People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 510, Craftsmen Should Enjoy Glory (Part 2, please vote!)
Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan nervously swallowed. Xu Qing's move brought them back to their senses, and the thought of arguing vanished instantly. They quickly followed Xu Qing's steps and led him to the next place.

They then visited three or four more places within the Imperial Workshop where weapons were forged, and Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan earnestly explained them to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing remained calm and indifferent, making it impossible to tell whether she was good or bad.

Before long, the three arrived at a large courtyard, but it was noticeably more dilapidated than the other workshops.

The wall, which was about two people high, was broken and intermittent, with cracks visible in many places. Broken stones and bricks were scattered on the ground, and there were clearly visible holes in the ground. Only half of the gate remained.

"where is this place?"

Xu Qing looked at the dilapidated courtyard in front of her and asked in confusion.

Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan lowered their heads awkwardly, looking at each other, neither daring to answer Xu Qing's question.

This is where they store their mechanical beasts, and it's also the place where their disciples fought before. This courtyard isn't dilapidated because of years of neglect; it's been damaged by the fighting between the two families.

Xu Qing glanced at the two of them, and without waiting for their reply, walked into the courtyard on her own.

Pushing open the remaining half of the door, Xu Qing could see the entire courtyard, which was in a terrible state.

Qin Mo and several disciples of the Gongshu family were repairing the courtyard, and all of them had some injuries.

What attracted Xu Qing's attention more than the people in the courtyard were the mechanical beasts placed there.

On one side were the four Po Tu Sanlang of the Gongshu family and a scarlet Red-Striped King Serpent, while on the other side were five white tigers belonging to Qin Mo and a six-clawed spider.

These mechanical beasts all bore some scars, clearly from the previous battle.

These mechanical beasts were all extremely exquisite. Looking at them, all of the same type were exactly the same, without any difference, making them exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

Walking up to a Saburō, Xu Qing touched its powerful mechanical body. The parts on the body were so finely detailed that they made Xu Qing feel a little unreal for a moment.

This era lacked the sophisticated instruments of the previous life, yet Gongshu Jia and Qin Mo, relying solely on their hands and experience, created works of art that were no less impressive than those of modern times.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. How could a product from Nine Clans Selection not be good?
What's even more outrageous is that these mechanical beasts are not just for show, but real war machines.

On the battlefield, mechanical beasts are incredibly powerful, conquering cities and territories with unparalleled might.

One mechanical beast is worth more than a thousand troops.

However, it is precisely because these mechanical beasts need to be made by hand, and the metals required are not ordinary bronze or iron, that the cost is extremely high.

Most importantly, the damage from each use of the mechanical beast is enormous.

No matter what kind of mechanical beast it is, once it has been used, the parts will wear out, greatly reducing its durability and making it impossible to use for a long time.

This is also why mechanical beasts have never been able to appear on a large scale; ultimately, productivity has limited the Gongshu family and Qin Mo.

Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan walked behind Xu Qing, looking somewhat disappointed. They had given up any hope of escaping punishment and were just waiting for Xu Qing to announce the punishments for both families.

“Lord Zhaoming, this is where our two disciples clashed, and the courtyard was damaged as a result,” Gongshu Chou said.

“We all understand that His Majesty has entrusted you with the temporary management of the Imperial Household Department in order to deal with our two families. We were the ones who did it, and since we have violated the law, we are willing to accept the punishment,” Xiangli Guan added.

Xu Qing withdrew his hand, looking at the monstrous creature in front of him with reluctance. No man could refuse to personally control a mechanical beast that could transform.

However, he has important business to attend to right now, and he'll try piloting the mechanical beast when he has the chance later.

“It seems you two are well aware of your transgressions, which saves me the trouble of explaining. Now, gather your disciples here, as I am about to read out the King’s decree,” Xu Qing said.

"promise."

Resigned to their fate, the two said nothing and turned to gather their disciples.

Before long, Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan returned with dozens of disciples.

Both families are artisans and have strict requirements for recruiting disciples, so they don't have many disciples. The two families combined have only about a hundred disciples.

“Lord Zhaoming, everyone has arrived. Please announce the imperial edict,” Xiangli Guan said.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Xu Qing, who was standing under the ground. They were all somewhat nervous and uneasy about the punishment to come.

Xu Qing glanced at the people below and saw that the disciples of both families, including Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan, were tense and uneasy. He then realized that he had achieved his goal. Only by reading the edicts under these circumstances could the influence of the two edicts be maximized.

"The former Gongshu family and Qin Mo engaged in a private duel at the Imperial Palace, mobilizing mechanical beasts for a melee, damaging buildings, injuring disciples, and disregarding the law."

Xu Qing took out an imperial edict and looked at the people below, speaking in a deep voice.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan's eyes dimmed, their faces filled with disappointment; they knew this would be the outcome.

With such serious charges, the two of them are likely doomed to die.

Just when the two had completely given up hope, Xu Qing suddenly changed the subject.

"But over the years, both of your families have worked diligently to build up the military equipment for the Qin soldiers without the slightest slackening, and have made great contributions to the expansion of Qin's territory. Therefore, Your Majesty hereby issues this decree."

"Qin Mo's leader, Xiangli Guan, and Gongshu family's head, Gongshu Chou, have been diligent and conscientious in their duties and have demonstrated skill in crafting tools. Therefore, Xiangli Guan and Gongshu Chou are hereby granted the title of Gongdafu and the rank of Dafu as a commendation!"

Xu Qing held the imperial edict and read it aloud.

The crowd below the stage was stunned at first, staring blankly at Xu Qing with disbelief on their faces.

The contents of the edict were completely different from what they had expected. They had thought that Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan would be imprisoned or sent to perform forced labor, even if they didn't die this time. However, they didn't expect that nothing would happen to them. Instead, they were granted titles.

These craftsmen were said to be extremely important, but their status and position were not high. Even though Gongshu Chou was deeply loved by the military, he was still a slave.

To bestow noble titles upon these lowly craftsmen, even the seventh-rank title of Duke, was unprecedented in the history of Qin and even Zhou. How could this not shock them?
After a brief silence, a noisy discussion broke out.

Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan stared at Xu Qing in shock, their expressions incredibly complex, unable to believe what they were hearing.

From death to being knighted, from despair to shock, it was like a rollercoaster ride. Thankfully, their hearts weren't damaged, or they would have collapsed on the spot. "Quiet!"

Xu Qing circulated his true energy and shouted in a deep voice.

The two words, like a thunderclap, rang in everyone's ears, and the scene instantly fell silent. Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan also came to their senses, and everyone looked at Xu Qing.

“I know you are wondering why the King did not punish the head of the Gongshu family and Master Xiangli. According to Qin law, your private fight should have resulted in execution, but the King took into account the great contributions you have made to the Qin state over the years.”

"The reason why our Qin soldiers have been able to win battle after battle is inseparable from the weapons you have created."

"The swords you forged helped Qin expand its territory; the arrows you crafted helped Qin eliminate its enemies; the armor you made protected Qin's people; the farming tools you crafted enabled Qin's people to cultivate the land and harvest more grain."

"The soldiers were able to fight on the battlefield, drive out the enemy, defend the territory, and expand the country; the officials governed their regions, pacified the people, and managed the localities, bringing peace and prosperity to the Qin state."

"The current prosperity of the Qin state is the result of the hard work of everyone in the Qin state, including you."

"Although you are lowly craftsmen, and some of you were even slaves, you have made great contributions to the Qin state's current status."

“Although you are craftsmen, you are also citizens of Qin, and your contributions deserve to be rewarded.”

“If those who accomplish nothing can still enjoy status and wealth, how much more so should you who have contributed to the Qin Dynasty?”

“You are craftsmen, but you are also citizens of Qin. You are no less than anyone else. In fact, in the eyes of the King and me, you are more noble than those who are mediocre.”

"You are heroes, you should not be inferior to others, you should not remain unknown, and you should not live in poverty. You are craftsmen, and you deserve to enjoy glory and honor!"

Xu Qing looked down at the people below and spoke in a passionate and impassioned voice.

Hearing Xu Qing's words, Gongshu Chou, Xiangli Guan, and the other disciples had red eyes, and some even had tears streaming down their faces.

These words struck a chord with their resentment. So what if they were craftsmen? They earned their living through their skills, without stealing or robbing. Why should they be inferior to others?
They worked day and night to forge weapons and agricultural tools for the Qin state. They did not ask for rewards, but at the very least, they should be given the treatment they deserved.

There was a time when they dreamed that their achievements and efforts would be recognized, but year after year of disappointment made them lose all hope, simply because they were craftsmen, and some were prisoners of war or slaves.

But today, their hard work has finally paid off. The king has seen their efforts and remembered their contributions.

This filled them with excitement and endless emotion.

Seeing the crowd silently weeping, Xu Qing took out another imperial edict from his robes and loudly read it aloud.

"By imperial decree, the Gongshu family has been stripped of their slave status by Qin and restored to commoners, becoming subjects of Qin!"

Gongshu Chou and his disciples were stunned for a moment, and tears instantly streamed down their faces. Gongshu Chou's face was already covered with tears, but he looked up with a smile on his face.

He finally succeeded, finally leading the Gongshu family to escape their status as slaves.

Twenty years have passed since the Gongshu family was captured by the Qin army from the State of Chu.

Since becoming the head of the Gongshu family, he has devoted himself day and night to studying mechanical arts and modifying various weapons, such as swords, crossbows, ballistae, ballistae, armor, etc., all in order to wash away his status as a slave.

After four generations of Qin kings and twenty years, they have finally shed their status as slaves and can now proudly say that they are human beings.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Gongshu Chou knelt down on the ground, and the members of the Gongshu family behind him also knelt down.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty! You are wise indeed!"

Gongshu Chou shouted loudly.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty! You are wise indeed!"

The disciples of the Gongshu family shouted in unison, their voices trembling with excitement and joy. From this day forward, they were no longer slaves but human beings.

Xiangli Guan and Qin Mo's disciples looked at the Gongshu family members with expressions of emotion. Although they were at odds with the Gongshu family, it was a clash of ideologies.

Putting aside their ideological differences, they still acknowledged and admired the Gongshu family's domineering mechanical skills, which was a form of recognition they held for the Gongshu family, who were also craftsmen.

Of course, when it comes to mechanical arts, the Mohist school's mechanical arts must be the most powerful.

Now that the Gongshu family has been able to shed their status as slaves, they sincerely congratulate them.

Looking at the crowd below, overcome with emotion and weeping, Xu Qing smiled. He had completed half of his mission, so he cleared his throat and said...
"Master Gongshu and Master Xiangli, why don't you hurry up and receive the summons?"

Gongshu Chou looked up at Xu Qing, stood up from the ground, and turned to look at Xiangli Guan beside him.

The two exchanged a complicated glance, then stepped forward and bowed.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill my duties from now on."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two men looked dazed. They were now qualified to be called subjects. Once upon a time, they were just lowly craftsmen, but now they had official titles and ranks.

It all feels like a dream.

"Congratulations to you both! From now on, your status as artisans will no longer represent a lowly position, but rather that of meritorious officials of Qin. His Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler; he will not let down any meritorious official of Qin, nor will he allow any meritorious official to be wronged."

Xu Qing handed the two imperial edicts to the two men and said with a smile.

Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan looked at the imperial edict in their hands, their expressions filled with emotion. They sniffed, and the bitterness in their hearts welled up.

“Yes, we will no longer be inferior to others. The current king is truly a wise ruler,” Xiangli Guan murmured.

"The imperial edict has been read aloud. Master Gongshu and Master Xiangli, please dismiss your disciples and let them go back to rest and celebrate. Consider today my temporary term as the Imperial Guardian as their day off," Xu Qing continued.

Xiangli Guan and Gongshu Chou came to their senses and bowed to Xu Qing, saying...
"Thank you, Lord Zhaoming."

"You two can go, but you can't leave. I have something to tell you both," Xu Qing said.

"it is good."

Xiangli Guan and Gongshu Chou bowed to Xu Qing again, then took the imperial edict to arrange for their disciples to leave.

(End of this chapter)