Chapter 1525: Go Away

**Chapter 1510: Get Out**

"In these exceptional times, only radical measures will do. Minister You, do you want to get back on schedule?"

You Rongzhi certainly wanted to, desperately.

He Lingchuan vowed, "If you follow my methods, we will definitely catch up on the delayed progress, and payments will certainly come in within four months. If I fail, I will personally apologize to the King." Then, changing his tone, he added, "Otherwise, this project will never get off the ground, and I will resign immediately."

This massive project had already begun and been announced nationwide and citywide. It was like an arrow shot from a bow—there was no turning back. He Lingchuan, as a consultant, could leave, but You Rongzhi, as the project commander, could not.

"We cannot afford to wait. Let's do it tonight."

The sun was already setting in the west.

"Now?" You Rongzhi immediately stood up. "I need to go to the palace."

He had to seek King Yao's approval.

He stayed in the palace for over an hour.

At Hai Shi (9 PM to 11 PM) that night, a sudden meeting was called for everyone involved in the Tianshui City expansion project.

It was pouring rain again. Officials of all ranks gathered in the rain, their official robes soaked. Some smelled of alcohol, while others looked tired and yawned repeatedly.

"Minister You, what grave matter has occurred?" Aside from war or natural disasters, officials rarely held meetings late at night.

You Rongzhi looked at them, sighing inwardly. He said sternly, "I have just returned from the palace. His Majesty is very displeased with the progress of the capital's eastward expansion."

Huang Shiluk, son-in-law of the Gu family, immediately spoke. "The capital's eastward expansion will benefit generations to come, and the King's reproof is justified. However, this is a vast project with countless details to coordinate, and there are indeed difficulties on site. For example, Minister Xu, who oversees materials, hasn't been home for five days. Minister You, you haven't slept for two days either, have you?"

The officials chimed in, "Minister You, you've worked so hard!"

"Construction has indeed been a bit slow," they said. "We must be more diligent and share the burdens of His Majesty and Minister You."

"Absolutely, absolutely," they agreed. "From tomorrow, we will strictly manage the progress."

You Rongzhi was well aware of his subordinates' rhetoric and knew what they were truly thinking. He then turned to He Lingchuan and said, "Island Master He, please proceed."

He Lingchuan, who had been observing silently with a cold gaze, upon hearing this, grabbed a thick ledger and threw it onto the table.

It landed with a loud thud, startling everyone.

"Qi Shuhuan, you are responsible for demolishing old houses and transporting stone materials in Pantugou. This should have been completed three days ago, but as of today, only fifty cubic meters of stone have been transported. You haven't even met ten percent of the target."

The stage was set, and he was ready to play the tough guy.

Qi Shuhuan hadn't expected to be singled out. He stammered in defense, "This... this is because of continuous rain; the village roads are muddy, and the stone trucks would get stuck in the mud..."

"That area is all stony ground," He Lingchuan said calmly. "The actual muddy path is less than five zhang long; it could easily be paved with stone slabs for transportation. In the past seven days, you've spent a total of five hours on site, yet you've spent four times that amount of time in the city's taverns, tea houses, and pleasure quarters."

Not only was Qi Shuhuan stunned, but other officials also looked astonished, a chill running through them.

Was He Lingchuan tracking their personal movements?

Ah, yes, the King had assigned him a guard contingent of over nine hundred men. He certainly had plenty of manpower now.

Just as Qi Shuhuan was about to speak, He Lingchuan pointed his chin towards the door. "You are incompetent. You're no longer needed. Leave."

His tone was unequivocal. Qi Shuhuan was shocked. "What, I... I'm being... Minister You! What is happening?"

Qi Shuhuan said with a bitter expression, "Minister You, the King..."

He Lingchuan cut him off. Pointing at the door, he said, "Go quickly."

Qi Shuhuan hurriedly said, "This humble official knows his mistake. I will certainly work diligently from now on and never dare to be lazy again..."

He Lingchuan remained unmoved, showing utter ruthlessness. "Pleading is useless. Don't waste time."

Qi Shuhuan looked at He Lingchuan, then at You Rongzhi. Only then did he realize it was irreversible. He left, looking back repeatedly.

The Qi family had spent tens of thousands of taels of silver just to secure a position in the capital's eastward expansion project. He had only been there for seven days before being dismissed. When his elder brother heard about it, he would surely scold him mercilessly!

He Lingchuan didn't even glance at him. He casually flipped through the ledger on the table and read out seven or eight more names. All of them were accused of inefficiency, dereliction of duty, or, in one case, even accepting bribes.

Needless to say, they were all dismissed.

He Lingchuan refused to listen to any excuses, simply telling them to get out. The one who had accepted bribes was enraged. He pointed a finger at He Lingchuan and cursed, "He, you're merely an advisory official. What right do you have to order us around?"

The officialdom operated on order and hierarchy. How dared this fellow, who didn't even hold an official rank, wave his arms and give orders here?

After he said that, everyone looked not at He Lingchuan, but at You Rongzhi.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, You Rongzhi gave a light cough. "Earlier, Island Master He and I were summoned by His Majesty together, and then we came here together."

The key word was "together."

Earlier, when King Yao heard He Lingchuan's demands in the palace, he had also been very surprised.

This fellow was here to demand power.

You Rongzhi continued, "Island Master He also just received an honor: the Third-Class Pear Fragrance Silver Medal."

Everyone was astonished.

The Pear Fragrance Medal was an honor bestowed by the State of Yao upon foreigners. There were five classes in total, with each class further divided into three grades. Although He Lingchuan only received a Third-Class medal, the First Class was awarded to foreign monarchs and leaders of foreign powers, the Fourth Class to military strategists, and the Fifth Class to merchants and industrialists.

For He Lingchuan, a foreign merchant, to receive a Third-Class Pear Fragrance Medal indicated King Yao's high regard for him.

And for it to be awarded specifically tonight was clearly meant to lend him prestige and support.

Therefore, He Lingchuan now stood firm and confident. He snapped his fingers on the spot, pointed at the official who had accepted bribes, and ordered, "Guards, take him away!"

The fellow was immediately escorted away by palace attendants dispatched by the Grand Judge.

After this display of authority, the atmosphere in the assembly hall changed. The drowsiness vanished from everyone's faces, replaced by an almost palpable solemnity.

Was the King serious?

He Lingchuan then read out another name. It was Minister Xu, whom they had mentioned earlier.

Minister Xu's expression changed. In the past seven days, he had spent five days at the construction site, not even returning home. Was the other party still not satisfied?

He was also a bit temperamental, and steeled himself, ready to retort. But then he heard You Rongzhi say with a smile, "Minister Xu's tireless dedication and diligent work serve as an example. By royal decree, he is promoted to Deputy Supervisor of Public Works."