The Liang Second Young Master before him was truly worthy of His Majesty's regard!
Huang Xing's evaluation of Liang Xiao unconsciously rose again.
Liang Xiao insisted, and Huang Xing naturally agreed, further promising, "Old man, I've already spoken with Zhang Yang. This person is indeed a talent worth nurturing, but he is unwilling to serve as an official. Originally, I wanted to recommend him to our Minister of Works, Lord Dugu..."
"Do not force him for now," Liang Xiao said sternly.
The court was still rife with factional strife. Sending the upright Zhang Yang in at this time would be no different from seeking death.
Huang Xing dared not insist and returned to the palace to report.
As Huang Xing left, Ding Wuyi arrived for a visit.
"Young Master Liang, do you know of the reputation of the Divine Physician?" Ding Wuyi asked urgently.
Liang Xiao shook his head and said, "Since he can be revered as a divine being, he must be capable of miraculous recovery."
Ding Wuyi was taken aback and chuckled, "His Majesty has already sent this eunuch to seek help from the Divine Physician. The Divine Physician's daughter hopes you can personally go to the Heavenly Mountain. With your wisdom, you should be able to persuade the Divine Physician to heal your wounds!"
At this, Liang Xiao recounted the reputation of the Divine Physician and that peculiar principle truthfully.
Liang Xiao sighed, "Thank you for His Majesty's concern, and thank you, Eunuch Ding, for your trouble! But with the land covered in ice and snow, and it is uncertain whether the Divine Physician will agree to treat me or be able to heal me, I see no need to risk it at this time."
He understood his grandfather, Liang Qing, very well.
Liang Qing would certainly know of the Divine Physician's fame and would have sent someone to the Heavenly Mountain to plead with the Divine Physician for any of his grandsons' injuries or illnesses, or perhaps Liang Qing himself would have gone.
But since Liang Qing had not mentioned it to him, it must have meant the Divine Physician had refused him thoroughly, perhaps even humiliatingly, indicating a capricious personality.
Ding Wuyi was startled, "That is true. This journey is neither too far nor too near. Since your life is not in immediate danger, perhaps it would be better to wait until spring arrives next year?"
Liang Xiao readily agreed, expressed his gratitude again, and asked, "Eunuch Ding, may I ask if you saw Xiao Shuangzi this morning?"
Ding Wuyi's heart jumped, and he smiled, "Lord Qin is the person His Majesty trusts most. Rest assured, he is doing well!"
Liang Xiao was finally relieved. Ding Wuyi did not dare to linger and took his leave. After turning away, helplessness filled his eyes.
Xiao Shuangzi...
If anyone else had addressed Xiao Qing in such a manner, they would surely have been thrown to the ground by him and Ning Xuejun and kicked in the face repeatedly with a shoehorn!
"Eunuch Huang!"
In the palace, Huang Xing was stopped halfway by someone. Turning around, he immediately adopted a solemn expression and bowed, "Lord Dugu!"
The elder before him was none other than Dugu Liang, the Minister of Works, the elder brother of the Marquis of Wan Ling, and the uncle of Dugu Xiao, the foremost scholar in the capital!
Dugu Liang smiled, "Why is Eunuch Huang in such a hurry?"
Huang Xing did not dare to hide anything. He handed over the four copies of Zhang Yang's design drafts to Dugu Liang, explained the situation, and chuckled, "With such talent in the country, His Majesty will surely be overjoyed!"
Dugu Liang looked through the drawings and was also full of admiration. He immediately put away the drawings and waved to Huang Xing, "Let this old man present them to His Majesty. Eunuch Huang, the Ministry of Works has some new craftsmen waiting for your assignment."
Huang Xing was surprised and hastily said, "I am acting under His Majesty's command..."
"Does this Ministry of Works belong to you or to me?" Dugu Liang's face darkened.
Huang Xing had no choice but to remind him, "These design drafts are extremely important. Lord Dugu, please ensure they are delivered to His Majesty immediately!"
Dugu Liang readily agreed. After dismissing Huang Xing, he took out the design drafts with a smile.
In the imperial study, Xiao Qing and Wang Canghai looked at each other with doubt as Dugu Liang, who had come to report, entered.
Dugu Liang presented the four drawings to Xiao Qing and explained, "After my careful design, I have finally created new farming implements for the country. Please review them, Your Majesty!"
Xiao Qing became more suspicious. He took the drawings and admired them with Wang Canghai.
"Exquisite craftsmanship!" Wang Canghai exclaimed involuntarily.
Xiao Qing suddenly asked, "Did you design these, Minister Dugu?"
Dugu Liang said humbly, "It was I who designed them! However, I also incorporated some suggestions from my colleagues at the Ministry of Works. We all contributed!"
Xiao Qing smiled, but fury simmered in her heart.
If Zhuo Zifang had not informed her of this in advance, and if she had not personally visited the Liang residence, she would truly have been deceived by Dugu Liang. Who could have clarified the truth then!
Was this not the same as the curved-shaft plough?
But she was unsure why these design drafts were slightly different from what Liang Xiao had described last night.
Xiao Qing immediately ordered someone to summon Huang Xing.
"Eunuch Huang is currently entertaining craftsmen at the Ministry of Works. I can convey His Majesty's verbal command on his behalf!" Dugu Liang quickly interjected.
Xiao Qing said sternly, "There is no need. Minister Dugu, you shall also remain here. For such outstanding designs, I naturally wish to bestow great rewards."
Dugu Liang was startled, a bad premonition rising in his heart, but he could not disobey the imperial command and could only stand by obediently.
After Huang Xing entered and paid his respects, Dugu Liang loudly declared, "Your Majesty! In fact, Eunuch Huang also made significant contributions to these four design drafts. I propose that we sign our names together!"
Hearing this, Huang Xing looked bewildered, "Lord Dugu, why do you say that?"
Dugu Liang hastily gave Huang Xing frantic winks. Huang Xing's expression changed, and he seemed to realize something.
"Minister Huang, I ordered you to take the craftsmen to see Liang Xiao. How has that progressed?" Xiao Qing asked with a smile.
Today, she wanted to see what tricks Huang Xing and Dugu Liang were up to.
Dugu Liang was shocked and pale, "You sent him??"
At this moment, Dugu Liang's heart sank, realizing the gravity of his misjudgment: this old man never told him he was acting under orders!
The curved-shaft plough was too ingenious, and he had been temporarily blinded by the temptation of eternal fame.
Huang Xing quickly replied, "I went and brought back the four design drafts improved by Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang. I believe that Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang are both virtuous and capable!"
Then, Huang Xing truthfully recounted how Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang had vied with each other to give credit.
Xiao Qing finally smiled.
Wang Canghai was also taken aback at first, then stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Your Majesty, it seems Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang are truly talented!"
"Your Majesty, there has been some misunderstanding!" Dugu Liang, already sweating profusely, hurriedly explained, his mind cursing Huang Xing's ancestors.
Xiao Qing's face darkened again, and she said coldly, "Minister Dugu attempted to claim the credit for the design drafts as his own. Is that a misunderstanding?"
Hearing this, Huang Xing instantly understood the whole story, and was both shocked and angry, "Lord Dugu, you..."
Dugu Liang, in a moment of desperation, continued to deny, "Your Majesty, you must not believe the baseless accusations of Eunuch Huang. He has long coveted my position as Minister! I should not have let him view the design drafts earlier, giving him an opportunity to sow discord and attack a loyal minister!"
"Crack!"
Xiao Qing's inkstone slammed heavily on the table, like a gavel.
"Do you think I can be fooled by you? I already knew yesterday that this curved-shaft plough was designed by Liang Xiao!"
Dugu Liang was struck as if by lightning, his mind going blank.
How was that possible?
He had so many relatives and friends in the court, and many informants, yet he had not heard that Liang Xiao had designed the curved-shaft plough!
"This is the crime of deceiving the emperor, punishable by death!" Ning Xuejun, who had been silent, finally spoke, reminding him.
Dugu Liang immediately knelt down and begged for mercy.
Xiao Qing sighed, "I rule the country with benevolence and righteousness, as per the ancestral teachings. Dugu Liang is dismissed from office and will be investigated. Huang Xing will replace him as Minister of Works. The position of Vice Minister of Works will remain vacant for now, and I will appoint it myself."