After the separation, the family had a lot of fish and meat every day, and the best was furious

After staying in Yunzhou with Shen Qingzhou for a few days, Lin Ting also had his own business in Yunzhou, and Huayan shops were opened all over Yunzhou.

There is even Wushan pepper. During the few days she was here, she also found many businessmen to do these two businesses together.

After the negotiation, he followed Shen Qingzhou and others and headed north back to the capital.

Shen Qingzhou returned to Beijing and attended court the next day.

He led Cao Wenshi and others into the palace and explained the matters concerning the Yunzhou Dam to the emperor.

He is now the Minister of Works and the highest-ranking official among them.

The emperor looked at the documents in his hand and the portrait of the dam after its completion, and laughed out loud in the court.

"Hahahaha... The dam built by Mr. Shen is as solid as a rock and will last forever. I am so relieved.

Two years have passed. Mr. Shen, and the other ministers who went to Yunzhou with you, what rewards do you want?"

Shen Qingzhou knelt down with Cao Wenshi and others.

"Your Majesty, building a dam will benefit the country and the people. It is the duty of a minister. I dare not seek credit for it."

Shen Qingzhou and the others will not ask for it actively, but His Majesty will definitely reward them for the completion of such a large dam.

"My dear ministers, you are too modest. What should I reward you with? I will think about it."

Shen Qingzhou: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The emperor put down the drawings in his hand with a smile. He was in a good mood today, and even the pain in his body seemed to be much relieved.

"I haven't even given you any reward yet, and you've already thanked me, hahaha..."

Shen Qingzhou didn't say anything. He just said that in front of all the civil and military officials to ensure that the reward would be given to the people around him.

I cannot let Cao Wenshi and others not get rewards just because of my modesty.

Cao Wenshi was also very grateful to Shen Qingzhou in his heart. He believed that if he followed Shen Qingzhou, he would definitely get the rewards he deserved.

"Okay, all of you get up, let me think about this carefully."

After Shen Qingzhou and the others retreated, Minister of Works Zhong Lian stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the dam is now complete, and I no longer have any worries. I am now old, and my physical and mental strength are not as good as before.

Now I just want to return to my hometown, tend to the flowers and plants, and spend my old age in peace. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."

Minister Zhong is already over seventy years old and has gray hair. He had wanted to resign and go home before, but the Ministry of Works wanted to build the Yunzhou Dam.

He was worried about Shen Qingzhou and the others' lack of experience, so he had been holding back from resigning. He couldn't do much, but at least he still had a lot of knowledge in his head and could give Shen Qingzhou and the others some advice.

Now that the dam is completed, he has nothing to worry about. It is a good opportunity for him to resign from his post. The court of Dongxia Kingdom should also give some opportunities to these young people. He is old.

"Minister Zhong, you are Shang Jianzhuang, have you really thought it through?"

Shangshu Zhong was a veteran of two dynasties and dedicated his entire life to the Dongxia Kingdom. He can be said to have made great contributions.

"Your Majesty, I am old and unable to do anything. I just want to go home, look at the flowers and plants, and play with my grandchildren."

Since Zhong Lian said so, the emperor couldn't try to persuade him to stay, so he had to agree.

"Minister Zhong, I will grant you two farms and manors, your monthly salary will remain the same, and I will also provide you with benefits for your descendants."

Zhong Lian took off the black gauze hat on his head and knelt down to pay homage to the emperor in the most solemn manner.

"I thank your Majesty for your kindness!"

As soon as Zhong Lian left, the position of Minister of Works became vacant. Inside the hall, all the civil and military officials turned their eyes to Shen Qingzhou of the Ministry of Works.

Almost everyone knows that once Mr. Zhong leaves, Shen Qingzhou will most likely become the new Minister of Works.

The six ministries in the court cannot be empty for a day, so the emperor asked Zhong Lian after he resigned.

"Mr. Zhong, you are a veteran of two dynasties. Do you have any recommendations for a suitable candidate for the position of the new Minister of Works?"

Not everyone can become the Minister of Works. One must be talented and understand design, not just construction.

Even the weapons used by the generals and soldiers of the Dongxia Kingdom needed to be designed by people from the Ministry of Works. This position carried a heavy responsibility.

And now, the only person with such talent is Shen Qingzhou.

"Your Majesty, this matter should have been decided by Your Majesty, but Your Majesty insisted that I recommend someone, so I spoke boldly."

After saying this, Mr. Zhong turned and looked at Shen Qingzhou.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Shen Qingzhou, the Minister of Works, is the most suitable person.

Even though he has only been in office for two years, his talents cannot be underestimated. Of course, this is just my personal recommendation."

Qu Yuanxun looked at Shen Qingzhou. Shen Qingzhou had finally waited for this day.

However, as Shen Qingzhou's brother-in-law, he could not recommend him like Mr. Zhong did, so as not to arouse suspicion.

Xiao Jingchuan also stood up and clasped his fists towards the emperor: "Father, Lord Shen is extremely talented. I think he is very suitable to be the Minister of Works."

Shen Qingzhou came back from Yunzhou and had almost no contact with Xiao Jingchuan, so when Xiao Jingchuan recommended him, he had no intention of winning him over.

In addition, Shen Qingzhou has always remained neutral, and he and Lin Ting are both on the emperor's side. The emperor is also very satisfied with Shen Qingzhou.

There were also officials in the court who supported Xiao Jingchuan's party and came out.

"Your Majesty, regarding the position of Minister of Works, I would like to reconsider what Elder Zhong said."

"I also reconsider..."

"..."

Seeing Xiao Jingchuan recommending Shen Qingzhou, Xiao Chu was unwilling. He thought it would be better to have his own person to sit on the post of Minister of Works.

"Father, I think this is not possible."

Xiao Chu walked to the middle of the hall and looked at Shen Qingzhou with disdain.

"Seventh Prince, why do you think it's not possible? Do you have a better candidate?"

Xiao Chu saluted the emperor and said, "Father, I think Lord Shen is still too young. The Yunzhou Dam cannot be built without the guidance of Elder Zhong.

If he were to take the position of Minister of Works, he would inevitably be rejected by the public. I believe that Mr. Cao of the Ministry of Works is more suitable for the position than Mr. Shen."

Lord Cao Shou, Cao Wenshi's father, is the person with the longest seniority in the Ministry of Works, and Xiao Chu has been trying to win him over recently.

But Cao Shou was still a little hesitant. If Cao Shou became the Minister of Works, he might join his camp.

The emperor looked at Cao Shou, who was a member of the Ministry of Works. Although he had been in office for a long time, his talent was not as good as his son Cao Wenshi.

"Cao Qing, what do you think?"

Cao Shou walked past Shen Qingzhou and his son Cao Wenshi, moved to the center of the hall, clasped his fists and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I am not talented enough to shoulder this important responsibility. Minister Shen not only possesses the ability to build, but also has a broader vision than I do.

I heard from my son that when the Yunzhou Dam was being built, Lord Shen used the remaining time to research a weapon for the Ministry of War.

With such talent, I am ashamed to be inferior to you. I thank the Seventh Prince and Your Majesty for your kindness. I am used to doing what a Yuanwailang should do. I am used to it."

As soon as the Yunzhou Dam was completed, Shen Qingzhou immediately started researching new weapons. With such hard work, who in the court could compete with him?

"I see Cao Qing's talent, but you heard that Shen Qing has researched new weapons. I haven't heard of that yet. Shen Qing, is what Lord Cao said true?"

Shen Qingzhou stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I have some ideas, but they haven't been successfully implemented yet, so I haven't reported them to Your Majesty yet."