Chapter 58: The Wang Clan

"Has there really been no movement from the Prince of Qi's estate after all this time?"

Putting down the memorial, Zhu Yunteng's lips curled upward into an even broader smile.

Previously, after intercepting the letter sent to the Prince of Qi by Zhou Dexing's wife, Zhu Yunteng had added a few lines to it and instructed Song Zhong to deliver it to Qingzhou.

Yet, so much time had passed, and Song Zhong had not brought back any intelligence regarding the Prince of Qi.

Presumably, Lady Lü and her son, having received no news, must have lost their patience and sent someone directly to Qingzhou.

"Reporting to Your Highness, after receiving that letter, the Prince of Qi locked himself within his estate. The following day, when the imperial edict arrived, he set up a mourning hall in the mansion and has been kneeling before it day and night, showing no other signs of activity," Song Zhong replied truthfully.

Hearing this, Zhu Yunteng's expression remained unreadable, neither angry nor pleased. He waved his hand and said, "Then leave him be for now. Make a personal trip to Kaifeng and bring my Fifth Uncle's family to the capital."

"Understood! Your Highness, this subject will surely bring the Prince of Zhou's entire household back." Song Zhong immediately bowed and accepted the command.

Just as he was about to withdraw from the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunteng's voice rang out once more: "Remember to be utmost respectful. If Fifth Uncle is unwilling to come to the capital, let it be."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Song Zhong acknowledged the order and departed.

Not long after, another figure hurried into the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Highness, the item you requested has been successfully manufactured."

The newcomer was none other than the current Minister of Works, Du Ze.

Zhu Yunteng, who was currently reviewing the day's memorials, stood up instantly, his eyes filled with joy as he looked at Du Ze.

"Where is it? Where is the item?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the object is rather bulky, so it is still kept at the Ministry of Works."

"Let's go! Take me to have a look."

"Yes!" Du Ze agreed immediately, but then he paused as if remembering something and said, "Your Highness, the things you ordered this subject to search for have also been found. Furthermore, this subject has located the descendants of Wang Zhen."

"Where are they?" Zhu Yunteng stopped in his tracks, excitement burning even brighter on his face.

"They are waiting right outside the hall," Du Ze bowed and said.

Zhu Yunteng strode quickly back to his imperial desk and commanded without hesitation, "Bring them in."

"Summon the descendants of Wang Zhen!"

Following the resounding voice of Ma Sanbao, a young eunuch soon led several figures into the hall.

"We, humble commoners Wang Shifu, Wang An, Wang Ping... pay our respects to Your Highness."

As soon as they entered the Qianqing Palace, the group dropped to their knees and performed a profound kowtow.

However, the faces of these men, who resembled weathered farmers, bore a hint of panic, clearly worried that being suddenly summoned to the palace by the new emperor portended some misfortune.

Zhu Yunteng's gaze swept slowly over them.

Every one of them had deeply tanned skin and wore coarse linen garments.

The man at the head looked to be around fifty years old, while those trailing behind him appeared to be in their thirties or forties.

Noticing the terror written on their faces, Zhu Yunteng could not help but smile lightly and said, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Wang Shifu and the others stood up from the ground with trembling anxiety, still not daring to lift their heads to look at Zhu Yunteng.

Taking in their every reaction, Zhu Yunteng could not help a stir of emotion in his heart.

Wang Zhen had been an official during the late Yuan Dynasty, and a thoroughly unvalued one at that.

Yet his contributions to science and agriculture were indelible.

It was just that many of his inventions had never gained the attention of the Yuan court, and at times had even been fiercely suppressed.

In truth, it was not only Wang Zhen; many others of that era had invented numerous marvelous devices. Regrettably, the Mongols were ultimately a nomadic people who completely failed to grasp the importance of technological advancement.

Consequently, the vast majority of inventions were swallowed by the river of history, and some inventors even took their secrets straight to their graves.

Even those that managed to be handed down, like the heritage held by Wang Shifu and his kin, were kept strictly hidden from the public eye out of fear of renewed persecution by the imperial court.

Foreign tribes!

They truly were a band of plunderers utterly devoid of appreciation. Throughout the millennia of Chinese history, countless treasures had perished at the hands of alien conquerors.

The later Manchus and Western barbarians were especially hateful in this regard.

Suppressing the turbulent thoughts in his mind, Zhu Yunteng cast his gaze back onto Wang Shifu and the others. "Are you the descendants of Wang Zhen?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, this humble subject is indeed the descendant of our forefather," Wang Shifu said with a trembling bow. "This subject is the great-grandsire's great-grandson, and presently holds the honor of being the patriarch of the Wang clan."

"How many people remain in your clan now, and have you successfully passed down Master Wang's arts and crafts?" Zhu Yunteng asked, his tone carrying a trace of urgency.

Perhaps encouraged by hearing Zhu Yunteng refer to his ancestor as "Master Wang," Wang Shifu finally dared to raise his head.

Yet it was merely a fleeting glance before he hastily lowered it again.

"Answering Your Highness, our Wang clan currently numbers one hundred and twenty-two souls in total, among whom forty-nine are the elderly and children, while the rest are able-bodied adults..."

"As for our forefather's crafts, we, his descendants, would never dare to let them be lost. These years of peaceful living are entirely thanks to the legacy left behind by our ancestor."

With these words, he pulled from his bosom a book the thickness of a fist, already slightly yellowed with age, and held it high above his head with both hands.

"This is the *Book of Agriculture* authored by our forefather, which he and other ancestors later expanded and refined in his twilight years to become the treatise we have today. If Your Highness has use for it, the Wang clan is willing to offer this treasure to the Great Ming."

"Do you believe that My summoning you into the palace was to seize your ancestor's legacy?" Zhu Yunteng's voice revealed neither joy nor anger.

Yet to the ears of Wang Shifu and the others, it sounded like a thunderclap.

Their bodies shuddered violently, and they dropped back to their knees in a flurry, kowtowing repeatedly while begging for mercy and forgiveness.

"Enough! Rise! I have no intention of blaming you. The Great Ming is not the tyrannical Yuan of the past, and naturally, I will not engage in such banditry." Zhu Yunteng was truly somewhat speechless at their reaction.

"Thank... thank you, Your Highness!" Wang Shifu uttered the words of gratitude, but showed no intention of getting up.

He still held the *Book of Agriculture* high above his head, speaking with utmost reverence: "Since our Wang clan already lives in peace and contentment, our forefather's legacy no longer holds much practical use for us. Therefore, this humble subject implores Your Highness to accept it."

"If our ancestor were to know that the *Book of Agriculture* could enter the imperial archives of the Great Ming and bring benefit to the common people of our realm, he would surely rejoice."

"Hahaha! Very well. It is commendable that you hold such sentiments." Zhu Yunteng finally smiled and exchanged a glance with Ma Sanbao.

Once Ma Sanbao had reverently placed the *Book of Agriculture* upon the imperial desk, Zhu Yunteng smiled again and said, "Wang Shifu! Let Me ask you, would you be willing to remain at court and serve the Great Ming, and are you willing to pass down the skills and wisdom left behind by your forefather?"

Hearing this, Wang Shifu's body trembled. He looked up, gazing at Zhu Yunteng with sheer disbelief.

Perhaps perceiving genuine sincerity in Zhu Yunteng's eyes, a flash of resolute determination crossed his own.

He bowed deeply and replied, "This humble subject is willing to give his utmost service to Your Highness and the Great Ming."

"Hahaha! Excellent." Seeing this, Zhu Yunteng let out another hearty laugh.

After laughing, his expression turned solemn once more as he commanded, "Wang Shifu, receive your appointment!"