No need to ask. It was a no.
That was what Shen Tang said.
If it had been anyone else, they might have argued their case with Shen Tang. She wasn't the sort to make decisions on a whim, either. But Yun Ce wasn't that kind of person. He always knew when to stop and never liked to force the issue. He only asked, "Why?"
Shen Tang was happy to explain.
"The timing's wrong, and so is the occasion." She also made sure to praise Yun Ce's ingenious idea. "Yuanmou's proposal is indeed brilliant. If the Directorate of Imperial Manufactures can turn the idea into reality, who knows how many farmers it could benefit, especially in mountainous regions. There are so many terraced fields there, and farmers suffer from the uneven terrain. Working the land is difficult, but the flying machines you described could save labor. Perhaps they could even be used to transport produce."
When given the choice, people naturally gravitated toward places with level ground and abundant farmland. By comparison, clearing land in mountainous regions was more difficult, maintaining fields cost more, and spring planting and autumn harvests were less efficient. The flying machine Yun Ce had proposed could truly work wonders.
As Shen Tang explained, the ministers' interest was plain to see.
It might not be useful now, but there would be plenty of uses for it in the future.
Sure enough, someone immediately began buttering him up. "General Yun is peerless in talent, resourceful and farsighted. You put us all to shame."
"A rare scholar and warrior, fit to lead armies and serve as a minister. What's truly admirable is that he always keeps the common people in his heart. I'm in awe!"
As for whether the creation of these flying machines might leave some farmers