Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Great Yellow River Bridge!!

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The Prince of Pingyang had come to fetch him.

Song Qianshan felt delighted.

But upon seeing the Minister of War beside the Prince, his joy instantly vanished; his face stiffened, and a foreboding sense gripped his heart.

Sure enough, the Minister of War greeted warmly, “Is the heir alright?”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken,” Song Qianshan replied.

“Qianshan, shouldn’t you be thanking Minister Sun? If it weren’t for him coordinating with the Embroidered Uniform Guards, it would have been incredibly difficult for you to get out of their prison so quickly,” the Prince of Pingyang said.

“Thank you, Minister Sun, I’m forever grateful,” Song Qianshan said hurriedly.

“No need for thanks, no need at all. We are one family; you are the Prince of Pingyang’s son, and also my son,” Minister Sun said with a round, smiling face full of kindness.

But Song Qianshan felt a chill run down his spine.

“By the way, Prince of Pingyang, heir, when will you marry my daughter? She’s been waiting eagerly. Once you’re wed, we’ll be family,” Minister Sun said with a cheerful smile.

Song Qianshan grew anxious and looked at the Prince.

The Prince remained silent.

The smile on Minister Sun’s face gradually faded, replaced by a dark expression. “Prince of Pingyang, heir, it seems you intend to renege, don’t you? If that’s the case, I will immediately go see His Majesty and ask the Emperor to seek justice for my daughter.”

With that, Minister Sun swept his sleeve and strode off toward the imperial palace.

“Wait, wait, please,” Song Qianshan trembled and hurriedly called after him, “Uncle Sun, let’s talk this through.”

The Prince of Pingyang also spoke up: “Minister Sun, there’s no need to trouble His Majesty over this. As the saying goes, family shame should not be made public. Rest assured, the Pingyang Prince’s household dares to take responsibility. Since this was done, we will bear it.”

But Minister Sun was not convinced: “But so much time has passed, and your household has made no moves? What do you take my daughter for?”

“Marriage is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. I am preparing the betrothal gifts. Once they are ready, we will send a grand bridal sedan chair to marry your precious daughter,” the Prince said solemnly.

“Very well, I’ll trust you once more. But if you delay or stall again, don’t blame me for being ruthless. You know that if His Majesty finds out about this, the Emperor detests nothing more than a shameless playboy,” Minister Sun warned, then swept his sleeve again and left.

Only Song Qianshan and the Prince of Pingyang remained standing there.

A gust of wind passed through, chilling Song Qianshan to the bone. He hurriedly said, “Father, you can’t seriously want me to marry Minister Sun’s daughter, can you?”

“Why not?” his father replied.

“No, no, I would rather die than marry that Sun Meimei,” Song Qianshan shuddered at the thought of her.

“If you hadn’t done what you did, we wouldn’t have come to this,” the Prince said angrily. If Song Qianshan weren’t his own son, he would have beaten him half to death already.

“Father, this isn’t my fault. That night, I was the victim, the innocent one. Boohoo!” Song Qianshan was horrified just thinking of that night’s events.

“We’ll have to rely on Song Chenfei. Once he returns, you’ll have two sons, and he can marry Sun Meimei on my behalf,” Song Qianshan thought of Song Chenfei.

“Song Chenfei is indeed the best choice,” the Prince nodded.

They had to act quickly.

There was no time left.

Ministry of Works.

Song Chenfei was leafing through official documents.

He had been at the Ministry of Works for some time now and had come to thoroughly understand its operations in Great Qian.

It was similar yet different from the ancient homeland.

Under the guidance of the Imperial Advisor, they had achieved many advancements in construction, such as inventing certain building tools and new materials for road construction.

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Song Chenfei shook his head. “The Imperial Advisor’s ideas and abilities are indeed worthy of being Great Qian’s premier craftsman, but it remains pre-industrial technology.”

As someone from the 21st century homeland, Song Chenfei’s knowledge and experience far surpassed this backward civilization.

From his perspective, it was still too primitive.

Though, in this era, Great Qian’s craftsmen were already considered outstanding.

“My lord, here are the documents concerning the Grand Yellow River Bridge you requested. I’ve organized them for you,” Li Mo said, presenting a thick volume.

“Thank you for your hard work. Have some tea,” Song Chenfei said gratefully.

“It’s nothing. It’s an honor to serve you, my lord,” Li Mo replied, feeling flattered. No one in the Ministry had a superior as unpretentious as Song Chenfei. Working under him, Li Mo felt unprecedented respect.

“The Grand Yellow River Bridge, a colossal bridge spanning a thousand meters across the Yellow River, is currently the Ministry’s top priority,” Song Chenfei said while leafing through the documents without looking up. “Did the Imperial Advisor visit the construction site again today?”

“Yes. This project is personally decreed by the Emperor and is of utmost importance,” Li Mo said.

“Tell me your thoughts on this Grand Yellow River Bridge,” Song Chenfei continued, still scanning the papers.

Li Mo gathered his words carefully. “If completed, this bridge will be the backbone of Great Qian. Economically, the Yellow River acts as a natural barrier, dividing Great Qian into east and west.”

“Every time one crosses between the two regions, the journey is long and arduous. Once the Grand Yellow River Bridge is built, the over three hundred kilometers can be shortened to eighty kilometers. This will greatly enhance trade, facilitate the flow of goods and people, and boost economic prosperity across the two regions.”

“Militarily, the bridge will allow the court’s troops to swiftly reach western Great Qian in just eighty kilometers, and likewise enable the east to rapidly deploy forces westward. It will expedite troop movements and the transport of strategic supplies, significantly strengthening the nation’s defense and offensive capabilities. Its strategic significance cannot be overstated.”

Song Chenfei looked up at Li Mo. “Well said. It seems your academic foundation is solid.”

Li Mo blushed. “You flatter me, my lord. Everyone in the Ministry knows this. The Imperial Advisor has spoken of it many times. Even the Emperor has visited, emphasizing its importance to the nation and the people.”

Song Chenfei nodded in agreement.

Indeed so.

In recent years, the homeland’s development focused heavily on building bridges and infrastructure. Only with sound foundational construction could the economy soar and the military benefit. It was truly a lasting endeavor for the country and its people.

“So, Brother Qian must have sent me to the Ministry to help with the Grand Yellow River Bridge project,” Song Chenfei mused.

He had heard the construction was fraught with difficulties.

The Yellow River was prone to flooding year-round, with powerful, dangerous currents.

While the homeland’s 21st-century construction capability could easily handle this, this world lacked even cement. Building a thousand-meter bridge across the Yellow River to connect east and west was a monumental task.

A defiance of nature!

Just as Song Chenfei was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out: “Song Chenfei, come out. I have something to discuss with you.”

Song Chenfei snapped out of his thoughts and looked toward the door, where a stern-looking middle-aged man stood.

The Prince of Pingyang!

He had actually come here.

“Hey, Prince of Pingyang, did you run out of places to relieve yourself and had to come to the Ministry’s restroom?” Song Chenfei teased with a grin.

The Prince’s face darkened. “I’m not here to joke around. Come out immediately,” he ordered.

“Who do you think you are, ordering me out? Why should I come?” Song Chenfei scoffed.

“How dare you disobey me!” The Prince’s expression grew grim.

“Even if I don’t obey, what can you do to me?” Song Chenfei retorted.

“Don’t think that because you’re an Assistant Officer at the Ministry of Works, you can swagger before me. You’re just a minor fifth-rank official. In my eyes, you’re an ant I can crush anytime,” the Prince said coldly, warning him he was courting disaster.

“What an arrogant and overbearing Prince of Pingyang. If you can crush me, then do it. If you can’t, you’re just a little pig,” Song Chenfei shot back defiantly.

The Prince’s forehead veins bulged.

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Song Chenfei had changed so much.

Was this really the same Song Chenfei he had raised from childhood?

He had once been the most obedient, never daring to go east when told west, gentle and refined, the pride of the Prince. How had four years transformed him into such a rogue?

The Prince took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “I truly have something to discuss with you.”

“Spit it out. I don’t have time for your nonsense,” Song Chenfei dropped the teasing and spoke seriously.

“Come back with me,” the Prince ordered.

“Do you really think the Pingyang Prince’s household is a treasure trove? Just because you call, I’ll come back? Honestly, to me, it’s just a bigger pigsty,” Song Chenfei sneered.

Rejected again, the Prince did not lose his temper this time because he was prepared.

“I didn’t want to use force, but if you’re so ungrateful, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Bring Song Chenfei back by force,” he commanded.

“He is my son; anyone who dares to interfere is opposing me, the Prince of Pingyang,” the Prince said sternly.

There were guards at the Ministry of Works, but who dared oppose the Prince?

Guards behind the Prince immediately stepped forward, ropes in hand, ready to bind Song Chenfei and drag him away.

Song Chenfei did not resist. Calmly, he took out a token, on which were inscribed the characters “Changsun”!

It was given to him by his elder sister, Changsun.

Others might not recognize it, but the Prince’s face changed drastically, disbelief overtaking him.

“Wait!” the Prince hurriedly called out.

“My lord, what is it?” the guards asked, confused. Weren’t they ordered to take Song Chenfei back?

“Stand down,” the Prince ordered, his eyes fixed on the token in Song Chenfei’s hand.

No mistake!

It was that woman’s token, impossible to be forged or impersonated.

Though she was a woman, those in the know understood her fearsome power. Her token was no weaker than the Emperor’s own.

“Where did you get that token?” the Prince demanded.

“None of your business,” Song Chenfei replied, realizing the token’s power was greater than he imagined. He grinned. Very effective.

My sister Changsun is truly formidable.

“You!” the Prince ground his teeth, wanting to personally teach Song Chenfei a lesson.

But then he thought of the Emperor and the woman behind this token.

Is this really Song Chenfei?

Could a person change so much in four years?

First favored by the Emperor, then rewarded by that woman, even given her token.

What merits did Song Chenfei possess?

“Song Chenfei, mark my words: if you don’t return to the Prince’s household, someday you will regret it. And when that day comes, even if you beg me, I will not let you back,” the Prince warned.

Leaving those harsh words behind, he departed with his men.