The Prime Minister’s Darling

Gu Jinyu watched as his elder brother unexpectedly gave Gu Jiao a gift, and his heart felt increasingly bitter.

She had given her elder brother so many gifts, and all she received in return was a simple thank you. Don't think she didn't know, the gifts for her birthday each year were all prepared by Ling Aunt. His elder brother didn't even know, in detail, what he had "sent".

Although she couldn't see what was inside the box from her angle, could something personally selected by her elder brother be of poor quality?

Gu Jinyu didn't care much about the object inside the box, but the care and attention from her elder brother that came along with it.

A country girl who had neither good looks nor knowledgeable, yet was quick to resort to violence, what exactly did her elder brother see in her?

Gu Jinyu didn't wish to meet with the Yao family. She returned to the Marquis Residence feeling unhappy.

On the other side, the dispute between the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War finally concluded today. The Ministry of War emerged victorious, while the head of the Ministry of Works was scolded mercilessly by the emperor.

With flames of anger in his heart, the head of the Ministry of Works returned to the Yamen and summoned Lord Marquis Gu, questioning him about his previous handling of matters: "The Ministry of War claimed they have sought you for help many times, yet you brushed them off each time by saying you didn't believe it?"

Lord Marquis Gu retorted: "It wasn't many times. At first, they didn't make it clear and only asked me to produce such a large batch of weapons within a month. It was close to the year-end then, and there were many matters in the Ministry of Works. I really couldn't rush the production!"

The manufacture of weapons under the previous dynasty didn't fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works. After the founding of this dynasty, the responsibilities of the six ministries were reassigned, with the most significant changes happening in the Ministry of Works.

The Ministry of Works was now dealing with a lot more matters, yet their salaries did not increase, nor did their status. They could be considered the hardworking cattle among the six ministries.

Of course, Secretary Zhao knew that Lord Marquis Gu was not lying. The Ministry of Works was in charge of the whole of Zhan Country's farming, irrigation, construction, transportation, and state-run industries, including but not limited to weapon manufacturing...

When it was close to the year-end, they were so busy that they barely had time to breathe.

But what was he angry about?

It was because Lord Marquis Gu didn't even bother to investigate, and simply insisted that it was impossible for the common people to have a better bellows technology than the imperial court. However, it turned out that the common people did have it, and it was even brought back by the Ministry of War!

Now, their whole Ministry of Works had to go to the Ministry of War to learn about the bellows technology!

Was this the sort of thing to be done by a man?

Where could he put his old face now?

On the way back from the court, he was almost laughed to death by his colleagues!

"I don't even know whether to call you stupid or arrogant!"

Secretary Zhao was fuming!

Lord Marquis Gu curled his lips and asked: "If, officer, you were there at the time, would you have believed it?"

Secretary Zhao was choked.

Lord Marquis Gu had an 'I knew it would be like this' expression on his face: "See, who would dare to believe it?"

"I... I... Why wouldn't I believe it?" Anyone can be wise after the event. Secretary Zhao said solemnly, "At that time, you didn't tell me. If you had, I would have sent someone to get someone at the county town!"

Lord Marquis Gu looked to the heavens: you keep making up your story.

Secretary Zhao: "..."

How did the brave and martial old Marquis give birth to such a dull son?

That being said, he really didn't dare to believe it.

When the head of the Ministry of War first mentioned the bellows technology from the common folks, he scoffed at it. The old man from the Ministry of War was also very cunning. He knew that the piston bellows were on the way, yet he didn't tell him.

It caused him to assume that it was something fabricated by the Ministry of War. He couldn't resist heckling back, spouting many harsh words. Now, every word was a slap on his own face.

Secretary Zhao asked: "I heard it was invented by a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl. Weren't you in the county town at that time? Have you heard of such a girl?"

There were countless girls in the county town, and there was even one in his house! However, it's a pity that she was born to be his nemesis!

"Why, do you know her?" Seeing Lord Marquis Gu's suddenly serious expression Secretary Zhao asked.

Lord Marquis Gu waved his hand: "There are many fourteen-year-old girls, it can't be just any girl..."

Secretary Zhao nodded: "That's true. However, the people of the Iron Shop said that she was a farm girl. This time we in the Ministry of Works have suffered a great loss. If we could find her, we can surely regain our face in front of His Majesty."

A farm girl from the county town?

Could it really be that girl?

Lord Marquis Gu quickly shook his head with determination.

The girl couldn't recognize a single word. To say she could feed pigs and farm was believable. But invent a piston bellows that could outstrip the waterwheel technology of Liang Country? How could it be possible?

Lord Marquis Gu said: "Sir, in my opinion, that girl must be a disciple or a family member of an enlightened hermit who doesn't wish to mix with worldly affairs, which is why she didn't reveal her identity."