Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

Bai Su said, embarrassed and annoyed, "Master, I didn't mean the one for nighttime use, I meant the one for daytime use..."

"Okay, I get it now."

Xiao Qiao suddenly realized something, and then seemed to remember something. She ran back into the house and brought back a new drawing.

Just to be on the safe side, Bai Su checked it herself first. Only after confirming there were no problems did she breathe a sigh of relief: "This time it's definitely correct, Your Majesty, please take a look..."

Zheng Jie glared at Bai Su with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance in her phoenix eyes. This treacherous minister was really making a fool of himself. What if he dared to bring out any more nonsense?

She was determined to grab Bai Su by the ear and teach him a good lesson.

She took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and looked down. What came into view was a strange design drawing.

This object has two handrails, a wide platform, two wheels on each side, and two supports at the rear.

At first glance, it really does look like two upright cow horns.

Zhengjie asked in confusion, "Is this what you called the wooden ox and flowing horse?"

Bai Su nodded: "That's right. This thing allows an ordinary person to easily lift hundreds of kilograms of goods. It can transport supplies on rugged mountain roads or in bumpy fields. Transporting tens of thousands of kilograms of grain within a few days is not a problem."

His confidence is not without reason.

These so-called wooden oxen and flowing horses were actually lightweight handcarts, cheap and durable to make, suitable for complex terrain, and were used best in later times when the North and South were unified.

In order to transport supplies to the front line, a large number of people were mobilized to use handcarts to transport grain to the front line. Many laborers even created the feat of transporting tens of thousands of kilograms of grain to the front line in just three days.

Even when faced with freezing weather, the construction schedule was not delayed.

It can be said that many of the great victories of later generations were achieved by pushing carts from the rear.

At this time, it was perfect for flood control and disaster relief, especially in areas with narrow, congested, and impassable terrain. It was ideal for transporting large quantities of relief supplies.

Bai Su said with a smile, "If Your Majesty does not believe it, just have the craftsmen build it according to the blueprints. You can try it yourself in a moment. The principle of this thing is simple and it is not troublesome to make."

Zhengjie nodded slightly, then ordered, "Go... quickly send the blueprints to the workshop of the Imperial Household Department, and have them build this wooden ox and flowing horse in the shortest possible time."

"Yes……"

A guard at the entrance bowed respectfully, took the blueprints, turned and left, his figure disappearing into the dim night.

Bai Su poured a glass of wine for Zheng Jie: "Your Majesty, how is the situation regarding the floods now?"

Zheng Jie raised her delicate eyebrows and pondered, "There is no shortage of food now, but the most troublesome issue is transportation. How can we stabilize disaster relief before the people's hearts turn against us?"

"Especially in the Chu region, the situation is very dangerous due to the influence of rumors, the secret hoarding of grain by those with ulterior motives, and the instigation of conflicts with the government, with various forces deeply intertwined."

"The most stable place in the entire Chu region right now is a place called Pei County. Prime Minister Xiao He there is doing a good job. If we want to control the situation around Chu, we can use this place as a center to maneuver and gradually stabilize the surrounding areas."

Bai Su was taken aback: "Xiao He of Pei County, that's a familiar name indeed."

Zheng Jie was taken aback: "You know her?"

Bai Su didn't offer much explanation: "I've only heard some rumors about her."

Just as the two were chatting, the guard finally returned, bringing with him a handcart that was about half a person's height.

Li Sida frowned, staring at the rustic wooden cart in front of her, and asked with some doubt, "Can this thing really lift three or four hundred pounds?"

"Why don't you try it yourself and see?"

Bai Su directed the guards beside her to place the bags, weighing several hundred pounds, onto the cart.

Zhengjie instructed Wang Jian, who was standing next to her, "Wang Jian, you try it first."

Wang Jian stood up, rubbed his hands together, took a deep breath, and gripped the handle. The cart was lifted up, and with just a little effort to maintain balance, he could easily push the nearly 400-pound load back and forth.

She exclaimed in surprise, "This...this thing is so lightweight! I could push it back and forth without much effort!"

"I'll give it a try..."

Zhengjie curiously took it, lifted it and pushed it. Just as Wang Jian had said, this nearly 400-pound load felt like only 30 or 40 pounds when pushed, which was incredibly effortless.

Goods that originally required several people to carry can now be easily pushed by just one person.

This...this is simply a divine tool for transporting supplies! It's truly as good as an ox or a horse.

Bai Su said with a smile, "In addition, there is a wrench on one side of this wheel. Just pull it and you can use the gear to lock the wheel. So even if you are walking on a steep slope, you don't have to worry about running out of strength halfway and the car sliding down the slope."

He demonstrated as he spoke.

When Zhengjie saw that Bai Su pulled the wrench, the wheels indeed could not turn. She then placed the two supports at the back of the cart on the ground, which immediately formed a stable support, and the cart stopped steadily on the slope.

Her phoenix eyes lit up with joy: "Good...good, with this, the disaster relief grain can be transported there in eleven or twelve days at most."

"Young master is indeed a man of great talent."

Li Si initially didn't believe it, but after trying it out himself, he had to admit that this thing was indeed incredibly convenient for transporting supplies through treacherous mountain paths.

Bai Su stroked his chin, pondered for a long time, and then said, "Your Majesty... please entrust the matter of this disaster relief trip to Pei County to me."

Zhengjie's beautiful brows furrowed slightly: "What do you want to do in Pei County? There are remnants of the six kingdoms, refugees, government officials, and various forces clashing there. It's too dangerous and chaotic."

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Su cupped his hands and said, "As long as I can help Your Majesty, I am not afraid of any hardship."

Of course, although he said that, the real reason he wanted to go to Pei County was mainly because of Han Liang... Miss Han.

Bai Su was very worried that she would also be drawn into this struggle. Once the situation in Xianyang stabilized, Sister Zheng would surely lay a trap and wipe out these remnants of the six kingdoms.

If Miss Han wasn't inside, that would be best. Then he wouldn't need to show any mercy. After stabilizing the local situation, he could wipe out all these scoundrels who were causing trouble during this national crisis.

If Miss Han were here, then as an "insider" within Xia Jun, he could at least provide her with some protection and keep her safe from danger.

After all, she's his own wife; he can't not care about her.

Zhengjie hesitated and said, "It's still not possible. Disaster relief at the front line is too dangerous. What if there are remnants of the six kingdoms mixed among the refugees, and they try to assassinate you while you are distributing rice and porridge? Wouldn't that be too dangerous?"

"I'd better send Wang Jian there. You should stay in Xianyang and oversee logistics."

Upon hearing this, Bai Su's eyelids twitched immediately, and he ordered Wang Jian, the Marquis of Wucheng, to personally lead troops to provide disaster relief and suppress the chaos.

If Miss Han is really involved, how could she possibly escape from Wang Jian, that cunning old fox?

His eyes darted around, and he said, “Your Majesty, since ancient times, after a great flood, there has always been a great plague. If the disaster relief is not done well, it is easy to cause a large-scale spread of the plague. Once it spreads, the entire Central Plains will be affected.”

"Even if I hide in Xianyang, where can I be safe? It would be better to go directly to the front line and stabilize the source of the problem as soon as possible, so that the whole Central Plains can be safe."

Zheng Jie frowned slightly: "This..."

Wang Jian said with a smile, "Your Majesty, why not let Young Master Bai go? After all, when it comes to coordinating logistics and managing the situation, this kid has endless ideas. As for safety, I will definitely ensure that he will not make any mistakes."

When Zhengjie heard Wang Jian say this, she finally breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good then. Go ahead, but remember, disaster relief is only a secondary option. Your safe return to Xianyang is the primary goal, understand?"

Bai Su cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Chapter 121 Xiao He of Pei County, Liu Bang

Outside Xianyang City.

Bai Su and Wang Jian were about to set off. Thousands of cavalrymen, clad in black armor and wielding long spears, were imposing and looked like a sharp sword. From afar, they formed a dark mass that sent chills down one's spine.

Zhengjie walked slowly, surrounded by palace maids.

Looking at Bai Su, who stood in the group in a white robe and attracted much attention, she couldn't help but scold her: "Why are you in such a hurry? The problem of food and supplies has been solved. Why do you need to travel through the night to Pei County?"

Bai Su rubbed his nose and said, "I don't trust others with this. Xianyang is far from Pei County. If something goes wrong at the front, I will be too far behind to deal with it. It would be safest to get there as soon as possible."

"Anyway, the blueprints for the wooden ox and flowing horse have already been handed over to the workshop, and the 'compressed fried noodles' rations for emergency disaster relief are already being prepared. There's nothing I can do if I stay in Xianyang; I'll just be waiting around. It's better to get ahead of time and head to Peixian to get a better understanding of the local situation."

"To make further plans for disaster relief, and also to investigate the source of this rumor for His Majesty."

Zhengjie was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered a promise she had made to Bai Su in the main hall years ago.

If Bai Su could investigate the source of the rumors spread by the remnants of the six kingdoms, she could ask Bai Su to make a reasonable request of her.

He thought Bai Su had given up, but he never expected that Bai Su would remember him all along.

Looking at Bai Su, who was all smiles, she couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated.

Throughout history, there have been all sorts of ministers: some are greedy for money, some are fond of fame, some are power-hungry, and some are ambitious for the throne.

But she had never seen a minister who lusted after the monarch; it was both infuriating and laughable.

After pondering for a long time, Zhengjie said, "If I have promised you, there will naturally be no change. What request do you want from me with all this diligence?"

Bai Su clasped his hands in a solemn gesture and said, "As a loyal subject of the Great Xia, how could I possibly make any demands? As long as I can serve Your Majesty, I will die without regret."

"Lord Bai, you are truly a man of noble character."

"Yes, he refused all of His Majesty's rewards, devoting himself to serving as a loyal subject. He is truly a loyal minister of our Great Xia."

"..."

The generals around him couldn't help but praise him, their eyes filled with regret as they looked at Bai Su.

After all, if it were them, it would be such a good opportunity to make a request to His Majesty.

They would probably all ask for several houses and land without hesitation, unlike Bai Su who is aloof and doesn't want anything.

He's no loyal minister at all; he's clearly a treacherous and disloyal official who deceives the emperor!

Zhengjie felt somewhat ashamed and annoyed as she listened to the discussions around her.

Others might not understand Bai Su's meaning, but didn't she? Bai Su wasn't saying she didn't want a reward; she clearly wanted to offer herself, the current emperor, as a reward, and then use her as a plaything...

The Empress Dowager glared at Bai Su with her phoenix eyes without leaving a trace, then her expression returned to calm as she said, "Lord Bai is truly a loyal subject of our Great Xia. However, I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments, and I reward based on merit. If you want to receive a reward, you will need to make sufficient contributions."

"Does that mean your current achievements aren't enough to put you on par with hers?"

Bai Su understood the meaning behind Zheng Jie's words, and immediately smiled, tentatively asking, "If I return this time and achieve merit in three aspects—heaven, earth, and humanity—could I become His Majesty's trusted minister?"

Zhengjie paused for a moment, then pondered carefully.

Since arriving in Xianyang, Bai Su has made many great contributions, mostly limited to the governance of the state and the expansion of territory through the northern expedition against the Xiongnu.

In terms of prestige comparable to that of Heaven, there is none in the world who can rival her.

After all, the private school had only been established for a short time and did not yet have much influence in the world.

While this disaster relief effort, which helped millions of refugees, could earn her considerable fame, it was still insufficient compared to her overall reputation.

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager was not too worried, so she smiled and said, "Alright, if you really accomplish these three feats, what can I do if I grant your request?"

That's wonderful.

After seeing that Zhengjie had agreed, Bai Su recalled the "hybrid rice seeds" placed in the mansion, and her smile deepened.