“Your Majesty, slow down! Don’t fall! I, your old servant, can’t keep up!”
In the square, Xiao Ming rode the bicycle like the wind. Qian Dafu and Niu Ben ran behind Xiao Ming.
Soon, the two were panting, while Xiao Ming remained at ease.
In this lathe upgrade, Qingzhou Province was now able to produce bicycle chains, and they had long mastered rubber technology. Thus, at this moment, bicycles came into being.
It could be said that the birth of the bicycle was proof of Qingzhou Province’s industrial advancement.
Stopping before the two, Xiao Ming said to Niu Ben, “General Niu, how is this bicycle?”
Niu Ben’s eyes were filled with awe. He said, “Your Majesty, this thing is amazing! We’ve been running for so long, and Your Majesty shows no sign of fatigue at all. And it runs so fast!”
“Indeed! My legs are about to break,” Qian Dafu panted.
Xiao Ming chuckled. He had only ridden two li. With this in the future, he could go from south Qingzhou to north Qingzhou in just half an hour.
Patting the bicycle’s sturdy frame, Xiao Ming then examined it carefully. This bicycle was the crossbar bicycle he designed.
It looked just like the bicycles of the 1960s and 70s, with a sense of history.
Nodding in satisfaction, Xiao Ming looked at Niu Ben, “Want to try it?”
“This, this… how can I, your humble general…” Niu Ben demurred, but his hand gripped the bicycle handlebars.
This novelty made his heart itch with impatience.
Xiao Ming did not rush Niu Ben to ride. This old general was also getting on in years; if he fell, he would end up in the medical clinic.
So he demonstrated it in front of Niu Ben, then had Qian Dafu hold the rear seat of the bicycle to prevent Niu Ben from taking a nasty spill.
By this time, Niu Ben could no longer suppress his impulse. As soon as Xiao Ming let go, he immediately pushed the bicycle forward a few steps, then put one foot on the pedal, and swung the other foot around from behind to the other pedal.
However, riding a bicycle for the first time, Niu Ben could not maintain his balance. He wobbled and twisted on the bicycle for a few moments, then plopped to the ground.
Qian Dafu, however, suffered. He couldn’t support Niu Ben’s weight and also fell to the ground.
The Imperial Guards on both sides, seeing this scene, instantly burst into laughter. Qian Dafu scrambled to his feet, holding his waist with one hand, and complained, “Your Majesty, my waist is broken!”
“Promising.” Xiao Ming understood that this Qian Dafu was somewhat overreacting. He pointed at the snickering Imperial Guards and said, “You few, go on.”
The Imperial Guards immediately dared not laugh anymore. Niu Ben now got up. With Qian Dafu supporting him, he hadn’t fallen too badly.
His interest had not waned because of the fall. “I don’t believe it’s harder than riding a horse!”
With that, he remounted the bicycle. With the help of three young Imperial Guards supporting him from the front and sides, he slowly rode it around the square.
As he rode, he laughed heartily, “Your Majesty, this is too interesting! This is the first time I’ve seen something so amusing!”
Qian Dafu’s eyes showed envy. He said, “General Niu, let me try it too.”
Niu Ben was on a roll and certainly unwilling. He pretended not to hear, riding the bicycle further away, making Qian Dafu stomp his feet in frustration.
Xiao Ming shook his head. This bicycle was a rare commodity in the early days of contemporary China. At that time, it was part of the “three turns and one ring” in marriage proposals.
From the two’s infatuation with the bicycle, Xiao Ming seemed to see another path to wealth emerging. In his opinion, once bicycles were sold, they would surely trigger a scramble among the wealthy.
Thinking of this, he asked the artisan, “How many bicycles have you manufactured in total now?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, a total of eight have been manufactured, and another eight are being assembled,” the artisan said respectfully.
Xiao Ming nodded, “You go back and tell Zhang Liu to start building a factory for production. This matter cannot be delayed. Also, send the remaining seven to the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The artisan bowed and left.
For Xiao Ming, he had suddenly found a new item that could be used as a reward. He said to Niu Ben, “General Niu, this bicycle is for you. You can ride it back.”
“What!” Niu Ben almost fell off the bicycle.
He stopped in front of Xiao Ming, his face flushed with excitement. This bicycle was perfectly to his liking; he wanted it in his heart too.
“I didn’t give you any rewards for the victory in the northern expedition this time. Consider this bicycle as compensation,” Xiao Ming said.
On one hand, he wanted to win people’s hearts. On the other hand, he wanted Niu Ben to ride the bicycle back to his residence. This way, General Niu would be a living advertisement, and the name of the bicycle would quickly spread throughout Qingzhou Province.
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Niu Ben said happily. For him, this was more practical than being rewarded a thousand taels of silver.
After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Niu Ben bade farewell to Xiao Ming. He could no longer resist showing off to other officials.
After taking his leave, he rode the bicycle in a flash to the outer palace, which was where imperial court officials worked.
If it had been before, Niu Ben would have simply exited through the outer palace gate. But today, he deliberately rode the bicycle back and forth in front of the official offices of the outer palace.
All along the way, the imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids looked at him with curiosity and envy, which filled him with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
This satisfaction was not the joy of victory in battle.
“General Niu, what is this thing?”
Niu Ben’s appearance quickly attracted the attention of the officials. It was almost noon, time for the officials to eat. Fei Ji, having just finished his government affairs, walked out and saw Niu Ben riding on two wheels like the wind.
“His Majesty just bestowed it upon me. It’s the first one in the Great Yu Empire. His Majesty said it’s called a bicycle.” Niu Ben wore a smug, punchable expression.
Fei Ji didn’t understand what a bicycle was, but the words “bestowed by the Emperor” and “the first one” already made him a bit envious.
Pang Yukun and other officials also gathered around. Unlike other officials, Pang Yukun had accompanied Xiao Ming to see the bicycle before. He couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Is this the bicycle His Majesty spoke of, capable of traveling three hundred li a day?”
“Three hundred li!” The officials all gasped in unison. “How is that possible?”
Niu Ben’s eyes widened. He said, “Why not? Riding a bicycle is fast! Watch!”
With that, Niu Ben mounted the bicycle and pedaled with all his might, riding hundreds of meters in an instant.
The officials watched dumbfounded, each showing an envious expression. Fei Ji and Pang Yukun exchanged glances, both revealing cunning expressions.
Such a good thing naturally meant “the early bird catches the worm.” They wanted a bicycle too.
The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair
Check another translation project: Title: Trench, Gun, and Magic. The webnovel blend magic, firearm, war and mecha with the bacground of WW1