novelraw Chapter 264
Chapter 264
Chapter 264 Great Wei, It's Really Good to Have You
People who work all year round naturally have a lot of resentment.
Fortunately, Emperor Wei has excellent emotional self-control. After Wei Yu nagged for a long time, he finally called a stop in a slow and deliberate manner.
“Shut up.”
Wei Yu sensibly shut up.
He adjusted his expression, turned to look at his Dad, and suddenly asked, “Dad, when was the gunpowder's research completed?”
Emperor Wei showed no surprise at this question; obviously, he had planned this beforehand.
Picking up the memorial that hadn’t been fully approved yet, Emperor Wei wrote while replying, “If you don’t know, how could I know? Anyway, it was after you went to Huzhou.”
Retorted, Wei Yu pouted, “Did Fusheng report it himself? Tsk, you used gunpowder but didn’t tell me a word. Back then, I was still worried about the safety of the soldiers in Qian Commandery. But why didn’t you tell the court officials? Eighth Brother mentioned gunpowder to your son yesterday; I thought you had already told the court officials about it before Eldest Brother left.”
Emperor Wei didn’t even look up. “Why would I tell them? If this battle is won, we can talk about the gunpowder later.” Wei Yu blinked, grinning mischievously, “Oh—Dad, aren’t you afraid of leaks? Worried that Cao Ji might find out and escape early? You haven’t caught the inside traitor yet, have you? Surely not…”
Emperor Wei gave him a speechless look.
What kind of nonsense is this little rascal imagining?
Is his father really that useless?
The reason he didn’t tell the court officials at first was that he genuinely planned to mention it later. But after that profligate big son used up dozens of them, Emperor Wei simply started to pity the gunpowder packets!
Who knows how many gunpowder packs were needed for the battle at Donghai Commandery to take down Cao Ji? This stuff is scarce; every single one saved counts. When the Donghai Commandery affair is over, if there are any left, only then can they be shown to the court officials!
But this reason didn’t need to be explained to Wei Yu; worrying about gunpowder packs sounded petty, and Emperor Wei cared a lot about maintaining his dignity as the Father Emperor.
Emperor Wei looked seriously at Wei Yu. “I have my plans. If you’re free, go urge the Research Institute about the cannons.”
This reminder made Wei Yu recall when he previously helped Xi Liuzi brainwash people into building cannon platforms.
His eyes lit up, and he sat upright, “The Research Institute is making cannons? How far along are they? Father Emperor, do you know?”
How could Emperor Wei know the details?
He was busy with countless affairs every day, and wouldn’t constantly monitor the progress at the Research Institute. Only when results were achieved would subordinates report back.
Emperor Wei said, “I heard it was made by Fusheng's top apprentice. I forgot the name. You should go see tomorrow. If the cannons are completed soon, they can be used in the Donghai Commandery battle. I remember your warship has a few places specifically designed for mounting cannons, right?”
It had been such a long time, and he didn’t expect his Dad to still remember.
Wei Yu clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Your memory is really good. I just casually mentioned it back then; didn’t expect you to remember.”
Emperor Wei snorted lightly.
How could he forget such things?!
He is the future emperor who will unite the world and be a great and wise ruler!
Any powerful weapon, talented hero, or beneficial thing for Great Wei, once it enters his ears and heart, he will never forget!
Only one year’s time, and look, warships, gunpowder, and cannon platforms have all appeared!
No emperor is without ambition. Just looking at his Dad’s expression, Wei Yu knew the old man was daydreaming again.
He didn’t make sarcastic remarks though. After all, who with a sense of nation wouldn't have the heart to united the world?
Wei Yu thought about the current state of the world.
The world was relatively stable. Great Wei was occasionally in conflict with neighboring tribes, but within normal ranges. No large-scale wars had broken out yet. But looking closer, it wasn’t very optimistic.
The Northern Hu were habitual offenders; sooner or later, there would be a clash. The Japanese pirates on the coast were currently in conflict, to be seen how it develops. The southern Miao people were linguistically isolated, faith-based tribes, savage and uncultivated — uncertain for now. Great Liang to the west — tsk, their Emperor was watching jealously and a war was inevitable.
As for Great Wei itself.
The current situation was just passable. The Imperial Dynasty had ruled for over two hundred years. Although it looked okay on the surface, there was nothing critical, but you could tell from Wei Yu’s two expeditions — Jiaozhou and Huzhou — this Imperial Dynasty was already decaying and rotting.
If not reformed, by cutting directly to the rotten parts, it might be useless at all…
Wei Yu looked up at his Dad, and suddenly smiled.
[Dad, son suddenly feels you’re really great.]
Emperor Wei paused his writing.
[Great Wei has you… is truly good.]
Wei Yu looked over.
The young man leaned on the desk, propping his head with one hand, smiling cheerfully at him, his eyes bright and lively — full of the charm and spirit unique to someone his age.
Emperor Wei's eyes softened.
Little Ninth thought his Father Emperor was good. And as the Father Emperor, how could he not think that Great Wei was lucky to have him, Wei Yu, too?
Wei Yu winked at his Dad. “Father Emperor, this trip was hard for your son, and there are many things to handle in the capital, so for rewards and such, your son will just ask for them directly, okay?”
Emperor Wei’s softened gaze suddenly froze.
He silently watched Wei Yu raise one finger — mischievously wanting to take a whole month off.
“A month off, okay?”
With Wei Yu’s sparkling eyes looking at him, Emperor Wei closed his eyes briefly, tired, and waved his hand, “Go.”
Go far away — best if you don’t show up in front of me these days!
Always spoiling my warm moments with this stuff; so annoying!
Wei Yu immediately smiled and stood up to salute his Dad.
“Thank you, Father Emperor! You’re the best! Your son won’t disturb you further. I’m going now, back soon!”
With his holiday granted, Wei Yu quickly slipped away.
He chatted all the way out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation to the palace gate. Only then did he turn back and look at the plaque hanging at the hall’s entrance.
An Imperial Dynasty gradually moving toward decay, now it had a founding Emperor with mind-reading ability like his Dad — that was indeed a kind of reform.
Wei Yu looked up and stared at the sky for a while.
Alright, for the sake of the innocent people of the world, and since his Dad was passably competent, he would… reluctantly not begrudge working anymore.
Ah, he really is great.