Chapter 24: Farmland
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“By the way, the Engineering Department still has too few craftsmen. Now that we have enough silver, we should recruit more. Chen Qi, I’ll leave this task to you. Skilled craftsmen may be hard to find, but we can bring in apprentices. The most important thing is that they, like you, must have a passion for these technologies.”
Before leaving, Xiao Ming instructed Chen Qi. Although Chen Wenlong was a capable military officer, his thinking was somewhat rigid—far less open-minded than the younger Chen Qi.
While Chen Wenlong was competent in managing the department’s daily affairs, when it came to the technology Xiao Ming was introducing, the gap between him and Chen Qi was substantial.
Chen Qi nodded vigorously. Being recognized by the Prince of Qi was an immense honor for a mere craftsman with no official rank.
After seeing Xiao Ming off, Chen Qi stood at the entrance of the Engineering Department, grinning foolishly. He turned to his father and said, “Father, our prince is actually quite reasonable.”
“That’s now. If this were the past, you’d have gotten a beating for speaking out of turn,” Chen Wenlong said, kicking at Chen Qi’s rear.
Chen Qi dodged swiftly and laughed. “Father, I’m the chief craftsman now! You can’t call me a good-for-nothing anymore. Look at how much His Highness values our department—I think we have a bright future ahead!”
Chen Wenlong huffed, his beard bristling. Having had Chen Qi late in life, he had naturally spoiled him, allowing him to indulge in his fascination with strange contraptions. But he had never expected that his son would one day be so highly regarded—it was as if their ancestors were smiling upon them.
With this, when he eventually retired from his post as military officer, Chen Qi had a real chance of succeeding him.
“Since His Highness values you so much, you must not disappoint him. I’ve observed you over the past few days—you do seem to have a talent for this. Go on, then. I’ll leave the blast furnace project entirely in your hands. I will only handle procurement and finances for the office.”
“Don’t worry, Father,” Chen Qi said excitedly, realizing his father was giving him free rein.