Tao Yanbai hurriedly pulled the Third Prince outside, with Miao He snorting twice as she followed behind.
Tao Yanbai explained to the Third Prince, "This is an electric telegraph station. You don't have anyone to send a message to, so what use is there in going inside?"
"What electric telegraph station?"
Tao Yanbai thought it over and decided that since the Third Prince had already entered the Central Plains, the matter of telegraphs transmitting messages could hardly remain hidden.
Thanks to Pan Yun, every county town in the Ming Dynasty now had an electric telegraph station. Even the remotest and poorest places had a telegraph machine installed near the county yamen for ordinary people to send messages.
Junior Martial Uncle had said that this was a people's livelihood project, one that had to be carried out even at a loss.
Since it could not be concealed, it was better to speak frankly—and it could also intimidate the other party. "An electric telegraph station uses electricity to send messages. You tap out what you wish to say on a telegraph machine, and in the blink of an eye, someone thousands of li away can receive it. It is then translated into writing and delivered to the recipient."
The Third Prince's eyes were full of bewilderment. He had heard the words, but understood none of them.
After some thought, Tao Yanbai still pulled the Third Prince inside. He spoke to the people waiting ahead of them in line, saying that it was their first visit and they merely wished to look around, not send a telegram.
The people in line instantly showed understanding expressions and generously let them pass.
There was not just one person inside, but five. Only one stood before the counter, holding a sheet of paper and a handful