Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1542 Trouble in the Ministry of Industry!

After drinking a cup of tea and reading Chen Fu's memorial, Ye Mingsheng fell into deep thought. He never imagined why Chen Fu made such a choice!

After a moment's silence, Ye Mingsheng called Ye Cheng in and asked:

"Has anything happened in the Ministry of Industry recently?"

Ye Cheng, who had already read Chen Fu's report, was not surprised at Ye Mingsheng's question, but he could only shake his head and said honestly:
"Your Majesty, I don't know that!"

Hearing this answer, Ye Mingsheng also directly ordered:
"Send someone to call Chen Fu to me right now! I want to talk to him!"

"Yes!"

Under Ye Mingsheng's order, Chen Fu, the Minister of Works of Daqian, soon arrived at the imperial study.

"Your humble servant Chen Fu pays respect to Your Majesty!"

Ye Mingsheng looked at Chen Fu who was kneeling on the ground. Instead of waving his hand to let him get up as usual, he directly asked:

"Why do you want to resign?"

Facing Ye Mingsheng's question, Chen Fu spoke without hesitation:
"I am old and weak, and I am no longer able to perform the duties of the Minister of Industry. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and allow me to retire and return home. I will be very grateful!"

After saying this, Chen Fu, who was kneeling on the ground, kowtowed to Ye Mingsheng three times.

Listening to the heavy sound of Chen Fu's head knocking on the ground, Ye Mingsheng could also feel the determination of this old minister to retire and return home...
After taking a deep look at Chen Fu, Ye Mingsheng also spoke in a deep voice:
"Chen Fu, you can retire and return home if you want. You are the Minister of Industry, a senior official of the Cabinet, and an important official of Daqian. I can make it a glorious life for you. There is absolutely no problem with that!"

"But I only have one thing for you. You have to tell me what happened and what made you want to retire and return home!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's question, Chen Fu immediately said:

"The reason why I want to retire and return home is my own fault. As I get older, I feel that I am losing energy. I am not qualified to be the Minister of Industry, so I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!"

Before Chen Fu could finish his words, Ye Mingsheng interrupted him rudely:

"Don't tell me this bullshit! I, Ye Mingsheng, am not a three-year-old child. I can't believe your nonsense!"

"You told me in your report to the Ministry of Industry before the New Year that you would lead the Ministry of Industry to work hard this year. Less than a month later, you said that you are old and weak, and lack energy and are not qualified for the work of the Ministry of Industry. Who are you trying to fool here?"

"Chen Fu, I'm giving you a chance. Tell me the truth here. Is it because something went wrong with the project that you want to run away?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this, Chen Fu quickly spoke:
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Industry is currently directly leading the eleven engineering projects, and each one is proceeding step by step without any problems. If there are any problems, I am willing to die to apologize!"

Ye Mingsheng, who originally thought that Chen Fu wanted to shirk responsibility, became even more confused when he saw Chen Fu's upright look. He didn't understand why Chen Fu, who was the Minister of Works and a cabinet minister, was determined to retire and return home?
Just when Ye Mingsheng was puzzled, Ye Cheng walked into the imperial study and whispered in Ye Mingsheng's ear...
After hearing Ye Cheng's story, Ye Mingsheng became shocked and angry, and immediately asked Chen Fu:

"Did Chen Changgui scold you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Fu's old face suddenly turned red, and he looked embarrassed and annoyed.

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng also understood the real reason why Chen Fu wanted to leave. He really didn't expect that it was because of this incident!
According to Ye Cheng, at a meeting of the Ministry of Industry a few days ago, Chen Fu, who was the Minister, was dissatisfied with some production conditions of the First General Manufacturing Bureau, so he criticized Chen Changgui, who was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and concurrently the Director of the First General Manufacturing Bureau.

At that time, Chen Fu said, if you can't even do this little job, what the hell are you doing for a living?
These words were a bit harsh, as they were a direct greeting to Chen Changgui's mother. Moreover, at the meeting of the Ministry of Works at that time, not only Chen Fu, Chen Changgui, Su Junjie, the Shangshu and two vice ministers, but also other doctors, yuanwailang and directors of the Ministry of Works were present.

Because it was in public, in front of his colleagues and subordinates in the Ministry of Works, Chen Changgui felt a little embarrassed to be greeted with greetings about his mother, so he immediately fought back, pointing his finger and saying how he had led the manufacture of numerous muskets and cannons for Daqian, how he defeated the Luoan court, and how he had made great contributions to Daqian's conquest of the world!

After listing all his achievements, Chen Changgui became more and more excited and out of control. In the end, he pointed at Chen Fu's nose and cursed:
"I, Chen Changgui, am a meritorious official of Daqian. I was appointed as the Minister of Works because of my contributions to Daqian and my loyalty to Your Majesty. You, Chen Fu, are a traitor who surrendered from the Luoan court. How dare you blame me?" "If I were you, I would draw my sword and commit suicide. I would never be a traitor!"

As the saying goes, lies don’t hurt people, only the truth hurts people. In public, Chen Fu, who was accused of being a traitor, was also very ashamed and angry. He was so angry that he couldn’t say a word. Fortunately, Su Junjie saw that the meeting was a little out of control at that time, and he immediately smoothed things over, which prevented the situation from getting worse. The meeting ended unhappily in the end...
Ye Mingsheng really didn't expect that the Minister of Daqian would actually start quarreling like a shrew at the Ministry of Works meeting!
Although it seems that Chen Fu was at fault first and was wrong to curse at his mother at the Ministry of Works meeting, but as a subordinate, how could you, Chen Changgui, openly call your Shangshu a traitor? This is indeed a big mistake!

Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng didn't waste any words and directly ordered:
"Bring that bastard Chen Changgui to me!"

"Yes!"

Half an incense stick later, Chen Changgui arrived at the imperial study. Feeling Ye Mingsheng's cold eyes and looking at Chen Fu kneeling on the ground, Chen Changgui immediately understood why Ye Mingsheng wanted him here. However, he was mentally prepared and was not afraid at all. He immediately knelt down and greeted him as usual:
"Your humble servant Chen Changgui pays respect to Your Majesty!"

"You, Chen Changgui, are so bold! How dare you insult your boss in public as a traitor! You are truly lawless!"

Chen Changgui wanted to explain immediately after hearing this, but before he could open his mouth, Ye Mingsheng said again:

"I, Ye Mingsheng, have also been a general of the Great Zhou. Am I also a traitor in your eyes?"

As soon as these words came out, Chen Changgui's face suddenly changed. The next second, he kowtowed like crazy and said in great fear:

"I would never dare to have such a thought!"

"What else are you afraid of? I think Daqian can't tolerate you, Chen Changgui!"

Hearing what Ye Mingsheng said, Chen Changgui didn't know what to say. He just kept knelt on the ground and kowtowed, his forehead was bloody. Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng also scolded:
"You bastard, why don't you apologize to Minister Chen!"

After hearing what Ye Mingsheng said, Chen Changgui finally woke up from his dream and immediately kowtowed to Chen Fu to apologize:
"Minister Chen, I was wrong. Please consider this for what it is worth and don't hold it against me..."

Facing Chen Changgui's apology, Chen Fu felt no joy in his heart, only mixed emotions!
Honestly speaking, as the Minister of Works of the Luoan court, Chen Fu did not actually expect that he would have a good development in the Yijing court after the fall of the Luoan court. He even did not think that he could be a G in the Yijing court at first. He only thought that he could land smoothly and return home to be a rich man, and he would be satisfied!

However, under Ye Mingsheng's personal appointment, he became the Minister of Works of the Yijing court, and even later became a cabinet minister of the Daqian cabinet!
This was undoubtedly good news for Chen Fu, who had originally only wanted to land smoothly. After all, as the Minister of Works in the Luoan court for nearly ten years, Chen Fu dreamed of becoming the Minister of Works. This was what he had always dreamed of!
Although Chen Fu was an official who grew up in the Luoan court, he rose from the position of Chief Secretary, Deputy Director, and finally Assistant Director. However, because he had no backing, his qualifications and abilities were enough to be the Minister of Works, but he was always a little short of that. He wasted nearly ten years in the position of Assistant Director of Works, and he did not become the Minister of Works until the Luoan court was destroyed...
Therefore, Chen Fu, who became the Minister of Industry in Daqian, was also very moved by Ye Mingsheng's trust. He secretly made up his mind to repay Ye Mingsheng with his own efforts. He wanted to achieve some results and tell Ye Mingsheng that he did not make the wrong choice.
However, as the work progressed, Chen Fu discovered that things were not that simple. First of all, according to the Zhou system, the Ministry of Works was responsible for engineering construction, military farming and water conservancy, and military equipment manufacturing.

However, in the original structure of the Fengwu Army, engineering construction, military farming and water conservancy were basically the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue and the local provincial government.

As for the manufacturing of military equipment, the Fengwu Army has the First Manufacturing Bureau which is responsible for the production of military equipment. In addition, the Fengwu Army also has the Second Manufacturing Bureau for civilian industrial production!

The reason why Ye Mingsheng wanted to take Chen Fu's life and make him the Minister of Works was that he wanted Chen Fu, an expert in engineering construction, water conservancy and military farming, to change the situation, integrate these aspects, and make the Ministry of Works a powerful department in Daqian!

Ye Mingsheng’s idea was good, but unfortunately Ye Mingsheng overestimated Chen Fu’s work ability and underestimated the xenophobia within the Fengwu Army!
Before Ye Mingsheng appointed Chen Fu as the Minister of Works, many people in the Yijing court believed that Chen Changgui, who had made important contributions to the production of firearms for the Fengwu Army, would be the most favorable candidate for the position of the Minister of Works. Chen Changgui himself was also complacent about this and felt that the position of the Minister of Works belonged to him...
However, he had not been happy for a few days before Chen Fu, the Minister of Works, was parachuted in, and he was appointed as the Vice Minister.

Chen Changgui was also emotional. Although he didn't dare to complain about Ye Mingsheng's orders, he often looked down on Chen Fu in secret. He usually disobeyed Chen Fu's orders and even arranged for his subordinates to contradict Chen Fu!

Chen Fu is also a veteran who has been in the officialdom for more than ten years. He is also very clear about what Chen Changgui did, but because he had just arrived in the Yijing court and had not yet established a firm foothold, he chose to forbear and did not bother with Chen Changgui!
However, Chen Fu remembered this grudge completely in his heart. After serving as the Minister of Works for a year, Chen Fu, who felt that he had secured his position, began to attack Chen Changgui, wanting to deal with this self-important minister and completely gain control of the Ministry of Works!
Chen Fu originally wanted to catch Chen Changgui making a big mistake, but Chen Changgui had been in charge of the First Manufacturing Bureau for many years and was very familiar with all the work matters of the First Manufacturing Bureau, so he did not give Chen Fu a chance to take advantage of him!
So Chen Fu searched for a long time and only found a small problem. However, Chen Fu, who was eager to establish his own prestige, could not care about these things. So he brought this small problem to the table at the Ministry of Industry meeting a few days ago and criticized Chen Changgui...

Chen Fu originally thought that Chen Changgui had made the mistake first and he was his superior, so even if he was angry, he could only quietly endure his scolding in the meeting. However, he never expected that Chen Changgui would be so aggressive. Not only did he not give in, but he also started to argue with him!

A traitor had directly struck a blow to Chen Fu's vital point, leaving him speechless. So far, this meeting not only failed to achieve the effect that Chen Fu had expected of striking Chen Changgui and establishing his role as the Shangshu, but instead, he, the Shangshu, was humiliated by Chen Changgui!

Chen Fu knew that this had happened. If he didn't defeat Chen Changgui, he would never be able to return to the Ministry of Industry to take charge of the work!

Chen Fu knew that Chen Changgui was Ye Mingsheng's favorite general. Many of Ye Mingsheng's important tasks were placed in the First Manufacturing Bureau, such as the steam engine project. In addition, Ye Mingsheng also frequently inspected the First Manufacturing Bureau. The entire Yijing court knew that Ye Mingsheng admired Chen Changgui's work ability. This was also the reason why Chen Changgui, the Minister of Works, dared to challenge him as the Minister!
Chen Fu was very clear about the common means. He could not drive Chen Changgui away. And if he reported this matter to Ye Mingsheng, it would show that he, as the Shangshu, was particularly incompetent. So after thinking about it, Chen Fu came up with this tactic of retreating to advance. He wanted to use his resignation to let Ye Mingsheng understand his determination, thus forcing Ye Mingsheng to transfer Chen Changgui away!

Originally, Chen Fu was very confident in his plan. After all, Chen Changgui had made a big mistake this time. Insulting one’s superior in public was definitely a taboo in the officialdom. Chen Fu felt that no matter how much Ye Mingsheng admired Chen Changgui, he would never shield this bastard Chen Changgui this time...