Chapter 278 |
Chapter 278: The Cannon Cart Is Completed
Fang Sheng never did anything improper.
Wei Yu quickly learned almost everything about Dong Sheng from Fang Sheng.
After a preliminary assessment, the young man indeed seemed good—such ambitious reformers were rare. Regardless of whether Dong Sheng’s original intentions might change in the future, at least at present, Dong Sheng was someone to place hopes on.
So that very night, Wei Yu sent Ding Facai to copy Dong Sheng’s exam essays…
Well, he still had some morals and didn’t just outright steal them.
Once he had the essays in hand, Wei Yu went to the palace to see his dad.
There was nothing much to say to the old man, and since it was still during the holiday, Wei Yu was afraid his dad might give him trouble. So he tossed Dong Sheng’s essays aside after giving a brief explanation and left quickly.
The speed at which Emperor Wei shouted curses couldn’t catch up with him.
Thus, Dong Sheng was officially submitted.
But that was okay—Wei Yu had other promising young talents. If these people turned out well, whether they passed the exam or not, Wei Yu would find ways to make good use of them at the estate…
This was the consequence of a shortage of people.
After the gathering, Wei Yu returned to his quiet holiday life.
Although he still received essays from examinees every day to some extent, Wei Yu no longer read each one carefully as he did initially; instead, he just casually glanced at a few papers now and then continue playing with his tablet.
Essays that came to him actively were truly of lower quality compared to the more refined ones from the rigorous selection process.
—
The spring imperial examination was approaching, and the entire capital seemed to grow tense.
Anyone who went out for a stroll could overhear numerous gossipy discussions about the imperial exams—about the examiners, the examinees, and the past exam questions.
Even Wei Yu, a homebody, heard quite a bit of fresh gossip from Xiao Anzi.
But the exams had nothing to do with him.
Wei Yu wasn’t nervous, but he was worried!
The holiday was short, and he was fretting over having to work again!
Just thinking about having to get up at 3 a.m. made Wei Yu feel uncomfortable. So in the last few days, he racked his brains trying to find ways to extend the holiday a little longer.
Perhaps his wish was too strong because on the last day, Wei Yu really did receive good news.
— Xi Liuzi’s cannon cart was finished!
And it even had a mounted telescope!
Having already seen Xi Liuzi’s semi-finished product, Wei Yu had been guessing how long it would take to complete. Now that the news arrived, he immediately rushed to the estate.
Unlike the low-key master Fusheng, Xi Liuzi’s cannon cart construction at the Research Institute was quite a “big deal.” All the junior brothers at the institute knew what their senior brother was building.
Although the juniors hadn’t participated in the manufacturing process, the cannon cart was just sitting there, so people often stopped by casually to check in and ask a few questions. Everyone at the Research Institute was looking forward to the arrival of the cannon cart.
So when Wei Yu arrived, he saw all those people who usually stayed inside the institute gathered on the barren land behind the hill.
The Research Institute was originally built at one corner of the estate, far from the academy. The land farther back was uncultivated wasteland. If it weren’t for Wei Yu’s instructions, Steward He wouldn’t have bought such barren land that could not grow crops!
And on this vast piece of wasteland, a group of people was busy handling a cannon cart.
“This cannon cart looks so imposing, way more majestic than a war chariot!”
“This telescope is really nice, senior brother, when will you make one for me? I don’t want such a big one; make me a small one.”
“Master, did you make these cannonballs? Why only two? Why not make more…”
As soon as Wei Yu arrived, he heard these murmurs.
Before he could say anything, Fusheng keenly spotted him.
“Your Highness, you’re here.”
Seeing the pillar of support arrive, Fusheng smiled and stepped forward, saluting: “Your Highness, look, the cannon cart you requested, Xi Liuzi has completed it, and I also made two types of cannonballs. Not sure which one you prefer, but we’re waiting for you to test it.”
The chatty disciples quieted down and stared at Wei Yu expectantly, waiting for him to start the firing.
“Thanks to Dean Fusheng and Master Xi Liuzi for your hard work. Let me take a look first.”
Wei Yu excitedly approached, touching the side of the cannon cart, testing the telescope that Xi Liuzi had slightly modified himself, and inspecting the two types of cannonballs. Finally, he gave Xi Liuzi an approving pat on the shoulder.
“Very good, you put your heart into this. The cannon cart you made is excellent. At this critical time when Japanese pirates are rampant, this cannon cart is extremely important! You have not only saved countless suffering civilians in the maritime borderlands but also saved the lives of many soldiers with bright futures! On behalf of everyone, I thank you.”
His Highness the Wise King’s solemn demeanor clearly showed that these words came from the bottom of his heart!
The simple Master Xi Liuzi blushed from the praise.
He hurriedly cupped his fists: “No, no, no, Your Highness, you flatter me. This is merely our duty!”
Though blushing, Xi Liuzi turned serious when talking about important matters:
“You said that as members of the Research Institute, we are the pioneers of the flourishing Great Wei. As the saying goes, ‘Receiving the emperor’s stipend, we must be loyal to him.’ Since we have received Your Highness’s grace, we will dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to what Your Highness cares about!”
Such resolve!
This was true resolve.
Wei Yu was deeply moved: “Good, well said. Meeting Master Xi Liuzi is one of the best things that had happened to me… among many others!”
Since the true master was still nearby, Wei Yu had to keep a backup.
Fortunately, this insincere remark didn’t make Xi Liuzi uncomfortable. After all, in Xi Liuzi’s eyes, having His Highness think of him and trust him was already a huge honor.
Say it was the only one?
Xi Liuzi would be scared to death himself.
Pretending not to notice Master Fusheng’s meaningful sideways glance, Fang Sheng quietly reminded his lord:
“It’s getting late, Sha Shan and the others are still waiting.”
The cannon cart was completed, and His Majesty must have already received the news.
His Majesty couldn’t come personally, but Sha Shan and the Gray Guards were guarding nearby!
This military weapon—His Majesty was probably itching with impatience, just waiting for Sha Shan to fly back and report.
Thinking of his dad in the palace stamping his feet anxiously, Wei Yu got serious.
After all, this was his real dad, and whether he could continue his holiday depended entirely on the old man’s word.
He asked Xi Liuzi, “What is the range of the cannon cart? Has the surrounding area been properly arranged? We don’t want to harm innocent civilians during the trial.”
Xi Liuzi replied, “According to the blueprint you gave, the range is about one li. The guards pushed the cannon cart out, and they said everything nearby has been arranged properly.”
Good. To test the cannonballs, it was important not to injure bystanders. Since everything was in order, let’s get started!