Chapter 383 focuses on honesty

Shen Qingrui knew he was bad with words.

If he gets into an argument, he can't even win against his youngest sister, Shen Qingyu.

Therefore, he didn't intend to use any rhetoric to persuade his colleagues.

Shen Qingrui felt that all he needed to do was say what he really wanted to say.

If others remain unmoved, then we have different principles and cannot work together. Let's part ways amicably, go our separate ways, and go home to our own mothers...

I met my first colleague.

That firework craftsman, who wanted to see what the Ministry of Works of the imperial court was like, was the number one craftsman who specialized in researching how to make beautiful fireworks.

"Do you want to fight the enemy in the North?" Shen Qingrui asked as soon as he came up.

The fireworks craftsman, already fed up with the petty behavior of those in the Ministry of Works, wanted to return to his own workshop...

Kill the Northern Barbarians?

Who wouldn't want that? Every person in Chongqing wants that!

A hundred years ago, the Central Plains suffered from the invasion of the Hu people, and the people lived in misery. Which family's ancestors did not die in that great chaos?

The entire Central Plains was almost wiped out...

The shadow cast by the Northern Hu on the people of Chongqing is too great.

Otherwise, people wouldn't have shown such respect to the Weiyuan Army, which was able to keep the Northern Hu people out of the north.

"Yes! Who wouldn't want to! If I had the chance, I'd kill all those Northern Barbarian bastards!" the fireworks craftsman said bitterly.

"Alright, then come with me to the North!"

We went there to study the fire-thunder that could kill the Northern Hu people.

Don't you want to see the fire and thunder we developed kill the Northern Hu people, making them cry for their parents?

"Don't you want to see them get beaten to a pulp by us?" Shen Qingrui asked.

Upon hearing this, Fireworks Craftsman No. 1 swallowed hard, his heart immediately filled with excitement.

They killed the Northern Hu people with fire and thunder they made themselves...

Just thinking about that scene is exciting!

At that time, not only would they receive rewards from the imperial court, but they could also find solace for their ancestors who had perished under the iron hooves of the Northern Barbarians!

This is a momentous event that will bring glory to our ancestors and earn us a special place on the family genealogy!

“Go! Why wouldn’t we go? Protecting Dayu is the responsibility of us Dayu people.”

"We absolutely have to go!" Fireworks Craftsman No. 1 immediately declared.

"We estimate that we won't be able to return for at least three to five years after we go to the North."

"Can you... do it?" Shen Qingrui continued to ask.

"It's alright, as long as my salary is paid to my family, I can go to the North alone."

If my mother, wife, and children at home heard that I went to the north to research gunpowder to kill the northern barbarians...

They'll definitely set off firecrackers to send them off.

And so, Shen Qingrui persuaded Fireworks Craftsman No. 1.

Then, he used the same rhetoric to persuade Fireworks Craftsman Number Two.

Fireworks Craftsman No. 2 agreed.

However, Fireworks Craftsman No. 2 made a small request.

“Young Master Shen, I can go to the North with you. Protecting Dayu is the responsibility of every citizen of Dayu, there’s no question about it.”

But I only have a son, a daughter, and an elderly mother at home.

My wife passed away a long time ago, and I don't want to remarry for the sake of my child.

My daughter is already fifteen this year. If she stays in the north for three to five years, I'm afraid it will delay her marriage.

My elderly mother doesn't like to go out much...

Therefore, could you please trouble Madam Shen to help look after things?

I'm putting a little more effort into my daughter's marriage.

We don't require a wealthy or noble family; we just need an honest and law-abiding one.

so......"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingrui thought, "Isn't this just matchmaking?"

"Don't worry about this, it's just matchmaking, isn't it?"

When I got back, I told my mother, who always cared for the soldiers in the north.

Mother would be happy to do anything for the families of soldiers from the north.

Shen Qingrui patted his chest and agreed.

His thinking was simple: if his mother was too busy, he would ask Aunt Dong and Aunt Xin for help.

They're out and about every day now, and they have even more connections than they do now!

Upon hearing this, Fireworks Craftsman No. 2 was immediately relieved.

With the Duke of Dingguo's family acting as matchmaker, ordinary families certainly wouldn't dare to bully their daughter.

He can now focus on his gunpowder research in the north...

In this way, Shen Qingrui convinced everyone in the gunpowder research team with his honest attitude.

Everyone was eager to head to the North.

I'm determined to make a name for myself there.

Let those old fogies in the capital who look down on them open their eyes...

Shen Qingrui persuaded his colleagues and then sent a letter to the palace.

I don't know how he spoke to Emperor Xiaowu.

Anyway, the two of them chatted all night in the Hall of Diligent Governance, just like when they were children.

Emperor Xiao Wu not only agreed to Shen Qingrui's suggestion to place the gunpowder research group in the north.

He also offered to do his best to help Shen Qingrui continue his research in the north.

Furthermore, Emperor Xiao Wu also made a big promise to Shen Qingrui.

As long as they achieve results, all the artisans involved in the research will be awarded the honorary title of Royal Artisan.

And it's one set per person, the kind you can hang at home.

Finally, Emperor Xiao Wu also said that as long as Shen Qingrui achieved results in the north, he could privately grant Shen Qingrui one request.

No matter the request, even if Shen Qingrui wanted to plead for a pardon for death row inmates, it would be fine...

Shen Qingrui, however, didn't care.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion already holds a prestigious position, and it has everything it needs...

Finally, everyone agreed that they would set off the next day.

After listening to Shen Qingrui's words, Shangguan Jin also began to sigh.

No matter the time, no one can resist the temptation of having a separate page in the family tree!

If one could receive imperial favor, it would be more than just bringing glory to one's ancestors.

This family's descendants will be able to show off their wealth and status in the future.

There was a time when my ancestors received imperial honors, and we are descendants of royal craftsmen.

A craft passed down for centuries—how dare you people interfere?

Shangguan Jin also marveled at Shen Qingrui's eloquence.

Isn't this kid supposed to be bad with words? How come he can come up with so many eloquent phrases when it comes to serious matters?

Every word they said struck a chord with those people...

Or perhaps, those who do research are actually the most innocent and pure-hearted.

You give them what they want most, and they will reciprocate with the most genuine gratitude...

"It's a bit of a pity, why not stay until after the Mid-Autumn Festival!" Shangguan Jin was still a little reluctant to leave.

"Mother! It's alright. Once we achieve something in the North, I will stay with you every day."

"At that time, Dayu will no longer have to worry about the Hu people invading," Shen Qingrui said solemnly.

In the end, Shangguan Jin had no choice but to quickly arrange for someone to pack Shen Qingrui's luggage.

Shen Qingrui is only seventeen years old and this is his first time traveling far from home.

Shangguan Jin specially arranged for two servants to accompany him.

"If you encounter any problem, you can ask Chang Sheng Gong for help."

Also, if you encounter a problem that even Chang Shenggong can't solve, remember to go to the border city and ask Mr. Du for help.

Mr. Du owes our family a debt of gratitude.

"No matter what you need, he'll be happy to help." Shangguan Jin whispered.

Shen Qingrui kept these words in mind.

What my mother said can't be wrong...