Yu Qian was a stubborn mule. Aside from him, once the Emperor and the National Preceptor had made their positions firm, none of the other ministers persisted.
Thus, persuading him was equivalent to persuading the entire Grand Secretariat.
The Northern Enforcement Division officially separated its intelligence branch and established it as a major department. At Pan Yun's suggestion, the National Security Investigation Department was founded, with Northern Enforcement Division Assistant Commander Bi You ordered to take charge. An Chen was promoted to Assistant Commander to serve as his deputy.
Pan Yun met Bi You only once before taking away An Chen's team, all of them glowing with health and high spirits.
She went to the Ministry of Works to collect the telegraph machines and materials that had been manufactured and delivered from various regions.
When she waved a hand and the crates stacked on the ground vanished, the Ministry of Works officials and craftsmen—though this was far from their first time seeing it—still showed looks of admiration.
Hu Cheng, however, acted as though he saw nothing and tugged at Pan Yun, crying poverty.
After considering it, Pan Yun pulled out a large box. Opening it revealed neatly stacked gold bars.
"This is the remaining payment for this batch of telegraph machines. What is left over shall count as the deposit for the rest. When I return next time to collect them, I'll settle the final payment."
At the sight of gold, Hu Cheng immediately brightened. He accepted the box and casually handed it to the deputy at his side.
Pan Yun waited for him.
Hu Cheng merely raised a hand and invited her to leave.
The two of them were momentarily locked in a stalemate.
Pan Yun said, "Minister Hu, the receipt."
"Oh, oh." Hu Cheng came to his senses