Chapter 838: Generation Gap

Zhou Shuren said, "Sir, I didn't find anything. I just heard that you were forcing the Ministry of Works to apply for money, so I wanted to ask."

Xiao Qing let out a sigh of relief. The capital has been very tense recently, and he was also on edge. It was good that it wasn't a big deal. "Recently, the Ministry of Works has been applying for silver too frequently, saying that it was for improving technology. Ha, the Crown Prince asked me to do so, and I've approved it twice, but nothing happened. The Ministry of Revenue's silver must be used where it matters most, and the Ministry of Works can't afford to waste it like this."

Zhou Shuren was so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood. To improve any technology, he had to keep doing experiments, and each experiment cost money. If he wanted to make progress, he had to spend money. Originally, he had whispered a lot in the prince's ear, and the prince paid a lot of attention to the Ministry of Works, but he ignored Lord Xiao.

Only then did Zhou Shuren realize that the difference between him and Mr. Xiao was not only in their thoughts, but also in their generations. The generation gap of hundreds of years was not something he could easily change.

The Ministry of Revenue has never been rich since Sir Xiao became the Minister of Revenue. This money is very important in Sir Xiao's mind. In addition, he has an inherent prejudice against the Ministry of Works. Sir Xiao was able to approve the money twice out of consideration for the Crown Prince.

Xiao Qing was very resolute. He knew that Zhou Shuren had a good attitude towards the Ministry of Industry, but there were too many places in the country that used silver. He was really afraid of the days when there was no silver. "Shuren, I know you value the Ministry of Industry, but I will not approve this silver."

Anyway, he would not approve it while he is in office. As for the future, that is Zhou Shuren's business.

After hearing this, Zhou Shuren did not want to waste his breath trying to convince Mr. Xiao, because it was useless. Different departments have different ideas. "Then you are busy, Mr. Xiao."

Xiao Qing nodded, "Yeah."

In the evening, at Zhou's residence, Zhou Shuren came home and saw the glass in his wife's hand. He was stunned and asked, "Where did this thing come from?"

Zhulan was staring at the glass cup which was not very transparent. She had been in a daze for a while. Then she came to her senses and said, "I asked the Xu family to help me buy wood. When the Xu family came back from the sea to deliver the wood, they also gave me these two cups."

Zhou Shuren was reluctant to pick it up to look at it. It was really rough, but it was quite artistic. "This thing is not cheap abroad."

Zhulan put down the cup and said, "It's much cheaper than the ones sold in the stores in Beijing."

When Zhou Shuren thought of Mr. Xiao's attitude today, he sighed and said, "When will we be able to make our own products in our country?"

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren really don't care about these two cups. Do you expect modern people to care about two glass cups? Don't dream on. She signaled Mrs. Song to put them away.

Zhu Lan added, "Zhang Jinghong is back."

Zhou Shuren was surprised, "How did you know the news?"

Why didn't he hear about it?

Zhu Lan chuckled, "Don't underestimate me. Even though I'm in the backyard, I'm well-informed. Since I came to the capital, I've stopped living a carefree life and always pay attention to the big and small movements in the capital."

She knows too well that sometimes a little news can affect so many things.

Zhou Shuren was changing his clothes. "What else did you find out?"

Zhu Lan took the clothes and said, "Zhang Jinghong was carried out of the palace. It is said that he was seriously injured."

Zhou Shuren gave a thumbs up and said, "You know a lot of details. That's amazing."

In order to get more information, Zhulan put a lot of thought into selecting smart and loyal servants. Her efforts were not in vain.

In fact, this news is not a secret. There was too much commotion in the Fifth Prince's Mansion.

Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to change his clothes, "They are all waiting for us to eat. Your eldest grandson is here and has been talking about you all afternoon."

Zhou Shuren thought of his grandson and smiled deeply. Every time the eldest daughter wrote to him, the eldest grandson would add a few words. People's feelings are developed through getting along with each other. The child's feelings for him can be seen between the lines. "Good."

At the dinner table, Zhou Shuren patted the seat next to him and said to his shy grandson, "Come and sit down."

Jiang Du looked at his older cousin who had given up his seat and felt a little conflicted. He was happy that his grandfather liked him, but he also felt like he had snatched something away by taking his older cousin's seat, and his face turned red.

Mingyun came back from school. Although he didn't communicate much with his cousin, he knew him well enough. He knew what his cousin was worried about. He smiled and pulled his cousin over, "Come and sit down. Don't be shy as we are a family."

It turned out that Jiang Du was sitting in Mingteng's seat, very close to Zhou Shuren, only separated by Mingyun.

This made the arrangement a no-problem arrangement, as Mingyun, the eldest grandson, was accepted by all the families.

Jiang Du sat down and looked at his uncles. All the uncles looked at him with encouraging eyes. His nervousness disappeared and he sat down on the chair with his butt relaxed.

Zhou Shuren asked his grandson to stay by his side, hoping to give the child some confidence and make him relax. Unexpectedly, he became more restrained. He could only say to his eldest grandson, "Your cousin will be at home to get familiar with the child in the next two days. He will be sent to the academy in two days. Then, grandpa will leave Jiang Du to your care."

Mingyun smiled and said, "Grandpa, your grandson will take good care of your cousin, don't worry."

Zhou Shuren was relieved about his eldest grandson, and said to his great-grandson, "This is also your home. You are home, not a guest. If you feel uncomfortable, just tell your grandparents."

Jiang Du had already relaxed. He felt the welcome towards him. "Yeah."

He had already received many gifts. His eldest uncle and aunt gave him writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. His second aunt and uncle gave him a purse filled with banknotes. His third aunt gave him a jade pendant. His fourth aunt gave him a bag of gold beans. His fourth uncle gave him many calligraphy copies.

The third uncle also brought a gift when he returned from the Hanlin Academy, which was a book.

His eldest cousin and younger cousin also gave him gifts after school. The eldest cousin gave him the reading notes sorted out by his younger cousin, and the same was true for Mingteng and Mingrui.

In fact, he was a little scared, well, scared by his fourth aunt. He had heard from his mother that his fourth aunt had the most money, but he was still intimidated by his fourth aunt's generosity.

Zhou Shuren asked his grandson about ethnic studies at the dinner table. His grandson knew all about these things, and now that he had something to talk about, he became more and more relaxed.

After dinner, Zhou Shuren took his grandson to the study again. Seeing his grandson clenching his hands nervously, he laughed and said, "Don't be nervous, as if I, your grandpa, am so serious."

Ming Teng kept rolling his eyes in his heart. This is what they mean when things are far away, but smell bad when they are close. Grandpa must be so kind to his grandson who he finally gets to see!

Jiang Duqian smiled. He was not nervous anymore after hearing what his grandfather said. "Grandpa, I am not nervous anymore."

Zhou Shuren watched the funny Ming Teng with his peripheral vision and made a note in his heart that ever since Ran Xun came to the capital, this kid has become more and more courageous. He complained about him in his heart, did he really think he couldn't see it?

Ming Teng shuddered and glanced at his grandfather secretly. Seeing that his grandfather was not looking at him, he was confused. Why did he have such a bad feeling?

(End of this chapter)