Read Novel Full Chapter 824 - 5: Reforming the Official System
Chapter 824: Chapter 5: Reforming the Official System
After finishing dinner, Zhao Yao took the brothers Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian to the study.
The two brothers, having previously listened to Zhao Yao’s advice, traveled far and wide. During their travels, they learned a lot and gained a deep understanding of the lives of the common people.
Over the years, the brothers endured many hardships during their travels, and several times they narrowly escaped death. Fortunately, they were blessed with great fortune and ultimately averted disaster.
Through these years of travel, the brothers have grown significantly, especially Zheng Qian. Although he is still arrogant, his temperament has become much more stable, and he no longer acts as impulsively as before.
Zhao Yao was very pleased with Zheng Qian’s transformation and was glad that he had arranged for Zheng Qian to travel back then.
"Zheng Qian, I want you to be my Chief of Agriculture, do you have confidence to take on this role?" Although Zheng Qian had no official experience until now, Zhao Yao believed that with Zheng Qian’s intelligence and ability, he could certainly fulfill the role of Chief of Agriculture.
Without hesitation and with full confidence, Zheng Qian replied, "I do! Rest assured, Master, I will handle it!"
Zhao Yao was very satisfied with Zheng Qian’s confident attitude.
"Good, then you are my Chief of Agriculture."
Zheng Qian hurriedly stood up to salute Zhao Yao, but was stopped by him.
"No need for such formalities, just do your work well." Zhao Yao did not favor such empty gestures.
"Yes, Master." Although Zheng Qian appeared calm, he was actually very excited. As a child, he had no respect for official positions. But ever since meeting his master, he was willing to serve as an official for him. At that time, he didn’t understand what being an official meant. Later, when his master asked him to travel, he experienced many things that made him realize a lot. He finally understood his master’s words: "Being an official is for the people, to benefit them." While he now feels that being an official is for the people, it is also for his master.
His master assigning him such an important position as Chief of Agriculture indicated that his master held him in high regard and had great expectations of him. He would not let his master down.
Zhao Yao looked at Zheng Cheng, "Zheng Cheng, are you willing to be my saw?"
Zheng Cheng’s face lit up as he said, "I am willing, very willing!"
"I intend to establish a department called the Ministry of Industry, solely responsible for all engineering matters in Lingnan. You will be my Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Industry."
"The Ministry of Industry?" Zheng Cheng was initially stunned, then laughed, "Master, the name Ministry of Industry is indeed fitting, a department for craftsmen."
"That’s one way to see it. From now on, you will be in charge of those matters, and it’s what you’re good at."
Zheng Cheng said confidently, "Leave it to me."
"I have a task for you right now."
Upon hearing he had something to do immediately, Zheng Cheng was full of enthusiasm: "Master, please give your instructions."
"There’s much for you to do in the future, and it’s inconvenient without a laboratory. Before doing other things, first establish a laboratory."
"Master, what is a laboratory?" It was the first time Zheng Cheng heard the term "laboratory," and he had no idea what it meant.
"It’s a place for experimentation. Every time you create something, don’t you first need to test it before putting it into use? This laboratory will be the place where you conduct your experiments in the future."
With Zhao Yao’s explanation, Zheng Cheng understood.
"As Master says."
"A laboratory is different from the Ministry of Industry’s office." Zhao Yao looked at Zheng Cheng with a meaningful expression, "You know some things can be done at the Ministry of Industry’s office, but some confidential things can only be done in the laboratory. They must not be known to outsiders, understand what I mean?"
Of course, Zheng Cheng understood, so his face showed a serious yet excited expression.
"I understand!" It seemed his master would soon have him work on some confidential projects.
"I won’t interfere with the construction of the laboratory. Consider it yourself first." Zhao Yao wanted to see how Zheng Cheng would design the laboratory, "First draft the blueprints for the laboratory and show them to me."
"Yes, Master." Designing his own laboratory, Zheng Cheng was already eager to get started.
"Remember what I just said, what is done in the laboratory is highly confidential."
"Rest assured, Master. When I design the laboratory, I will incorporate many mechanisms." Zheng Cheng understood Zhao Yao’s meaning, "Master, you also know I’m skilled in Mechanical Techniques."
"When designing the laboratory’s blueprints, include the mechanisms you want to set up, and I’ll see if they are feasible." Zhao Yao was also skilled in Mechanical Techniques.
"Yes, Master!"
"Previously, Uncle found many outstanding craftsmen from all over the Great Zhou. They are now under your command," Zhao Yao instructed, "You can arrange them as you see fit, and I won’t interfere. However, my condition is that the people of the Ministry of Industry must fulfill their duties and responsibilities."