Chapter 992: Chapter 990: Just Messing with You
The emperor was overwhelmed with affairs, while Jinrong raised a hand to rub his brow, using it to hide his amusement. If not considering power and prestige, few could out-talk Ye Xinyan.
Zhang Cunhai stood beside the emperor, directly facing Ye Xinyan. He truly felt a toothache now, thankful that this young lady belonged to Duke An’s Mansion. If any princess were of this disposition with such abilities, she might cause the heavens to collapse.
Cheng Dahui, a close minister to the emperor, was witnessing such a scene for the first time. Lacking the resilience of Jinrong and Zhang Cunhai, he was quite disturbed, brought down to the same level as Wong Qiao and that craftsman.
All were shocked, their eyes widened, mouths agape, looking back and forth between the emperor and Ye Xinyan, like startled geese.
"Go on," the emperor signaled Ye Xinyan to continue, curious to see what more absurdity she could present.
"Hmm, hmm." Ye Xinyan nodded quickly, indicating there was profit to be made with her proposal.
"This is my thought: We welcome Lord Cheng’s subordinates to the Mechanical Workshop to learn skills. Since these craftsmen are under the court’s jurisdiction, even if they learn the skills, they are still working for the court.
I propose a discount to Lord Cheng, we won’t charge per head; you pay the Mechanical Workshop Three Thousand Taels, as long as it doesn’t affect the workshop’s normal operations, we won’t limit the number of people. Lord Cheng can bring any number of subordinates to and from the Mechanical Workshop at will. Does this sound agreeable to Your Majesty?"
"Three Thousand Taels?!" Everyone present, whether loudly or quietly, gasped in exclamation.
Why doesn’t she just go rob? The emperor frowned, his previously good mood dissipated entirely.
This girl, too shameless! He needed to take time to discuss with Duke An and Jiang Yifan, urging them to discipline her strictly.
Among the people present, the calmest were Jinrong and Zhang Cunhai.
Jinrong aside, Zhang Cunhai was quite familiar with dealing with this young mistress. Zhang Cunhai believed, no matter what she did or said, he at most would feel toothache, never surprised.
Wong Qiao had witnessed Ye Xinyan negotiate with Ministry of Works officials, earning Three Thousand Taels from the court.
Because of those Three Thousand Taels, his mother, Lady Zhao, directly turned against Qi Younian, resulting in many subsequent events. Though this time the bargaining target was the emperor, having seen this before, he was mentally prepared and could remain seated.
The craftsman beside him wasn’t so composed, sitting in the bright Imperial Study Room, facing the emperor, already anxious, trying to sit cautiously at the edge of the brocade stool.
Upon hearing familiar Lady Qi openly swindle the emperor out of money, one was shocked, one rolled off and fell on the ground, drawing the attention of others.
Indeed, in the craftsman’s eyes, Ye Xinyan was deceiving the emperor for money. The masters of the Imperial Workshops Bureau were figures they looked up to, unseen from their perspective, real masters even money couldn’t invite.
Yet Lady Qi? She instead demanded money from them. The things Lady Qi mentioned earlier, the inexhaustible, fortune-making tools, were just her smooth-talking, deceiving the emperor.
Skills like these, under a good employer, could earn a few extra Silver Coins. If the employer was stingy and cruel, then they were worth nothing.
Watching the craftsman roll like a gourd, Zhang Cunhai paused for a moment, then reacted, suppressing laughter as he stepped forward with Wong Qiao to help the craftsman up.
Cheng Dahui watched the busy Wong Qiao and Zhang Cunhai, his mind tangled, pondering how he and the craftsmen of the Imperial Workshops Bureau could visit the Mechanical Workshop to gain more insight.
The biggest issue was, Ye Xinyan wanted Three Thousand Taels.
Three Thousand Taels was quite a sum, but if it allowed the craftsmen of the Imperial Workshops Bureau to learn how to make the Steam Engine and even experience its wide applications, it would be worth every penny.
However, he couldn’t bring himself to say it; he was the Director of Imperial Workshops under the current dynasty. He was supposed to stand at the very top of the Craftsmanship Sector. But ever since the runaway Miss Ye reappeared in the public eye, constantly introducing new machinery, he felt deeply inadequate in his position.
Keeping up is the urgent task.
Ye Xinyan glanced at the emperor, seeing his brow furrowed, was that a sign of disagreement?
She too became a little displeased, the emperor possessed the wealth of the realm, yet was so stingy. With such a good offer, he still wouldn’t agree; did he intend to rob instead?
She decided to make one more effort, "Your Majesty. Perhaps Steward Wong has already informed Your Majesty, if the Steam Engine succeeds, it will be a versatile source of thrust that can be applied across many industries, with huge impact and astonishing results.
Once the Steam Engine’s power output stabilizes, the Mechanical Workshop will sell the steam engine technology to the court at a discounted price, as complementary tuition for the court craftsmen to learn the technology; what do you think, Your Majesty?" After all, the technology wouldn’t end up in her hands, she might as well show goodwill now.
The application of the Steam Engine undoubtedly holds historical significance, but since the research and testing process lacked obstacles and setbacks, it was almost effortlessly accomplished, so research funds weren’t heavily spent. The emperor was a clever miser, hard to deceive, she would see this as a goodwill gesture, and ask for less silver.
"Is there more?" After hearing Ye Xinyan’s new proposal, the emperor remained expressionless.
Ye Xinyan became anxious, turning her gaze to Jinrong, hoping he could play the mediator and help smooth things over, at least letting her earn the money. This was the technology concept from a millennium later, fresh out of the oven, honest dealing for young and old alike.
But how could Jinrong possess Ye Xinyan’s courage? The Imperial Father might tolerate Ye Xinyan, indulge her wild antics in the Imperial Study, but certainly wouldn’t tolerate him, his son, in defiance.
He wasn’t seeking trouble, why engage in actions that bring no benefit?
Besides, the emperor’s expression was off, different from usual. He better watch and wait, not disrupt the emperor’s mood.
Drat, still have to rely on oneself, "Your Majesty, spending Three Thousand Taels here is absolutely not a loss. Our Mechanical Workshop’s craftsmanship, if claimed second-best in the realm, no one would dare claim first."
Ye Xinyan glanced at the emperor, still no expression?
"Your Majesty, Heaven’s honesty, this really is priced honestly. Didn’t you say not to compete with the people for profit? As Son of Heaven, it’s not fitting to make deals without investment, right?" Ye Xinyan nearly cried, suddenly feeling this wasn’t the Imperial Study, the person before her wasn’t the emperor. Her true identity was a market vendor, convincing passersby to buy a useless item.
"Cough cough cough." Before Ye Xinyan’s words fully landed, simultaneous dry coughs sounded from Jinrong and Zhang Cunhai. Madam, you may seek longevity, but also consider everyone’s feelings here, won’t you?
The emperor’s face faltered, though he didn’t laugh aloud, a smile gradually appeared. Ye Tang’s granddaughter, how money-loving could she be?
Ye Xinyan stared at the emperor’s face, too shocked to close her mouth. This can’t be right, can it? As the noble emperor, choosing to do nothing with serious matters, yet coming here to amuse himself with her?
"Alright, per your suggestion, Three Thousand Taels. Whatever skills the craftsmen at the Mechanical Workshop possess, the court’s craftsmen must learn too. If there’s any hiding," the emperor glanced casually at Ye Xinyan, "then have the silver doubly refunded, make it double."