"I understand." Gu Shen nodded. "Corruption, infighting, and poaching."
His summary was so precise that Zhang Gong was stunned again.
"Tomorrow morning, take me to the Heavenly Crafts Institute." Gu Shen looked at him. "Call in all the department heads. I have something to say."
"Yes, sir."
"Also," Gu Shen continued, "prepare the roster of everyone at the Heavenly Crafts Institute, the accounts, and all the blueprints and test records from the Firearms Department. I want to see them."
Zhang Gong's heart lurched.
The roster and blueprints were no problem, but the accounts...
The Institute's books were a tangled mess. He knew better than anyone how much shady business they contained. The new director wanted to audit the accounts on his very first day. He meant to turn the place upside down!
"Sir, the accounts are complicated. I'm afraid we won't have enough time to—" He tried to stall.
"Is there a problem?" Gu Shen's gaze swept over him, devoid of emotion, yet Zhang Gong immediately fell silent.
That look seemed to say: I know exactly what you're thinking.
"N-no problem! I won't sleep tonight if I have to, but I'll have everything ready for you!" Zhang Gong broke out in a cold sweat and bowed even lower.
"Good." Gu Shen was satisfied. "Now, find me somewhere to stay, preferably close to the Heavenly Crafts Institute."
He spoke as though he were giving an entirely ordinary instruction.
Only then did Zhang Gong remember that the new director had apparently been a "deserter" who had returned to atone for his crimes. In the Capital City, he probably didn't even have a place to stay.
A man with nowhere to live had just accepted the Heavenly Crafts Institute's mess of a situation in front of a prince—and promised to protect Zhang Gong