Originally, as an emperor, it was generally unlikely for one to go on a covert visit easily.
However, this ti was different. The emperor was quite interested in the transformation occurring in Miao Territory, but what ultimately led him to decide on this risky journey was the imdiate threat of the Jin Army advancing southward. The current strength of the country was insufficient to halt the Jin Army’s progress.
If Miao Territory truly possessed such wondrous things as his ministers described, then even the emperor would have to consider communicating with them. After all, face was minor compared to the risk of the country perishing and the family being destroyed.
Thus, the emperor set out for Miao Territory, accompanied by Gu Zong, his Imperial Bodyguards, and a trusted Taoist.
What surprised the emperor was that Gu Zong did not imdiately take them to Dali but instead took a boat all the way to Zhangzhou.
"Gu Qing, why have we co here?"
Stepping off the boat, the emperor was sowhat puzzled, while Gu Zong quietly explained.
"Master, there happens to be a Flying Boat connecting to Dali here, and we can take the Flying Boat from here to Dali."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Gu Zong’s response, the emperor was taken aback.
"Has this Flying Boat reached Zhangzhou already?"
"Yes, not only Zhangzhou, but also Chengdu, Jiangling, Xiangyang, and other places are already connected by Flying Boat routes."
"Hmm, yet my capital city is not connected?"
At this, the emperor’s expression again turned dark, clearly displeased. He then swung his sleeve and strode forward.
"Let’s go and see what’s so extraordinary about this Flying Boat."
"Please follow , Master."
As he spoke, Gu Zong led the emperor away from the docks and to a strange building not far away. This building was built against a mountain and looked like a temple, but it also had a long platform constructed halfway up the mountain, whose purpose was unknown. At present, many people stood on the platform observing, most of them traders.
"Gu Qing? Where’s the Flying Boat?"
The emperor turned his head and looked around for a while, but did not see any sign of the Flying Boat, at which point Gu Zong smiled wryly.
"Master, it’s not yet ti. I’ve already bought tickets, and shortly we can go directly to the VIP section..."
"Tickets?"
"Yes, Master, this thod of boarding the Flying Boat is quite peculiar. Tickets are sold per person. There is one ticket for each person. The front row is the premium cabin, luxurious and splendid, generally for people of high status and wealth, with tickets priced at one hundred liang of silver. Behind it is the normal cabin, equipped with only a table and a pot of cold tea, with tickets priced at ten liang of silver."
"Hmm... the ticket price is not too expensive indeed."
Hearing Gu Zong’s response, the emperor nodded with satisfaction, and Gu Zong also smiled.
"Indeed, although it’s a bit costly for ordinary people, it quickly takes us to Miao Territory, and is safe and convenient, so it’s worth spending a bit more money."
"That makes sense."
The emperor certainly understood Gu Zong’s perspective. In this era, if a regular person wanted to go to Miao Territory, it would take several days just to traverse the mountain paths, not to ntion the fierce Yokai and bandits hidden in the hills and forests, who might easily kill a careless traveler halfway.
Considering the ti and effort required for the trip, it was more cost-effective to spend a little more money on a Flying Boat, which, apart from being slightly expensive, was comfortable and safe, making it a good choice.
"Clang... clang...!"
As they were speaking, the sound of a bell suddenly rang out, and then the people on the platform surged forward excitedly. Seeing this scene, the emperor was quite startled.
"What’s... what’s this..."
At this mont, Gu Zong directed the emperor’s attention to the sky.
"Master, look, the Flying Boat is coming!"
The emperor now raised his head and looked up, his eyes widening in astonishnt.
Not far away, in the endless azure sky, a small black dot slowly appeared. At first glance, it seed like sothing like an eagle in the sky. But as the dot grew larger, a purely white peculiar creation gradually descended from the sky. Although it looked similar to a warship, it had distinct differences. This white Flying Boat was spindle-shaped, with a gas bag hanging above, and had propellers on both sides for rotation and direction change.
This creation was sothing Fang Zheng deduced from his Airship, although it was the Immortal Hero era, the use of Spiritual Energy was very backward. Therefore, Fang Zheng referred to hot air balloons and Germany’s Zeppelin from World War I to build this Airship.
The advantage of this Airship was that the gas inside was not helium or hydrogen but Wind Elental from a Wind Spirit. Thus, it was superior to modern airships in terms of load capacity, stability, and safety. Soon, under the crowd’s watchful eyes, the Flying Boat slowly docked at the platform’s edge — now the emperor finally understood why the strange platform had been built halfway up the mountain, as the Flying Boat was over ten ters high, making it difficult to board from below.
"This object is truly fascinating!"
Looking at the beautiful white Flying Boat before him, the emperor’s interest was imdiately piqued.
"Gu Qing, how do we board?"
Seeing the crowd queuing up to enter the Flying Boat, the emperor felt a bit anxious. Under normal circumstances, showing his na would naturally make everyone step aside. But now, on this secret visit, the emperor couldn’t reveal his identity. Yet, he was also unwilling to wait in such a long line.
"Please rest assured, Master. We’ve already bought tickets for the premium cabin, follow this way."
Saying this, Gu Zong led the emperor and others around the long queue to another entrance. This entrance was different from the previous one, with only a few people, and a red carpet laid outside. Moreover, the attendants standing here were not fierce n like those on the other side but a few beautiful young maidens with charming and sweet smiles, which even caught the emperor’s attention, despite his large harem.
"Hello."
Seeing the emperor and his group arrive, the young maidens greeted them with sweet smiles.
"Please show your tickets."
"Oh, here they are."
With a smile, Gu Zong handed a few wooden boards over. After carefully checking the inscriptions on the boards, the maidens respectfully stepped aside and slightly bowed.
"Welco to Southern Airways’ Flying Boat. Wishing you a pleasant journey. Please co in."
Under the guidance of the maidens, the group moved to the cabin at the bow. As soon as they opened the door and saw the scene before them, the emperor couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
"Truly a spectacle!"
In the cabin, a large transparent arched glass at the front allowed for a clear view of the distant green mountains and blue waters, even the figures on the streets below were vividly visible. The emperor hurriedly walked up to the window, curious to look outside.
He even reached out to gently tap the glass window before him.
"What is this? Why can we see outside so clearly?"
It was understandable for the emperor to have such questions. While there was crystal in this era, modern glass didn’t exist, so the emperor naturally beca curious about these objects. In fact, not just the glass, but the entire room intrigued the emperor greatly.
Even the chairs were entirely different from what the emperor knew. They looked like they were wrapped in leather, yet when he sat, he found them soft and comfortable.
"What is this material? How co I’ve never seen such a chair? So comfortable... why hasn’t anyone presented this to ?"
As the emperor surveyed each item, his curiosity grew, and he increasingly lanted, in short — I want them all!
"Ding dong..."
While the emperor was curiously examining the room, a crisp bell sound echoed in his ears, followed by a sweet voice.
"Dear passengers, welco aboard Southern Airways’ Flying Boat. The boat is about to take off. To avoid accidents, please promptly take your seats and fasten your seat belts."
"Quick, quick, sit down! Gu Qing, what exactly is a seatbelt? How does one use it?"
Even though the emperor did not know what a seatbelt was or where this voice ca from, he understood the ssage — the Flying Boat was about to take off!!
I’m going to fly!!
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