The melody was unknown, yet as light and quick as a babbling brook. Though it repeated, it could speed up or slow down following the pace of Mo Zi’s turning.
People off the stage were incredibly curious about this type of “musical instrument,” while people on the stage finally understood that the exam question wasn’t easy at all when they saw how perfectly those five gears interacted. Not only was it not easy, but it required extreme care in every detail—each tooth spacing had to be identical, each gear had to be identical, and even the circular holes and hexagonal holes for inserting the small rods had to be exact to the slightest degree. Even the most formidable mechanical arts were merely this level.
On the spot, more than half the master artisans began to feel uneasy.
Mo Zi adjusted the position of the board again, this time with the back facing everyone. She turned the handle once, and the music played once. The five gears drove one another, rotating from top to bottom, from bottom to top, flowing like water and clouds.
The Emperor was already incredibly curious. “Magistrate Song, this thing is interesting. Quickly tell us what use you intend for it?”
Mo Zi smiled charmingly. “Your Majesty, I just had the examination artisans make two identical sets following these five wheels. Whether they truly meet requirements can be determined simply by arranging them as I have—if they can turn out smooth music, they pass. If they cannot produce music, they fail. Moreover, everyone can judge whether their craftsmanship is good enough.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. “Good, this method is good. Not only is it not decided by just a few people’s evaluation, even a layperson like me can understand it.”
Under the Crown Prince’s tent, Wei Jia said, “How does this girl have so many twists and turns? What originally looked like just a few wooden wheels, she could think of such ingenuity. Last time shooting for the bell and drawing the bow, that bearing was extremely beautiful. This time she’s changed to holding a saw—I look at her as heroic and valiant.”
“No more beautiful than my Youyan, but certainly not ordinary.” When Wu Lianqi said this, the Crown Prince made an “oh” sound.
“In these past months that this prince has been away from the capital, it seems there’s been another outstanding beauty. But she wears official robes—plenty of nobility, insufficient charm. This prince sees no interest in it.” He casually glanced a few times then gave up. “Rather, that sound-making contraption—this prince wants to ask her for one. Or else, have her wear rainbow garments and play a tune in this prince’s hall while you all observe together whether she is a beauty or not?”
Xiao Wei gazed at the graceful figure on stage. “She is a fifth-rank outer minister.”
“This point is indeed troublesome, and moreover Father Emperor seems to value her highly. Just a woman—why so formidable? In this prince’s view, she probably can’t get married.” The Crown Prince laughed heartily.
Xiao Wei remained silent.
Over in Yuan Cheng’s tent, Jiang Tao was receiving congratulations from Yang Ling and others. They asked which family’s young lady Miss Bai was from. He was still hesitating on how to answer appropriately when Yuan Cheng helped him speak up.
“Miss Bai is a cousin of Prince Jing’s Manor’s Third Mistress. Though her parents are gone, her dowry is generous, and her culinary skills can be called supreme. If you gentlemen visit Magistrate Jiang’s residence as guests and then eat at other families’ banquets, it will be tasteless.”
After hearing this, Jiang Tao’s superiors all said they would go.
Yuan Cheng was very smooth and had more to say. “If you great ministers feel this subordinate speaks correctly, please give many favorable comments in Official Jiang’s annual evaluation. The saying goes ‘marry a wife for virtue, a great man thus gains wings.’ Use this to encourage us to look to Magistrate Jiang as a model—how could we worry that His Majesty won’t favor this side?”
The Minister of Works, as Jiang Tao’s direct superior, laughed in reply, “Saying it this way, none of us can fail to go to this meal. Chief Clerk Jiang, when the time comes, have your wife use her full abilities. Tell her it relates to whether you get promoted or not.”
Jiang Tao had also become more tactful in handling affairs and bowed in assent.
All the officials were pleased.
However, the Minister of Personnel said, “The status is well-matched enough, but this way, there will be a kinship relation with the Xiao family. Magistrate Jiang must not let them win you over—we are the Constitutional Faction.”
One faction was the Loyalist Party, one faction was the Constitutional Party—always like fire and water.
“Just distant relatives. In this capital city, the larger the manor, the more flourishing the branches and leaves—who can say they’re completely unrelated to the other faction? Female Official Song was once the steward of the Yuan Manor—” Many people knew this in their hearts, so Yuan Cheng wasn’t afraid to say it. “Now the various great ministers of the Ministry of Works are helping those people make things difficult for her.”
The Minister of Works hurriedly clarified, “I definitely didn’t order this matter—it was the Ship Bureau Director’s idea. When it was proposed, I never imagined they would secretly create obstacles. However, they’re quite strange this time. His Majesty personally appointed Song Mo Zi as a female official—by rights we should be the ones opposing, yet it turned out they were the ones working zealously.”
“His Majesty is a benevolent ruler. They claim loyalty to the monarch but seek advantages and plan for themselves by currying favor. In contrast, we persist in upholding national laws and regulations—this is truly thinking of His Majesty and Great Zhou’s realm.” The Minister of Personnel changed his tone. “In the various great ministers’ view, can half the master artisans pass Female Official Song’s question?”
The Minister of Works snorted. “Even half may not pass.” Speaking of him, he had reached this position by real ability. Originally the Director of the Will Workshop, he had already seen that this round was extremely ingenious—falling short even a tiny bit would be difficult to pass.
Yuan Cheng smiled. “Great Minister, His Majesty dismissed two Grand Master Artisans from the Ministry of Works—I imagine you’re angry in your heart?”
The Minister continued his words. “Those two were originally the Ship Bureau Director’s people—what do I have to be angry about? Rather, thanks to your fortune, Minister Yuan, we have one more capable Female Official Song who is also valued by His Majesty. It seems this wind direction is becoming increasingly favorable to us.”
Yuan Cheng cupped his hands warmly. “Female Official Song’s skills are outstanding, but she’s new and tender to the official world. Please, great ministers, give her more guidance in the future.”
The various officials all voiced approval.
Mo Zi still didn’t know she had become a member of the Constitutional Faction and began testing Artisan Number One’s model.
This Number One was also the first to mutter about bad luck. His handiwork was impeccable, the size and circumference the same as the model, single-wheel tooth spacing uniform. The problem was the hexagonal hole was carved incorrectly, and the tooth spacing wasn’t the same for every wheel. Therefore, forget producing sound—the five gears couldn’t even drive each other at all.
Not fearing anyone’s dissatisfaction, she displayed the back side for everyone to see, and each person understood the reason Number One failed.
The first set was made poorly, so naturally the second set also failed. Artisan Number One’s face was dark as iron, but he had no way to question it. The most basic requirement of this model-making round was exact duplication—from the very beginning, his casual attitude had destined him to fail.
Testing set after set, either they couldn’t rotate together at all, or they had sound but stuck. Those artisans on stage who had originally looked down on Mo Zi hung their heads in shame.
The Emperor complained to Eunuch Liu, “Though I let that girl show them what’s what, seeing not a single one of them can do it, I really can’t say I’m angry. These are skilled craftsmen selected from hundreds—could there really be none who are excellent and outstanding?”
Eunuch Liu knew how to speak. “Your Majesty, it’s also because they underestimated Female Official Song that it turned out this way.”
Just as he was saying this, melodious music was heard, flowing smoothly just like when Mo Zi had first demonstrated.
The Emperor’s eyes lit up.
Not only was he pleased, but those who had already felt thoroughly bored couldn’t help but applaud and cheer.
The two sets Mo Zi tested in succession were both good. She announced on stage, “Number Nine, Yang Buzheng, complete pass.”
Yang Buzheng was that fifty-six-year-old gentleman.
After this, there were two more—each passing with one set, able to enter the final comprehensive evaluation.
Everyone felt it wasn’t easy and sent them off with praise and applause.
When testing Min Song’s two sets of gears, Mo Zi believed she was even more nervous than he was. This young master had followed her for half a year and had more advantage than others. Moreover, when she normally had him make models, her requirements were just this strict. If he didn’t pass, the one losing face would really be herself.
But Min Song didn’t disappoint her, nor did he disappoint the audience. Both tests flowed smoothly—complete pass.
“Today’s test: two complete passes, two minor passes, all others eliminated. The four-day Grand Master Artisan examination has completely concluded. Final results will be posted on the Lantern Festival.” The ritual official came up to announce the closing.
People’s emotions reached their highest point, with hunting banners and horns all joining in celebration.
Mo Zi still breathed a sigh of relief. This music box’s crude prototype was auxiliary material she planned to use for shipbuilding, temporarily borrowed to increase entertainment effect. Compared to the precision of later eras, it was far inferior—its main function was testing whether gears could drive each other. Not having the master artisans completely wiped out, she was quite pleased. It showed that people with real ability wouldn’t be affected by external factors and could still fully display their talents.
She had just prepared to leave the grounds with Zheng Wen and Qi Xiu when Artisan Number One suddenly knelt before the Emperor on stage. Once he knelt, seven or eight people followed suit and knelt down.
As a woman, being an official was absolutely not an easy matter. Every step forward, there were countless hands trying to drag her down and sink her.
Now, what again? Seeing the situation, Mo Zi sneered coldly.
“Your Majesty, we are unconvinced!” Number One shouted loudly.
Immediately, the banners fell and the horns stopped blowing.
The Emperor asked, “Unconvinced? Your model-making lacked precision—I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Regarding this, we commoners have nothing to say. However, Great Zhou’s Chief Model-Making Official has always possessed Grand Master Artisan skills. Though we did not pass Female Official Song’s round, Female Official Song herself also lacks model-making ability—on what basis can she examine us? Female Official Song is unqualified to set questions. This round cannot count. We request Your Majesty select another Grand Master Artisan. We are willing to test again.” Number One kowtowed.
At this moment, some more eliminated master artisans knelt down.
Mo Zi proclaimed loudly, “Your Majesty, this model was made by Mo Zi with her own hands.”
Number One turned his head away, clearly disbelieving. “But we only saw the already-completed model.”
“Then how will you believe? Must Mo Zi make five more wheels?” The Emperor didn’t disbelieve Mo Zi, but rather thought that since it was still early and seeing more excitement would be good.
“Have Your Majesty set the question. I will compete directly with Female Official Song. If I lose, I’ll have no more resentment. If Female Official Song loses, please have Your Majesty void this round and select another Grand Master Artisan to conduct a fair test.” Number One still had full confidence in himself.
The Emperor saw the hunting falcon beside him and suddenly had an idea. Without even asking Mo Zi’s opinion, he said, “Use a bird as the topic. You each make a small bird and see whose is more realistic. It won’t be judged by people but by the hawk.”
Number One hurriedly expressed gratitude. “Your Majesty is sagely wise. This method is excellent and will make both parties accept with conviction.”
“Your Majesty.” Mo Zi really couldn’t bear it.
“Does Magistrate Song lack confidence? If you forfeit, it also counts as the master artisans winning.” The Emperor wanted to watch the excitement.
“No, competing is fine, but could we eat a meal first before competing? Mo Zi is useless—smelling the roasted meat aroma, my stomach is rumbling with hunger. Right now I probably don’t even have the strength to hold a small knife.” Not giving people food but just wanting to watch them perform—this was called abuse.
Qiu Sanniang heard clearly and, taking advantage of no one paying attention to her, whispered to Xiao Yi behind her, “At a time like this she’s still thinking about eating—I really admire her.”
Xiao Yi said, “Being human, one must eat.”