Chapter 33: Minister of Works

Long Chen had been particularly anxious just now, for the Empress was the sole person in the realm to have broken through the Martial Sovereign boundary and entered the Imperial Lord stage. He worried she might discover he was not truly a eunuch, but fortunately, he had escaped unscathed.

"The Ministry of Personnel has given me two tasks, Your Majesty: the issue of firewood has already been resolved, and then there is the matter of rebuilding the northern frontier fortresses."

"I have already drafted a plan, awaiting Your Majesty's approval."

As he spoke, Long Chen produced a memorial from his sleeve. Shadow Phoenix accepted it and presented it to the Empress.

The Empress read the memorial carefully; Long Chen had written out the formula for cement, the materials needed, the manpower required, and the construction methods—all in meticulous detail.

To withstand the northern barbarians, the fortresses needed to be robust and would require many laborers. Long Chen recommended using prisoners from Southern Liang. Those captives could not be kept in Linjiang, as it was too close to their homeland and escape would be easy. Nor were they suited for Daughter City; a rebellion there would be troublesome. The best solution was to send them to the northern border, the frontline against the barbarians, far from Southern Liang and severing any lingering hope.

"Excellent. I approve!" The Empress closed the memorial, evidently pleased with Long Chen's proposal.

"When the fortresses of the northern border are completed, you may formally assume the post of Minister of Works."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Long Chen replied.

The Empress's phoenix eyes lingered on him for a moment, then she waved her hand, signaling Long Chen to withdraw.

Long Chen exited the Phoenix Song Palace, and outside, Zhang Qian hurriedly followed him.

In her study, the Empress watched Long Chen leave and casually asked, "Who performed Long Cheng'en's purification?"

Shadow Phoenix answered promptly, "Wu Jian, that valiant cavalry captain."

The Empress's lips curled almost imperceptibly, yet her face betrayed no emotion as she resumed reviewing the memorials, asking nothing further.

Long Chen returned to the side courtyard with Zhang Qian in tow. With Xu Ming overseeing matters in the Ministry of Works, Long Chen rarely visited unless there was urgent business.

Whenever time allowed, he practiced spear techniques. In this world, martial strength ruled, and to seek vengeance and ascend to greatness, he needed to break through in cultivation.

Once, at twenty, Long Chen had reached the Martial Sovereign stage, hailed as a genius. Alas, after the battle at White Wolf Mountain, his cultivation was destroyed; now, he had to start anew.

Picking up his iron spear, Long Chen gathered his qi at his life gate and began practicing the Tyrant Dragon Spear.

As he trained, Wu Jian from the purification room passed by the gate, glanced into the courtyard, and continued on. Since Zhang Qian had begun shadowing him, Long Chen's contact with Wu Jian had ceased.

At first, Long Chen found Zhang Qian's constant presence quite enjoyable, but he soon realized she was an obvious plant by Di Luoxi, an imperial spy assigned to monitor him around the clock, leaving no corner unwatched.

Bare-chested, Long Chen practiced in the snow, steam rising in white clouds from his head and body.

Xiang Ning blushed as she watched, while Zhang Qian remarked quizzically, "He's a eunuch, why are you so excited?"

Xiang Ning replied shyly, "What's wrong with being a eunuch? Such powerful muscles, such handsome features—he's more manly than most men."

Long Chen's physique and looks surpassed ordinary men.

"So what? In the end, he's missing something. What can you do with him?"

Usually upright, Zhang Qian was blunt in conversation with Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning glanced at Zhang Qian with a hint of pride. "You don't know about the master's secret technique, do you?"

"Secret technique? Tyrant Dragon Spear?" Zhang Qian asked, puzzled.

Zhang Qian blushed, raised two fingers, and crooked them suggestively...

Instantly, Zhang Qian's face reddened as she muttered under her breath, "Shameless!"

Seeing Zhang Qian's reaction, Xiang Ning realized she hadn't experienced Long Chen's secret technique, and suddenly felt her status elevated, a look of triumph on her face.

"Hmph, the master is formidable," Xiang Ning said, her cheeks flushed but still displaying a haughty air.

"If you hadn't come, I could practice every few days. Since you've arrived...hmph!" Xiang Ning shot Zhang Qian a resentful look.

"Then tonight, you sleep with the master. I'll nap on the chair," Zhang Qian said.

"Really? No going back on your word!" Xiang Ning bounced with joy.

Zhang Qian scoffed, unimpressed—he was just a eunuch, nothing special.

Long Chen practiced until he was exhausted, finally putting away the iron spear. The bath water was ready.

He entered the tub, Xiang Ning went in to help him bathe, while Zhang Qian lingered nearby, watching the maple leaves fall.

"Won't you bathe?" Long Chen asked Zhang Qian.

"No, I'd rather not upset someone," she replied.

Long Chen glanced back at Xiang Ning, who kept her head down.

He realized he'd neglected this little girl lately.

"Come, let's help each other," Long Chen said, turning.

Xiang Ning looked bashfully at Zhang Qian, feeling awkward. Zhang Qian turned her face away.

...

When they emerged from the bath, Xiang Ning's face was rosy; whether from the hot water or Long Chen, it was hard to say.

"Your hand's cramped, hasn't it?" Zhang Qian noticed Long Chen's fingers still trembling.

"Seems so. Interested in learning? Two-finger Zen, a Shaolin secret."

"Shaolin? What's that? No thanks!"

At first, Zhang Qian thought Long Chen was lewd; later, she realized he was clever; now, she concluded he remained lewd.

"Disgusting eunuch," she muttered.

Back in the bedroom, Long Chen fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Xiang Ning changed into pink undergarments, taking Zhang Qian's usual bed spot beside Long Chen.

"Eh? Why are you here?"

"She's napping on the chair tonight. I'm staying here," Xiang Ning replied with a grin.

Zhang Qian sat on the chair, her expression disdainful.

"Come, it's a snowy night—let's share a blanket for warmth," Long Chen offered generously.

Xiang Ning happily crawled in, shooting Zhang Qian a smug look.

Zhang Qian snorted, unaffected.

Long Chen slept, Zhang Qian rested her hand on the tea table, her middle and ring fingers unconsciously twitching...

She frowned, silently chastising herself: "Lewd!"

...

Construction of the northern fortresses proceeded smoothly. By spring, the three most crucial cities were already complete.

Previously, building strongholds required quarrying stone and transporting timber—stone could be sourced locally, but large timber was scarce, making every project a huge expense.

This time, thanks to cement, they only needed to mix hard stones together, erecting sturdy fortresses with ease. With Southern Liang prisoners as labor, costs were negligible.

Daming Palace.

The Empress sat upon her phoenix throne as Bai Qiulian, Minister of War, reported on the northern fortress construction.

"All seven fortresses of the northern border have been completed, at a total cost of one million taels of silver, with ten thousand laborers conscripted," he said.

The Empress reviewed the memorial and spoke, "Those seven northern fortresses were built in the previous dynasty, over fifty years ago. They've needed repair for ages, but the treasury always got in the way."

"This time, Long Cheng'en invented a miraculous powder, and with Southern Liang prisoners as labor, all were rebuilt in five months—a tremendous achievement."

"He solved the firewood problem and the fortress reconstruction—he deserves the post of Minister of Works."

"Long Cheng'en," she called.

Long Chen stepped forward and bowed. "Your servant is here!"

The Empress announced, "Today, I formally appoint you Minister of Works, with a rank of third grade."

Long Chen bowed again. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace."

Shadow Phoenix carried a seal—the official symbol of the Ministry of Works—and approached Long Chen.

"Congratulations, Minister Long," she said with a sparkling smile, handing him the seal.

"Thank you," Long Chen replied, accepting it.

From this day forth, Long Chen was officially Minister of Works for Eastern Zhou.

"Is there any other business?" The Empress was in excellent spirits.

At that moment, Jing Heng, Minister of Revenue, stepped forward, his eyes darting like a mouse.

"Your servant has a matter to report."