If this kind of problem has happened once, it might happen again.
If this problem isn't solved, and these bandits spread the word about their method of entering the city, it's one thing if ordinary people find out, but if it gets back to enemy countries, that would be a real problem.
Just then, Chen'er held up the blueprint in his hand again. He had already drawn a few more simple lines outside the city wall and said:
"Father, there is no need to worry about this matter. It is very easy to solve. We just need to add another wall outside the city walls."
Before the city gates closed, the soldiers had to patrol along the walls one last time.
"When the city gates are closed, the fences outside the city are also closed at the same time. This way, people who want to enter the city from afar can be spotted by the soldiers on guard, and the situation of 'blind spots under the lamp' can be avoided."
Gu Jiangli and the emperor nodded at the same time.
Gu Jiangli exclaimed in admiration:
"Chen'er is so amazing! She figured out the cause of the problem so quickly and even came up with a solution right away."
Chen'er smiled shyly, then looked at her father with expectant eyes.
The emperor nodded repeatedly, acknowledging Gu Jiangli's words.
"Chen'er, you truly impress your father. Even your father couldn't figure out how these people entered the city so quickly. How did you figure it out so fast, Chen'er?"
Upon hearing the emperor's praise, Chen'er was overjoyed and grinned, saying:
"Actually, when I looked at the blueprints of the imperial city, I had already vaguely noticed the problem with the defense of the city gates. However, I only had a vague idea at the time and was not sure, so I did not tell Father Emperor."
"This is a small problem in itself, but it takes a lot of courage for people to enter the city in this way. Ordinary people would definitely not do this."
"Now that the Great Jiang Kingdom is peaceful and prosperous, and there are no foreign enemies to invade, there should not be many people who want to enter the city by this method."
"Therefore, I thought that I would wait until it was confirmed that this defect existed before I would tell Father Emperor."
"I never expected to make it today."
Gu Jiangli asked in astonishment, "It was only yesterday that Father showed you the blueprints, right? You just looked at them for a short while and you already saw the problem?"
And after just one glance, I was able to almost perfectly replicate that blueprint today.
The emperor was also surprised.
Chen'er nodded naturally, "Yes, Your Majesty, it feels like I've seen these blueprints before; I memorized them after just one glance. Not only the blueprints for the imperial city, but also many military defense blueprints..."
The emperor hurriedly asked, "Are there also problems with the blueprints for military defense?"
"Hmm... it shouldn't really be considered a problem, but there are a few areas that could be improved. If we could make a few slight changes, the effect would be even better."
The emperor's astonished gaze revealed a great deal of appreciation and amazement.
"Chen'er is exceptionally talented, a genius that comes along only once in a century. After I returned to the palace, I immediately issued an edict ordering people to follow Chen'er's method."
"If Chen'er feels that there are any omissions or deficiencies in those drawings, whether or not it is certain, he can tell me about them one by one."
Chen'er was visibly excited and said, "Yes, Father."
Gu Jiangli added, "I have really overlooked Chen'er's talent in this area in the past, which is a real shame for Chen'er."
The thought of someone gossiping behind Chen'er's back, saying that he was mediocre, and that Chen'er overheard it and fell into self-doubt, made Gu Jiangli quite angry.
She really wanted to drag Chen'er to the whole world and tell them that he was a genius!
Chen'er took her hand and said earnestly:
"Mother, in fact, there are many places in the Gu residence that need to be repaired, otherwise there will be danger."
Gu Jiangli's expression also changed, and he said seriously:
"Chen'er, tell me everything, and I will definitely send someone to repair it according to your method."
Chen'er nodded emphatically, "Mm!"
He took a blank sheet of paper and began to scribble on it, pointing out problems in certain areas of the Gu family mansion to Gu Jiangli one by one.
They were as professional as a master craftsman who had been in the business for decades.
Gu Jiangli didn't dare to be distracted at all, listening to every word with extra care.
As dusk approached, the emperor asked the bandits who were still carefully writing:
"Have you finished writing?"
The three men dared not delay and quickly handed over the papers containing information about the other bandits.
"Your Majesty, look, we have written down everything we know, without missing a single detail, including the three of us."
A thick stack of papers, recording everyone's name, appearance, height, and build; indeed, not a single one was missing.
As for their place of origin, the three of them wrote down the names of about twenty people, but they didn't know where the remaining fifty-odd people came from.
To avoid the emperor's wrath, they also explained:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, when bandits come to the mountains, no one ever asks about their origins. They are usually lonely men without fathers, mothers, or family."
"As long as they dare to kill, know some martial arts, or know how to use some sleeping pills, the chieftain will agree to let them enter the mountain."
"But none of us three brothers have ever killed anyone!"
"We don't know kung fu, and we don't have any special skills. The third brother is big and strong; the second brother can make some sleeping potions to use on the镖人 (bodyguards) who deliver goods."
"We haven't done any other bad things!"
"Otherwise, the chieftain wouldn't have left a few of us here to guard the Gu family."
The implication is that people with any skills have gone out to "make money."
That makes sense, based on Gu Jiangli's observation, these three brothers are indeed rather clumsy and uncouth.
She leaned close to the emperor's ear and asked:
"What does Your Majesty intend to do with these idiots?"
The emperor chuckled lightly, "Send them to the government office and deal with them according to the laws of the Great Jiang. If they have never harmed anyone, they will probably just have their hands chopped off and be out in ten or twenty years."
"If they had helped capture other bandits today, perhaps they could have made amends and avoided physical punishment, perhaps serving ten or eight years in prison."
Gu Jiangli lowered his head, smiled, and remained silent.
The emperor's words were clearly meant for these bandits.
Terrified upon learning that they might have their hands chopped off, they vowed to help the emperor capture the other brothers, committing the act of "sacrificing family for the greater good."
"However, Your Majesty... they have many people, while we only have so few. I'm afraid... it might be a bit difficult."
The older brother was somewhat embarrassed.
He was worried that even though he had said everything and done everything he could, the capture would fail because of problems on the emperor's side.
In this way, he would please neither side, offending both the mountain chief and the leader, as well as the emperor, leaving him no way to make amends.
There really wouldn't be any way out in the future!
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