Inside the Great Wei Hidden Scripture Pavilion.
As a white figure slowly approached, Xu Qingnian’s gaze could not help but look away.
It was a woman, dressed in white, walking Ying Ying, her aura transcendent, a beam of light reflecting down, appearing like a fairy, just standing there, making everything in heaven and earth pale in comparison.
The difference with the Empress is that the Empress’s high coolness is overbearing.
Whereas the woman’s high coldness in front of her was the kind of high coldness that came from within.
Such a stunning beauty on earth, Xu Qingnian could not help but sigh in admiration in his heart.
But only for a moment, Xu Qingnian withdrew her gaze, it was not like she had never seen such a beautiful woman before, so it was a normal reaction to be a little surprised.
Not far away, Shui Yunyan stood quietly, she glanced at Xu Qingnian, her gaze was very calm.
However, she didn’t move forward, she was a bit resistant.
Xu Qingnian didn’t bother to look at her either. Generally speaking, a high-cold beauty has more or less a problem with her brain, and to put it bluntly, she is arrogant.
The more arrogant Xu Qingnian is, the more she doesn’t like it. Just ask, who doesn’t like a good sister who is gentle and virtuous? Who likes a sister with a cold face all day long?
After finishing the books here, Xu Qingnian headed to the next area. It was hard to come to the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, so there was no reason to just read a little bit of the medicine scriptures.
About the saints, Xu Qingnian also had to find out properly.
Xu Qingnian walked away, purposely leaving from the other side to avoid contact with the other side.
Looking at Xu Qingnian who had left, Shui Yunyan slowly sighed with relief in her heart, and only after a while did she move and come to Xu Qingnian’s position just now and start reading.
Meanwhile.
In the Great Wei Palace.
Li Yanlong, the Minister of Works, slowly arrived in the Hall of Nourishing Heart.
“I, Li Yanlong, Minister of Works, pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
Li Yanlong spoke as he came with a thick stack of manuscripts.
“Stand at ease.”
The empress spoke.
And the latter immediately spoke.
“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works has spent three days to make the budget. For this water chariot project, fifty counties have been selected, and if all the top quality materials are used, fifty thousand taels will barely be enough, but if we add in the labour costs, another ten thousand taels will need to be added to the budget.”
Li Yanlong handed over the budget book and said in a serious manner.
On the dragon chair, the empress did not have any expression after hearing this price again, she had her own weighing in her mind.
There was indeed nothing wrong with this price, but it was a price she could not accept.
After a casual sweep of the budget book, the empress could not help but speak.
“50,000,000 taels, labour, materials, including maintenance and other costs should be included, no more but only less, can Ai Qing do it?”
The empress asked in this way.
Upon hearing this, Li Yanlong instantly laughed bitterly and said.
“Your Majesty, I have already reduced the budget to the lowest possible level, and if I go any lower, I am afraid that there are villains at work.”
“If Your Majesty is not satisfied, you can only find the Ministry of Finance to settle the matter, furthermore, I have been thinking about this trip for a long time, and the matter of the 50,000,000 taels allocation should be discussed with Minister Gu in any case.”
“There is a lot involved, the purchase of materials, the hiring of labour, the allocation of funds to various places and so on, the Ministry of Works alone does not guarantee that it will be perfect.”
Li Yanlong said honestly, for such a large project, many problems would certainly arise, such as some merchants exchanging very poor materials for profit, colluding up and down and embezzling silver.
This kind of can still be considered a way to prevent, but material purchase, you suddenly want such a large amount of materials, will everyone increase the price? After all, businessmen are not interested in profit, so as long as everyone totals up, they will definitely deliberately raise the price to make money.
Then again, 50,000,000 taels for materials is no problem, but what about labour? You can’t ask the people to help for nothing? Let the government publicise?
But the question is, are the people willing to agree?
The most real thing is to pay them.
This is why we have to discuss this matter with the Ministry of the Treasury, which is specifically responsible for this.
“Let’s talk about it in the courtroom tomorrow.”
The empress opened her mouth, and she remained indifferent.
It was true that 50,000,000 taels would be very difficult to implement in the fifty county lands.
But if it was reduced, she was not willing to do so, after all, the waterwheel project would benefit the country and the people.
It is still difficult to cross over to the Ministry of Household, but if we really let the Ministry of Household take over this matter, it will cause a lot of trouble, not for the Ministry of Household, but ……. It’s not a matter of the Ministry of the Treasury, but rather a matter of
The trade-off.
For the emperor, everything is a trade-off.
The waterwheel project she had to implement, even if it would encounter obstruction, she could not let it go unchecked.
“Your Majesty is wise.”
Li Yanlong shouted, and after that there was nothing else to do, he excused himself and left.
With Li Yanlong’s departure.
The empress also sat on the dragon chair in deep thought, and after a while, a voice suddenly sounded.
It was Zhao Wan’er’s voice.
“Your Majesty, slave servant has heard that Hua Xinyun seems to be returning to Kyoto.”
Zhao Wan’er spoke out, causing the empress to snap out of her contemplation.
“Hua Xinyun, why has he returned?”
Hearing the name, the empress was not surprised, though her tone was somewhat curious.
“It is said that a great scholar from the Great Wei Literary Palace invited him back, supposedly for the first imperial examinations of the new dynasty.”
“Nowadays, the Great Wei Literary Palace is all expecting Hua Xinyun to return, and some news has already spread outside that Hua Xinyun has been away for three years to clarify his intentions, and now that he has returned, he will complete his establishment on the day of the imperial examination.”
Zhao Wan’er said so.
“Establishing a speech?”
“The Great Wei Palace of Literature is finally feeling some pressure, even Hua Xinyun has called back, it seems that Xu Qingyan has put some pressure on them.”
“However, this person Hua Xingyun is always away, traveling around the world, I am afraid that his roots are not stable, he can be reused, but he should not be trusted.”
“Alright, accompany me to take a break.”
The empress was calm and did not seem to have a good feeling about this Hua Xinyun, but as an emperor, she would not judge a person because of her likes and dislikes.
As long as it could be helpful to the kingdom, no matter what.
The empress got up and left, Zhao Wan’er following behind her.
The sun was high in the sky, but it was not hot inside the palace.
Outside the palace, on the other hand, the heat was somewhat unbearable.
But at that moment, news spread that set the capital of Great Wei somewhat abuzz.
The people live in a simple way, eating, drinking and having fun, and then talking about some topics. If nothing big happens, they talk about how someone’s son is doing, and how someone’s daughter-in-law is doing? There was a new tea at the spring house.
But once something big happens, Kyoto seems incredibly lively.
“Hua Xinyun is coming back.”
A piece of news reached Kyoto, and at this moment the whole of Kyoto began to talk about it fervently.
“Hasn’t he gone to travel around the world? Why has he suddenly come back?”
“Hua Xinyun? What a familiar name… Oh, I remember, it’s the one who claims to be the number one literary figure in Great Wei, right?”
“The hope of the Great Wei Literary Palace, the most likely to become a second-grade sub-sage among the Zhu Sheng lineage, Hua Xinyun?”
“Why has he suddenly returned?”
“Who’s Hua Xinyun? I’ve just arrived in the capital and I’ve never even heard of this person.”
The people were hotly debating, and at first many of them were a little curious as to who Hua Xinyun was, but then they soon remembered this person.
It wasn’t that Hua Xinyun didn’t have much of a presence, rather his name was very well known throughout Great Wei, but it was about three years ago that Hua Xinyun left Great Wei to travel to other countries.
A clear intention to make a statement.
Now three years have pa*sed, and Great Wei has all changed emperors and gone through turmoil after turmoil. Put in a time of peace and prosperity, these three years might not be forgotten by people.
But at this juncture, having disappeared for three years, no one would really remember this name.
Even Xu Qingnian would not be remembered by the people if he suddenly disappeared for three years during the Northern Expedition of the Great Wei.
It was only when Xu Qingnian reappeared that the people would remember Xu Qingnian.
As the news spread more and more, soon Hua Xinyun’s name spread throughout the entire capital of Great Wei, and more and more people remembered this character, and for a while, there was even more talk.
“Hua Xinyun traveled around the world, I thought he had gone to serve in another dynasty? I didn’t expect it to be to make a clear statement.”
“There are talented people from generation to generation, the Hua Xinyun of three years ago was even more brilliant than the Xu Qingnian of now, but unfortunately, after three years of silence, now Xu Qingnian’s prestige is much greater than his.”
“Who the hell is this Hua Xinyun? Is there anyone to explain, I really don’t know.”
“Do you guys think that this Hua Xinyun is coming back at this juncture, is he looking for trouble with Xu Qingnian?”
“It’s very possible, coming back at this juncture, when it’s really possible.”
“Hiss, the Great Wei literary world, are two supreme new talents about to fight?”
“This is going to be a good show.”
The people were talking, at first just about what Hua Xinyun had been doing all these years, but soon some people speculated that Hua Xinyun had suddenly appeared at this juncture, was he looking for trouble with Xu Qingnian?
As soon as this speculation emerged, the conversation instantly heated up even more.
After all, one was a new talent in the literary world three years ago, and had received all kinds of praise from the Great Wei Literary Palace.
Even the late Emperor had praised Hua Xinyun, saying that it was a pity that Hua Xinyun was born twenty years too late.
With such high praise, Hua Xingyun became a new star in the literary world of Wei, but at the very moment when Hua was so highly regarded by the world, he left Wei to travel around the world, saying that he wanted to make his intentions clear and establish his words.
But many people suspected that he had betrayed Wei and wanted to serve in another country, and the Tusi and Chuyuan dynasties wanted him to leave.
The dynasties were in turmoil and the old and new were being exchanged, so there was no telling what might happen.
So Hua Xinyun’s departure also made the people very angry.
Now it was not expected that after three years, Hua Xinyun would actually come back.
Back to Great Wei.
And it just so happened that at this time, the new dynasty of Great Wei had also welcomed a great talent of the ages, Xu Qingnian.
This Hua Xinyun didn’t come back sooner or later, but came back at this time, so anyone would think there was something wrong.
The most likely thing is that he came back because of Xu Qingnian.
At no time could there be two suns in the literary world.
The people love to watch the action, especially when two such topical people collide.
Immediately afterwards another rumour emerged.
“Hua Xinyun has come back this time for Xu Qingnian, who has defiled the Zhu Sheng lineage, and he has come back this time to make Xu Qingnian understand that Zhu Sheng cannot be insulted.”
“Hua Xinyun has said that he will take the top spot in the new dynasty examination, so that Xu Qingnian will know what it means to be a true great talent.”
“You are mistaken, Hua Xinyun is not going to defeat Xu Qingnian at the imperial examinations, he is going to crush Xu Qingnian at the Taiping Poetry Competition, to trample Xu Qingnian’s most proud talent under his feet.”
“Inside information, inside information, all the great Confucians in the Great Wei Palace of Literature are waiting for Hua Xingyun, they are ready to ask for orders to go to the imperial court to beg for a position for Hua Xingyun, to completely fight Xu Qingye from both Confucian and official sides.”
“What kind of inside information is that? I am the one with the inside information, the Great Wei Palace of Literature has felt the pressure when they saw Xu Qingnian make his speech, this time they are purposely shouting Hua Xinyun back from the Sudden Evil Dynasty, and it is not to strike Xu Qingnian, but to make Xu Qingnian lose his reputation.”
“Please, tell me, who exactly is Hua Xinyun? I want to interject a word.”
All sorts of rumours were flying around Kyoto, and there were some inexplicable shadows in the mix, trying to stir up strife and get the two rookies to fight.
But there were also a small number of people who had no idea who Hua Xinyun really was.
Only soon, the topic changed once again, from what Hua Xinyun’s sudden return was for, to who was stronger, Hua Xinyun or Xu Qingnian.
The first to speak out were not the people, but the readers within Kyoto.
“Is there any need to ask? It must be Hua Xinyun, brother Hua ah, his talent and strategy, you and others simply can not appreciate, three years ago I have seen brother Hua once, he stood there, gave me the feeling as if a saint was in the world, Xu Qingye, he is also worthy?”
“Back then, Brother Nebula was so talented that you could not imagine how many women in Kyoto fell in love with him.
“During the Northern Expedition, Brother Xing Yun, alone, went to the border, cooperated with several marquises, and held the border so hard that Great Wei did not suffer a crisis, and later on, at the Three Daoist Congress, Hua Xing Yun even decided the situation with a single word, and fought to a draw.”
“Which of these deeds are not promoting the national prestige of our Great Wei? On the contrary, what Xu Qingnian did, disrespecting the great scholars, disrespecting the imperial court, and even beheading the county king for his own selfish desires, regardless of the consequences, claiming that he did it for the people, but it was Hua Xinyun, brother Hua, who really did it for the people.”
“To compare Xu Qingnian with Brother Hua is really an insult to Brother Hua.”
They had an indescribable respect for Hua Xinyun, but they were disparaging towards Xu Qingnian.
The good thing was that the people of Kyoto were not stupid and were not carried away by these scholars and spoke out their opinions.
“Hua Xinyun left Kyoto three years ago, he definitely didn’t go to express his intention to make a statement, at that time Great Wei was in turmoil, he was afraid that Great Wei would be gone, so he rushed to join others, afraid that it would be too late.
“Xu Qingnian does facts for the people and puts them first, where is he Hua Xinyun? He said he was going to the border to guard it, but he’s not there because he’s fishing for merits? Do you really think we are stupid? Those great scholars of the Great Wei Palace of Literature have long since made the arrangements clear.”
“Speaking of the border, I just remembered that he seemed to have had some disputes with the Marquis of Champions back then, didn’t he? Tsk, this would be much more interesting if the Marquis of Champions were to return as well.”
“Eh, yes, yes, yes, the Champion Marquis yelled at Hua Xinyun for not being a son of a man back then, and Hua Xinyun didn’t dare to say a word of Sh*t, but unfortunately, now the Champion Marquis is on guard at the border, so I guess he won’t be able to return for a short time.”
“That’s not the same, many things are rumours, I have actually met Hua Xinyun, he is indeed extraordinary and has talent, the late emperor did praise him.”
The people’s comments on Hua Xinyun were somewhat polarised, half of the people seemed to remember some things and were very disgusted with Hua Xinyun, while there were some people who had no prejudice against Hua Xinyun.
After all, many things were rumours, and then again most of the people were angry because of one thing, actually.
At a time of turmoil in Great Wei, his choice to leave and travel around the world was just an excuse. At least, no matter what, Hua Xinyun’s choice to leave at this juncture was just not right.
But no matter what, this day, Great Wei’s Kyoto was completely and utterly boiling.
And now.
Inside the Great Wei Palace of Literature.
In a study, four great scholars sat in silence.
Chen Zhengru, Sun Jing’an, Wang Xinzhi, and one Chen Xin.
As the four great Confucians gathered, the study looked somewhat serious.
Soon, Chen Zhengru’s voice slowly rang out.
“Nebula, why the sudden return? Chen Ru?”
Chen Zhengru said calmly, looking towards Chen Xin.
Hua Xinyun’s benefactor was Chen Xin.
“I don’t know, I only just received the news today.”
Great Confucian Chen Xin shook his head, he was not lying, it was also rather sudden, it was only today that he received the news of his own disciple’s return.
Chen Zhengru did not speak, but turned his gaze towards Sun Jing’an.
And the latter acted very silent, but under Chen Zhengru’s gaze, Sun Jing’an still spoke.
“There is nothing wrong with Nebula coming back, after all, it is also time, the first imperial examination of the new dynasty, we cannot miss it, plus the Taiping Poetry Competition, it is good to come back, at least it will give our Great Wei Palace of Literature a boost of face, so that we do not really make some people think that they are not worthy.”
Naturally, his words were directed at Xu Qingnian.
“Ridiculous!”
Chen Zhengru angrily rebuked, as he looked towards Sun Jing’an and spoke directly.
“At the beginning, when Xing Yun left Great Wei, I said that he would lose the hearts of the people unless he returned with his words, and now he is still only in the Bright Ideas realm, if we let him return, the voice of the people will most likely destroy his Confucian heart.”
“In order to suppress Xu Qingnian, you even called Nebula back. Sun Ru, you really don’t deserve to be a great Confucian.”
Chen Zhengru was a little angry.
But Sun Jing’an was also a great Confucian, although his official position was not as high as Chen Zhengru’s, but in the Great Wei Palace of Literature, the two had the same status.
“Chen Ru, it is not that I shouted at him to come back, but that he wanted to come back himself. Moreover, Xing Yun also said that he came back this time to make a speech, and to make a speech on the day of the imperial examinations, so is it not the same if he comes back earlier or later?”
“One more thing, Chen Ru, you can pay attention, Xu Qingnian is not a reader of the Zhu Sheng lineage, even if I really suppress him, so what? The Confucian Way is from the heart, and if he is better than Nebula, it is not suppression, but if he is not better than Nebula, then it can only be said that he, Xu Qingnian, is not talented.”
“How am I not worthy of the position of great Confucian? Everything I do is for the sake of Zhu Sheng, for the sake of the world’s scholars, but Chen Ru, you’re in a high position, you’ve lost your way, haven’t you?”
Sun Jing’an’s words were extremely impolite, just like pointing his nose and scolding Chen Zhengru for being an official for too long and putting his official authority here.
“Sun Ru is really as clever as a tongue.”
Chen Zhengru was not angry, this kind of ridicule was nothing, he was a great Confucian, he did not care about this kind of ridicule, and being in a high position, he would be questioned himself.
He was angry because Sun Jing’an had brought Hua Xinyun in order to suppress Xu Qingnian.
The court was easily quiet for a while, and he could see that Xu Qingnian wanted to keep a low profile, but he didn’t expect Sun Jing’an to want to provoke Xu Qingnian.
orders to go to the imperial court to beg for a position for Hua Xingyun, to completely fight Xu Qingye from both Confucian and official sides.”
“What kind of inside information is that? I am the one with the inside information, the Great Wei Palace of Literature has felt the pressure when they saw Xu Qingnian make his speech, this time they are purposely shouting Hua Xinyun back from the Sudden Evil Dynasty, and it is not to strike Xu Qingnian, but to make Xu Qingnian lose his reputation.”
“Please, tell me, who exactly is Hua Xinyun? I want to interject a word.”
All sorts of rumours were flying around Kyoto, and there were some inexplicable shadows in the mix, trying to stir up strife and get the two rookies to fight.
But there were also a few people who had no idea who Hua Xinyun really was.
Just as quickly, the topic changed once again, from what Hua Xinyun’s sudden return was about, to who was stronger, Hua Xinyun or Xu Qingnian.
The first to speak out were not the people, but the readers within Kyoto.
“Is there any need to ask? It must be Hua Xinyun, brother Hua ah, his talent and strategy, you and others simply can not appreciate, three years ago I have seen brother Hua once, he stood there, gave me the feeling as if a saint was in the world, Xu Qingye, he is also worthy?”
“Back then, Brother Nebula was so talented that you could not imagine how many women in Kyoto fell in love with him.
“During the Northern Expedition, Brother Xing Yun, alone, went to the border, cooperated with several marquises, and held the border so hard that Great Wei did not suffer a crisis, and later on, at the Three Daoist Congress, Hua Xing Yun even decided the situation with a single word, and fought to a draw.”
“Which of these deeds are not promoting the national prestige of our Great Wei? On the contrary, what Xu Qingnian did, disrespecting the great scholars, disrespecting the imperial court, and even beheading the county king for his own selfish desires, regardless of the consequences, claiming that he did it for the people, but it was Hua Xinyun, brother Hua, who really did it for the people.”
“To compare Xu Qingnian with Brother Hua is really an insult to Brother Hua.”
They had an indescribable respect for Hua Xinyun, but they were disparaging towards Xu Qingnian.
The good thing was that the people of Kyoto were not stupid and were not carried away by these scholars and spoke out their opinions.
“Hua Xinyun left Kyoto three years ago, he definitely didn’t go to express his intention to make a statement, at that time Great Wei was in turmoil, he was afraid that Great Wei would be gone, so he rushed to join others, afraid that it would be too late.
“Xu Qingnian does facts for the people and puts them first, where is he Hua Xinyun? He said he was going to the border to guard it, but he’s not there because he’s fishing for merits? Do you really think we are stupid? Those great scholars of the Great Wei Palace of Literature have long since made the arrangements clear.”
“Speaking of the border, I just remembered that he seemed to have had some disputes with the Marquis of Champions back then, didn’t he? Tsk, this would be much more interesting if the Marquis of Champions were to return as well.”
“Eh, yes, yes, yes, the Champion Marquis yelled at Hua Xinyun for not being a son of a man back then, and Hua Xinyun didn’t dare to say a word of Sh*t, but unfortunately, now the Champion Marquis is on guard at the border, so I guess he won’t be able to return for a short time.”
“That’s not the same, many things are rumours, I have actually met Hua Xinyun, he is indeed extraordinary and has talent, the late emperor did praise him.”
The people’s comments on Hua Xinyun were somewhat polarised, half of the people seemed to remember some things and were very disgusted with Hua Xinyun, while there were some people who had no prejudice against Hua Xinyun.
After all, many things were rumours, and then again most of the people were angry because of one thing, actually.
At a time of turmoil in Great Wei, his choice to leave and travel around the world was just an excuse. At least, no matter what, Hua Xinyun’s choice to leave at this juncture was just not right.
But no matter what, this day, Great Wei’s Kyoto was completely and utterly boiling.
And now.
Inside the Great Wei Palace of Literature.
In a study, four great scholars sat in silence.
Chen Zhengru, Sun Jing’an, Wang Xinzhi, and one Chen Xin.
As the four great Confucians gathered, the study looked somewhat serious.
Soon, Chen Zhengru’s voice slowly rang out.
“Nebula, why the sudden return? Chen Ru?”
Chen Zhengru said calmly, looking towards Chen Xin.
Hua Xinyun’s benefactor was Chen Xin.
“I don’t know, I only just received the news today.”
Great Confucian Chen Xin shook his head, he was not lying, it was also rather sudden, it was only today that he received the news of his own disciple’s return.
Chen Zhengru did not speak, but turned his gaze towards Sun Jing’an.
And the latter acted very silent, but under Chen Zhengru’s gaze, Sun Jing’an still spoke.
“There is nothing wrong with Nebula coming back, after all, it is also time, the first imperial examination of the new dynasty, we cannot miss it, plus the Taiping Poetry Competition, it is good to come back, at least it will give our Great Wei Palace of Literature a boost of face, so that we do not really make some people think that they are not worthy.”
Naturally, his words were directed at Xu Qingnian.
“Ridiculous!”
Chen Zhengru angrily rebuked, as he looked towards Sun Jing’an and spoke directly.
“Back then, when Nebula left Great Wei, I said that he would lose the hearts of the people unless he returned with his words, and now he is still only in the Bright Ideas realm, so if we let him return, the voice of the people will most likely destroy his Confucian heart.”
“You have called Nebula back in order to suppress Xu Qingnian, Sun Ru, you really don’t deserve the position of great Confucian.”
Chen Zhengru was a little angry.
But Sun Jing’an was also a great Confucian, although his official position was not as high as Chen Zhengru’s, but in the Great Wei Palace of Literature, the two had the same status.
“Chen Ru, it is not that I shouted at him to come back, but that he wanted to come back himself. Moreover, Xing Yun also said that he came back this time to make a speech, and to make a speech on the day of the imperial examinations, so is it not the same if he comes back earlier or later?”
“One more thing, Chen Ru, you can pay attention, Xu Qingnian is not a reader of the Zhu Sheng lineage, even if I really suppress him, so what? The Confucian Way is from the heart, and if he is better than Nebula, it is not suppression, but if he is not better than Nebula, then it can only be said that he, Xu Qingnian, is not talented.”
“How am I not worthy of the position of great Confucian? Everything I do is for the sake of Zhu Sheng, for the sake of the world’s scholars, but Chen Ru, you’re in a high position, you’ve lost your way, haven’t you?”
Sun Jing’an’s words were extremely impolite, just like pointing his nose and scolding Chen Zhengru for being an official for too long and putting his official authority here.
“Sun Ru is really as clever as a tongue.”
Chen Zhengru was not angry, this kind of ridicule was nothing, he was a great Confucian, he did not care about this kind of ridicule, and being in a high position, he would be questioned himself.
He was angry because Sun Jing’an had brought Hua Xinyun in order to suppress Xu Qingnian.
The court had been quiet for a while, and he could see that Xu Qingnian wanted to keep a low profile, but he didn’t expect Sun Jing’an to want to provoke Xu Qingnian.
And he shouted this man back directly.
Hua Xinyun is a double-edged sword, if used well, it can help the Great Wei Wen Gong to cut through the thorns, if not, this sword will hurt itself sooner or later.
Both of them are very proud, only Xu Qingnian is a bit more radical, but Hua Xinyun is not radical, he is very deep, so deep that it is difficult for them to see through, when the Marquis of Champions pointed at his nose and scolded him for not being a son.
He put up with it, but if it were Xu Qingnian, Xu Qingnian would have fought and killed the Marquis of Champions.
This kind of person is too scary, but it happens that this kind of person is extremely gifted in Confucianism, and this year he is only 24 years old, but he already has half a foot on the path of Riyuan.
And Hua Xinyun’s origins were terrifying and full of secrets.
Chen Zhengru did not want Hua Xinyun to return to Wei, at least not now. He wanted Wei to live in peace and stability for two years, and the battle in the imperial court was already deep and hot, so there should not be any more trouble at this juncture.
However, he did not expect Sun Jing’an to send a private and confidential letter to Hua Xinyun, asking him to come.
Disrupting all the situation.
“Chen Ru is joking.”
Sun Jing’an also spoke coldly.
“Well, the two of you should not argue about anything, in fact both of you are doing it for the good of Great Wei, Sun Ru wants the Wen Palace to be stable, Chen Ru wants Great Wei to be stable, both are good, both are good.”
“Since Xinyun is here, let him come, we should not argue over this matter now, what should be discussed now is what department to let Xinyun serve in, he is bound to join the imperial court when he returns this time.”
“Nowadays, the influence of the Palace of Literature in the court is indeed somewhat unworkable, furthermore, His Majesty is going to raise the Northern Expedition again, no matter what the outcome will be, we must be prepared, so it is a good thing for Nebula to return.”
Wang Xinzhi spoke up, he told the two to stop arguing and talk about business.
Once this was said, Chen Zhengru also said nothing, after all, having reached their level and having lived for so many years, they knew clearly in their hearts that things had happened and there was indeed no need to argue about anything else.
Is it useful to argue? It’s not like it will change anything.
“Go to the Ministry of Rites, it’s fine to arrange for a Rites Master.”
Chen Zhengru spoke directly, letting Hua Xinyun go as a guest of honour, an eighth-ranked official, not too high or too low.
“No!”
“Nixing Yun’s qualifications are those of the Great Wei Wenqu Star, how can he be a guest of honour? Chen Ru, you must not be prejudiced. Three years ago, the late emperor wanted Nebula to serve as a retainer, and three years later, you ask him to be a guest of honour? Furthermore, going to the Ministry of Rites? Isn’t that a great use of talent?”
Sun Jing’an was the first to disagree.
The most talented scholar in the Great Wei Palace of Literature, and he was going to the Ministry of Rites as a guest of honour? Isn’t that a joke?
Besides, Xu Qingnian had come up to be the head of the Ministry, a seventh-ranked official, and their talented son from the Great Wei Palace was only an eighth-ranked official? It wouldn’t work in any case.
“Why not? Three years ago is three years ago, three years ago Nebula didn’t cherish it, three years later he comes back, is it hard to make him a retainer? Do you think His Majesty agrees? The people of Kyoto themselves have some complaints about him, he has lost some of the hearts of the people, there is nothing wrong with making him a retainer, just right.”
Chen Zhengru spoke out directly, three years ago was three years ago, you hadn’t left Great Wei at that time, it was fine to let you be a retainer, but you didn’t want it yourself and had to leave Great Wei.
The word on your lips is to travel around the world and to make a clear statement, but what do you really want to do, who can guarantee?
Moreover, although he has travelled around the world to gain knowledge, there is no guarantee that he has not changed his mind.
“The fourth-ranking official is not a problem, but at least a fifth-ranking official position, otherwise, is this not another insult to the Great Wei Palace of Literature?”
Sun Jing’an was resolute, Hua Xinyun’s official rank was at least a fifth-ranking official minister.
“Chen Ru, there is indeed something wrong with an eighth-ranked host.”
Wang Xinzhi spoke up, although he was uncomfortable in his heart, he also thought that Sun Jing’an’s words had merit.
“Fifth rank? Sun Ru really knows how to open his mouth, then you ask His Majesty, I will not open this mouth.”
“But I must remind you, Great Wei is not a Confucian family.”
Chen Zhengru said coldly, this Sun Jing’an opened his mouth and asked for the fifth rank? How many people have never been promoted to the fifth rank in their lifetime? Even if Hua Xinyun was brilliant and had unparalleled qualifications, what could he do?
What if he comes in at the fifth rank? What about ten years later? What if he climbs directly to his own position?
“He has been to the border, served as an amba*sador, and has a talent for ruling the country, and even the late emperor praised him, so why can’t he be a fifth-rank official?”
Sun Jing’an laughed coldly, not calling him Chen Ru anymore, but directly Lord Chen, slightly sarcastic.
Every place has its own battles, there are battles at the imperial court, and there are also battles at the Great Wei Palace of Literature, where there are people there are rivers and lakes, and the battles between Sun Jing’an and Chen Zhengru made Great Confucian Chen Xin sigh.
“The two of you should not quarrel.”
“Hua Xinyun is my student, by rights, I support Sun Ru, just that after thinking about it, what Chen Ru said is also extremely true, how about this, become a principal, a seventh grade principal will do.”
“As for what department to go to, let Xing Yun he can think for himself, what do you two think?”
After all, Hua Xinyun was his student, so what could he do if his teacher said so?
And Chen Zhengru thought about it, but also just nodded, but still spoke.
“The Ministry of the Household and the Ministry of Officials, can not go, the remaining four ministries at will he it.”
Chen Zhengru said this, not to come to the Ministry of Officials is very simple, this department water is deeper, absolutely can not let Hua Xinyun come, especially Hua Xinyun travel around the world, how can come to the Ministry of Officials.
The reason for not going to the Household Department was also very simple: Xu Qingnian was in the Household Department, and he did not want the two to fight, especially since one was a fourth-ranking minister and the other a seventh-ranking director.
All three agreed on this point and could understand it, but Sun Jing’an still got up and said.
“Chen Ru, I still have to remind you of one thing, Confucianism has flourished for ten thousand years, and we are all disciples of the saints, so there are some things you should think over.”
After saying this, he turned around and left without looking back.
Chen Zhengru was left silent.
Hua Xinyun’s imminent arrival made the entire Great Wei Kyoto somewhat unsettled.
And so, time pa*sed.
The following day.
Above the courtroom.
Perhaps because the court had recently become rich and the treasury had had a full meal, there was much less friction between the civil and military officials.
The Ministry of Military Affairs was working day and night to write a new strategy for the Northern Expedition, the Ministry of Rites was preparing for the arrival of the envoys from the nations, and the Ministry of Household was planning how to develop Great Wei.
The Ministry of Justice is also working on various rules because of the business of the merchants, including the Ministry of Works, which is also busy with something, and the Ministry of Officials is the most leisurely.
After half an hour of deliberations on state affairs, Sun Jing’an was the first to speak out.
“Your Majesty, I learned today that Hua Xinyun, the star of Wei’s literary world, will be returning to Kyoto in the next two days.
“Now that Nixing Yun has travelled around the world and has achieved something, and that Wei is in need of talent, I would like to seek an official position for Nixing Yun, so that he can serve Wei and do his best.”
Sun Jing’an was the first to speak up, offering to ask for an official position for Hua Xinyun.
“What position do you seek?”
The empress spoke calmly.
“I think that a good position would be that of a minister in the Ministry of Military Affairs, as Hua Xinyun has been to the border and has good military skills.
Sun Jing’an spoke up, asking for Hua Xinyun to be a member of the Military Department.
The purpose of the request was well understood by all.
But when this was said, the Minister of Military Affairs could not help but stand out.
“Your Majesty, I don’t think it’s right.”
“Hua Xinyun has travelled around the world for three years, I dare not say whether Hua Xinyun has grown or not, but there is no shortage of people in the Ministry of Military Affairs nowadays, furthermore, to arrange for a position before the person arrives, although the court treasures talent, it is not so much to treasure talent.”
“I think it would be better to place him in the Ministry of Rites as an officer in charge, after all, Hua Xinyun has been an amba*sador before.
The Minister of War was the first to object.
Now that the Ministry of War is discussing new strategies for the Northern Expedition, you want to arrange for someone to come over and spy on them? Dream on.
“Your Majesty, there is no shortage of people in the Ministry of Rites, but I think the Ministry of Military Affairs is fine, Lord Squire, this new strategy for the Northern Expedition is of great importance.
The Minister of Rites came forward and pushed Hua Xinyun over again.
Their intention was simple: Hua Xinyun would go to the Ministry of War to monitor the Ministry’s new strategy for the Northern Expedition, and if he found anything wrong, he would come early to inform us, so that we could make plans and impeach and pick faults when we went to court.
If there is no problem with the new strategy of the Northern Expedition and His Majesty agrees to it, it will not be a problem if the Northern Expedition really starts again.
If it succeeded, Hua would have gotten a huge amount of merit for nothing.
Anyway, no matter what, Confucius Road did not lose out.
“Ridiculous, the Ministry of War is not a matter that can be entered by just a peripatetic? Then, according to what Squire Xu said, is it a person who leaves Great Wei and can come to my Ministry of War?”
“Please be clear, Your Majesty.”
The Minister of War was not stupid, how could he let Hua Xinyun come over and pick the peach?
Both sides argued, and the empress did not care about this matter at all, he stopped the battle in the court and spoke directly.
“Alright, let’s wait until Hua Xinyun enters the court and discuss the matter on another day.”
When she said this, both sides shut up and stopped talking; the emperor had spoken, and there was nothing they could say.
It was also at this point that the empress spoke directly.
“Dear Ministers, there is something that I need to talk about today.”
When the voice rang out, the civil and military officials were all a little curious, normally Her Majesty would not take the initiative to mention anything, but once this was mentioned, it was definitely not a trivial matter.
“A few days ago, the seasonal harvest of good rice fields, a capital of South Yufu, increased in value by forty percent compared to early rice.”
“The reason for this is a thing called a waterwheel, which can transport water from a hundred miles away to the people’s fields.”
“It is a divine tool of the Great Wei, and I have asked the Ministry of Works to build a model, so you can see it carefully.”
As the empress said this, several eunuchs slowly came and carried a model over and then placed it on the courtroom.
In a moment, the civil and military officials looked at it in unison.
A small water chariot appeared, running on its own.
“A water chariot? What is this thing?”
“Transporting a hundred miles of water? Is it so magical?”
“It looks simple, but it does have such a miraculous effect.”
“Is this a new invention of the Ministry of Works?”
They were all the smartest people in the world, and after just a few glances and a little thought, they were able to perceive the importance of this object.
It was at this moment that Li Yanlong, the Minister of Works, slowly walked out.
“Your Majesty! My Lords, the Ministry of Works has been studying this object for several days, and it can indeed transport water, and it is simple to operate, and can increase food production for Great Wei.”
“A conservative estimate is that it can double Great Wei’s grain production.”
Li Yanlong did not dare to say too much, he could only say double, and this was based on his speculation, but of course if it was used on abandoned good land, it was impossible to say, it could be more.
But the mere doubling of the amount was a moment when the entire court was in an uproar.
“Doubling the grain yield?”
“This can double Wei’s food production? Is this true, Minister Li?”
“If it can really double Wei’s grain production, then this is really a divine weapon for Wei.”
“With something like this, Wei’s revival is just around the corner.”
The crowd was shocked.
The most intuitive thing about doubling the food production is that the people will have enough to eat, they will be able to have children without worrying, and the tax revenue of Great Wei will also be doubled, after all, 70% of the national tax comes from the good land tax.
It is not too much to say that it is a divine tool for Wei.
But at that very moment, a voice rang out.
It was that of the Minister of Household Affairs, Gu Yan.
“Your Majesty, so how much silver will it cost to build this?”
Gu Yan asked directly, he was shocked at first, and even a little excited, after all, with the doubling of the food production, the revenue of the treasury could skyrocket again.
But the problem was, it didn’t feel very cheap.
The empress didn’t open her mouth to answer, instead Li Yanlong spoke up.
“Recall, Shang Shu, that a waterwheel extending fifty miles would cost ten thousand taels to build.”
Li Yanlong replied.
Ten thousand taels? It was not much.
This was the first reaction of the hundred officials, but then Gu Yan continued to ask.
“How many prefectures can be supplied with water?”
He asked this.
“Er …… A township’s worth of land.”
Li Yanlong was slightly slow, but answered anyway, there was no way out, there was no escaping the topic.
“Hiss!”
In the next moment, the civil and military officials drew a cold breath.
Ten thousand taels? A township of land?
If this was done all over the country, wouldn’t it be more than a hundred thousand million taels of silver? No, this didn’t take into account labour and so on.
Gu Yan’s face turned pale at first.
But he composed himself and looked to the empress and said.
“Your Majesty, how many water carts do you intend to make?”
He asked directly, if it wasn’t much, it would be fine, spend some silver or silver, the treasury had money now anyway.
But there was a fear that the empress would want to make a mess.
“I intend to, first of all, use the fifty counties as a pilot, and also to make the food production of Great Wei increase as soon as possible, one more of this item will solve some of the hungry people, what do you all think?”
The Empress said her plan.
But as her voice fell, in a flash, many ministers’ faces turned pale.
“Your Majesty!”
“It must not be done!”
Gu Yan was the first to object.
His face was serious as he looked towards the empress and said.
“Although there is a surplus in the treasury now, there are still many places in Great Wei that need silver, and although this is excellent, in the end it will not instantly double Great Wei’s food production.”
“Furthermore, the increase in food production in one capital of the Southern Region does not mean that all places will adapt.”
“In my opinion, it can be manufactured in large quantities, but one county can be used as a pilot, and after a year, if there are really miraculous results, then gradually increase, not in one step.”
Gu Yan opened his mouth, and he rejected it outright.
The water chariot was good, and it did look good, but whether it would work or not was an open question.
Secondly, even if it was really useful, the Great Wei treasury did not have much silver, so if this was done, who would accept it if it went back to the pre-Liberation era?
As things stand now, we should save our silver and spend it as we should, but not as we should.
It can be piloted, but definitely not all 50 counties should make this kind of waterwheel in one breath, it will easily cause trouble.
“Your Majesty, I also think it is not appropriate, I hope Your Majesty will think twice.”
In the next moment, the military officials also spoke in unison.
They quickly reacted.
If they really wanted to develop this vigorously, then there would be no hope for the Northern Expedition.
Even 70,000,000 taels of silver would not be enough for the Northern Expedition, not to mention the direct ma*s production of waterwheels now.
For fifty counties, it would cost at least 50,000,000 taels, right? Even with the cost of labour and so on, 60,000,000 taels would not be excessive.
If that happens, the treasury of Wei will be empty, so what’s the point of fighting a war?
“I hope Your Majesty will think twice.”
The civil officials, with the exception of the Ministry of Works, were all opposed to the idea, and they were extremely opposed to it.
We are all happy that the treasury has money, after all, if we really need the silver, the Ministry of the Treasury will not not allocate it.
But if the treasury is empty again, no one will be able to afford it.
Moreover, it is still a question of whether this can be adapted to the whole country.
It is normal and reasonable to oppose it.
“A tool to benefit the country, and you are preventing this? Do you have a better solution? Something that will add value to Great Wei’s food production?”
The Empress’s voice, slightly cold, and her gaze indifferently gazed at the hundred officials.
When these words were spoken, the faces of the hundred officials changed.
They could hear that the empress was really angry.
If this was refused again, it would be clear that Her Majesty was not in her sights.
This was a great taboo!
But even so, Gu Yan’s voice continued to ring out.
“Your Majesty! This item is indeed beneficial to the country, but nowadays, Great Wei is unable to produce this item in large quantities, so I hope Your Majesty will think twice.”
“If Your Majesty is bent on having his own way, then I will resign from the Ministry of Household Affairs.”
Gu Yan was resolute as he knelt on the ground and spoke in a decisive tone.
Spending 50,000,000 taels, or even 60,000,000 taels, 70,000,000 taels in one breath.
This was for him.
It was simply unacceptable.
So by doing so, he was telling the empress again.
This matter, it was impossible.
The rest of the ministers, however, did not dare to say anything else, this matter was still mainly a matter for the Ministry of the Household, they could not interfere, nor could they touch the dragon’s authority.
“Do you think I don’t dare?”
Finally, the empress’ angry voice rang out.
She had hardly ever moved in anger since she had ascended to the throne, but now she was furious.
“Your Majesty, calm your anger!”
The hundred officials knelt in unison and worshipped.
And Gu Yan shook his head.
“Naturally, I believe in it, but I am also thinking of Great Wei, and if Your Majesty is bent on having his own way, I will never compromise.”
Gu Yan’s attitude was unusually firm.
No, just no.
For a moment, the courtroom was a tit-for-tat.
The atmosphere was so strange that it was frightening.
The next moment, the empress’s voice rang out with a cold intent.
“Retire the court!”
