Under Liu Zhonglu's careful direction, several Mongol soldiers soon arrived, leading three sturdy horses.
Chen Rong produced the traction ropes he had brought with him.
The soldiers swiftly secured the horses to them. One Mongol soldier mounted the central horse, ready to guide and control the team, ensuring that the unfamiliar steel carriage would not panic the animals.
Liu Zhonglu's brows remained slightly furrowed. He still worried that the strange contraption Chen Rong had brought might spook the horses.
Yet seeing a trained rider at the center calmed his nerves considerably.
The Mongols' horsemanship had been honed over generations—if anyone could keep the animals steady under unusual circumstances, it was them.
Two herdsmen approached, bowing respectfully as they laid bundles of dried cow and horse dung before Chen Rong.
"Sir," Liu Zhonglu said, "these are the cow and horse dung you requested last night.
I instructed the herdsmen to find dried ones. If you require fresh, I can have them brought as well."
Chen Rong shook his head, accepting the bundles. "No need, General. This is sufficient."
"As long as it serves the purpose. I am curious, though," Liu Zhonglu said with a trace of amusement, "what will you manage to grow from the seeds you brought from the god-man?"
"When the first crops bear fruit, I will show you," Chen Rong replied.
Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added, "By the way, General Liu, I fear I may have damaged Master Changchun's carriage yesterday.
Can it still continue along the road, or would it be safer for the master to ride in my car?"
The recollection weighed on him. The carriage of Master Changchun—Qiu Chuji—had overturned, and at his advanced age, traversing the uneven prairie on foot or in a damaged vehicle could prove perilous.
Any delay or accident might prevent the master from reaching Genghis Khan in time, with consequences Chen Rong dreaded to imagine.
Without Qiu Chuji's intervention, the Mongol commander's wrath might descend even more catastrophically upon the people.
Liu Zhonglu waved the concern aside with a calm smile. "No trouble at all, Sir.
We anticipated such incidents before setting out. We brought extra wood to repair the carriage if necessary. As long as the frame remains intact, my disciples can fix it without issue."
Indeed, the caravan had been meticulously prepared for the long westward journey. They had already traveled for over a year and a half, and careful planning was essential.
Although the carriage had toppled the night before, its main structure remained undamaged.
Several of Master Changchun's disciples had labored through the night to restore it. Now, the master himself sat ready, packed and prepared to continue.
Chen Rong exhaled in relief. "Good. If the master were prevented from reaching the Khan because of my carelessness, the guilt would be unbearable."
Liu Zhonglu chuckled. "Haha. Do not worry alone, Sir. Misfortune is not yours to bear exclusively. Should the Khan lose his temper—well, his wrath spares no one.
Chen Rong's mind drifted to the ruthless history of Genghis Khan's campaigns.
The destruction of the Western Liao(Xiliao) was still fresh in memory. Because its rulers had taken in Kuchlug, the usurper fleeing the Mongols, Genghis Khan's armies swept through the land without mercy.
Millions of Khitans, Turks, and Uighurs had perished, leaving only a handful of skilled craftsmen alive.
Entire cities had been reduced to bare earth.
Khwarezm fared no better. Since the beginning of the Western Expedition, countless cities and settlements had been destroyed.
Massacres followed in the wake of the Mongol advance, and the once-prosperous kingdom was left shattered.
Shaking off the grim thoughts, Chen Rong turned back to the present. "General Liu," he said, "if you wish, you may ride with me in my carriage."
Liu Zhonglu blinked in surprise. "Sir, will this not disturb your mount?"
"Not at all," Chen Rong replied. "I was growing bored riding alone. Your company would allow conversation, and I wish to learn more about the world of today.
After all, over a thousand years have passed since I left human civilization.
If I am to meet Genghis Khan, understanding his culture and methods is essential. And who better to provide insight than you, his personal attendant?"
Liu Zhonglu laughed, the sound carrying a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
"If the gentleman sincerely invites me, it would be impolite to refuse. And, I confess, I am eager to examine this…steel carriage."
Chen Rong opened the passenger door. "Then please, General, take a seat beside me."
With that, Liu Zhonglu handed his horse over to a Mongol soldier and stepped into the cab, marveling at the unfamiliar interior.
He gestured toward the lead cavalry. "Guide the way, and be mindful of any uneven ground."
The general's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "This seat is surprisingly comfortable, and the armrest… it feels finer than any carriage I have ever seen.
The material—wood, perhaps, but not quite. And this pane—is it some sort of glass? I have never encountered such craftsmanship."
Chen Rong smiled faintly. "These materials are gifts from the gods.
They taught me how to operate the carriage, but not the methods of crafting the materials themselves."
"I see," Liu Zhonglu murmured, leaning forward to inspect the dashboard. "And the lights last night, the blazing beams from the front—what manner of magic is that?"
"That," Chen Rong replied, "is called electric light. It transforms energy into illumination far stronger than fire. The full explanation is… complex, and beyond my ability to convey simply. I know only that it works."
Liu Zhonglu's fascination deepened. "Truly marvelous! Such skill and ingenuity… it is as if a god himself forged this carriage."
Chen Rong concentrated on steering along the prairie, guiding the carriage smoothly over the uneven terrain. He instructed Liu Zhonglu to direct the lead horses, ensuring they sought flatter ground to prevent any mishap.
Throughout the journey, Liu Zhonglu peppered him with questions—how the carriage moved, how the lights shone so brilliantly, the purpose of each instrument in the cab.
Chen Rong answered as best he could. "General, this was bestowed upon me by a god. I know only how to drive it. The rest… remains a mystery even to me."
Liu Zhonglu chuckled. "I see. I may be inquisitive, but I mean no offense."
"None taken," Chen Rong said. "Curiosity is natural. If I were not conserving fuel for the journey to the Khan, I would gladly show you more. Now, we must be cautious with every drop."