A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"Father, you were worth it."

Yang Jian firmly stated.

Yang Zhong's lips curled slightly as he looked at the intense confidence emanating from his son and nodded slightly.

"If it's worth it, then go for it."

"I understand, Father."

"I want to separate the chief craftsmen under the Imperial Household Department and establish the Directorate of Works, which would be directly under the Emperor's control and specifically responsible for railway construction."

Yang Jian pleaded with his father.

"There is nothing wrong with that."

Yang Zhong chuckled. Although the position of Grand Master of Works was held by the Imperial Household Department, it was clearly something the Wei family also wanted to promote. As long as the Wei family didn't stop them, the Yang family would have the final say in the court.

Moreover, judging from the Yan King's attitude towards Yang Jian this time, the Wei family still thinks highly of the Yang family.

His son's plan is very likely to succeed, and their Yang family will become royalty.

Then let's use his life to remove the last obstacle for Yang Jian, giving Yang Jian a sufficient excuse.

……

Inside the palace.

In the shadows of a palace, the emperor sat alone.

A man dressed entirely in black was kneeling before him.

"You said that the Prince of Yan personally received Yang Jian and took him to the workshops outside the city."

"Why do you think the Prince of Yan personally received Yang Jian?"

The emperor asked.

"Perhaps it's because of Yang Jian's reputation?"

The dark figure kneeling there answered.

He dared not answer that he didn't know; the last person who answered that way is now buried with grass three feet tall.

"So what do you think they talked about?"

Emperor Qianyang then asked.

"Perhaps it is the work of some kind of craftsman, after all, the workshop outside the city is researching some novel and ingenious techniques."

The guard continued, forcing himself to answer.

"Do you know what it is?"

Emperor Qianyang's words sent a chill down the spine of the secret guard. How could he possibly know what the two had discussed? Was the Prince of Yan's residence a place where he could gather information?

The guard felt Emperor Qianyang's dark gaze fixed on him. "Your Majesty, I suspect it might be a creation related to the people's livelihood."

Emperor Qianyang was very dissatisfied with the secret guards' answer; he wanted to hear an accurate one.

Rather than hearsay, rumors, speculation, or in my opinion.

But this bodyguard was already among the most capable of his men, and he couldn't afford to cripple himself.

"Get up and keep a close watch on the Yang family."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The guard breathed a sigh of relief; his life was saved.

"Yang Jian, Yang Zhong, Prince of Yan, what exactly are you plotting?"

The following day was the first court assembly Yang Jian attended since returning to the capital.

All the civil and military officials who saw him on the road greeted him.

Everyone knew that Yang Jian's return would make him a rising star in the court.

He might even succeed Yang Zhong in a few years and become the next leader of the court.

At the court meeting, each of the important ministers brought up their prepared topics. After discussion among the ministers, Yang Zhong made the final decision. Emperor Qianyang was like a mascot, sitting high above, but he had no right to speak.

After the various matters at the grand court assembly were discussed, Yang Jian stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"speak."

Emperor Qianyang was numb.

"I request that the Grand Master of Works of the Imperial Household Department be separated into a new department, named the Directorate of Works."

"The Directorate of Works will be specifically responsible for the promotion of new technologies and will report directly to Your Majesty. We humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Will he become a master craftsman?

Isn't this an official position in the Imperial Household Department?

The ministers, unaware of the situation, were still thinking about the Yang family. Was this a test of the Wei family?

Those who learned that Yang Jian had visited the Wei family were speculating about the deeper meaning behind this action.

"What does the General think?"

Emperor Qianyang suppressed his inner doubts and numbly questioned General Wei Zhong.

"Your Majesty, recently, disciples of the Mohist and Gongshu families have developed many new technologies. If these technologies can be promoted, the people will surely prosper even more."

"The Imperial Household Department primarily serves the royal family. The Imperial Workshop should be separated and put in charge of civilian industries. I believe this is a feasible plan."

Yang Zhong answered expressionlessly.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, the Junior Treasury is now under your command. What is your opinion, Grand Minister of Agriculture?"

Emperor Qianyang asked Wei Ying.

Wei Ying immediately guessed that Yang Jian wanted to promote steam vehicles, and naturally nodded in agreement.

A meaningful glint flashed in Emperor Qianyang's eyes. "Granted."

The others were the same, glancing at Yang Jian, then Yang Zhong, then Wei Ying.

Even the most clueless person could see that there was something fishy going on among these three people.

This matter should have been discussed in advance.

But what is there to scheme about when one is merely a master craftsman?

"Yang Qing has enjoyed a high reputation among the common people for many years. Now that he has returned to the Central Secretariat, he deserves to be commended."

"What official position does the General believe Minister Yang should hold?"

Emperor Qianyang asked.

The entire court was drawn to this statement, turning their attention to Yang Zhong.

"Your Majesty, when recommending worthy individuals, one should not avoid favoritism."

"My son Yang Jian has a unique talent for politics. He can handle a county, a prefecture, or a state with ease."

"Your humble servant suggests that he be placed in the Secretariat and appointed as the Minister of the Secretariat."

The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat (尚书令) is in charge of the Imperial Secretariat (尚书台).

He was one of the core members of the Nine Ministers and was known as the Inner Minister.

When there is a prime minister, power can rival that of the prime minister; when there is no prime minister, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat assumes the responsibilities of the prime minister.

There is currently no prime minister.

The current Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is also a protégé and former official of the Yang family.

Yang Jian replaced their former protégés and officials, without affecting their interests, and the other ministers in the court had no objections.

Seeing that none of the ministers had any objections, Emperor Qianyang readily agreed to Yang Zhong's recommendation and appointed Yang Jian as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

On this day, a nephew from Yang Jian's wife's side came to Chang'an to study. This nephew's name was Li Yuan.

Li Yuan graduated from the county school in Chang'an this year. After learning that Yang Jian had returned to Luoyang, the Li family sent Li Yuan over.

He wanted to use Yang Jian's connections to send Li Yuan to the Imperial Academy, which was also a way to deepen the relationship between Li Yuan and Yang Jian.

The Yang family is currently at the height of its power. If they could use the relationship between Li Yuan and Yang Jian as a link, and get close to the Yang family, they might be able to advance even further.

After arriving in Chang'an, Li Yuan immediately went to visit Yang Jian and his aunt, Lady Dugu.

Yang Jian held a family banquet in his residence to welcome Li Yuan back.

At the banquet, Yang Jian discovered that Li Yuan was exceptionally articulate and had outstanding talent.

Therefore, he also specifically selected a few questions to test Li Yuan.

Li Yuan was able to answer fluently.

This greatly surprised Yang Jian.

"Nephew, I have received your mother's letter. You have come to Chang'an to study at the Imperial Academy."

"There are many scholars at the Imperial Academy; which area of ​​study do you wish to pursue?"

"My nephew doesn't know."

"Uncle, you hold a high position and know the many scholars at the Imperial Academy very well. My family and I all think that we would like to ask you to point us in the right direction."

Li Yuan said respectfully.

Yang Jian nodded. "What about the Mohist school?"