Chapter 289

July 13th, the sky was clear and vast, without a single cloud. At the official pier near the mouth of the Xuanwu River, a massive five-story dragon-shaped houseboat sat waiting for its guests. This dragon-shaped houseboat was a creation of the Mohist School, powered by Ink Stones, which naturally allowed it to navigate the great river. Compared to other mechanical marvels, the dragon-shaped houseboat was the best-selling model and the one most purchased by wealthy merchants. The primary reason was efficiency: when traveling downstream, the houseboat required almost no Ink Stone fuel; it was only when sailing upstream that consumption became a factor. Even then, the vessel’s immense cargo capacity meant that, even including fuel costs, it could barely break even. Of course, the main draw was its imposing presence, which allowed merchants to demonstrate their wealth before their peers.