Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

"Prince Chu is our parent, no, he is our reborn parent!"

People of insight are even more impressed:

"Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, has there ever been such a well-governed country?"

"As expected of a time traveler, your courage and new methods are beyond the reach of ordinary officials like me!"

"If there were more pillars of this kind in the court, wouldn't this prosperous era be just around the corner?"

The voices of praise swept across the land of China like a tide.

Even those local officials who had always been at loggerheads with the imperial court had to submit sincerely:
"The new policies of the capital are truly amazing."

"Yes, we are pampered, how can we be as diligent and caring as they are?"

"It seems like it's time to let the whole country see the power of Fengyang's new policy!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased and said to the Grand Secretary Wu Ting beside him.

"I think Chu Ze is indeed a man of great talent and is capable of taking on the important task." Wu Ting bowed and said, "But the capital has a lot of problems. How can one person and one policy change them? I am worried."

"You worry too much, my dear minister." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile: "Let's see what Chu Ze can do. With his talent and wisdom, he will definitely make the capital city look brand new!"

Just as he finished speaking, a burst of hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall.

"Report! Prince Chu's 'Enterprise' has arrived, just outside the palace gate!"

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang stood up in surprise: "So soon? Tell Chu Ze that I am waiting for you in the Hall of Supreme Harmony!"

After a while, Chu Ze, led by a group of attendants, strode into the hall.

"Chu Ze, I pay my respects to the emperor. Long live the emperor!" He bowed.

"Stand up." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes falling on the people behind Chu Ze: "Are these all your confidants?"

"That's right." Chu Ze introduced them one by one: "This is the blacksmith Li Changji, this is the water conservancy expert Zhao Si, this is..."

"Good, good!" Zhu Yuanzhang praised him endlessly: "Lord Chu is indeed trustworthy when employing people. I summoned you to the capital, have you guessed the reason?"

"I dare to speculate, could it be that this is due to the accumulated problems in the capital?"

"That's right! To be honest, the capital city is frequently hit by floods, the grain transport is not smooth, the crops are poor, the people are living in poverty, and I am worried to death." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "You have overcome all odds in Fengyang and created many miracles. Can you make new achievements in the capital city now?"

Chu Ze heard this, his eyes lit up: "What I did in Fengyang was just some attempts. If I can show my skills on a stage like the capital, I will definitely impress your majesty!"

"Okay!" Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised and delighted: "I will let you do it. If you want money or people, just ask!"

"If I ask for money and people, wouldn't it be that I am too ambitious and incompetent?" Chu Ze shook his head and smiled: "I only ask for your Majesty's trust and allow me to play freely. As for the rest, let miracles speak for themselves!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased to hear this, and immediately announced that he would hold a banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony three days later to welcome Chu Ze.

At the banquet, civil and military officials gathered together.

When Chu Ze's figure appeared, all eyes were focused on him.

"Is this Prince Chu? The legendary genius who is good at planning and has both wisdom and courage?"

"Yes, I heard that the miracles he created in Fengyang were simply incredible."

"Humph, you are just a young boy who has just started out. Do you really think you are the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang?"

Amid the discussions, Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne and said loudly: "Today's banquet is held, firstly to entertain Minister Chu, and secondly to convey my will. My dear ministers, please listen attentively!" Everyone in the room stood up in awe.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Chu Ze and said, "Your Excellency Chu, you must be tired after coming from afar. Why don't you take this opportunity to talk to your colleagues about what you saw and heard in Fengyang so that everyone can broaden their horizons?"

"Your humble servant is terrified." Chu Ze stood up and looked around: "My dear colleagues, I have just arrived in the capital, so it is inevitable that I have many shortcomings. I hope you will be generous with your guidance, so that I, a rough man, can also experience the elegance of the capital."

"What are you talking about?" Minister of Rites Zhao Tingyu said with a smile, "To be honest with you, Your Highness, we have long admired your reputation. You are known as a 'divine man' in Fengyang. Could you please teach me something?"

"It's not a brilliant plan, just some humble opinions." Chu Ze smiled faintly and glanced at the ministers present:

"Have you ever heard of steam power?"

"Steam power?" Everyone in the room looked confused.

"It uses the expansion force of water vapor to drive mechanical devices." Chu Ze said: "Its power is far greater than that of humans and animals, and it can work continuously by just adding coal and water."

Everyone looked at each other, not quite understanding.

Chu Ze smiled slightly and continued, "With this power, I have built a new locomotive in Fengyang, named 'Enterprise'. It can run on the rails and travel a thousand miles a day."

"What? A thousand miles a day?" Zhao Tingyu was dumbfounded: "Your Majesty, are you kidding? Even a fine horse can't run that far."

"Mr. Zhao, you don't know that the Enterprise is powered by coal, not horsepower." Chu Ze said confidently, "The coal burns, and the steam generated pushes the piston, which then drives the wheels through the transmission device, allowing it to run on the rails."

"This is incredible!" Zhao Tingyu was half-believing and half-doubting: "Does Your Majesty have any physical evidence?"

"This is easy." Chu Ze slapped his thigh and said, "The Enterprise is parked outside the palace. Why don't we go and see it for ourselves?"

"Let's go! Let's see this monster for ourselves!"

Amid exclamations, the crowd followed Chu Ze to the outside of the palace.

I saw a huge creature quietly parked in the open space outside the palace gate, its black shell shining with metallic luster in the sunlight.

Everyone gathered around in amazement, and began to discuss:
"This is the Enterprise? Wow, it's as big as a house!"

"Look at this big wheel, it's thicker than a car wheel. I wonder how fast it can run?"

"There's black smoke coming out of this head. Could it be that the coal is burning?"

Chu Ze looked at everyone's surprised expressions and smiled triumphantly.

He strode to the front of the Enterprise and patted the front of the engine. "Look, everyone. This is the coal-fired boiler. The boiling water vapor passes through this cylinder and can drive the piston and the drive shaft."

"The piston and the transmission shaft drive the four wheels through a series of gears. The wheels are guided by the rails and can move forward smoothly and quickly."

Everyone was confused by what they heard, but when they saw the exquisite structure and the power of steam, they couldn't help but admire it.

"This magical object is truly worthy of being the prince's masterpiece!" Zhao Tingyu exclaimed, "But how fast is it? I am still a little skeptical."

"That's easy." Chu Ze chuckled, "Why don't you try it for yourself? I can guarantee that you will feel like flying when you ride on the Enterprise!"

"This, this." The ministers looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment.

"What are you afraid of?" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and took the lead to step forward: "Are you still not confident in Lord Chu's abilities? Let's go up and have a taste!"

Under the emperor's lead, all the ministers also put aside their concerns and filed in. (End of this chapter)