Chen Xun rubbed his hands together, determined to make every department under the Ministry of Works prosperous.
Of course, he could not work for nothing. So he drafted a memorial overnight, bringing the cooperation between the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works into the open.
The Ministry of Works provided the technology, while the Ministry of Revenue handled the operations. The Ministry of Revenue had to receive at least half the credit.
Hu Cheng had little thirst for power, but the Ministry of Works had officials besides Hu Cheng and the craftsmen.
The Right Vice Minister of Works was not a technical man. When he learned of this, he beat his chest in despair. "Minister, you may not understand business, but isn't there still me?"
Hu Cheng said, "Perfect. Go liaise with the Ministry of Revenue, then. I'll leave the cooperation to you."
The Right Vice Minister of Works said, "...Minister, what I mean is, the Ministry of Works can handle this entirely on its own. If we lack manpower, we can recruit. Three-legged people are hard to find under heaven, but people with talent, knowledge, and a head for business are everywhere."
Hu Cheng said, "How much effort would it take to organize all those people? The Ministry of Revenue has experience in such matters, and they already have the personnel in place. Why not work with them? Besides, the money earned must ultimately enter the national treasury anyway."
"Foolish, utterly foolish," said the Right Vice Minister of Works. "Having money ourselves is not the same as the national treasury having money. If the profits stay with the Ministry of Works, then whatever research you and those craftsmen wish to conduct, whatever materials you wish to buy, whatever furnaces you wish to build—it will all be your