Chapter 132

Chapter 132

The Minister of Works couldn't help but sneer, "Vice Director Meng, you make it sound so easy. Do you think reducing the cost of producing this glassware is that simple? If it were truly that easy, it would have been done long ago!"

Meng Shuping scoffed inwardly, "Just because he can't do it doesn't mean others can't. Does he think everyone is as ignorant as he is?"

He maintained a straight face and spoke bluntly to Emperor Qianyou, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, have a method that can reduce the cost of firing this glass."

Emperor Qianyou asked curiously, "What method?"

Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet anyone's gaze, but his words were remarkably bold. He said earnestly, "I, your humble servant, believe... believe that someone else should take over as Minister of Works."

"If he can't do the job, plenty of others can! Your Majesty appointed him to solve problems, not to say what can't be done. Does he think he has the right to do a bad job? If he doesn't want to do it, then he shouldn't! There are plenty of people who could step into the role of Minister of Works!"

Emperor Qianyou pondered this. Somehow, he felt Meng Shuping's words made some sense. As ministers, their duty was to share his burdens. Otherwise, what were they for?

The Minister of Works was furious. "That's ridiculous! Does Vice Director Meng think the appointment and dismissal of officials is a joke? What? You're not going to suggest that if I can't do it, you can? Perhaps you should take the position of Minister of Works yourself?"

Meng Shuping pressed his lips together and said with false modesty, "If Your Majesty agrees, it's not impossible."

"After all, just saying it won't actually get me the position, so I might as well agree? I don't believe he'd have the nerve to take it back. If he doesn't mind the humiliation, let him renege!"

The Emperor almost smiled before he quickly resumed a stern expression. This kid Meng Shuping really dared to accept whatever was thrown at him. The Minister of Works must be furious.

The Minister of Works was indeed infuriated. Trembling, he pointed at Meng Shuping. "You! You! You're unbelievable!"

Several other officials were also stunned speechless by Meng Shuping's words. Was this young man simply missing the sarcasm, or was he being outrageously insolent? How could an uneducated country kid like him think he could just take the position of Minister of Works?

They began to criticize Meng Shuping one after another. "Vice Director Meng, aren't you being rather overconfident? What do you know about the Ministry of Works' affairs?"

"Hmph! You don't know how things work! Focus on handling your own duties properly first, young man. It's better not to bite off more than you can chew!"

"How rude! Lord Shi was merely speaking sarcastically! Did you actually take him seriously?"

Faced with this barrage of criticism, Meng Shuping seemed quite frightened. He shifted his feet slightly and said stiffly, "So... so Lord Shi was... messing with me?"

"You've got to be kidding! He didn't actually think I wouldn't dare to accept, did he? If he had the nerve to deceive me, why wouldn't I have the nerve to believe him? If he said it, he should have considered the consequences. If he can't follow through, why did he even suggest it? Does he think messing with people is funny?"

"Honestly, good thing I'm someone who can resist temptation, otherwise I might have been fooled by his old face! Has he tricked many young people like me before? Ugh! What a shameless old man! And he calls himself a court minister, pointing his finger at others. Where are his manners?"

The Minister of Revenue said smirking, "Colleagues, it was Lord Shi who suggested not wanting to be Minister of Works, not something Vice Director Meng requested. Lord Shi's voluntary action has nothing to do with Vice Director Meng."

Others who were at odds with the Minister of Works also jumped in. "Exactly, exactly. Although Vice Director Meng's words were a bit bold, he's young. Being ambitious and enterprising isn't a bad thing. Why must we discourage him?"

"To be fair, the Minister of Works truly lacks capability. What significant achievements has he made during his tenure?"

"Vice Director Meng isn't wrong. A method to increase the state's revenue is right before our eyes, yet he completely ignored it. This is rather neglecting his duties!"

"He draws a salary from the court but doesn't think about sharing the Emperor's burdens. Lord Shi is simply slacking off in his position!"

Being ridiculed by Meng Shuping and attacked by everyone, the Minister of Works was so angry his hair seemed to stand on end. He staggered, lost his balance, and swayed backward. Several officials standing nearby hurriedly supported him. "Lord Shi, are you alright?"

Meng Shuping couldn't believe it. "Seriously? I barely did anything, and he's this angry? Is he trying to blame me? Even if he dies of anger, it's not my fault. Who told him to be old, weak, and so sensitive? But honestly, if his health is failing, he shouldn't stubbornly cling to his post. He should just retire already!"

Although the Minister of Works was dizzy, Meng Shuping's words reached his ears clearly. He was so furious he could barely breathe, and it took him a long effort to recover.

Seeing the Minister of Works in such a state, Emperor Qianyou asked with concern, "Minister, are you alright? Would you like to rest in the side chamber first?"

The Minister of Works quickly said, "Your Majesty, your servant is fine. I just hadn't eaten anything and was a bit hungry."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Meng Shuping's voice was heard again. "Lots of people skip breakfast and don't faint. Ultimately, it's still being in bad shape. When people get old, they should accept it. At his age, doesn't he have any idea how frail he is?"

The Minister of Works nearly fainted again from anger. He glared furiously at Meng Shuping. He was perfectly fine! If it weren't for Meng Shuping provoking him, would he have fainted?

Jiang Cihe smiled and said, "Father, I believe Lord Shi is likely getting old and weak, which is why he lacks the energy to attend to the numerous affairs of the Ministry of Works. Although Vice Director Meng's words were blunt, they are not without reason. Lord Shi has served the court diligently and worked hard for so many years; he may not have accomplishments, but he's worked hard. Now that his health is failing and he wishes to resign from the position of Minister of Works, Father should grant his request."

Meng Shuping almost couldn't contain his laughter. "Hahaha, ruthless! He's really something. Look, he's basically saying that Lord Shi, after all these years, hasn't accomplished anything useful, right? Not to be harsh, but if Lord Shi had any self-awareness, he wouldn't cling to a post without contributing!"

The Minister of Revenue and others also added fuel to the fire. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Since Lord Shi no longer wishes to be Minister of Works, why force him?"

"It seems Lord Shi's heart is no longer in court affairs. Keeping him here is pointless. It would be better to give someone else a chance!"

The Minister of Works, extremely angry, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I was only joking earlier! I didn't truly mean I didn't want to serve! I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

Meng Shuping looked at him disdainfully. "What did I say? Contradicting himself? If he can't follow through, he shouldn't make big promises, alright? It just makes people think less of him!"

Summoning his courage, he said, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, believe that Lord Shi is indeed occupying a position without fulfilling its duties. The Ministry of Works handles all technical crafts and has the responsibility to advance the technology of various handicrafts. Yet he completely neglects this, is derelict in his duty, and has caused great losses to our Great Chu!"

The Minister of Works angrily rebuked him, "That's total nonsense! How have I caused great losses to Great Chu?"

Emperor Qianyou was also very curious. What losses could there be? He asked Meng Shuping, "Explain carefully."

The Minister of Works looked at Emperor Qianyou resentfully. Surely the Emperor wouldn't actually believe this kid's nonsense?

Meng Shuping gathered his courage. "Your Majesty, what is the most important aspect for our Great Chu?"

Emperor Qianyou thought for a moment. "The most important, of course, is agriculture. Food is the basic need of the people."

Meng Shuping's voice was dry, and he tried hard to keep it steady. "If... if the water conservancy tools, plowing tools, and harvesting tools needed for agriculture were designed to be more efficient, precise, and durable, then crop yields would surely increase. Also, if the Ministry of Works researched methods to eliminate pests and weeds, wouldn't that also prevent further impacts on yield? But the Ministry of Works has done nothing in this regard."

Emperor Qianyou pondered. He had never before considered having the Ministry of Works handle such matters. But if they could actually achieve results, it really might lead to increases.

Seeing that Emperor Qianyou was very interested, the Minister of Works quickly said, "Your Majesty! Research on farming tools has always been done spontaneously by the people; it was never assigned to the Ministry of Works. Moreover, what Vice Director Meng suggests is not something that can be easily researched. It would inevitably require additional funding from the Ministry of Revenue. If the research fails, wouldn't it waste even more money?"

Meng Shuping thought sarcastically, "This shows his lack of initiative. He needs the Emperor to instruct him on everything. Is he just repeating whatever the Emperor says? The Emperor has so many matters to attend to daily; how can he constantly be thinking about him? Besides, how does he know it can't be researched? Ultimately, he just doesn't want to try!"

He spoke up again. "Lord Shi also said that if research fails, it would waste more money. But if it's left entirely to the people, they are even less likely to spend money on research willingly. In that case, when will tools ever be improved?"

Without waiting for the Minister of Works to respond, he continued, "Furthermore, increasing yield isn't only possible through agriculture. I haven't seen you research other areas either. If even one area is improved, wouldn't that generate funds for researching others?"

The Minister of Works thought Meng Shuping was incredibly naive. If it were really that easy, would it be this kid's turn? He sneered, "Since Vice Director Meng finds these matters so easy, why doesn't Vice Director Meng be in charge of them? If you can truly accomplish this, I willingly let someone better take the position of Minister of Works!"

Meng Shuping immediately panicked. He waved his hands quickly. "No, no! I'm really too young! They wouldn't respect me! Lord Shi, please don't put me on the spot!"

"I might dare to accept becoming Minister of Works because the Emperor wouldn't actually appoint me. But having me guide their research? That won't do. What if the Emperor really agrees?"

"Not to speak ill of him, but Lord Shi is really sneaky. I think he's deliberately trying to trap me, right? The Ministry of Justice affairs keep me busy enough. How would I have time for other work? And there's no extra pay. Even if the Emperor were willing to pay, wouldn't I rather have time to rest? Who wants to work like a dog every day?"

The expression on the Minister of Works's face was indescribable. How could there be someone so unambitious?

But since Meng Shuping was so arrogant, he didn't mind taking him down a notch. He looked at Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, if Vice Director Meng truly has such talent, what does his youth matter? Our court appoints talent based on ability, not just age. Therefore, I believe we should let him try."

Meng Shuping opened his mouth slightly, about to refuse, but then he heard Emperor Qianyou say, "Minister speaks wisely. However, if Vice Director Meng truly succeeds, what will you do?"

The Minister of Works snorted. "If Vice Director Meng truly succeeds, then I will admit to the charge of neglecting my duties!"

He didn't believe Meng Shuping could actually do it. Anyone can boast! Does he really think some things are that easy? Once Meng Shuping runs into trouble, he'll understand the difficulty!

Emperor Qianyou nodded. "Then the matter of the glass is entrusted to Vice Director Meng. If improvements are made in other areas as well, you'll be rewarded!"

Meng Shuping looked up at Emperor Qianyou in disbelief, "Wait, can’t I at least be consulted? How can it be decided so rashly? Does His Majesty get restless if he isn’t working me to the bone?"

"Had I known this, I wouldn’t have meddled. So what if he was criticizing me? Why did I have to fight for that bit of pride? Now I’m in a real bind!"

With a stiff expression, he said, "Your Majesty, I have conditions!"

Emperor Qianyou replied readily, "Granted!"

Meng Shuping’s face showed utter disbelief, "But I haven’t even stated what the conditions are!"

Emperor Qianyou said with a smile, "No need to elaborate, my dear Minister. I agree to any condition. You can write up a formal request later."

Trying to find an excuse to slack off? No way—I must cut off any chance for this rascal to weasel out!

Meng Shuping: "..." He’s an emperor, after all—how can he just do whatever he wants?