Chapter 148: Father, Kick Him with Your Foot

Yun Shu brought the Textile Machine; although it could not be used directly, it could be taken before the ministers to open their eyes.

It was also to stabilize Yun Shu's position.

They also wanted to rely on Yun Shu to cultivate a group of science talents.

Thinking of this, Yan Ning asked, "How are the Physics Class and Mathematics Class going, as discussed before?"

Yun Shu's expression was not very good: "The textbooks have already been printed. I told the students at the Imperial Academy that those good at mathematics could come to take the Mathematics Class and Physics Class, and they could likewise enter the court as officials. A few were tempted, but once they heard it was I who would be teaching, they gave up."

Yan Ning was taken aback, "There's age discrimination in this too?"

Yun Shu sighed: "Yes, if only I had transmigrated into my father's body."

Yan Ning: "Indeed, then no one would be complaining about the empty treasury every day when I carry out various plans."

Yan Ze, who had been quiet, said: "After the New Year, hold a mathematics examination. Those who do well can enter the Science Class to study Physics and Mathematics. Just distribute the textbooks to them first, let them self-study for a week, and then hold an examination."

Yan Ning and Yun Shu immediately understood what Yan Ze meant.

It was to dampen their arrogance.

Yun Shu's eyes lit up: "I can write the questions!"

At this moment, Yan Ning had a flash of inspiration: "Father, for the annual Imperial Examination, we can divide it into liberal arts and sciences, but since most people cannot accept science right now, why not make it an additional question? If they don't pass the Imperial Examination, those who pass the mathematics test can also be selected."

Yan Ze: "That is a good idea. I will immediately issue an order for them to notify everyone. Whether it is the Child Examination, Academy Examination, Provincial Examination, or Metropolitan Examination, add a mathematics question, from simple to difficult."

"The Imperial Examination is held every three years, but the court needs mathematics talent. Within five years, a mathematics examination will be held every year."

Finally, the father and daughter looked at Yun Shu.

Yun Shu was a bit bewildered.

Yan Ning said with a smile: "Then we will have to trouble you to write the test papers."

Yun Shu thought it was some major matter; it turned out to be just writing test papers. He knew how to do this; he had helped his teachers think of exam questions plenty of times in his past life.

Yan Ze wrote the imperial edict immediately and had people send it out at once.

Even though New Year's Eve was only two days away.

They would just have to work a little harder.

For all the work Yun Shu had done, Yan Ze gave him quite a few rewards: five hundred taels of silver, several bolts of cloth, and some Yuanqi ornaments.

When Yun Shu left, his eyes were sparkling; he was one step closer to using a Flush Toilet.

After Yun Shu returned, he saw his father fiddling with the semi-finished Textile Machine he had made.

Yun You looked left and right, "How could this possibly weave cloth automatically?"

Then he saw Yun Shu bring back a huge pile of things.

Yun You looked at the cloth and couldn't help but ask: "Why did you buy so much cloth?"

As he spoke, Yun You hurriedly carried all that cloth to the storeroom.

Yun Shu said: "Father, I didn't go buy these. I finished making the automatic weaving machine, and the Emperor gave them to me."

Yun You took a closer look; that cloth did indeed look precious, not something that could be bought in ordinary shops.

Yun Shu thought of how his father had just been saying it was impossible, then he took out the five hundred taels of silver and the pile of Yuanqi carvings.

"And these too."

Yun You was stunned; this was almost equal to his salary for half a year.

Yun You hurriedly asked: "Where is that weaving machine you made? Bring it here quickly for me to see. I really want to know what kind of weaving machine can weave cloth by itself."

Yun Shu curled his lips: "You can't see it anymore; I've already given it to the Emperor."

Seeing his father look somewhat disappointed, Yun Shu added: "Father, you should be able to see it when court is in session."

Yun You counted the days on his fingers: "That will be several days from now. Make another one for me to see."

Yun Shu shook his head: "I can't. The Emperor also wants me to write the mathematics test papers; I'm too busy."

Yun You muttered, "What exactly do the Emperor and the Crown Princess value in you? I never saw you being this clever before."

Yun Shu pouted.

Yan Ning and the others valued him because he was a science whiz.

Two days later was New Year's Eve.

Yan Ze sent a pair of spring couplets to the Grand Empress Dowager and also wrote a congratulatory message, wishing the Grand Empress Dowager a long life of a thousand years.

The family of three accompanied the Grand Empress Dowager to stay up for the New Year. When it reached midnight, the old Grand Empress Dowager was actually able to stay up longer than Yan Ning.

Seeing Yan Ning drowsy, the Grand Empress Dowager hurriedly told them to go back to sleep.

Yan Ning still wanted to stay, but ended up being shooed out.

Yan Ning said sweetly at the door: "Great-Grandmother, you should also sleep early."

Yan Ning went back and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

On New Year's Eve, Yan Ze gave all the palace maids and Eunuchs in the palace a holiday, returning to work on the seventh day.

Consequently, there was no good food in the palace today, so Yan Ning and the others could only go outside to eat.

Fortunately, not all shops were closed; only Zhenwei Pavilion was still open, and there were quite a few people inside.

Yan Ning was afraid of the cold, so she wore a thin down jacket inside her cotton-padded clothes, appearing somewhat bloated.

But there was no helping it; the winter in the Capital was truly too cold.

The family of three, wearing equally bloated clothes, arrived at Zhenwei Pavilion.

Yan Ze said with a smile: "We would like a private room."

Xiao Shi hurriedly said: "Guests, please wait a moment, I will go tidy one up right away."

But after waiting for a while, Xiao Shi said somewhat apologetically: "I am truly sorry to the three of you, I remembered incorrectly; there are no private rooms upstairs."

Yan Ning took a fancy to a table by the window, "Sitting over there is fine too, we can watch the snow."

None of the three were fussy people; they only wanted a private room to avoid meeting acquaintances, so eating on the first floor didn't matter.

Yan Ning used to come here often; she ordered a few plates of dishes, and when Yan Ze calculated the cost, it actually came to ten taels of silver!

Yan Ze was somewhat surprised, and after Xiao Shi left, Yan Ze could not help but ask, "Is eating out this expensive now?"

Yan Ning scratched her head: "Maybe it's because of the New Year. When I came here before, it was only about one tael."

At this moment, a frivolous voice rang out: "I'll pay for your table."

Yan Ning:??

No, who is this person?

Yan Ning frowned and directly refused: "No need."

The person speaking was a round and chubby man, about twenty years old, wearing brocade clothes, looking just like someone raised in a wealthy family.

Lin Yu said to Yan Ning with a beaming smile: "Little girl, would you like to come to my manor and be my secondary wife?"

"Slap—"

A loud slap landed on his face; Lin Yu was almost knocked dizzy by Yan Ze's strike.

Yan Ze kicked him in the stomach again: "You want to marry my daughter? Keep dreaming!"

Yan Ning was not even fifteen yet, and someone was already eyeing her; he truly was not a decent person.

Lin Yu gritted his teeth: "You, you all just wait; my father is the Governor-General of Jizhou, you, you... I will certainly not let you off."

Yan Ning sneered, the Governor-General of Jizhou, is he?

She would have his father dismissed from office as soon as she went back.

To have raised such a thing, he must surely like to bully others by relying on his power as well.

Lin Yu endured the pain and stepped forward, wanting to strike back, but was slapped to the ground by Yan Ze again.

Yan Ning hurriedly said: "Dad, use your foot to kick, so you don't hurt your hand hitting him."

Consequently, Lin Yu received several kicks all at once.