In this massive procession headed for the Luoshui Bridge, most of them were officials and minor officials on horseback, as well as guards and attendants. However, Ang Lee and a few important ministers sat comfortably in the steam coach and walked at the very front of the procession.
The road leading from the Luoyang Railway Station to the Luoshui Bridge was a wide official road. Although it had not been paved with concrete, the dirt road was basically flat. Even the depth of the ruts was almost the same. Clearly, there were people frequently in charge of maintaining it.
In order to accompany the officials sent by the Imperial Court to inspect the Luoshui Bridge, the local officials of Luoyang had left early for the Luoyang Railway Station and set off with Ang Lee's group.
"Assistant Minister Guo, this is your first time riding a steam coach! How does it feel? "
Ang Lee comfortably leaned back in his seat and turned his head to look at Guo Xuji.
"It's more comfortable than a carriage, and it's also wider than a carriage. However, it's a little louder and a little noisy."
Guo Xuji spoke the truth and gave a very pertinent answer.
Ang Lee nodded and said with a smile, "Assistant Minister Guo is right. The noise is indeed a little louder, but there's nothing we can do about it! The steam engine's noise is rather loud. In the future, we can do some noise reduction to make the noise not so harsh. "
"Haha! That's for the best. Right, after the Luoshui Bridge is closed, the next step is to build the Grand Canal Bridge. After the celebration of the Luoshui Bridge, can we go to the Grand Canal Bridge to take a look? "
Guo Xuji asked.
"Of course we can go and take a look. However, the Luoshui Bridge will take two hours. If we go to the Grand Canal, we'll have to walk another two hours. I'm afraid we won't have enough time!"
Ang Lee's meaning was that he was afraid that it would be dark by the time they reached the Grand Canal Bridge. After all, the Luoshui Bridge was more than fifty li away from the Luoyang Railway Station, and the location where the Grand Canal Bridge was to be built was still nearly fifty li away from the Luoshui Bridge, and they would have to pass through the Si River midway.
The width of this river was not narrow, and the railway bridge would soon be built. However, Ang Lee did not plan to build a double-decker bridge. One level was enough. As long as the bridge deck was wider, the railway would walk in the middle, and pedestrians and carriages would walk on both sides. The middle would be separated by a fence.
Of course, this kind of one-story bridge was rather ordinary. It was far from the grandeur of a two-story bridge. Furthermore, there was no need to station people in the future, nor was there a need to collect tolls. In Li An's mind, a river like the Luo River was considered a small river. There was no need to invest too much, just enough was enough. After all, this river was relatively short. There was no need to transport water or grain. Ordinary fishing boats could pass through with a small bridge opening. There was no need to raise the bridge deck.
On the road from Luoyang City to Lai Zhou, there would be dozens of rivers of various sizes. Only the ones with the widest river basin and the longest river basin were worth spending a huge amount of money to build a magnificent double-decker bridge. Ordinary small rivers didn't need to be invested too much. A single-decker bridge would suffice.
... is........... After the Grand Canal Bridge is built, we will use the opportunity of inspection to take a look. "
Hearing that there was not enough time, Guo Xu decided to give up the opportunity to inspect the Grand Canal Bridge. He would go another time.
The journey of more than fifty li was completed in less than two hours. Although they were still far away, the ministers saw the magnificent bridge across the Luo River.
At this time, the basic construction of the bridge had been completed. Only the last concrete bridge deck had not been installed. This was deliberately not installed. They were waiting for Ang Lee and the other ministers to arrive and then install the last bridge deck in front of them.
Ang Lee and the other ministers pretended to be pretentious. They encouraged and praised all the construction workers involved in the construction of the bridge. On behalf of the Emperor, they greeted them and asked them to continue to work hard to build more bridges for the Tang Empire.
"Assistant Minister Li, it's about time. We can start."
A small official in charge of the construction of the bridge reminded him.
"Okay, the bridge will be closed immediately."
After the order was given, several hundred craftsmen began to work. They very easily installed the last bridge deck. At this point, the Luo River Bridge was completely connected, and its magnificent appearance was displayed before the eyes of the crowd.
"Assistant Minister Guo, please take a look. This bottom layer is specially used for trains. Once the tracks are laid, the trains will be able to pass through here. Above is the road. Pedestrians and carriages will have to walk on it. This way, they will not interfere with each other, avoid danger, and increase efficiency."
Ang Lee introduced as he walked forward. The other officials followed behind and gathered in twos and threes. They discussed the grandeur of the Luo River Bridge and expressed their various opinions.
The first layer of the railway was only one li long, and they quickly reached the end. Then, the officials continued to walk forward and boarded the second layer of the bridge from the opposite bank.
The second layer of the bridge was two li long. The main reason was that the bridge approach was too long, doubling the total length. The slope of the bridge approach was relatively gentle, so there was no pressure to walk up.
And when they stood in the middle of the second layer of the bridge, they felt much more refreshed than when they were on the first layer. It was like standing on the highest summit and looking down on the rest of the mountains.
Many of these officials were very talented, and from time to time, one of them would compose a poem. Of course, in this sort of situation, Ang Lee would choose to hide far away so as to not expose his lack of literary training.
"Assistant Minister Li, the Luo River Bridge has already been closed. The next step is to build an even grander Grand Canal Bridge. But there's still the Luo River in the middle. Why not build the Sishui Bridge first?"
Guo Xuji suddenly asked as he looked at the distant white waters.
Ang Lee smiled and said, "Who says we won't build it? The Sishui Bridge will be built together with the Grand Canal Bridge, but the Sishui Bridge will be designed as a single layer, and the bridge deck won't be very wide. It can't be considered a great bridge, so it wasn't brought up. Why don't we go and take a look? In any case, it's not far, only ten-some li.
"Okay! But wait a moment. Let this official enjoy the breeze for a while longer. "
Guo Xuji still hadn't experienced enough, so he continued to stand in the middle of the bridge and stare at the distant white waters.
Fifteen minutes later, the steam bus drove onto the bridge and carried Li An and a few other officials to the Si River, which was more than twenty miles away. Dozens of guards followed on horseback, while most of the officials stayed on the bridge to enjoy the beautiful scenery around them.
Ang Lee had already drawn up the blueprint for the Sishui Bridge. After arriving at the Sishui Bridge, Ang Lee took out the blueprint and re-examined the location of the Sishui Bridge, further confirming that his plan was correct and excellent.
After showing the blueprint to Guo Xuji and the others, the group returned to the Luo River Bridge and returned to the Luoyang Railway Station with the officials from the capital. They prepared to take the night train back to Chang 'an.
The noble train had been waiting at the Luoyang Railway Station all this time. After the officials boarded, it set off for Chang 'an that very night. Of course, because the light was weak at night, the speed was reduced by half. It was estimated that they would be able to return to Chang' an before noon the next day.
Dinner was eaten on the train. Many officials were tired from the day's work. After dinner, they fell asleep on the soft beds. The minor officials and their entourage could only lie on the soft seats to take a nap. Fortunately, the soft seats were more comfortable and they could still fall asleep while lying down.
At noon the next day, the train arrived punctually at the Changan City Railway Station. Everyone alighted one by one. Ang Lee and Guo Xuji alighted together and headed toward the Ministry of Works. As the nominal assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, Ang Lee needed to give some guidance to the Bridge Department.
"Assistant Minister Li, you're back so soon."
Chen Xuanli passed by the Ministry of Works and happened to run into Ang Lee, who was walking out of the Ministry of Works.
"Great General, what a coincidence!"
Ang Lee was taken aback.
"Assistant Minister Li, two days ago, you said that you wanted to draw a map of the world. When will you be able to draw it?"
Chen Xuanli asked in concern.
Ang Lee was very confused. "What's wrong, Great General? Why are you in such a hurry to find me just to see a map? When did you become so interested in maps? "
"I won't hide it from Assistant Minister Li. That day, after I returned, I told my subordinates about the overseas world. In the end, His Majesty heard about it in less than a day. When His Majesty asked me for the map, I could only blame it on Assistant Minister Li."
Chen Xuanli said helplessly.
"So that's how it is. Great General, there's no need to be anxious. The map has already been drawn. It's in the villa outside the city. I'll go back and get it."
"Assistant Minister Li, I'll go with you. I also want to see the map as soon as possible."
Chen Xuanli urgently requested.
"Fine! As you wish. Let's go. "
Ang Lee and Chen Xuanli rode their horses to Ang Lee's villa outside the city. Chen Xuanli waited in the main hall while Ang Lee ran back to the main residence.
"Alang."
"Alang."
"Husband, you're back so soon?"
Little Yin, Little Meng, and Yan Ruyu were all copying the map. Seeing Ang Lee return, they all stood up.
"Eh? You're all copying the map. How many have you drawn?"
Ang Lee asked.
"Husband, we've already copied three. We're still copying these three."
Yan Ruyu gently replied.
"Wow, that's fast. I've only been gone for two days and you've already copied three. Let me see."
Ang Lee was overjoyed. This was actually very normal. The reason why Ang Lee took half a month to draw the map was because he could only spare a short amount of time every day. Half a month wasn't that long. In addition, Ang Lee was drawing from thin air. He needed to constantly think and modify it. Yan Ruyu and the other two, on the other hand, were copying the map. They only needed to draw according to the gourd. Of course, their speed was much faster than Ang Lee.
"Husband, look. Which one is the best?"
Yan Ruyu, Little Yin, and Little Meng hung up the three copied maps for Ang Lee to give his evaluation.
"Good, very good. The copying is very good. This is enough."
Ang Lee was overjoyed. He reached out and took one of the maps. He wrapped it up and prepared to take it away.
"Husband, you still haven't told me which copy is the best."
Yan Ruyu tugged at Li An's sleeves, unwilling to let him off.
"The three maps are all copied very well. Wife, the Great General is still waiting for me in the main hall. Come back and make a fuss. Be good. "
Ang Lee suddenly kissed Yan Ruyu's forehead. Yan Ruyu was so scared that she hurriedly took a step back. Ang Lee immediately put away the map and strode to the main hall.
"Don't laugh. Continue copying."
Yan Ruyu covered her face with both hands and rolled her eyes at Little Yin and Little Meng. She continued to copy the map for Ang Lee.
"Great General, this is the world map I drew. Please take a look."
Ang Lee first opened the map and let Chen Xuanli take a look. Then, he put away the map and rushed to the Great Ming Palace with Chen Xuanli.
"Everyone, Assistant Minister Li and Great General Chen are asking for an audience outside the hall. They said they are offering maps."
A young eunuch walked into the hall and reported.
"Let them in."
Li Longji said and went to welcome them.
"No need to salute. Assistant Minister Li is holding the map."
Li Longji stopped the two from saluting and looked at the map in Ang Lee's hand.
"Your Majesty, I have the map in my hand. It records the mountains, lakes, oceans, and islands in the world. Your Majesty, please take a look."
Ang Lee nodded and slowly opened the map with Chen Xuanli.
"This, this is the map of the world?"
Li Longji saw the familiar territory of the Tang dynasty. He also saw the nearby Tubo and Turks. However, there were more large areas that he had never heard of.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The world that I know is all on this map."
Ang Lee said affirmatively.
"Come on, hang this map up. I want to have a good look."
Ang Lee and Great General Chen couldn't hold the map firmly, so they couldn't have a good look at it. After hanging it up, it was more convenient for them to have a good look.
"It turns out that the world is so big. The Tang dynasty is just a small part of it. Hey, Assistant Minister Li, how do you know so much? Have you been to all these places?"
Li Longji sighed and then looked at Ang Lee in confusion. Given Ang Lee's age, how could he have been to so many places? But if he hadn't been there, how did he draw the map?
"Your Majesty, I got this map from a master when I lived in seclusion in the White Wolf Mountain. I have seen it several times, so I remember it."
Ang Lee had no choice but to talk nonsense.
"Alas, there are always some masters in the world who are unwilling to work for the imperial court. However, Assistant Minister Li, do you really believe that this map is real?"
Li Longji continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, I had my suspicions as well. However, this expert has marked the map so carefully. Many of the places that we already know are correct. Why are these additional parts false? Moreover, in the future, when the large steamship is built, we can send a troop to find these places according to the map. Can't we prove its authenticity? "
Ang Lee said seriously.
Ang Lee didn't need to say much about sending ships to explore unknown places. He believed that Chen Xuanli had already told Li Longji about the railway to Laizhou and the construction of a large steamship in a bay in Laizhou.
"Well, in that case, I will take this map as real. However, what's the matter with these blank places?"
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