Chapter 147
Qin Su squatted beside the waterwheel, observing its trajectory. After hearing Ye Yan's words, she asked in confusion, "Isn't this a stone pillar? Why is it called a hammer? Shouldn't it be called a water-powered forging pillar?"
Ye Yan walked around the tool twice, trying to compare it with the data he remembered, and hesitated, saying, "This seems to be a simplified version. If it is improved and a lot of gears and hammers are added, it can be used to forge iron armor."
Emperor Jingxi and Zhu the Second's expressions changed simultaneously.
Zhu Lao Er said in a panic, "Young master, you can't say such things. I'm just an ordinary person. I made this thing to polish stone tools by accident based on Lu Ban's method. I never thought of making iron armor."
Emperor Jingxi then pressed further, "Is this true? How effective are the improved iron armor designs?"
Unlike what is depicted in modern films and television dramas, not all soldiers in ancient armies wore armor. Iron armor was a very precious item, and only some military officers could wear it. Those who possessed armor were at least military officers.
Most ordinary soldiers, if they were in a better position, would have leather armor, which is armor made of leather, while those in a worse position would wear paper armor, which, as the name suggests, is made of paper.
The main reason for this situation is that ancient iron smelting technology was relatively backward, and the production process of iron armor was time-consuming and labor-intensive.
As for why Zhu Lao Er panicked upon hearing this, it was because, like most dynasties in history, the Great Yu Dynasty had state-owned salt and iron, and the private manufacture of armor was strictly prohibited.
After all, you've even gotten armor; it's easy to arouse suspicion if you're planning to amass troops or rebel.
Emperor Jingxi was busy questioning Ye Yan and had no time to comfort Zhu Lao Er, so Qin Su ran over and said, "Don't panic. In my opinion, this might be a great thing."
Zhu Lao Er looked worried and said, "This is hardly a good thing. If outsiders find out that I made this, I won't be able to explain myself no matter how hard I try."
Qin Su beckoned: "Please lower your head, I'll whisper to you."
Zhu Lao Er hesitated for a moment, then obediently bent down to listen to her speak.
"Ordinary people can't forge iron armor, but the government can," Qin Su blinked, guiding him to change his thinking. "Think about it, do you earn more by polishing stone tools yourself, or by building iron armor for the government?"
Zhu Lao Er was stunned; he had never really thought of getting on the government's side.
In his view, those who could work in government offices were all "masters," and were worlds apart from ordinary people like him. The distance between them was too great for him to even dream of.
"I... I have no skills." Zhu Lao Er picked at his fingers. "I can't read many characters, and I haven't read many books. I'm only good at the Lu Ban Book. I can't write poetry or articles. I deal with stones and wood all day long. Why would the government hire someone like me?"
"Huh, this person is very familiar with the Lu Ban Book?" Qin Su's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward, saying even more eagerly, "What does it matter? There is a sequence to learning, and everyone has their own expertise. So many official positions require writing poetry and essays, and some require fighting battles. Of course, there are also those who need technical skills like you!"
Zhu Lao Er didn't understand what "technical people" meant, but he could understand that Qin Su meant the government needed people like him.
He wavered for a moment, and his heart started racing.
If an ordinary person said this, he might not believe it, but the attire of Emperor Jingxi and the other two clearly indicated that they were not ordinary people.
It's like you're walking down the street and suddenly someone driving a luxury car and wearing an expensive watch pops up and says to you: "I see you have a bright future. You should go do XX job, you'll definitely become rich." It's hard not to doubt that you're the chosen one.
That's exactly how Zhu Lao Er feels right now.
Qin Su pressed on, saying, "Look how fortunate you are to have met us today! If you had met someone else, they might not have been so kind as to point this out to you. They might have gone to the authorities to report you and slander you. Even if nothing happened to you, it would still have affected your mood, wouldn't it? Meeting us is different. We are definitely not that kind of people. If you need us, we can even testify for you."
Upon hearing her words, Zhu Lao Er shuddered, thinking that it was indeed true. What if he didn't go to serve the government and encountered a bad person next time? Wouldn't he be in trouble?
It seems this matter really can't be delayed; it's best to resolve it as soon as possible.
He said with some gratitude, "That's true, it seems I'm still lucky."
Emperor Jingxi and Ye Yan, who were standing nearby, were so engrossed in the conversation that they stopped talking and listened to the dialogue.
They both saw through Qin Su's intentions. He thought that Zhu Lao Er had some ability and that it would be better to lead him to work for the government. However, they did not expect that Zhu Lao Er would be so easily fooled by Qin Su, and their mouths twitched involuntarily.
Zhu Lao Er never considered that not everyone could see the secret to improving this tool at a glance like Ye Yan.
Qin Su continued to paint a rosy picture for Zhu Lao Er without batting an eye: "It's quite a coincidence. My father has some connections in the yamen. He can put in a good word for you beforehand. Don't worry, there definitely won't be any surprises."
She even asked Emperor Jingxi in a serious manner, "Right, Father?"
Emperor Jingxi: "..."
Ye Yan: "..."
"It was a coincidence," "Having some connections," "Ask someone to say hello."
What an outrageous statement! What a shameless person!
What else could Emperor Jingxi say? He could only force a smile and say, "Yes, I do know a few friends. You don't need to worry."
Zhu Lao Er was initially somewhat panicked about the possibility of unexpected events if he went to the government office alone, but upon hearing this, his last doubts were dispelled, and he was overjoyed, quickly bowing and expressing his gratitude.
According to Emperor Jingxi's plan, they were going to have a meal at a restaurant, but Zhu Lao Er warmly invited them to stay for dinner. Ye Yan also wanted to talk to Zhu Lao Er about his ideas on making water-powered tools, so the three of them stayed in the Zhu family courtyard.
Zhu Lao Er slaughtered a chicken and stir-fried some wild vegetables. Qin Su followed him to watch him kill the chicken and cook.
She clearly looked like an ethereal fairy, untouched by worldly concerns, yet she never minded getting dirty or messy, and always smiled as she helped by handing over firewood and pine branches.
Zhu the Second kept telling Emperor Jingxi how wonderful it was to have a daughter, how considerate she was, unlike his son who only knew how to go out and play all day and then come back wanting candy.
Just then, his son pushed open the door and shouted, "Dad! I'm home!"
Zhu Lao Er's face darkened instantly. He grabbed a fire poker and ran out, shouting, "You only know 'father, father, father,' you're my father! I think you should stop calling yourself Zhu Cai and start calling yourself Piglet instead, running around all day! We have important guests at home today, go change your clothes!"
Zhu Cai was stunned when he entered the courtyard and saw several strangers. He was especially embarrassed when he saw a stunningly beautiful little girl behind Zhu Lao Er. He blushed and stammered a few times before running back into the house to change his clothes.
After changing his clothes, he peeked through the window at the stove, hesitated for a few seconds, washed his face, tidied his hair, and then went out properly to greet Emperor Jingxi and the others.
Emperor Jingxi didn't have much on him, so he took out a sachet containing the snacks he had bought for Qin Su while they were shopping earlier.
After thanking him, Zhu Cai secretly glanced at Qin Su a few times and said, "I'm going to help my father."
Then, less than an incense stick's time later, he smashed a ceramic bowl.
Zhu Lao Er was so angry that he scolded him again. While tidying up, he said to Emperor Jingxi, "Brother, tell me, what's the use of raising a son? Everyone says that raising a son is for old age security, but I think I can't rely on my son when I get old. Before I even get old, he will make me lose a lot of my life. It's better to raise a daughter. Look at your little girl, she is smart and sensible. If I had a daughter like her, I wouldn't trade her for ten sons."
Emperor Jingxi's feelings were complicated.
On the one hand, he was indeed somewhat proud. His daughter was knowledgeable in politics and could understand the people's sentiments. She was noble but not spoiled, and knew her place and knew when to advance and retreat. On the other hand, he was also somewhat frustrated that he could not tell outsiders. After all, no one else knew when she was being mischievous, naughty, and deceitful, and he could not tell others.
He could only pat Ye Yan on the shoulder and say to this person who was probably one of only two people in the world who were close to his daughter, "Do you understand my feelings?"
Ye Yan glanced at Zhu Cai, who was pacing around the stove with a flushed face, pretending to casually chat with Qin Su. His own feelings were also complicated.
He sighed softly and replied, "I understand."
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