Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1142: Still Too Young

Shi Qing had already found two problematic merchants, and these two were just lower-tier merchants. Digging further had not yielded much information, but it was certain that they were connected to the Zhang family, thereby confirming the Emperor’s suspicions that the Zhang family was hiding among the merchants.

He continued to browse the registered merchants, unfortunately, most of them were from the capital, and many merchants from other states were yet unregistered, especially some itinerant traders.

Last night, having seen the Emperor, he was now nervous. Before encountering his father’s old friend, he truly hadn’t remembered Mr. Gu, mainly because it had been many years and he had been unwilling to recall his origins, gradually he ceased to care.

As for how the Emperor found out, this concerned him even more. Could it be that the Emperor had also placed someone near his father, keeping an eye on the Shi family all along!

Clearly, the Emperor hadn’t mentioned Yu Dang. Before getting confirmation, the Emperor wouldn’t disclose anything; even the people investigating the Shi family were the Crown Prince’s men.

At the Ministry of Rites, Wong Ju was extremely busy. With the development of maritime trade, the nearby countries interacted more frequently, and more ambassadors came to the capital. The originally neglected embassies were no longer sufficient.

Wong Ju called Chang Yi, "Ever since you’ve returned, you’ve been low-key and idle for quite a while. Today, I have a task for you—the Ministry of Rites needs to build a new embassy, and the location has already been acquired. You are to supervise the construction."

Chang Yi blinked, "Is this a good job just given to me like that?"

Wong Ju cleared his throat, "I secured this for you. You must supervise it well; the accounts are easy to tamper with, everyone is watching!"

Chang Yi was speechless, "Mr. Wong, saying this, my father would be unhappy. This not only shows distrust in my character but also in our family!"

Wong Ju, "... I’m just saying, you talk too much. I didn’t mean that, I’m just reminding you the accounts can be tricky, don’t get trapped."

Chang Yi laughed upon hearing this; he was also joking just now, knowing Uncle Wong was looking out for him, "Thank you, Uncle Wong."

Wong Ju patted Chang Yi on the shoulder, speaking softly, "I won’t be at the Ministry of Rites for long. As long as I’m here, I’ll try to create more opportunities for you. The opportunity is yours now; you must handle it well, so I can also shut everyone’s mouths. If you can’t seize this chance, it will be very hard for me to secure future opportunities for you."

Chang Yi was solemn, this concerned his own future, "This official remembers."

"Hmm, your father has friends in the Ministry of Works, and he manages the Silver Coin, so your tasks might be easier."

Chang Yi, "...."

He was moved; so, they were watching him. That explained why such a job was easily given to him.

Chang Yi’s smile froze, "The Ministry of Rites didn’t ask for Silver, did they?"

Wong Ju, "... seeing through without pointing it out."

Chang Yi chuckled, amazed Uncle Wong spoke of securing this for him; such thick skin, "The new embassy must be quite large, huh?"

Wong Ju, "...yes."

Chang Yi knew it; if it’s of suitable size, his father wouldn’t withhold the Silver. Clearly, the Ministry of Rites was showing off a bit too much.

Wong Ju cleared his throat, cursing inwardly, Zhou Shuren’s son was not easy to fool, "It’s all about wanting the Ministry to achieve more politically, all for the Ministry’s sake."

Grand Master of Writing nodded. If Chang Yi didn’t go, it would have been him; so, cough cough, this was learned from Zhou Shuren.

Chang Yi curled his lip, thus his importance was shown. Oh, the Ministry of Works had his father’s friends; they sought his father for Silver!

Wong Ju coughed, "This is also an opportunity."

Chang Yi fell silent, indeed it was an opportunity. If he managed this task well, this year’s appraisal was secured and it would also mark his achievement in the government records.

Zhou Shuren was still unaware he had been schemed against, currently browsing through the various documents and reports sent to the Ministry of Revenue from the states.

Zhang Jinghong entered, "This is from Lei Langzhong for the official to deliver."

Zhou Shuren didn’t even lift his head to indicate placing it down. After waiting a bit and not hearing footsteps to leave, he raised his head, "Anything else?"

Zhang Jinghong said, "The official would like to request leave to rest."

Zhou Shuren, "That’s not under this official; just report it."

Zhang Jinghong gestured with his fingers, "I’ve requested quite a lot, so I’d like to ask for your help."

He really didn’t worry about owing favors anymore, since he owed so many.

Zhou Shuren didn’t make it difficult for anyone, the Ministry of Revenue just needed to give a reason and they wouldn’t withhold leave, "How long do you need?"

"One month."

Zhou Shuren, "....That’s quite long, you should know the Ministry of Revenue is very busy."

He hadn’t taken a month off himself!

Zhang Jinghong, "My child has recently been unwell."

Zhou Shuren thought it over, Zhang Jinghong hadn’t taken much rest last year, and the Ministry of Revenue was even nicknamed ’the hardworking madmen’, "Mmm, I’ll have Jingyan go over and mention it in a bit."

Zhang Jinghong bowed his hands in gratitude, "Thank you, sir."

Zhang Jinghong was truly relieved. Just yesterday, Yao Xin scolded him and his son cried himself hoarse. After weighing it from all angles, taking a break seemed like a good idea. His son was part of the reason, but he was indeed tired as well.

That night, Zhou Shuren learned of the good position his son had secured, "Heh, I wondered why the Minister of Rites was smiling so happily at me today."

Chang Yi touched his nose, "Dad, the Minister of Rites asked you for Silver a while ago!"

Zhou Shuren, "Mmm, he asked long ago, I even reviewed the blueprints given by the Ministry of Works. It’s supposed to be an embassy, but it looks more like a palace!"

Chang Yi started worrying, "What should we do then?"

The standards were too high for him to reach; indeed, he was still too young.

Zhou Shuren huffed, "What to do? Change the blueprints of course. I’ll bring it up with Mr. Fang and have the Ministry of Works revise the blueprints according to the budget given by the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of Rites." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Chang Yi was speechless; the problem that seemed insurmountable to him was solved by his father in a single sentence?

Zhou Shuren said, "In the future, don’t blindly use whatever is given to you. Let me tell you, the Ministry of Works certainly has more than one set of backup blueprints."

This was all experience; how many times had the Ministry of Works drawn up blueprints that weren’t revised three or four times?

Chang Yi, "....I have learned a lot."

Zhou Shuren continued to instruct his son, "They try to take advantage of your youth, but you’ll gain experience after a few times. However, the position is indeed a good one."

Chang Yi, "...."

The waters here were really deep! He fully understood now; he was the only one who could perfectly handle this task!

Time flew quickly and soon it was the day of announcing the honors list; this time, Zhulan went along, everyone who could go from the family went; last time Chang Lian’s announcement didn’t draw many family members, this time Chang Zhi and several of the Zhou family’s carriages.

When they arrived, the list hadn’t been posted yet, and many people were already waiting under the city walls. Zhulan hesitated about getting out of the carriage, "I’ll just wait in the carriage; you all go, and come back to tell me the rankings."

Su Xuan got out of the carriage, today indeed attracted a large crowd, "Mom, I’ll come back and tell you as soon as I have any news."

"Alright."

Zhulan looked at Yushuang and Yu Lu, "Are you two not getting out?"

Last time they hadn’t been seen, and this time the two girls insisted on following, only to stay in the carriage once they arrived.

Yushuang held a handkerchief and smiled, "Grandma, I’m not that young anymore, I’d rather not go down."

Yu Lu also shook her head, "It’s good inside the carriage."

Zhulan lifted the curtain of the carriage, "Then let’s watch from the carriage."

The Zhou family arrived early and got a good spot; although there was some distance from the city wall, they could still see.

The sound of gongs began to echo, Zhulan became alert; this was the posting of the list.