Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 39: Special Treatment

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Special Treatment

Meng Sanbao’s eyes widened. Next to him, Qin Hu was equally speechless.

How did the silent boy become Mr. Cui?

The Commandery Princess even specially invited him to sit at the banquet?

Cui Du stood up calmly and followed Yin Zhu to the officials’ table, sitting below Shen Mu.

Shen Mu was usually aloof and slightly eccentric, not fond of speaking. Today, however, his eyes were full of appreciation as he looked at Cui Du: "Mr. Cui, how old are you this year?"

Cui Du pointed to his throat and shook his head.

Shen Mu was taken aback: "Mr. Cui cannot speak?"

Cui Du nodded.

What a pity! He’s actually a silent boy.

Shen Mu, feeling a bit regretful, understood the well-intentioned effort of the Commandery Princess. Such a great merit was enough for an official to rise in ranks, but a young boy who couldn’t speak was destined not to enter officialdom. It was best not to attract too much attention.

Shen Mu was straightforward, and after thinking for a moment, he whispered: "This new-style plow is a significant contribution for the country and the people. The credit is primarily yours; no one can take that away. Even if the Commandery Princess doesn’t announce it publicly, I’ll remember it. If the court rewards me with a promotion, I won’t refuse. However, if there’s any silver as a reward, I won’t take a single penny; it’ll all go to you."

Cui Du didn’t hesitate and nodded in agreement.

In truth, even in his time, it was common for superiors to take credit from their subordinates. This Minister of Industry, Shen, was honest and sincere.

Shen Mu didn’t know what Cui Du was thinking and proactively served him dishes.

Yang Zhengwen’an, sharing the table, noticed all this and found it intriguing.

Shen Mu, true to his name, was like a piece of wood in such settings, not fond of speaking and only focused on eating. Yet today, he paid particular attention to this Mr. Cui and even whispered secrets.

Just what kind of person is this Mr. Cui?

Why did the Commandery Princess specially place him at the officials’ table and accord him such respect?

Only Qiu Yuanshang paid no attention to these things. Lately, he felt as if his very being was sapped, numbly waiting for the Ministry of Personnel’s documents.

"What do you think this silent boy did?" Qin Hu nudged Meng Sanbao with his elbow: "Why is the Commandery Princess treating him with such courtesy and instructing Yin Zhu to address him as Mr. Cui?"

Only now did Meng Sanbao close his mouth: "How would I know? It seems the things Yin Zhu reminded me about a few days ago were serious. We need to treat the silent boy more respectfully from now on."

Qin Hu rolled his eyes at him: "Stop calling him a silent boy; address him as Mr. Cui."

Reluctantly, Meng Sanbao corrected himself: "Yes, Mr. Cui." He racked his brains, and suddenly, a realization hit him, prompting him to whisper: "A couple of days ago, the silent boy thanked the Commandery Princess, and afterward, Shen Gongzheng led the workshop craftsmen to create the new-style plow, which turned out to be a big success. Could this have something to do with the silent boy?"

Qin Hu touched his chin: "Quite possibly. Who would’ve thought the silent boy had such talent and ability? Let’s not bully him anymore."

Meng Sanbao agreed with a hum.

...

After lunch, everyone headed back to the mansion.

Mr. Zhao, eager for recognition, shamelessly took the new-style plow used for half a day’s farming back to the mansion after they returned.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t mind. If the craftsmen could make one following the blueprint, they could make ten or a hundred of them. This first plow indeed had unique significance, and presenting it to Empress Dowager Zheng seemed most fitting.

Jiang Shaohua called Shen Mu over, entrusting him with an important task: "Minister Shen, at today’s spring plowing ceremony, you saw firsthand the utility of the new-style plow. It not only saves on lumber but is also efficient and easy to use."

"Immediately lead the workshop’s personnel to create new-style plows. Even if other counties miss this spring’s farming season, at least let the people of Nanyang County use them first."

Shen Mu agreed without a second thought.

But Jiang Shaohua, feeling a little concerned, took the initiative to ask, "There’s also the need to build more granaries; can the workshop manage?"

Shen Mu replied, "Relying solely on a dozen craftsmen isn’t enough. I request the Commandery Princess to order the recruitment of all the carpenters and blacksmiths in Nanyang County. We must first produce a batch of new-style plows. We also need to recruit a batch of masons, as the granary locations have been selected and the lumber prepared, with plans to start construction after spring plowing."

Jiang Shaohua smiled with praise: "Minister Shen’s dedication to duty is commendable. When the new-style plow is presented to the court, there will surely be rewards, and I will definitely reward you generously too."

Shen Mu immediately replied, "I’m only doing my duty and cannot accept such praises from the Commandery Princess. If a reward is given, it should be to Mr. Cui and the craftsmen in the workshop."

"Rest assured, they will all be rewarded," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile.

Shen Mu seriously asserted, "Mr. Cui deserves the primary credit."

Jiang Shaohua nodded, "I have other plans for him, so don’t expect him to join the workshop."

Shen Mu, having his thoughts revealed, didn’t feel embarrassed: "I hoped Mr. Cui could draw several more blueprints. Then, we could divide the craftsmen into groups, each with a blueprint, to speed up the creation of new-style plows."

Jiang Shaohua also thought this was a good idea and immediately gave an order: "Please invite Mr. Cui over."

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Cui Du, now elevated to "Mr. Cui," arrived with head held high.

Jiang Shaohua, with a kind demeanor, said, "I want to promote the new-style plow throughout Nanyang County, which requires recruiting carpenters and blacksmiths, and preparing several sets of the new-style plow’s blueprints. Could you kindly draw twenty copies?"

Shen Mu: "..."

Wasn’t it just a few copies? How did it become twenty copies when the Commandery Princess mentioned it?

Mr. Cui is still a child!

Cui Du didn’t feel any fatigue, energetically nodding. Then he looked at Jiang Shaohua with eager eyes.

Jiang Shaohua saw through Cui Du’s thoughts at a glance and smiled, saying: "The field manor you saw today is within the city and is only two hundred acres, a small estate. Once you’re done with the blueprints, I’ll take you outside the city to see a larger field manor. You can choose whichever you prefer."

There’s an even bigger field manor.

He can choose whichever he wants!

Overjoyed, Cui Du’s smile widened. Without saying another word, he took a fine charcoal pencil and a stack of pre-cut paper from his sleeve pocket and began drawing the blueprints on the side.

Shen Mu should have taken his leave but was reluctant to go. Instead, he shamelessly stayed to help spread the paper while sneaking a few glances.

Jiang Shaohua, with a gentle smile, sent someone to invite Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming to discuss the promotion of the new-style plow.

Chen Zhuo immediately said, "I will draft the documents right away and then request the Commandery Princess’s seal."

All documents from the Nanyang Prince Mansion were handled by Chen Zhuo. For the past year, Jiang Shaohua was essentially a human stamp, only in charge of sealing.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Chen Zhuo.

Chen Zhuo keenly sensed his oversight and respectfully amended his statement: "I will draft the documents and seek the Commandery Princess’s consideration and approval. If there are any inadequacies, I will make the necessary adjustments."

That’s more like it.

Jiang Shaohua nodded in satisfaction: "Then, I’ll leave it to Chief Historian Chen."

"Recruiting craftsmen requires wages," Feng Wenming, a competent minister, knew his duty without needing the Commandery Princess’s instructions: "I’ll calculate the expenses and allocate the silver to the workshop."