The Prodigal Son

The craftsman is the secretary.

Qin Yu was standing next to the water-powered forging hammer, amidst the noise of flowing water, forging, and the creaking of the waterwheel, discussing improvement plans for the water-powered forging hammer with Yu Zhi and others.

"We can replace the straight blades with curved blades, which will better match the trajectory of the water flow and should improve efficiency."

"In addition, two levels of water channels were built on both sides, with adjustable water flow, which is more suitable for light and heavy forging conditions."

"Brilliant, brilliant! In this way, forging different workpieces only requires adjusting the water flow, which can reduce a lot of trouble..."

"Also, this cam needs to be an eccentric, gradually varying profile cam to ensure a smooth hammer lift and a rapid hammer drop!"

"Dr. Qin, what is an eccentric gradient profile cam?"

"Well... it's basically about moving the position of this round hole upwards, making one side lighter and the other heavier, something like that. I can make a rough sketch for you using wood or clay later, and then you can experiment and refine it!"

"Good! Since Doctor Qin has said so, it must be useful!"

"Adding a spring to the bottom of the hammer handle makes the hammer head rebound more cleanly after falling, increasing the hammering frequency! This spring is very simple; I'll show you how to do it in a bit..."

Qin Yu and the others were having a lively discussion.

Listening to Qin Yu's ideas on the horizontal waterwheel forging hammer and his improvement plans, Yu Zhi and the other master craftsmen's eyes lit up.

Feng Shinan, who was listening in from the side, looked completely bewildered, like a gorilla listening to Homo sapiens discussing hunting strategies.

His mind was filled with thoughts of who he was, where he was, and what he was doing.

He was the Minister of Works, responsible for managing the Ministry of Works, and he knew absolutely nothing about machinery improvement.

However, in order to maintain his authority as Minister of Works, Feng Shinan would nod slightly from time to time, pretending that he understood.

They were discussing it so enthusiastically, so it must be feasible, right?

Like him, there was also Qi Dachui standing next to him.

However, although Qi Dachui couldn't understand, he was extremely attentive, his eyes filled with a thirst for new knowledge.

"Qin Yu! Get out here right now!"

Suddenly, a roar no less powerful than that of a shrew rang out in the Craftsmen's Office.

Qin Yu vaguely heard the voice and was momentarily stunned.

"Have you heard any strange noises?"

Qin Yu looked at the person next to him with suspicion.

"No, right?"

Feng Shinan turned to the people around him, "Did you hear that?"

"no."

Several people shook their heads simultaneously, completely unconvinced.

Please!

This is the Craftsmanship Bureau!

It's not the Imperial Garden!

With so many people and so much equipment, isn't it normal to hear some strange noises?

"I think I heard that."

Qi Dachui scratched his head. "It sounds like: Qin Yu, get out here for me..."

"His Majesty has arrived?"

Qin Yu suddenly turned around and looked behind him.

It really was Zhao Luan!

Zhao Luan, dressed in ordinary clothes, rode his horse straight toward them, and the craftsmen in his path all knelt down.

Even from a distance, Qin Yu could feel the intense killing intent emanating from Zhao Luan.

"It really is His Majesty!"

Qin Yu frowned and looked at Feng Shinan, "Didn't you say you sent someone to explain the misunderstanding to His Majesty?"

"this……"

Feng Shinan's face stiffened. "Could it be that the person I sent the second time failed to see His Majesty?"

"..."

Upon hearing Feng Shinan's words, Qin Yu's face immediately darkened.

Isn't this just making trouble out of nothing?

After a brief moment of distraction, the group quickly went to meet them.

They hadn't gone more than a few steps when Zhao Luan spurred his horse and charged up in front of them.

Zhao Luan's chest heaved violently as she glared at Qin Yu, her eyes blazing with fury: "You're so big..."

"Your Majesty, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

Qin Yu interrupted Zhao Luan's spellcasting.

"Yes, yes, it's a misunderstanding!"

Feng Shinan quickly stepped forward to help Zhao Luan grasp the reins, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter was due to a mistake by your subordinates. When I arrived, I realized it was a mistake, so I quickly sent someone to clarify the misunderstanding for Your Majesty..."

"Nobody has come to clear up any misunderstanding for me!"

Zhao Luan dismounted and asked irritably, "First it was Qin Yu wanting to smash the workshop's equipment, then it was a misunderstanding. What exactly is going on?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down and allow me to explain slowly."

Feng Shinan smiled apologetically again and quickly told Zhao Luan the truth.

"Improved equipment?"

Zhao Luan's anger vanished almost instantly, and she looked at Qin Yu suspiciously, "You can do this too?"

"I know a little bit, I know a little bit."

Qin Yu chuckled, "Your Majesty rushed over here in such a hurry, surely not to chop up this humble subject?"

"I want to castrate you!"

Speaking of this, Zhao Luan was furious. "You better try harder and cause me more trouble!"

asshole!

He had already planned out how to hang Qin Yu up and whip him on the way there!

Upon arriving here, they were told it was all a misunderstanding?

Do they think they have nothing better to do all day?

"Your Majesty, this is unreasonable!"

Qin Yu looked at her innocently, "This humble subject has rendered meritorious service to the court. It's one thing for Your Majesty not to reward me, but why are you blaming me?"

"I'd like to reward you with two lashes, do you want them?"

Zhao Luan raised her riding crop and glared at him, then asked Feng Shinan, "How did he improve the equipment? Was it effective?"

"this……"

Feng Shinan looked embarrassed. "This humble subject doesn't know much about these things. Let them explain it to His Majesty!"

As he spoke, Feng Shinan gave Yu Zhi a wink.

Yu Zhi hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, not only did Physician Qin provide me with ideas for making a horizontal waterwheel forging hammer, but he also put forward many useful suggestions for improving the existing waterwheel forging hammer. Although they have not yet been verified, based on my experience, these suggestions will surely be of great use."

Ok?

It actually works?

Or is it of great use?

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu with surprise, then asked Yu Zhi, "How much does this help with the monthly production of armor?"

"this……"

Yu Zhi hesitated, "Some things haven't been verified yet, so it's hard to say for sure! But based on my judgment, it can at least increase our dynasty's monthly armor production by 20% to 30%!"

Upon hearing Yu Zhi's words, Feng Shinan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly gave him a meaningful look.

Do you even have a brain?

You haven't even tried anything, yet you dare to spout nonsense?

What if he can't achieve it? Does he still want his head?

idiot!

Zhao Luan was overjoyed and asked again, "Are you sure?"

"Sure!"

Ignoring Feng Shinan's glare, Yu Zhi suddenly straightened his back and said, "If I cannot do this, I am willing to accept the punishment of deceiving the emperor!"

He certainly understood what Feng Shinan meant.

But he was technically savvy and knew how much benefit Qin Yu could bring them with what he had mentioned.

Most importantly, this is probably the only chance he will ever have to see Zhao Luan in his life.

I must perform well and leave a deep impression on Zhao Luan.

If saying these things in front of Zhao Luan leads to increased production, then that's his achievement.

If we don't mention it in front of Zhao Luan, and production increases, the credit will probably go to someone else!

Fortune favors the bold!

He's so eager to improve!

"good!"

With Yu Zhi's assurance, Zhao Luan's face suddenly lit up with joy, and she asked Yu Zhi, "What's your name?"

"Your Majesty, this humble servant is Yu Zhi, the Chief Clerk of the Crafts Department of the Ministry of Works!"

"Yu Zhi! I'll remember you! I won't make things difficult for you. If you can increase the Armor Production Department's monthly output of iron armor by 20%, I'll promote you three ranks!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! As long as the raw materials are sufficient, your humble servant will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!"

"Don't worry, I'll have people keep a close eye on this area; you'll definitely get your raw materials!"