Chapter 32 The imperial court here must be extremely powerful…
"Please confirm the construction time."
After the system finished speaking, three options appeared for Lu Xiaoqi to choose from. The first was three months, the second was six months, and the third was one year. He explained that this was for cover-up purposes.
"Although our cards can complete the task with a single click, it's still somewhat terrifying given the technological level of the player's world. Therefore, players can choose the construction time." The system said proudly, "We are very meticulous."
Lu Xiaoqi was speechless: "...Where exactly is the rigor in these options?"
Although she didn't understand construction, she knew that a project often took several years to complete.
System: "If players have any questions, I can adjust the construction period to one year, three years, or five years."
"Then forget it..." Lu Xiaoqi muttered, then decisively chose the second option, six months.
This VR museum can be built before the opening of Qinghe Ancient Town, but it absolutely cannot be later. Its first phase of opening depends on it.
After pressing the button, the open space in front of me suddenly changed.
A blue curtain rose from nowhere, closing in mid-air and silently enveloping the open space completely. Yuwen Kai and Xiang Ming stood there dumbfounded, especially Xiang Ming, who almost wanted to kneel down again.
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but exclaim, "This is the power of future technology!"
System: "This is a holographic projection. People outside will only see this as a construction site."
Lu Xiaoqi was eager to try: "So you mean the VR arcade inside already exists, right? Can I go in and take a look now?"
Yuwen Kai also looked over.
System: "No. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter or exit during the construction period."
Both of them were a little disappointed after hearing this. Lu Xiaoqi thought about it and realized that this way, they wouldn't have to worry about security, which was good.
The group circled the curtain a few times, but finding nothing interesting, they decided to head home. Lu Xiaoqi stayed in the county town that day; she was practically getting her own room at the "Ping An Hotel."
The system suddenly announced: "Player, you still have one character card to draw."
Lu Xiaoqi patted her head: "I knew I seemed to have forgotten something."
I got this card a while ago, but I haven't had a chance to draw it because I've been busy preparing for the Lu Ban Festival. Now is definitely a good time.
The usual gacha process is over.
"Congratulations, player, you have drawn an SR character card."
The light gold card flipped over, and a line of elegant handwriting gradually appeared:
[The golden toad bites the lock as incense burns, the jade tiger pulls the thread to draw water from the well—Su Jun.] ①
[Character Attribute: SR]
[Skills: Can do a little bit of everything, but specializes in mechanics.]
[Degrees of freedom: Medium.]
The words turned into specks of light and dissipated, revealing on the card the image of a tall, elegant young man dressed in a narrow-sleeved brocade robe.
"He's quite handsome," Lu Xiaoqi muttered, then looked confused: "But, who is Su Jun?"
This looks like men's clothing from the Song Dynasty, but among the famous people with the surname Su from the Song Dynasty, she subconsciously only remembered the Three Su's. Where did this Su Jun come from? The poem provided as a clue offered no clue whatsoever.
He is SR, a figure whose name is recorded in unofficial history?
System: "He did not leave his name in unofficial histories. The few biographies that originally existed have also not survived. Let me remind the player that he was the grandson of Su Song of the Song Dynasty."
Lu Xiaoqi frowned: "Su Song's grandson? Su Song is... Ah! I remember now, Su Song, Su Song from the Northern Song Dynasty!"
Su Song was an official of the Northern Song Dynasty who served as Minister for several terms and was posthumously granted the title of Duke. However, over thousands of years, high-ranking officials in ancient China were as numerous as carp crossing a river, and Su Song was not among the most famous. Lu Xiaoqi knew of him because she had previously made a video reviewing ancient technological achievements, and Su Song was listed among them.
He was an average official, but he was exceptionally talented in natural history and science. He led the artisans of the time to invent and build the water-powered astronomical clock tower.
When Lu Xiaoqi was researching this thing, she thought it was incredibly amazing and incredible. Just imagine that there was such a machine back in the Song Dynasty that could combine astronomical observation, demonstration, and timekeeping. How amazing that must have been!
This is also the world's earliest astronomical clock. It can be said to be the pinnacle of 11th-century mechanics and astronomy.
Unfortunately, during the Jingkang Incident, the Jin army attempted to transport it back to Yanjing, but abandoned it en route due to transportation difficulties. It then disappeared from the annals of history and was never seen again.
Its structure is extremely complex, and even some replicas today cannot be said to have completely replicated its essence.
"Su Song's grandson, who didn't make it into history but is still an SR..." Lu Xiaoqi's mind raced for a few moments, then she exclaimed in surprise, "Is it the Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower? Is he related to the Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower?"
"Yes." The system replied succinctly, then reminded her, "The card character has reached its destination; please proceed as soon as possible."
Lu Xiaoqi ran over almost impatiently.
Beneath the moonlit chinaberry tree, she met Su Jun. He was dressed in a dark-patterned silk robe, his hair tied in a crown adorned with flowers. Tall and slender, he stood quietly with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the clusters of chinaberry blossoms on the tree, which resembled purple clouds.
The moonlight cast a soft, gentle glow on his robe sleeves.
Hearing footsteps, Su Jun turned around, and a handsome face appeared in front of her.
Lu Xiaoqi's eyes widened suddenly, she took a deep breath, and almost blurted out "Holy crap!"
This is such a beauty overload!
For the first time, she understood why the phrase "a fine tree and a graceful lady" was used to describe a man; it was an incredibly apt description.
She excitedly told the system, "Could you please give me a dozen more like this? If you can do it, I'll never complain about you again, and the ancient town can open tomorrow!"
We guarantee a constant stream of customers.
system:......
I don't want to talk to her at all.
Su Jun walked over and bowed to her: "Are you Madam Lu? I am Su Jun, greetings."
Lu Xiaoqi cleared her throat: "It's me, my name is Lu Xiaoqi. You can call me Xiao Lu or Miss Lu."
Su Jun was taken aback, seemingly not expecting the woman to know his given name so quickly. Perhaps this was the local custom?
He smiled and said, "Then I shall respectfully comply, Miss Lu."
Most people in Qinghe Ancient Town call her Miss Lu, but for some reason, when he said that title, Lu Xiaoqi felt her face getting hot.
Wow, that's the allure of beauty.
System: "...Player, put away your smile, you're practically drooling."
"Pah! Do I look like that kind of person?" Lu Xiaoqi argued with it, but finally managed to shake off all the messy thoughts in her head.
"Su Jun, is that right?" She recalled her conversation with the system earlier and asked curiously, "You're Su Song's grandson? Did you also participate in the construction of the Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower?"
Su Jun nodded: "Indeed."
He knew that his arrival here was closely related to the Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower, so he explained in detail: "In the past, my grandfather was ordered by the emperor to lead the people of the Imperial Observatory and the Imperial Workshop to build the Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower to observe celestial phenomena and correct the calendar."
"My grandfather was extremely proficient in mechanics and calendar systems, but he also held the position of Minister of Justice, leaving him little free time. I have some knowledge of mechanics, so the specific construction matters were handled by me and Han Gonglian, the chief craftsman."
Lu Xiaoqi nodded repeatedly as she listened.
She liked this kind of person; he spoke clearly and logically, and was also intelligent, knowing exactly what kind of information the questioner wanted. She couldn't help but give Su Jun a high score.
"Come with me." She led Su Jun to Yuwen Kai's residence in District Four, asking as they walked, "Do you still remember the structure and details of that water-powered astronomical clock tower?"
Su Jun followed behind her, unhurriedly: "Of course I remember. I was involved from the preparation to the final completion."
Lu Xiaoqi was secretly delighted. She didn't intend to make another one; this thing wouldn't be of much use in the ancient town. But perhaps it could provide some relevant information to museums or cultural bureaus later.
"Then do you know what you're here to do?"
Su Jun nodded: "Of course. I will do whatever Miss Lu asks of me without hesitation."
Sensitive to the situation, Lu Xiaoqi raised his score even higher.
"I'm taking you to meet a senior figure now. You'll accompany him for the day." Then, remembering something, she asked curiously, "Your ability is that you can do anything, especially mechanics. Why is that?"
That's a very strange comment.
Su Jun paused, coughed lightly, and said, somewhat uncertainly, "Perhaps it's because I really did do all sorts of things back then?"
After hearing his explanation, Lu Xiaoqi suddenly understood. Su Jun was the bridge between her grandfather Su Song and the Directorate of Works. He was the true executor and the communicator between the two. In modern terms, he was a project manager, responsible for everything: securing project funding, making financial plans, and reporting progress to superiors... In that sense, he could indeed do a little bit of everything.
She stopped abruptly, turned around abruptly, her eyes almost sparkling: "Are you telling the truth?"
Su Jun was caught off guard and almost bumped into by her. Realizing that something was wrong, he quickly took two steps back: "It's just a trivial matter, nothing to be surprised about."
"Not surprising?" Lu Xiaoqi laughed. "Young Master Su, you are too modest."
What's this?
This is the best worker the system has given her!
She has more and more miscellaneous tasks now and is overwhelmed with work. Isn't this exactly the kind of employee she needs?
Seeing the sudden look of ecstatic joy on the young woman's face, Su Jun's eyes gleamed, and for some reason, a slight sense of foreboding flashed through his body. He couldn't help but take another step back.
Lu Xiaoqi was extremely enthusiastic: "Young Master Su, why don't you stay here tonight? Would you like to stay here again tomorrow, or come with me to the city? Why don't you come with me to the city? There's not much to see in this ancient town. Speaking of which, there's someone from your hometown in the city..."
She was babbling away, and because she was so happy, she walked with unusual lightness, almost skipping and jumping.
Su Jun followed behind her, watching her lively figure. Although he didn't know why she was suddenly so happy, this emotion made him, a newcomer to this new world, feel relaxed, and he couldn't help but smile.
This Miss Lu, though oddly dressed and behaving in a manner completely different from the refined ladies he had encountered before, was frank and direct in her speech, and generous and sincere in her attitude. Perhaps this new world of the future truly held many surprises for him...
It was late at night, and everyone in Xiangjia Village had gone to sleep.
Lu Xiaoqi handed Su Jun over to Yuwen Kai with a clear conscience. She had bought two or three extra sleeping bags as a backup, and they were now proving useful.
"Please teach him."
Yuwen Kai: "Don't worry, young friend Lu."
“You should still buy a bed.” Lu Xiaoqi frowned as she picked up the sleeping bag, annoyed that she had forgotten about this. It’s fine for young people to sleep in a sleeping bag for a while, but older people are more comfortable sleeping in a bed.
“Indeed.” Yuwen Kai had no objection. Now that he had decided to stay permanently in the ancient town, he would indeed need to purchase some daily necessities. He was not the kind of person who would make himself suffer. “Then I’ll trouble you, young friend Lu.”
“I’ll go to the county tomorrow to select them and have them delivered. Let’s just buy them all; they probably won’t have time to make the beds first. We can always exchange them later.” Lu Xiaoqi turned to Su Jun and said, “Su Jun, could you help me calculate how many beds we need tomorrow?”
She assigned the task as if it were perfectly natural, but Su Jun didn't take it to heart and simply nodded in agreement.
Being quite perceptive, Lu Xiaoqi continued to raise the score a little higher.
The system couldn't stand it anymore: "Player, if you increase it any higher, it will be higher than the perfect score!"
Why didn't she give it such a high score?
Lu Xiaoqi remained unfazed: "My score is my own business, what's it to you?"
The system was driven to despair by her criticism.
......
"Miss Lu, can we really learn to read?"
While eating breakfast, everyone got excited when she announced that she would be holding night school three times a week and would be hiring teachers from outside to teach everyone to read.
In Xiangjia Village, literate people are extremely rare. Apart from master craftsmen like Xiang Ming and Xiang Qi, who used to frequent the presence of dignitaries, and who could read some characters, the rest of the villagers were lucky if they could even recognize their own names. The women, in particular, were completely illiterate.
"Can we really learn it too?" Huang Si Niang asked excitedly.
She was one of the few people in Xiangjia Village who had been to the outside world, and she often heard Lu Xiaoqi talk about things outside. She knew that many women outside could go to school and work, but she never thought that she could do the same.
“Of course we have to go. Everyone except for little ones like Ah Li has to go.” Lu Xiaoqi said seriously, “It’s a mission, we can’t shirk it.”
In this matter, she doesn't believe in voluntary consent; it must be enforced.
Several elderly people, especially the old women, were puzzled.
He said to his elderly mother, "But we're so old, what good will it do us if we learn to read?"
Just like these artisans, the reason they didn't learn to read and write in the past wasn't because they couldn't afford tuition, but because artisans couldn't participate in the imperial examinations. Since reading was useless, what was the point of reading?
Lu Xiaoqi had already anticipated this, and explained with a smile, "That was in the past. Studying was only for passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official. At other times, it didn't seem to matter if you couldn't read. But it's different now. If you can't read, it's hard to survive outside. Not to mention, how boring would it be if you bought a cell phone but couldn't read..."
A commotion broke out below.
cell phone!
They had seen Lu Xiaoqi and Yuwen Kai's phones; they were truly fascinating and interesting gadgets!
Xiang Ming tapped his cane on the ground and shouted, "Being able to read and write is a blessing that we could only dream of! Since Miss Lu said everyone is going, then everyone should go. If anyone is absent, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the elderly women quickly chimed in, "We didn't say we wouldn't go!"
Su Jun, who had been watching the whole thing from the corner, asked Yuwen Kai next to him, "Lord Yuwen, is it really true that everyone can read books in this day and age?"
Both he and Yuwen Kai came from prominent families and received the same elite education in ancient times, so they had a very pleasant conversation yesterday. Yuwen Kai was very patient with this polite and handsome young man, telling him a lot about the future era.
Yuwen Kai nodded: "That's true. This court attaches great importance to education and has stipulated nine years of compulsory education. As long as you are six years old, regardless of gender, you must go to school."
He had seen many schools while strolling around Qinghe City; the buildings were square and each had a large playground. He had seen children running on the playground, their faces beaming with smiles. What many people had desperately sought but could not obtain many years ago was as commonplace to these children as eating.
To live is to learn. This seems like a self-evident truth.
"This is truly, this is truly...t!" Su Jun was incredibly impressed by this policy, and for a moment he didn't know how to express his feelings. Many things in this era were beyond his comprehension.
He suddenly laughed, recalling the era in which he lived, when the hot-blooded imperial students, in their clamor to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, caused a great deal of trouble for the emperor and the civil and military officials.
"With so many scholars in the world, the court here must be very powerful."
"That's truly impressive boldness!" Yuwen Kai naturally understood what he meant and also praised him.
From the time of Shang Yang's Five Arts of Governing the People, the relationship between the imperial court and the scholars became intricate and ever-changing. They had to maintain control, keep in check, and protect their own interests from being divided up by newly emerging forces, keeping everyone extremely busy.
It seems that most people are busy only for their own ambitions and desires, which is far less desirable than the present!
He patted Su Jun on the shoulder: "This place is vastly different from where we came from. Read more books and travel more, and you will naturally understand. Being able to come here is perhaps the greatest fortune of our lives."
Being able to study one's own architecture in peace and quiet, without having to worry about the intrigue and deceit, is the greatest pleasure in the world.
Su Jun's expression turned solemn as he bowed to him, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Yuwen."
In the afternoon, Lu Xiaoqi prepared to take Su Jun, who had changed into modern casual clothes, to Qinghe City.
"Teacher Yuwen, I'll leave the rest to you." She told him about hiring outsiders to dredge river mud in the ancient town.
Yuwen Kai stroked his beard: "Excellent. This way I can free up the people from Xiangjia Village to do other things. However, young friend Lu... the timber, bricks, and tools cannot wait."
Lu Xiaoqi raised her hand and assured, "I've already received the supplier's information, and I'll definitely get it done within this month."
Yuwen Kai was satisfied.
He said goodbye to the two men, turned around and got into the tour bus. With a turn of the key, it smoothly drove forward. The tour bus was easy to operate, and Yuwen Kai had become quite proficient in it over the past few days. He also quite liked it and often drove it around the ancient town.
Su Jun's eyes lit up as if he were looking at a fine horse. He had already circled the car several times, muttering to himself as if trying to study its workings.
When Lu Xiaoqi turned her head and saw Su Jun, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Thinking of his elegant gentlemanly appearance yesterday, he has changed drastically today. He still has his hair tied up, but he is wearing a white T-shirt with the words "Anping County XX Travel Agency" printed on it. It looks a bit out of place, but fortunately, good-looking people can withstand the test of time.
Su Jun: "Why is Miss Lu laughing?"
He looked down at his clothes, worried that he might have embarrassed himself by not wearing them properly.
"It's nothing, it's nothing." Lu Xiaoqi hid her smile, blinked, got on her electric scooter, put on her helmet, and handed him another one. "Get on?"
She had originally planned to call a car, but that would mean leaving the electric scooter in Qinghe Ancient Town, which wouldn't do. So, she had no choice but to let Su Jun sit in the back, which would save her some money. It was just a ride, nothing serious.
Su Jun was a little dumbfounded. He looked at the car and then at her, and asked with difficulty, "I was sitting behind Miss Lu?"
He didn't even have time to be curious about the car!
Lu Xiaoqi nodded, knowing what was bothering him, and patted the car seat generously: "It's okay, you can put your hands on the side racks, you won't touch me. Besides, there's no tradition of men and women not touching each other anymore, it's just driving with someone, don't worry about it."
Su Jun was still hesitating.
Lu Xiaoqi rolled her eyes and emphasized, "This is the most convenient mode of transportation."
Su Jun gritted his teeth and sat down. He leaned back very awkwardly, but luckily Lu Xiaoqi had placed a small box at the back of the car, which made it convenient for him to lean against.
"Do you know how to put on a helmet? If not, I'll help you."
"I'll try... I can."
"Okay, I'm off then."
The system listened for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Player, why do I feel like you have some regrets?"
Lu Xiaoqi said expressionlessly, "You misheard."
She twisted the handlebars, and the electric scooter sped off. Caught off guard, Su Jun leaned back, feeling a slight pain in his lower back. However, he preferred this to leaning closer to Lu Xiaoqi, keeping his hands neatly placed on the side of the seat. Even so, their legs inevitably touched occasionally.
Modern clothes are more form-fitting, and Su Jun felt his face burning, which even the breeze couldn't bring down.
Lu Xiaoqi didn't take it to heart; such encounters were common for modern people. She was just surprised that he hadn't shown any surprise or asked her anything despite seeing so many strange sights along the way. Hmm, indeed, he had the demeanor of a young master from a prominent family, completely calm and composed.
Towards the end, Su Jun suppressed his embarrassment and focused his attention on what he saw before him. Naturally, he was filled with shock and astonishment, just like he had with Yuwen Kai, Song Wusao, and Zhao Feiyan before.
Lu Xiaoqi: ......Okay, so it was just because he had a slow reaction time.
After Yuwen Kai moved to Qinghe Ancient Town, the small house he had been rented for became empty, which was perfect for Su Jun to move into. Lu Xiaoqi taught him how to use all the appliances and facilities again and then vowed to make a tutorial book and put it in the room.
She didn't want to be taught a third time!
As for the person who made the tutorial, she secretly glanced at Su Jun beside her, and thought to herself, "He probably won't refuse in the future."
After telling Su Jun to rest or read a book, she returned to her own home. This cozy little nest had not only been mortgaged by her, but had also been neglected lately, and she often couldn't come back. She felt sorry for it.
She sprawled on the sofa and dozed off for a while. When she woke up, she found that Qin Yue had sent her a voice message.
"Oh dear, I should have gone to your place! I've missed out on a chance to become an overnight sensation!"
Qin Yue's tone was full of regret, which puzzled Lu Xiaoqi, who asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"
The other party replied quickly, equally surprised:
"Oh my god, don't you know? Your Lu Ban worship ceremony has gone viral online! Nuannuanfeng's video has over 500,000 likes!"
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