Chapter 410 Shipbuilding
Eunuch Hong returned to the palace with a long face.
The emperor, seeing that there was no one behind Eunuch Hong, angrily turned to the empress.
But when he turned around, the empress looked at him even more angrily.
The emperor quickly turned his head around.
An urgent report came from below the main hall.
Suddenly, bandits wreaked havoc along the Huainan River.
These water bandits are far more difficult to deal with than land bandits.
Once they reached the sea, these pirates vanished without a trace.
With so many people, Wei Ziming remained stationed in Huainan.
The river bandits dared not invade.
As soon as Wei Ziming left Huainan, the river bandits wreaked havoc.
The Emperor and Empress both looked at Wei Ziming with meaningful glances.
This forced them to issue an imperial decree to release him back to Huainan.
Cui Ying listened to the urgent report and barely suppressed the urge to widen her eyes.
Qin Jinzhi said that if Wei Ziming wanted to return to Huainan, he must have a reason why he absolutely had to go back.
Water bandits were one of them.
Since the people are in danger, His Majesty and the Empress have no reason to detain Wei Ziming.
Cui Ying's gaze fell on an official below.
The official immediately stepped forward upon seeing Cui Ying's gaze.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have something to report."
The Emperor and Empress looked at the official and asked, "Minister Su, what is it?"
This man was none other than Su Hanhai, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.
Su Hanhai handed over the folded document in his hand.
"I have heard that river bandits frequently ravage the prefectures and counties along the river, causing great distress to the people."
The reason why the government was unable to completely eradicate the river bandits was that the boats had a major problem: light boats could not carry many people, while boats that could carry large objects were too cumbersome, and once the river bandits scattered, they could not be tracked down.
I am deeply concerned for the people.
Today, I received a shipbuilding blueprint.
The improved ships were not only extremely fast, but also had a much larger carrying capacity. They were also equipped with spears and guard compartments, which greatly ensured the safety of the soldiers.
I, along with the Ministry of Water Resources and the shipyard under the Capital Waterway, have already conducted experiments.
Both speed, attack power, and security have been greatly improved.
With the joint efforts of the three parties, the first batch of ships will be built within ten days.
This is presented to His Majesty.
The emperor immediately ordered, "Bring it here!"
Eunuch Hong presented the shipbuilding plans to the Emperor and Empress.
The two were overjoyed after seeing it.
"Who contributed this painting?"
Su Hanhai hesitated for a moment, but after receiving an affirmative look from Cui Ying, he said, "Your Majesty, this painting was done by my daughter, Su Yue'e."
The people in the hall were in an uproar. Women building boats was unheard of!
"Lord Su, are you perhaps trying to gain a reputation for your daughter? A woman building a ship is simply a fantasy."
"Exactly! How dare a young woman present her artwork to His Majesty and the Empress! It's utterly absurd!"
Cui Ying clenched her fists, watching the officials below as they spoke.
She spoke with a firm gaze:
"Gentlemen, you are mistaken. Lord Su is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, and he is exceptionally capable. It is not unreasonable for Miss Su to inherit Lord Su's talent. Besides, who says that women cannot build ships? Can you gentlemen clearly explain what materials are needed to build ships, how many of them are needed, what their respective functions are, how fast the ships can travel, and how many people they can carry?"
The people below looked at each other in bewilderment.
Then Cui Ying spoke up: "But this map is very clear, even a single nail and an anchor are recorded in detail. Gentlemen, please don't generalize from a single instance."
Cui Ying's palms were a little sweaty, but her expression remained unchanged.
Now, as the deputy envoy of the Thousand Birds Bureau and the new head of the Cui family, she has been able to stand here only with the help of many people.
Only then could she get these court officials to listen to her.
But Su Yue'e, who drew such exquisite blueprints, only received the comment that it was a fantasy that a woman could build a ship.
However, since she can stand here and speak, then one day, this era will also usher in a time of flourishing diversity.
The Empress looked at Cui Ying's tightly clenched fist behind her back and thought that Cui Ying could describe the contents of the blueprints without even seeing them. She guessed that Cui Ying and Jinzhi had probably discussed it beforehand.
She looked at the officials below, and then at Su Hanhai.
“Vice Envoy Cui is absolutely right. Since Minister Su dared to present this drawing, he must understand that this matter is of great importance. This shipbuilding drawing is absolutely brilliant. I would like the person who drew it to explain the shipbuilding drawing in person.”
Su Hanhai breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with joy.
The emperor smiled and said, "The empress is absolutely right. Order that Su Hanhai's daughter, Su Yue'e, will come to the palace tomorrow to explain the shipbuilding plans."
Su Hanhai immediately replied, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
The emperor spoke again: "The river bandits are rampant. Send more troops, and once the new warships are completed, wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
Wei Ziming's eyes dimmed as he looked at Su Hanhai ahead.
When did these incompetent officials start worrying about the country and its people?
Or was it done intentionally by someone?
His gaze fell on Cui Ying.
He never took Cui Ying seriously.
Unbeknownst to her, Qin Jinzhi had cultivated a capable subordinate.
Despite the shipbuilding issue, His Majesty did not agree to allow Wei Ziming to return to Huainan.
But if he can't go back to Huainan, can that madwoman Qin Jinzhi still cooperate with him?
After Su Hanhai left the court, the imperial edict arrived shortly afterward.
Su Yue'e never dreamed that she would one day be able to go to the Taiji Hall!
After receiving the imperial decree, she said to Su Hanhai, "Father, I'm going out of the manor for a while."
The Su family's carriage arrived at Qianniaosi.
Su Yue'e was taken into Cui Ying's office.
Cui Ying was also somewhat surprised to see Su Yue'e. "Miss Su? Is there something you need?"
Su Yue'e bowed and said, "Yue'e thanks Vice Envoy Cui for speaking up for Yue'e in the palace."
Cui Ying smiled and said, "I'm just stating the facts. Miss Su's shipbuilding plans are amazing and shouldn't be slandered just because she's a woman."
Su Yue'e smiled, revealing two small tiger teeth, "If everyone in the world could be like Vice Envoy Cui, it would be easier for women to live in this world."
Looking at Su Yue'e, Cui Ying asked, "Miss Su, I'm afraid your visit to me isn't just about expressing your gratitude, is it?"
Su Yue'e looked at Cui Ying and said, "I have a favor to ask of you."
Cui Ying looked at her and said, "Go ahead."
Su Yue'e smiled and said, "Vice Envoy Cui, could you tell me what Princess Jinzhi likes? I would like to express my gratitude in this way."
Cui Ying raised an eyebrow. What does Qin Jinzhi like?
She loves money the most!
She cleared her throat. "The sentiment is enough. The princess doesn't care about material possessions."
Su Yue'e nodded after hearing this, "Thank you for your guidance, Vice Envoy Cui."
After returning home, Su Yue'e sent a visiting card to the Prince of Zhenbei's residence.
After I attend court tomorrow, I will visit the Prince's residence.
Since it's a token of our affection, it's better to prepare it ourselves.
The emperor and empress were in high spirits upon receiving the shipbuilding plans.
The two were discussing matters in the imperial study.
The emperor looked at the shipbuilding plans and said, "She really is my granddaughter. I have nothing to worry about."
The Empress flipped through the memorial in her hand. "Wei Ziming has certainly made a clever plan, but having been away for so long, he probably doesn't know what a tiger's temper is like. In any case, he won't be able to return to Huainan."
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