Chu Chen, upon hearing this, felt even more indignant. He didn't go to Wang Tong's house but directly took a carriage to the government office building that the Empress had built for these officials. He intended to wait for Wang Tong there.
Arriving at the government office building, the carriage parking area was packed. Fortunately, there were people watching over the carriages, so there was no need to worry about congestion.
"Prime Minister, you have arrived."
The staff member guarding the carriages immediately came forward to bow. Chu Chen quickly waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Is the Vice Minister of Works, Wang Tong, not here?"
The staff member paused, then shook his head, "My lord, I… I don't know. I don't think I saw Minister Wang."
Chu Chen's face darkened. He nodded and said, "You may go about your business. I'll go up and take a look."
Walking on the bluestone path, Chu Chen's face flushed and paled. This was the material he had allocated for road construction, yet the Empress had used it to build a government office building. What a waste!
Never mind, the Empress's fate was uncertain, so he wouldn't criticize her. The dead should be respected.
Moreover, in the Empress's eyes, perhaps she never truly considered the common people, outside of officials, as human.
He made his way to the area where the Ministry of Works was located. The common people he encountered along the way, who were there to handle official business, all smiled and bowed to Chu Chen. Chu Chen smiled and nodded in return, his face beaming. By the time he reached Wang Tong's office, his face was almost frozen from smiling.
As for encountering other officials, Chu Chen naturally didn't need to put on such an act. He pointed to an official he didn't recognize but seemed somewhat familiar with and said, "Take me to Minister Wang Tong's office. Also, go and summon Minister Wang. I'm waiting for him."
The official quickly agreed and led Chu Chen to Wang Tong's office before hurrying off to find him.
Chu Chen's actions in the imperial court had spread throughout the entire Yunyue Kingdom within half a day. The officials of Yunyue Kingdom now regarded Chu Chen as a deity. Who dared to defy the will of a deity?
Upon receiving the message, Minister Wang Tong immediately scurried to his office. Seeing Chu Chen sitting in his seat, his expression became somewhat awkward and fearful.
"Prime Minister Chu, this subordinate has arrived late."
Wang Tong stepped forward to pay his respects to Chu Chen, his forehead still glistening with sweat.
Chu Chen looked at Wang Tong with a hint of confusion. "Minister Wang, what's wrong? Why are you so nervous? Relax, no one will eat you."
Wang Tong's body trembled slightly. "Prime Minister Chu, your invention of the hydraulic forging machine was truly remarkable. The Forging Department, the Armor Department, and the Sword Department basically require no further management, so I went home to attend to family matters. It was absolutely not intentional laziness. I beg for your forgiveness, my lord."
Chu Chen let out a soft snort. "Did I increase forging efficiency to save you time?"
Wang Tong wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly shook his head. "My lord, no, it is this subordinate's fault. This subordinate guarantees to correct his mistakes and never commit the same error again."
Chu Chen nodded, not intending to pursue the matter too harshly. After all, no serious consequences had occurred. A suitable warning would suffice.
"Wang Tong, nothing has happened this time. If something happens next time, it won't be just a small warning. Do you understand?"
Wang Tong nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, Prime Minister Chu, for your leniency. Thank you."
"You may rise."
Chu Chen looked at Wang Tong as he stood up and said, "Today, I've arranged for over a dozen generals to be deployed to the army. You know about this, right?"
Wang Tong nodded. "I know, Prime Minister Chu. Your strategy is brilliant. With so many people, you arranged them effortlessly, and no one can say anything. This subordinate is impressed."
Chu Chen looked speechless. "Can you stop flattering me? Can you speak properly?"
Wang Tong quickly shook his head, his face full of fear. "Prime Minister Chu, this subordinate is terrified. This subordinate will certainly correct his mistakes."
Chu Chen nodded. "My purpose in arranging these people is to prepare for battle. Your Ministry of Works must expedite forging. Swords, armor, and the like must be produced faster, do you understand?"
Wang Tong nodded repeatedly. "Prime Minister Chu, please rest assured, the Ministry of Works will not lag behind. We guarantee to complete the task with quality and quantity."
Chu Chen's expression improved slightly. "That's more like it. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving. Remember, don't let me catch you slacking off again, or the consequences will be… you understand."
Wang Tong nodded repeatedly, forcing a smile. "My lord, this subordinate understands. This subordinate will definitely not make the same mistake again."
Chu Chen let out a soft snort and left the government office building by carriage, returning to the Prime Minister's mansion.
He had been busy with other matters before. After the last simulation, he hadn't drawn any rewards yet. Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to draw now and see what he could get.
Returning to his bedroom, Chu Chen immediately entered the system.
Congratulations to the host for successfully completing a life simulation, and you are offered three rewards to choose from.
One: Reward the host with a manual on the practical application of Sun Tzu's Art of War.
Two: Reward the host with a Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, which can eliminate heart poison and is used for cultivation deviation.
Three: Invincible defense for half an hour, along with the ability to use the Divine Speed Technique for half an hour, obtained in the form of a melt-in-your-mouth elixir. After taking the elixir, there will be absolutely no possibility of being breached, and your movement speed will reach ten thousand miles a day.
Seeing these three rewards, Chu Chen immediately dismissed the third option without a second thought, as the ability to practically apply Sun Tzu's Art of War could be possessed permanently.
Moreover, that Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus could cure cultivation deviation after consumption.
For cultivators, it was equivalent to having an extra life.
This was no trivial matter. Even someone at the Empress's level could not guarantee that every cultivation session would be perfect and free from deviation.
As for the third option, half an hour of invincible defense and half an hour of the Divine Speed Technique, what kind of reward was that?
In Chu Chen's opinion, he had no use for these. Obtaining them would be somewhat redundant.
Chu Chen shook his head, not taking these seriously.
Just as he was about to choose between the first and second rewards, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
If he chose the third reward and went to the Empress, he might be able to save her life.
Although the Empress had harbored murderous intentions towards Chu Chen, with the Empress around, at least Yunyue Kingdom could be stabilized.
As the saying goes, when the sky falls, the tallest will bear it.
Chu Chen did not wish to be that tallest person. He preferred to continue to lie low under the Empress's rule. Who would want to shoulder such a burden?
However, if he saved the Empress and she felt he was too much of a threat, and then directly killed him, wouldn't he be asking for trouble?