Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The two were from the same school, and Fu Lu diligently moved a stool and placed it in front of Shen Jiangliu.

Shen Jiangliu gritted his teeth and said "humbly," "What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such kindness from Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish speaking, he met Xiao Kongfeng's increasingly dangerous gaze.

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Majesty."

Shen Junjie sat down crisply and steadily.

Everyone must die eventually; death is not necessarily heavier than Mount Tai, but it is not as insignificant as one's bottom.

Yu Guang withdrew his gaze from Shen Jiangliu's pained and slightly uncomfortable face. Qin Ji felt a little better, let the matter drop, and looked at the potted plant standing to the side. "Yu Shu, do you have any ideas on how to reduce the wear and tear on the sluice gate gears and gate plates?"

Bian Yushu was taken aback. He hadn't expected that His Majesty would specifically ask him about such an important matter as water conservancy when he was discussing it with Lord Shen. He hurriedly moved closer.

He was a little nervous. After carefully examining the rugged canyon in the sand table for a while, he asked softly, "Is there a model of a sluice gate?"

With a single glance from Qin Ji, Fu Lu immediately led his men to fetch the wooden model.

Bian Yushu stepped forward, carefully observing the object, and after a while asked, "May I take it apart?"

Qin Ji knew that this kid had some talent in mechanical devices, so he agreed to everything and let him tap here and take apart there like a squirrel.

He then discussed the governance of Lishui with Shen Jiangliu.

Shen Jiangliu was indeed quite capable; he was intimately familiar with the situation on both sides of the Lishui River, and his proposed water management strategies were all well-founded.

Qin Ji was not very knowledgeable about the details of flood control, but Shen Jiangliu was able to clearly report the situation in Lishui in just a few words.

The two, the emperor and his minister, seemed to get along quite well.

After the discussion came to an end, when I looked over at Bian Yushu, I saw that the sample had been dismantled into pieces.

Sensing the gazes of Qin Ji and Shen Jiangliu, Bian Yushu presented the wooden scroll in her hands to them.

Before Qin Ji could ask, Bian Yushu excitedly said, "Perhaps we don't need to insist on a giant shaft running through the torrent. We can divide the main gate into several sections, each independent. That way, even if wear and tear causes damage to the mechanism, the entire section won't be paralyzed."

"As for the rust that Lord Shen mentioned, especially at the load-bearing pivot..." Bian Yushu frowned and pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up, "Perhaps we can use stone as a substitute."

"Lord Shen, do you know if there is any readily available stone material in the area?"

After hearing what he said, Shen Jiangliu thought about it carefully and found that it was not impossible. He couldn't help but think to himself: "Xiao Kong Fengwo Mei really knows how to use people. This personal alias can actually be used for multiple purposes."

Shen Jiangliu pointed to the rocks not far from the canyon, "This place is rich in oak stone, I wonder if it would be suitable?"

Bian Yushu nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "It's usable. The hardness of the oak is enough to be polished into a bearing and embedded in the rock wall. Then, replace the axle head with hardwood and lubricate it with a mixture of tung oil and fish oil to reduce wear."

Shen Jiangliu clapped his hands, glanced at Bian Yushu a few more times, and said with a hint of approval, "This method of having Bian accompany the student might be worth a try."

Not to mention Shen Jiangliu, even Qin Ji was pleasantly surprised by Bian Yushu's performance.

He gave Bian Yushu a chance to perform, but he never expected that the kid would give such an excellent answer.

As expected of the Emperor, you have excellent judgment.

Qin Ji tapped the edge of the sand table with his fingertip and casually instructed, "Have the Ministry of Works investigate. If it's feasible, submit a memorial to the court and discuss the allocation of funds with the Ministry of Revenue."

Bian Yushu was surprised that her suggestion would be adopted, and looked at Qin Ji with shining eyes.

Looking at his two cheap apprentices, whose eyes were practically begging for praise, Qin Ji curled the corners of his lips and said generously, "Well done. I'll give you credit. What reward do you want?"

Bian Yushu was overjoyed to hear His Majesty say "Well done."

His doe-like eyes shone brighter than the stars as he sincerely said, "Yu Shu is fortunate enough to share Your Majesty's burdens; no reward is needed."

This guy's flattery skills are truly unparalleled.

Shen Jiangliu shook off the goosebumps all over his body.

Qin Ji took a newly copied annotated book from the table and handed it to Bian Yushu personally. "Study this newly copied annotation carefully. Don't let me down. I will always reserve a place for you by my side."

His Majesty has copied new annotations for him again?

Bian Yushu accepted the gift with both hands, her eyes brimming with tears of emotion. She pointed to the sky and swore, "Yushu will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations and will strive to become your right-hand man!"

The harmonious relationship between the ruler and his ministers is undoubtedly a beautiful story.

What does it mean to draw a pie in the sky with empty hands? What does it mean to flatter someone to the point of exhaustion?

Shen Jiangliu was amazed.

...

After seeing Shen Jiangliu off, Qin Ji summoned Shang Jingming.

Shang Jingming was suddenly summoned by the Emperor, and not knowing why, he felt lost and confused.

He bowed deeply and performed a grand salute, but was not called to a rouse for a long time, which made his heart skip a beat.

In the days since he took office as the commander of the Five Cities Garrison, he has considered himself to have done a good job, managing to keep all the spoiled young men on the streets in line.

He, once the leader of a spoiled brat, has now become a source of worry for other spoiled brats.

The days of teasing cats and dogs, and horseback riding and fighting are gone forever. To be honest, it's a bit hard to get used to.

Shang Jingming racked his brains trying to figure out if he had done something wrong in his duties and displeased His Majesty.

Could it be that some spoiled brat took advantage of his inattention to do something bad?

He always remembered His Majesty's admonition.

—If any more spoiled brats bully others, fight, or harass respectable women on the streets and reach my ears, the law will deal with them, and I will deal with you.

Qin Ji narrowed his eyes, looking at the person kneeling below, and after a long while said indifferently, "I heard that since you took office, the security in the capital has improved a lot, and the纨绔子弟 (spoiled young masters) have all changed their ways. You have done a good job."

The vendors in the market are not well managed.

My disguise was leaked, and you're half responsible!

Shang Jingming felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he wasn't that stupid Bian Yushu; how could he not tell the difference between good and bad words?

Although he was completely baffled, he immediately bowed his head and begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am new to the position of commander of the Five Cities Garrison, and there may be oversights or shortcomings. I hope Your Majesty will give me some guidance."

They're not entirely naive.

Qin Ji looked at the person kneeling below, but did not immediately punish him. He closed the folding book in his hand and casually tossed it aside. "Two days later, you will accompany me out of the palace."

Shang Jingming felt a cold sweat break out in his chest, knowing that he hadn't gotten away with it yet. His throat tightened, and he said, "Yes."

Get up.

As soon as Shang Jingming stood up straight, Fu Lu stepped forward and whispered in Qin Ji's ear, "Your Majesty, the hidden arrows that the Ministry of Works ordered the craftsmen to make have arrived."

"Bring it here."

The small and exquisite sleeve arrow fits smoothly against the forearm, and the interlocking parts of the mechanism gleam with a cold metallic sheen. It was made according to the ideas provided by Bian Yushu.

The three of them went to the training ground together, and after a test, they found that the accuracy was indeed much better than the existing hidden arrows.

Qin Ji removed the hidden arrow from his sleeve and turned to Shang Jingming. "What do you think?"