Chapter 113: The Riverbank Envoy

“Please, sit quickly,” Wei Renshi said hurriedly as he entered and saw the visitor rise.

“Greetings, Lord Wei,” the visitor bowed respectfully.

Wei Renshi was somewhat surprised. The visitor, an official under the eighth rank, was of higher status, yet he had taken the initiative to bow to Wei, who was merely a commoner. Was this out of respect for Scholar Zhang, or had some rumor already spread? Perhaps both.

Nonetheless, Wei Renshi did not take pride in it. He returned the bow politely, saying, “It is I who should be paying respects, not you.”

“Not at all!” The visitor stepped aside slightly and continued, “Lord Wei’s willingness to repair the river embankments for the people is truly a noble deed. The nation’s strength is not what it once was; many embankments have fallen into disrepair. If more men of virtue like you stepped forward, much disaster could be averted each year.”

“You flatter me,” Wei Renshi replied. “You must be weary from your journey, having arrived at this hour. Please, eat first. Rest well after satisfying your hunger.”

The visitor’s face broke into a smile at Wei Renshi’s words. “Hehe, I will not hide it, Lord Wei. The journey has indeed left me quite hungry.”

They sat down together. Wei Renshi made a move with his chopsticks, and only then did the visitor begin to eat.

“This is delicious!” the visitor exclaimed, eyes wide in astonishment. “Though I do not know the names of these dishes, the flavors are exquisite. I doubt any of the grand establishments in the capital could match this!”

These dishes were all prepared by Wang Xiaosui. She clearly possessed a gift for cooking. After Chef Qin Xin absorbed culinary techniques and philosophies brought from the future by Wei Renshi and combined them with his own experience, his skills had soared. He also recognized Wang Xiaosui’s talent and was preparing to pass on his entire culinary craft to her, which made him increasingly demanding of her.

Wang Xiaosui was dedicated, and her skills improved rapidly. This entire meal was prepared by her team, and the visitor seemed very pleased.

After the visitor had eaten enough to quell his hunger, Wei Renshi smiled and asked, “May I inquire your honorable name, sir?”

The visitor put down his chopsticks and replied, “Forgive my breach of etiquette. My name is Xu, courtesy name Mingli.”

“Ah, Officer Xu,” Wei Renshi said, picking up a box and opening it to reveal a stack of papers. “You are a master of river embankment repairs. I merely have some ideas, though I do not know if they can be realized.”

Xu Mingli took the papers with some puzzlement, lowering his eyes to study them. “This… this is a river embankment? It looks more like a garden.”

Wei Renshi nodded. “My design divides the embankment into three levels. The highest is for roads and marketplaces; the middle is for viewing the river and enjoying the scenery; and the lowest is for riverside strolling. Below is the water. Each level is connected by dozens of steps. The three levels together with the water form a scenic park.”

Hearing this, Xu Mingli immediately put down his chopsticks and carefully examined the drawings.

Such a design was not uncommon in the future—small river towns often had riverfront parks arranged just like this.

The first level was a bustling street lined with shops and various snacks. Descending the steps led to the second level, featuring pavilions and corridors—the core of the park where people strolled or sat on lawns chatting. Few ventured down to the third level, as its paths were narrow and dangerously close to the water, making it less safe. However, this quietness attracted those who preferred solitude or enjoyed fishing by the river.

The three levels combined served as both embankment and park, providing a place for leisure and shopping. If the landscaping was beautiful, it would greatly enhance the area’s appeal.

“This… this design is clever,” Xu Mingli said, looking over the papers. “It serves the embankment’s purpose while also creating a scenic spot for enjoyment. If built as planned, it should be feasible. But Lord Wei, have you considered the cost? Such construction would require a much larger investment than usual embankments—not only altering the structure but also creating the scenery. Don’t underestimate the expense.”

“Officer Xu need not worry,” Wei Renshi smiled. “Other inns and restaurants in Luoyang will also contribute funds to Oneiric Pavilion.”

Xu Mingli thought for a moment. “Lord Wei, to be frank, I heard from Scholar Zhang that you were framed by the prefectural government and other taverns, which is why you ended up with this task. If they conspired against you, would they really help fund your project?”

Though puzzled, seeing Wei Renshi’s certainty, he refrained from pressing further and said, “In that case, this embankment should be possible to build. But how many workers do you currently have?”

“There are two hundred working now, and soon more will come from other inns and restaurants,” Wei Renshi replied. “But I won’t take too many—I plan to have only three hundred on the embankment.”

“Three hundred…” Xu Mingli pondered. “That number is a bit tight. Since more workers are coming, why not accept more? I think at least five hundred would be necessary.”

“Hehe, in time, Officer Xu will see,” Wei Renshi said. “I am setting up workshops and recruiting craftsmen to produce a batch of machinery. With that equipment, three hundred workers can do the work of five hundred.”

“Oh?” Xu Mingli’s eyes widened. “When I was in Chang’an, Scholar Zhang said you were prodigiously talented, especially skilled in mechanical arts. It seems true! Machinery that lets three hundred do the work of five hundred—I must see it for myself! If such equipment proves so useful, applying it elsewhere would save countless laborers… Oh! Forgive me, this is your invention; I should not speak so freely.”

“Machinery is made to be used, Officer Xu,” Wei Renshi laughed. “Right now, blacksmiths and carpenters are almost fully recruited. Once the workshops are ready in a few days, production will begin. Meanwhile, the craftsmen are discussing how to build the machines.”

“Lord Wei’s righteousness is indeed admirable,” Xu Mingli said earnestly. Then he asked, “May I visit the embankment to see it now?”

“You must be weary from your journey. Please rest first and visit tomorrow,” Wei Renshi replied.

Xu Mingli nodded. “Very well.”