Chapter 181: Do Your Own Work Yourself

Fusheng was a poor researcher, while Emperor Wei was a wealthy patron who didn’t understand research but knew about investment.

The two met, and their compatibility was one hundred percent.

Especially when it came to discussing gunpowder; although Emperor Wei knew nothing about it, he asked very detailed questions—from raw materials to principles, from manufacturing to effects. Many of his questions even made Fusheng ponder the reasons deeply.

They were truly thought-provoking questions.

After chatting for about half an hour as if no one else existed, Emperor Wei articulated his “dream weapon”:

“I have heard that gunpowder has the power to break mountains and seas, it is a powerful weapon for attacking cities. When it explodes, the sound is like thunder, heat covers more than half an acre, both people and cowhides shatter without a trace, even armor and iron are pierced.”

When mentioning his “dream weapon,” Emperor Wei fixed his gaze on Fusheng, his eyes burning with intensity. “Sir, if you can make gunpowder with such effects, I will grant you a noble title and make you a marquis. How about that?”

Fusheng did not think highly of it.

The elder waved his hand lightly and smiled, gently declining, “His Majesty’s kindness is appreciated, but I am already an old man past seventy, no longer caring for such things.”

Emperor Wei thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Then, what about providing for your descendants?”

Fusheng smiled, “Aside from a few unpromising disciples, I have no relatives in this world.”

So, providing for descendants was out of the question, as he had no kin at all—even no relation as simple as half a melon.

Emperor Wei fell silent.

How could anyone refuse rewards no matter how he thought about it?

He always felt that if no reward was given, the other party might slack off and not do a good job, which troubled him.

While thinking this, Emperor Wei caught a glimpse of the miscellaneous materials in the courtyard and suddenly had an insight.

He said, “I understand now. Sir, you are a person of high integrity; gold, silver, and noble titles are all worldly things, and it’s only natural you don’t care for them. However, I see your place is simple and rough. The Wise King has brought instruments here for your experiments, which are usually rare. How about this: whenever you need anything in the future, I will search all of Great Wei to get it for you, how is that?”

Fusheng’s eyes finally lit up.

He looked at Emperor Wei’s glorious and majestic figure and felt he had found the best patron!

Fusheng stroked his beard cheerfully and nodded, “Indeed, indeed, this is good, this is what I want. Thank His Majesty for his generosity.”

As for the previous patron, His Highness the Wise King, Fusheng thought that was enough.

They were all family; no need to distinguish so clearly. After all, His Highness was still one of His Majesty’s men!

—

Emperor Wei stayed at the estate for a long time.

He didn’t just meet every alchemist but also toured various places and even dined in the canteen with the students.

After seeing everything, not only was Li Cheng amazed by the various whimsical and ingenious rules drafted by His Highness, even Emperor Wei, who had some prior knowledge, nodded quietly in approval.

The little rascal’s estate was well managed, and the people were united. If anyone with malicious intent wanted to spy on information in the future, it wouldn’t be easy…

Emperor Wei fell into deep thought.

So, should he send people over to guard it? The Imperial Guards could not be moved for now, but the Gray Guards could…

After returning to the palace, Emperor Wei did not go straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation but changed clothes first.

When Li Cheng, who was waiting outside, saw Su Gaosheng approaching with a troubled face, he knew something must have gone wrong on Ninth Highness’s side.

Sure enough, Su Gaosheng whispered a piece of “bad news.”

— Emperor threw memorials to Ninth Highness, but Ninth Highness didn’t approve it at all!

Su Gaosheng looked troubled and said to his master, “Master, actually His Highness did not refuse to approve entirely. He said some matters are not for him to approve, so he would not overstep…”

Those serving in the court clearly understood the seriousness of overstepping authority. In matters of state affairs like this, princes and servants were no different.

Li Cheng sighed deeply, his eyes dim, “Ninth Highness is just being cautious.”

[His Majesty’s approval is one thing, actually carrying it out is another… People inside the palace must be cautious.]

Just as Emperor Wei came out after changing clothes, he heard Li Cheng say this.

He stepped out from the hall, glanced at Li Cheng, and asked Su Gaosheng, “Has the Wise King gone back?”

Su Gaosheng replied, “Yes, Ninth Highness has long returned. Before he left, he left a phrase for me to convey to the Emperor.”

“What phrase?”

“Ninth Highness said… ’Do your own work yourself.’”

Emperor Wei laughed angrily, “Nothing else? Did he at least finish approving the memorials I gave him?”

Su Gaosheng smiled awkwardly, “No, Ninth Highness said there are parts he won’t approve.”

Emperor Wei sneered coldly, “He’s being honest now at this moment!”

Su Gaosheng had been nervous before coming, expecting His Majesty to punish the Wise King. But after he said everything and was mentally prepared, His Majesty just walked away!

Li Cheng glanced at Su Gaosheng, “What are you waiting for? Go to the water room and prepare tea for His Majesty!”

“Ah? Oh, okay.”

Su Gaosheng walked off to the water room feeling somewhat dizzy.

Vaguely, he realized that His Majesty’s tolerance and trust towards Ninth Highness seemed to be something other princes did not have… a sort of fatherly love between commoners and their son.

After Emperor Wei entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he immediately saw the pile of memorials stacked on his desk.

But he ignored them and first went to the small table, casually picked up a few memorials, and opened them.

Well, as expected, all were the ones the little rascal had to look at before, and he really hadn’t approved a single one!

Emperor Wei glanced over his desk pile again, and his face furrowed with worry.

So many, how late was he going to be up approving them tonight?

He wanted to rest early too!

In the quiet Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor who had been playing all day started working diligently at his desk again, his expression stern and majestic, his aura lofty and unapproachable.

Only occasionally would he mutter a few self-breaking phrases under his breath.

“This unfilial son, not reading the memorials when I told him to, obviously trying to be lazy…”

“Really doesn’t understand how to sympathize with his father, hmph, tomorrow I’ll find an excuse to punish him to copy the books…”

“Tsk, this Prefect of Huzhou is spouting nonsense again, so annoying…”

—

While Wei Yu was leisurely reading a novel with his legs crossed, his Eighth Brother came running up to him.

“Ninth Brother, quick, come see this awesome thing!”

The door slammed open. Wei Yu hadn’t even put his legs down yet when he saw Eighth Brother holding a stick, rushing in excitedly, eager to show it to him.

“Look, this is called a telescope. You can see very far with it! I just got it from Fourth Brother!”

The Eighth Prince was very excited to show Wei Yu how to operate the telescope, afraid he would miss out on such a great thing.

But Wei Yu just nonchalantly glanced up and then continued reading his novel, “Oh, it was just made? Ministry of Works isn’t doing well.”

Eighth Prince’s hands suddenly stopped moving.

As if realizing something, he suddenly looked down at Wei Yu, “Don’t tell me this telescope is related to you too?”

“Uh-huh.”

Wei Yu looked up and gave his Eighth Brother a mischievous smile.

“I gave the formula. Even Fourth Brother’s eye glasses formula was given by me. Oh right, Fourth Brother said a few days ago he would give me dividends, then I’ll treat you to a banquet at a restaurant, okay?”

Eighth Prince: …

Not really in a good mood anymore.