Chapter 137: Another Transmigrator

Yun Shu's eyes were clear yet carried a hint of foolishness; at a single glance, Yan Ning knew this was definitely a university student—no, a graduate student.

Yan Ning then said, "Perfect, your science grades are good. I have some science test papers here, ranging from high school to graduate level. If you pass the test, you can lead others with excellent science grades to research the Steam Engine, or even the Generator and Light Bulb."

Without a second thought, Yun Shu said directly to Yan Ning, "Fine, I can take the test."

Yan Ning took out six test papers for him: three for Mathematics, two for Physics, and one for Chemistry.

Yun Shu scanned them roughly, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He couldn't help but ask, "What is the Golden Finger for your transmigration? How can you even pull out test papers?"

These test papers were ones Yan Ning had copied some time ago; she couldn't wait for her father to encounter another trading partner from the Modern Plane, so she would copy them whenever she had a spare moment.

She had also accidentally discovered the elementary to high school curriculum explanations, along with the corresponding textbooks and test papers, from a pile of compressed files.

Yan Ning did not answer Yun Shu, but instead asked, "Do you have a Golden Finger?"

Yun Shu scratched his head: "Does photographic memory count? Though my memory was already quite impressive before I transmigrated."

Only then did Yan Ning say, "Then you can start writing the papers."

After a moment's thought, she added, "Write in Simplified Chinese Characters."

Yun Shu breathed a sigh of relief and began to write the papers. He had been transmigrated for three months and hadn't even dared to enter the study, only managing to write in his room in secret.

Because he had never touched a brush pen before, his calligraphy was not only missing strokes but also looked like chicken scratches.

He had seen the original owner's handwriting; while not particularly good, it was at least neat.

Yan Ning was not idle either; she was preparing to promote Simplified Chinese Characters and still needed to copy many books, changing Traditional Chinese Characters to Simplified Chinese Characters.

Currently, she had only copied primers, which had already been printed and distributed to various Schools; places like the County School and Prefecture School still used Traditional Chinese Characters, so Yan Ning needed to copy more books for them to take directly to the School later.

Yan Ning's head ached from copying; ancient text was written vertically and lacked punctuation, so she had to add the punctuation marks as she wrote.

After copying two books, which took about two hours, Yan Ning looked up and saw that the several test papers were densely filled with writing, with only the last one remaining.

Yan Ning took away the papers he had finished and began to grade them.

Good heavens, this person really hadn't lied; he had actually gotten all these difficult math problems right.

Looking at the physics problems, they were also all correct.

The remaining chemistry paper was finished and handed in shortly after.

Yan Ning took a look; there were a few errors, but the score was still very high.

Yun Shu asked, "Your Highness, how are my results?"

Yan Ning said, "Except for a few points deducted in chemistry, everything else is a perfect score. The research of the Steam Engine will be left to you, though I haven't thought of a suitable official title yet."

Yun Shu said hurriedly, "It doesn't matter, the sooner it's developed, the sooner we can live a good life."

He missed the days of staying up late to grind through problems and write reports; now that he was suddenly idle, he wasn't used to it.

Yan Ning thought it over; she couldn't let him use the iPad, lest she expose too much.

She asked, "How many helpers do you need?"

Yun Shu thought for a moment, "One or two, I suppose."

Yan Ning asked curiously, "Won't that be too few?"

Yun Shu: "It's enough. They don't understand Physics anyway, and if there are too many people, I'll have to explain things to each of them."

Yan Ning nodded and said, "Once you all build the Steam Engine, your official titles and bonuses won't be lacking. It's just that if I give you titles before it's built, those old fogeys will protest again."

Yun Shu revealed a smile: "Those official titles don't matter."

He only wanted to complete the Industrial Revolution quickly and improve the quality of life.

If he were to research it alone, he wouldn't be able to find many things; having the support of the Crown Princess made things much more convenient.

Because Yun Shu was there, Yan Ning returned a bit late.

Yan Ze and the others were waiting for her to have dinner.

Yan Ze even asked, "Why are you back so late today?"

Usually, she would return around six o'clock to eat dinner together, but it was already nearly seven.

Seeing that there were still palace maids and Eunuchs around, Yan Ning said, "You all may leave."

Once the people had left, Yan Ning said, "Father, Mother, you wouldn't believe it, but it turns out that besides us, there is another transmigrator."

Yan Ze and Ji Lan became interested, and the two asked in a flurry:

"Who is it? Is he an official or a wealthy merchant?"

"Ningning, how did you confirm it? Could that person be detrimental to us?"

"Let's observe first. If he is detrimental, just kill... never mind, just lock him in the dungeon."

Yan Ning said, "Didn't I mention in court a few days ago that I wanted to research the Steam Engine? The Minister of Personnel went back and told his son, Yun Shu, as a joke, and it turns out Yun Shu is a transmigrator."

"Yun Shu wanted to contact me, but he followed me too obviously, so I had someone knock him out and bring him here."

Yan Ze asked again, "What is this person's character like?"

Yan Ning recalled those clear eyes and said, "His character is good, and he's a top student. He's very skilled in Physics and Mathematics, and he wants to research the Steam Engine."

Yan Ze said with a smile, "That's great. I was just worrying that these videos couldn't be shown to anyone. With a ready-made science student here, let alone a Steam Engine, he might even be able to make a Generator."

Yan Ze missed his past life of staying up late watching TV dramas too much.

Now he didn't dare to stay up late watching TV dramas because the Power Bank wasn't enough, and the Solar Power Bank wasn't convenient either, for fear of being seen.

If there were a Generator, he wouldn't have to hide from people.

Yan Ning acted quickly, and at the morning court the next day, she brought up the matter of the Steam Engine.

Yan Ning's eyes and brows were full of joy as she said with a smile, "I am determined to build the Steam Engine, and I have already found the person who can do it. From now on, Yun Shu will be in charge of the research, and I am making an exception to appoint him as a Ninth-Rank Academic Rectifier at the Imperial Academy."

The Minister of Personnel's eyelids twitched.

He stepped forward and asked, "Which Yun Shu is Your Highness referring to?"

Yan Ning flashed a big smile at him: "Why, your son, of course."

The Minister of Personnel's vision went black, and he nearly failed to stand steady.

Yan Ning said, "I have tested him; he is fully capable of the role, and he can even memorize what he reads at a glance."

The Minister of Personnel had wanted his son to follow the path of the Imperial Examination, yet Yan Ning was sending him straight to the Hanlin Academy to serve as a Scholar?

What kind of future was there in that?

The Minister of Personnel hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this is not in accordance with the rules, and my son is truly incapable of shouldering such a great responsibility."

Yan Ning said with a smile, "It doesn't matter, Yun Shu will certainly be able to do it."

It was merely a Ninth Rank official, and the son of the Minister of Personnel at that, so the people in the Court could not be bothered to object.

After all, they did not want to be picked on by the Crown Princess at this moment.

Yan Ning was satisfied, and as soon as the Court session ended, she went to find Yun Shu and took him to the Imperial Academy.

Yan Ning had also arranged assistants for him: one was an Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy, of the Eighth Rank, and the other was a Doctor of the Five Classics, of the Junior Eighth Rank.

She even arranged a separate large room for Yun Shu to conduct experiments.