Chapter 132 The Imperial Edict Arrives
Listening to the occasional cheers coming from the lobby outside, Mo Zhu was puzzled: "Don't these people study every day?"
The examination hall will be open tomorrow, and these people are still chatting with their friends. Could it be that they are well prepared?
Thinking of how the young master of the Rong family never put down his books every day, he was suddenly filled with confidence, although he was a little nervous at first.
"This waterwheel must be God's great favor to us in Dayong."
"After the exam, I will definitely go and see for myself whether this thing is as magical as they say."
"I heard that the Rong family has been in Ganzhou for more than ten years. Why hasn't this been done before?"
"I heard they are all scholars, they are simply not doing their jobs!"
There are those who praise it, and naturally there are those who doubt it. However, those who doubt it are in the minority after all. Moreover, as soon as they open their mouths, someone will immediately refute them:
"You're always reading, why don't you do anything for the people?"
"What is the purpose of studying and taking the imperial examinations? Isn't it to serve the court and speak for the people? Making a waterwheel to alleviate the people's suffering is not doing your job properly. Then, may I ask, how did you earn your salary?"
"I'm from Xikang County. My maternal grandfather's village was one of the first, after Fushan Village, to install a waterwheel. I saw it with my own eyes. The waterwheel turned, drawing water from the river to a higher place, and then flowing it through the gutter to all the other places. It made life much easier without having to carry water."
When these people heard that someone was from Xikang County and had seen the waterwheel with his own eyes, they stopped arguing with others and asked about the waterwheel. The man also generously shared what he knew. Everyone praised him and said that they would go and see it with their own eyes after the exam.
"Actually, there's no need to go to Xikang. I believe that in the near future, there will be many places throughout Ganzhou."
“…”
There was another bustle outside.
Regarding the current development, several people were surprised but also felt that everything was reasonable.
Thinking that it won’t be long before their fame spreads throughout Dayong, they are very happy. All the efforts and hard work during this period are worth it.
They even thought that if given the chance, they would use this achievement to buy freedom for their little cousin's family.
I guess His Majesty should have received the news?
Rong Yuzhe was right in what he thought.
After much haste, the current emperor received the memorial from Xikang County a few days ago. However, because the content of the memorial was too shocking, for the sake of caution, he asked his confidants to find the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to carefully study the drawings sent. Until now, the waterwheel has finally been successfully produced.
The current emperor of the Dayong Dynasty, Emperor Jiahe, came to the imperial garden with his ministers. When he saw the big guy standing in the corner of the pond, surprise flashed in his eyes.
The ministers who followed were also shocked. This, is a waterwheel?
Even if it cannot divert water, this waterwheel can still be considered a masterpiece of human craftsmanship.
When everyone was present, the craftsmen heard the order and someone stood on the pedal, exerting force on the left and right sides and starting to push the pedals.
As the craftsman worked, the water wheel slowly turned, and the water in the pond was continuously drawn into the bamboo tube, flowing into the high water trough, and then flowing along the canal to a flower bed on a higher position in the imperial garden.
Seeing this, everyone, including the emperor who usually kept his emotions expressionless, became excited.
This really works!
The Minister of Works, who was in charge of this matter, was even more delighted. He explained, "Because this was our first time making one, we only made a small one according to the instructions in the memorial."
Emperor Jiahe raised an eyebrow: "Oh? In other words, the one in normal use is much larger than this?"
The Minister of Works thought for a moment and replied respectfully, "It depends on the terrain and environment. If the water demand is large and the river is deep, the size and style will be different. The memorial mentioned that this waterwheel is just one type. If there is water flow, it does not require manpower."
"Really?" Emperor Jiahe said with excitement, "God bless my Dayong."
He could already imagine that if this waterwheel was promoted, the people would be able to save energy and work more easily while also increasing grain production. His prestige among the people would also rise a lot. What's more, this might be a great thing for the Jiang family to be remembered in history.
His mind was racing, but in a flash, Emperor Jiahe had already thought of a lot.
“God bless Dayong!”
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
The ministers behind him immediately knelt down and shouted in unison.
Emperor Jiahe was in a very good mood and immediately rewarded the people in the Ministry of Works and the craftsmen. As for the county magistrate who wrote the memorial and those who made the waterwheel, they deserved even better rewards.
Not only that, he also wants to inspire more people to change and create more useful things.
As a result, the imperial court quickly issued a series of decrees, which shocked many people. For some people, this was the best way for them to succeed.
Zhang Wende soon welcomed a special team of people. They were none other than Emperor Jiahe, who was here to issue imperial edicts and rewards.
When Zhang Wende heard the report from his subordinates, he almost threw away the document in his hand.
"What did you say?" He asked again uncertainly. Receiving the same answer, he quickly stood up and said, "Hurry up, hurry up and get ready."
He walked towards the backyard while giving instructions. On weekdays, unless he was in court to try a case, he would usually wear casual clothes. But since the emperor's envoy had come, he naturally could not neglect him.
By the time everything was ready, the eunuch who was to announce the decree had already arrived at the yamen gate.
Zhang Wende led the officials of Xikang County to stand at the door to welcome them.
After a brief greeting, the eunuch announcing the imperial edict opened it and read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven... the Magistrate of Anhe County, I hope to live up to the Emperor's grace and reimburse the court."
After the eunuch finished reading the decree, he smiled politely at Zhang Wende and said, "Master Zhang, please accept the decree."
"Long live the Five Emperors!" Zhang Wende was still a little bit unbelievable. He felt that his brain was blank at the moment. He completed the following procedures in a foggy state based on his feelings.
Only when he held the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand did his condition slowly recover.
He had been promoted twice, just like that? And he was now a Tongpan (President) with supervisory power that could reach the emperor directly?
He pinched himself secretly to make sure he wasn't dreaming, then he said happily to the eunuch who announced the decree, "You and everyone else have worked hard on this journey. Please rest in the side hall. I will arrange accommodation for you immediately."
The eunuch who announced the imperial decree shook his head: "Not for the time being, we still have to rush to Fushan Village."
This person was just passing by, and the people they were about to meet were their main purpose of coming here.
Your Majesty should encourage the people to create more useful tools and reward the creator of the waterwheel generously.
Zhang Wende immediately asked his subordinates to make arrangements and followed the envoy to Fushan Village.
The group was very impressive and attracted a lot of attention before they even entered the village.
At this time, the sun was already setting, and the sunlight was no longer scorching, and the weather was not hot. Many villagers came out, either chatting and gossiping, or working in the fields.
There was also a group of people standing by the waterwheel, taking turns stepping on the pedals. It was quite lively.
Everyone who saw the people appearing at the village entrance was shocked.
Who are these people today?
Although it is unclear who these people are and who they are looking for, many villagers now reflexively assume that they are from the Rong family.
We have lived in Fushan Village for so many years, but it has never been as lively as it is now.
In fact, this is true.
Looking at a group of well-dressed and imposing people heading towards the Rong family, they even felt a little proud that they had guessed it right.
"Who are these people? Even the county magistrate is following them carefully."
"Could it be that the governor arranged this?"
"Hasn't it just been a few days since you came here? What's the reason this time?"
"The two groups of people have different clothes."
“…”
The villagers couldn't guess, so they stopped guessing and focused their attention in the direction of the Rong family.
Because of the waterwheel, Fushan Village has undergone many changes recently.
In addition to the fact that various water uses have become much more convenient, the previously clear dividing line has also gradually changed.
At this moment, everyone in the Rong family also received the news, and they hurriedly washed and dressed and waited at the Rong family.
Together with them were Lu Mingxiu and the Pu family father and son.
A few days ago, the governor sent someone to send five hundred silver coins as a reward. They already knew who was coming today, and because of this guess, they felt more nervous in their anticipation.
When they saw what the leader was wearing, they felt relieved.
"Lord Rong, long time no see."
The eunuch who announced the imperial decree walked straight up to Rong Bingwen and greeted him familiarly.
Rong Bingwen also recognized the person and was very surprised. He asked uncertainly, "Lai Xi?"
"It's me," Lai Xi replied happily, "After more than ten years of absence, I didn't expect that Lord Rong still remembered me."
Back then, Rong Bingwen was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, and the current emperor, the Sixth Prince, had asked for grace to study in the Imperial College. Lai Xi was the Sixth Prince's personal attendant.
Now that the Sixth Prince has ascended the throne, Eunuch Lai Xi has become a favorite of the Emperor. The Emperor sent him here to read the imperial edict, which shows how much he values the Rong family.
Rong Bingwen was also very excited, even a little frightened.
Lai Xi looked at Rong Bingwen and said seriously, "Sir Rong, His Majesty has already had the Rong Mansion renovated and is waiting for the owner to move in."
Hearing this, Rong Bingwen, a strong man, couldn't help but tear up: "Your Majesty..."
Lai Xi's face showed worry: "Now that the court has changed, there are not many people Your Majesty can trust."
I thought they would return to Beijing after being rehabilitated, but after waiting for a long time, no one showed up, but instead I received such great news.
Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and is in need of manpower and achievements. Lord Rong is far away in Ganzhou, but he is still thinking about the court. It is worth it that the first thing Your Majesty did after ascending the throne was to investigate the truth of that year.
Rong Bingwen had never expected that the child still remembered him. The tears he had just suppressed came out again, and his voice choked with sobs: "His Majesty..."
Lai Xi continued, "Lord Rong, His Majesty has been waiting for you to return."
After these words were spoken, Rong Bingwen could no longer hold back and knelt down facing the capital: "Your Majesty, Rong has received the Emperor's grace..."
Following Rong Bingwen's action, the people behind him also knelt down.
Looking at the group of people kneeling down in front of him, Lai Xi's eyes flashed with cunning. He didn't expect that after more than ten years, Lord Rong was still the same Lord Rong and had not changed because of these experiences.
As expected, the one who knows Lord Rong best is His Majesty.
He coughed lightly and said, "Master Rong, let's read the imperial edict first."
The atmosphere is just right now, we can reminisce about the past, or later on.
As he spoke, an attendant came over with a rosewood box. Lai Xi opened the box, took out the imperial edict and began to read it.
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