I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The following morning, at the Hanlin Academy.

When Hanlin Academician Guan Shaoning returned to his office after court, he saw groups of people discussing something.

"Cough, cough!"

Hearing the cough, everyone stopped talking and returned to their seats.

Guan Shaoning suddenly felt curious and asked, "What are you discussing?"

The crowd exchanged glances, and finally, Zhang Han, an elderly editor with graying hair and beard, stood up and said, "Reporting to Scholar Guan, I have heard that the Academy of Sciences used fine iron to lay tracks from the capital to Tianjin. I wonder how much that cost!"

Guan Shaoning waved his hand dismissively: "The Academy of Sciences has its own reasons for acting. What they do has nothing to do with our Hanlin Academy. Go back to your own business!"

"Scholar Guan, you are mistaken!"

Zhang Han, his beard trembling with excitement, exclaimed, "That's top-quality refined iron! Such extravagance and waste is truly a disgrace to the country and its people! I believe we should jointly petition the court to curb this unhealthy trend!"

"Old Zhang is absolutely right!"

"The students agree!"

"This kind of extravagance really needs to be addressed!"

A chorus of agreement immediately arose within the Hanlin Academy, with many demanding that the memorial be submitted to the imperial court.

Just as Guan Shaoning was about to speak, he suddenly heard a shrill voice coming from outside the door.

"Everyone's here, what are you chatting about? It's so lively!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Dehua, the director of the Eastern Depot, leaning against the doorframe with a half-smile on his face. Everyone's expression immediately changed, and several young editors even subconsciously took a half-step back.

Everyone in the Hanlin Academy, from the highest-ranking officials to the floor sweepers, considered themselves paragons of integrity and avoided the people from the Eastern Depot like the plague.

Guan Shaoning forced himself to remain calm, turned around, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "What brings Eunuch Wang here so suddenly?"

Wang Dehua strolled leisurely into the office and said, "I've heard that you gentlemen are going to submit a joint petition? I wonder who you intend to impeach?"

The veteran editor, Zhang Han, forced a smile and said, "We were just about to submit our report..."

"It's just a manuscript of literature and history!"

Guan Shaoning hurriedly interrupted, then said, "These are all matters within the Hanlin Academy's jurisdiction. I was unaware of your presence, sir..."

Wang Dehua dismissed this, stating directly, "It's His Majesty's oral decree!"

Guan Shaoning immediately took the lead in kneeling down, and everyone in the Hanlin Academy also knelt down, waiting for the imperial edict.

Wang Dehua straightened his back and proclaimed in a high-pitched voice: "By imperial decree, the Beijing-Tianjin Railway will open to traffic in half a month. All officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital must attend the opening ceremony at the station. So be it!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Guan Shaoning respectfully kowtowed, then slowly rose.

Wang Dehua said, "Scholar Guan, remember the time carefully, don't be late!"

Guan Shaoning looked troubled and said, "Eunuch Wang, to be honest, I haven't been feeling well lately, and I'm afraid that..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Dehua waved his hand to stop him, then said, "This is His Majesty's will. If you don't go, you will be disobeying the imperial decree. You can decide for yourself!"

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves, turned around, and strode away.

Once the footsteps outside had completely disappeared, Guan Shaoning slammed his fist on the table and roared, "What kind of wretch is this! A eunuch dares to act so arrogantly in the Hanlin Academy!"

Zhang Han stood up shakily: "Scholar Guan, please calm down and don't stoop to the level of a eunuch."

Guan Shaoning stroked his beard and said, "We'll just stand by and watch, observing what tricks those ingenious techniques can pull off. If anything goes wrong, it'll be the Academy of Sciences that loses face!"

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly.

Just then, a clerk rushed in, carrying a stack of newspapers, and said, "Scholar Guan, the Ministry of Justice just sent the *Da Ming Daily*, front page headline... please take a look!"

The Da Ming Daily was a daily newspaper established by the imperial court in the eighteenth year of the Chongzhen reign (1649), based on the existing official gazette.

Besides major government events, some sections also record anecdotes and stories from the streets and alleys. The biggest news these days is the opening of the railway.

Guan Shaoning was unconvinced. That thing was slower than a carriage. What use could it be other than swindling the imperial court's research funds?

He took the newspaper and saw a line of large characters printed on the front page.

With the Beijing-Tianjin Railway about to open, land prices along the railway line have already increased more than fivefold.

"What does this have to do with land prices?"

Others also saw the news, and the Hanlin Academy fell silent.

After a moment, a young editor muttered under his breath, "My uncle owns twenty mu of land in Tongzhou..."

Guan Shaoning slowly placed the newspaper on the table and said, "This is indeed rather strange. It seems this is the first time I've heard of something like this being able to drive up land prices?"

Zhang Han suddenly clutched his forehead, a look of pain on his face: "Scholar Guan, I suddenly feel unwell and would like to ask for leave..."

Guan Shaoning frowned and asked, "What's wrong with Elder Zhang?"

"As people get older, their bodies become weaker."

Zhang Han waved her hands repeatedly, saying weakly, "I'm dizzy and my eyes are blurry; I'm afraid I can't continue copying the book..."

Seeing that he looked unwell, Guan Shaoning nodded and said, "Then you should go back and rest!"

Thank you!

Zhang Han clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, then left shakily.

Guan Shaoning suddenly said, "I need to go to the Academy of Sciences to find out what's going on. Don't worry about this nonsense anymore. There are still so many historical manuscripts that haven't been proofread; get to work!"

Having said that, he hurriedly left the official residence. As soon as he stepped out of the Hanlin Academy gate, he immediately ordered the sedan chair bearers, "Quickly, back to the mansion!"

Upon returning home, Guan Shaoning immediately summoned his eldest son, Guan Shiming: "Ming'er, set off for Tianjin immediately to see if there is any land along the railway line that can be acquired."

Guan Shiming looked surprised: "Didn't Father always say that railways were a waste of money and resources? How come..."

"What do you know!"

Before he could finish speaking, Guan Shaoning pulled out the *Da Ming Daily* and said, "Take a look! Land prices along the railway line have increased fivefold!"

Guan Shiming asked in surprise, "What's going on? What does the railway have to do with land prices?"

Guan Shaoning pondered for a moment: "I can't say for sure, but there's definitely a connection. Here's what we'll do: you and Lao Hu take the money and go to Tianjin. I'll go check out the real estate brokers. Land prices aren't high in the Tongzhou area; maybe we can still snag some."

"Yes, son, I'll set off right away!"

At that moment, the father and son, Guan Shiming and Guan Shaoning, went to the nearest brokerage firm. Guan Shiming went to Tianjin, while Guan Shaoning went to the nearest brokerage firm.

The brokerage firm was already bustling with activity.

A dozen or so men who looked like wealthy businessmen were surrounding the broker, shouting and arguing amongst themselves.

"I want that plot of land in the eastern suburbs of Tongzhou!"

"I'll pay double!"

"I'll add 30%!"

Guan Shaoning's heart sank immediately. He was secretly annoyed, thinking that if he had known that the railway could raise land prices, he should have acted sooner.

Judging from the current situation, it seems we won't even be able to get any soup.

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the corner.

The person happened to turn around, and their eyes met. Both of them were stunned.

This person was none other than Zhang Han, the editor who had just been feeling dizzy and lightheaded and had asked for leave to go home and rest.

Zhang Han's face was filled with embarrassment, but he quickly forced a smile: "Scholar Guan... is he also here at the brokerage firm?"

Guan Shaoning coughed twice and said, "Well, I've come to...to verify the authenticity of the land deed. Isn't Elder Zhang feeling unwell? Why..."

"This old man, this old man has come to..."

In a moment of quick thinking, Zhang Han said, "I'm here to see a doctor! I heard there's a miracle doctor next to this dental clinic..."