CHAPTER 901: CHAPTER 899: PETITIONING HIS MAJESTY

Although Jinrong only asked a simple question, Jiang Yifan already understood what he meant, "Your Highness intends to petition His Majesty, and after obtaining approval, arrange for Ah Yan and the others to watch the iron smelting?"

If that’s the case, the success rate of this matter becomes very important. If the Emperor orders the Ministry of Works to open its doors, allowing them to visit freely, then it’s best that the issue has some outcome, at least one that won’t leave the Emperor too disappointed.

Of course, that would be the best result; if successful, it would greatly increase the reputation of the Clear Water Village Mechanical Workshop and lay the foundation for Wong Qiao’s future work in the Ministry of Works. But if it turns out to be a failure, it would just be embarrassing rather than resulting in any punishment or blame.

Both of them looked at Ye Xinyan, waiting for her answer.

Even Qi Younian, who didn’t understand the whole situation, was a bit nervous; his granddaughter, whom he recognized halfway through, indeed had great abilities, which often required the Emperor’s attention, making people anxious.

Ye Xinyan also wore a bitter expression. Success rate? How could she dare to guarantee any success rate? She spoke casually, saying she would find something for Wong Qiao to do. In fact, her ambitions were grand, one could say too grand.

To create a steam engine, even if it’s not the renowned, widely-improved version, producing the earliest type that operates with vacuum suction and is low-efficiency would still be good.

But that is a groundbreaking machine, how could she guarantee it?

The problem is that, according to current productivity, the only place where steam engines can be widely applied is in iron smelting. During this era, coal mining and the textile industry had yet to reach the level where steam engines could be used.

Should coal mining and the textile industry be improved first?

What a joke, she’s a science major and only has a rough understanding of how steam engines work, but as for the so-called labor-saving Jenny Spinning Machine, she honestly doesn’t know a thing about it.

And coal mining, even more so. In ancient times, anything concerning the mining industry was exclusively handled by the court. If it genuinely reached the scale where steam engines needed to be used due to low production caused by drainage difficulties, she would still need to go through the court even if she wanted to observe the mines.

Her cautious mind genuinely didn’t want the chance to go down the mines. Not just in these times, even in the real industrial age, coal mines could collapse, without complete safety measures, an accident could cost the entire mine.

The existing smelting workshops are all under the court’s control. Although this is a tumultuous time, she has no other way around it.

Ye Xinyan bit her lip and gave an answer, "About a fifty percent chance. However, that’s only after observing the smelting process and forming actual ideas that I can have such confidence."

Why was she working so hard and constantly worrying about being exposed? Was it really worth being so selfless and noble? If it doesn’t work out, she might as well give up on such high-end things and just peacefully make money.

"Alright, a fifty percent chance is pretty good." Even Jinrong was quite supportive, "I’ll speak with the Imperial Father, it’s just observing the smelting process, nothing confidential. As for whether you get any ideas afterward, Ye Zi, you shouldn’t feel burdened."

......

With the matter settled, Jiang Yifan returned to the Ministry of Revenue to continue his statistical calculations of various materials.

Jinrong pondered that the political situation was changing quickly, and the disaster could escalate into a rebellion. At that time, discussing such small matters would be inappropriate.

The sooner the better.

He directly entered the palace to seek an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor, upon hearing that Prince Yu sought an audience, put down the red-inked brush in his hand and stretched his arm, "Let him come in."

This youngster usually avoids him with ease, especially after he urged for specific revenue figures from Prince Yu’s Mansion twice; upon seeing him, it’s like a mouse seeing a cat. If he is willing to seek an audience now, it’s certainly not good news.

After performing the formal courtesies of ruler and minister, the Emperor waved his hand, letting Jinrong sit on a chair beside him, and started with a sting to the heart, "Have you finished accounting the financial situation of your mansion, coming here specifically to inform me?"

Jinrong immediately appeared baffled. Damn, in focusing so much on what Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao might produce, he even forgot about this issue.

The Emperor immediately pulled a long face, "So, does your Prince Yu’s Mansion have so much, more than the entire court’s assets, that after so long, you still can’t make an account?"

Jinrong secretly gritted his teeth, once again being maneuvered by that girl Ye Xinyan. How foolish can he be to walk willingly into a trap?

If the Emperor is going to be so harsh, there’s no point in saving face, and Jinrong decided to break the jar: "My mansion’s assets are neither few nor many, the account books are already there. It’s just that you haven’t told me your intentions on handling my assets, be it loan or use, you must give me an idea to put my mind at ease."

Zhang Cunhai, experienced in court, remained relatively calm, but the little eunuchs by the door had slightly weakened legs. They knew how bad the Emperor’s temper had been in recent days. For Prince Yu to dare quarrel over these petty issues at this moment—it was indeed bold.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor wasn’t actually angry but nodded: "Prince Yu is being reasonable with this request. It shows your sincerity in wanting to contribute your mansion’s resources to aid the court through hardship."

Jinrong was almost in tears. How is he sincerely planning to support the court? Yes, he is willing to help with disaster relief, but isn’t it fair for the Imperial Father to give him some clarity? Can’t just simply splash away all his hard-earned Silver Coins without explanation, right?

The Emperor as a wise ruler continued reasonably, "For you still as a man, how could you be so petty? I reign over all under heaven; would I really embezzle your estate? Just prepare well, and when the court lacks funds, I will borrow Silver Coin from you, issuing you a note. Additionally, a steward from your mansion is allowed to oversee the allocation of expenditures. How does that sound?"

Jinrong, in disbelief, looked up at the Emperor.

His Imperial Father actually promised him such terms—how could it be anything but wonderful?

The Emperor was quite satisfied with Jinrong’s reaction; this boy at least lives up to his status as a prince, understanding priorities.

"Speak, what is your visit about?" the Emperor inquired.

"Oh, it’s like this," Jinrong snapped back to his senses and hurriedly said, "the Official Craftsman Wong Qiao from the Iron Workshop that was seized by the Ministry of Justice recently was brought to the capital by the Qi Family Construction Business. Since his mother didn’t want to work at the Qi Family, he turned to the Iron Workshop but was implicated in the railway material case and lost his position..."

Jinrong first explained the reasons for the dismissal, before stating that Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao wished to visit the court’s smeltery workshops, hoping Wong Qiao could create some practical tools upon returning to Clear Water Village to assist in improving smelting efficiency.

The Emperor set aside the seemingly elusive matter of improving smelting efficiency and asked about Wong Qiao: "Is Wong Qiao the one who previously instructed the Ministry of Works craftsmen in machine operations? If I recall correctly, wasn’t he the son-in-law of Zhou Bingyi?"