Sister Hong really misunderstood; the Magistrate did not intend to hire Cultivators for construction. He hasn't been clouded with foolish ideas.
The Magistrate's biggest problem now is: he wants to buy trains and railways, but... there's not enough money!
As for locomotive and carriage, he can lease them from Feng Jun. Presumably, this is negotiable; after all, it's just a train, extending a journey is no big deal, similar to long-distance carriages and passenger ships.
The key issue is the cost of laying the railway, which is simply too high. The finances of Qingning Prefecture can't cover such an expense.
The Magistrate doesn't dare to ask Mount Zhige for charity—after all, General Changsheng's head is still hanging at the ruins of the Dong family fortress. He's considering if he can barter for iron rails and other materials.
