ebookland Chapter 110 Court Meeting
Chapter 110 Court Meeting
Half a day later, Shen Junru stepped forward first.
"Your Majesty, I believe this method is feasible and beneficial to the country and its people."
"Grand Tutor Shen, you are mistaken. Although what Magistrate Xiao said in his memorial is indeed very tempting..."
But whether it's true or not, we have no way of knowing. Should we pursue such a vague and uncertain method?
"Should we really waste public funds and resources, squandering the hard-earned silver in the national treasury?"
The speaker was Ren Xuan, the Minister of Revenue. Ren Xuan, who had looked kind and gentle before, was now like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his whiskers bristling and his eyes wide with anger.
“Lord Ren’s words make a lot of sense,” Commander Yu chimed in.
"My lords, Magistrate Xiao would not speak without reason. Moreover, he has already presented the cement formula in detail. In addition, there was the alcohol mentioned earlier. Do you still not believe Magistrate Xiao?" Shen Junru's voice was firm and powerful.
Many officials have already begun to waver.
But then Grand Commandant Yu spoke up again.
"Grand Tutor Shen's strong recommendation of this matter is probably not because Xiao Qinian is your close disciple and you have a personal relationship with him," Grand Commandant Yu said sarcastically before adding righteously:
"Grand Tutor Shen, don't forget that this is a matter of national importance. Don't use the Great Zhou's national treasury for your own personal feelings."
Shen Junru was furious at what Grand Commandant Yu said, but this was the imperial court, and he couldn't bring himself to argue with someone on the spot.
"You don't need to worry about this, Grand Commandant Yu. I will find a way."
“Your Majesty, Minister Ren is right. Although the cement formula is detailed, it has not been put into practice. It would be inappropriate to invest a large amount of money rashly.”
"Oh? Does the Grand Tutor have any ideas?" Although the two had already agreed on a plan yesterday, the emperor pretended not to know anything at this moment.
"Your Majesty, I believe we can build a small workshop in Qianyuan County as an experiment. If it works, we can then mass-produce it later," Shen Junru said, glancing at the somewhat smug Grand Commandant Yu beside him.
"Do you, my esteemed ministers, think this method is feasible?" the emperor asked, his gaze lingering on Grand Commandant Yu and the Minister of Revenue.
Grand Commandant Yu's expression froze, and he remained silent.
Ren Xuan spoke up: "Your Majesty, I believe the Grand Tutor's method is feasible."
Ren Xuan was a loyal minister. He disagreed just now only because the national treasury was indeed not full, and he was also worried that it would harm the foundation of the country.
However, this method will not affect the national treasury, so he is naturally willing to accept it.
"Good, good, do any of you have any other opinions?" The emperor was pleased, but he still asked the officials.
"Since none of you ministers have any objections, then this matter is settled."
“Minister Shen, you are in full charge of this matter. Minister Ren, please cooperate with Minister Shen.”
"Yes," Shen Junru and Ren Xuan said in unison.
After the court session ended, the officials walked out.
Grand Commandant Yu looked at Shen Junru with a grim expression and said, "Grand Tutor Shen is truly remarkable. He spares no effort for his disciple."
Shen Junru remained unmoved and said with a smile, "I am not like Grand Commandant Yu who only knows how to talk. I do all this for the people of Great Zhou."
The officials behind them, listening to the sparks flying between the two bigwigs, all slowed their pace considerably.
"Hmph, I'm no match for Grand Tutor Shen's silver tongue." Grand Commandant Yu snorted coldly upon hearing this and strode out.
"Sigh!" Shen Junru sighed and prepared to go to the Minister of Revenue to discuss matters.
Shen Junru was devoted to the country, but Grand Commandant Yu always seemed to be at odds with him.
Tobe
Grand Tutor Shen did not return home, but instead went to the Ministry of Revenue with the Minister of Revenue.
"Master, how much silver is needed to build a workshop in Qianyuan County?" Ren Xuan asked.
Shen Junru recalled the estimated price in Xiao Qinian's letter to him and asked, "One hundred thousand taels?"
"One hundred thousand taels?" Ren Xuan said, a figure he could accept.
"Alright, then it'll be 100,000 taels."
Shen Junru hadn't expected things to go so smoothly; the Minister of Revenue, usually so stingy, was surprisingly generous this time.
"Then thank you very much, Lord Ren."
"Grand Tutor, you're too kind. It's all for the sake of the Great Zhou." Although Ren Xuan was quite stingy, he was still very wise when it came to the interests of the country.
"In that case, I'll be going now." Shen Junru still planned to go and find the Minister of Works.
"Grand Tutor, please take care." Ren Xuan rose to see him off.
"Lord Ren, please wait." After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Shen Junru headed towards the Ministry of Works.
At this time, the Ministry of Works was bustling with activity, as everyone was busy with the emperor's orders.
When Shen Junru entered, he saw this scene: a group of officials from the Ministry of Works were arguing and arguing about how to set up an alcohol workshop.
The Minister of Works, who was suffering from a headache, had his eyes light up when he saw Shen Junru enter.
He could ask Shen Junru, since alcohol was something Shen Junru's disciple made.
He probably knows more about it.
Minister of Works Yan Sheng immediately went to greet him warmly.
"Grand Tutor Shen, what brings you here? Please have a seat."
"Lord Yan, I've come to see you about something," Shen Junru said after sitting down.
"Oh?" Yan Sheng was surprised. He was actually able to help Grand Tutor Shen. He had just been thinking of asking Grand Tutor Shen for help, but Grand Tutor Shen spoke first.
"That's right, aren't we going to build a cement workshop in Qianyuan County?"
However, Qianyuan County is a small county town, and there aren't many craftsmen to be found.
If the workshop can't be built in time, I'm thinking of borrowing some people from the Ministry of Works. Actually, we could go to the emperor and have him issue the order directly.
However, Shen Junru still thought he should come to the Ministry of Works first, and if that didn't work, then he would go to the Emperor.
He wanted to complete the cement workshop as soon as possible to appease the discontented officials in the court.
"I see. But..." Yan Sheng hesitated.
"Lord Yan, please speak frankly about your thoughts."
"Grand Tutor, as you know, His Majesty ordered the Ministry of Works to build a wine-making workshop, but I'm afraid they won't be able to spare too many people." Upon hearing this, Yan Sheng didn't mince words and spoke his mind.
"Well..., could Lord Yan possibly spare a few people?" Shen Junru had also thought of this matter and was indeed in a bit of a dilemma.
"Maximum ten people."
"Okay, sure." There aren't many people, but it's better than none.
"Okay, then I'll make the arrangements." Yan Shengjian and Shen Junru didn't make things difficult for him, and Yan Shengjian felt much more relaxed.
"Grand Tutor Shen, I also have something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Please speak, Lord Yan."
"His Majesty has ordered us to build an alcohol workshop, but we are now at a loss as to where to begin. Does Grand Tutor Shen have any good ideas?" It's not that they don't know how to build a workshop, but they have never been to this place before and don't know what kind of workshop would be most suitable.
He wanted to build it once and for all, without having to make constant repairs later.
"I don't know much about this matter."
As soon as Shen Junru finished speaking, Yan Sheng was somewhat disappointed.
"However, we could write to Magistrate Xiao and inquire about it."
Yan Sheng's eyes lit up again. That's right, he could ask Xiao Qinian. Xiao Qinian was the one who knew best.
"Thank you for the reminder, Grand Tutor Shen. I'll write the letter right away." Yan Sheng's eyes shone brightly.
"Lord Yan, you're too kind." Shen Junru understood that it wasn't that Yan Sheng hadn't thought of it, but rather that they had never taken Xiao Qinian, this minor official, seriously, which was why they hadn't remembered him.
However, Shen Junru was not angry. Xiao Qinian was indeed a minor official at the moment. In the capital, where there were officials of the fourth rank and above everywhere, he was no match for him. However, this was only temporary. He believed that it would not be long before Xiao Qinian would catch everyone's eye.
"In that case, I'll take my leave." Having achieved his goal, Shen Junru prepared to depart.
"Grand Tutor Shen, please take care."