Chapter 171 - New Marriage
It wasn't until Zuo Shaoqing had apprenticed under Liang Qi for a while that he realized the extent of the laziness of this seemingly lackadaisical assistant minister when he applied himself seriously. He hadn't seen sunlight for ten days straight.
This armaments factory within the Ministry of Works was nestled in a mountain outside the capital. Upon Zuo Shaoqing's initial arrival, he was blindfolded and escorted in. Besides Liang Qi, all Ministry of Works officials underwent the same treatment.
Once inside, however, their freedom was somewhat less restricted. Apart from a few guarded secret chambers, he was allowed access to the rest of the facility. Unfortunately, time was of the essence.
Unsure if finding a successor was proving difficult, Liang Qi dedicated himself to teaching them wholeheartedly, all thanks to Zuo Shaoqing.
Anticipating needs before they arose, whether fetching water when thirsty or providing a damp cloth on a hot day, Liang Qi proved to be more attentive than any attendant before him.
What's more, this attentive subordinate was also a shrewd and resourceful assistant. Given any blueprints, he could analyze them swiftly, even quicker than Zuo Shaoqing could in the past.
With his assistance, Liang Qi's productivity soared. Consequently, his mood improved significantly, and his demeanor towards Zuo Shaoqing grew increasingly amiable.
Initially met with hostility by the other subordinates, particularly one who had served alongside Liang Qi for years and covertly encouraged others to reject him, Zuo Shaoqing, having lived two lifetimes, was no longer as impulsive as a 14-year-old.
The instructor couldn't fathom what he had done wrong, even after being expelled from the armaments factory. He had merely slipped laxatives into Zuo Shaoqing's tea, but who could have predicted the high fever and purplish lips that ensued that night?
Moreover, he was caught administering the drug and the source of the poison was traced back to his residence. With ample evidence against him, any confession would be futile.
To Zuo Shaoqing, this setback was merely a minor obstacle. After ridding himself of the perpetrator and seizing the opportunity to learn, he embarked on his studies with renewed determination.
Liang Qi occasionally cast sidelong glances at him, as though expecting him to collapse at any moment.
Having spent considerable time with him, Liang Qi observed that this young man possessed an unusual resilience, or perhaps stubbornness would be a more apt description. He couldn't comprehend why someone of such stature would exhibit such determination at his age.
On several occasions, waking in the dead of night, he found him engrossed in reading, delving into the confidential information entrusted to him, voraciously absorbing knowledge like a bottomless pit.
Could this be why Master Lu took an interest in him? Liang Qi couldn't discern the reason, but it didn't deter him from nurturing Zuo Shaoqing as a promising protege.
A month later, a sudden loud noise reverberated from the drill ground situated beyond the mountain. The entire vicinity trembled slightly, unsettling the birds and creatures of the forest, causing them to scatter in disarray.
Zuo Shaoqing stood gaping at the flattened small valley before him, unable to fathom that this was the culmination of their relentless efforts during this time.
“Haha…” “I've finally achieved it…” Liang Qi burst into maniacal laughter. His disheveled hair and overgrown stubble made him appear a decade older.
Yet, there was no hint of disdain in anyone's gaze; instead, they began to regard him with admiration.
Zuo Shaoqing felt a stirring in his heart. Were it not for these days of collaboration, he might never have witnessed Liang Qi's unwavering commitment to his work.
He wiped his face, dark circles accentuating his eyes, yet they sparkled with enthusiasm, oblivious to the smudges of black charcoal forming a semblance of a cat's face.
Just two hours ago, he had personally added charcoal to the gunpowder mixture, and in an instant, it erupted before his eyes.
“Well done!” Unnoticed at the drill ground entrance stood several high-ranking officials. The one who commended the accomplishment was the Minister of the Military Department.
Zuo Shaoqing's gaze remained fixed on the man leading the group. Upon closer inspection, they had been absent for half a month. Even if they had met two weeks prior, it had been rushed.
Rather than approaching Lu Zheng, Zuo Shaoqing retreated behind Liang Qi, assuming the demeanor of a respectful subordinate.
Liang Qi couldn't help but regard him with increasing curiosity. This young man seemed peculiar, not behaving in the expected manner. Shouldn't he rush forward, expressing eagerness after their prolonged separation?
Wasn't he concerned that Lu Zheng might be courted by another during his absence?
Lu Zheng expressed satisfaction with the quantity of gunpowder he had acquired. Although gunpowder had been known for centuries, progress in its military application had been slow. Adequate gunpowder in prior wars might have repelled Beidi from the border.
Presently, the gunpowder was a basic blend of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Its success rate was low, and accidents resulting in friendly fire were common, dissuading many from its use.
Approaching Liang Qi, Lu Zheng gave his shoulder a reassuring pat and uttered a simple, “Good!”
Zuo Shaoqing's attention was fixed on his hand when Lu Zheng unexpectedly pulled him out from behind Liang Qi to stand before him. Examining him closely, Lu Zheng's brow furrowed involuntarily.
At this juncture, Zuo Shaoqing's appearance was notably lackluster. Clad in a black cotton shirt, he appeared considerably leaner than before. His complexion, once vibrant, now seemed pallid and gaunt.
He attempted to wipe away the dust on Zuo Shaoqing's face with his sleeve, but the original hue remained obscured, worsening his mood.
“The remainder is entrusted to Vice Minister Liang. A month hence, I shall inspect it aboard the battleship!”
“Ah…” Liang Qi winced in discomfort. He yearned to express his longing for rest and the comfort of his bed, perhaps with a companion by his side.
Regrettably, confronted by Lu Zheng's icy countenance, he choked back his words, resigned to watching the duo depart hand in hand.
Zuo Shaoqing only found relief upon boarding the carriage. His first act upon settling in was to cleanse his face and hands with a splash of tea.
When he had entered the Ministry of Works, summer had just commenced. Now, summer had waned, and he hadn't even had the chance to experience its oppressive heat before moving past it.
‘They say there's neither sun nor moon in the mountains; the ancients truly don't spare me!'
Zuo Shaoqing had missed out on basking in the summer sun entirely. His complexion was so pallid it bordered on translucence. The combination of excitement and fatigue left him appearing unwell.
Lu Zheng enveloped him in his arms, their hands intertwined. Suddenly, a warm energy surged from Lu Zheng's grasp into Zuo Shaoqing's body, suffusing his limbs and meridians with warmth.
Zuo Shaoqing was taken aback. “I'm fine, there's no need for energy transmission.”
While he had grown accustomed to Lu Zheng using inner force to alleviate his ailments, it was usually through massage or meridian stimulation. This marked the first instance of Lu Zheng directly transferring his inner energy to him.
“Hush!” Lu Zheng's voice was stern, his expression foreboding.
Sensing Lu Zheng's determination, Zuo Shaoqing refrained from further protest. He closed his eyes, guiding his inner strength back to his dantian. After Lu Zheng withdrew his hand, he meditated for a moment before reopening his eyes.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he nestled into Lu Zheng's embrace, playfully teasing, “Master Lu, were you angry with me just now?” Was there some dissatisfaction hidden behind his words?
Lu Zheng tightened his embrace, feeling the warmth return to his body. His complexion, previously drained, regained a hint of color. Only then did he experience a slight sense of relief.
Unaware of the intensity of his previous gaze, Zuo Shaoqing continued to toil day and night. However, he was adamant about not allowing any jests regarding his well-being.
Understanding Liang Qi's temperament well, he recalled instances when the man had worked tirelessly for days on end, driven by his obsession with improving a catapult. Under Liang Qi's guidance, Zuo Shaoqing inevitably neglected his own needs for food and rest.
Though Zuo Shaoqing acknowledged his own self-pity, both he and Lu Zheng were resilient individuals who could endure hardship. In comparison, Lu Zheng had undoubtedly endured far more on the battlefield than he ever had.
Enfolding Lu Zheng's waist, he brushed his cheek against something on Lu Zheng's chest. Upon sensing the subtle change in Lu Zheng's demeanor, he offered a sheepish smile, “Master, I was thinking…”
“Hmm…” His chin was lifted, sealing his lips with a fervent kiss, his warm tongue darting in between his teeth in a fervid exploration.
Draping his arms around Lu Zheng's neck, he drew closer to him, savoring the intimacy he had longed for.
Even as he was gently pushed away, Zuo Shaoqing remained lost in the passionate kiss, casting a forlorn glance at Lu Zheng.
“Go sit over there! Stop teasing me!” Flustered and annoyed, Lu Zheng covered the arousal beneath his clothes with his shirt hem, inhaling deeply as he struggled to contain the desires raging within him.
Ignoring the command, Zuo Shaoqing rested his head on Lu Zheng's lap, inhaling the familiar scent that lulled him into a deep slumber. In his dreams, a serene smile graced his lips.
Occasionally, Lu Zheng's fingers traced over his face, particularly the bruised skin beneath his eyes, prompting silent sighs of concern.
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