Chapter 134

Chapter 134

After leaving the palace, Meng Shuping returned to the Ministry of Justice. Once he had dealt with his duties, he took a carriage to the Ministry of Works, intending to check on the progress of transparent glass production.

The same official as last time received him. Before Meng Shuping's arrival, he had already been informed that Meng Shuping would oversee the production of colorless transparent glass. So, upon seeing Meng Shuping, he politely offered, "Vice Director Meng, you must be heading to the workshop? Please, this way."

Meng Shuping, unfamiliar with the official, replied formally, "Yes."

The official then smiled and introduced himself. Meng Shuping responded courteously, "Greetings, Sir Luo."

Sir Luo fell silent.

He hadn't spoken with Meng Shuping last time and now realized how aloof Vice Director Meng was. So, he stopped trying to make conversation. When they reached the Glass Workshop, he introduced Meng Shuping's new role to everyone.

Craftsman Li was surprised and enthusiastically greeted him, "Greetings, Lord Meng."

He had thought the firing of colorless transparent glass was Prince Zhao's private affair, but now even the Emperor was paying attention to it. It seemed they had no choice but to succeed.

Under everyone's curious gazes, Meng Shuping felt a slight nervousness but asked directly, "How is your research on transparent glass progressing?"

Craftsman Li looked uncomfortable and said, "Well... Lord Meng, first, our superiors have assigned us other tasks. We must complete those before we can focus on researching colorless transparent glass. Second, this research requires funds."

It wasn't that he was deliberately avoiding the task; it was simply that after Prince Zhao left, he had been overwhelmed with other assignments. Moreover, he dared not use the Ministry of Works' allocated funds recklessly for other projects, so they were still in the planning stage.

Meng Shuping frowned slightly. "So there's no progress at all? Fortunately, the Emperor assigned this task to me; otherwise, it would have been shelved. Jiang Cihe wouldn't have been effective either."

He asked Craftsman Li again, "Do you have any ideas on how to produce colorless transparent glass?"

"Yes, yes, we do," Craftsman Li quickly replied. "We plan to introduce different additives to change the color of the glass. Perhaps that will help us produce transparent glass."

Meng Shuping thought Craftsman Li had some good ideas. After a moment's consideration, he said, "Assign a few people to focus on researching the production of colorless transparent glass. If anyone makes significant progress or succeeds in producing it, I will apply to the Emperor for a substantial monetary reward. Don't worry about other matters; I will explain everything to the Emperor."

Craftsman Li's eyes lit up. "Really, my lord?"

Even low-ranking craftsmen like them could receive rewards? And from the sound of it, the reward wouldn't be small. He couldn't help but wonder about Lord Meng's background.

Last time, a prince accompanied him, and now, just a few days later, he was taking charge of this project.

Sir Luo was also surprised. He thought enviously, Vice Director Meng must be highly favored by Emperor Qianyou; otherwise, how could he make such promises? If I had such authority, I might also be able to push the Glass Workshop to produce colorless transparent glass.

Meng Shuping nodded. "Of course."

If the Emperor was too stingy to agree, he would have to ask Jiang Cihe for the money. He couldn't let people work for nothing, could he?

Craftsman Li and the others were excited. Several craftsmen immediately volunteered, "Craftsman Li, let me work with you on this! You know my skills!"

"Move aside, I should be the one! The glass I produce is the best!"

"What's the use of being the best? Didn't you hear? We need to innovate!"

Craftsman Li admonished with a laugh, "Enough! Mind your manners before Sir Luo and Lord Meng. We'll discuss this later."

They immediately quieted down. "Yes, yes."

Seeing this, Meng Shuping tried to maintain a calm expression. "By the way, you should also write a funding request."

"Funding request?" Craftsman Li asked, confused. "What's that?"

Meng Shuping patiently explained, "It's a petition detailing how much silver you need, what it will be used for, and the goals and timelines for each stage."

Craftsman Li: "..."

After a pause, he said awkwardly, "But we don't know how to read or write!"

Meng Shuping massaged his temples. "How could I forget that? Alas, if you can't read or write, researching will be inconvenient. How will you remember what materials you've used or not just by relying solely on memory?"

Seeing Meng Shuping doubt their abilities, Craftsman Li quickly said, "Don't worry, my lord. Even if we can't read or write, we won't delay the production of colorless transparent glass!"

Though he didn't know how he could hear this voice without seeing Meng Shuping speak, he guessed it must be Lord Meng's internal voice.

Meng Shuping had to say, "Then let's first agree on a process."

After addressing the matters at the Glass Workshop, Meng Shuping went directly to the palace with the memorial. Although he could have submitted it through the standard bureaucratic channels, that would have taken too much time and severely delayed progress. It was better to go straight to Emperor Qianyou.

When Emperor Qianyou saw Meng Shuping's request for rewards, he was speechless. As expected, this young man was asking for money again. Why did he never want to work for free? And not just for himself—he was asking for the craftsmen too. He was quite liberal with imperial funds.

But if Meng Shuping truly had the ability, what harm was there in giving rewards? Compared to the potential benefits, the money was insignificant.

He continued reading and saw the research funding application Meng Shuping had written. He was even more surprised. The application was meticulously structured, dividing the research into three stages, each with clear problems to solve and estimated costs. He had underestimated Meng Shuping.

Emperor Qianyou casually handed the memorial to the Minister of Revenue. "Take a look, Lord Chen."

The Minister of Revenue read through the memorial and once again became increasingly interested in Meng Shuping. He eagerly suggested, "Your Majesty, Vice Director Meng is not only skilled in mathematics but also capable of generating revenue. Why not assign him to our Ministry of Revenue?"

Meng Shuping widened his eyes in shock. "What! Weren't we discussing funding? What's he trying to do all of a sudden? I just got things sorted out at the Ministry of Justice, and now he wants to move me? Is he trying to disrupt my progress?"

But before he could speak, the Minister of Justice became displeased. "Lord Chen, how dare you! How can you attempt to transfer my personnel? Vice Director Meng is part of the Ministry of Justice!"

Although he and Meng Shuping had initially been at odds and still maintained some tension, having Meng Shuping in the Ministry of Justice was greatly beneficial. Those tricky cases could be handed to Meng Shuping without worry.

After all, Meng Shuping had even successfully prosecuted the sons of Prince Cheng, Prince Ning, and General Hong. As for Dong Lide and his son, one was still in prison, and the other had been relegated to a distant post. In the capital, there was no one Meng Shuping feared to confront.

Even if others accused them of being ruthless, they could simply attribute it to Meng Shuping's actions, and no one could argue.

Meng Shuping glanced at the Minister of Justice in surprise. "Strange, doesn't he usually dislike me? Why is he advocating for my retention now?"

"Hmm..."

"Could it be that he wants to keep me in the Ministry of Justice just to create obstacles for me?"

The Minister of Justice looked at Meng Shuping with a complicated expression. Even if he didn't like the guy, when had he ever made things difficult for him? Those tricky cases were enough to present sufficient challenge for Meng Shuping. There was no need for him to create additional obstacles.

Emperor Qianyou glanced at the Minister of Justice. Had Meng Shuping faced many difficulties in the Ministry of Justice?

He turned to the Minister of Revenue and asked, "He's so lacking in ambition. Do you think he'll work hard if he goes to your ministry?"

Meng Shuping quickly agreed inwardly. "Exactly! Idleness remains idleness, no matter where I am. Wait, is it appropriate to say this in front of me? What does 'lacking in ambition' mean? I'm only a seventh-grade official, and already so many people are targeting me. If I climb higher, won't even more people try to bring me down? Since I will not remain in position indefinitely regardless, why should I work so hard?"

The Minister of Revenue argued, "Your Majesty, that's not entirely accurate. Although Vice Director Meng may appear unambitious, he never slacks off on assigned tasks. Besides, once he's in the Ministry of Revenue, he won't have a choice. I will ensure his diligent application to serve Your Majesty better."

Meng Shuping couldn't help but direct a sharp look toward the Minister of Revenue. "Excuse me, I can hear you! Don't act like I'm not here! Even if you push me, I will not submit to exploitation!"

The Minister of Justice scoffed at the Minister of Revenue's words. "Are you implying, Lord Chen, that I haven't been ensuring him to serve His Majesty? Let me tell you, since Vice Director Meng joined the Ministry of Justice, the wayward scions of noble families in the capital have become scarce. Even the officials here don't dare to act too recklessly."

The Minister of Revenue snorted and pressed on. "Your Majesty, think about it. If colorless transparent glass is successfully produced, it could bring in at least a million extra taels of silver annually. Even before joining the Ministry of Revenue, Vice Director Meng is already contributing so much to Great Chu. If he were to join, the national treasury's revenue would increase even more! Your Majesty, do you think he could stand idly by if he saw the treasury lacking funds?"

But as soon as the Minister of Revenue finished speaking, Jiang Cian chimed in. "Father, if that's the case, wouldn't Vice Director Meng also be suitable for the Ministry of Works? He might not only save the treasury a lot of silver but also increase its revenue."

Seeing them argue over where he should go, Meng Shuping grew increasingly frustrated. "What's wrong with these people? Arguing over such a small matter. They should settle this through combat, whoever wins gets to decide!"

He couldn't take it anymore and said, "Your Majesty, does Your Majesty intend to approve this request?"

Emperor Qianyou coughed. "Very well, approved. If funds are needed, draw them from my personal coffers."

Meng Shuping immediately said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"