Governor Wen, dressed in casual attire, made his way to Jin Garden to pay a visit.
In the past, whenever the Prefectural Governor wanted to see any mber of the Liao Family Fist, he simply needed to send soone to relay the ssage.
But now he had to properly present a visiting card and then personally make the trip.
Tis had changed; the junior brother from Liao Family Fist, who once had the lowest realm, suddenly reached the "Fetal Breath" stage!
Thinking of this, Governor Wen was filled with resentnt towards Li Pei.
The National Martial Arts Association is responsible for managing martial artists and also bears the important duty of selecting talents for the Imperial Court! It is not only required to register martial artists who break through to the Organ Refining realm, but also to report any Spirit Refining Expert as soon as they erge.
That is the utmost priority! Especially for a Fetal Breath who is only in his twenties!
"This individual is clearly a Spirit Refining Genius. The mont he reached the 'state of forgetfulness,' he should have been promptly reported to the Imperial Court for recognition! This woman must have had a personal agenda, keeping it a secret until it could no longer be hidden."
At this mont, Governor Wen was in a foul mood, deeply believing that Li Pei's actions were the reason his visit now seed so abrupt.
Normally, the rise of a Spirit Refining Expert is accompanied by a corresponding growth process.
If Li Pei had followed the proper procedures for reporting, there would have been many opportunities to interact and cultivate a relationship.
Instead of rushing over to visit as soon as he heard about soone breaking through to a new realm, which was lacking in grace and refinent and put him in an inferior position.
Governor Wen twirled his prayer beads, deep in thought. His main purpose for visiting this ti was to express goodwill on behalf of soone behind him...
At that mont, the carriage suddenly stopped. It turned out soone else had arrived at Jin Garden at the sa ti, making Governor Wen's expression turn sour.
His attendant hurried forward to inquire and then reported back, "My lord, it's Du Wenlan. I announced your na, but he showed no intention of giving way."
"Du Wenlan!?" A flash of anger crossed Governor Wen's face: "Doesn't the Director-General of the manufacturing bureau have any sense of propriety anymore?"
It's normal for everyone to seek to make connections with a newly erged Spirit Refining Expert, but there are rules regarding order and precedence!
Although Governor Wen and Du Wenlan held the sa rank, as the local parent official, he should certainly be given priority over "the head of a central enterprise stationed in the region," and should be the first to visit the Liao Family.
Du Wenlan's actions at this ti were an "overstep" and highly inappropriate.
At this mont, Du Wenlan strode over, seemingly with sothing to say.
Governor Wen imdiately got out of the carriage to hear what he had to say.
~~~~~~~
"Governor Wen, it's been a long ti," Du Wenlan greeted.
"Director-General Du, you're usually so busy with official duties. What brings you here today?"
The two exchanged pleasantries with forced smiles, and Du Wenlan casually ntioned:
"Back in the day, I worked under Director Lin together with Liao Qigong. The Liao Family Sisters are indeed daughters of an old friend. Seeing how they have managed their sect so prosperously brings joy as their elder. I made a special trip today to visit."
This was his way of pointing out his longstanding connection with the Liao Family, suggesting his visit was both reasonable and appropriate.
Governor Wen, however, thought this was preposterous. If he were truly an old friend, he wouldn't have neglected them for so many years.
Governor Wen responded directly, "This is indeed strange, I had no idea your two families had such a relationship. When the Liao Family was engaged in a life-and-death competition not long ago, it was quite dangerous. As their elder, Director-General Du, you should have stepped in to prevent it."
At these words, Du Wenlan's expression soured, and he too regretted not intervening.
After all, as a non-local official, getting involved in local affairs could attract enmity and censure. Besides, at the ti, he was busy constructing blast furnaces for steelmaking and did not co forward. Now it seed he had truly missed out.
But such is the nature of things; if everyone knew what the future held, there would be no such thing as regret.
~~~~~~~~
By this ti, many people and horses had gathered around Jin Garden, all of them here to pay a visit to various powers.
Seeing that Governor Wen and Du Wenlan were present, they did not dare to "overstep," and waited respectfully in their places, allowing the higher-ups to proceed first.
Governor Wen and Du Wenlan had been speaking in circles for quite a while, but neither would yield, especially in front of so many people; to back down would be to "show weakness."
However, continuing to tangle was equally undesirable. Governor Wen took the initiative and said, "Director-General Du, shall we go together?"
Du Wenlan replied, "That will do, after you, Governor Wen."
The two walked into Jin Garden with unruffled composure, seemingly harmonious on the surface.
But their followers exchanged cold glances, particularly the two Organ Refining Realm experts, whose aura of killing intent leaked out, boding a fight that could erupt at any second.
~~~~~~~~
"Young Master Lu is truly a gifted genius! In his twenties, and already in the Fetal Breath Realm, our Imperial Court has gained another Spirit Refining expert, a cause for celebration indeed!"
"I always knew Young Master Lu was extraordinary, but I hadn't imagined he was such a dazzling talent in the art of Spirit Refinent."
"The two officials flatter too much, my little ability is nothing noteworthy."
Lu Yao, leading the two Imperial Court officials into the main hall, took their seats and exchanged pleasantries. Liao Qe then brought in so tea.
Governor Wen and Du Wenlan quickly received it with both hands, with Du Wenlan even nodding appreciatively and kindly at Liao Qe.
Both knew she was Lu Yao's woman, as well as a senior sister, and obviously, she should not be treated like a common servant.
Du Wenlan was the first to speak, "I must let Young Master Lu know that the book you gifted has been of great use. With the thods described within, our manufacturing bureau has erected two blast furnaces, producing ten tons of steel daily! They're used for replicating the Jiade Kingdom's Type 98 rifles, Type 88 rapid-fire cannons, and their shells and cannonballs."
Lu Yao casually responded, "Congratulations to Director-General Du."
Du Wenlan, with restrained pride, nodded and said with satisfaction, "Currently, the Imperial Court receives full support from Jiade and has acquired the technology for casting field artillery."
Governor Wen suddenly interjected, "Director-General Du, I've heard that the manufacturing bureau's guns are quite dear, costing two hundredths of a silver piece each. Buying directly from Jiade would only cost one hundredth, and this goes even more so for the cannons. Moreover, the quality is far from comparable; there is a growing complaint within the court that 'it's better to buy than to make.'
Hearing this, Du Wenlan's expression changed, and he replied in a grave tone, "All beginnings are hard, how can matters of military and state be controlled by outsiders! Please wait a few more years, Governor Wen. I shall create ironclad ships for the Imperial Court, forging sharp blades in its service!"
Governor Wen said nothing but smiled.
Du Wenlan ignored him and, taking a deep breath, addressed Lu Yao, "Li Zhongtang is desperate for talent and, having heard of Young Master Lu's great abilities, wished to et you in person. Unfortunately, a sudden incident in Jinn has prevented his coming. Should you wish to serve, Zhongtang is willing to recomnd you for a third-rank position."
This was an open offer to recruit him, a generous gesture, suddenly elevating Lu Yao to the sa rank as the two officials present.
Du Wenlan also felt sentintal; when they first t, Lu Yao was but a junior, yet in just over a year's ti, had beco soone who could sit at the sa level as himself.
Governor Wen sipped his tea and added, "Scholar Zhang is also willing to recomnd Young Master Lu for a third-rank position, in either civilian or military capacity, with a third-rank 'Hao Ming' patent to boot."
After they finished speaking, Governor Wen and Du Wenlan calmly enjoyed their tea and chatted amicably, with no apparent urgency for Lu Yao to make a decision, as if they were rely passing on a ssage. Continue your journey with empire
They were not there to force Lu Yao to join one side or the other.
Instead, they were expressing goodwill on behalf of the powerful figures they represented, as well as themselves, towards a Spirit Refining expert!
After all, a "Fetal Breath Realm" expert was soone they might engage with soday; maintaining a good relationship could only be beneficial.
Lu Yao was aware of this and rely accompanied them in sipping tea and chatting without making any commitnts.
As for Li and Zhang, he had no interest in joining either of them.
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