Chương 641: Fulfilling the Responsibilities of a Principal

The laughter grew louder, and someone shouted from below, "My house is right by the roadside! I won't steal! I'm waiting for the land price to go up so I can get married!" This drew laughter from the people around.

Liu Ce raised his hand and pressed it down, waiting for the laughter to subside before his expression became more serious:

"I know that building this road will not be easy. It will require opening up mountains, building bridges, and drilling tunnels. Hangu Pass and Tong Pass have always been natural barriers, and many armies were stuck there in the past."

I know that many of my fellow villagers will come to work here, and it will be hard work, they will sweat, and some may even get injured. I will pay them their wages in full, provide them with enough food, provide medical care if they are injured, and provide compensation if they die. I will not let anyone shed blood in vain.

His gaze swept across the densely packed crowd below the stage, his voice deepening, yet becoming even more powerful:

"But I can guarantee that your hard work will not be in vain. Once the road is completed, your children can take the train to Chang'an to see the sights, your grain can be sold to more distant places to make a lot of money, and your hometown will become more and more lively and prosperous because of this road."

This road is not just my road, nor the government's road; it belongs to all the people of the Han Dynasty. It is a gift I have given to you all, but this gift must be built together by us.

The audience was silent for a few seconds.

Then, someone, I don't know who, shouted first, "Long live the Emperor!"

Immediately afterwards, the shouts of hundreds of thousands of people surged in like a tsunami, wave after wave:

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Han Dynasty!"

The sound waves came one after another, making the colorful flags on the high platform flutter and even the ground beneath their feet seem to tremble slightly.

Many people shouted until their faces turned red and their eyes shone. Some clapped so hard that their hands turned red, and some were so excited that they wiped away tears.

After the shouts subsided slightly, Song Yingxing stepped forward, took a deep breath, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"The Luoyang-Chang'an Railway, connecting Luoyang and Chang'an, has officially commenced construction!!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the firecrackers that had been prepared went off in unison, and the drums and gongs were deafening. The crackling sounds were so loud that they made your ears tingle, and the smell of gunpowder mixed with the smell of earth filled the air, creating a very festive atmosphere.

Liu Ce picked up a shovel, dug the first shovelful of soil, and tossed it aside. This first shovelful of soil marked the official start of this monumental project.

The craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry's Research Institute were the first to rush out, carrying measuring instruments and markers, heading towards the designated route, their footsteps kicking up dust as they shouted work chants.

The migrant workers followed closely behind, wielding shovels and picks in unison, sending mud flying high into the air. The sounds of countless tools clashing and shouts blended into a lively symphony.

In the distance, the first steam pile driver started working with a "boom-boom-boom" sound, and white steam shot straight into the sky, which was particularly eye-catching in the spring sunshine, and the steam that was sprayed out looked like clouds.

When the first muffled thud was heard, the crowd below was startled, but then erupted into even more enthusiastic cheers. Some people pointed at the steam column and shouted, "Look! It's smoking! It's moving!" Even the children jumped up and down.

Liu Ce stood on the high platform, looking at the bustling scene before him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He turned around and whispered to Li Dequan beside him:

"Remember this: on the day the railway opens, the first locomotive must be adorned with a large red flower, and I will personally drive it for a section."

Li Dequan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your Majesty... you're going to operate it yourself? This... isn't it too dangerous? What if something happens... the steam is so hot..."

"What, it's not allowed?" Liu Ce raised an eyebrow.

"I can even draw up the blueprints for a steam engine, so what's a train? Operating it is just pulling a valve and stepping on the brake, it's very simple. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll just drive it for ten miles to have some fun."

Li Dequan quickly bowed his head and said, "No, no, Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and all-powerful."

He thought to himself: His Majesty is too audacious.

Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the dusty construction site in the distance and muttered to himself:

"Just wait, this is just the beginning. In the future, the railway will be built all over the Han Dynasty, all the way to Jiangnan, all the way to Anxi, all the way to the Gobi Desert, and all the way to Rinan."

The spring breeze blows, carrying the scent of earth and the hope of new life, and blows into the distance.

..................

In May of the eighth year of the Shenwu reign, in Luoyang.

Willow branches droop along the banks of the Luo River in the south of the city, and rows of green-tiled and white-walled buildings stretch along the riverbank. The Royal University of Luoyang is located here.

This university was built by order of Liu Ce after he ascended the throne. It covers an area of 300 acres, has six colleges and more than 3, 000 students. Rows of blue brick teaching buildings stand one after another, and even the riverbank has been paved with stone slabs. It has become the most magnificent place in the south of the city, and people from other places come here specifically to see it.

Of the six colleges, the College of Engineering is the most popular, with the admissions office door almost worn out by the crowds.

The reason was simple: graduates were guaranteed a job at the Ministry of Industry's Research Institute, with a high monthly salary and high status. They could even touch the legendary steam engine, which was much more prestigious than taking the imperial examination and becoming a minor official. Many scions of prominent families were eager to apply.

The agricultural and medical colleges are also good. After graduation, you can either become an agricultural official in the prefecture or county or enter a government-run hospital. These are all secure jobs, unlike before when you learned something but had nowhere to use it.

Liu Ce used to spend all his time at the Ministry of Works overseeing railway preparations, but last night Cai Yan mentioned it to him:

"Your Majesty, as the official president of the Royal University, you have only visited once in the eight years since you took office. My father has complained to me several times that the students have almost forgotten that you even exist as their president. Yesterday, a student asked, 'Is the president so busy building trains in the palace that he has forgotten about us?' My father didn't know how to answer."

Liu Ce thought about it and realized that it did seem a bit excessive.

He initially promised to be the principal, but after the project was completed, he abandoned it and left everything to Wang Hui.

He put down the memorial and waved his hand dismissively:

"Okay, I'll go tomorrow! Giving the kids a lesson will fulfill my duties as principal. It'll also be a good opportunity to see how the school has developed over the past few years."

..................

The next morning, Liu Ce changed into plain clothes and accompanied his father-in-law Cai Yong in a carriage to the south of the city.

After retiring from officialdom, Cai Yong devoted himself to teaching at the Royal University, where he also served as vice-principal. He was busier than when he was an official, leaving early and returning late every day, and he didn't even practice calligraphy much anymore.

He stroked his beard and immediately began to complain, "His Majesty has finally remembered this university. When students ask me, 'What does the principal look like?' I can't even answer. I can only say he's incredibly busy."

Liu Ce smiled sheepishly, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and handed it over:

"I'm just busy, dealing with steam engines and railways, I can't get away. Besides, with you and Wang Hui keeping an eye on things, I feel at ease. With you two around, I can be a hands-off manager without worry."

"I'm relieved, but the students all want to meet you." Cai Yong sighed, then smiled.

"However, the school has developed really fast in the past few years. A few years ago, when we were recruiting female students, many old scholars jumped out to object, saying that 'a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent.' That kid Wang Hui posted a notice without saying a word and even went to persuade the girls to come to school. He withstood the pressure and argued with those old scholars several times.

Now we have more than 500 female students, in the engineering and medical colleges, and they are no less than the male students."