“No, no, no—not just for military purposes. The benefits extend to the economy, transportation, and goods movement. The advantages are simply unimaginable.” The third prince, Zhao Feng, immediately recognized how the introduction of these carriages would significantly benefit the national economy.
Take, for instance, the transportation of food.
Given the vastness of the land, some regions often faced famine while others enjoyed bountiful harvests. With these carriages, surplus grain could be transported to famine-stricken areas with ease.
Without such carriages, it might take months for supplies to arrive. By then, significant portions of the food would spoil, and the costs would skyrocket. But with this innovation, all supplies could reach any part of the country within a day or two.
Whether for trade, disaster relief, or the circulation of goods, the emergence of these carriages had revolutionized the nation's logistics.
“Old Master, how many of these railways exist in the Tang Kingdom?” Zhao Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.
“There’s a railway map displayed on the bulletin board ahead. You may view it for yourself,” the old master replied, brushing his white beard with pride. “The railway network is still young, having been built over the past ten years. Currently, it connects only the major cities. However, the Kingdom's lord has decreed that within the next twenty years, every city will be interconnected by rail.”
“What?!”
The group moved forward, their eyes widening as they beheld a massive map of the Tang Kingdom's railway system. The kingdom's vast territory was laid out before them, with cities densely marked and railways crisscrossing between them like an intricate web.
“This is unbelievable!” one of Zhao Feng’s men gasped. “These railways are so tightly interwoven that they connect every corner of the kingdom. Traveling from one city to another takes no more than a day or two!”
He continued, his tone a mixture of awe and apprehension, “These railways are like chains binding the cities. Any rebellion would be futile—the central army could reach any city within two days to crush dissent instantly. Where the railway reaches, the Tang Kingdom’s authority is absolute.”
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The men, skilled intelligence gatherers, quickly grasped the significance of the railways. This network was the foundation of an empire, exponentially increasing its military and economic potential.
At that moment, they felt as though they were staring at a colossal, war-machine-like empire.
Even this railway map alone sent shivers down their spines. It elevated their perception of the Tang Kingdom to a new level.
“Your Highness, this Tang Kingdom is no ordinary nation. It has the strength to threaten our Treasure Country. We must not underestimate it,” one of Zhao Feng’s men whispered, his face grim with caution.
Zhao Feng nodded solemnly. “I’ve long realized that. Coming here to gather intelligence was indeed the right decision. Any nation capable of toppling the Kingdom of Thunder is not to be taken lightly.”
“However,” one of his men murmured thoughtfully, “we could emulate the Tang Kingdom’s carriages. By building a similar railway system in the Treasure Country, we could connect all our cities.”
The man’s frustration was evident. “Our Treasure Country is too vast. Traveling from one place to another takes days, months, or even years. For instance, it took us months to journey from our capital to the Tang Kingdom. If we had railways, we could improve our transportation network immeasurably.”
“It's not that simple,” Zhao Feng replied, shaking his head. “The key to these carriages lies in the fire horses. These magical creatures enable the carriages to reach speeds of six hundred kilometers per hour.
“Our attempts to raise fire horses have failed miserably. Without understanding their habits, diets, and breeding methods, they died in our care.”
He sighed. “Raising magical creatures is no easy task. They are not only temperamental but also potentially dangerous. Even the knowledge of raising fire horses is likely a closely guarded secret of the Tang Kingdom.”
“It’s similar to ancient glass,” Zhao Feng added. “Before the manufacturing process became widespread, glass was a luxury item, rivaling precious gems in value. The secret of its creation was kept for centuries. The Tang Kingdom’s knowledge of fire horses is likely just as closely protected.”
At that moment, the old master approached, his expression curious. “What’s wrong? Why don’t you buy a ticket? Do you think the carriage is too slow for your liking?”
“Too slow? Ridiculous!” Zhao Feng and his men were speechless. Covering 20,000 kilometers in a day and a half—who could possibly call that slow?
The old master chuckled. “If it’s speed you’re concerned about, you could consider the Sky Bird. It’s faster than the carriage, though the fare is at least ten times higher.”
“Sky Birds?” Zhao Feng was taken aback. “You mean there’s another mode of transportation faster than these carriages?”
The revelation left everyone stunned. If the carriages were already miraculous, the thought of an even faster means of travel was beyond belief.