The two scholars did not panic at the sight of a high official.
In the lands under Dao Xuan Tianzun's influence, common people no longer trembled before officials the way they once had in the old days.
They simply gave a brief salute. One of them replied calmly, "Yes. This is armored cavalry."
Hong Chengchou frowned. "Is this not merely an iron box? In battle, are horses meant to pull it?"
"Of course not." The scholar laughed and pulled a book from behind him, handing it over. "Take a look. New Military Forces. This issue introduces our armored vehicles."
Hong Chengchou's curiosity flared. He opened it.
It was no ordinary book, but a volume packed with military knowledge. One might call it a military journal, though such a term did not yet exist in his vocabulary.
He turned to a page and saw an illustration of the very same large iron vehicle modeled on the table. Only this time it was no model. It was the real machine, drawn in detail, with a man standing beside it to show its size.
Below the image was text:
Light Armored Vehicle Type II, proudly manufactured by Chang'an Automobile Works. Based on Type I, it features enhanced power and reduced armor weight, allowing for greater speed and significantly reduced coal consumption.
With improved tire manufacturing technology, its off-road capability has seen moderate enhancement.
However, it still suffers from insufficient top speed, weak climbing ability, and a tendency to become stuck in complex terrain. Its operational range remains limited.
Hong Chengchou stared.
"Is… is what is written here true?"
He had barely spoken when a loud rumbling echoed from outside the bookstore.
The Yan'an Prefect smiled. "A motor vehicle has come to deliver goods. Minister, would you care to see?"
Hong Chengchou hurried to the entrance.
There, a large freight truck stood parked before the bookstore. Its cargo bed was piled high with books. Workers swiftly unloaded them, stacking bundles neatly before waving to the driver.
"Much appreciated!"
The driver grinned. "Delivery complete. I'm off."
The vehicle rumbled to life, let out a low growl, gathered speed, and disappeared around the street corner.
Hong Chengchou stood frozen.
With his experience, he immediately understood. The iron beast before him was for civilian use, transporting goods. The square iron box model in the sand table, clad in armor, was clearly its martial counterpart.
So it was real.
And divided into civilian and military types.
He had gone to the frontier for a few years as governor, and the interior world had changed this much?
For a fleeting instant, his expression nearly betrayed utter shock. Fortunately, he was a master of composure. He absolutely could not look like a country bumpkin. He swallowed the reaction with heroic restraint.
Turning to the Prefect, he asked evenly, "Are the construction blueprints for that iron vehicle available in this bookstore? This official would like to purchase a copy."
The Prefect smiled. "The full blueprints are not sold. However, the steam engine technology, bearing technology, and related principles are available. Once those are mastered, building such a vehicle is not impossible."
Hong Chengchou's eyes lit up. "Take me there at once."
Soon he stood before a shelf labeled Physics.
An entire wall of books.
Comprehensive Analysis of Steam Engine Technology.
Practical Applications of Steam Engines.
Steam Dynamics.
Hong Chengchou felt as though he had entered a treasure mountain. He grabbed one at random and opened it.
He could not understand a word.
After a long pause, he quietly returned the book to its place.
"It seems," he said with dry dignity, "there is little need to worry about such technology being stolen."
"Indeed," the Prefect replied. "It is not easily stolen. To build such a vehicle requires an entire industrial system. Understanding theory alone is insufficient. One must solve materials science and numerous other difficulties. Many materials rely entirely on gifts bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun. With our own capabilities, we could not produce them. At present, there is no need to fear enemy nations copying it."
Hong Chengchou felt as though he was only half following the conversation.
He moved to another shelf.
Here were titles such as Management Studies, How to Speak with People, Workplace Relationships, Success Is No Accident.
He picked up Workplace Relationships and skimmed two pages.
"This is… the art of official intrigue. There is even a book for studying it?"
The Prefect chuckled. "Dao Xuan Tianzun says the author is mostly making things up to fool people. But Tianzun does not interfere. If people enjoy reading it, let the market decide."
Hong Chengchou fell silent.
In the span of a short visit, his mind was already struggling to keep pace. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his forehead.
The Prefect reached to the wall, pulled a switch, and with a crisp click, a device overhead began to spin. A steady breeze flowed toward Hong Chengchou.
He jolted again.
"What is this now?"
"It is called an electric fan. Very comfortable."
"I have already noticed."
He circled the fan several times, fascinated. Then he leaned in close and allowed the wind to blast directly at his face for a good while. His hair fluttered wildly in the breeze.
Suddenly he stiffened.
Disaster.
His hairstyle.
He flashed to a nearby mirror. Indeed, the carefully arranged hair had been thrown into chaos.
This would not do.
In one fluid burst of speed that would shame most martial artists of the Jianghu, he appeared beside a courtyard water basin, dipped his small comb, restored his hair in an instant, and returned to his original position before the bookshelf as though he had never moved.
Total time spent, perhaps the blink of an eye.
His hair once again radiated elegance. His posture regained its composed dignity.
He calmly returned the book to its shelf.
"These volumes cannot startle this official," he declared serenely.
He drew a slow breath.
"I have completed my visit. This bookstore is… very interesting. Next, this official must continue to the capital to assume his post."
The Prefect nodded. "Since you are bound for the capital, you might consider taking the big train for part of the journey. From here it will swiftly carry you to Taiyuan. Beyond that, you must travel by your own arrangements."
Hong Chengchou had once ridden the small train. He had no objection to trying the big one. He was curious about the difference.
"Very well. Lead the way."
A short while later, he stood before the massive steam locomotive.
And just as years ago when he first beheld the small train, he was shaken once more.
The steam engine was nothing like a toy. It was majestic. Powerful. Weathered and imposing, exuding an aura that commanded admiration.
Hong Chengchou looked up at it, and for a rare moment, felt very small indeed.