Chapter 129: Promoted to a Higher Official Position, Where to Serve?
Everyone was greatly shocked!
However, if what Lin Beifan said is true, if this hovercraft can transport over 200 people and costs less than 100 taels, and can be manufactured within a week, then it can definitely…
Rapidly enhance the capabilities of the Great Wu Navy!
Strengthen wartime logistics support!
Promote economic development and increase imperial revenue!
This is truly an unparalleled weapon in the water!
“Excellent! Excellent!” Empress was delighted and exclaimed loudly, “With this hovercraft, we can definitely rapidly enhance the strength of Great Wu. What else could be a better water weapon? Sir, you have made great contributions again!”
Lin Beifan was filled with trepidation and said, “Your Majesty, I dare not take credit. It was all made under Your Majesty’s wise guidance.”
The empress laughed and scolded, “Stop flattering, what’s yours is yours!”
An old courtier stood up to question, “But, isn’t this ship too rudimentary? Can it really perform exceptionally? For example, without sails, how does it move? Without guardrails, what if the cargo on the ship falls into the water? Moreover, the ship is built with small pieces of wood and is not sturdy enough. What if it gets damaged?”
“Sir Liu, your question is well-asked!”
Lin Beifan explained with a smile, “Because time is limited, this is just a relatively crude version I have built to show everyone. If you think it can’t move without sails, we can simply add sails to it. We don’t even need sails; we can attach it to old ships, thereby increasing the transport capacity of the old ships!”
“As for the lack of guardrails, we can easily build them, which won’t take much effort!”
“As for the issue of ship sturdiness, it can also be easily resolved! We can use some of the original shipbuilding ribs or directly use steel to construct the ship’s body, ensuring its stability like Mount Tai!”
“In addition, this hovercraft does indeed have some drawbacks! For example, the airbags are prone to damage, but we can prepare an ample supply of airbags for easy replacement. It won’t be a big problem!”
…
Lin Beifan pointed out several disadvantages and their solutions. In conclusion, he said, “Although this hovercraft has various shortcomings compared to other ships, these shortcomings are insignificant compared to its advantages!”
The Empress burst into laughter and said, “That’s right! Although this hovercraft has some disadvantages, they can all be compensated for! Compared to its advantages, they are nothing at all! With this watercraft, my Great Wu Navy has nothing to worry about!”
“You are absolutely right, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan smiled.
Seeing Lin Beifan’s proud expression, Qian Yuanshen, the Minister of Revenue, became unhappy.
“Director Lin, I have a question for you!”
“Please, Sir Qian.”
Qian Yuanshen said loudly, “Director Lin, you claim that this ship, despite being crude and rough, only cost less than 100 taels to build and took less than a week! So, I want to ask you, since you withdrew 2 million taels from the national treasury before, wasn’t that too much? Can you return the excess money?”
Everyone showed expressions of anticipation.
Lin Beifan remained very calm. “Sir Qian, you can’t just look at the surface of the issue! Although it cost less than 100 taels to build this hovercraft, do you know how much money was spent during the research process?”
“Even if it cost more, it couldn’t possibly reach 2 million taels, right?”
“Very well!” Lin Beifan questioned loudly, “If I give you 2 million taels, can you research and develop it?”
“Well…” Qian Yuanshen was at a loss for words.
“Knowledge is priceless!” Lin Beifan’s voice was loud and clear. “I have devoted my time and effort to research day and night to create this watercraft, the hovercraft. Do you know how much benefit it can bring to Great Wu? Have you considered that? Yet, you are arguing with me over a mere 2 million taels. What kind of reasoning is this?”
Qian Yuanshen was so angry that he could almost explode.
How could he not care?
That’s 2 million taels!
Do you know how much money that is?
If it were used for shipbuilding, it could build thousands of ships!
If it were used for other projects, how much could he embezzle from it? Do you know?
And the result all goes into your pocket!
Other officials listened with twisted mouths and sideways glances.
Devoted day and night?
Working day and night?
How dare you say that!
We haven’t even seen you busy!
This month, we’ve only heard gossip about you and Lady Ziyue!
Seeing that an argument was about to break out, the Empress waved her hand with a smile and said, “Alright, alright, these are all minor matters! Just build the ship, don’t worry about other things!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Both of them said in unison.
Lin Beifan felt proud, while Qian Yuanshen, the Minister of Revenue, felt extremely aggrieved!
Your Majesty, this little bastard openly embezzled 2 million taels from the national treasury, and you’re telling me not to care?
Even if you’re biased, you can’t be so biased, can you?
“Sir Lin, step forward and listen to the decree!”
“Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan stepped forward.
The Empress said loudly, “Previously, Director Lin presented the methods of manufacturing and piloting the flying celestial artifact, the air balloon. He also discovered several traitors from the Ministry of Industry and exposed the manipulative methods of the Tianyi Sect, thus safeguarding our dynasty’s rule!”
“Now, he has also built the watercraft, the hovercraft, greatly enhancing the capabilities of our navy. His contributions are tremendous! Therefore, in recognition of his achievements, Minister Lin will be promoted by one rank and awarded the title of a fourth-grade official!”
“I will also reward you with a hundred acres of fertile land and ten thousand taels of silver! This is my decree!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan exclaimed loudly.
When he looked up, he noticed envious eyes glowing red.
To be honest, it was impossible for the court officials not to envy him.
They had spent decades of time, gone through years of effort, and defeated countless rivals to gradually reach their current positions!
Only they knew the hardships they had endured.
But what about Lin Beifan?
From the moment he became the top scorer in the imperial examination until now, it hadn’t even been four months.
He was promoted almost every month, jumping from a low-ranking sixth-grade official to his current position as a fourth-grade official!
He had saved himself several years, even more than a decade of time!
What was even more infuriating was that he had risen so quickly in rank and had greedily pocketed so much money along the way!
He was practically draining them dry of their profits!
For the first time, they hated the heavens for being so unjust!
However, at this moment, many of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt a sense of joy in their hearts.
Because now that Lin Beifan had been promoted, there should be no way for him to stay at the Imperial Academy and continue siphoning money from their children.
After all, the highest-ranking official at the Imperial College, the Principal, was also just a fourth-grade official.
And Lin Beifan was also a fourth-grade official, so their ranks were equivalent.
This was a big taboo in the officialdom, and it meant that someone would have to be transferred away.
Clearly, the current Principal, Liu, had held the position for over a decade and was highly respected and deeply rooted in the Imperial Academy. In the end, it would be the least experienced Lin Beifan who would be transferred.
The Empress smiled and asked, “Director Lin, now that you are also a fourth-grade official, a high-ranking official in the court, which department would you like to serve in? I give you the right to choose!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me this opportunity! I have always had an aspiration for the Ministry of Revenue, so I would like to go there to gain experience and learn from Minister Quan. I ask for Your Majesty’s approval!” Lin Beifan smiled.
Treasury, here I come!
Upon seeing Lin Beifan’s smile, Qian Yuanshen, the Minister of Revenue, felt uneasy. This bastard was clearly eyeing the treasury! He managed to embezzle so much money even before coming to the Ministry of Revenue. If he were to come here, what would become of them? If something went wrong in the future, his immediate superior wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility. He would eventually be ruined by him!
So without hesitation, Qian Yuanshen stood up and said, “I object!”
The Empress asked, “Minister Qian, why do you object?”
“I believe that Sir Lin’s appointment to the Ministry of Revenue would not serve any purpose for his growth and development. It would be better for him to go to the Ministry of Industry! Sir Lin has already invented the sky-bound divine artifact, the air balloon, as well as the waterborne weapon, the air-cushioned ship. His talent in invention and creation is extraordinary! Therefore, if Sir Lin goes to the Ministry of Industry, he will undoubtedly make a tremendous contribution!”
Wang Rushui, the Minister of Industry, felt his eyelids twitching upon hearing this.
Qian Yuanshen, what grudge do you have against me? Why are you causing me such harm? Before coming to the Ministry of Industry, he had already thoroughly exploited all the officials in our department, squeezing us dry of any profits. We returned to poverty overnight. Now you want us to see him every day and work with him. Isn’t that torturing us?
I’m not in good health now. If he causes me any harm due to the stress, will you take responsibility?
So without hesitation, Wang Rushui stood up and said, “I object to Sir Lin’s appointment in our department!”
The Empress asked, “Minister Wang, why do you object?”
Wang Rushui declared loudly, “I believe that Sir Lin would be wasted in our Ministry of Industry! Our ministry deals with laborious and dirty tasks that Sir Lin would be unable to showcase his talents in. It would be more suitable for him to go to the Ministry of Personnel!”
Gao Tianyao, the Minister of Personnel, was infuriated and his mouth twisted.
You, Wang Rushui! I have never treated you poorly. How could you harm me like this? I can’t stand that little troublemaker now, and you’re introducing him to me?
Are you deliberately trying to infuriate me? Hmph! The next opportunity I get, I will definitely retaliate against you!
“I object!”
Gao Tianyao stood up and said, “May it please Your Majesty, all the official positions in the Ministry of Personnel are currently filled, and there is no suitable position for Sir Lin. It would be better to arrange for Sir Lin to go to the Ministry of Justice! Minister Lin is resourceful and quick-witted, and he will surely excel in handling criminal cases!”
“I object!”
The Minister of Justice also stood up without hesitation.
And so it went on, everyone passing the buck, avoiding him as if they were afraid. Not a single department was willing to accept him.
Lin Beifan blinked his eyes. Am I really that unwelcome?
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong!
The Empress saw this scene and found it amusing!
With a half-smile, she glanced at Lin Beifan.
This guy has offended all the civil and military officials. No one is willing to accept him!
At this moment, a minister suggested, “I remember that there is a vacancy for a pacification commissioner in the land of David. Sir Lin is resourceful and eloquent. Why not appoint him to that position?”
The officials’ eyes lit up, and they all bowed.
“I second the motion!”
“I second the motion!”
…
Lin Beifan was trembling with anger.
These old bastards!
The Pacification Commissioner’s Office was an administrative institution established by the court in a remote border region. The pacification commissioner served as the executive head of the office, responsible for conveying the emperor’s orders, pacifying the local military and civilians, and handling specific affairs.
And the land of David was very far from the capital.
These old folks clearly wanted to take advantage of the situation and transfer him away from the capital, not wanting to see him!
Their intentions were extremely malicious!
