Chapter 278

In the imperial court, Wang Xiujin had already anticipated that taking over the shipyard would be met with resistance. Thus, he wasn't in a hurry to assert his presence at the coastal shipyard. Instead, he sought out several of the "returnees from overseas," as there was much he needed to learn. These young men, after their adventures at sea, had undergone noticeable changes—their demeanor had grown rugged and forthright. Compared to their former refinement, they now spoke with directness, offering fair and impartial comments without belittling others.

Wang Xiujin listened intently as they described scenes from foreign lands. He was particularly interested in their accounts of ships equipped with cannons and was about to inquire further when they produced a drawing. The diagram depicted the ship from four different angles. After examining it, Wang Xiujin folded the paper, realizing he had overestimated the foreigners. The so-called "cannon" was simply a wooden contraption, much like a catapult, although it did launch actual cannonballs. He had spent the previous night pondering over what he imagined to be ice hail, only to discover it was little more than drizzle—he felt a sense of frustration.

Nevertheless, the ingenuity of the foreigners was commendable. Wang Xiujin stroked his chin. If he were to replicate such ships, it would be relatively easy, but he aspired to produce something grander than what the overseas nations had achieved. Moving past the topic of ships, he asked about other technologies, such as machines.

"We didn't have the opportunity to enter the workshops, but we did manage to bring back two craftsmen skilled in glassmaking," one replied, though the means by which they were recruited remained undisclosed. "The craftsmen have been sent to the subordinate offices of the Ministry of Works. It shouldn't take long to uncover the methods of glass production."

"In foreign lands, do they use candles at night, or something else?" Wang Xiujin picked up his teacup, casually voicing another question that had been on his mind.

"In some places, candles are used. In others, there is a device called an electric lamp. However, places with electric lamps are few—apart from the royal palace, only a handful of workshops that operate around the clock have them."

The teacup slipped from Wang Xiujin's hand onto the table—electric lamps, they truly had electric lamps.

"Sir?" Those who had studied at the New Tower Academy always addressed Wang Xiujin as 'Sir,' a title far more respectful and intimate than 'Royal Merchant.'

"It's nothing," Wang Xiujin forced himself to calm down. "Is it possible to bring back someone from the power plant?"

"That would be quite difficult. The few places with lamps seem to be deep within inner courtyards, making contact with the relevant personnel impossible." They shook their heads. Though they weren't sure what the device was, they had tried to recruit someone. The lamp was evidently brighter than a candle, illuminating the night as if it were day. "They also have railcars—many wooden tracks upon which wooden cars run at considerable speed." As they spoke, they gestured to help Wang Xiujin visualize these vehicles.

Wang Xiujin nodded. Now that power plants existed, railcars for mines were not surprising. He wasn't certain if the commonly seen trains of later years had developed from these, but it was an idea worth considering for introduction. He took up some paper and sketched what the men described. Their eyes widened in astonishment—despite never having traveled overseas, he could draw tracks and wooden cars based solely on their descriptions.

"This is doable, though the wood used must be carefully selected," Wang Xiujin tapped his fingers. "Ongoing maintenance will be crucial, especially with regard to wear and tear."

The men agreed. "These cars aren't particularly fast—nothing like the bicycle you made for the emperor, and certainly not as swift as a horse." At this, they recalled the foreign carriages. "Foreign carriages are somewhat smaller, but have their merits." Someone took up pen and paper and drew one. "Moreover, their carriages are made of iron, not wood."

Wang Xiujin nodded—this he had already known.

"And pens—foreigners are truly impoverished, using feathers as pens. Their script is so tiny and cramped, it's exhausting to look at." While they admired certain foreign things, they couldn't help but look down on others.

What if feather pens were fitted inside fine bamboo tubes? Wang Xiujin resolved to try this upon returning home. The returnees continued to recount tales from overseas and show the items they had brought back. "Their clothing is peculiar, looking rather odd, with two strips of cloth at the back reminiscent of a swallow's tail. Instead of dressing like people, they resemble birds."

"What items did you bring that were most popular? Did they impose any additional taxes?" Wang Xiujin was particularly concerned about this.

"No taxes were collected. The porcelain, embroidery, and women's garments we brought were greatly appreciated." After a pause, they added, "And daggers—they paid special attention to the daggers we carried."

Wang Xiujin nodded. "In trading with foreign lands, weapons can indeed be commodities, provided we acquire more advanced ones than daggers. This can be addressed gradually. What currency do they use—gold, silver, copper, or paper money?"

"Paper money. When they produced it, the youngest of us nearly burst out laughing, mocking them for not even being able to produce gold."

"It's not that they can't produce gold, but that they reserve it for other purposes." This might not seem significant now, but years later, when gold reserves are compared, the issue will become apparent. "Since foreign countries are already circulating paper currency, Da Liang must prepare to change its own currency for foreign trade. Gold and silver, if possible, should not flow outward and are safest kept at home." Pouring himself a cup of tea, Wang Xiujin pondered briefly before speaking again. "Let the Minister of Finance worry about this!"

After chatting for a while, they parted ways. Wang Xiujin did not return home directly but instead visited the military workshop, eager to learn about the current progress in gunpowder research and whether it was possible to attempt making cannons.

The Fourth Prince and his party, originally planning to travel south along the coastline, did not continue their journey. Instead, Liu Qing and the prince's attendants traveled south, while the Fourth Prince and Li Linshan led another group straight back to the capital. They had heard some news about the return of the sea vessels, and the series of edicts concerning coastal defense suggested that something had happened to the returning ships.

On their journey, the Fourth Prince's group hurried back to the capital. In the city, Wang Xiujin submitted a memorial to the court regarding wooden tracks. This time, the proposal was not met with much debate. After discussion, it was decided that two tracks would be laid from east to west across the capital, and that the vehicles would be supplied by the royal merchant. Of course, the court would not expect the royal merchant to provide the cars for free—all profits for five years would belong to the royal merchant.

Upon hearing the court's decision, Wang Xiujin merely sneered. Once profits actually materialized, those officials would surely demand taxes. Ah, when will the court ever be united? If it ever happens, just a stomp of the foot would shake the world, perhaps even redraw the continents. Setting aside such impractical thoughts, Wang Xiujin busied himself with selecting quality wood for the tracks and determining the design of the vehicles—a task still in its early stages. For now, the progress in the workshops needed to be accelerated. The workshop's original name was replaced by a single character: "Car."

The shipyard manager, who had been waiting for Wang Xiujin to take over, had prepared all sorts of schemes. Yet, no matter how long he waited, Wang Xiujin did not appear. However many tricks he had prepared, they were useless without someone to employ them on. Days passed, and the manager grew restless. One morning in court, he submitted a memorial against Wang Xiujin.

The emperor looked at him as if he were an idiot. Ministers allied with the manager silently mourned for him and took a step back, wondering if stupidity was contagious. Who in the capital didn't know what the royal merchant was busy with? With the emperor's tacit approval, he spent his days in the military workshop or seeking out foreign craftsmen at the Ministry of Works. Since the emperor had granted the shipyard to the royal merchant, and the merchant had handed over the funds to the Ministry of Finance, the shipyard was his. The manager need only walk away—what was the point in making a fuss, even submitting a memorial in court? Was he stupid, truly stupid?

At that moment, the emperor and all the ministers shared the same thought: How did this fool become an official? Naturally, the emperor would not admit to having misjudged a man—it must be that the official had deceived the throne. The ministers could not attribute the mistake to the emperor either. Even if the thought occurred, it had to be suppressed. What they wondered was, whose pupil was this fool? His mentor must have been blind.

Regarded as a fool by others, the manager felt a trace of smugness. Even if the emperor, for the sake of his word, allowed the shipyard to remain with the royal merchant, the manager believed his memorial would leave a blemish on the emperor's opinion of the merchant. The more he thought about it, the more pleased he felt—if he couldn't be happy, neither should his rival. Though he hung his head, concealing his expression, his satisfaction radiated outward, prompting nearby ministers to subtly step away—they didn't want to be implicated in his demise.

When the manager leapt forward to attack the royal merchant, Master Wang listened with practiced indifference, not even lifting his eyelids. General Li stroked his beard, raised his brows, and glanced at the troublemaker, while Li shook his head inwardly. After receiving the edict, they listened to Wang Xiujin explain that obstacles would arise in taking over the shipyard—a prediction that had come true.

After the court session, Wang Xiujin nearly laughed aloud as the Ministry of Works recounted the incident. It was pitiful, really. Whether out of genuine conviction or fear of being exiled to the steppe by the emperor, the ministers were barely united, yet there were always those who stirred discord. This was not just a matter of self-destruction; such a person’s family, which had raised someone so brainless, and the teacher who had educated him, both risked disaster.

After reflecting on the matter, Wang Xiujin set it aside—he was truly busy. With glass finally secured, far more could be achieved. Glass had a wide range of uses and was much clearer than crystal. He was preparing to replace all the windows in his home, except those facing directly onto the bed, with glass. Naturally, the palace would be the first to receive the upgrade.

Those learning from the foreign craftsmen applied themselves diligently—their skills were remarkable. According to the royal merchant, it was a lucrative trade. Upon mastering the craft, they would train apprentices to work in the workshops or enter the palace as artisans. Either way, it was a desirable occupation, and if the workshops belonged to the royal merchant, there would be no worries for life.

Leaving the Ministry of Works, Wang Xiujin visited the military workshop again. The convex and concave lenses he had previously made had all been sent there. He wondered whether the new telescopes had been completed. Such devices would be useful in both land and sea battles, and even for soldiers on city walls. Ideally, high-magnification versions could be produced, though his own knowledge was limited—he could only hope the craftsmen would be inspired.

The workshop was bustling, the craftsmen overwhelmed with work. Not wanting to disturb them, Wang Xiujin spoke briefly with the supervisor, examined the finished telescopes, and looked over the cannon blueprints. The ancient drawings were quite simple, depicting only the exterior, with no details of the internal mechanisms. Still, the shape was reminiscent of a cannon, and if it could be made, he wondered if the range could be ensured.

Leaving the military workshop, he visited the car workshop under construction. The site was large, but with the addition of the railcar workshop, it seemed a bit cramped. Wang Xiujin considered whether the bicycle section should be reduced. He didn't underestimate bicycles—before low-cost vehicles rolled off the line, the bicycle market was quite promising. However, his bicycles were wooden, and he expected they would soon be replaced, so there was no need for such a large area. Construction was proceeding at a good pace, and the bicycle workshop would be ready to begin production before the New Year.

After considering the matter and discussing with the manager about selecting a suitable day for hiring workers, Wang Xiujin had a formal notice posted, and those previously registered were notified as well. Busy to the point of exhaustion, he still felt overwhelmed, especially when news arrived of his elder sister-in-law's premature labor. He received the message and fell silent for a long while. Truth be told, his goodwill toward her had faded long ago, but upon hearing of her early delivery, he couldn't help but feel worried. After all, they had shared a friendly relationship, and he couldn't bring himself to speak ill. However, visiting the Chun family was out of the question.

Madam Wang, upon receiving the news, did not go herself, but sent her daughter and attendants to pay a visit. The second master of the Chun family was not displeased to see Wang Xiuyun. Though there had been friction between the families, Wang's family had not severed ties, especially the royal merchant, who still looked after his business from time to time—something for which the second master was grateful.

Upon learning that the sister-in-law had given birth to a daughter, Wang Xiujin said nothing, but instructed his servants to prepare a welcome gift for his new niece. With so many boys in the family, a girl to keep her mother company was not a bad thing. Unexpectedly, the messenger then continued, "Master, after giving birth, the lady bit her tongue and took her own life."