The civil and military officials present, from initial doubt to surprise and then joy, all affirmed the value of the steam locomotive.
This new mode of transport far surpassed the efficiency of common horse-drawn carts, its only drawbacks being the frightening black smoke and the constant need for fuel!
Looking at the steam locomotive still cooling its boiler, Liang Xiao couldn't help but feel excited. He quickly calmed down, however, reminding them, "The steam locomotive still needs improvement. Firstly, we must enhance its safety and stability, and reduce pollution. Secondly, we will build larger steam locomotives in the future for transporting goods and supporting all parts of the country. By then, transporting two thousand li in a day will not be a dream, and theoretically, supplies could reach the western borders in three to four days!"
The official from the Ministry of Works immediately recorded Liang Xiao's words, a look of joy on his face.
Up to this point, every concept Liang Xiao had provided to the Ministry of Works had proven to be feasible, though some were too complex to be manufactured yet.
The steam locomotive was already quite intricate, but Zhang Yang and his team had ultimately built it!
"In addition, there are several other key points to record!"
Liang Xiao's tone suddenly turned serious, and the smiling record-keeper quickly adopted a solemn expression and resumed writing.
"The current fuel for steam locomotives is coal, which inevitably produces black smoke. This black smoke will pollute the environment. If we do not take precautions in advance, and in the future excessive black smoke is emitted and cannot dissipate in time, it is very likely that the entire capital, and even the entire country, will be shrouded in smog, harming the people and causing illness and death."
The originally joyous crowd quickly calmed down, looking at the steam locomotive still emitting a bit of black smoke with apprehension.
"It's like petroleum, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, right?" Wang Canghai suddenly remembered something and sighed.
"Precisely! Therefore, we must prevent problems before they arise, plan and legislate early to prevent machines that require steam power, including steam locomotives, from affecting people's lives!" Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
He did not wish for Da Gan to experience a "smog city" in the future, a problem that took London decades to resolve after becoming a "foggy city."
Everyone was convinced and praised him repeatedly.
Liang Xiao's journey to the divine realm was now common knowledge, and they naturally assumed that he might have witnessed the consequences of the misuse and unchecked proliferation of steam locomotives in the divine realm.
"The last matter, and perhaps the most important: the promotion of steam locomotives and steam engines will inevitably gradually replace traditional transportation, leading to a large number of people losing their livelihoods, such as carriage drivers. Therefore, the court must carefully plan for the transition of these people to avoid them falling into hardship due to unemployment."
"The Emperor is indeed far-sighted!" everyone exclaimed.
Wang Canghai gazed at Liang Xiao, nodding with delight.
He had become Emperor, yet he remained unpretentious and was still the same Marquis of An Guo!
As the saying goes, convenience for others is convenience for oneself, and the people would remember the care he and Xiao Qing had shown them…
At this moment, the old Prime Minister, who had worked diligently for decades, was finally completely at ease, like a grandfather who couldn't stop smiling after seeing his granddaughter find a perfect match.
Zhuo Ling and others immediately received the golden notes promised by Liang Xiao and resumed testing the steam locomotive, preparing to teach other drivers in the future.
Seeing that Liang Xiao had already arranged the future of the steam locomotive, everyone felt reassured and returned to drink and celebrate.
The grand ceremony of unification was celebrated by all, coupled with Liang Xiao's enfeoffment as Emperor and his wedding, the promotion of officials, and the successful trial run of the steam locomotive on this very day…
Today was more than just double happiness!
Even Nan Ji Yun, who generally disliked drinking, couldn't help but link arms with Lu Changhe and others and head to Lu Changhe's home for drinks.
Back in the Ministry of Works with Zhang Yang, Wang Canghai, and Huang Xing, Liang Xiao finally couldn't contain himself and exclaimed with immense joy, "Zhang Yang, you are truly a peerless genius!"
"Ah? Hehehe…" Zhang Yang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled foolishly, scratching the back of his head and forgetting all about modesty.
He was usually unfazed by praise or criticism.
But today, the person showering him with such extravagant compliments was…
Damn it, he couldn't help but feel a little proud!
Huang Xing stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "When I retire, Minister Zhang will undoubtedly be the undisputed choice for Minister of Works. Even if he doesn't agree, Your Majesty and his colleagues will make him agree, won't they?"
"This is truly not my achievement alone; it belongs to everyone in the Ministry of Works!" Zhang Yang quickly clarified.
"Don't be modest. The Prime Minister and I have seen it with our own eyes. Without you, those crucial structures simply wouldn't have been built!" Huang Xing said with a smile.
Liang Xiao quickly sent Huang Xing to escort Zhang Yang to the Ministry of Revenue to receive his reward, leaving only Wang Canghai.
The two sat down, and Liang Xiao asked, "Prime Minister, you haven't had a private conversation with me in many years. Is there something important?"
Wang Canghai nodded, "Now that the nation is united and the four seas are at peace, I am already over seventy years old and cannot occupy the position of Prime Minister indefinitely. It is time to give opportunities to my colleagues…"
"Prime Minister intends to retire to his hometown because you yourself know that all officials trust you implicitly as Prime Minister. As long as you remain in this position, no one else will dare to covet it, so you must retire yourself," Liang Xiao sighed.
With his words striking home, Wang Canghai chuckled helplessly. After a pause, he said, "Before Your Majesty returned to the capital, I had already mentioned this matter to His Majesty. However, everyone is currently focused on their duties, and Minister Gu and the others have also declined, believing they are not fit for such a great responsibility and are content to be ministers… I later thought that it is indeed time to give opportunities to the younger generation."
Liang Xiao smiled, "Prime Minister wishes to ask me who is suitable? Zhang Yang would certainly disagree, wouldn't he?"
Wang Canghai nodded again, "Zhang Yang is wholeheartedly devoted to invention, so he should be utilized for his talents. Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong have also declined, and due to their fathers holding high positions, they wish to avoid any appearance of impropriety, so they have also declined. Hong Jie and Lin Xiu believe they lack sufficient experience… Your Majesty, who do you think is the most suitable candidate for Prime Minister?"
Liang Xiao pondered for a long time and then said with a smile, "Prime Minister, don't forget Li Xiuyun. In the future, the position of Prime Minister can have a fixed term, with everyone serving in rotation."
Wang Canghai's eyes lit up, "Your Majesty also has this idea! Governor Li has successively served as Governor of Luzhou and Yizhou, receiving widespread acclaim, and has been greatly welcomed by the military and civilians of Jiaozhou. He is a suitable candidate! How about Lin Xiu as the Governor of Jiaozhou?"
"Excellent! He is in dire need of a substantive position!" Liang Xiao praised.
The two immediately made a decision and went together to see Xiao Qing.
In the imperial study, Xiao Qing said with heartfelt gratitude, "Prime Minister Grandpa has toiled for the nation and the people for most of his life, and it is time for him to enjoy his twilight years. In the future, the Wang family of the Marquis of Fuxian will also have at least one official of the third rank; if they are capable, they will be given a substantive position, and if not, they will be given a nominal position awaiting promotion, just like the Marquis of Dingguo's estate…"
"Prime Minister Grandpa~"
The two princes quickly ran over to hug Wang Canghai's legs and acted spoiled, reluctant to part.
Wang Canghai looked at the cute and intelligent princes, his heart blooming with joy. He carefully released them and submitted his memorial.
However, as Li Xiuyun was still in Jiaozhou, the position of Prime Minister would remain vacant after Wang Canghai's retirement, pending Li Xiuyun's appointment.
"Extra! Extra! Prime Minister Wang retires with merit, and Governor of Jiaozhou Li Xiuyun is designated by the court to take over!"
The news spread, and the people of the capital were filled with emotion.
This "emergency governor," who was once heavily promoted by the newspapers, was finally called back to the central government to achieve his rightful position.
Meanwhile, Zhen Mi, Yue Wenxin, and Zhuo Yun, the three princesses about to be married, remained in their rooms, too shy to come out.