CHAPTER 905: CHAPTER 903: ALL ASKED FOR LEAVE FROM THEIR SUPERIORS

Two days later was the day the officials from the Ministry of Works and Ye Xinyan had agreed upon to observe the smeltery workshop. Ye Xinyan, Wong Qiao, and Zhang Chang, who managed the construction affairs of Prince Yu’s Mansion, went to the smeltery workshop in Huaiyuan County.

At this time, the smelting technology was quite backward. It was indeed only in the form of a workshop, rudimentary and simple, both technologically and in scale, it was far from advanced.

An experienced master craftsman from the workshop took them around, inspecting the smelting process and explaining the smelting procedure in detail, as well as the tasks required at each stage.

Sure enough, during this craftsman’s narration, the key factor limiting the smelting technology and the output was the insufficient temperature.

Probably because they did not know that there was a substance called oxygen in the world, they had not directly addressed the issue of air volume nor discovered the real bottleneck of the smelting process.

After the inspection, in the workshop’s reception hall, Ye Xinyan inquisitively asked this craftsman many questions.

These questions were actually meant for Wong Qiao to hear. Wong Qiao is a craftsman who likes to think, a naturally gifted master craftsman.

Ye Xinyan hoped that through her inquiries and the craftsman’s answers, Wong Qiao would hear these contents, which could inspire his thinking and hope that his thoughts could lay a foundation for her upcoming arrangements.

Craftsmen like Wong Qiao, due to limitations in vision and conditions, lack guidance and flashes of inspiration.

During Ye Xinyan’s inquiry, he indeed began to consider the flaws in the smelting process. Even Zhang Chang gained a certain understanding of the smelting process and had some estimation of the bottlenecks.

As evening approached and they had to set out, the group reluctantly bid farewell and left with their entourage. Entering the city gate of the capital, Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao agreed to discuss the observations and ideas the following morning at Guangsha Construction.

Zhang Chang was eager to try and also requested to participate.

Wong Qiao was originally preparing for the journey and items to return to Clear Water Village, not expecting that before leaving, he would receive tasks arranged by Ye Xinyan. So, he found himself in a state of confusion, notified by Ye Xinyan to visit Huaiyuan County to observe the operations of the smeltery workshop.

However, he was interested in the technological field and having worked with Ye Xinyan for quite some time, he could infer from her conversation with the smelting craftsman that Ye Xinyan likely intended to manufacture a device that could provide a large amount of air for the smelting furnace.

In the evening, he returned home, had a quick dinner, then went to his room to both sketch and carefully think about what kind of apparatus and structure could provide greater air volume.

If it involves blades, unless the rotation speed of the fan blades is extremely fast, such an effect can’t be achieved. And such speed, in his mind, cannot be reached by manpower.

Then there’s the reciprocating blower design, but now even when bellows are widely used, it’s still difficult to achieve the air volume required by the iron-smelting furnace.

So the next day, with a mind full of confusion and ponderings of technical difficulties, Wong Qiao accompanied Zhou Biyao, and the two of them went to Guangsha Construction, completely unaware that he had unwittingly reached the level of thought Ye Xinyan hoped for.

This was Wong Qiao’s first return to this familiar store since leaving the Qi family.

Wong Qiao’s skills were widely recognized and respected at Guangsha Construction. But since he left Guangsha Construction and joined Prince Fu’s Mansion, not everyone understood his decision.

As he entered, several familiar workers and craftsmen seemed not to notice him at all, casting only a glance before going about their tasks, even ignoring Zhou Biyao, who came in with him. These people even felt it was not worthwhile for Zhou Biyao, knowing the kind of person Wong Qiao was, yet she still chose to marry him, leaving them puzzled about the rationale of an official’s daughter.

Yuan Shang, who could empathize with Wong Qiao’s predicament, knowing he couldn’t disobey his mother, had received instructions from Ye Xinyan. Seeing Wong Qiao come in, he quickly came from the back room and warmly invited him to the backyard.

Jinrong took this matter very seriously and brought Liu Qing and Zhang Chang, two clerks, who almost arrived simultaneously with Wong Qiao at Guangsha Construction Firm.

Ye Xinyan, the initiator of this affair, arrived late. Upon entering, she saw sitting high up Jinrong, and was momentarily stunned.

At this hour, shouldn’t this guy be in the court? What’s he doing here with such leisure?

Jinrong looked at Jiang Yifan, who entered with him, disdainfully and asked, "Did you not say that the Ministry of Revenue has been quite busy lately? How do you have time to come here?"

In the room at this time were not only Jinrong, Wong Qiao, and Hongzhi, among other attendants, but also several clerks from Prince Yu’s Mansion, observing proper etiquette was essential.

Jiang Yifan first formally paid his respects before answering, "I was very curious about what my wife mentioned, so I wanted to hear their thoughts on improving smelting technology. Thus, I sorted my tasks at the Yamen and then took leave from my superior."

Before Jinrong could respond, Ye Xinyan interjected and asked, "Your Highness, how come you’re so free? Isn’t there court to attend?"

He dared to question her husband. Her husband, at best, was only a Category Seven official, doing what he was told by his superiors. But a prince, an Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel, skipping court to hang out at a civil construction firm. Could he be this casual while serving His Majesty the Emperor?

Wasn’t it said that accompanying the sovereign is like accompanying a tiger?

Jinrong was nonchalant, boldly saying, "I too took leave from my superior. I told my superior, the emperor, that I was coming here to hear your thoughts on improving smelting efficiency, and my imperial father allowed it."

Ye Xinyan was at a loss for words. How did Jinrong become so unreliable? To bring up such unproven matters and inadvertently put enormous pressure on the emperor.

Seeing her unhappy expression, Jinrong comforted, "Don’t worry, I told my father that Guangsha Construction’s effort to support the court is already commendable. Even if you fail, the mere intent to share the burden of the world deserves praise."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Seriously, commendable? A heart to support the court? This guy is supposed to be a diligent prince focused on doing business and making money. Has he never heard the saying ’no gains without pains?’ Isn’t this the basis of being a businessman?

"Your Highness, regardless of success, doing this requires significant manpower and resources during the research phase. All of these... need funding to talk." Ye Xinyan tried her best to speak with Jinrong in an indirect manner.

Jinrong immediately scoffed, "Look at how petty you appear. A few days ago, my father said that if this succeeds, regardless of whether patent laws are in place, he would guarantee to grant you the patent rights for your apparatus."

With such a heavy responsibility and immense pressure... why isn’t there a single piece of gratifying news today? It’s better to not let Jinrong continue bragging.

Clutching her chest, Ye Xinyan thought if he kept talking, she might become overwhelmed, suffer a heart attack, and perish.