It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 57｜Gift from a Science and Engineering Girl

It was more like a dinner to finalize the marriage than an engagement ceremony.

After dinner, after they had tidied their attire, the flashlights flickered, and a group photo of them was frozen on the film. Next, Shang and his fiancée took another photo together.

Although they were both reluctant to part, they did not show it.

On this warm winter evening, the two of them came to the east bank of Xijian Lake. As they were distracted, they sat in the small pavilion and chatted intermittently.

The setting sun melted the vast expanse of gold, and ripples appeared on the surface of the lake.

There was a constant flow of traffic on the lakeside road behind me, with horse-drawn carriages, motorcycles, and trucks coming one after another.

After a long ideological struggle, Jian Keqiu hesitated and said, "I don't want to interfere in your affairs. Being sent overseas is fine, but the dangers of going to Europe are really too great right now. Is it really necessary to go?"

She actually offered suggestions on her own initiative?
Shang Ke was very surprised and remained silent for a full half minute. He thought of many things to say but changed his tone when he spoke: "It is my duty and it is hard to refuse. Also, from a personal point of view, I think this risk is worth taking."

He half-jokingly asked, "Doesn't Grand Secretary Jane want to be a general's wife or a marshal's wife?"

"No, I don't have such pursuit. I can barely consider being an academician of the Academy of Sciences." Jian Keqiu rejected it bluntly.

Shang Ke had no choice but to reply: "Then work hard. Anyway, I want to become a general so that I can brag about it in the future."

"When you're sitting by your fireplace 30 years from now with your grandson on your lap and he asks you what you did during the World War, you don't have to be disheartened to say, 'Oh, Grandpa was shoveling muck in Louisiana.'"

"Vulgar." Jian Keqiu mocked him deliberately in a sour tone.

"Then you have very poor taste. You chose someone like me." Mr. Shang retorted with a smile.

The two of them mocked each other until they were tired, and the pavilion became silent.

When the red sunset touched the distant lake horizon, the traffic on the lakeside road became sparse and the world seemed to be quiet.

Shang Ke suddenly changed the subject and asked, "How much funding can you apply for for your project?"

Jian Keqiu stared into the distance and said calmly, "Forty to fifty thousand is the most."

"It's definitely not enough. This piezoelectric ceramic is very important. I'll try to find someone to approve more money. If it's still not enough, you can use the money when the patent fees for the can start to be paid."

"okay, I get it."

"Let's go, it's getting dark."

As he spoke, Shang Ke grabbed her hand, and the last rays of sunset stretched their shadows very long.

According to Jian Keqiu, she had previously done some research and found that many universities and national research institutes in the Great Federation currently have one or two teams conducting research on piezoelectric ceramics, but the progress has not been significant.

To be honest, piezoelectric ceramics are at best just a casual move made by Shangke.

As for whether Jian Keqiu can give him a surprise, that is another matter.

After all, sometimes, an unexpected result can lead to a bright future.

The next day.

The entire Jian family went out together to send Shang to the train station.

Before leaving, Jian Keqiu handed him a unique farewell gift.

What the hell? A ruler?

This is an aluminum alloy ruler with a length-to-width ratio of three to two. There are many square, rectangular, and round holes of different sizes in the middle, corresponding to commonly used military numbers.

Jian Keqiu really had no creativity in this area, so she just commissioned someone to customize this thing.

Shang Ke weighed the beautiful polished ruler, which felt very good in his hand. He nodded and said, "Great stuff, thank you."

Damn it! I feel too embarrassed to say anything sweet with my family present!
Jian Keqiu stared at him and said calmly, "Take care."

The passenger train departed on time, and soon only the faint smell of coal smoke remained on the platform.

Jian Xi sighed with great anticipation: "My brother-in-law said he would buy me some pretty little dresses. Sister, if there is a war over there, will my brother-in-law be able to come back earlier?"

Jian Keqiu, with a frown on his face, said quietly, "You'd better not count on that kind of thing."

While the train that Shang was riding was heading north, a group of people were preparing to head south on the distant shores of Lake Bekar.

After several days of long journey, the luxurious train of the hostess of the Ivan Rus Empire stopped at Iltuzk, and they were about to prepare to cross the border.

This year's subtropical high pressure is particularly strong, which has significantly curbed the momentum of the Xianbeilia cold current. For people in the Central Plains, this is one of the reasons for the warm winter.

But in this bitterly cold land in the far north, the biting cold penetrates every corner.

Veronica, wearing an apricot mink coat, stopped here and looked into the distance.

Her blue eyes reflected Lake Bekal - the frozen Lake Bekal.

In the distance, amidst the snow-capped fields, the vast mirror-like lake is frozen three feet thick, shining blue under the sunlight, presenting a unique and magnificent visual experience.

The journey across Europe and Asia is long. During these days' journey, the royal train galloped across the endless Xianbeilia, and a strong sense of territorial pride lingered in Veronica's heart.

Now we have arrived at the border line, and the borders of the motherland have come to an end.

Thinking that such a magnificent freshwater lake would serve as a boundary lake, an indescribable feeling of disappointment welled up in her heart.

Why should I share this sapphire embedded in Xianbeilia with others?

"Your Majesty, it's time to set off." The attendant reminded.

"Let's go." Veronica looked away.

Afterwards, the group headed to the border crossing.

Since the head of state is visiting in person, the standards are naturally of the highest level.

After Veronica transferred to the prepared special train, dozens of attendants began to move the luggage in large and small bags, and the accompanying staff of the Imperial Court Department also brought pillows and bedding.

This is nothing, as there are many people who do not accept bedding from third parties.

But when he saw that they even brought a dozen chefs, the deputy minister who came to greet them couldn't help but complain in his heart.

In the afternoon, the special train sped south.

Except for the necessary replenishment of coal and water, the special train did not make any stops along the way and transported the visiting Empress of the Ivan Rus Empire to the Xijing Capital Special District at the fastest speed.

In comparison, ordinary passenger trains have many stops and it is difficult to maintain a high average speed because they stop and go frequently.

At midnight a day and a night later, outside Xijing Railway Station, the passenger train that Shang was on was whistling into the station.

Shang Ke has been feeling uneasy since he set out. He has an inexplicable restlessness and has absolutely no idea what is going on.

As we got closer to the capital, this feeling of unease grew stronger, until now it had reached its peak.

How to describe it?
He felt that it was a bit like walking alone on the road at night with someone behind him, and a bit like seeing a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue crawling towards him.

Shang Ke walked out of the train station almost in a trance, and the cold wind at midnight made him a little more sober.

A middle-aged woman with a warm smile walked over and asked enthusiastically, "Why are you here alone? Are you looking for a place to stay so late at night?"

She whispered seductively, "There are many beautiful girls waiting here."

Outrageous! Red-light district?
Shang Ke staggered away quickly, and his aunt looked at him in confusion as he fled.

(End of this chapter)