Lin Tian’s thoughts were unknown to Ying Zheng.
However, when he learned that steam engines could be installed on ships, Ying Zheng couldn’t help but drift into thought.
If they could be as fast as trains on ships, wouldn't it become much simpler to reach other places?
After all, at sea, unlike on land, there weren’t so many obstacles requiring the construction of so many railway tracks.
One could navigate freely on the sea.
If ships possessed the extreme speed of trains, wouldn’t it be much simpler for Da Qin to reach other landmasses?
Even reaching places with potatoes and sweet potatoes wouldn't take as long as it did now.
Moreover, traveling to the Western countries conquered by Da Qin would also become much easier.
At this thought, a glimmer of longing arose in Ying Zheng’s heart.
Lin Tian was unaware of Ying Zheng’s musings.
However, after seeing Ying Zheng’s gaze, he roughly understood his thoughts.
"Father Emperor, do you want to try and see what changes will happen when those steam engines are installed on ships?"
"Can we try?"
"It’s possible to make a simple test! However, to sail out to sea, much more meticulous planning is required!"
"Then let’s try a simple test, just a run on the rivers!"
Hearing Lin Tian’s suggestion, Ying Zheng became genuinely interested.
Therefore, he wanted to give it a try.
As soon as he voiced this, Lin Tian immediately instructed the craftsmen to begin installing the steam engine onto a ship.
Due to the ship’s modest size, the craftsmen only installed a small steam engine.
However, even though it was a small steam engine, its power was immense.
When Ying Zheng and Lin Tian boarded the ship, it immediately shot forward.
Its speed was so great that even warhorses couldn't keep up.
Behind them, the guards on horseback galloped along the shore, desperately trying to catch up.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, wait for us, wait for us!"
"Your Majesty, we haven't caught up yet, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, don't go too fast, it's too dangerous, too dangerous!"
The guards were anxiously trying to call out to Ying Zheng, but neither Ying Zheng nor Lin Tian paid them any mind.
Once they were on the ship, they began to enjoy the sensation of rapid movement.
Ying Zheng, in particular, was becoming quite exhilarated.
He had been on ships before, but never one this fast.
Thus, Ying Zheng excitedly said to Lin Tian:
"Can it go any faster? Can this ship go any faster?"
"Yes, I'll have them speed up even more!"
At Lin Tian's command, the ship’s speed increased further, darting forward like an arrow.
This time, Ying Zheng once again experienced the feeling of being too fast for warhorses.
Although the imperial guards' warhorses were powerful, their speed was ultimately insufficient.
Especially since they had to take detours on horseback, while on the ship, it was entirely different.
The feeling was even more extraordinary.
The wind rushing towards him made Ying Zheng involuntarily break into a smile.
"Excellent, excellent! With such a fast ship, it wouldn't even take three days to reach Jiang and Zhe!"
"This steam engine is marvelous, this steam engine is truly marvelous! Da Qin should vigorously produce these steam engines!"
"Father Emperor, this steam engine is merely the beginning. In the future, we will undoubtedly have even more powerful engines than steam engines!"
"By then, they will be faster and stronger!"
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!! This is a future worth looking forward to!"
At this moment, Ying Zheng’s eyes shone with a new light.
The advent of the steam engine seemed to have opened a new world for him. He yearned for Da Qin to become increasingly prosperous.
This prosperity wasn't just about its people having enough to eat and wear.
He wished for Da Qin to become more convenient and more stable.
Especially in Ying Zheng's heart, there was a profound desire.
He longed for Da Qin to endure for ten thousand generations, to remain eternal.
In the past, he felt this idea was akin to a distant dream.
But after seeing Lin Tian, he felt that perhaps this was not an impossible dream.
Perhaps, with Lin Tian, this dream could be realized.
Because Lin Tian was different from others; he possessed such capability.
Looking at Lin Tian, Ying Zheng was filled with contentment.
"Then the future of Da Qin is entrusted to you. You must ensure Da Qin prospers!"
"Please rest assured, Father Emperor, the future of Da Qin will surely become increasingly better!"
"That is good, that is good!"
Although Ying Zheng and Lin Tian had said these words many times before,
Ying Zheng always received an answer that satisfied him, and that feeling was truly wonderful.
With Lin Tian by his side, Ying Zheng felt immensely at ease.
If possible, he wished he could hand over the entire Da Qin to Lin Tian right now.
But he also knew that Lin Tian still needed him to guard against external threats and to maintain stability.
Only then could Lin Tian lead Da Qin to rapid development.
It was for this reason that despite having such thoughts, Ying Zheng kept them unspoken.
He simply let the ship carry him forward at speed, enjoying the moment.
This enjoyment lasted for half an hour.
After half an hour, Ying Zheng was already about a hundred li away.
This distance was beyond what Ying Zheng had expected.
Especially the ship’s stability, which greatly pleased Ying Zheng.
"Very good. What Da Qin needs is not only trains, but also ships!"
"Only by combining trains and ships can we allow Da Qin to develop rapidly!"
"Just like now, our railways are not yet established, but we can entirely rely on our ships to quickly reach the distant West!"
"Our soldiers have been out for too long; it's time to recall some of them."
Ying Zheng understood that too great a distance could lead to a loss of control.
In such a situation, allowing soldiers to return home and sending in a new batch was undoubtedly a wise choice.
Furthermore, Da Qin was also recruiting soldiers.
At this time, sending other soldiers to the West and allowing the soldiers in the West to rest was certainly a good thing.
Upon hearing Ying Zheng’s words, Lin Tian immediately grasped his intentions.
Because of this, Lin Tian immediately ordered the construction of larger ships and steam engines.
Once they were ready, Lin Tian was confident that the soldiers in the West could return to Da Qin within a month.
This would be an immense boon for the soldiers of Da Qin.
…