten‑plus li from the city. The mountain isn't high, but the forest is lush and the environment tranquil.

He rode up the mountain, following the stream upward.

The creek was shallow, but the current swift.

Water rushed down from the mountain, carrying mud and leaves, making a roaring sound.

Mid‑mountain there was a flat area, open and suitable for a power station.

Zhu Yong halted his horse, stared for a while, and nodded.

The site is good: the drop is sufficient, the flow strong, the power output should meet needs.

"Wang Gui, write this down; later have the Ministry of Works people come to survey."

Wang Gui responded and took out his notebook to record.

Returning to the city, it was already afternoon.

Zhu Yong did not go back to the residence, but headed to the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao was reviewing documents in the study; seeing him enter, he set his brush down.

"Second brother, have you inspected Zijin Mountain?"

"I have; the site is fine, the drop sufficient, the flow strong, a power station can be built."

Zhu Biao nodded, pondered briefly, and said, "Second brother, the power‑station matter isn't urgent; rest two days, don't overexert yourself."

Zhu Yong shook his head, "Not overexerted, elder brother, I want to get the electricity up quickly; lighting oil lamps at night strains the eyes."

Zhu Biao laughed, "You're just restless."

The two brothers chatted a while longer before Zhu Yong rose to take his leave.

The first month of the twenty‑fourth year of Hongwu passed just like that.

Zhu Yong went to the Ministry of Works daily, urging progress, reviewing the Blueprint, asking about materials.

Lin Yuan was harried by his urging, but dared not slack, and could only have the craftsmen work day and night.

In early February, all parts for the first generator were finished machining.

In early March, the prototype was assembled.

On the ninth day of early March, the hydraulic power station at the foot of Zijin Mountain began trial operation.

Zhu Yong stood beside the waterwheel, watching it turn slowly, driving the generator, emitting a humming sound.

Lin Yuan stood nearby, holding a lamp; the filament glowed dim red, not yet lit.

"Why isn't it lit yet?" Zhu Yong frowned.

"Prince, the voltage is unstable; it still needs adjustment," Lin Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"How long will the testing take?"

"Almost done, almost done. Give me a few more days."

Zhu Yong nodded and did not press further.

Three more days passed, and Lin Yuan sent someone to report that the electric lamp was lit.

Zhu Yong rode his horse to the power station at the foot of Zijin Mountain.

The water turbine roared, the generator buzzed, and the electric wires stretched from the power station, strung on wooden poles, all the way to the Imperial City.

Lin Yuan connected an electric lamp, pulled the switch, and the filament glowed dark red at first, then grew brighter, finally emitting a dazzling white light.

Zhu Yong watched the lamp, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

It lit up.

Inside the Imperial Palace...

Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing documents in Qianqing Palace when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the hall.

He frowned, about to ask, when a eunuch rushed in, his face flushed with excitement.

"His Majesty! His Majesty! The lamp is lit! The lamp is lit!"

"What lamp?"

"An electric lamp! Prince Zhen Guo Wang had the wires pulled from Zijin Mountain into the palace, and the lamp is lit!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sprang to his feet and strode out of Qianqing Palace.

On the plaza outside Qianqing Palace, dozens of electric lamps ignited simultaneously, bathing the whole square in daylight.

The officials stood on the square, looking up at the glowing glass globes, each of them staring in astonishment.

"What... what is this thing?"

"An electric lamp... made by Prince Zhen Guo Wang?"

"So bright! More than ten times brighter than a kerosene lamp!"

"..."

Voices of discussion rose and fell.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the steps, watching the lamps, his eyes slightly reddened.

Empress Ma hurried from Kunning Palace and stood beside him.

"Zhong Ba, is this the electric lamp Yong Er talked about?"

"Yes, it's the electric lamp Yong Er mentioned."

"So bright..."

Empress Ma looked at the lamps and suddenly smiled.

Zhu Biao rushed from the Eastern Palace and stood beside Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yong also hurried back from Zijin Mountain, striding to Zhu Yuanzhang's side.

"Father, look, this is the electric lamp."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, was silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder, his voice a little hoarse.

"Alright, alright, Yong Er, you've given us another big surprise."

Zhu Yong gave a simple grin.

Outside the hall, the Civil and Military Officials continued their lively debate.

A few of the bold gathered beneath a lamp, tilted their heads up, and their eyes became dazzled.

"This thing is much brighter than a kerosene lamp."

"Exactly, now we won't need candles when reviewing documents at night."

"Prince Zhen Guo Wang, truly a divine being."

Zhu Yong stood among the crowd, listening to the chatter, his expression calm.

The electric lamp is lit, but there are still telegraph machines, electric motors, and many more things awaiting his urging.

The road is still long; one step at a time.

He turned, striding back into Qianqing Palace.

Behind him, the lamps on the plaza still shone, lighting the entire Imperial City as bright as day.