12dz Chapter 66 She's wasted her talents in the inner quarters.
Chapter 66 She's wasted her talents in the inner quarters.
The content of the court meeting was as Shen Li expected, but she did not expect that His Majesty would summon her to the palace. When she arrived at the palace's martial arts training ground, she saw Lin Wan'er demonstrating the three-eyed musket.
The emperor was so excited that he couldn't sit still and stood on tiptoe to look at the target in the distance.
"Father, please slow down." Prince Yi supported the emperor, while Crown Prince Li Heng could only watch helplessly.
Li Heng saw Shen Li as if she were his lifeline, his eyes filled with desperate pleading.
Shen Li stepped forward to greet them in turn, and her gaze met Li Heng's but only briefly passed over him. It wasn't until she looked at her grandfather that she showed a slight smile.
"Shen girl, you've come at the right time. What do you think of this musket?" The emperor sat down and asked, looking at her.
“Your Majesty, I am not knowledgeable about military affairs, but it looks like there are two more holes than before, which makes it seem better,” Shen Li said, sharing her understanding.
Emperor Cheng laughed: "You are a very honest child. I didn't call you here for this. I wanted to ask you if you could make another one of that painting?"
Shen Li looked troubled.
"I know that painting is not something that can be done so easily, but the Consort has been unable to eat or drink for days. This can't go on forever." Emperor Cheng said with a helpless expression, "Do you think you can think of a way to coax her?"
King Yi also looked at Shen Li, wanting to see her reaction. In his opinion, the painting must still be in Shen Li's hands, and she would not be willing to destroy a masterpiece.
“Your Majesty, it is very difficult to recreate the Goddess painting, but I remember what the other paintings in the Wanbao Pavilion look like. What do you think of me painting another portrait of the Empress?” Shen Li asked.
King Yi raised an eyebrow slightly; this girl was truly cautious.
"Very well." Emperor Cheng nodded: "Go and see the Imperial Concubine later, and comfort her as well."
"Yes."
Emperor Cheng was very satisfied with Shen Li's obedient and sensible nature. She was like a gentle little rabbit, not worried when her painting was burned, and not angry when she herself was almost burned. She was always so considerate.
The King of Chess's gaze was intense, but Shen Li simply avoided it quietly, as if the two had never crossed paths before.
Looking at her indifferent expression, the Prince Yi paid more attention to her. This girl was truly wasted in the inner quarters; her shrewdness was no less than that of the old foxes in the court.
After firing the musket, Lin Wan'er returned and, without looking to the side, reported the advantages of the new musket to Emperor Cheng.
"Well done, as expected of a daughter of a military family." After praising her, Emperor Cheng turned to Duke Xiao Zhan and asked, "Does the Duke think that these muskets can be used extensively in warfare?"
Xiao Zhan cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, if the coordination is proper, it will produce remarkable results."
“Father, since firearms can be so effective, I am willing to personally oversee their manufacture to share your burden,” Li Heng said first.
At this moment, Shen Li and Lin Wan'er, who were concerned, both found it amusing. The person wasn't too stupid, but it was too late.
"It's a good thing that the Crown Prince cares about state affairs," Emperor Cheng said indifferently, then turned to Prince Yi and said, "Since you brought this up, and the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works is your father-in-law, how about entrusting the supervision of the project to you?"
Li Heng felt a chill in his heart; he had indeed been a step too slow.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens, but the situation is urgent. My father-in-law is in charge of the Ministry of Works and may not be able to focus on supervising the work. I request Your Majesty to appoint someone else to take full charge of this matter," said Prince Yi.
Emperor Cheng was very pleased to hear this. What a great opportunity this was to seize power! It was rare that the child was not greedy.
The attitude was good, but it wouldn't be right not to offer some benefits for something so big.
“My son is right. So, who do you think should be chosen?” He gave him the opportunity to choose again.
Li Heng was extremely anxious. It seemed that his brother, the Prince of Yi, was going to place new people in the Ministry of Works. Wouldn't all his previous efforts to bring down Chen Wenjin have been in vain?
"In my humble opinion, Jiang Tianhua, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, is quite knowledgeable about firearms manufacturing."
"Approved. Jiang Tianhua is promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, in charge of firearms manufacturing. Prince Yi will oversee this matter and can directly issue orders to the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue." Emperor Cheng smiled and looked at Prince Yi: "The Ministry of Works has not had a Minister for a long time, so let your father-in-law be the one."
"Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming, I am humbled." Prince Yi bowed deeply, but inwardly he was overjoyed.
He really struck gold this time.
Not only did he gain real power, he also secured the position of Minister of Works.
Li Heng watched from the sidelines, his heart sinking completely. With this, the six chess kings had already occupied three ministerial positions, and if things continued like this, they would probably be unable to control the situation.
"Miss Lin, may I try out this musket?" Shen Li walked towards Lin Wan'er as if no one else was around.
"Of course, it's dangerous for beginners. I'll teach Madam Gu how to use it."
Lin Wan'er led Shen Li to the target, where the nearest palace maid was about ten steps away.
Shen Li held the muskets in both hands, and Lin Wan'er helped her adjust her posture, almost touching her face as she said, "My condition was 30,000 muskets, but he said the Ministry of Revenue couldn't come up with enough money and could only guarantee 20,000. I agreed to what you said."
"Hmm." Shen Li looked at the target in front of her and said calmly, "The remaining ten thousand will have their own sources."
"I can't wait for the battlefield to be fully built; I need to go to the Northern Border within half a month at the latest." Lin Wan'er asked her, "Should I ask His Majesty for permission directly?"
"That's not a good idea. We need to find a different excuse. Now that we have the Ministry of War's help, things will be easier." Shen Li reassured her, "Don't rush. We can produce a batch in half a month. It'll be safer to take them away."
"That would be wonderful." Lin Wan'er said, then looked at her again, "Thanks."
She knew that if she didn't take advantage of the situation, even if the emperor wanted to manufacture firearms, the people below wouldn't be very efficient in carrying them out, and it might take two or three years to produce many.
"It's not just about helping you. Your cousin is the only son of the Duke of Zhenguo's family, so you have to bring him back with you." Shen Li's words were tinged with a hint of teasing.
Lin Wan'er didn't hide anything: "Don't worry about that. You might be willing to let him die, but I wouldn't be."
Shen Li was very pleased to see her in high spirits; at least they both had a chance to come again.
After Emperor Cheng finished making his appointments, he took the old Duke Xiao Zhan to have tea. The Crown Prince returned to the palace in a hurry, while Shen Li went to Consort Zheng's palace with Prince Yi.
"I must thank Lady Gu for this." Prince Yi walked side by side with Shen Li, his gaze sweeping over her with a wicked look.
"Your Highness is too kind." Shen Li appeared slightly reserved and uncomfortable, maintaining a certain distance from him.
The King of Chess then moved closer and whispered, "Madam Gu just helped me, does she want to sever ties with me so quickly?"
"Your Highness, we've already agreed on this." Shen Li's expression was even a little impatient, and her pace quickened.
The King of Chess smiled smugly: "I have no regrets, my lady, please slow down."
When Shen Li saw Consort Zheng again, she found that she was completely different from the previous few days. She seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, and even her aura was no longer domineering and arrogant.
Like a tiger whose teeth have been pulled out.
She didn't know if the King of Chess had told her about his speculation regarding the arson incident, but strictly speaking, it was the truth.