She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 549 - 547: Where Should We Place This Kid?

Chapter 549: Chapter 547: Where Should We Place This Kid?

The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh. Had Jiang Yifan, who had done something wrong, become a commendable and responsible official just because of Jinrong’s explanation?

The Emperor tapped Jinrong in rebuke, "To ensure the delivery of cow’s milk, you go to such lengths to find excuses for Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan. I only appointed you as Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel, but look at you these past two days, so lethargic, as if frostbitten. Even if the cheese business makes money, is it more important than the mountains and rivers of the Great Xia Dynasty? It’s as if you can’t prioritize!"

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Jinrong knew he had passed this hurdle. He stood up straight and defended himself, "Your son hasn’t neglected his official duties, Imperial Father may ask the four Chancellors of the Cabinet and the high officials of the Ministry of Personnel, I attend roll call every day."

The Emperor said irritably, "You’re just good at exploiting such loopholes, aren’t you? Roll call? If mere attendance could get things done, why would I need so many officials? All right, all right, get up, you’re becoming more and more improper."

Jinrong stole another glance at the Emperor before he slowly climbed up from the ground, the effort making the Emperor quite angry, "Is this dawdling for me to see? You think I’ve wronged you, is that it?"

Jinrong bowed and said, "Imperial Father is wise, indeed your son has the court’s interests at heart and does not wish for you to mistakenly blame an official who is dedicated to serving the court."

The Emperor almost spat on him, "You call this having the court’s interests at heart? If there wasn’t such profitable cheese business, would you be this committed? As a prince, to be so passionate about profit and loss—it truly tarnishes the royal family’s reputation."

Jinrong disagreed, "To be self-reliant, to work for one’s own livelihood, to secure a family fortune—what a glorious thing. How has it become disgraceful in Imperial Father’s eyes? If everyone in The Celestial Empire could be like your son, the nation would be wealthy and the people content—it wouldn’t just be empty talk."

Seeing the Emperor about to get angry again, Jinrong quickly changed the topic, "Our Mechanical Workshop creates new and unique tools; Clear Water Village is still too noisy. Miss Ye plans to set up the workshop in Peach Grove, several large workshops are already built, just waiting to relocate in spring. Peach Grove doesn’t need roads, only a special wooden railway for transportation, which is also good for the workshop; it avoids the complexity of human affairs and doesn’t disturb the craftsmen in their work and research. Imperial Father, don’t you agree?"

Faced with this slippery son, the Emperor was also helpless; since childhood, this boy had no patience to study in the Imperial Library with his brothers, wandering around during the day, either fiddling with clever gadgets or getting his Attendant to inquire about business deals. He never got involved in the princes’ struggles and showed disdain for showing off in front of the Emperor and his tutors, always appearing nonchalant.

Now the fact that he could manage several businesses to this extent and knew that the Mechanical Workshop was a matter requiring secrecy was already quite commendable.

"Isn’t Jiang Yifan’s term almost up?" the Emperor asked. He vaguely remembered that Jiang Yifan had left Duke An’s granddaughter at the banquet at Duke An’s Mansion, and after hearing about that day’s events, he ordered Han Yanhui to arrange a different assignment for Jiang Yifan. It had been three years since Elder Master Ye’s sixtieth birthday celebration, so Jiang Yifan must have been in Qingyuan County for three years as well.

"Yes, it will be three years this February." Jinrong replied.

The Emperor pondered for a moment and asked, "How has his performance been these past years?" The lad was different from other scholars, worldly and pragmatic, truly a man who acted with consideration. At the time, the Emperor felt pity for Duke An for spending most of his life guarding the frontiers and neglecting the education of his descendants, resulting in such embarrassment. To temper the criticism of Duke An’s Mansion, he kicked Jiang Yifan out of the capital. Otherwise, he would have liked to employ this savvy Imperial Top Scholar.

Jinrong listened eagerly, first glancing at the emperor before hurriedly saying, "Yuanfan has achieved remarkable political success in Qingyuan County, receiving excellent evaluations for two consecutive years."

The emperor laughed and chided, "You spare no effort in this matter. You’ve spent two years in Qingyuan County yourself, so tell me, what exactly has he done?"

Jinrong quickly responded with a grin, "It’s not that I’m singing my friend’s praises, but Yuanfan truly is a capable official. Originally, Qingyuan County was plagued by rampant maladministration, and several successive magistrates foundered there. After Yuanfan took over, it didn’t take long for him to sort out the county’s administration and personnel..."

Jinrong recounted Jiang Yifan’s achievements in Qingyuan County, ranging from civil governance, tax collection, land reclamation, to merchant businesses, and even road construction and its subsequent management, "...After the completion of the roads, many people preferred to take a detour just to pass through Qingyuan County, which is now busier and more prosperous than the neighboring counties. This year’s evaluation hasn’t been released yet, but when it comes out, His Majesty will know. Coupled with the business opportunities and livelihood improvements brought about by last year’s roads and the continuous effects of measures from the previous years, Jiang Yifan’s achievements are certain to be outstanding."

The emperor gave Jinrong a lingering look, noting that this son, despite being a prince, truly knew how to treat his acquaintances as friends. He had the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion and Scholar Yang’s family’s dissolute sons in the past, and now Jiang Yifan, all befriended sincerely. Whether quarreling, frolicking, drinking, or causing a ruckus, he never placed himself on a pedestal. Such disposition was truly rare, and it was one of the reasons why he was willing to chat with this son from time to time.

The emperor waved his hand dismissively, "Go, arrange for someone reliable to quickly send a message to Clear Water Village. Have the craftsmen from the Mechanical Workshop come to the capital with their blueprints. Also, tell Jiang Yifan to write a report on his experimental wooden railway project and send it directly to the Cabinet. Now, go attend to your duties."

Jinrong left with a smile on his face and then tentatively asked, "Imperial Father, why not bring Jiang Yifan back to the capital? Your Majesty would have another diligent official, and I would gain another good friend to socialize with."

The emperor replied with irritation, "A good friend for ’you’ to socialize with, isn’t it? Whether Zhang’s matters and whether officials are willing to work must not be of concern to you."

"Imperial Father, I didn’t..." Jinrong began to protest, only to be interrupted by the emperor saying, "Zhang Cunhai, did you not hear how annoying this is? Call someone to carry Prince Yu out."

Jinrong quickly shut his mouth, his face turning awkward as he looked at the emperor’s personal eunuch Zhang Cunhai. With a nod and an embarrassed expression, Zhang Cunhai looked back at Jinrong.

His Majesty had said to carry His Highness Prince Yu out, but how could he dare? Although His Majesty found His Highness irritating, he wasn’t really angry with him. The command to carry him out was most likely just an offhand remark, a unique form of communication between father and son.

Zhang Cunhai gave an embarrassed smile and said to Jinrong, "Your Highness, you see..." You should just leave gracefully on your own, right? Although I dare not call someone to carry you out, you still have to let me fulfill my duties, yes?

Of course, Jinrong was not about to wait to be carried out. Stopping his half-finished sentence, he hurriedly bowed to take his leave, his heart bursting with joy.

His playful banter with His Majesty today had not been in vain—not only did he get the wooden railway project filed with His Majesty, but he also paved the way for Jiang Yifan’s transfer. Based on Jiang Yifan’s achievements over the past three years, as long as the emperor inquired, Jiang Yifan’s promotion upon returning to the capital was inevitable. Now, the matter to consider was where to place this young man.