CH 105

Chapter 105: One Million Is Not Enough, Can You Add More Money?

At this moment, an old courtier stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, entrust the manufacturing method to the Ministry of Industry!”

“The Ministry of Industry has a large number of experienced craftsmen and a very sophisticated technology system. As long as the manufacturing method is entrusted to them, they can quickly produce a large number of flying artifacts – air balloons!”

“As for the method of control, it is naturally entrusted to the trusted generals and soldiers!”

“We already have an air balloon and can begin to organize training to master the method of control! When a large number of flying artifacts such as air balloons are produced, they can be controlled to travel the world and protect our Great Wu Empire!”

The Empress nodded. This was the most appropriate method at present. However, the manufacturing method of the air balloon was very important to her. It could quickly enhance the military strength and give her the opportunity to ask for longevity. It must not be lost.

The Ministry of Industry was one of the departments with the most corruption and bribery. They maintained a group of corrupt officials, and bribery and embezzlement were rampant. They also often worked together to drain the national treasury, which made her uneasy.

Her gaze then turned to Lin Beifan. Among all the civil and military officials, he was the one she trusted the most. Although this guy often made her very angry, he was still very principled and had never betrayed the interests of Great Wu.

Handing this matter over to him was more reassuring. So the Empress asked, “Sir Lin, I want to entrust this matter to you! You are the inventor of the air balloon, and I want you to organize people to manufacture air balloons. How do you think about it?”

Lin Beifan hurriedly declined, “Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible! As a director of the Imperial Academy, I am responsible for overseeing the students’ academic and moral performance. The responsibility is heavy, the public affairs are busy, and I really have no interest nor ability to get involved in other affairs!”

When he finished speaking, the officials smirked. Supervise the students’ academic and moral performance? Aren’t you just trying to make money off of them?

Lin Beifan continued, “And, I have pushed forward several projects that can run on water, such as the Steel Giant Ship, and hybrid rice that can increase production and yield. These are large-scale projects that benefit the country and the people and are no less important than the air balloon. Please take this into account, Your Majesty.”

In fact, there was another very important reason. He was planning to make money through this project and earn a big sum first before he had to take any responsibility if it went wrong.

The Empress nodded with some disappointment, “Sir Lin has indeed worked hard! So let the Ministry of Industry handle this manufacturing method! The Minister of Industry come forward and listen to the decree!”

The Minister of Industry, Wang Rushui, stood up, “I am here!”

“The manufacturing method of the flying artifact air balloon will be entrusted to you! I hope you will not disappoint me and quickly produce a batch of flying artifacts to protect Great Wu Empire!”

“I obey!” The Minister of Industry bowed.

“But remember!” The Empress’s eyes became stern. “This manufacturing method is related to the fate of the country, and it must not be leaked out! Once I find out, no matter who it is, they will be punished severely!”

“Yes, Your Majesty! I promise that I will never leak this method!” The Minister of Industry was scared.

“I do not trust your promise, and I will have the Embroidered Uniform Guard keep an eye on you! If there is a problem, you will solve it yourself!” The Empress said.

“I obey, Your Majesty,” the Minister of Industry said with a bitter smile.

“As for the flying warriors… I have my own arrangements!”

The morning court ended, and Lin Beifan went to work at the Imperial Academy. The court’s speed was very fast. In the morning, the Ministry of Industry had already organized a large number of personnel to prepare to manufacture air balloons.

In addition, a team of Forbidden Army soldiers took Lin Beifan out and took the air balloon away to train the flying warriors secretly.

In the streets, everyone was still discussing the flying artifact and the first flying person Lin Beifan. This heat might not dissipate for months.

At the same time, Lin Beifan noticed some changes around him. There were many unfamiliar people staring at him even around his home.

These people were probably spies from other princes or the royal family, and they wanted to see the secrets of the flying artifact from Lin Beifan.

Lin Beifan was not worried about himself but was concerned about the safety of his family. So when he returned home at night, he called out the old monk, “Jing Tai, I need your help with something!”

“Amitabha! Master, what can I do for you?” The old monk asked respectfully.

“I feel that there are many unfamiliar people outside, and it is not very safe at home. So I ask you to look after them!” Lin Beifan said.

“Master, rest assured. This monk will definitely protect everyone’s safety!” The old monk said without hesitation.

“With you here, I feel relieved!” Lin Beifan smiled.

Do not underestimate a grandmaster’s strength! One person can fight thousands of soldiers and escape freely among millions of troops. They can react quickly, move rapidly, and cross vast distances in a snap.

Aside from peers of similar strength, they can hardly be killed! It can be said that as long as they don’t leave the capital city, everyone will be safe!

Lin Beifan secretly rejoiced that he had picked a good grandmaster apprentice.

The days passed peacefully for two days. While Lin Beifan was calm on his side, there were some problems in the Ministry of Industry. Several foreign spies who had infiltrated the Ministry were discovered, and several insiders who sold the secrets of the flying celestial artifact were also exposed, causing a headache for the Minister of Industry. The Empress was very angry and directly executed several people, and then dispatched heavy troops to guard the Ministry, and the matter finally came to an end.

After the Ministry of Industry was settled, it was Lin Beifan’s turn to face trouble. At night, someone finally couldn’t resist and sneaked in. “Amitabha!” The old monk opened his misty eyes and in the blink of an eye appeared outside the room, behind a black-clad figure. “Friend, it is not the behavior of a gentleman to engage in villainous activities! Stop in time and leave with me. The sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn back is the shore! Amitabha!” The old monk advised.

The black-clad figure was very frightened: “Who are you? When did you appear behind me? I’ll kill you!” A dagger appeared in his hand, and he quickly stabbed forward. The old monk’s face remained calm: “Put down your butcher’s knife and become a Buddha on the spot!” A wave of energy shook out of the old monk, directly knocking out the black-clad man. Then, the old monk single-handedly lifted the black-clad man and disappeared into the night.

At midnight, another spy sneaked in, but was soon knocked out and taken away by the old monk. Everything was silent, as if nothing had happened. Early the next morning, Lin Beifan saw three strangers tied up in the courtyard like pigs.

Standing next to them was the old monk, looking at Lin Beifan respectfully, he said: “Amitabha! Master, these three are the ones who infiltrated the Lin Mansion last night. They have been knocked out by this monk, please give your orders!”

“Okay! Just send them directly to the officials. I will go to the morning court first!” Lin Beifan smiled. These spies seemed to be small fries, and he was too lazy to waste words with them.

“Yes, Master!” The old monk bowed his head.

Then, he called the young monk and took the spies to the officials. After two more days, the old monk caught several more spies and sent them all to the officials. Eventually, things finally calmed down.

Everyone knew that there was an unfathomable monk in the Lin Mansion, and sneaking in was simply asking for death.

One day, Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai mysteriously appeared in Lin Beifan’s study. As soon as he saw their mysterious demeanor, Lin Beifan knew that the first deal was about to be made.

At this time, Mo Rushuang looked at Lin Beifan and said, very embarrassed: “We just received a letter from the Prince, and he is very interested in the flying celestial artifact, the Air Balloon. He knows that you came up with it, and he wants you to give him the manufacturing method. He said, as long as you give him the manufacturing method, he is willing to pay a reward of one million taels!”

Lin Beifan sighed: “This is not an easy matter!”

“What’s so difficult about it?” Guo Shaoshuai asked in confusion, “The Air Balloon is your invention, and you know the manufacturing method. Why not write it down and give it to the Prince?”

“You only know the first step, but not the second!” Lin Beifan said.

Lin Beifan smiled bitterly, “The hot air balloon was indeed invented by me, and I also know the manufacturing method. However, Her Majesty the Empress has repeatedly emphasized in the court that this method must not be passed on! Anyone who violates this order, no matter how high their status or how favored they are, will lose their head directly without any mercy!”

“Previously, there was a leakage incident in the Ministry of Industry, and more than a dozen heads were chopped off, including two officials, blood everywhere! Only by killing the chicken and warning the monkey, and sending heavy troops to guard, could the incident be quelled!”

“Aside from the Ministry of Industry, I am the only one who knows the manufacturing method! If the method leaks out now, everyone will definitely associate it with me! Once it is confirmed, I will lose my head! Do you think this is an easy thing?”

Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai both understood immediately and said with a bitter smile, “It is indeed very difficult!”

Lin Beifan spread out his hands, “It’s not that I don’t want to help the prince, but I am really powerless!”

“But what can we do? The hot air balloon is very important to the prince!” Guo Shaoshuai anxiously asked, “The prince said that if the court’s aerial vehicle, the hot air balloon, is equipped, it will definitely boost military power and make it more difficult for them to overthrow the Empress’s rule! Therefore, they must also equip themselves with hot air balloons to fight against each other!”

“I also understand the prince’s difficulties and want to help the prince…”

Lin Beifan said with great pain, “Oh! If I had known, I should have given the method to the prince before making the hot air balloon. It wouldn’t have been so difficult now!”

Mo Rushuang kindly said, “Mr. Lin, this matter cannot be blamed on you! No one could have expected you to invent an aerial vehicle! Once you made it, you were already powerless!”

Lin Beifan was very moved, “Rushuang, thank you for understanding!”

At this time, Lin Beifan gritted his teeth and made a decision after much consideration, “Forget it! In order to support the prince’s cause and for the sake of the people, even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will give the manufacturing method to the prince!”

Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai were very moved, “Mr. Lin!”

“However, now I have a small problem and I hope the prince can help me solve it!”

Mo Rushuang did not hesitate, “What problem, Mr. Lin just say it! The prince is fair-minded, kindhearted, and will definitely help you!”

“The problem is… one million is too little. Can the amount be increased?” Lin Beifan said expectantly.

Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai exclaimed, “Huh?!”