Parallel Ming Dynasty: The more he compared, the more devastated Zhu Yuanzhang became.

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Over the next two years, events unfolded exactly as Zhu Duo had predicted; bicycles truly rewrote the destinies of countless people and everything around them.

The invention of the bicycle accelerated people's interactions and exchanges at a visible pace.

{Someone from the New World: It was thanks to this bicycle that I earned my first living wage.}

{Someone from the New World: My family has been making a living by farming for generations. We have dozens of peach trees in and around the yard. In previous years, the ripe peaches could only be sold among neighbors in the village. The ones that couldn't be sold would all rot in the baskets.}

But now that I have a bicycle, I can transport these fresh peaches to the market town dozens of miles away to sell. It's really made me a lot of money.

{Someone from the New World: In those years before bicycles existed, I could only watch helplessly as the peaches rotted, or I would eat them like crazy during those few days until I felt nauseous. After all, my family's peach production was never high, and there were no traveling merchants passing through our remote area to buy them.}

{Someone from the New World: It's no exaggeration to say that I'm living a comfortable life today entirely thanks to bicycles.}

Someone from the New World: Not only that, my daughter works in the textile factory of the Peace Trading Company. Her monthly wages are quite high! Sometimes she earns more than me, her father!

Our family's current prosperity is not due to the imperial court, nor to fate, but solely to His Highness Zhu Duo!

After hearing what this person said, many people present showed undisguised envy and jealousy.

We're all farmers toiling in the fields, so why is it that some people can easily turn their lives around and live a good life?

The people of the new world weren't too bothered, since their lives had improved to some extent. The ones who felt the most resentful and envious were the common people of the original world.

They neither have this person's good fortune, nor are they destined to wait for such a good opportunity to change their fate.

{Original World: How on earth was this bicycle made? I want to build one myself! If I could make it, the people of our world could also use this wonderful thing.}

{Original World: What exactly is that chain wrapped around the two wheels? It looks extremely crucial.}

{New World: That thing is called a chain. It's all thanks to it that the force from your feet is transmitted to the wheels. The entire bicycle moves forward thanks to it.}

{Original World: I still think this thing is too amazing! It's like a magical spell; the bicycle just won't fall over when you ride it.}

{New World: You'll understand everything once you've actually touched and ridden a bicycle yourself.}

Just as His Highness Zhu Duo said, once you learn this skill, you'll never forget it for the rest of your life.

Ever since I learned to ride a bicycle, I can't even intentionally fall off; my body always instinctively straightens the handlebars!

The New World: Especially in Yingtianfu City, bicycles can be seen everywhere on the streets and alleys. It is said that even the imperial palace has acquired a considerable number of bicycles.

Many officials and ministers in the court rode bicycles to court; it was incredibly convenient. I wonder if the current emperor has ever ridden one.

-

Original world.

After witnessing the ingenious use of this novel object, the civil and military officials in the court immediately began to discuss it, all finding it unbelievable.

This tiny object is faster than a carriage pulled by a single horse, and it's so light and agile! If our Great Ming Dynasty could promote its use, it would surely rewrite countless situations!

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was already in his twilight years, he was still quick to accept new things. Combined with Zhu Duo's previous statements and the discussions among the people in the comments section, he naturally figured out quite a few tricks of the trade.

Just then, a minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this item will be difficult to promote on a large scale in our Great Ming Dynasty."

Oh? What do you mean? Tell me in detail.

Normally, few people dare to contradict his ideas to his face, so Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately intrigued and found it quite novel.

The minister remained calm and composed, saying, "I have just carefully examined this bicycle and discovered its great potential, but I have also found a fatal flaw in it."

That is, it can only be fully utilized on a flat and open road surface.

After listening to the minister's words, Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his head and pondered for a moment, while the other civil and military officials in the hall also carefully considered the matter in their hearts.

Two breaths later, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly nodded. "You are absolutely right. Anything that moves by wheels inevitably has this limitation."

Warhorses can traverse mountains and rivers, but bicycles simply cannot.

Moreover, these bicycles were entirely human-powered; by the time our soldiers arrived at the battlefield on their bicycles, the enemy would already be in full battle array.

But the minister gently shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, there is more to say than just this."

Are there any others?

[That's right. Even among ordinary people, this thing can probably only be used in cities, because in many places outside the city, apart from the official roads, the roads are mostly potholed and uneven.]

Especially after it rains, the dirt roads become muddy and slippery, making it difficult for even horse-drawn carriages to move, let alone bicycles that rely entirely on human power.

This is why bicycles simply cannot pass through these areas.

【unless--】

[Unless we undertake a massive road overhaul! A nationwide effort to construct smooth, paved roads! But the cost of doing so would be far too high, and its implementation would be virtually impossible.]

This minister succinctly pointed out the current predicament of the Ming Dynasty, and his words were meant to advise Zhu Yuanzhang not to expend too much manpower and resources on this matter.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement and said, "You're right, this is indeed a huge problem. With the current reserves of our Ming Dynasty's national treasury, it's simply impossible to carry out large-scale road repairs across the entire country."

However, the creation and replication of the bicycle could not be delayed in the slightest.

Even if we don't need it now, we'll definitely need it someday!

If I miss this opportunity to own a bicycle today, I'm afraid I'll never have another chance like it in my life.

Minister of Works Yu Nong, this matter is now entirely entrusted to you.

From this day forward, you are free to attend and leave court at any time, and you do not need to report to us on everything. All we ask is that your Ministry of Works record every single one of these novel objects that Zhu Duo has shown us, without any errors!

【Yes! 】

Yu Nong's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed in greeting.

{New World: So, the policy of allowing access to every village implemented by the imperial court was actually the brainchild of His Highness Zhu Duo?}

{New World: But didn't the imperial court clearly state that it was fully funded by the court itself? And from beginning to end, the Peace Trading Company wasn't mentioned even once?}

{New World: That's right. This village-to-village road construction project, from beginning to end, seems to have been solely overseen by the imperial court; we haven't seen any other forces involved at all.}

The viewers in the live chat were all filled with doubt, completely unable to understand the intricacies of the situation.

But in the very next second, the video clearly revealed the mystery that had been hidden for so long.

Upon hearing Zhu Duo mention the road construction, Shen Bi immediately stepped forward.

"Your Highness, the project to connect every village has been underway for two years now, and the vast majority of prefectures and counties have already completed and implemented it."

My estimation is that in at most two years, every village and town within the entire Ming Dynasty will be connected by major roads.

After listening to Shen Bi's report, Zhu Duo nodded approvingly, "Hmm, very well done. You didn't expose our Peace Trading Company, did you?"

"No. We only provided funding behind the scenes. Although we also secretly helped contact craftsmen and coordinate various matters, the government was the one in charge of this matter from beginning to end."

All project funds were disbursed in the name of the imperial court.

{New World: What?! This whole "Village-to-Village" strategy was orchestrated by the Peace Trading Company from beginning to end?!}

{New World: In the end, the imperial court was just a figurehead! They actually claimed all of Prince Zhu Duo's tremendous achievements for themselves?!}

The people of the new world were instantly enraged upon seeing this. They were all so angry that their chests felt tight, and their hearts were filled with rage and indignation.

The village-to-village road construction policy has brought tangible convenience and benefits to everyone, and almost all the people are grateful for it.

Almost every village and town erected a stone tablet to express gratitude for the imperial court's benevolence.

But who could have imagined that they would only now finally learn the truth?

The entire village road construction project was overseen by His Highness Zhu Duo from beginning to end, and the court, which they have been grateful to for so many years, is nothing more than a thief who stole His Highness Zhu Duo's reputation and credit!

How could they not be furious?

My heartfelt gratitude has been misplaced for so many years.

This is why the people of the new world were thoroughly enraged and began to denounce the court's shamelessness.

Moreover, in various prefectures and counties of the Ming Dynasty, countless people took to the streets to smash the stone tablets erected to express their gratitude to the court, while cursing the court's despicable and shameless behavior.

If this video hadn't been made public, they would have been kept in the dark for who knows how many more years!

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting on the dragon throne, could no longer sit still.

This despicable act of stealing credit and fame from others actually came from an official under his rule. How could he, the supreme emperor, put his face here?

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting on the dragon throne, could no longer sit still.

This despicable act of stealing credit and fame from others actually came from an official under his rule. How could he, the supreme emperor, put his face here?

"Who exactly was in charge of this matter in the first place?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Duo'er, tell me, who stole your credit? I will exterminate their entire family! Was it that bastard Ying Tiancheng, the Minister of Works?"

We remember it clearly; it was he who spearheaded the village-to-village travel policy. We'll give the order right now to drag him out and behead him as a warning!

Zhu Duo shook his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, please continue reading. This matter has nothing to do with any official in the court. I requested to do it myself."

"initiative?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked puzzled, but he didn't ask any more questions. He just patiently continued reading.

-

In the video, Zhu Duo continued, "Shen Bi, haven't you always wondered why we did this? We paid money and put in effort, but in the end we didn't want anything, not even a shred of credit."

By all accounts, this is a completely unprofitable deal, isn't it?

"Your Highness, that is exactly what I think. Please forgive my ignorance, but I simply cannot understand the reasoning behind it."

Zhu Duo simply smiled faintly and said, "Shen Bi, you should know that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. Haven't we done enough for the people so far?"

"Your Highness, that is indeed far too much."

"I sincerely want every citizen of the Ming Dynasty to live a good life, but all of this has a major prerequisite: we must first live peacefully and safely."

The things we've done have made our reputation among the people far surpass that of the imperial court.

Do you think this situation is a good thing for us?

"this……"

Shen Bi instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Zhu Duo's words.

Ultimately, they were merchants, while the imperial court was the official power.

If their popularity among the people surpasses that of the imperial court, the court will inevitably become wary of them.

If things really come to that, the imperial court can easily find a pretext to uproot the entire Heping Trading Company. At that point, no matter how deep their intentions are to benefit the people, it will be of no use.

"Therefore, we must also win the hearts of the people for the imperial court. We are merchants after all, and merchants do not fight against officials. Only in this way can we survive in the long run."

Shen Bi still couldn't understand. "Your Highness, you are a legitimate member of the royal family. This matter can be announced openly and honestly to the public."

Zhu Duo simply smiled at Shen Bi's question without offering any answer.

"Don't ask any more questions about this matter."

Remember this: the project to connect every village is a monumental achievement for the entire Ming Dynasty, second only to solving the problem of food and clothing for the people. We cannot take a single penny of it.

All fame and achievements must be attributed to the imperial court.

Only in this way can the imperial court win back the hearts of the people, and only then can the Ming Dynasty's rule be more secure.

"Furthermore, this matter was handled by Ying Tiancheng of the Ministry of Works. Ying Tiancheng is a rare good official, so doing this can be considered as helping him out and helping him advance further."

When he rose to a higher position, the Ming Dynasty gained another good official who could serve the people.

This is a win-win situation.

"But...we got nothing in return, even though we invested so much real money..."

Shen Bi was clearly still not completely over it; he felt a tightness in his chest and was full of confusion.

Zhu Duo looked up at the sky, slowly closed his eyes, and smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter. As long as the people of the Ming Dynasty can live a good life, that's enough."