Chapter 408: There’s Really a Great Empress in the Southern Frontier!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xu Ke’s face was ashen. He couldn’t help but curse, “You’re a bunch of bachelors. Even if we don’t want a woman, you won’t be able to marry her!”
It was not easy to get a wife to begin with, yet they were cursing them for not being able to get one in their lifetimes.
How could they tolerate this!
The angry men swarmed forward and beat him up.
When the soldiers rushed over to break up the fight, Xu Ke had already been beaten to a pulp and could no longer say anything against the marriage law.
After all, he did not want to suffer a second time.
With 1% of men obedient, the marriage law was completely settled in Carefree City.
While Bai Wutong was waiting for news from Chu Tianbao, the citizens that Yu Suisheng had attracted with high salary finally arrived at Baye.
A portion of the commoners stayed in Syria to mine oil, and a portion stayed in the Sacred Mountain to mine jade. The remaining 250,000 people travelled towards Carefree City.
There was a very wide cement road in the boundary of the Baye City.
This cement road was 300 meters wide and could accommodate 20 carriages walking side by side at the same time. There was a white line in the middle. The construction team led by Zhao Pengfei was still building the cement foundation.
Everyone was very curious, including Yu Suisheng, who was leading the team.
Although he had guessed that this was the cement road described in Sheng Huaixuan’s letter, he could not help but jump on the cement road.
The cement road was even sturdier than the bluestone road in many towns. It was really surprising.
Yu Suisheng asked Zhao Pengfei, who was focused on construction, “What’s the use of this white line in the middle?”
Zhao Pengfei explained, “We are using the white line to divide the road. The carriages coming and going will take one side, so the traffic won’t be congested.”
Yu Suisheng came to a realization. He saw a sign with a drawing of a wolf’s head not far ahead and asked curiously, “What does that mean?”
Zhao Pengfei said, “There are often wolves on this route. It’s to remind everyone to be careful.”
Yu Suisheng was surprised and praised, “This is really a good idea.”
Zhao Pengfei couldn’t help but show off his hard work. “There are still signs to warn of bents ahead, slopes, zebra crossings, and so on.”
Yu Suisheng could not help but be curious. “What is a zebra crossing?”
Zhao Pengfei smiled and said, “It’s a landmark to signal to avoid passersby. It’s like a pattern on a horse.”
Yu Suisheng marveled at how particular the cement road was. Many men suddenly appeared on tricycles carrying goods.
Yu Suisheng’s eyes widened in confusion.
The commoners behind him were even more surprised.
This carriage actually did not need a horse. It could move with humans pulling it and was not slow.
If they got one of these tricycles, they wouldn’t have to raise horses.
The tricycle drew many people’s attention. Everyone craned their necks and ran in front of Yu Suisheng to take a look.
On the tricycle, Zhong Bisheng said to Zhao Pengfei, “Brother Zhao, we’ve transported another batch of cement and steel. The Great Empress even asked us to collect the petroleum. How are we going to load it?”
The oil extraction workshop was a little far from Carefree City. It was to prevent pollution and made it easier for the corresponding factories to expand in the future.
They would transport it over on a tricycle, and the carriage would be repaired in Carefree City.
The commoners did not understand the words cement, steel, and oil.
The word “Great Empress” stunned everyone.
What Great Empress?
There was a Great Empress in the southern frontier?
Then what was Emperor Ling Hui, who was far away in the Imperial City?
Now was not the time to tell them that the southern frontier had changed owners again.
Yu Suisheng ignored everyone’s doubts and said to Zhao Pengfei, “The oil is in the convoy behind. I’ll bring you to load the oil!”
The commoners were too curious about the tricycle. But the topic had suddenly changed. They followed the tricycle and sized up it again and again. How did this iron thing operate?
When Zhong Bisheng and his brothers were loading the oil, the commoners could not help but reach out and touch it. As if they were afraid that it would be damaged, they carefully retracted their hands.
By the time the oil was loaded and they set off, it was almost dark.
Zhao Pengfei also wanted to return to the camp to rest, so he returned with them.
Instead of taking a carriage, he rode a black bicycle.
The car that only had two wheels immediately caused the commoners to cheer.
This was too awesome!
Wasn’t the southern frontier a barbaric place? How could there be such advanced transportation tools!!!
Zhao Pengfei rode on the bicycle, looking handsome and cool. Yu Suisheng’s eyes were filled with envy. “Brother Zhao, this is a bicycle, right?”
Sheng Huaixuan had described the bicycle to him in the letter, but it was really too different from what he had imagined.
It was lighter, convenient, and more desirable to have.
Zhao Pengfei smiled and said, “That’s right, this is a bicycle!”
Yu Suisheng’s eyes lit up. “I wonder if I can buy a bicycle too?”
The journey was too far, and it was too slow for Sheng Huaixuan to get someone to send a letter. Yu Suisheng did not know that the bicycle had already reached the standard of mass production. As long as he saved a few months’ worth of money, it was still very easy to buy a bicycle from Carefree City.
Zhao Pengfei smiled and said, “It’s not very expensive. It’s only 15 taels of silver. Master Yu will definitely be able to afford it.”
Yu Suisheng was relieved, but the commoners widened their eyes and stammered, “Is it really only a dozen taels?”
It should cost thousands for such a magical two-wheeled car!
It actually only cost a dozen taels, making it seem like they could buy it after saving up for more than a year.
Zhao Pengfei smiled and nodded. “Yes, you can buy it for 15 taels of silver!” Then he encouraged these citizens who were worried about the future, “Our Carefree City is very good. As long as you work hard, you can quickly buy a house and a car.”
As soon as he said that, everyone became excited. “That’s great.”
They stayed at the camp for the night. The next day, Yu Suisheng continued to set off with everyone. The rugged road was changed to a flat cement road, and everyone’s footsteps became much lighter.
Along the way, they could see people riding bicycles from time to time. When they realized that the bicycles had different colors, everyone was excited and looked forward to their arrival at Carefree City even more.
When the news that 250,000 citizens were about to reach Carefree City came, Bai Wutong happily got someone to prepare various reception matters.
They checked the tent apartments where the commoners were staying, the food, clothes, medicine, and various emergency measures prepared for them.
After Carefree City entered everyone’s line of sight, the team led by Yu Suisheng was all petrified.
Why was it completely different from what they had imagined?
There were plazas, gardens, and beautiful and rare buildings.
This was more stunning than any city they had passed by.
They were dirty and looked at the clean stone path. Standing here, they were afraid of damaging the beautiful environment.
Bai Wutong, who was dressed formally, welcomed them warmly. “It’s been hard on you to travel so far.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the commoners who were blocking the way knelt down in unison. “Greetings, Great Empress.”
The new citizens suddenly widened their eyes. This… This was the Great Empress?
There was really a Great Empress in the southern frontier!
Then what were they now? Slaves who had been tricked into coming here?