Chapter 258
"Transmitting messages over thousands of miles... Fuguang, are you sure such a miraculous thing exists in this world?"
Yu Zhongchun could finally express his astonishment openly and could not help but ask a few more questions. "This thing..."
"Was this thing also given by Fuguang's maritime merchant friend?"
Yu Chongshan pushed his eldest son aside and took over the conversation to cover for his granddaughter.
"Grandfather guessed correctly. When my friend delivered the high-quality seeds last time, they also included some other items, among which was this radio station capable of transmitting messages over thousands of miles."
"Fuguang, do you have enough silver with you?"
Old Madam Yu's focus was clearly different from the men in the family.
"Rest assured, Grandmother, I have plenty. If I ever run out, I will just take a stroll through His Majesty's private treasury," Yue Fuguang joked with the elderly woman.
Yesterday, she saw that the chests filled with gold cakes in the private treasury remained untouched, as she herself did not lack such things.
Although she had not yet received her salary as the Junior Preceptor, items were sent from the palace every few days, so she couldn't be bothered to worry about her wages.
Old Madam Yu smiled and said, "Our family also has a storehouse. Someday, let your mother and the others take you to see it. There is also Grandmother's personal private vault; you can visit whenever you have free time."
Hearing his wife say this, Yu Chongshan could not hold back and blurted out, "Grandfather has one too. When I have time, I'll take Fuguang to see it."
After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Old Madam Yu, but she did not even spare him a look.
The old fool actually thought she did not know he had a secret little treasury behind her back. In the past, she was just too lazy to manage it.
Now, she would interfere even less. The best things would always reach her granddaughter's hands first; only what her granddaughter did not want would fall to others.
Yue Fuguang smiled and replied, "Then Fuguang will not stand on ceremony with you elders!"
Seeing her agree so readily without any polite refusal, the crowd realized she did not treat them as outsiders, and they were all overjoyed.
Yu Chongshan waved his hand, interrupting the sons and daughters-in-law who wanted to join the fun.
"Fuguang, let us grandfather and granddaughter return to the topic of this radio station. A device that can transmit messages over thousands of miles is a priceless treasure. How do you plan to use it?"
"Grandfather, I was thinking that since Second Brother is taking people to the Sancha region at the end of May, and the two places are separated by thousands of miles, communication will be inconvenient. So, I thought about letting him take one radio station, and we will keep one at our manor. This way, the two places can communicate constantly, and I can keep abreast of the situation over there in real time."
Yu Chongshan nodded heavily. "That is excellent."
The whole family unanimously forgot to consider whether such an important instrument of the state should be reported to His Majesty first.
It had to be said that Yue Fuguang's strength gave the family courage and confidence. They never thought of usurping the throne.
However, when it came to items brought out by Yue Fuguang, the whole family tacitly agreed that their use and disposal were entirely up to her arrangements.
As for whether to inform His Majesty, they would certainly say they would, but that was merely lip service.
Yu Shuchun interjected and asked, "Fuguang, what does this radio station look like, and how is it operated?"
A father knows his own son best. Even with a father's biased filter, he had to admit that his son was indeed not as clever and dexterous as his niece.
It would be best to learn it in advance; otherwise, if that boy messed it up, he would be too ashamed to face his niece.
Little Zhu, place two radio stations on the bottom shelf of the bookcase in my study.
After instructing the system, Yue Fuguang turned to Cuizhu behind her and said, "Cuizhu, go to my study and fetch the radio stations. They are on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Bring both of the green iron boxes."
While waiting, Yue Fuguang pretended to reach into her wide sleeves, but in reality, she took out two small booklets from her storage ring.
She handed them to Yu Chongshan and said, "Grandfather, these are the operation manuals for the radio station. I have never operated one either. Therefore, Second Brother and the others will need to memorize it themselves and practice sending messages daily. Transmitting messages with a radio station is not just a technical task; it is a craft. It requires the operator to have an extremely high level of proficiency to transmit and receive codes steadily, accurately, and quickly."
Yu Chongshan handed a copy to Yu Shuchun. "Second Son Yu, you take a look first. Once you understand it, then teach it to Xiao Er."
Compared to his grandson, he trusted his son more. It was safer for the father to learn it first and then teach the son.
Yu Shuchun accepted it with both hands and began to study it seriously with a solemn expression.
Yue Fuguang glanced over and saw that the manual was written in great detail, even listing out radio maintenance and how to complete daily training.
The Radio Operation Manual could entirely be renamed Step-by-Step Guide to Telegraph Transmission, Reception, and Maintenance.
Seeing the Morse code inside, Yu Chongshan could not help but think a bit further. This thing could definitely be used elsewhere too.
Thus, he could not resist asking, "Fuguang, the Morse code in here..."
"If Grandfather finds it useful, please feel free to take it."
In the future, she would also train an intelligence team that belonged entirely to her, so there was no harm in letting the Emperor and the others test the waters with this first.
Soon, Cuizhu and Shen Chunying came in, each carrying a box.
Placing the items on the desk, Yue Fuguang opened the lids of the iron boxes and took out the contents one by one.
She placed one in front of Yu Boming and the other in front of the sisters, Yu Ningxuan and Yu Ningxin.
"Grandfather, a radio station requires both a sender and a receiver. The transmission at Sancha will be handled by Second Brother personally. As for the one here in our estate, we'll have my two older sisters operate it for now."
Yu Chongshan nodded. "We will do as Fuguang says."
He then turned to his three grandchildren and said, "Keep your younger sister's instructions in mind. Learn well and do your best."
"Furthermore," he said with a stern expression, "without Fuguang's permission, none of you are to speak a word about the radio's operation to outsiders. Not even to our own family members."
As for the gratitude owed for this guidance, he didn't need to say it. Looking at the children's expressions, he knew they understood how rare this opportunity was and would naturally keep it in their hearts.
Next, Yu Chongshan led Old Yu, Second Son Yu, Yu Boming, and the sisters, Yu Ningxuan and her sibling, to begin assembling and disassembling the equipment according to the instruction manual.
By dinnertime, Yue Fuguang, who had already taken a short nap, saw that although they were all covered in exhaustion, their eyes shone brightly.
Like children who had just found their favorite toy.
Over the next few days, Yu Boming, who was originally supposed to return to the military camp, specifically requested a leave of absence to stay at the estate and learn how to use the radio.
The news that the radio could transmit messages across thousands of miles quickly spread among the important ministers of the Great Yan court.
Huo Ying and Wei Shouyi rushed to the Yu estate right after the morning assembly the very next day.
When they saw the small radio and its seemingly precise components with their own eyes, they were all extremely envious.
Their eyes were practically glued to the radio. The sight of them rubbing their large, fan-like hands together, wanting to touch it but not daring to, was quite amusing.
In any case, the carefree Yu Boming couldn't hold back his laughter.
As a result, his head suffered the consequences. Minister Cai and General Wei didn't dare casually touch the precious radio.
But wouldn't they dare to touch this kid's head?
This kid's good fortune made their eyes red with envy and jealousy. By rubbing his head a few more times, perhaps they could really rub off some of his luck.
The Minister of Works, Lu Qi, who had also seen the radio, was currently standing in the Imperial Study feeling thoroughly uncomfortable.
When His Majesty asked if he could build one, he shook his head so hard he nearly made himself dizzy.
Lu Qi grumbled inwardly that if His Majesty wanted his head, he should just say so directly. Why use this to make things difficult for him!
Let alone not understanding the principles behind that thing, they didn't even know what materials many of the components were made of.