213 Chapter 213 Imperial Decree
“The first prince? Why is he doing this?” Zhou Ying looked at him in confusion.
“Cough, he was the one who brought up the evidence of the Gu family’s crimes. The county governor and Elder Qiao were his people.”
“What about Qiao Lansheng?”
“He is from the fourth prince’s mother’s family, Minister Su’s family. Su Mingtang, the seventh son of the Su family, leaked the news to the first prince about the waterwheel.”
“The two princes are sure amazing. Even biological brothers can be divided into two factions.” Zhou Ying laughed.
Zhou Huaiming heard the sarcasm in her words but didn’t know how to reply. He took out another 10,000 taels of silver and said, “This is the money for the ice-making method.”
“There’s not much skill involved in making ice, so I won’t accept this reward.” Zhou Ying quickly pushed it back.
“But it’s been helpful. Not only did it solve the ice problem in our restaurant but also elsewhere.
“Moreover, in the capital and other prosperous places, we can earn a lot of money just by selling ice, so I can’t take this recipe for free. If you don’t think it’s too little, please take it.” Zhou Huaiming stuffed it into her hands after he finished speaking.
“Thank you.” When Zhou Ying heard they would sell ice for money, she didn’t hesitate anymore.
“You can continue with your day, as I still have to make a trip to the Qian clan’s workshop.” Zhou Huaiming stood up and said.
“May I know what reward the emperor has given the Qian clan?” Zhou Ying got up and asked curiously.
“Qian Jiaqiang will be promoted to a ninth-grade craftsman in the Ministry of Works. He will be responsible for the production and maintenance of the waterwheel in our county. He will also be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver.”
“How petty.”
“Ahem, you can’t say this outside. Otherwise, if someone with ill intentions hears you, even the third prince won’t be able to protect you.” Zhou Huaiming coughed.
“I won’t,” Zhou Ying laughed dryly and nodded.
After sending them out, she returned and kept the 30,000 taels of silver in her interspace before going to the kitchen to get busy.
After leaving the restaurant, Zhou Huaiming went to the village to announce the imperial decree as an imperial envoy, shocking the villagers. When they heard the contents of the imperial decree, they immediately exploded.
Especially the people of the Gu clan. The drawing of the invention clearly belonged to Gu Chengrui and his wife. How could their reputation and rewards all fall to the Qian clan? How could they be willing to accept this?
“I can understand everyone’s feelings. Their family has other arrangements, and this is the reward for the Qian clan.
“Besides, who in your Gu clan has the ability to build and repair waterwheels?” Zhou Huaiming asked loudly.
Everyone immediately became listless when they heard this. Among the younger generation, only Qian Jiaqiang’s woodworking skills were the best. The others weren’t up to the task.
“Alright, you’re all dismissed. Qian Jiaqiang, remember to report to the county office tomorrow.” Zhou Huaiming said to Qian Jiaqiang.
“Yes, this commoner will obey your orders.”
“Not a commoner anymore. No matter what, you’re an official now, so you’ll have to change this form of address.” The village chief corrected him.
At the same time, the village chief was overjoyed. Even though Qian Jiaqiang was only a ninth-rank official, he was still a government officer. The Qian clan had finally found someone in the county government, which would be much more convenient for their future.
But he didn’t dare to laugh out to celebrate when he thought of the Gu family’s situation.
Because of General Zhou’s words, it was not hard to know that the Gu clan hadn’t gained anything this time.
However, when he thought about the Gu family’s current status, he understood why. At most, the two clans would develop together in the future.
The patriarch, Father Gu, and Second Uncle Gu more or less understood what was going on. When they saw Zhou Huaiming off, Second Uncle Gu still asked unwillingly, “General Zhou, is there someone who is purposefully pressing down our Gu family?”
Zhou Huaiming hesitated for a moment, but he remembered they were quite familiar with the capital power struggle. He nodded and whispered, “The one who’s against your reward is the first prince’s people. However, the one who leaked the news was the fourth prince’s mother from the Su family. “