Regarding what a telescope and eyeglasses are, and what they are used for, Wei Yu gave his father a thorough explanation.

When Emperor Wei heard that the so-called telescope could see hundreds of zhang away, and that eyeglasses could help people with poor vision see clearly, he immediately became excited.

“Is it really possible to make such things?”

The Emperor stood up and stared intently at Wei Yu. “Is Fourth Son working on these things now? Is there a finished product? Bring it to me so I can see!”

Wei Yu had expected his father to get excited.

“Don’t rush, the glass factory isn’t even built yet. How could there be finished products for you to see?” Wei Yu smiled. “Besides, I haven’t even talked to Fourth Brother about this yet.”

The Emperor paused.

He glanced at Wei Yu, fully aware that this unfilial son was using the matter to “threaten” him into agreeing to the trip to Jiaozhou…

The Emperor said nothing and silently sat back down.

Wei Yu didn’t care what his father was thinking. After all, he had laid all his bargaining chips on the table. With such a mutually beneficial offer, surely his father wouldn’t really refuse?

“Father, just let me go! I can help Second Brother, help Jiaozhou’s economy recover, and even contribute to the national treasury. Isn’t that great? Besides, as a mere Censor, I don’t play a big role in the court anyway…”

At this point, the Emperor slapped the table and snorted coldly. “I haven’t even settled the score with you for falling asleep during court sessions!”

But this kind of scolding didn’t scare Wei Yu.

Just as the Emperor could quickly understand Wei Yu’s character, Wei Yu had long since figured out his father’s nature.

Setting aside his status as emperor, the old man, although greedy for money, petty, envious of his sons’ happiness, and fond of making people work hard… was actually quite an open-minded person!

Such open-mindedness was rare even among ordinary families, let alone the royal family.

As long as his sons didn’t break the law or cause political disasters, the old man usually didn’t interfere too much with their actions.

Hadn’t Wei Yu often acted cheeky and improperly before his father, yet never been seriously punished or scolded?

This showed that his father actually had a pretty good temper.

Angry?

Please, the old man’s acting was really terrible.

“That wasn’t my fault!” Wei Yu cried out more aggrievedly than the Emperor appeared to be angry.

“Father, you have to understand — I had to get up at the beginning of the Yin hour just to attend court! At that time, it was still pitch dark outside, with the cold wind howling. In such hardship, your precious youngest son stumbled out of bed, starving, still just a young lad not even fully grown!”

The Emperor: …

Rubbing his brow, the Emperor replied flatly, “You’re not the only one who has to get up at the beginning of the Yin hour. Your elder brothers all do it too.” And so does the Emperor himself.

Wei Yu protested, “But I only get five hours of sleep every day!”

Five hours!

The Emperor glared. “Five hours? The day only has twelve hours! What do you expect to accomplish sleeping that much?”

Wei Yu looked innocent. “That’s just how I am, Father. If I don’t get five hours, I get drowsy. Since I’ll just be sleeping through court anyway, wouldn’t it be better to let me go to Jiaozhou to work instead?”

No matter what was said, it all circled back to going to Jiaozhou. The Emperor was both angry and amused by Wei Yu’s persistence.

“So you really have to go to Jiaozhou?”

Hearing that, Wei Yu knew he had a chance. He immediately perked up and smiled ingratiatingly, “Well, it’s not like it has to be Jiaozhou. Anywhere else is fine too — I’m not picky. Whatever you decide, Father!”

As long as he didn’t have to stay in the capital suffering through those 3 a.m. wake-ups, he didn’t care where he was sent!

After all, being on a work trip was much more fun than clocking in every day.

The Emperor snorted coldly and gave Wei Yu a sideways glance.

He knew it!

What nonsense about requesting to go to Jiaozhou to generate revenue — it was just an excuse for this unfilial son to slack off!

Useless brat!

Wei Yu, seeing that his father remained silent, slyly edged closer, rubbing his hands like a fly. “Father, I think the matter of the telescope and eyeglasses might not be something Fourth Brother’s glass factory alone can handle. How about I go discuss it with Lord Pei later, see if we can speed things up?”

The Emperor: …

This brat really knew how to hit where it counted.

Wei Yu glanced at his father’s expression, then cheerfully went over to massage his shoulders. “How about it, Father? This is such a great deal! Say something, won’t you?”

The Emperor closed his eyes to enjoy the massage and made no sound, only waving his hand in the air, signaling Wei Yu to continue.

So Wei Yu obediently kept massaging, not daring to stop.

Time ticked by.

After about half a quarter of an hour, Wei Yu stood behind the old man, his hands aching terribly, but he still didn’t dare stop.

Damn it — talk about petty! Even though this was clearly a win-win situation with all the benefits going to the old man, he just wouldn’t give in.

Why?

Pure jealousy over the fact that Wei Yu could go off and live carefree!

Finally, after nearly half an hour of shoulder-massaging, the Emperor spoke.

“Enough.”

Phew —

Wei Yu sighed in relief and instantly let go.

Damn, that was exhausting!

Behind the Emperor, Wei Yu grimaced and shook out his sore hands. Hearing the sound of movement behind him and guessing what the unfilial son was doing, the Emperor couldn’t help but let the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.

“Alright,” said the Emperor, “Since you’re willing to go to Jiaozhou to help your Second Brother and bring some wealth to the treasury, if I stop you, it would seem wrong.”

Wei Yu’s eyes lit up. “Father, you’re wise! I knew you were the best!”

“Hey, don’t get ahead of yourself.”

The Emperor interrupted him. “I’m letting you go to Jiaozhou, but there are conditions.”

Wei Yu immediately straightened his expression. “What conditions? Please tell me.”

Having been massaged for so long, the Emperor considered the punishment sufficient and finally got to the main point.

“There are two conditions. First, before you leave the capital, you must properly explain the manufacturing methods for the telescope and eyeglasses to Pei Zhi. We won’t tell your Fourth Brother about it for now.”

Wei Yu had already anticipated this, so he readily agreed.

“Second, you said you were going to Jiaozhou to open up new sources of revenue for the treasury. I won’t question your methods, but I want to see concrete results. How will you guarantee that?”

Having long been prepared, Wei Yu immediately replied, “Rest assured, Father. Since I dare promise it, I can definitely deliver. Give me half a year — by then, Jiaozhou will definitely be prosperous!”

Such arrogant words.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully.

“Good. Ambitious. Then I’ll give you half a year. If you fail… heh, it’s your face that’ll be lost in front of all the court officials.”

“Heh heh, I absolutely won’t fail!”

Half a year.

Wei Yu also smiled.

Look at that — the long-awaited six-month “vacation” was finally in his hands!