Chapter 197: Volume One, Chapter 197 – The Knife Is Rested on the Neck

Volume One, Chapter 197 The Knife Is Rested on the Neck

When the Late Emperor was on the throne, the Manufacturing Bureau's power could be described as covering the sky; it not only controlled all the nation's craftsmen and was inescapable in every aspect of life, but even weapons and armaments were in its grasp. Getting a post in the Manufacturing Bureau was a job no one could ever obtain.

But after the new emperor ascended the throne, he suddenly split off a Military Industry Bureau from the Ministry of War. Creating a Military Industry Bureau is nothing; could such a tiny bureau really shake the foundation of the Manufacturing Bureau?

Shi Lian, the head of the Manufacturing Bureau, had never paid it any mind, but as the northern frontier war progressed and the Military Industry Bureau took on more tasks from His Majesty, Shi Lian began to feel uneasy.

The earlier paper armor can be set aside; although it sounds flashy, fundamentally it cannot compare to iron armor, especially under firearms where paper armor's vulnerability to fire is fatal. It is only an emergency measure, and it exists because His Majesty insists on waging war against the Qing Xuan Kingdom, giving paper armor a chance to be used.

But what about after the war is over?

Then it becomes just a decoration, so Shi Lian is not anxious.

However, after His Majesty handed Fire Thunder, bows, crossbows, and other weapons to the Military Industry Bureau, he could no longer sit still. Several times the Imperial Censors submitted joint memorials, yet His Majesty remained unmoved; how could Shi Lian not be anxious?

He now scours everywhere to find out who originally devised these items, but gets no information; it seems as if His Majesty conjured them out of thin air. Isn't that a joke?

He didn't expect His Majesty to be so careful, supervising the behind‑the‑scenes people so tightly; Shi Lian's stomping in place is useless. He already senses that His Majesty's displeasure goes beyond him, and that a single pretext could have him removed and investigated.

Especially since he has sat in his position at the Manufacturing Bureau for so many years, his subordinates are far from spotless, so when Marquis Ning Yuan approached him, he hesitated.

Although he does not wish to involve himself in Hou Gong affairs, now His Majesty is practically placing a knife on his throat; he cannot not think of his own safety, can he?

Recently the news spread that Consort Rong is pregnant; Marquis Ning Yuan has been quite active privately. Shi Lian stared at the opposite side at the smiling, Maitreya‑like Marquis Ning Yuan, and after a long pause smiled and said, "Lord, to speak bluntly, I am of low rank and my words carry little weight; even if I were willing to lend you a hand, there may be no place to apply it."

It is not the first time Marquis Ning Yuan has dealt with Shi Lian; he is an old slickster who does not readily hand over power, otherwise His Majesty would have already obtained leverage to deal with him, and he could still be sitting conspicuously in his Manufacturing Bureau post.

Listening to Shi Lian, Marquis Ning Yuan felt inner discontent but showed none on his face; his smile grew even friendlier, and he sighed, "His Majesty, upon first ascending the throne, immediately launched a war against the Qing Xuan Kingdom. Lord Shi also knows there is much discontent at court, the treasury is already empty, and the ones who will suffer most after this war are the common people, aren't they? Now, only a cease‑fire and peace talks with the Qing Xuan Kingdom are the best of strategies. Lord Shi, do you agree?"

Shi Lian, though an old fox, couldn't control his expression and was momentarily stunned; he had thought of thousands of ways, but never expected Marquis Ning Yuan to bring up this matter.

Now the momentum of the war with the Qing Xuan Kingdom is just right, yet Marquis Ning Yuan insists on speaking of taxing the people and causing suffering, which is clearly a ploy—like Xiang Zhuang's sword‑dance aimed at the duke. This is more than ill intent; it is clearly an attempt to trample Xiao Shen, to disgrace His Majesty, and to prevent him from using war merits to suppress the ministers at court.

Bold and greedy, Marquis Ning Yuan is truly extravagant; Shi Lian has always considered himself daring, but now his heart races and his smile unintentionally fades.

"Lord, these words cannot be spoken lightly." Shi Lian looked at Marquis Ning Yuan and began slowly, "Now Xiao Shen's army is on a good momentum; if you, Lord, say such things at this critical juncture and they spread, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Since I dare speak, it means I trust Lord Shi." Marquis Ning Yuan laughed heartily. "Lord Shi, speaking of which, the Protector Duke complained to me two days ago. Seeing his current state, I feel a sigh; when the consort had not yet returned, the Protector Duke was a capable official in the capital, but now he is portrayed as a heartless scoundrel, truly a dilemma for him."

Shi Lian saw through it; Marquis Ning Yuan, to win over the Protector Duke, offered a side‑branch daughter to him as a concubine, and likely promised other favors; otherwise why would the Protector Duke willingly bear a bad reputation to continue opposing Consort Rong?

"Lord, this is ultimately the Protector Duke's family matter; I, your servant, am not in a position to comment."

Hearing Shi Lian, Marquis Ning Yuan exhaled slightly, seeing that Shi Lian was swayed; he continued, "I have always thought that His Majesty establishing a separate Military Industry Bureau within the Ministry of War is redundant. Over the years, Lord Shi has worked diligently in the Manufacturing Bureau; his merits and hardships are evident. In my view, the Military Industry Bureau should belong to the Manufacturing Bureau. What do you think, Lord Shi?"

Shi Lian, who had not been swayed before, now truly took interest upon hearing this; the Military Industry Bureau has become his obsession. He does not know how much effort he has spent trying to place his own people inside, but all attempts have returned empty‑handed.

"Lord, I fear His Majesty will not consent."

"If Xiao Shen suffers a great defeat, and the Owl Kingdom negotiates peace with the Qing Xuan Kingdom, then everything becomes possible, Lord Shi."

Shi Lian's face darkened; he narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then looked up at Marquis Ning Yuan, "Lord, your point is reasonable, but this matter is not easy to accomplish. Xiao Shen commands a strong army with many capable generals, and has His Majesty's strong backing…"

"If it were easy, why would I seek you, Lord?" Marquis Ning Yuan said somewhat bluntly, "Lord Shi previously oversaw armaments; even now that they have been transferred to the Military Industry Bureau by His Majesty, I believe you still have a way."

Shi Lian, that old slickster, surely has hidden moves.

Shi Lian felt a knot in his heart, "Lord, you place such trust in your servant; I am terrified. This matter is of great consequence—one misstep could send an entire family to the underworld. Lord, allow me to think it over."

Marquis Ning Yuan did not expect to conclude everything in one go; upon hearing this, he stood and said, "Then Lord Shi, think it over carefully. A knife on one's throat is a taste you do not enjoy. Rather than remain perpetually constrained, it is better to exert all effort and give it a try."

"Thank you, Lord, for your guidance; I will consider it seriously." Shi Lian rose to see the guest off.

After seeing Marquis Ning Yuan away, Shi Lian locked himself in the study, took out the Manufacturing Bureau's roster—a roster he had copied alone; the names on it were his covert connections within the Manufacturing Bureau.

The thin booklet, however, weighed a thousand jin.

Shi Lian opened the booklet, his fingertips lightly gliding over each name, finally stopping at one; he looked down, and it was, as expected, the covert link he had painstakingly placed in the Military Industry Bureau.

He had left this hidden thread untouched, fearing that Kang Jinshi would notice and destroy it, but now he must think it through seriously.