The common people were far too enthusiastic. When Wei Datong went to greet them, he could not even get close to Jin Feng.
Under the protection of the escorts, Jin Feng and the ninth princess made their way through the dense crowd and finally reached the command post.
Wei Datong followed behind, and one of his shoes got squeezed off in the process.
“Your Highness, it has been several days since we last met, and you look even more imposing. Just now the situation was so chaotic that this humble official was so frightened his shoe fell off, yet Your Highness remained completely calm. Truly worthy of being a dragon among men and phoenix among women!”
As an old hand in official circles, the moment he entered the room, Wei Datong started laying on the flattery.
But the ninth princess did not buy it at all. She asked directly, “How is the construction progressing?”
Wei Datong was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, the construction is going smoothly. Tomorrow this old minister will accompany Your Highness to Yulei Mountain. From the summit, using a telescope, one can see very far.”
“Wei Daren, it seems your flattery has landed on the horse’s hoof this time?”
Jin Feng smiled and patted Wei Datong on the shoulder. “The ninth princess is different from other nobles. She is a doer. In the future, just speak plainly when there is something to say. There is no need for flattery. If you do your work well, she will naturally promote you. If the work is not done well, no amount of loud flattery will help.”
By now, the Zhongming Group served as Jin Feng’s eyes and ears. The person in charge of Xichuan City summarised all important intelligence from each day and reported it to Jin Feng.
“There is still time. No need to wait until tomorrow morning. We will go now.” The ninth princess said as she stood up.
“Your Highness has come from afar. Why not rest for one night first?” Wei Datong advised.
But the ninth princess paid him no attention and simply led her people straight out the door.
The intelligence from the Zhongming Group also confirmed Jin Feng’s judgement.
Ever since Wei Datong took over the Dujiangyan project, he often worked until late at night, still studying maps.
He was not only serious about the work but also willing to endure hardship.
The Dujiangyan project was of great significance. Since Jin Feng had not had time to come recently, he specially instructed the Zhongming Group to pay close attention.
As the person in charge of the project, Wei Datong naturally appeared frequently in the reports.
In fact, Jin Feng had already felt that Wei Datong was a decent person, which was why he had recommended him to the ninth princess.
After hearing Jin Feng’s words, Wei Datong was momentarily stunned.
Then he solemnly bowed to Jin Feng. “Many thanks to sir for the guidance!”
He had grown accustomed to the hypocritical ways of officialdom. Someone like Jin Feng who spoke so plainly and directly was extremely rare.
The people from the Zhongming Group often saw him covered in mud, trudging across the worksite for on-site inspections.
If one had to point out a flaw, it would be that he was too slick and too fond of flattery.
Jin Feng knew that the atmosphere in Great Kang’s official circles was like this. Wei Datong had served as a transport commissioner for half his life. Flattery had almost become his instinct.
In truth, Wei Datong could also be considered a practical worker. He often travelled back and forth with the fleets, which was why he was so familiar with the surrounding waterways.
Jin Feng’s earlier words reminded him of the time when he had just entered official service.
Back then he was not yet twenty, working as a minor scheduler in the Transport Office. Every day he was full of ambition, often thinking about how, once he rose in rank, he would benefit the common people of the world.
Such straightforward advice from Jin Feng was truly rare in official circles.
Only someone with extremely deep personal ties would speak this way.
Wei Datong had not actually interacted much with Jin Feng and did not know that this was simply how Jin Feng usually spoke. He was deeply moved by Jin Feng’s “sincerity”.
With no other choice, he had learned to flatter and curry favour to please his superiors.
After learning to go along with the flow and join in the corruption, he finally integrated into official circles.
With some family connections, after years of enduring, he had finally become a transport commissioner a few years ago, the highest leader at the Jinma River Transport Office outpost.
But as the years of being an official grew longer, Wei Datong gradually realised how laughable his earlier ideas had been.
All the officials he encountered were either thinking about how to skim benefits or just muddling through and going through the motions.
When he tried to do things seriously, he became an outlier and was even squeezed out.
The ninth princess did not look pleased. In fact, she seemed a little angry…
Jin Feng’s advice gave Wei Datong a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
He finally realised where his problem lay and knew what attitude he should adopt towards the ninth princess in the future.
Normally, as long as no one from Xichuan City came, he was the biggest authority here. Finally, he no longer needed to flatter and curry favour.
But the habit had already taken root. The moment he saw the ninth princess, he could not help wanting to say a few nice things to please her.
In the end, just as Jin Feng had said, the flattery had landed on the horse’s hoof.
Because he had recently been observing the surroundings from Yulei Mountain often, Wei Datong had someone build a thatched hut on the summit. Sometimes when he was too lazy to go down the mountain, he would just spend the night there.
At this moment, the ninth princess stood in front of the thatched hut, looking down below.
“Your Highness, the telescope!”
“Sir, please go first!”
Wei Datong stepped aside to let Jin Feng pass.
Jin Feng smiled and did not stand on ceremony. He walked out the door.
At this time, below Yulei Mountain, dense crowds of people moved like ants, digging and transporting rocks and soil.
At their feet, the canal had already taken shape.
“Your Highness, Yulei Mountain acts as a barrier. The west side suffers from constant flooding every year, while the east side suffers from constant drought. Sir’s plan is to carve a large opening at the thinner part of Yulei Mountain and divert the river water to the east side. This way, it not only solves the flooding on the west but also the drought on the east. A perfect solution!”
Wei Datong took out the telescope from his bosom and carefully handed it to the ninth princess.
The ninth princess took the telescope, skilfully adjusted it, and inspected each area.
Jin Feng also shaded his eyes with his hand and squinted down.
Jin Feng smiled bitterly and interrupted Wei Datong.
It seemed this habit would not be easy to change for a while.
“Sir, I am not flattering you. I truly admire you. I have served in the Transport Office for so many years and have travelled the Jinma River countless times each year, yet I had no solution for the floods. Sir solved it after just one visit. Is that not proof of extraordinary intelligence?”
Wei Datong saw that the ninth princess had looked enough and began explaining from the side.
As he spoke, his old habit flared up again, and he started flattering Jin Feng. “Mr Jin truly has extraordinary intelligence…”
“Wei Daren, if you keep praising me like that, I will start floating!”
Wei Datong secretly glanced at the ninth princess, then at Jin Feng, and quickly nodded in agreement. “Actually, what this humble official admires is not only sir’s intelligence but also his courage and boldness. Back then at Great Python Slope, in such danger, neither sir nor Her Highness took a single step back. You are truly a model for the military of Great Kang!”
“Yes, sir is not only intelligent, courageous, and bold, but also very modest.” The ninth princess unexpectedly added.
“Your Highness is absolutely right!”
Wei Datong said with a serious face.
“Sir is indeed intelligent. This palace greatly admires him as well!”
The ninth princess continued.
“So you like this kind of thing…”
Wei Datong felt as though he had finally found the trick to pleasing the ninth princess. He exaggerated his tone and chimed in, “What is called indifference to fame and fortune? This is exactly what indifference to fame and fortune looks like in sir!”
“Are the two of you putting on a comedy show here?”
Wei Datong clapped his hands as though he had discovered a new continent. “Moreover, sir has far-reaching vision and the talent to govern the country. It is truly a pity that he does not serve in the court!”
“Who says otherwise? This palace invited him to become the National Teacher, yet he refused!”
The ninth princess shook her head with regret.
Jin Feng looked at the two of them singing in harmony, his face full of dark lines. “Hurry up and get to the point. It is so cold up here on the mountain. If you want to do comedy, go find a warmer place down below, alright?”
