Chapter 228: It doesn

While everyone was still stunned, Lu Yuan looked at these group members and smiled as he said:

You follow my advice, draw the design; if I check it and find no issue, we can get the Ministry of Works to build the shipyard tomorrow.

The school will also help you apply for a patent; after that, you'll never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of your life.

Of course, we'll do more later; we can't just slack off because we're well-fed.

Although it's said that once oil comes out, the steam engine will be replaced.

But it will definitely keep these four people well-fed.

After all, oil won't be found anytime soon.

Besides, even if we do have oil later.

It doesn't mean the steam engine will stop immediately.

Just having oil in one place isn't enough; we need to prospect more.

At the very least, the Great Zhou Dynasty needs two or three major oil fields before we can completely abandon the steam engine.

So even if oil appears later, we'll still keep producing some steam engines.

In fact, we don't even need to immediately phase out steam trains and steamships.

Once we have fuel-oil engines, we'll first make large trucks, small trucks, and such.

For now, those trains and ships will still use steam engines.

We'll replace them gradually later.

Developing both fronts—walking on two legs—is what makes us fast.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the many students blinked, some dazed, and said:

That fast……

Especially the students of the Guozijian found it unbelievable.

How can the process be this fast?

Even if our own cabinet's master did this, it would still require plenty of procedure.

Lu Yuan then lifted his chin slightly, feeling proud, and said:

That's right; our Qingbei Daxue was established by order of His Majesty.

As your principal, I have the authority to go straight to His Majesty and report; everything at Qingbei Daxue is handled as a special case.

You bring the design to me this morning; this afternoon the principal can go straight to the palace and present it to His Majesty.

Then tomorrow this matter will be settled!

Seeing Lu Yuan's proud look, everyone instantly felt proud too.

This Qingbei Daxue is awesome!!

Imperially authorized!!

Of course, everyone knows this also hinges on the principal being a big shot in front of the current Holy Majesty, Baron Lu~

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the group of students looked at each other, then felt embarrassed and said:

Principal…… this…… this is clearly your doing…… we don't want this credit……

Anyone can see that, although it seems we just added a paddle like a fan at the back, the problem is……

This paddle actually works!!

Besides this paddle, what else did we make?

We didn't participate in anything!

We can't possibly say…… this ship was built by everyone, right?!

That's too shameless!!

Who would be embarrassed to do something like this!!

Even the thickest‑skinned person couldn't pull this off!

Although the principal's words are very tempting.

A lifetime of no worries about food and drink.

But we also want to keep our dignity……

Being rich but shameless—no one wants that.

Besides……

After being at Qingbei Daxue for these days, everyone has also figured out……

Qingbei Daxue is different from others; this principal is no ordinary person.

Following the principal, studying hard at this school, even picking up a bit of his know‑how, you'll be well‑fed for life!

Given that……

We don't want it then.

The credit belongs to the principal, and that's that.

As for the principal giving this credit to the four of us, we naturally feel deeply grateful.

But if it's not ours, we can't take it.

Lu Yuan saw the four of them looking embarrassed, blinked, and then understood what they were thinking.

Lu Yuan isn't a generous person.

But this matter is different from before.

After all, it's just been one week since Qingbei Daxue opened; if during this week……

……a student from Qingbei Daxue has come up with a steamship.

The reputation of Qingbei Daxue—it didn't just explode overnight!

This invention is indeed impressive, but Lu Yuan has many more inventions; this one is not lacking either.

So, it's better to just take it out and say publicly that this is something the students made after studying at Qingbei.

Isn't this impressive?

Of course, this is a bit of falsifying.

For those hot-blooded youths, this kind of thing is indeed somewhat bad.

The influence is not good; it somewhat instills bad ideas in people.

Hmm...

This matter, I should pay attention to it in the future.

I am now a grand principal who teaches and nurtures.

Immediately, Lu Yuan changed his words and said:

"Like this, the steam engine on land cannot simply be used on a ship; you design a set of steam engines exclusively for ship use."

Of course, this steamship is not our ordinary sailboat or rowboat; it requires a dedicated propulsion and steering system.

You design these.

When applying for a patent, we'll add our five names to the name.

"How about that?"

Lu Yuan said this, and everyone became happy.

The surrounding crowd, upon seeing this scene, after coming to their senses, couldn't help but swallow saliva.

This name is the five people's names.

Then the patent fee is naturally divided among the five.

Of course, the most important is not this patent fee; what's important is…… following the principal truly allows one to achieve fame and fortune!!

This is what everyone wants most!

At this moment, Lu Yuan raised his head, looked at the surrounding crowd, and said:

"Do we have any students here who came from the Ship Bureau?"

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the crowd fell silent for a moment; immediately, two people leapt up high in the back of the crowd and waved at Lu Yuan, saying:

"Principal, principal!!"

"We are!!"

"We two are both technicians from the Ship Bureau; we two have participated in designing six sailboats!!"

After these two people finished speaking, they quickly squeezed through the crowd.

Regarding what these two people said, they still have skill; Lu Yuan has no doubt whatsoever.

After all, this Qingbei Daxue of mine is elite selected from all professions and trades.

The students who can now come to Qingbei Daxue are all impressive; there are no good-for-nothings.

Looking at these two people, Lu Yuan also nodded and said:

"You two, from today onward join this team, dedicated to solving ship problems."

The four people in this team will tinker with the steam engine, but if they don't understand ships, that definitely won't work either.

Otherwise, we'd have to go find the Ministry of Works, and then have the Ministry of Works go to the Ship Bureau to find people.

Looking at it now, we don't need to bother the Ministry of Works; we can just find people from within Qingbei Daxue.

One doesn't let fertile water flow to outsiders' fields.

When the time comes and this first steamship is out, these two people's names will definitely be written on it as well.

These two people excitedly nodded repeatedly.

Lu Yuan then put his hands behind his back and continued to examine his students' works.

Although Lu Yuan's age is about the same as the students', and indeed he is among the youngest in this group, he now acts as leisurely as an old official.

Everyone also followed Lu Yuan together.

Soon, after everyone had finished looking, Lu Yuan sat at the entrance of the practical workshop, and the students brought him a table and a chair.

Lu Yuan prepared to answer the students' questions.

Next, four people carried their own steam power devices to Lu Yuan's front, asking him about the parts they didn't understand.

As for the questions, Lu Yuan quickly explained them clearly to everyone.

Because before Lu Yuan arrived, each group's students, when encountering problems they couldn't solve, had already discussed them.

So, Lu Yuan answering one group's problem is equivalent to answering ten or several groups' problems.

There's no need to say that each group has to bring the steam engine.

After about two and a half hours, Lu Yuan took a sip of the fat big sea tea brewed by a few meticulous female students, and then he looked at the crowd and said:

"Any more?"

After Lu Yuan finished asking, everyone looked left and right, and there was none.

Lu Yuan thought that since there was none, he could go to the imperial palace.

Qingbei Daxue is not far from the imperial palace; go find Gu Qingwan to talk about the steamship matter.

The steamship matter is already a done deal; we can let the Ministry of Works select a site and build a factory first, then construct the workshop.

Just as Lu Yuan was about to leave, a group of people from the Guozijian surrounded him.

These people are still easy to recognize.

The Guozijian's clothing are all uniforms, all the same.

Lu Yuan also thought that his Qingbei Daxue should also have a uniform to wear.

Speaking of this uniform……

Hmm…

This is indeed a tough job that makes money!

While Lu Yuan was pondering, the Guozijian students all wore troubled looks as they gazed at him and said:

"Principal, could we wait another day? Can we start classes the day after tomorrow?"

Huh?

Lu Yuan looked at this group curiously and said:

"How come you can't finish your homework?"

The Guozijian students hurriedly waved their hands and said:

"No, no, these past days we Guozijian students, just like Qingbei Daxue, have been neglecting sleep and food, getting only a few hours of sleep each day.

This homework is absolutely doable……

"However…… tomorrow our three masters will all be giving lectures, and we definitely have to go back to attend class……"

Scholars all respect the Three Dukes of the Cabinet.

But the people of Qingbei Daxue are not like that.

After all……

These people weren't scholars before, but now they are essentially studying.

But what they study is this book by their own principal, not those sage sayings at all.

So, after the Guozijian person finished speaking, the Qingbei Daxue people immediately raised their eyebrows and said:

"What's the point of going back to class? You guys are always here with us tinkering with steam, you don't even read the Guozijian books, which shows you like it here.

"Since you like it, just stay here—what's the point of going back!"

After that person spoke, the Qingbei Daxue people also nodded repeatedly.

These days, the relationship between Qingbei Daxue and Guozijian students is really good.

It's not just because they research and discuss together.

For example, in a four‑person group, it's often three Qingbei plus one Guozijian, or three Guozijian plus one Qingbei.

Everyone's relationship is now very good.

So, the Qingbei Daxue people actually hope these folks would simply stay at Qingbei.

Lu Yuan hadn't thought of anything else; it was only after this person spoke that he suddenly realized.

Oh~~

I was just saying, how come the Guozijian side is hanging red flowers and laying carpets again.

So it's because the Three Dukes are giving lectures together, right?

Speaking of which, there's never been a case before where the Three Dukes gave lectures together, right?

And the reason they're doing this is……

What's there to say?

Lu Yuan knew exactly what was going on.

After coming to his senses, Lu Yuan blinked, then looked at the Guozijian people before him and said with a smiling squint:

"What are you thinking?"

The three old guys want to steal the students, right?

Everyone saw it, eh?

This time it's not Lu Yuan being a bad seed, a wicked person.

It's these three old guys who made the first move, eh!

Everyone saw it!

The Guozijian people lowered their heads, not knowing what to say.

And Lu Yuan said with a smiling squint:

"The principal feels that life is short, so naturally one should do what one likes.

"Only by doing what you like can you stand out, right?"

"In that case, the principal lays out his words here."

"The Guozijian students, Qingbei will take them all."

"If you write an application here, I can this afternoon take your books to see the emperor himself for approval, and absolutely no one will give you trouble."

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the Guozijian people's faces instantly showed joy.

However, after looking at each other, one of the leaders still immediately looked at Lu Yuan, bowed, and said:

"Principal…… even if that's the case, we still have to go back tomorrow; this matter really requires us to personally bid farewell to our masters to be proper.

"Otherwise, leaving without a word would simply not be acceptable."

This matter, Lu Yuan thought it over, hmm……

That's also true.

Putting it mildly, this means everyone has their own aspirations.

Hmm…… how did I put it? Life has dreams, each splendid in their own way.

This situation is also quite normal.

After all, these Guozijian students aren't entry‑level disciples of the Three Dukes; it's just that the Guozijian only has these Three Dukes.

Naturally, to enter the Guozijian one must take a teacher.

If we're talking about feelings, it's actually fine.

Of course, speaking broadly, this is betraying one's teacher and destroying one's ancestors.

Spreading it around is always unpleasant.

So, Lu Yuan pondered and pondered.

Fine, then we'll wait an extra day tomorrow.

After all, these people originally entered the Three Fu properly, so they do have some sentiment.

On this last day, listen well to the final lesson, then submit the resignation.

Good gathering, good parting.

Immediately, this matter was thus decided.

And after Lu Yuan had pondered for a while.

Then he rode his carriage to the imperial palace to find Gu Qingwan.

The day after tomorrow, when the students submit their works, Lu Yuan will focus on talking about the steamship.

By then, a high official must be invited over.

Promote this group of students a bit.

Moreover, having a high official come doesn't that show the court's attention to Qingbei Daxue?

Lu Yuan has already decided whom to invite.

Invite the Minister of Personnel.

The Minister of Personnel is what the common folk call the Heavenly Official.

The Ministry of Personnel is the head of the Six Ministries; aside from the Ministry of War, it oversees the appointment and dismissal of all officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Then, let the Minister of Personnel come to personally commend the students in my steam engine team.

Of course, this matter must first be discussed with Gu Qingwan.

Even if I am further favored, I would not dare to command the Heavenly Official!

……

Lu Yuan arrived just at noon.

Gu Qingwan was eating alone, and upon seeing Lu Yuan arrive, she was truly delighted.

She quickly ordered a few more dishes.

Lu Yuan, at the table, was gobbling rice while talking about the steamship.

Gu Qingwan, already happy because Lu Yuan had come, became even more excited.

After the meal.

Gu Qingwan, as usual, reviewed memorials on the imperial throne.

Lu Yuan, as usual, after eating and drinking his fill, grew a bit drowsy.

He sat upon the imperial throne, and then, in Gu Qingwan's soft exclamation, lay upon her lap.

His face buried directly into her soft belly, preparing to sleep.

At this moment, Gu Qingwan gazed at Lu Yuan with a flushed face, not refusing.

Her jade hand lightly stroked his back, as she curiously said:

"Tomorrow, using this pretext to commend those students would be fine, but if you let those students do all the steam engine work……

"then, if they fail to produce it, what would we do?"

Gu Qingwan trusts Lu Yuan greatly.

But toward others……

The emperor's suspicions began.

During the meal, Gu Qingwan heard Lu Yuan say that the steam engine, the vessel, and so on would all be designed and built by those students.

The deadline is one month.

This is certainly good, but what if those students fail?

Lu Yuan had just said he would have the Minister of Personnel personally commend them, and Gu Qingwan agreed.

But the problem is, if those people can't produce it within a month, even after the shipyard is finished they still won't be able to……

That would be slapping the court's face, wouldn't it?

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan's face was buried in her belly, speaking in a muffled tone:

"It doesn't matter; I will intervene."

Thanks to Pool Fish 763, Wooden Doll, and the two old brothers for the 100 book coin reward, thank you very much~

(End of chapter)