Chapter 185 Ministry of Waterworks

Wei Yu boldly skipped work to go find his Dad.

As soon as he saw Emperor Wei, before the latter could even speak, Wei Yu took the initiative to ask about shipbuilding.

“Why are you asking about this?”

Emperor Wei frowned, looking at Wei Yu suspiciously, highly doubtful that the kid was bringing this up just to slack off.

Wei Yu ignored his Dad’s gaze, excitedly leaning in, “Dad, I found someone who knows how to build ships at the Hanlin Academy, really! That kid is young and has a solid foundation. Anyone admitted to the Hanlin Academy must be exceptionally talented. If we give him the ship designs, our big ship construction is guaranteed!”

“What kid?”

Emperor Wei racked his brain but couldn’t think of anyone at the Hanlin Academy younger than Wei Yu whom he could call a kid!

“Who is he?”

Wei Yu calmly said, “Gao Xun.”

Thinking of that brother who had come out of the latrine, Wei Yu could only remember that baby face.

A baby face—Gao Xun was already a young and promising talent, and with such a baby face, he really did look about the same age as Wei Yu.

Upon hearing the name Gao Xun, Emperor Wei had some impression.

“So it’s him.”

Emperor Wei understood and looked at Wei Yu, “You sure know how to pick people. I remember Gao Xun was the top scorer in the last imperial examination.”

Oh, the top scorer.

That definitely makes it even more necessary to pull him over for shipbuilding!

But the old man remembered this clearly—could it be that he had already been keeping him in mind?

Wei Yu asked his Dad, “Dad, do you have plans for Gao Xun?”

Not so much plans; at most, he remembered the top three from that imperial exam. Gao Xun was the youngest among the top three, so Emperor Wei couldn’t forget him easily.

Knowing Wei Yu wanted Gao Xun to build ships, Emperor Wei calmly replied, “Don’t worry about the shipbuilding. I have already ordered the Ministry of Waterworks people to start.”

Oh, they had already started?

Wei Yu stroked his chin, pondering, “So, how far has the Ministry of Waterworks gotten with construction?”

He had already given the blueprints before heading to Jiaozhou, the steps were so detailed. Anyone capable, after half a year, should have made significant progress, right?

Emperor Wei was caught off guard by the question.

After realizing it, Emperor Wei also felt the time seemed a bit long.

Could it be because no one was pushing them?

Judging from his Dad’s expression, Wei Yu knew what was going on.

He sighed, “Alright Dad, no need to mention the progress at the Ministry of Waterworks. I think you should just transfer Gao Xun over. He’s at Huzhou after all, the top shipbuilder there with excellent skills. It would be a waste to keep him buried in the Imperial Court, right?”

Emperor Wei couldn’t refute this.

His little rascal was really better than him as a father when it came to finding people and appointing talents.

He didn’t know how he managed it…

–

Gao Xun’s transfer was three days later.

Upon learning that he was being transferred to the Ministry of Waterworks and would become an official there, Gao Xun immediately thought this was related to the Wise King.

No wonder; on the day Wei Yu left, he kept holding his hand and saying, “Brother, wait for me. Your talents shouldn’t be wasted at Hanlin Academy. I will make sure you’re put to good use…”

It nearly scared Gao Xun silly.

Why was he talking about putting people to good use for no reason?

He even thought the Wise King had gone mad because of some fart that day. For days, Gao Xun couldn’t enjoy his meals, afraid Wise King would do something outrageous.

Now with this result, Gao Xun was surprised but before going to the Ministry of Waterworks, he decided to visit the Wise King’s mansion to thank him.

Wei Yu didn’t want thanks; his greatest expectation of Gao Xun was that after going to the Ministry of Waterworks, he would contribute to his dream of sending big ships out to sea!

The dream was to fully master the blueprints in three days, build the big ship in three months, then after half a year gather crews and set out to bring back all sorts of treasures from overseas!

A dream had to exist; otherwise, what’s the difference from a stinky salted fish splashing in a filthy ditch?!

Wei Yu had been craving various fruits like strawberries, kiwis, grapes—those that didn’t exist in Great Wei—for a long time!

The Ministry of Waterworks was not set up in Xijing but in Danzhou, at the border of Xijing and Tianshui Commandery, right near a river.

Wei Yu had great expectations for Gao Xun. After he arrived at the mansion, Wei Yu also gave him copies of his math and physics books.

“From the day we met, I knew you had great wisdom in shipbuilding and could lead Great Wei’s ship industry to a new height!”

Wei Yu looked at Gao Xun eagerly, “Now the Imperial Court wants to build new ships, and the blueprints are ready. Once you go to the Ministry of Waterworks, everything will be clear. I have high hopes for you. Though I can’t join you, I have some things to help.”

Without looking at Gao Xun’s stunned and flattered face, Wei Yu told Xiao Anzi to hand over the books.

Wei Yu said, “These are treasures I’ve collected over the years, containing profound knowledge. I rarely share them with anyone! Only when I meet someone like you do I hand them out…”

Gao Xun stood up in shock, “His Highness, you must not! How could I possibly deserve such favor? These are His Highness’s cherished possessions…”

“Hey!”

Wei Yu ignored him, firmly pressing him down, serious on his face, “Brother Gao, how can you be so self-deprecating? You must understand, in shipbuilding, you don’t do it for me or for yourself—you do it for the people of Great Wei!”

Gao Xun was a bit stunned.

“The blueprints are many, and the Ministry of Waterworks is short on capable people. I give you these books to help you build better ships. Are you going to abandon faster ship construction for a bit of mere ceremony?”

Wei Yu said seriously, “That’s wrong! Do you know what you’re doing? You are neglecting your duties as an official, abandoning the trust the people have placed in you, and letting every Great Wei citizen suffer because of poor ships!”

Gao Xun instinctively put his hand on his chest, somewhat breathless, “I, I…”

“Alright Brother Gao.”

Wei Yu suddenly held the hand that looked guilty and met his eyes, “I know you realize your mistake, right?”

“Ah, I…”

“Enough, no need to say more. I know everything.”

Wei Yu patted his hand heavily, “I understand your thoughts, all of it. Don’t worry, take these books and go early. I’ll be waiting in the capital for your good news, and so will the people of Great Wei, rest assured!”

After the Wise King’s stern talk, Gao Xun, holding the books, was “expelled” outside.

He stood before the Wise King’s mansion, looking extremely confused.

He looked at the plaque on the mansion, then at the books in his arms, and remained silent for a long time.

So what exactly was he doing at the Wise King’s mansion?