Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Meng Shuping and Jiang Mingyou returned to the Ministry of Works, once again seeking out Sir Luo. The moment he saw Meng Shuping, Sir Luo felt a pang of guilt, forcing an awkward laugh. "Ah, Vice Director Meng is here, haha, haha."

Then, noticing Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian, he asked with a puzzled look, "Vice Director Meng, who are these two...?"

Meng Shuping replied coolly, "They are here to protect me."

Hearing this, Sir Luo was taken aback, suddenly recalling the rumors from the past few days. He said awkwardly, "Haha, I see. What brings you here today, Vice Director Meng?"

Meng Shuping said expressionlessly, "The other day, you claimed there wasn't enough money. Is there enough now?"

"Well..." Sir Luo put on a troubled expression again. "Vice Director Meng, it's only been a couple of days. How could it be so quick? Perhaps you should consult someone higher up?"

After all, Vice Director Meng had infuriated Lord Shi last time. Even if Sir Luo wished to be accommodating, he dared not. Vice Director Meng might not remain in the Ministry of Works for long, but Lord Shi was his superior. If Lord Shi truly intended to make things difficult for him, there would be ample opportunities in the future.

Meng Shuping grew impatient. "So, you're saying you can't make the decision?"

"Then don't blame me for showing my true colors. That Shi fellow said even if I complain to the Emperor, he'd be fine, but Sir Luo might not be so lucky. If Shi can wash his hands of it, can Luo do the same?"

"I refuse to believe that if charges of embezzlement and withholding funds are uncovered, that Shi would still protect Luo."

Sir Luo was startled and quickly softened his tone. "Oh, Vice Director Meng, please don't make things difficult for me. I'm merely following orders from above. Otherwise, I'll be the one in trouble. If you have any concerns, why not take it up with someone higher?"

Meng Shuping said coldly, "Am I making things difficult for you? Clearly, you're the one making things difficult for me."

"He's the one who chose to put himself between me and Shi. Since he chose to side with Shi, he should have considered the consequences of offending me. There's no reason for me to turn the other cheek when he's deliberately obstructing me. If he has the guts, let him go beg Shi for mercy!"

Seeing that Meng Shuping was serious, Sir Luo felt like crying. What did the feud between Meng Shuping and Lord Shi have to do with him? Why was everyone making things difficult for him?

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "How about this, Vice Director Meng? I'll allocate some resources to you for now. For the rest, could you please take it up with Lord Shi? I've truly done my best!"

This was the biggest concession he could make. If he fully satisfied Meng Shuping, Lord Shi would surely have complaints.

Meng Shuping pondered briefly and, under Sir Luo's hopeful gaze, said, "Alright."

Getting something was better than nothing. Besides, his visit to Sir Luo today wasn't solely for this purpose. This was just an unexpected bonus.

Sir Luo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Then please, Vice Director Meng."

Once the resources were allocated, the Liuli Workshop quickly began its work. Meng Shuping's mind raced, and he said to Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian, "Come on, let's go to the Minister of Works."

Hearing this, Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian grew excited. "Let's go, let's go!"

Soon, the three of them arrived at the Minister of Works' office. Seeing Meng Shuping again, the Minister of Works felt a familiar twinge in his recently recovered back. He glanced at Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian and said with a sour expression, "Vice Director Meng, this is the Ministry of Works, not a marketplace. What are you doing bringing these riff-raff here? If anything goes missing, can you bear the responsibility?"

Hearing this, Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian were incensed. They stepped forward. "How dare you speak like that, old man? Who are you calling riff-raff? At your age, how can you casually slander people?"

The Minister of Works was startled and quickly recoiled. "What are you trying to do? Guards! Guards!"

Meng Shuping was speechless. "Seriously? He's the Minister of Works, yet he's this timid? It's just a raised voice. Is he really that scared? Does he need an escort just to talk? What a coward!"

Soon, several people rushed in. Seeing it was Meng Shuping again, they sighed inwardly. Was Lord Shi going to ask them to attack Lord Meng again?

One of them asked, "Lord Shi, what's wrong?"

The Minister of Works stiffened but quickly straightened up. "Bring me a cup of tea!"

Meng Shuping was dumbfounded. "Seriously? I thought he was going to do something. It's just a cup of tea. Was it necessary to make such a scene? Anyone would think he was about to start a fight!"

The Minister of Works clenched his fists. After all these years in court, how could he show fear in front of some wet-behind-the-ears kid?

A moment later, the tea was brought. The Minister of Works composed himself and said sternly, "Vice Director Meng, why have you brought these irrelevant people here?"

Meng Shuping said sarcastically, "To protect Lord Shi, of course. So he doesn't throw his back out again if he tries to hit me!"

"If I didn't bring people, should I just let him hit me again? It's only because he's old and his limbs aren't as agile that I didn't suffer worse!"

"Pfft!" Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian couldn't help but laugh. They never expected the esteemed Minister of Works to be so enraged he'd resort to physical violence. But not only did he fail to land a hit, he hurt himself instead. It was just too funny.

Meng Shuping put on a concerned expression. "Is Lord Shi's back better now?"

"Not to be rude, but maybe don't be so impulsive next time. Hurting yourself is one thing, but if you try to pin it on me, that's a bigger problem. At your age, shouldn't you take better care of yourself?"

The Minister of Works sneered. "There's no need for Vice Director Meng to concern himself with that. Also, Vice Director Meng, why are you here again? I've already told you, whoever is in charge of this matter, take it up with them. I have no time to bother with such trivial matters."

Meng Shuping said stiffly, "But Sir Luo said it was on your orders."

"As if I want to be here! If he weren't deliberately making things difficult for me, I wouldn't even bother with him. I think he's picking on me just so I'll come see him. He's waiting for me to seek him out, isn't he?"

The Minister of Works' face darkened. Him, wanting to see Meng Shuping? Don't make him laugh! He snorted. "Vice Director Meng, you must be joking. Why would I give him orders for no reason? If you think he's at fault, report him to the Emperor directly. Why push it onto me?"

Seeing the Minister of Works still trying to shift blame, Meng Shuping grew impatient. "Lord Shi, stop pretending. If you hadn't given the orders, why would they, who have no grudge against me, make things difficult for me?"

"We've already reached this point. Is he still going to put on an act? If he loves performing so much, why doesn't he go become an actor? I might even toss him a couple of coins as a reward!"

The Minister of Works' expression grew even uglier. He gritted his teeth. "Then go ask him! Why come to me? I know nothing about your affairs."

Seeing the Minister of Works remain so tight-lipped without revealing anything, Meng Shuping was extremely displeased. He said coldly, "You're in charge of the Ministry of Works, yet you claim to know nothing? It makes me doubt whether Lord Shi is even capable of managing this ministry."

The Minister of Works sneered. "There's no need for Vice Director Meng to worry about that. You'd be better off focusing on the Ministry of Justice. Matters of the Ministry of Works are none of your concern!"

Meng Shuping took a deep breath and reached out to overturn the table again. But just as he moved, the Minister of Works stopped him. The Minister of Works snorted. "Vice Director Meng, you didn't think you could flip my table again, did you?"

Last time, he'd been caught off guard. This time, he'd learned his lesson!

But no sooner had he spoken than the table beside him was overturned with a bang. The Minister of Works turned in disbelief to see Jiang Mingyou standing there apologetically. "Sorry, I accidentally bumped into it."

Looking at Jiang Mingyou's cheeky expression, the Minister of Works' face turned livid. "Accident"? It was clearly deliberate!

Meng Shuping was delighted and almost laughed out loud. "Hahaha, did he really think the people I brought were just for show? Well done!"

Hearing this, the Minister of Works glared angrily at Meng Shuping. "Meng Shuping! How dare you!"

The guards outside heard the commotion and rushed in. When they entered, they saw the Minister of Works glaring fiercely at Meng Shuping, thinking he was about to attack again. They quickly stepped in to restrain him. "Lord Shi, Lord Shi, calm down! Why bother with a kid who's still wet behind the ears?"

"Lord Shi, my dear Lord Shi, please don't throw your back out again!"

"Can't we talk this out peacefully? Resorting to violence only ruins harmony."

Meng Shuping nearly burst out laughing. "Exactly, exactly! I'm young and can be excused for being reckless. But he's so old and still picking on me—that's just shameless!"

He looked sincerely at the Minister of Works and said, "If Lord Shi is dissatisfied, just... just report me to the Emperor. Privately assaulting an imperial official really isn't acceptable."

"Isn't he just forcing me to complain to the Emperor? If he has the guts, let him go report it! I refuse to believe he'd dare take this matter to the Emperor! Since he wants to see who cracks first, I'll play along! I'll flip this table every time I come! It's not like I expect him to stop obstructing me anyway!"

The Minister of Works was so angry his beard seemed to bristle. How could there be someone so pretentious and cunning! And he had the nerve to say the Minister was the one acting? In his opinion, this kid was just as bad!

Seeing the Minister of Works was once again enraged, Meng Shuping worried he might actually harm himself and quickly took a step back. "Lord Shi, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

After saying that, he motioned to Jiang Mingyou and Pei Mian, and the three of them quickly left.

The Minister of Works slammed the table in frustration. How infuriating! Absolutely outrageous!

Not long after Meng Shuping left, Sir Luo came looking for him. Shocked by the scene inside the room, he quickly helped the Minister of Works with cleaning up. "Lord Shi, what happened here?"

The Minister of Works threw the items heavily onto the table. "Hmph! It's all because of that Meng Shuping!"

Sir Luo was astonished. What on earth had Vice Director Meng done to anger Lord Shi so much? He cautiously probed, "Lord Shi, perhaps we should just stop opposing him. If the Emperor finds fault, you may not be afraid, but I could be stripped of my post!"

The Minister of Works glared at him fiercely. "If you dare side with him, don't think you'll remain in the Ministry of Works for long. Plenty of people are eager to take your place."

Intimidated by the Minister of Works' words, Sir Luo didn't dare say more. He sighed with a troubled expression. What was all this about? Whom had he offended? Why was everyone making things difficult for him?