She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 547 - 545: Peach Grove and Wasteland?

Chapter 547: Chapter 545: Peach Grove and Wasteland?

The Emperor nodded and instructed, "There’s no need for further discussion, it must be right. Hasn’t the hand-cranked hoist already been tested? I’ve heard about that device, they say the maximum load is carved on the iron shell. Craftsmen from Qingyuan County have explained that they tested it, and the actual lifting capacity of the hand-cranked hoist is far greater than the maximum load. This shows that the Mechanical Workshop is very cautious in their work. Since they’ve managed to deliver the device to the capital, it must have been well thought out."

The Emperor then ordered Jinrong, "Send someone to Qingyuan County to send a message, asking them to send over the lathe plans for making bolts and nuts, along with skilled craftsmen who can operate it proficiently, to the capital as soon as possible. This needs to be handled promptly. By next spring, the court plans to lay rails between Heyuan Commandery and Liaoyuan Prefecture, and we cannot afford any delays."

Although Jinrong showed little emotion, he agreed promptly, nodding immediately in response.

"As for the hand-cranked hoist," the Emperor looked at Jinrong, "it’s also a good item. How about it, let’s make a fair deal with the Ministry of Works and transfer the hand-cranked hoist to the court, what do you say?"

Having been listless at first, Jinrong perked up at this and sat bolt upright, "Imperial Father, this won’t do. The threaded fasteners were transferred because I couldn’t produce them myself, and I couldn’t delay the court’s projects. However, hand-cranked hoists are not consumables, they can be reused, and I assure you I can supply enough for the Ministry of Works. You should also let me make some silver, I still rely on the Mechanical Workshop producing these items to make a living. Haven’t you always said that the court should not compete with the people for profit?"

The Emperor frowned and glanced at the ever composed Prince Fu before rebuking, "Look at you, what kind of appearance is that? Does the court really lack what you need to eat and wear?" Though he said this, he did not bring up the hand-cranked hoist again.

After discussing the specifics of the threaded fasteners and the lathe, it was decided to specifically assign an official in charge of this project. The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing Han Yanhui, Prince Fu, among others, and kept Jinrong for a private conversation.

As Prince Fu stood up, he glanced at Jinrong. Since the first court session the day before yesterday, Prince Yu had been lacking in spirit. How could others not know the uses of the hand-cranked hoist, when even he should be aware? Yet, he carelessly entrusted his advisors to take care of the matter, without showing his face and tried it out hastily. It was only because the Imperial Father had sent people that the trial results reached the Emperor so quickly.

Prince Fu was indeed surprised; could it be that Prince Yu truly had no interest in governmental affairs, allowing his role as Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel to get him down like this?

Of course, the Emperor knew that Jinrong wouldn’t be troubled over an assistant role, but he didn’t believe that it was all due to a woman who had separated from her husband. However, a proper rebuke was still necessary.

The Eunuch brought in fresh tea, and the Emperor finally said, "The matter of the fasteners is urgent, don’t take it lightly. Just like with the hand-cranked hoist, when you casually leave it to the advisors in your mansion, the lower officials will also take it lightly. If it wasn’t for me sending someone to check, who knows when it would have been reported to me? This isn’t just causing delays."

Jinrong lifted his eyelids and looked at the Emperor, uninterestedly making a sound of acknowledgment and then staying silent.

The Emperor frowned and said sternly, "I’ll just tell you plainly today, you should stop thinking about the Ye Family girl, it’s definitely not going to happen. Get to work on your tasks quickly, that is what you should do as a man, as a prince. Ye Xinyan is talented, so let her be employed where she can make the most of her abilities, and nothing else."

Thinking of Ye Xinyan, far away in Clear Water Village, and then of his Royal Mother, whom he rarely saw even once a year, who never forgot to ask His Majesty about his marriage whenever they met, Jinrong’s face grew even sourer, but he didn’t dare to talk back to the Emperor.

The Emperor then asked, "From now on, Ye Xinyan is just a talented, capable subject of the Great Xia Dynasty. Let me ask you, does the manufacture of the lathe require Ye Xinyan to personally return to take charge?"

After a moment of silence, Jinrong replied, "There are still many matters in Qingyuan County; Ye Xinyan cannot leave for the time being. As for the lathe, I’ve inquired about it. The work is done by the craftsman below, so it shouldn’t be necessary for her to return."

Many matters? The Emperor became interested and asked, "Is that small village in Qingyuan County producing other tools? What if we move your Mechanical Workshop to the capital? There are many skilled artisans in the capital, the efficiency in developing new tools is likely to be higher."

Jinrong, already in a bad mood, immediately turned his eyes away upon hearing his Imperial Father’s clearly ulterior motive, "Imperial Father, are you scheming against my business? Moving the tool-making workshop to the capital? I’m afraid it won’t take more than two years for the workshop to become a subordinate institution of the Ministry of Works."

The Emperor stroked his beard and made a relaxed shift in his seat, then coughed awkwardly before saying, "Look at how petty you are; with the family business this grand, why would I scheme against your possessions?"

"As a prince, I too once thought there was nothing in this world that could captivate me, but it was only after meeting Miss Ye from Yuyuan Prefecture that I realized, there are still many wonderful and interesting things in this world." Jinrong returned coolly.

The Emperor chuckled at his enthusiasm, "You’ve become quite spirited. What exactly is Ye Xinyan busy with in Qingyuan County? I hear Duke An wants her to return soon and has been urging her."

Jinrong considered, knowing that sooner or later the Emperor would find out about Jiang Yifan’s affairs and the wooden rail, it was better to come from his own mouth rather than let others gossip.

"In the wasteland, sixty miles from Clear Water Village, there is a large Peach Grove that Ye Xinyan is very optimistic about. She bought that land, and built a dairy farm around it..."

A large peach grove? Wasteland? The Emperor was taken aback, "How can there be a large peach grove on wasteland? Don’t tell me you two, by abusing your power, have taken over someone’s orchard and paid the price of barren land?" If that was the case, he had truly misjudged this youngster and Ye Xinyan.

"What are you talking about, Imperial Father?" Jinrong immediately protested, indignantly saying, "Do you see me as such a person? That’s a wild peach forest that has grown for who knows how many years, only producing peach pits of thumb size, with dried-out skin and no flesh."

Watching Jinrong roll his eyes continuously, the Emperor found himself awkward again, "Ahem... Well, after building the dairy farm, then what? Continue."