A few days before Mu Zian went to the Ministry of Works to report for duty, Xiao Zi, who had just been enfeoffed as the Prince of Qi, and several other princes were also arranged to enter the Six Ministries for internships.
Anyone with a discerning eye could immediately see that Xiao Yu's move was to have these people cultivate his own cronies within the Six Ministries.
Everyone knew that a new battle for the crown prince had begun quietly.
The second prince, Prince Qi, Xiao Zi, chose the Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Six Ministries.
The fifth prince, Prince Jin, Xiao Qing, chose the Ministry of Revenue, which was in charge of money and grain.
The sixth prince, Prince Wu, Xiao Feng, chose the Ministry of Justice, which was in charge of criminal law.
The eighth prince, Prince Xiao Shang, chose the Ministry of War.
These four departments were basically the most powerful among the six ministries of the imperial court.
The Ministry of Rites was a relatively insignificant department, and the Ministry of Works was a barely visible one—two departments that were in the same boat.
The choices made by these four princes also show that none of them were willing to give up.
According to the rules of etiquette, the eldest son should be chosen as the heir.
However, at present, Xiao Yu and Empress Shen Congrong do not have a legitimate son.
The eldest prince, the Second Prince Qi, Xiao Zi, doesn't seem very bright.
The third prince, Xiao Mei, who was the second oldest, was eliminated early due to his own stupidity.
Xiao Yu's attitude towards his princes was basically the same; he didn't show much favor to any of them.
Looking at it this way, it's really hard to say who will become the crown prince in the future.
Since there's no definitive answer, it means everyone has a chance.
Who can resist the greed in their heart when faced with such a beautiful and prosperous land?
Therefore, the four princes immediately went to their respective government offices as soon as their leave ended to begin cultivating their trusted confidants.
Mu Zian, who was assigned to the Sixth Department at the same time, suddenly seemed somewhat insignificant.
After all, it's just a Ministry of Works; what kind of trouble could Mu Zi'an possibly cause?
After breakfast, Mu Zian led Zhao Yun and Luo Cheng to the Ministry of Works.
The Minister of Works was named Qian Liu, who was over sixty years old and had served two dynasties.
Nowadays, being in the Ministry of Works is basically equivalent to being a retired cadre on temporary assignment waiting to retire.
Therefore, the person in charge of receiving Mu Zi'an was Wang Han, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.
Upon hearing that the renowned Duke of Zhenguo had arrived at the Ministry of Works, Wang Han immediately inquired and came out to greet him.
Upon seeing Mu Zi'an, Wang Han immediately bowed and greeted him.
"Greetings, Duke Zhenguo."
In terms of official rank, Wang Han was a high-ranking official of the third rank. Logically speaking, when Minister Qian Liu was not in charge, he was the highest-ranking official in the entire Ministry of Works.
However, Wang Han was also aware of his own limitations, so he naturally did not dare to adopt the attitude of a superior.
Seeing Wang Han so nervous, Mu Zi'an smiled and comforted him.
"His Majesty knows I am easygoing, so he specially sent me to the Ministry of Works to gain some experience. You all don't need to be nervous. From now on, I will be your colleague."
Everyone in the Ministry of Works breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Wang Han wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.
"The Duke of Zhenguo is new to the Ministry of Works and must be unfamiliar with it. I wonder where the Duke of Zhenguo would like to visit first? I can help show you the way."
"In that case, I'll trouble you, Vice Minister Wang. Let's go to the Smelting Bureau first."
"How dare I, Your Excellency, please come this way."
The Ministry of Works truly lives up to its reputation as the most transparent of the Six Ministries; compared to other government offices, it's simply beyond description.
Wang Han led the way while introducing things to Mu Zi'an.
"The Bureau of Smelting has two subordinate departments: the Iron Smelting Department and the Equipment Manufacturing Department."
"The Iron Smelting Division, as the name suggests, is responsible for smelting iron and stone, while the Weapon Making Division is used to improve the iron smelting technology of our Great Li."
"Whenever the smelting bureau produces a better iron ingot, it will be handed over to the Ministry of War's casting bureau for production."
As they were talking, a wave of heat hit them.
Then Mu Zian looked up and saw a shack area.
The buildings are so high that they're practically shacks; in many places, there's not even a roof.
Under the cold wind blowing in the open, several blacksmiths gathered in the shacks, forging and smelting iron.
These blacksmiths wore tattered, blackened coats, and their faces were covered in soot from the charcoal fire.
The clanging and banging of the blacksmith's hammer was like rain.
Dressed in splendid robes, Mu Zi'an seemed somewhat out of place at this moment.
The further they went in, the more the blacksmiths who were forging iron looked at Mu Zi'an.
After all, in a place like this, one might not see a young master in fine clothes for one or two decades.
Mu Zian frowned and looked around. The environment could no longer be described as simple; it was practically a garbage dump.
Just then, a fat man in official robes rushed over and bowed to Mu Zian and Wang Han.
"This humble official, Tian Zhi, a junior official in the Bureau of Metallurgy, pays his respects to all the Vice Ministers!"
Upon seeing this, Wang Han coughed and said.
"This is the Duke of Zhenguo."
Upon hearing this, Tian Zhi quickly replied.
"Greetings, Duke Zhenguo!"
Mu Zian looked at Tian Zhi in front of him. His round figure was a stark contrast to the skinny craftsmen around him.
Mu Zian stood with his hands behind his back and asked coldly.
"Didn't the imperial court allocate funds to build a smelting bureau? Why is this place so rudimentary?"
Upon hearing this, Tian Zhi's expression changed, and he immediately stammered.
"Reporting to the Duke of Zhenguo."
Mu Zian said coldly.
"I'm only giving you one chance. Think it over before you speak."
As soon as the voice fell, Mu Zian's powerful sense of oppression pressed down upon him.
Tian Zhi was so frightened that his face turned ashen.
This scene terrified Wang Han, who was standing nearby.
If this were in later generations, the smelting bureau would definitely be a technology research and development department.
These blacksmiths in front of us are equivalent to technicians in later generations; each one is an absolute treasure.
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