Chapter 873: Empty alley

In the early morning, with a loud whistle, the entire Qingzhou city boiled.
After two years of construction, the railway line from Dayu State to Laiwu in the south, Kaiping in the north, and Dengzhou in the east was officially opened.
The people who heard the news were all overjoyed and went to the station to buy tickets, and the whole station was surrounded by water.
Xiao Ming and a group of officials also arrived at the scene, and Brandon was also here.
After staying in Qingzhou for a month, Brandon has basically completed the purchase of supplies. There are a total of 75 Dutch merchant ships heading to the country, all of which are full of cargo.
"This time the Dutch mission purchased 100 reciprocating steam engines, confiscated 16,000 muskets, 70 tons of white sugar, 3,000 pieces of porcelain, 9,000 pieces of silk, and 20,000 pieces of cotton..." Li on the platform Kaiyuan read this Dutch purchase list to Xiao Ming.
"Speaking of the main point, how much money is there in total." Xiao Ming's eyes remained on the crowded station.
"A total of six million Golden Dragon purchases." Li Kaiyuan smiled without seeing his teeth, this amount is not small.
Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction, and coupled with the loan obtained from the Netherlands, the country's finances are finally prosperous, especially since the sale of conquered rifles has basically reached the level of cost equivalent to breech rifles.
In this way, his army can successfully list 16,000 conscripts from this transaction, and this does not include the transaction with Li Chuyuan.
"Arms and industrial products really make money!" Xiao Ming said with emotion. He finally understood why contemporary America is keen on making war fortune. This is indeed addictive.
Brandon smiled on his face, and he could see that the emperor of the Great Yu Kingdom was very satisfied with this visit.
"Envoy Brandon, I hope that the friendship between Great Chongqing and the Netherlands will last forever." Xiao Ming said.
Brandon was a little flattered, "Of course, of course, this is what we expect."
When the three people spoke, the steam locomotive made a loud whistle again. At this time, holding the tickets, the long queue of people began to get on the train in an orderly manner.
"The emperor, it's time to get in the car." Princess Pingyang reminded.
Xiao Ming nodded and made a gesture to Brandon. Braden looked excited. He tidied up his dress and walked to the locomotive.
"Father, go, go!"
Xiao Yi was jumping in front, looking like he couldn't wait. In order to witness this great event, Xiao Ming brought a lot of people here this time, Luluo and Aster, Cui Xueer and Fei Yueer, of course, they were also young. Xiao Yi.
In addition, the important court officials also arrived, Fiji, Pang Yukun, Zhan Xingchang, and even the Confucian father and son, Ge Yiren and others also arrived.
Not only that, King Yong, King Huainan and his son and King Runan also came to observe.
For Xiao Ming, this is not only the opening of the railway, but also an opportunity to show muscle to the outside world.
"Slow down, slow down." Xiao Ming said to Princess Pingyang while holding Xiao Yi's hand: "The main task of the Railway Department is to run through the railway lines north of Youzhou, Jinzhou, Raozhou, and Liaozhou. Although the barbarians have withdrawn from Kanto, their threat is still great."
For Xiao Ming, even after the loss of the Kanto, the barbarians are the largest nomadic people in the north, and the threat is only relative reduction, not absolute.
And after the barbarians, a more dangerous enemy has already taken root in the vast land north of Jianzhou, this is Tsarist Russia.
In the past, because of the barriers of the barbarians, he could not understand the situation north of Jianzhou. After the occupation of Jianzhou, he immediately ordered an advance team to search north.
The news that came back shocked him. Compared with contemporary times, Tsarist Russia in this era has more penetration into Kanto than contemporary. They found the Tsarist city just 300 miles north of Jianzhou.
This incident attracted great attention from Xiao Ming. He ordered the secret guards to investigate the influence of Tsarist Russia in Siberia, and at the same time began to recapture Siberian land, and the railway was undoubtedly the key to this plan.
"Yes, the emperor." Princess Pingyang could see from Xiao Ming's serious expression that things seemed a little serious.
To remind Princess Pingyang, Xiao Ming entered the steam locomotive. For today's experience, they reserved the first five carriages.
Entering the steam locomotive, Xiao Ming seemed to return to the contemporary era. Although the steam locomotive is a bit backward, many of the layouts of the carriages are still the same as modern ones.
After all, it is much easier to operate a steam locomotive with modern experience.
"The emperor, this is the seat." Princess Pingyang introduced Xiao Ming herself.
Xiao Ming saw that the seat of the locomotive is now a metal frame, with a new cotton cushion installed on the frame, which looks similar to the seat of a contemporary train.
In the middle of the seat is a small table, so that some items can be placed, and above it is a protruding luggage rack, which is also designed in accordance with contemporary design.
What satisfies Xiao Ming the most is the thickened glass window of the locomotive~EbookFREE.me~ You can see the outside scenery while sitting at the table.
"Very good." Xiao Ming was very satisfied.
Princess Pingyang breathed a sigh of relief, and arranged for Fei Yueer and the others to sit down. She said: "My lord, this steam locomotive is equipped with an improved high-temperature and high-pressure steam engine. The speed can reach 90 kilometers per hour, and the load can reach about 60 kilometers. , So it only takes six hours to travel from Qingzhou to Dengzhou. After all, the railway detours many detours, and it is necessary to add coal and water along the way.
"Six hours to get to Dengzhou!" Brandon's mouth closed in surprise. It took him three days to get off the ship in Dengzhou and then to Qingzhou.
Princess Pingyang said proudly: "This princess doesn't speak big words, you will understand when you get to Dengzhou."
"Hahaha..." Xiao Ming was in a good mood. He hugged Xiao Yi and said, "Yi'er, when we arrive at Dengzhou, my father will take you to eat the most beautiful seafood."
The officials in the carriage all laughed when they heard the words. At this time, they were all excited, because it was really incredible.
When everyone was chatting, it was time for the locomotive to depart, and with a loud whistle, the locomotive began to move slowly.
"Motion, moved." Xiao Yi clapped his little hand happily.
Outside the window, the station was retreating, and there were huge cheers on the platform of Renshan Haishan.
Xiao Ming sitting by the window was recognized by the people, and they began to shout: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"
Xiao Ming waved his hand through the car window. Undoubtedly, today is also an exciting day for the people of Qingzhou. The sleeping lion of Dayu has finally begun to wake up.
Amidst the cheers, the locomotive was getting faster and faster. At this time, the cabin was quiet, and everyone began to admire the scenery along the way and indulge in it.
Three hours later, the locomotive stopped slowly at the Laizhou platform and set off for Dengzhou again after adding water and coal.