The little round bird sensed the mood was off, so it furtively flitted away to check on the progress of the Hydraulic Mill.
Lately, sheโd been flying all around the Castle, and discovered that not only was there plenty of water power, but the wind resources were pretty good too. Especially to the south of the Castle, there was a vast Plain that seemed perfect for building a windmill.
Mei Yin was in her Office, writing up a development plan for the territory.
She hadnโt expected Jiang Zhuozhuo to receive such an Inheritance.
It must have been a peaceful and stable era, where as long as people were willing to work hard, they didnโt have to worry about their basic needs. In that era, knowledge belonged to everyone, not just hoarded by a select few.
No wonder Her Majesty seemed so innocent and lacking in ambition.
The things they had to flatter and sacrifice everything to obtain, were considered โCompulsoryโ for people of that era.
Was it possible that someone would actually be unwilling to accept education?
Mei Yin had always harbored this doubt, but then she remembered the extravagance sheโd witnessed in the Royal Capital, and the poverty and hardship she saw after coming to Woye Province.
Arrogance might make people scorn what others long for.
Poverty might leave people ignorant of what could benefit them.
So in that era where knowledge was at everyoneโs fingertips, it was only natural that many failed to realize its valueโhence, Nine-Year Compulsory Education.
Though it seemed difficult, Mei Yin still wanted to give it a try.
Step by step.
One day, their territory would become as peaceful, stable, and prosperous as the era described in Her Majestyโs Inheritance.
If it couldnโt be done in ten years, then theyโd take a hundred.
Jiang Zhuozhuo flew down to the riverbank to watch the Woodpecker Construction Team go tap-tap-tap as they built the Hydraulic Mill.
The team leader was an old woodpecker, wearing a monocleโclearly an intellectual bird.
His name was Lu Eri, and he was one of the core members Her Majesty the Empress had assigned to Jiang Zhuozhuo.
Old Luโs professional skills were top-notchโeven the Palaceโs renovations two hundred years ago had been his responsibility.
Unfortunately, this old fellow had a foul temper, never giving anyone face. Aside from eating and working, he spent most of his time offending people. This time, heโd been quietly stuffed into the Retainer Team and sent off to Jiang Zhuozhuoโs remote and desolate territory.
Old Lu grumbled for a while, but still arrived early and diligently began constructing the Castle where Jiang Zhuozhuo would soon reside.
When it came to his area of expertise, Old Lu never slacked offโhe would never joke around with his own reputation.
At first, Jiang Zhuozhuo didnโt even know there was such an old engineer living in the Castle. When she later found out the beautiful Castle she lived in was built by him, she couldnโt help but admire him.
She had thought the Castle had always been there!
So every time she saw the old woodpecker, Jiang Zhuozhuo would lavish him with praise, raving about the clever design wherever she happened to run into him!
With Jiang Zhuozhuoโs relentless, all-around flattery, she occasionally managed to hit just the right spot.
Old Luโs gaze toward her gradually became much gentler, and for once, he didnโt unleash his sharp tongue on her.
When he received the Blueprint for the Hydraulic Mill that Jiang Zhuozhuo had drawn, Old Luโs view of her shifted from โa client with a decent attitudeโ to โa client with real skills.โ He decided to personally oversee this little mill.
When Jiang Zhuozhuo flew over, the old woodpecker scooted over by the wooden frame, making room for the little round bird so she could observe the construction progress with him.
He introduced with some pride, โBy this evening, this Hydraulic Mill will be ready for use.โ
Whenever he encountered a new building heโd never seen before, Old Lu had to study it inside and out before he was satisfied.
Now he clearly understood how this contraption used water power to turn Tree Wheat into snow-white flour!
It was truly a design as ingenious as Alchemical Arts!
Old Lu had tasted food made from Tree Wheatโnot only was it delicious, but it provided a Strength Buff, which was a great benefit to his Woodpecker Construction Team.
Since Tree Wheat could easily be ground into flour using the Hydraulic Mill, and then made into all sorts of tasty dishes, maybe this long-despised low-grade grain was about to make a comeback.
Just thinking about his rivals never having tasted something this good brought a pleased smile to Old Luโs face.
The little round bird quietly edged farther away from him.
What aโwhat a villainous grin.
Like a proper antagonist!
Could it be theyโd actually drawn the villain cannon-fodder script?
Thinking about how she, a silly bird, had not only snatched up Mei Yinโthe top student of the Royal Maid Academyโbut also had old Lu, a veritable treasure among veteran engineers, stuffed onto her teamโฆ
It was entirely possible their little flock was a villain clique. The only question was, who was the worldโs chosen one, and when would they show up to slap them in the face?
The little round bird muttered in her heart, but happily continued watching the woodpeckers at work.
Whatever!
She just wanted to happily get some fries!
As the golden evening sun shone across the river, the Hydraulic Mill by the riverbank was finally completed.
The Knights eagerly carried over sacks of Tree Wheat. They watched as the unremarkable riverside building perfectly replaced their laborโTree Wheat, tough husk and all, was poured in, and in no time, pure white flour sifted out from the exit.
All they needed to do was set the containers in place to catch the flour!
Seeing this miraculous and wonderful sight, all the Knights who had carried over the Tree Wheat wore joyful smiles, none of them remembering the uncertainty and reluctance theyโd felt before setting out.
There was nothing bad about Woye Province. Ever since theyโd had Strength Noodles at every meal, their physical abilities had grown stronger and stronger.
Even faster than when theyโd studied at the Royal Knights Academy in the Royal Capital.
It was unbelievable.
And all of this was thanks to Her Majesty.
When they escorted Her Majesty back to the Royal Capital for the Hundred Birds Rite, theyโd definitely shock all those who didnโt understand their choices.
Now, as they gazed at the dazzling white flour, none of the Knights saw it as mere rationsโit was stronger muscles, greater power, and a brighter future!
Jiang Zhuozhuo, however, didnโt feel so sentimental.
The reason nobles didnโt promote such buffing foods wasnโt just because good chefs were rare, or that they themselves didnโt have enough to go around. It was also because they didnโt train as diligently as real Knights.
Like Jiang Zhuozhuo herselfโafter the initial excitement of feeling the Strength Buff, sheโd only exercised for a few days before going back to lazily sunbathing.
With her level of patience, itโd be a miracle if she could turn the foodโs Strength Buff into real power!
Everyone knows, eating loads of proteinโsome people turn it into muscle, some just into fat.
Why does this difference exist? Those who know, know!
Jiang Zhuozhuo happily wandered around the mill, finding the interior much larger and more convenient than the Blueprint sheโd drawn.
That must be Old Luโs doing.
Her drawing had been rather crudeโif the mill had just managed to run, that would have been good enough.
Truly, having an elder in the house is like having a treasure!
Though she felt a bit sorry for Old Lu, Jiang Zhuozhuo was still grateful to those rivals whoโd dumped him in her territory, letting her ramshackle domain pick up such a huge bargain.
To keep this amazing talent, Jiang Zhuozhuo used her not-so-polished flattery skills to shower Old Lu with praise.
Back in his youth, Old Lu had been hailed as a geniusโotherwise, he wouldnโt have been arrogant enough to offend everyone he could.
But perhaps after hearing all sorts of fancy compliments for so long, even Jiang Zhuozhuoโs clumsy praise now soundedโฆ rather pleasant.
When Mei Yin came by to see the newly finished mill, she saw the familiar little round bird chattering excitedly to the famously grumpy old woodpecker.
The old woodpeckerโs expression was reserved, but somehow there was a subtle, โsay more, say moreโ expectation in his eyes.
Mei Yin: .
Sheโd never known Mr. Lu Eri enjoyed being flattered so much.
To be honest, Mr. Lu Eriโs reputation in the Royal Capital was terribleโthere were even rumors heโd hit someone at a banquet. Sheโd worried heโd be difficult to get along with.
But aside from discussing the Castleโs design with her at the start, Lu Eri had ignored everyone else.
Most likely, in his eyes, they were all insignificant fledglings, not worth a glance.
As for why he wasnโt annoyed by the little round birdโฆ
Obviouslyโ
Who could refuse a fluffy little round bird!
Mei Yin could hardly imagine what this little round bird would look like once she grew Phoenix Feathers.
Never mind that Jiang Zhuozhuo was always saying, โI need to eat more so I can grow Phoenix Feathers,โ or โI need to sleep more so I can grow Phoenix Feathers.โ In reality, she was in no hurry at all, rolling around joyfully every day.
Thatโs a happiness only a chick without beautiful feathers can enjoy.
Who could imagine the bird Empress, with splendid Phoenix Feathers, rolling all over the ground:๏ผ
Mei Yin smiled and stepped forward to invite, โMr. Lu Eri, would you like to dine with Her Majesty later?โ
Old Lu turned and saw Mei Yin with her trademark Maid smile.
He hated that kind of smileโafter all, the Royal Capital was full of people like that.
Even the tone of their speech was the same, every syllable sounding rehearsed.
Like soulless marionettes.
Old Lu was about to refuse coldly, when the little round bird suddenly jumped onto the millstone, chirping cheerfully to Mei Yin, โWhatโs for dinner? What are we eating tonight?โ
Mei Yinโs eyes softened, and she smiled, โWe have the Meat-stuffed Bun and Handheld Braised Bone you mentioned.โ
Old Lu, hearing these strange and outlandish dish names, couldnโt help but interject, โBraised bone? Has the territory gotten so poor weโre eating bones now?โ
Jiang Zhuozhuo corrected him, โItโs not just bonesโthereโs plenty of meat on the hind leg bones. You take a top-quality hind leg bone, chop it in two, pour on sauce and braise it slowly. You can eat it straight with your handsโlet me tell you, without the bone, the meat just isnโt as tasty!โ
Old Lu thought, no wonder itโs called Handheld Braised Boneโit really is eaten with your hands. He shook his head in disapproval, โSo uncivilized!โ
Jiang Zhuozhuo wasnโt offended at all, and said happily, โThen Iโll eat your share too!โ
Old Lu hadnโt planned to eat, but after hearing Jiang Zhuozhuo, he immediately changed his mind, โSince youโve gone to the trouble of making a portion for me, Iโll give it a try. At worst, I just wonโt use my hands.โ
Jiang Zhuozhuo replied, disappointed, โOh, alright.โ
Old Lu was exasperated.
Back in the day, people brought him chests of gold to try and get him to a meal, and he couldnโt be bothered! But this rascal, sheโs genuinely hoping he wonโt come just so she can have more Handheld Braised Bone for herselfโฆ
No way heโd let this little brat have her way!