The whole family travels through time and space, and the three of them struggle together

Chapter 187: Plans can’t keep up with changes

imperial study room

While applying medicine to Emperor Jiayou, Eunuch Shi reported, "When I left, the Empress had not yet woken up. Fangruo gave this old servant the plan."

"Hiss! Be gentle!"

"Your Majesty, forgive me."

Emperor Jiayou waved his hand and said, "Send Xiaostool in to serve. Go to my private vault. I remember there is a gold and jade abacus in it. Find it and send it to the Empress. Then, send someone to the Yangxin Palace to get a few sets of my nightgown and send them to Kunning Palace. Tell the Empress that I will be there for dinner tonight and to use less spicy food."

Eunuch Shi: "Yes."

Well, it’s really like thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west!

-

Ministry of Industry

By the time Minister Cui arrived at the Ministry of Works, Zhou Dajiang had already greeted everyone and was currently studying the duties of a secretarial official with the Left Vice Minister. Meanwhile, Zhou Dahai and his six companions, led by Minister Cui, headed to the Ministry of Water Resources. Zhou Dajiang's two nephews, Tietou (Zhou Yufu) and Suotou (Zhou Yulu), also struck up a friendly exchange with the servants waiting outside.

Minister Cui's proudest achievement this year was assigning Zhou Dajiang to the Ministry of Works. Seeing Zhou Dajiang calmly learning from the Left Assistant Minister, he nodded in satisfaction. He walked over to the two men and said to the Left Assistant Minister, "Teach him well."

Zhou Dajiang turned around and saw that it was Lord Cui. He was about to bow to him, but Lord Cui stopped him, "We don't have those empty formalities in the Ministry of Works. You should learn from Lord Fang." After that, he walked away leisurely without waiting for Zhou Dajiang to reply.

The Lord Fang that Lord Cui was referring to was the Left Vice Minister.

Lord Fang said that Zhou Dajiang had to be addressed as "uncle" because he was the second uncle of Lady Fang, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo. Because of this relationship, Minister Fang taught Zhou Dajiang step by step.

Zhou Dajiang was also a quick learner. Not only did he learn everything Minister Fang taught him, but when Minister Fang was busy, he would also look through the files of the Ministry of Works over the years. He would take a look at anything related to his work, from city construction and civil engineering renovations to the Yellow River dike repairs.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, surnamed Wu, was a small, elderly man who had been assigned to the Ministry of Works during the Ministry of Personnel's selection process. He had spent most of his life there, having no connections or connections, having climbed the ranks solely through hard work and dedication. From a minor eighth-rank official to a current fourth-rank official, Vice Minister Wu felt he had achieved considerable success. With retirement approaching, he had high hopes for Zhou Dajiang.

Seeing Zhou Dajiang reading some materials, he walked up to him and said, "You're studying."

When Zhou Dajiang saw that it was Minister Wu, he hurriedly stood up and saluted, but was interrupted again, "Didn't Lord Cui say that we don't have such empty formalities in our Ministry of Works?"

Zhou Dajiang could only respond with a "yes."

Minister Wu patted him on the shoulder and said, "Master Zhou, please study hard. If you have any questions, you can ask me."

Zhou Dajiang bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Wu. I'm sorry to bother you."

Minister Wu waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay. When I was transferred here, I didn't know anything either. I was just like you. I learned little by little after arriving at the Ministry of Works. In a blink of an eye, most of my life has passed.

Jiangshan is full of talented people. You should study hard. After you have learned the business of Si Langzhong, you can learn my side. "

Zhou Dajiang responded again, "Yes."

The two of them had barely exchanged a few words when a gong rang outside. Minister Wu stopped talking and pulled Zhou Dajiang aside, saying, "Come on, let's go! It's time for our 'Corridor Dining'."

Zhou Dajiang was stunned for a moment. When he saw everyone walking out, he realized that it was time for lunch.

He hurriedly asked Lord Wu what to do with the group of people he brought with him.

Lord Fang also came over at this time, "Don't worry, they also have a place to eat."

A few people walked and talked, and soon arrived at the dining place.

The dining place was set up under the east corridor and west wing north of the left and right Qinzheng Gates. Civil officials sat in the east corridor and military officials sat in the west wing. The scene was very grand.

Everyone lined up to get their meals according to their area. Lord Fang was afraid Zhou Dajiang didn't understand, so he explained to him, "The food at our court is good. 'Corridor Meals' have a rich variety of dishes, including rice, noodles, meat, fish, vegetables, and soups. You can eat anything. But there's one thing: don't waste it!"

Zhou Dajiang nodded, indicating that he understood. Isn't this just like his modern factory?

When he got home that night, Zhou Dajiang was still learning from his family, "The food in the imperial canteen is good! Not only do they provide staple foods and non-vegetarian dishes, but they also have snacks and fruits. I ate too much at noon."

When Chen Xiuying heard about dim sum, she knew she wanted to learn more about the food she was planning to open. "What kind of dim sum are they?"

"There were three items: pine candy, walnut crisps, and almond cheese. You could choose any one of them. They all took them, but I didn't want any!"

Zhou Sisi and the twins were envious. Zhou Sisi wanted to eat almond milk, and the twins wanted to eat pine candy. The three of them looked at Zhou Dajiang. Zhi Geer couldn't help but said, "Daddy, next time if you don't want to eat it, just bring it back for me!"

"That's right, Heng Ge'er wants to eat too!"

Zhou Sisi was a grown-up girl, so naturally she felt embarrassed to ask her father for it. But it didn't matter, she had a good mother, and her mother's almond cheese was delicious. So she pulled Chen Xiuying's arm and said coquettishly, "Mom, are you busy tomorrow? If not, can you make some almond cheese for us?"

Chen Xiuying pushed her away and said, "Mom is busy. I have to train them tomorrow."

Before Zhou Dajiang joined the Ministry of Industry, he had been helping others. He hadn't even asked his wife about the staffing arrangements, but upon hearing her words, he asked her, "Who have you decided on?"

"Fat Dong's wife, Tian Dasao, and Tian Ersao are mine; Da Zhuang's wife, her daughter Tian Niu'er, Tian Dasao's daughter-in-law Hua, and Tian Ersao's daughter-in-law Qu have all been found by my two mothers."

When Zhou Dajiang heard this, he thought the two old ladies were capable and had found the right person without making any noise. He couldn't help but worry about his wife, "Do you have enough manpower over there?"

"That's enough! There are also Tian Dalin and Tian Xiaosen. Their mother doesn't want them, so it's just right for me to leave them to her!"

The two people Chen Xiuying mentioned were the son of Tian Dasao and the son of Tian Ersao.

After Zhou Dajiang showed concern for his wife, he also showed concern for his daughter, "Sisi, have you finished your design drawings?"

"Almost done. The final version will be ready by tomorrow."

"Well, is there anything you need help from Dad and Mom?"

Zhou Sisi looked at her father and then at her mother with a resentful look in her eyes. "Yes, I want to eat the almond cheese that Dad just mentioned. How about you ask Mom for it for me?"

Zhou Dajiang glanced at his wife, then whispered, "My face might not be enough."

Chen Xiuying couldn't help laughing when she saw the father and son playing around. Then she said to Zhou Dajiang, "Look at you, you've had a lot to do at the Ministry of Industry today, haven't you? I asked you to learn from us, so you just learned how to eat. Now you've got a glutton, haven't you? I don't care, you handle it!"

The twins had been interrupted and had forgotten about the candy, but now they remembered it. They looked at each other and said in unison, "We want candy."

Zhou Dajiang...Okay, I'll go to the street and buy it for you after I get off duty tomorrow!

As a result, the plan could not keep up with the rapid changes, and he was called to the imperial study before the end of his shift the next day.