After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zu Ti gave him a slight smile, "You’ll know once General Shi visits the Observing Things Department this afternoon."

Shi Le secretly clenched his teeth; that’s why he disliked Zu Ti the most. In comparison, Beigong Chun was much more agreeable—never playing with words. For things that could be said, he would answer as long as asked, and for things that couldn’t be said, he would frankly refuse to speak.

Isn’t it just because you have the rank of Minister of War, allowing you to freely come and go in Luoyang?

Shi Le lowered his eyes, silently vowing that he too would one day hold a high office in the capital, allowing him to freely enter and exit Luoyang. By then, he would be well-informed.

This time visiting the Observing Things Department was different from the last.

This time it was a royal journey. Zhao Hanzhang also did not bother to ride in a carriage and instead mounted her horse, leading the officials at a gallop.

Even Wei Jie could mount a horse to fight, let alone ride. More than a dozen officials, escorted by a squad of Imperial Guards, swiftly rode out of the capital, heading straight for the Observing Things Department.

The people in the buildings along Vermilion Bird Street couldn’t help but scream when they saw the officials riding by. Zhao Ming, riding on horseback, couldn’t help but laugh, teasing Wei Jie, "It must be because of you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, loud screams came from the buildings on both sides, "It’s Your Majesty and Vice Minister Fan—"

"It really is Your Majesty and Vice Minister Fan, ahhh, Vice Minister Fan is right beside His Majesty on the left, ahhh, they’ll kill me—"

Zhao Ming: ...

Shi Le, Zu Ti, Wei Jie, and the others were all bewildered, but Ji Yuan and Ming Yu had an unusual blush on their faces. They coughed lightly, reminding everyone to speed up, lest they delay entering the city by evening.

But Fan Ying turned back to wave at the buildings, and upon hearing another round of exclamations, he kicked his horse’s belly to catch up with Zhao Hanzhang, only a step behind her, causing another wave of screams from those behind.

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu: ...

Even Zeng Yue couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Fan Ying, attempting several times to wedge himself between her and Zhao Hanzhang to separate them after leaving the city.

But Fan Ying firmly held her ground, refusing to let him in, until Zeng Yue’s horse pushed Zhao Ming back.

Zhao Ming: ...

Glancing between Zeng Yue and Fan Ying, after dismounting at the Observing Things Department, he casually remarked, "Neither Commander Zeng nor Vice Minister Fan are engaged yet, have you considered..."

"No," Zeng Yue and Fan Ying replied in unison, glancing at each other before Zeng Yue said, "I’ve already arranged a marriage, thank you Minister Zhao for your concern."

Zhao Ming curiously asked, "Who is it?"

"It is the female official beside His Majesty, Miss Ting He."

Zhao Ming: "... Wasn’t Yuan Li proposing to Ting He?"

"Yes," Zeng Yue said matter-of-factly, "But Ting He didn’t fancy Yuan Li."

After speaking, he straightened his chest confidently.

Privately, Zhao Ming also felt Zeng Yue was more suitable.

Yuan Li, although loyal, was too self-serving. If he married Ting He, the emperor would be too influenced by him in the future.

Zeng Yue was different; he was loyal but straightforward.

Zhao Ming nodded, "That’s good, once the date is set and the invitation sent to your family, we’ll come to drink a toast at your wedding."

His gaze shifted to Fan Ying, "Vice Minister Fan, the Zhao Family still has many fine young men. If Zhao Kuan doesn’t catch your eye, you might consider others."

It’s not like the Zhao Family is the only one with fine young men in the world.

Fan Ying mumbled internally, smiling at Zhao Ming, "Thank you, Minister Zhao, but I already have someone I like."

"Oh, who is it?"

Even Zhao Hanzhang perked up her ears.

Fan Ying smiled, "You wouldn’t know him, Minister Zhao. He’s a scholar, still studying, aiming to become a teacher in the future."

Zhao Ming paused, understanding that with Fan Ying’s current status and position, it’s not suitable to find someone in court, otherwise one would have to be sent away, needing a separate residence in two places.

This suggests that the woman would take charge externally, while the man would manage internally.

Shi Le glanced at the smile on Fan Ying’s face, couldn’t help but sidle up to Wei Jie and Zu Ti, and quietly asked, "Are all the women in your Central Plains so assertive?"

Zu Ti glanced at him but said nothing, his gaze sweeping past the emperor walking ahead.

Wei Jie gently explained, "A family consists of a husband and wife, with each bearing half. Regardless of who takes charge externally, it’s simply a division of labor for the benefit of the family and oneself. In the past, if the husband unfortunately died early, the wife would take on the heavy responsibility of the family. My mother did so, which is why she is respected."

Alright, you talk a lot, I’ll take your word for it.

Being a Jie, Shi Le was accustomed to women having more authority in household affairs, so he dropped the subject and immediately began curiously looking around upon entering the Observing Things Department.

Fu Tinghan stood not far away, waiting for them.

This time, besides spinning and weaving machines and a steam train, they also saw treated coal being used as fuel in a furnace. They saw the first generation sewing machine, a steel experimental furnace hidden deep inside producing steel with a cold glint, and various ingenious uses of hydraulic power. Particularly, the hydraulic press could easily flatten even steel inserted into it, allowing it to be forged into the desired shape...

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