Chapter 58
He suddenly became alert and subconsciously grabbed the corner of Liu Che's clothes.
Liu Che paused slightly, noticing that his expression was not right, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Liu Ju glanced at everyone and said, "I feel like everyone is staring at me like I'm a piece of fat meat."
Liu Che & the officials: ...
Everyone was stunned for a moment before explaining, "Your Highness has misunderstood. We admire and respect Your Highness. Your talents are beyond our reach; your achievements are unprecedented and may never be matched."
Liu Ju raised an eyebrow. "You mean your admiration for me is like a surging river, endless?"
Everyone nodded in unison. "Yes, yes, that's exactly what I mean." "So what the hell is this fat meat? Your Highness, why would you even think of that?"
Liu Ju shook his head: "I didn't feel that way. I still feel like you guys are looking at a big piece of fat meat."
After saying this, he suddenly remembered that the way his father looked at him was also very subtle, not exactly the same as the way the other officials looked at him, but equally strange.
Thinking of this, Liu Ju reflexively withdrew his hand from Liu Che and looked alert.
Liu Che & Baiguan: ...the smile disappears.
This one sentence successfully interrupted everyone's imagination, and forcibly pulled back their increasingly deviated and unconstrained "superstitious" thinking. The corners of their mouths twitched as if their faces were cramping, and they lost all speech.
—Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter. This time traveler is a total mood-killer. People clearly treat him like a deity, barely even setting up a memorial tablet for him. Damn big fat meat. His train of thought is truly bizarre.
Liu Ju is a hot commodity right now, and everyone's hoping he'll produce more and more. These things will not only benefit the people, but also himself. So, to say he's a big fat piece of meat is not wrong, in a sense. Hahahaha.
——Liu Che & Baiguan: ...Speechlessness is my mother tongue.
——The Fairchild filter instantly shattered. Hahahaha.
Liu Ju: ???
So they really just admired him?
Liu Ju looked up in confusion, meeting everyone's complex and subtle looks. He touched his nose awkwardly and coughed lightly. To ease the awkwardness, he forcefully turned the subject back to business: "Father, what the Minister of Agriculture said just now is right. Summer farming eliminates famine, and winter farming eliminates insects. Ploughing the fields over the winter kills insects and loosens the soil."
"Now is the time for deep plowing, and the curved-beam plow is of great use. This device must be introduced to the people promptly. There are also three-legged plows, keel-shaped turning carts, and water-powered turning carts. Even if they are not as urgent as the curved-beam plow, they cannot be delayed.
"Sowing and irrigation begin in the spring. So we need to start preparing now so we can be ready when the time comes."
That's quite true. When this was mentioned, everyone gathered their thoughts and looked serious.
Liu Che nodded and looked at the Minister of Agriculture: "We need to come up with a plan for this matter as soon as possible, the sooner the better."
This was the meaning of handing the matter over to the Grand Minister of Agriculture. As expected, everyone accepted it well. Only the Minister of the Ministry of Finance felt a little sour.
Why are they farm tools? Why are they all farm tools? Aren’t these tailor-made for the Grand Farmer?
Last time, the soap, lipstick and perfume were tailor-made for the princess, and now the farm tools are tailor-made for the chief farmer.
Your Highness, why don’t you think of custom-making one for this old minister, Shaoye Mansion?
The Minister of the Imperial Household secretly glanced at Liu Ju, lowered his head, his eyes rolling around, his mind racing. No, it must be that his presence was too low for the Crown Prince to remember him.
When he has nothing to do on weekdays, he should go to the prince more often. At least the prince should see him all the time and not forget him.
Yes, that’s it!
Liu Ju was completely unaware of the Shaofu Temple Minister's subtle thoughts. Meanwhile, Emperor Wu of Han had already ordered his emperor to return to the palace. After all, they had already seen the things, and how to use them next, how to promote them, and the rules and arrangements were not suitable to be discussed here.
So a group of people came in a mighty procession and left in a mighty procession.
Only Liu Ju changed his route midway and did not follow back to the palace, but instead went to the other courtyard. By this time, the courtyard had been renamed the "Gewusi" (Study of Things). From then on, it would become the Crown Prince's private residence.
Reasonable use can ensure both event management and office work are carried out without any waste.
The Imperial College of Investigation and Gewu (Gewusi): The inner hall used exclusively by the Crown Prince for his work.
Liu Ju asked the top three contestants to come in one by one and asked them about the promises they had made and whether they had thought about what they wanted.
First it was Zhao Guo.
He said that when he left home, he had promised his wife that if he really got this opportunity, he would discuss his request with her and decide. He asked Liu Ju if he could keep her until he could send someone back with money to bring his wife back.
Liu Ju smiled and agreed directly.
Next was Zhuang Qingzhou, who asked Liu Ju to let him read and copy all the books on craftsmanship currently available to the court.
This is not difficult, he has the ambition to make progress. Liu Ju was very happy and nodded happily.
Finally, it was Gongshu Qing's turn. Liu Ju looked at him, but didn't directly ask what he wanted. Instead, he expressed his confusion: "The structure of a water-powered wheelbarrow is similar to that of a keel-framed wheelbarrow. Since you can design a water-powered wheelbarrow, you can also make a keel-framed wheelbarrow. Why did you choose the former and not the latter?"
It is impossible to make a water-powered cart in seven days, but it is possible to make a keel-powered cart.
Gongshu Qing lowered his eyes and said respectfully, "I know that in a competition, the real thing always has more advantages than a rough design, and it is also more reliable. I have also considered whether it would be better to just do a keel rollover."
Liu Ju nodded: "But you didn't choose it in the end."
"Yes. Because rather than playing it safe, I want to stand out in the competition and amaze everyone. Of the four major exam questions Your Highness posed, the one with the least information is the water-turning overturning car and is the most difficult to design.
"While there are existing wooden plows for reference, the water-powered wheelbarrow is a completely new agricultural tool from ancient times to the present. The traditional water-drawing lever is vastly different in both structure and function, and cannot serve as a reference."
"Furthermore, Your Highness said that the final review and ranking of the works will focus on the design difficulty and verification results. Therefore, I think the actual product may have more advantages, but it is not the key to victory.
"If you can pull off a water turn, the score will be higher than a keel turn, and you'll have a better chance..."
Gongshu Qing paused for a moment and uttered two words: "Win the first place."
Liu Ju understood.
He had only decided on the top three that day, and the decision on who would be first, second, and third among them would have to wait for verification. Now that the verification was complete, the answer was out.
Zhuang Qingzhou and Zhao Guo tied for second place, while Gongshu Qing was the undisputed champion. His ability to perfect his entire design from the meager information provided by the exam question was truly astonishing.
If it weren't for Gongshu Ye, he would have risen to prominence and shined brilliantly. But now, all the glory that should have belonged to him has been covered with a layer of dust that is difficult to remove because of Gongshu Ye.
Liu Ju sighed softly, "Do you still want to use my promise on Gongshu Ye? Have you changed your mind in these days?"
Gongshu Qing knelt and kowtowed: "My mind has not changed. I hope Your Highness will show mercy."
Liu Ju reminded him, "You should understand the profound significance of the Crown Prince's promise. If you apply it to yourself, you will gain even more. If you don't know what to ask for yourself right now, I allow Zhao Guo to keep it and bring it up later. The same goes for you."
Gongshu Qing shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but it is not necessary."
Liu Ju's expression was complicated. "You're doing this for him. Do you know that your actions today might also be part of his plan?"
"I know." Those two words made Gongshu Qing's throat tighten, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions, but he still insisted, "We are brothers. I can't watch him trapped in prison, his life in danger, and remain indifferent. No matter what Erlang does or thinks, I only hope to have a clear conscience and will not regret it one day."
Liu Ju picked up the water cup on the table and took a sip: "What do you want to ask for? How can you protect him?"
There are also some subtleties to guaranteeing someone's safety. Is it to ensure that they don't die, or that they are safe, or that they don't suffer punishment?
Gongshu Qing paused for a moment, clenching his hands slightly. After a while, he made up his mind: "I beg Your Highness to spare his life."
Liu Ju's eyes flickered: "Just spare his life and let him live?"
"yes!"
Liu Ju's mouth corners curled slightly. He was a smart man who knew what to ask for and what not to ask for, and he would not ask for too much.
"Okay, I agree, you can go down."
After Gongshu Qing left, Liu Ju called in Bai Shan and Zhao Guo, curiously asking, "I heard Gongshu Xing asked you to write a petition and gave you each a courtyard?"
Zhao Guo nodded, "Yes. If Lu Ling comes in person to apologize, his attitude will be very sincere. Knowing that I am not from Chang'an and have just arrived, even if I am admitted to the Gewusi, I still don't have a suitable place to live, so I will give me a house with two courtyards."
"Ruo Luling is about the same age as my father. When I was young and ignorant, I got into a fight with someone and injured him. My father also carried the gift like this, hunched over and with a humble attitude.
"When I saw Ruo Luling, I thought of the past, of my father, who is no longer with us. I…I thought that Your Highness was very perceptive and that I had not suffered any harm from this, so I nodded and agreed. But this courtyard…"
Although the courtyard only has two entrances, houses in Beijing are not cheap to begin with, and the location given by Gongshu Xing is quite good, so it is naturally more expensive.
Therefore, Zhao Guo was a little hesitant.
Liu Ju chuckled: "You are lucky that you didn't suffer. It has nothing to do with Gongshu. Since Gongshu gave it to you, you should take it. You deserve it."
Hearing him say this, Zhao Guo felt a little relieved and thought that in this way, he could send a message to Wanyi and take her to the capital.
On the other side, Liu Ju looked at Baishan again.
Bai Shan bowed and replied, "Master did give me a mansion. But Zhao Guo's was an apology. I didn't."
"Since I have gradually gained Your Highness's favor, Master Gongshu has said that I am no longer the same as before and that it is inconvenient for me to live in the Gongshu Palace. I need my own residence. Therefore, he has already searched for a suitable place for me.
"This mansion was gifted to me by Master. It has nothing to do with Second Brother's matter. Even if this matter had not happened, Master would have given it to me. So this time, Master's apology gift is not the villa, but the handwritten letter from the ancestor of the Gongshu family.
"The notes contain the craftsmanship experience of the former head of the Gongshu family, as well as the fragmentary notes left by Master Lu Ban. They are the secrets of the Gongshu family that are never passed on to others."
Liu Ju paused and rolled his eyes.
Gongshu Xing truly knew how to behave. Not only was his apology generous, but it also contained items they both desperately needed, making it impossible for them to refuse. Clearly, it wasn't just a pretense; he meant what he said.
Bai Shan sighed, "Master has treated me well. Senior Brother has also helped me a lot. Even if Master remains silent and offers no apology, how can I stand by and watch without doing anything? I wrote this petition of my own free will."
"After I finished writing, my master thanked me earnestly. He said that in the future I wouldn't have to feel trapped by the Gongshu family's favors. This matter is over, and I no longer owe them anything. If anyone uses favors to coerce me again in the future, no matter who it is, I won't pay any attention."
Liu Ju nodded: "Gongshu Xing and Gongshu Qing are quite reasonable. But Gongshu Ye..."
He paused. Gongshu Ye didn't need to waste his words. He was stupid and brainless. But Gongshu Ming...
Liu Ju frowned: "In your eyes, what kind of person is Gongshu Ming?"
Bai Shan shook his head. "Your Highness, although I have lived in the Gongshu family for many years, I haven't had much contact with my Third Senior Brother. From what I remember, he looked down on me just like my Second Senior Brother, but he never did anything to embarrass me, and usually treated me with indifference. I had very little interaction with him, and I don't know him very well."
Liu Ju chuckled: "It's okay, you don't understand, Gongshu Xing and Gongshu Qing should understand."
Baishan and Zhao Guo were both stunned. They felt that Liu Ju's words seemed to have a profound meaning, but they didn't know what it meant.
The next day, Gongshu Ye's verdict was announced.
He was spared the death penalty and exiled to the Five Ridges.
Gongshu Ye was stunned by the news in prison. This was completely different from what he had imagined. Especially since his elder brother had won the top three and even won first place, and only wanted him to live, this was even more unbelievable.
But no matter how shocked, angry, or upset he was, the matter was settled and he could only go into exile according to the law.
At the same time, Gongshu Ming was severely punished by the Dun family. He was sent back to his hometown by Gongshu Xing and Gongshu Qing. A letter was written to the clan, informing them of the whole incident and ordering them to be strictly disciplined.
Upon hearing the news, Baishan and Zhao Guo were stunned for a while. Thinking of Liu Ju's strange expression and meaningful words that day, they suddenly understood something.
********
In the palace.
When Yan Sui came to report, Liu Ju was not in the East Palace, but was with Liu Che.
After hearing this, Liu Ju was not surprised at all. He lightly shook his head and said, "He really isn't completely innocent."
Liu Che raised his eyebrows: "You have always been suspicious of him, so no specific design manuscript was drawn up that day, but there were five people in total who found the direction and had some ideas.
"Gongshu Ye committed a crime, so he was naturally eliminated. You approved the other three and sent them to the Ministry of Investigation. But Gongshu Ming was the only one you passed over without a single comment."
Liu Ju nodded. He remembered the story of Cai Qin in his heart, and he always believed that just as geese leave their voices behind, so too do people leave their traces behind.
I wouldn't say that everything that leaves a trace is necessarily suspicious, but most of them can't escape this rule. It's like Eyi, and it's also like Gongshu Ming.
He could not deal with Eyi according to the law, so he would only see how they punished him privately. He also treated Gongshu Ming equally, and did not deal with any case without solid evidence according to the law, but threw the issue to Gongshu's family, and let Gongshu's family decide how to punish him.
Liu Ju pursed his lips and asked curiously, "Why did Gongshu Ming want to harm Gongshu Ye?"
Yan Sui replied, "Gongshu Ming did not intend to harm Gongshu Ye. Gongshu Ye has an outspoken character and acts rashly, but he is simple-minded and not cunning.
"On the contrary, Gongshu Ming was quite clever. In the past, when he wanted to do something but didn't dare, he would often instigate Gongshu Ye to join him, so that he would have a companion."
Liu Ju paused and directly exposed his euphemism: "It's more than just a companion. With Gongshu Ye's foolish and impulsive personality, he can also charge for him.
"If it works, he can achieve his goal; if it doesn't, Gongshu Ye will be the one who dances the most happily and attracts the most attention. When it comes to accountability and punishment, Gongshu Ye will take the lion's share. As the instigator, his fault will be smaller."
Yan Sui nodded. "Yes, Your Highness is insightful. Gongshu Ming had done this kind of thing so many times in the past that it became a habit. It was natural for him to do the same this time."
"He accidentally saw Zhao Guo's manuscript and was tempted, yet afraid. He wanted to bring Gongshu Ye along. He thought if they copied some and revised some, and did it more cleverly, they might be able to pass."
At this point, Yan Sui paused for a moment before continuing, "Who would have thought Gongshu Ye's idea this time was so different? Gongshu Ming originally thought he was afraid of His Highness and wouldn't dare to do anything in front of His Highness. Since that was the case, he was also afraid and gave up. But it turns out Gongshu Ye actually came up with this idea."
Yan Sui's expression was hard to describe.
Liu Ju was also at a loss for words, and sighed, "Fortunately, there are still some sensible people in the Gongshu clan. Gongshu Xing and Gongshu Qing are both good. Gongshu Qing is a brother to them, so why is there such a big difference?"
Liu Che chuckled, "What's so strange about this? Brothers and sisters from the same mother have different personalities. What's more, the three Gongshu brothers are only cousins of the same generation, not from the same father or mother."
Liu Ju thought it made sense: "That's right. It's like me and my sisters. My eldest sister, third sister and I are all smart, but my fourth sister is not so smart. If I hadn't noticed that something was wrong with Caiqin, she would have been sold and still happily helped people count the money."
Liu Che: ...This can all be traced back to Shi Yi.
Fortunately, Shi Yi wasn't here, otherwise the two would have started fighting again. Last time, Liu Qie scolded Shi Yi, who couldn't run away or fight, and pestered him and Wei Zifu and cried for a long time, giving him a headache.
He sighed softly and shook his head helplessly.
Yan Sui finished his report and bowed to take his leave.
Liu Ju playfully climbed onto Liu Che's arm, saying, "Father said that the art of controlling subordinates requires a combination of firmness and flexibility, and the use of both kindness and severity. I've thought this through carefully. Since we're using gentleness and kindness, Gongshu Ye's death sentence must be commuted."
"No place of exile has better conditions. The Wuling Mountains are even poorer, with scarce supplies, rugged roads and rugged mountains. The places where exiled prisoners live are even more strictly managed, requiring them to work day and night and without freedom.
"Gongshu Ye is a young man from an aristocratic family. He used to be so precious and respected, but he will definitely suffer a lot on this trip. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is in dire straits.
"Although I haven't made a final statement, if Gongshu Xing and Gongshu Qing have made contributions to the country and accumulated sufficient merit, we may be able to ask for mercy and bring them back in the future. However, that would depend on our willingness, and it would take at least several years.
"Gongshu Ye has suffered a lot over the years. I'm going to spare his life while also giving him a severe punishment. Father, do you think this is a good approach?"
At this point, Liu Che's eyes were filled with doting: "Good. Well done."
It's not just good, and it's not just this good thing.
Looking at the entire incident, from the arrangements made in the other courtyard, Liu Ju had already anticipated the situation and made preparations in advance. Later, when he discovered Gongshu Ye's scheme, he remained unmoved, waiting for the right moment to expose it in public, thus not only apprehending Gongshu Ye but also setting an example for others.
In particular, while giving stern warnings, he also did not forget to give gentle comfort.
Give a slap in the face and a sweet date.
And then everything developed. I just mentioned the combination of firmness and flexibility, kindness and power, and he understood it immediately.
He was quite satisfied with the whole thing, except for the somewhat "soft" punishments for the four people who plagiarized the design and Gong Shuming, who was also implicated. Even the "soft" punishments were not critical and were not a big deal.
If this method were used by an older young man, people would at most think it was good and give him some affirmation, but it would not be considered outstanding or eye-catching.
But Liu Ju was still young, a child of six or seven years old. How could he not be amazing?
At least Liu Che was amazed. He also saw for the first time that Liu Ju, in addition to his academic performance, innovation, observation and reasoning, had the ability and talent to truly serve as a superior.
Liu Che was extremely happy, and his smile had been on his face for the past few days. Almost everyone in the harem and court could sense that His Majesty was in a good mood recently.
Liu Ju was also very happy. What child wouldn't be happy when his parents got him?
He moved his butt and sat closer to Liu Che, his little face full of smiles, and his invisible tail stood up again.
The father and son were enjoying each other's company when a eunuch came in from outside the palace to report: The Minister of the Ministry of Finance wants to see you.
Liu Ju frowned instantly: "Why is it him again? He's everywhere."
Liu Che was surprised: "He is everywhere?"
"Father, you don't know how annoying he is. He's one of the Nine Ministers, and the others are all very busy with government affairs. But he's the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, with the most departments and the widest range of agencies under his jurisdiction. I don't know why he's so idle every day and keeps running to the Eastern Palace every few days."
Speaking of this, Liu Ju became depressed and his face was puffed up with anger.
Liu Che raised his eyebrows: "Does he often come to see you?"
Liu Ju curled his lips and rolled his eyes, "He greets me every day, and from time to time he finds some new and interesting things for me from the Shaofu, and occasionally tells me interesting stories he has heard.
"Honestly, he's not very good at this. He's not even a third as good as the Left Supervisor of the Imperial Court. Can he really recognize his own position?"
"He is the Minister of the Imperial Household, a person with a specific job. Why shouldn't he use his strengths to do his job well? Why does he have to waste his energy in an area he is not good at?
"He really has no talent. When Zuo Jian was telling me the story from the case files, it gradually became smoother and more interesting. But this process only took him ten days. Just ten days!
"In this regard, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance is really no match for him. I don't want to hear it at all. I don't know what's wrong with him to be so enthusiastic.
"If he said it was because he expressed disappointment in the soap and other things I made last time, I told him I wasn't that stingy and didn't blame him. But he still insisted on doing so. Alas."
Liu Che: ...
The little thoughts of the Shaofu Temple Minister are obvious to everyone.
But he looked at Liu Ju several times and found that Liu Ju really didn't understand the reason for the Shaofu Temple Minister's enthusiasm. His expression froze for a moment, and he didn't know whether to sigh first that although his son was smart most of the time, he was not very smart in some aspects; or to express a moment of silence for the Shaofu Temple Minister first.
"Could it be that he saw that I wasn't in the East Palace and came here to look for me?"
Liu Ju opened his eyes wide, finding it unlikely. After all, this was the Xuanshi Palace, and the Minister of the Imperial Household must have come to see his father on important business.
But remembering the Shaofu Temple Minister's ability to cling to others and the tenacity he displayed, Liu Ju shuddered all over, instantly stood up and said goodbye to Liu Che: "I have to hide. I don't want to see him."
He started walking, and after a few steps, he remembered that the Minister of the Ministry of Finance was just outside the hall, so he turned around and tiptoed out of the window on the other side of the side hall.
Liu Che: ...???
Is it that so?
Liu Ju sneaked around the front of the hall and escaped perfectly with a bright smile on his face.
As for, of course.
He thought for a moment, then said to Feng He, "It's been a long time since I've dined with my mother. Let's go, call a few sisters, and go to the Pepper Room together."
The Pepper Room was located in the harem. The Minister of the Imperial Household had plenty of excuses to see his father, but what about his mother? He didn't believe the Minister of the Imperial Household would dare to charge into the harem.
Hehehehe.
However, upon entering the Pepper Room, Liu Ju was stunned. There were two beauties inside. One was Li Ji, a familiar figure to him. She had surrendered to his mother after the Eyi Incident and was now a frequent visitor to the Pepper Room. The other was somewhat unfamiliar.
The two men were quite tactful. When they saw them come in, they immediately stood up and said goodbye.
Liu Ju held his chin in his hand, watching the enchanting beauty's departing figure. He stepped forward, took Wei Zifu's arm, and asked curiously, "Who is that? She's so beautiful. I think I saw her at my father's place last time. Is she his new concubine?"
Shi Yi rolled his eyes. "She's been on the throne for two or three months now, enjoying the emperor's great favor and unrivaled influence. Everyone in and outside the palace has heard of her. But you're the only one focused on your craftsmanship competition and pay no attention to anything else."
Liu Ju: ...For two or three months, he was the talk of the town? Is he really that out of touch with the news?
Wei Zifu smiled. "That's all right. Just a basic understanding of palace affairs is enough. You don't need to pay too much attention. The right thing to do is to focus on your studies and those new things of yours."
Liu Ju nodded, but since he needed to get a little understanding, he still had to ask. At least he couldn't be like last time, when he didn't even know how to address someone.
"What's her current rank?"
Shi Yi curled his lips: "A few days ago, my father just made her his wife."
Liu Ju opened his mouth wide. She became a lady only two or three months after taking the throne. Is that so amazing?
but……
Liu Ju tilted his head and thought: "Why do I feel that she looks familiar?"
Wei Zifu chuckled: "Didn't you say you saw him last time at your father's place? Of course he looks familiar."
"No. She looked familiar to me the last time I saw her."
Last time, Liu Ju didn't think about it anymore because Liu Che changed the subject. Thinking about it now, it seems very strange.
Madam Li's appearance is stunning at first sight. Even among the beauties in the harem, she stands out and will never be forgotten.
If he had seen it before, he should remember it.
The chief guard gave a hint: "She was born in the Yuefu, and her brother is Li Yannian, the music supervisor of the Yuefu."
Liu Ju:……!!!
Damn, I remembered the masked dancer at the New Year’s Eve banquet in the palace last year!
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