72 Chapter 72
◎Build Tiangong Institute◎
Xie Mingzhuo blocked the news.
She understood that Chang Wei had been hiding his illness in order to avoid turmoil in the court.
A family of five sat around the table, and the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.
Xie Changfeng sighed deeply, "Old Chang is an exceptionally good chess player. Of all the cabinet ministers, I love playing chess with him the most."
"It's a pity indeed."
Meng Qi and Chang Wei didn't have much in common, but she had heard about his ways of dealing with people. How could one not feel sad that such a pillar of the country only had three years left to live?
"We need to study modern medicine," Xie Mingxuan pointed out, "otherwise, this kind of thing will only happen more often in the future."
None of the five people had any experience in medicine, so it was really difficult to ask them to build a system from scratch.
Xie Mingshuo: "I still firmly believe in the wisdom of the people. Give them a direction, and they will delve into it on their own."
Everyone agreed and looked at Xie Mingzhuo, who had not expressed his opinion.
"Spoon, what do you think?"
Xie Mingzhuo has recovered and accepted the fact that Changwei does not have much time left.
To be honest, she is now able to participate in politics smoothly, in addition to the full support of her parents and brothers, but also thanks to the silent support of Lao Chang.
If he hadn't stood in front of her, she would have been drowned by the saliva of all the scholars in the world.
He had not explicitly expressed his support, but if the chief minister of the cabinet did not give the order, the others would not be so fearless as to offend both the emperor and the chief minister.
"I'm wondering, what can we achieve in three years?"
Xie Mingshuo was more perceptive and quickly grasped her meaning. He mused, "The military and public opinion outlets are of paramount importance."
"How about making a three-year plan?" Meng Qi suggested.
Xie Changfeng: "I agree. I will fully cooperate with whatever is required."
The five of them took out paper and pen and started discussing and taking notes. It was not until midnight that Wu Shanqing reminded them outside the hall that it was late and they suspended the meeting.
The next day, it drizzled.
After attending the court meeting, Xie Mingzhuo stopped attending classes for the day and took a carriage to Huanghuafang.
On the way, I bought the latest issue of the newspaper from a newsboy and picked up some special snacks at a famous old shop.
Just as I finished reading the newspaper, the carriage suddenly braked.
When the car stopped, Feng Caiyu lifted the curtain and walked in, asking worriedly, "Second Madam, were you hit just now?"
"No problem, what's going on outside?"
Jiang Qing's voice came: "Someone fell to the ground and almost hit the horse."
Scam?
Xie Mingzhuo laughed secretly. In this world, human life is worthless, but no one would come here to make trouble for money.
She lifted the side curtain and saw through the gap that there was a person lying on the left front of the carriage. The person had fallen into a muddy puddle, and his oil-paper umbrella had fallen out of his hand and rolled onto the wall beside the alley.
He raised his upper body slightly, half-closed his eyes, and kept groping in the puddle in front with his left hand. His whole body was wet with mud and rain.
"Aqing, find his glasses for him."
Ever since the word "glasses" appeared in newspapers, the word "glasses" has gradually been abandoned, and the "glasses" shops in the capital have also changed their names, probably because they think "glasses" is more understandable.
Jiang Qing responded, bent down and took out a pair of glasses from the puddle, wiped them clean and handed them to the man.
The man quickly took it and put it on, finally seeing clearly in front of him.
He got up from the ground, straightened his colorful clothes, and bowed: "Thank you, young lady. I accidentally fell and disturbed your carriage. Please forgive me."
Jiang Qing didn't care: "Nothing."
A scholar in his thirties who can fall down on flat ground is really not worth paying too much attention to.
She jumped in and continued to concentrate on driving.
The weather was fine. When we arrived at Meng's house in Huanghuafang, the clouds had dispersed and the rain had stopped, revealing a clear blue sky.
The door of the house is wide open, waiting for the distinguished guests.
As soon as Jiang Qing stopped the carriage, Lin Fan appeared in front of the house, walked to the front of the carriage with a smile, nodded politely to her and Feng Caiyu, then looked at the front curtain intently and reached out to take it.
"Miss Meng."
Xie Mingzhuo walked out of the car with a rolled-up newspaper in his hand, met his eyes, and smiled.
She was wearing a loose and casual sky-blue Taoist robe today, with her hair tied up in a simple bun and a pine wood auspicious cloud hairpin.
I don't have to work on paperwork in the palace today. It's a rare free day, so I might as well relax completely.
"What made you smell so good? I can smell it outside the yard." She took Lin Fan's hand and got out of the car leisurely.
Lin Fan smiled and said, "These are all your favorites."
"Thank you for your hard work." Xie Mingzhuo did not let go of his hand, but took him directly into the yard.
Lin Fan looked down at his tightly clasped hands, a warmth rising on his face. He felt as if he were soaking in a honey pot, his heart softening.
"It's just cooking, it's not hard."
He had made preparations in advance, and when the sky cleared up, he moved a rocking chair into the yard, placed a coffee table on the right, and displayed teapots, snacks, and fruit plates.
"Miss Meng, take a rest. I'll go to the kitchen first."
Xie Mingzhuo lay down on a rocking chair covered with a soft mattress, newspaper still clutched in his hand, and asked lazily, "How much longer?"
"Another stick of incense." Lin Fan replied with a smile.
The recliner swayed back and forth. Xie Mingzhuo closed her eyes. The sunlight shone on her eyelids, which was a little dazzling.
Lin Fan was about to look for something to block the sun, but he saw her spread out a newspaper and cover her face with it, just enough to block it.
"I'll take a short nap, you go ahead."
The princess needed quiet to rest, so Feng Caiyu signaled Jiang Qing to stay here, and she followed Lin Fan to the kitchen.
"Miss A-Yu, do you have something to tell me?" Lin Fan stood by the cooking table, brushing the crabs with a small brush.
"My last name is Feng."
"Oh, Miss Feng."
Feng Caiyu: "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No." Lin Fan lowered his head and continued to rub crabs. "Miss Feng, if you have something to say, please speak directly."
"The Second Lady has been feeling rather down since yesterday. It's a rare day she's free. If she doesn't mention it, then don't bring up business."
Lin Fan paused: "What made her unhappy?"
"Just some official business." Feng Caiyu answered vaguely, her worry evident. "Perhaps after today, Second Madam will no longer be able to spare any free time."
Lin Fan frowned: "No matter how outstanding she is, the court cannot exploit her like this."
Feng Caiyu: “…”
This is the princess "exploiting" herself, and even the emperor can't do anything about it.
"Mr. Lin, maybe it's only with you that the Second Lady has a chance to relax a bit."
Although Feng Caiyu didn't know what the princess was thinking, she had eyes and could see that the princess was not slacking off in the palace.
She might be more casual when she was with the Emperor, the Empress and the two princes, but when facing the ministers, she dared not make even the slightest mistake.
If this goes on for a long time, no matter how powerful the princess is, she will get tired.
"I understand." Lin Fan's eyes showed a hint of heartache, and he murmured softly, "This is my honor."
Xie Mingzhuo didn't realize that she had become a "poor worker". She worked at her desk late into the night, tossed and turned in bed thinking, and got up early to attend the court meeting. Although her body could hold on, she felt sleepy in her heart.
Governing the government was much more difficult than she had imagined.
Although she is passionate about her career, she is not a robot and it is inevitable that she will have periods of fatigue.
There are many people in the palace, and she doesn't want to show it in front of her parents and brother. This place is undoubtedly the best choice to relax.
Isn’t it wonderful to have delicious food to soothe the soul and handsome men to please the eyes?
She lay in the rocking chair, and as it rocked slowly, she fell into a deep sleep, not even noticing that the newspaper on her face was blown away by the wind.
Jiang Qing carefully picked up the newspaper, pressed it with a porcelain plate, sat on the small stool, and continued to stay by the princess' side.
Near noon, Lin Fan carefully washed his hands with scented soap, changed into clean clothes, and placed the food in the dining room before going out to the yard and seeing Xie Mingzhuo sleeping soundly.
The golden autumn sunshine gently caressed her temples, and the hair on her forehead was a little messy due to the wind. It gently rubbed between her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes. Perhaps she felt itchy, and her eyebrows gradually frowned.
Lin Fan subconsciously reached out to dial the number, but before he was halfway there, Xie Mingzhuo opened his eyes.
He took his hand back and said with a smile, "It's time to eat."
Xie Mingzhuo sniffed: "It smells good."
After a good sleep, she felt refreshed and her appetite increased. She stood up, picked up the teacup to moisten her throat, and walked towards the dining room.
As she turned around, her wide sleeves brushed against the swaying recliner, looking light and graceful, as if the butterflies on her sleeves were about to spread their wings and fly.
Lunch consisted of six dishes, one soup and one crab.
Lin Fan only prepared three sets of crab dishes, and the only one present who didn't have to peel the crab himself was Xie Mingzhuo.
She is only responsible for eating, and she eats the most essential part of the crab.
Lin Fan's hands were extremely deft, and he could peel the crab pieces as easily as with his own arms, quickly and efficiently.
Jiang Qing and Feng Caiyu originally wanted to argue with him, but in the end they were defeated and could only watch Her Royal Highness the Princess eat the crab roe he fed her.
After the meal, all four of them were very satisfied.
Xie Mingzhuo swept away his previous fatigue and rekindled his desire to pursue his career.
She returned to the yard, lay down on the rocking chair, and asked, "How are you and Song Qianqi doing?"
"I met him yesterday afternoon. He thought I was working as a farmhand for the Meng family and felt sorry for me. He wanted to give me some money, but when I declined, he invited me to go back to Guizhou with him."
Lin Fan moved a small stool and sat down next to the rocking chair, his voice neither hurried nor slow, clear and pleasant.
Feng Caiyu and Jiang Qing were very tactful. They quietly left the yard and stood guard outside the gate.
"What do you think?" Xie Mingzhuo turned over and lay on his side, his eyes falling on the tip of his nose. The red mark from that day had already disappeared.
Lin Fan: "After the birthday celebration, I want to go to Guizhou with him as Meng Fan."
"Have you thought about it?"
This plan had been discussed before, but Xie Mingzhuo asked again.
After not seeing each other for ten years, it is still uncertain whether the friendship they had when they were young has changed. Guizhou is a place with high mountains and long roads, and she is in Beijing and cannot reach him.
This time, Lin Fan was left alone, isolated and without help.
"I've thought it through," Lin Fan said firmly. "As a member of the Lin family, I've been on the run for ten years. If you're willing to give me a chance to overturn the Lin family's case, I can't just sit back and enjoy the results."
"good."
Xie Mingzhuo has very high requirements for his partner. Being obedient and sensible is the basis, while being non-clingy and having a sense of propriety is the key.
She stretched out her hand, placed her palm against the young man's cheek, squeezed it, and said with a smile, "I will be very busy in the next few days and will not have time to see you."
"Is it for the Wanshou Festival?" Lin Fan bravely leaned over the armrest of the rocking chair, one hand covering the slightly cool back of his hand beside his cheek.
"Um."
"I went to the market today and saw a notice posted by the government. On the day of His Majesty's birthday, His Majesty will review the troops at Chengtian Gate. Chang'an Street and the surrounding streets within five miles will be cleared and guarded. Will you be guarding the palace that day, or patrolling Chang'an Street?"
Xie Mingzhuo saw through his thoughts and teased him deliberately: "During the review, outsiders are not allowed to approach. No matter where I stand, you won't be able to see me."
"I understand." Lin Fan lowered his eyelashes, looking a little lost.
Xie Mingzhuo: "At Chengtian Gate."
"What?" Lin Fan didn't react for a moment. When he came to his senses, he was shocked to realize that Miss Meng's status was much higher than he had imagined.
Being able to stand beside the emperor is not just a matter of respect, but rather a matter of favor.
How could such a person be interested in a useless little squad leader?
Lin Fan felt a pang of pain in his heart, and a sense of urgency. There were so many outstanding men in the world; he was just the luckiest one.
"I brought you a newspaper, take a look." Xie Mingzhuo pulled out the newspaper from the bottom of the plate.
Lin Fan quickly collected himself and took it for a closer look.
He was not interested in the conversation, so he read the rest of the sections before browsing the latest chapter of "The Heavenly Book: The Road to Success in the Imperial Examinations".
This sight made me surprised.
He raised his head, the shock still in his eyes, and asked, "Can the things described in the illusion really come true?"
At the same time, someone asked this question in a private house in Chongbeifang in the south of the city.
Shanxi businessman Lu Fei held the newspaper in his hands, his heart pounding with emotion, and he wanted to rush to the author immediately to ask for clarification.
Unfortunately, no one knows who the author of this story is. We can only see the pen name in the newspaper - Time and Space.
The housekeeper Yingniang shook her head in disbelief: "It must just be Mr. Shi's imagination."
"Mr. Shi really has strange ideas." Lu Fei also calmed down.
After donating 90,000 shi of grain, she obtained three places in the imperial examinations and exchanged some conveniences with her clan. In a short period of time, the people in the clan also became more respectful to her.
But she only gave away two places, and she instinctively felt that the remaining one should be kept for herself, so she hired the most famous teacher in the city for her daughter Lingniang.
After the grain donation was reported, she became a loyal reader of the "Beijing Weekly", reading every issue carefully many times, and her favorite was this story.
Today, Wu Chuanyue met a great scholar on the road. After the great scholar's guidance, he benefited a lot and his talent grew. He then unlocked the next page of the heavenly book.
Unexpectedly, after this page was unlocked, it turned into an illusion. Wu Chuanyue's mind was sucked into the illusion and he saw a completely different country.
People there don't need to ride horses or cars to travel around the world. They can take a means of transportation called "steam train".
The mines there do not use human or animal power. They use machines to build mines and extract groundwater.
The weavers there could also use an improved loom that could weave five days' worth of cloth in one day.
He was greatly shocked and asked his fellow villagers, who found out that these all originated from a device called "steam engine".
But what exactly is a "steam engine"?
He asked the question that all readers were thinking about.
Lu Fei was extremely convinced by the newspaper. The glass that had been invented before was now popular in the capital and was spreading to other states and counties.
What if this "steam engine" is not a lie?
She thought for a moment and immediately stood up: "Yingniang, prepare the car to go to the newspaper office."
Even if she couldn't meet Mr. Shi, she wanted to go to the newspaper office to ask. If she didn't ask, there would be no answer, but if she asked, she might get an answer.
The Lu family contracted several coal mines. If they could really use "steam engines" to replace human and animal power and improve production efficiency, the Lu family would definitely be able to move to a higher level.
She hurried out of the courtyard, and her neighbor opposite happened to open the door. It was Zhou Sui, who also came to the capital for business. He had donated 90,000 stones of grain last time.
The Zhou family is the largest cloth merchant in Suzhou Prefecture, owning thousands of looms. The "steam engine" that can increase production fivefold is also a huge opportunity for the Zhou family.
"Boss Lu, nice to meet you." Zhou Sui bowed first.
Lu Fei returned the greeting, "Zhou Shaodong, nice to meet you."
The two men exchanged a few pleasantries and each got in their own carriage to leave the alley. Once out of the alley, the carriage turned in the same direction.
Maybe it was just a coincidence, they both thought.
But no matter which alley they went to, the car followed them until it stopped at the entrance of the alley where the newspaper office was located.
It’s not that they don’t want to enter the alley, but the alley is already packed with people and they can’t get in at all.
The two of them lived far away and arrived late.
You can see a few familiar bosses in the crowd, probably all of them came for the "steam engine".
Who wouldn’t want a machine that can bring in huge profits?
Regardless of whether what was said in the newspaper was Mr. Shi’s imagination, they had to get to the bottom of it.
Unfortunately, after waiting for a long time, there was still no news from the newspaper.
Lu Fei and his colleagues returned disappointed.
Anyone with a brain could see that this was a huge business opportunity. Whether it was creating a magical "steam engine" or using it to do work, it would be possible to earn a steady stream of profits.
This serialized story created a huge wave in the business world and quickly became widely known.
Even at the court meeting the next day, Minister of Revenue Yuan Guande could not help but bring up the matter.
His previous performance did not leave a good impression on the emperor, and he had always wanted to make amends. This time, he took a radical approach and brought the content of the script, which was despised by the scholars, to the court for discussion.
An official immediately retorted, "It's just my fantasy. Why did Minister Yuan take it so seriously?"
Yuan Guande remained calm and said, "If this can be realized, it will be a good deed that benefits both the country and the people."
If ordinary people earn more money, the national treasury will definitely be fuller.
The court officials were divided into two factions. One faction believed that it was nothing but a fantasy and that the tricks were not worthy of being displayed in public.
The other side thinks it is worth a try. Farming tools and textile tools have been improved and developed from ancient times to the present, so perhaps this will be another revolution.
The court meeting was like oil boiling over a raging fire, boiling up in an instant, with tablets and saliva flying everywhere.
Xie Changfeng was calm and composed, neither stopping nor participating.
The current situation was within his and Shaoshao's expectations, and they had even contributed to it.
Only when the officials' voices grew hoarse did the court gradually quiet down. As their blood cooled, they realized that the emperor had been silent, his moods unclear, and they quickly knelt to apologize.
Xie Changfeng didn't ask them to stand up. Instead, he asked the Minister of Works, Zhao Tongshu, "Mr. Zhao, you are in charge of the Ministry of Works. You should be more knowledgeable about machinery than anyone here. Do you think what the newspaper says is feasible?"
Zhao Tongshu: "..."
He was an official through the imperial examination, not a craftsman. How could he be proficient in these things?
"Your Majesty, I believe that everything can be tried. As the saying goes, 'Knowledge gained from books is shallow; true knowledge requires personal experience.'"
"How about letting your Ministry of Industry study it?" Xie Changfeng asked.
Zhao Tongshu didn't want to take on this difficult situation, but he could only say, "Your Majesty, the storybook only mentions the 'steam engine' but doesn't explain its structure at all. I'm too stupid to imagine it from nothing. Why not find Mr. Shi and ask him for advice?"
"Minister Zhao is absolutely right. Finding Mr. Shi is the key."
Regardless of whether they were on the pro- or anti-side, everyone agreed with what Zhao Tongshu said.
Xie Changfeng: "What should we do after we find it?"
"Of course I'm asking for your advice." The ministers were puzzled.
Xie Mingzhuo chuckled: "Father, who do you want to send for advice?"
"We can dispatch a group of craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry to build a steam engine according to Mr. Shi's concept," Zhao Tongshu replied carefully. "These craftsmen are all experts in crafting. If they can create such a magical artifact, it will be a blessing for us, Daqi. If not, it will prove that this thing is just Mr. Shi's fantasy and cannot be taken seriously."
This statement is watertight and does not offend either party.
None of the ministers objected.
"Rong'an, what do you think?" When the time was right, Xie Changfeng threw out the lead.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Mr. Shi is quite talented, and the steam engine may not be his last brilliant idea. If Wu Chuanyue enters the illusion again and receives the Heavenly Book, will we have to debate it again in the court?"
Xie Changfeng: "You make a lot of sense."
The ministers said: "The princess is absolutely right."
"Since that's the case, why not solve it once and for all?" Xie Mingzhuo's tone left no room for doubt. "Let's emulate the Military Equipment Bureau and establish a new academy dedicated to the research of these kinds of artifacts. Drawing inspiration from the Heavenly Book, and having connections with the Ministry of Works, why not call it the 'Heavenly Crafts Academy' and recruit talented individuals from around the world to join us in this endeavor."
"Good!" Xie Changfeng clapped his hands and laughed. Without giving the ministers a chance to speak, he immediately finalized the matter. "Rong An, who do you think would be the most suitable first president of the Tiangong Academy?"
"The Tiangong Academy will be temporarily under the Ministry of Works. Minister Zhao will concurrently serve as the deputy director. As for the director, how about we hand it over to Mother and Big Brother?"
It is no secret that after the King of Qi gained enlightenment, he became keen on studying artifacts, and the Queen inexplicably gave up her power and became obsessed with the science of creation.
The emperor and the princess took this matter so seriously, probably because the queen and the prince of Qi saw it in the newspaper and wanted to show off their skills.
The ministers thought they had seen through the father and daughter's little thoughts, but they didn't take it seriously in their hearts and just agreed with them on the surface.
Only Zhao Tongshu said, "The position of chief minister has always been held by only one person. How can the Empress and the Prince of Qi both be ministers?"
Xie Changfeng knew he would ask this question, so he answered without hesitation, "The Queen is the Director of the Academy, responsible for all affairs of the Tiangong Academy. The Prince of Qi is the Honorary Director of the Academy, and does not need to be concerned with mundane affairs. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"You will discuss the selection of a site for the Tiangong Academy with the Queen."
"Your humble servant obeys your order."
In a blink of an eye, it is the sixth day of September, and the whole country celebrates the Wanshou Festival.
Thousands of households in the capital city decorated their houses with lanterns and streamers, praising the Emperor's kindness and wishing Him a long life.
Beijing officials of the fourth rank and above, foreign envoys, and representatives of the southwestern chieftains all entered the palace to pay homage to the emperor.
The emperor's birthday ceremony was held in the Fengtian Hall. The ministers changed into gorgeous court robes that were only worn for ceremonies and arrived at the Fengtian Hall early, waiting for the emperor to arrive.
Beijing officials stood in one row, and envoys and chieftain representatives stood in another row, with the two sides clearly separated.
When Song Qianqi entered the imperial palace for the first time, he was deeply shocked by the grandeur of the palace complex.
Compared with the imperial palace, the chieftain's residence only had one advantage: it could shelter them from the wind and rain.
Standing right in front of him was Goryeo Prince Li Si. Seeing him looking around curiously, he murmured contemptuously, "Country bumpkin."
"Are you talking about yourself?" Song Qianqi applauded, "I really envy you for having self-awareness."
Li Si glared at him fiercely, turned his head back and kept silent.
He is just a kid from the Shuidong Song family, but he relies on Qi Ting's prestige and dares to show off in front of him.
He didn't want to be on the same level as the country bumpkins.
Unexpectedly, after a while, he heard some whispering sounds from the side of the hall, as if the eunuchs behind the screen were commenting.
"Have you heard? Prince Li Si of Goryeo pretended to be from the capital to pick a fight with the chieftain of Guizhou. He was so embarrassed when he was exposed."
"Really? Which one is Li Si?"
"The one in the middle, wearing blue clothes, with a broad face and a flat forehead."
"I see, that's Li Si? He looks average."
"Appearance is determined by the heart, and a bad heart cannot produce a good face."
Li Si was furious and was about to go around the screen to see who was so rude, when he found that the envoys in front and behind were looking at him, with scrutiny and interest in their eyes.
Since that day, he was often looked down upon by others. He had no way to vent his frustration and annoyance. Even if he killed a few tactless servants, it would not be enough to relieve his hatred.
After entering the palace and seeing such a magnificent palace complex, jealousy surged in my heart, and together with the resentment of this period of time, it broke through my rationality.
He stared at the Northern Di envoy in front of him and said viciously, "What are you looking at? If you keep looking, I'll dig out your eyes."
This was the most insignificant sentence in his system of bad words. He thought he had restrained himself enough and he used Korean so he was not afraid that the other party would understand.
But even if we don’t speak the same language, our actions and expressions can’t deceive people.
The Northern Di envoy grabbed his collar and asked in a stiff Qi Dynasty dialect, "What did you say? Say it again."
Another voice came from behind the screen: "I understand. Li Si actually called someone an idiot and threatened to dig out his eyes."
Northern Di Envoy: ???
The grassland warrior never admits defeat. The damn Korean Mara had to provoke him.
"Bang--"
With one punch, the Fengtian Hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
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