Outside the imperial study.
Guo Fu was busy teaching his little apprentice.
"Did you listen to what I said to you?"
"You're already an adult, why are you still so blind?"
"If His Majesty hadn't been in a better mood recently, you would have been dragged out and beaten for your clumsy behavior."
"Can't you be more careful?"
"Yes, Master, I was wrong. I will pay attention next time." Xiao Zhaozi lowered his head with a sincere look on his face.
"Hey, Eunuch Guo, you are busy."
When Guo Fu turned around, he saw Shangshu Yu who had returned with a smile on his face.
If he remembered correctly, Minister Yu looked as if he had lost his parents just before he left.
The kind of emotion that emanated from his whole body was worry, fear, anxiety, and despair.
How come it's only been a short time? Why did he suddenly change his attitude?
He looks so happy, could it be that he picked up some silver?
"Hey, Lord Yu, why are you back again?" Guo Fu greeted with a smile.
"Please inform Eunuch Guo that I have something very important to report to His Majesty."
"Okay, we'll go there right away."
Guo Fu stared at Shangshu Yu carefully, then turned around to report.
After a while, Minister Yu knelt in front of Murong Qingli for the second time today.
"What did you say? Cement? Can it be used to repair the city wall?"
"Where is that thing?"
"Your Majesty, it is true. If you don't believe it, you can ask Concubine Zhen."
Murong Qingli was stunned for a moment, then began to give orders.
"She? Someone, tell Concubine Zhen to come see me."
"When she comes over, bring the cement with her."
"yes."
"Go and call the Minister of Works and the Minister of War to come to me."
"yes."
Si Muqiao arrived at the imperial study about twenty minutes later.
As soon as she finished her greetings, she heard Murong Qingli, who was sitting there, ask.
"Zhen Fei, what is the cement that Lord Yu is talking about?"
"Your Majesty, I was originally researching the cement for paving roads."
"Because it has good adhesion and good hardness, it is quite suitable for paving."
"Your Majesty can see for yourself."
After saying that, she had someone bring up the three different types of cement.
Murong Qingli first looked at the cement powder, and then at the round pieces made of cement.
Finally, I looked at the concrete of the square pier.
"This thing, when it meets water and hardens, can become something as hard as stone?"
At this moment, Murong Qingli's tone also carried a hint of nervousness and urgency.
"That's right." Si Muqiao nodded calmly.
"Is this thing easy to configure? If it is used to repair the city walls on the front line, do you think it will work?"
"Yes!" Si Muqiao thought about it and nodded.
The ancient city walls were all built with that kind of bricks.
The adhesive used during this period was rammed earth, or glutinous rice juice mixed with lime.
If there is cement available, that would be great.
Moreover, if the purpose is just to defend against the enemy and it does not require excessive beauty, you can also paint a layer of cement on the outside of the city wall.
In this case, if the enemy wants to attack the city, it will naturally be much more difficult.
And if it is only used to repair city walls, cement is undoubtedly the best repair agent.
The Minister of War and the Minister of Works, who were summoned, were also full of suspicion and quickly arrived at the imperial study with a nervous look on their faces.
When they learned the purpose of being called here, they immediately squatted in front of the cement to check it out.
Seeing that everyone was present, Murong Qingli ordered the eunuch to hand over the sledgehammer that Simu Qiao had brought with him to the Minister of War.
Let him try to smash the square and round pieces to test their hardness.
The Minister of War smashed it first, and after that it was the turn of the Minister of Works.
After some probing, both of them looked surprised.
"Your Majesty, this cement is really good stuff, really good stuff!"
"Hmm, anything that Concubine Zhen researches must be good."
If you listen carefully, you can find that there is a hint of pride in Murong Qingli's tone.
"Yes, Concubine Zhen is truly kind-hearted and concerned about the country and the people!"
"Your Excellency is too kind. The reason I researched this is just to pave the way."
"I'm sure you've heard that I'm building a zoo recently."
"This cement is to be used to pave the road from the capital to the zoo."
"It was just a coincidence that I met Minister Yu when I was testing the effect of cement." Si Muqiao said lightly.
Oh, these stinky men who play with power!
So annoying!
The words he said sounded like he was praising her.
But the idiom "worrying about the country and the people" is probably not appropriate to use on a concubine like her, right?
Isn't this obviously about her participating in politics?
According to ancestral rules, the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs.
If a suspicious person heard this, he would doubt her in every way.
I really didn't expect that this Minister of War looks serious, but in fact he is quite cunning.
"Paving the road? Paving the road is good!"
"Empress Zhenfei's suggestion is really good."
"Your Majesty, I suggest that if this cement can be mass-produced, it can be used to resurface and improve roads in various places."
"If the road is smooth and easy to walk on, it will be easier for people from all over the place to go out."
"As long as more people are willing to go out, our Great Zhou's economy and people's livelihood can be boosted faster."
The Minister of Works became more and more excited as he spoke.
Seeing that they were about to start talking about business again, Si Muqiao decisively said goodbye.
"Your Majesty, since you have important matters to discuss with the others, I will take my leave now."
"As for the formula of cement, I will have the people in the smelting room bring it to you later."
"I'll take my leave." After saying that, Si Muqiao was about to leave.
"Zhen Fei, if you have nothing else to do, you can stay."
"Since you invented this cement, what's wrong with you standing here and listening to this?"
Murong Qingli actually walked over and held her hand, and glanced at the Minister of War lightly.
His words and actions shocked the three adults present.
"Why? Do you have doubts about my decision?"
"I dare not."
"I don't have any."
"Neither do I."
The three of them quickly shook their heads.
What a joke! Who among them dares to express their dissatisfaction with His Majesty?
I don’t know if the bodies of those ministers who were chopped off a few days ago are cold yet.
They don't want to follow in his footsteps.
"Your Majesty, I have things to do when I go back, so I won't stay." Si Muqiao glanced at Murong Qingli and spoke.
"Well, fine. I'll ask Guo Fu to send someone to take you back." Murong Qingli let go of her hand reluctantly.
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
After leaving the imperial study, Si Muqiao went straight to the cold palace.
However, not long after she returned, she heard a piece of news that surprised her greatly.
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