The next morning, because she had gone to bed early the night before, she woke up a little after seven.
An Ran usually did not wake up until eight. Every day, she rushed to work at top speed and arrived just in time.
She had gotten up early today and still had more than an hour before work, so she decided to go downstairs for breakfast.
She had thought the Heavenly Screen would remain quiet until after ten, as it had yesterday. She did not expect images to appear so early.
Fortunately, most people in Ancient Times rose early, whether they were Imperial Nobility, wealthy people, or Common People, so they did not miss it.
An Ran carried her phone with her, playing music as she washed up. Everyone saw the mirror that reflected every detail of her face and exclaimed in amazement. It was far too clear.
There was also that thing that produced water with a single press. It was convenient; they did not even need to draw water anymore.
After washing up, An Ran took her bag and left. Everyone saw the woman on the Heavenly Screen enter a tiny room and press a button. The number above kept changing, and after it became 1, the door opened, and she had arrived downstairs.
Everyone realized what the little room was for only after they saw An Ran leave the unit entrance and walk outside.
“Good heavens, what is that thing? It can come down from such a tall building in such a short time.”
“How does it work? It is miraculous.”
“Yesterday, I wondered whether climbing down from such a great height would exhaust someone to death. I never expected it to be so easy.”
“Is it pulled by people? Would that not exhaust them to death?”
“It likely is not.”
“It likely is not. People could not pull it so smoothly. Without the changing numbers, one would not feel it moving at all.”
“Incredible!”
After leaving the unit entrance, An Ran took several turns before reaching the edge of the Residential Complex. Many small stalls already stood outside, and the restaurants had opened and attracted quite a few customers.
The Residential Complex was not crowded, but the streets outside were packed with people. The scene was prosperous and bustling.
An Ran went to a Xiaolongbao shop and ordered a steamer of Xiaolongbao and a bowl of Eight-Treasure Porridge.
Before long, the Xiaolongbao and porridge arrived. Through the billowing steam, she could see the plump meat filling beneath the crystal-clear wrappers. She picked one up and bit into it, sending broth everywhere. The taste made An Ran narrow her eyes in delight.
As expected of an old shop—it made delicious food. If she did not usually sleep late and miss breakfast, she would come here to eat every day.
Han Dynasty, Liu Bang.
“What kind of food is this? I have never even seen it before.”
Lü Zhi smiled and said, “Yesterday’s food was also something we had never seen before. I suppose Later Generations developed it.”
“It looks delicious. Have the food official make it so we can taste it.”
Like his ancestor, Liu Che had the Food Official study and recreate anything he wanted to eat.
Then he said to the ministers beside him, “Looking at this, the owner of the celestial screen does not seem to be nobility!”
So many people filled the street. Judging by their conduct and bearing, they did not seem to be Nobility or even wealthy people. Those with money ate in Private Rooms. How could they compare with the people here, who crowded together in such numbers, with some even standing by the roadside to eat?
Could they be ordinary Common People? If so, their Military Bearing was remarkably good. Their food, clothing, and daily necessities were even better than those of the Imperial Nobility here.
If they truly were ordinary Common People, what kind of Golden Age must Later Generations have enjoyed? Their Emperor must have been extraordinarily capable.
Wei Qing and Huo Qubing nodded in agreement. “If they are merely ordinary Common People, this Nation must be extremely powerful.”
Tang Dynasty
Li Shimin looked at the food by the roadside. Although he had never eaten it, he could tell at a glance that it tasted excellent.
“Even we imperial nobility do not eat as well as they do!”
Li Shimin could also tell that these people were not members of a Great Aristocratic Clan. At most, they were wealthy people.
Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, “After all, who knows how many years into later generations this is? It embodies the wisdom of so many predecessors! The emperors of the Qin and Han Dynasties might not eat as well as some ordinary officials here.”
This reassured Li Shimin. He smiled and patted Empress Zhangsun’s hand.
Xiaolongbao first appeared during the Northern Song. Thus, members of dynasties after the Song Dynasty felt tempted when they watched An Ran eat Xiaolongbao. Those with the means bought some or had their household chefs prepare it.
Their attention was not on the food, however, but on the women filling the streets.
In dynasties where Women faced severe restrictions, seeing so many Women traveling alone made some sour Confucian Scholars frown and mutter again.
In their dynasties, women could travel outside, but most accompanied men, and it was rare for a woman to go out alone.
Yet many of the women on the Heavenly Screen traveled alone, and they did not look like vendors either.
In particular, when they saw some girls dressed in revealing clothes, the sour Scholars muttered that such behavior was an insult to proper learning.
“What kind of propriety is this? It is an insult to proper learning.”
“If my daughter dressed like that, I would beat her to death.”
An auntie nearby rolled her eyes when she heard them, but said nothing. She could not afford to offend scholars.
However, as she watched the Women on the Heavenly Screen walk freely through the markets and conduct business, envy filled her eyes. Even the roadside food vendors looked free from worries about food and clothing, with an air of wealth about them. How wonderful it would be to live in that era!
The other Women also watched the girls on the Heavenly Screen stroll freely along the streets, their faces filled with envy.
“If only I had been born in her era.”
“It looks like none of them have foot binding.”
“That is because they are all impoverished common people!” The women in poor common people’s families here did not bind their feet either, because it would interfere with their work.
“How do they look like impoverished common people?”
“Exactly. Their food, clothing, and daily necessities are even better than ours, young ladies included.”
The woman who had called them poor fell silent. That hit far too close to home.
After finishing her meal, An Ran drove to work.
The people of Ancient Times saw An Ran climb into a strange box. She operated it, and the box began to move. Through the windows, they watched the roadside scenery race past until it blurred into a line.
Moreover, there was more than one on the road. Such driving tools were practically everywhere on the streets.
Qin Dynasty
When Ying Zheng saw how fast the vehicle moved, he rose in shock. The tall buildings, Elevator, and Water Tap he had seen earlier had also surprised him, but he had little use for them. This vehicle shocked him far more.
Such a vehicle would make traveling far more convenient, and he could use it elsewhere as well.
“That speed is astonishingly fast!” Moreover, it appeared to be a commonly used means of transportation in later generations. With so many of them, even ordinary common people could probably afford one.
He turned to the Mohist Disciples. “Can you make this thing?”
Mo Jiu was terrified. He was an inconspicuous junior disciple of the Mohist School with mediocre abilities. He served beside Your Majesty only because he was the sole Mohist Disciple in Xianyang, so they had recruited him first.
“Your Majesty, forgive this humble minister’s incompetence. I cannot discern the operating principle of this iron box.” After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Qin Shi Huang’s stern face before continuing, “This humble minister’s abilities are limited. However, my senior fellow disciple is a genius of extraordinary talent. Perhaps he can discern the principle.”
Ying Zheng nodded. “What is your senior fellow disciple’s name? Where is he now? I will send people to bring him here.”
Mo Jiu gave his name and address, and Ying Zheng sent people to find him.
Han Dynasty
Liu Che was also shocked. “It is so fast! What a divine object! I wonder whether we can obtain one.”
Unfortunately, they did not know the origin of the Heavenly Screen and had no way to proceed. They could only order their subordinates to conduct research.
Three Kingdoms.
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang watched the cars move at tremendous speed in amazement.
“At this speed, it is faster than a galloping horse, and it is safe as well. It is an excellent tool for transporting supplies!”
“Indeed. Vehicles like these could transport people and goods quickly and conveniently. They would also be useful on the battlefield.”
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