Chapter 182 Telescope

You could only say that he was more or less used to it by now.

After learning that the telescope was also related to Wei Yu, the Eighth Prince’s fascination with the telescope instantly dissipated.

He rubbed his forehead, feeling quite helpless. “Where on earth did you learn all these things? I really do admire you for keeping it hidden for so long…”

“I told you I’m the reincarnation of the Literary Star, but you didn’t believe me. Sigh, I know, the truth is always so hard to accept. But, Eighth Brother, you don’t need to feel inferior or pity yourself. Honestly, as the saying goes, ‘If one achieves wealth and honor, do not forget those from the past.’ I’ve always kept this in my heart.”

The Eighth Prince was silenced by him.

People, when shameless, really could reduce men to silence and women to tears.

Having read through the exciting parts of the book, Wei Yu finally closed it and sat up, turning his attention to the “stick.”

“Eighth Brother, let me have a look at that stick.”

The Eighth Prince lowered his head to look at the “stick” in his hand.

Alright then, since Wei Yu said so, whatever its name is, it is what it is. “Stick” is quite a fitting description…

Wei Yu didn’t really want to call the telescope a stick, but there was no helping it since the ones made by the Ministry of Works were indeed quite large!

It was about as long as an arm, and entirely coated in black lacquer, with dragon and cloud patterns carved onto the surface, but the carvings were not very conspicuous. At first glance, it really just looked like a stick.

Wei Yu held it in his hand, examined it, and tried operating it.

“Hmm… the range needs improvement.”

Wei Yu took down the telescope and handed it back to the Eighth Prince. “The one made by the Ministry of Works is okay, I guess. It’s so-so. Out of ten points, I could only give it a three for encouragement.”

“Only three points?!”

The Eighth Prince frowned, looking at the stick with disdain, instantly feeling that this thing was not appealing at all.

Wei Yu smiled, “Actually, it’s not that bad. After all, this is the first generation. How could it be perfect right away? Give the craftsmen some time to study and improve. It’ll get better in the future.”

The first-generation telescope’s precision and range were not very good. Wei Yu had estimated just now that it could only clearly see about fifty or sixty meters, which was still far from what he wanted.

The Eighth Prince looked at him in puzzlement. “You speak so confidently. Are you more skilled than the craftsmen? Why don’t you go yourself? If Father Emperor knew, he would definitely assign you to the Ministry of Works. Isn’t that better than some bureaucratic job?”

Wei Yu immediately put on a serious face. “Eighth Brother, why say such unlucky things for no reason!”

Eighth Prince: …

Originally intending to share the telescope with Wei Yu, Eighth Prince ended up feeling frustrated himself. His gaze then fell on a book with the cover titled “Travelogue of Duke Zhou,” and curiously, he reached out.

“Why suddenly want to read a travelogue? Don’t tell me you want to leave the capital again…”

Seeing that guilty hand reaching for his treasured book, Wei Yu immediately covered it. “Hey? Eighth Brother, you’re taking my book again. You still haven’t returned the last one you took!”

Mentioning this, the Eighth Prince was momentarily stunned. “When did I take your…”

Then, suddenly recalling something, he fell silent again.

Seeing his ears turn red, Wei Yu’s eyes teased him, “Oh, remembered now, huh? Those treasured books that came from Qingzhou, I paid a large sum to get them. So, my dear Eighth Brother, when do you plan to give the books back to me?”

Recalling those several books full of unsavory content and feeling deceived, the Eighth Prince couldn’t help but bare his teeth. “You talk about returning books? I’m already being generous not to settle accounts with you!”

The Eighth Prince slammed the table angrily. “You said the books would include something about the Qingzhou Miao people, but after reading four volumes, I didn’t find a single useful thing! I wasted several nights for nothing!”

Wei Yu blinked. “I only said there might be something, not that there certainly would be. How is that my fault?”

Eighth Prince: …

Wei Yu shrugged shamelessly at him. “Anyway, I don’t care. When you’ve finished reading your books, remember to return them. They’re rare collectibles; you won’t be able to buy them again.”

Just as the Eighth Prince was about to punch him, Wei Yu suddenly leaned closer and asked, “Did the books mention which places in Qingzhou are beautiful or fun?”

At this, the Eighth Prince hesitated.

He recalled carefully and thoughtfully replied, “It seems one book specifically mentioned something about a place called Luoluo Mountain in Li Village. It didn’t describe much about its beauty, only saying it was the place where young Mu Ai set his affection. I suppose it should be beautiful.”

Wei Yu straightened up and let out a long “Oh.”

“Luoluo Mountain, the lovers’ holy land, got it!”

The Eighth Prince glared at him sharply, “I’m warning you, don’t mess around. You just came back from Jiaozhou. Don’t volunteer to go to Qingzhou to open up resources for Great Wei again. Qingzhou isn’t a good place at all. The Miao people there are rude and rough; not to mention the humid climate and many snakes, insects, rats, and ants. One careless move could cause poisoning or illness. Countless of our Great Wei soldiers have fallen there. If you go, who knows if you’ll come back alive!”

Wei Yu blinked a little guiltily. “No, I didn’t say I’m going now.”

“It’s better that way. If you go to Qingzhou, don’t ask me to accompany you. I want to live a few more years.”

After joking a few more times with Wei Yu, the Eighth Prince stood up, holding the “stick” and ready to leave.

“All right, I’m going to see Fourth Brother. Will you come with me?”

Wei Yu outright refused. “No, you go by yourself.”

His workload had been seriously over the limit lately, wearing out his handsome young face by a good three points. It was torture, pure torture!

If it weren’t for necessary matters, Wei Yu wouldn’t bother getting up from lying down.

Isn’t it nicer to rest lying in his own residence?

–

The first-generation telescope made by the Ministry of Works appeared in court the next day.

That stick which Wei Yu despised became a rare treasure in the hands of other court officials. Each held it as if fearing it might break or dissolve. The flattery poured out like water, and Wei Yu couldn’t help but exclaim “Amazing.”

These were highly educated scholars, and every single praise was unique.

If you were to gather them together, even someone with autism might be overwhelmed by their neatness.

Fortunately, Emperor Wei resisted this sugar-coated bombardment from the officials.

Not only did he resist, he also asked Wei Yu what he thought of the stick — no, the telescope.

What else could Wei Yu say?

Of course, he spoke honestly!

“Father Emperor, your servant believes that the telescope’s performance still needs improvement. After all, with only about twenty zhang [approximately 66 meters] of range, how can it be used in the army? The equipment used by our Great Wei soldiers should be the best if it’s to be used, and made to be the best!”

In court, Wei Yu spoke seriously, “Your servant trusts the Ministry of Works, and believes that under Lord Pei’s leadership, the craftsmen will produce a lighter, better-looking, and longer-range second-generation telescope! The soldiers’ future depends entirely on the Ministry of Works!”

Pei Zhi and the others from the Ministry of Works: …