The Prodigal Son

Since she was already there, Zhao Luan decided to listen carefully to Qin Yu's improvement proposals.

After explaining the improvement plan for the hydraulic forging hammer, they used a clay mold to make a simple eccentric gradient profile cam, and then used a line wrapped around a stick to demonstrate the method of making a spring.

Afterwards, Yu Zhi called over several master craftsmen to discuss with Qin Yu improvement plans for water-powered grinding wheels and other equipment.

Like Feng Shinan, Zhao Luan didn't understand those technologies. He could only judge from the admiring looks Yu Zhi and the others gave Qin Yu that the improvement plans proposed by Qin Yu should greatly improve the efficiency of armor making.

Watching Qin Yu, who was having a lively discussion with the craftsmen, Zhao Luan couldn't help but be lost in thought.

This bastard actually knows all this stuff?

It felt like all those old craftsmen were eager to become his apprentices on the spot.

During the years he pretended to be a playboy, how much did he learn that no one else knew about?

Moreover, given his status, he stood there discussing improvement plans with those filthy craftsmen without a trace of disdain or impatience.

He answered every question the craftsmen asked, as long as he knew the answer.

He is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and also knows the craftsman's skills!

They are not greedy for power, and they know when to advance and when to retreat.

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Although he usually acts carefree and irresponsible, he is never sloppy when it comes to getting things done.

Haha, I really struck gold?

Just as Zhao Luan was lost in thought, Yun Ying stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Gao have arrived!"

They came too?

Zhao Luan was taken aback for a moment, then ordered, "Don't disturb Qin Yu and the others. I'm going to see the Empress Dowager."

After saying that, Zhao Luan turned and left with Feng Shinan.

"Luan'er, where is Qin Yu?"

Upon seeing Zhao Luan, the Empress Dowager asked with great concern, "What did you do to Qin Yu?"

"..."

Zhao Luan looked at the Empress Dowager, whose face was full of worry, with a wry smile. "What can I do to him? He was discussing machine improvement plans with the head of the Craftsmen's Office and some craftsmen. I didn't want to disturb them, so I didn't ask them to come and see you, Mother."

"Improved equipment?"

A look of bewilderment flashed across the Empress Dowager's face.

After regaining her senses, the Empress Dowager pulled Zhao Luan aside and said with a smile, "You're reluctant to punish Qin Yu, aren't you?"

"what?"

Zhao Luan's face flushed slightly, yet she looked at the Empress Dowager with utter confusion. "What makes you say that, Mother?"

Why does she start saying such nonsensical things right away?

What does this have to do with my reluctance to deal with Qin Yu?

Qin Yu helped the court improve machinery and increase armor production, and yet he was punished by the court?

That doesn't make any sense!

"Alright! Stop pretending with me!"

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Luan with a smile, "I understand. Just say that Qin Yu's destruction of the craftsmen's equipment was for the purpose of improving the equipment. When the craftsmen make new equipment later, they can make slight improvements and say that Qin Yu proposed the improvement. Wouldn't that be enough? The court officials won't have anything to say..."

Zhao Luan stared blankly at the Empress Dowager, her slightly flushed face twitching.

What... what is all this about?!

How much does she want to bring herself and Qin Yu together!

Seeing that Zhao Luan remained silent, the Empress Dowager assumed she had guessed correctly. "That girl Shangguan was afraid you would do something to Qin Yu in a fit of anger, so she hurriedly sent someone to the Lü family to inform me. If I had known you were planning this, why would I have bothered with all this trouble!"

"Mother, things are not as you think."

Zhao Luan patted her forehead weakly. "Let's go, I'll take Mother to see him! So that Mother won't overthink things."

She was truly impressed!

How could he possibly think he was helping Qin Yuping?

If Qin Yu really dared to smash the tools of the Craftsmen's Office for his own selfish reasons, she would definitely not let him off the hook.

As they walked on, Zhao Luan asked the Empress Dowager about the situation of Lady Lü and her son.

Speaking of this, the Empress Dowager couldn't stop smiling.

She was still worried that something might go wrong when Madam Lü gave birth!

Unexpectedly, after Lü Si was beaten a few times, his mother became emotional and gave birth immediately.

Moreover, the process went so smoothly that even the midwife was amazed.

Last time, Lü Chunqiu was flogged, but he successfully deceived Zhao Yan and eliminated the threat of the Prince of Chengyang, allowing Lü Chunqiu to be ennobled.

This time, Lü Si was punished, which indirectly helped his mother give birth smoothly.

Thinking about it carefully, sometimes getting a beating can be a good thing!

Hearing the Empress Dowager's remarks, Zhao Luan couldn't help but chuckle, then asked curiously, "What name did Mother give that child?"

"Lü Lin, a 'Lin' child sent from heaven!"

The Empress Dowager seemed quite pleased with the name.

"A good name."

Zhao Luan smiled and said, "My daughter originally planned to visit the Lü family, but she heard that Qin Yu, that bastard, had smashed the tools of the Craftsmen's Office as soon as she set off, so she rushed here."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately smiled like an aunt, "And you still say you're not helping Qin Yu!"

"this……"

Zhao Luan was once again left speechless, both amused and exasperated.

Forget it, forget it!

The more I try to explain, the less clear it becomes!

Let her see for herself!

Soon, the mother and daughter found Qin Yu and the others.

At this moment, Qin Yu and the others had finished discussing the improvement plan for the hydraulic grinding machine and came to the hydraulic punching machine to discuss the improvement plan for the hydraulic punching machine.

Upon seeing Zhao Luan and his group approach, the group was about to bow when Zhao Luan raised her hand to stop them, indicating that they should continue their discussion.

After exchanging simple greetings, everyone gathered around the water-powered punching machine to discuss it.

Watching Qin Yu discussing and pointing with a group of craftsmen, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but be surprised and whispered, "Does he really know anything about this?"

Zhao Luan smiled and said, "My daughter didn't believe it before either, but now it seems that he really does know, and he seems to be quite capable."

"This kid is truly a genius!"

The Empress Dowager's face suddenly broke into a smile. "When the late Emperor was on the throne, he told me that these craftsmen who knew how to make tools were treasures. I never expected that Qin Yu would also know how to make tools! Now, he truly is a treasure among treasures!"

"Mother..."

Zhao Luan understood the Empress Dowager's meaning perfectly and quickly tugged at her gently.

"I am simply stating the truth."

The Empress Dowager smiled and then said in a low voice, "Lu Chunqiu told me today that he wants Lu Si to go with Qin Yu to train. What do you think?"

"this……"

Zhao Luan frowned slightly. "Mother should also know that Qin Yu's trip will definitely be somewhat dangerous! Aren't you afraid that something might happen to Lü Si?"

Qin Yu is at least a master!

With Lu Si's skills, he might be able to handle thugs and hooligans, but if he encountered someone even slightly respectable, he wouldn't even have a chance to fight back.

"At first, I disagreed, but after thinking about it, I realized it's not good to let that scoundrel Lü Si keep wasting his days and causing trouble everywhere. It would be good for him to train!"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Furthermore, I think Lü Si's father is right; the Lü family has now incurred the wrath of the Shi family!"

"The moment Lü Si stands there, historians will begin to suspect that the Ministry of Justice, under Lü Chunqiu's control, is going to focus its investigation on the Shi family!"

"This also serves as a warning to historians!"

"You said in court that you believed in the historians, that was an act of kindness; but sending Lü Si along on the mission was an act of power!"

"With a combination of carrot and stick, historians should be more cooperative with the court in reforming the salt administration!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Zhao Luan couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression...