Planning a Planned Economy

After the Steam Engine had been running for a while, the food from the other side was delivered as well. Luo Chong had the Personal Guards clear a table, then began dining with the researchers. The Personal Guards set up another table outside and took turns eating.

In the warehouse, with the sound of a Steam Engine running in the background, Luo Chong and the others had all filled their bowls. Only then did he rise, holding his tea bowl, and say.

"We don't have any alcohol here, and for everyone's safety, drinking isn't allowed either, so I can only toast everyone with this bowl of plain tea.

"The success of the Steam Engine has made me very happy. All of you have rendered outstanding service in this research, but this isn't the end—it's only the beginning. We'll have to manufacture even more Steam Engines in the future. I hope that before long, Steam Engines will be running every moment across the territory of the Han Tribe. For this great goal, I raise my bowl to all of you. Come, cheers."

"Thank you, Chieftain." Everyone raised their bowls as well, saluted Luo Chong from afar, then clinked their tea bowls together. The atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious.

Everyone had been tense and frantically busy for two days, barely eating properly, and by now they were starving. After Luo Chong picked up his chopsticks, they immediately began wolfing down the delicious food. Tang Yao, however, sat blankly beside Luo Chong, chopsticks in hand, staring at the Steam Engine in a daze.

Luo Chong picked up a piece of meat and placed it in her bowl. "Why aren't you eating?"

"Oh, thank you. It's nothing. I just can't figure out why it turns." Tang Yao paused before answering.

*There it is again—the