Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 40 Talent scouts are common, but exceptional individuals are rare.

Things started to get interesting, and Shen Qing decided to use his shovel to undermine Emperor Qi.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, Shen Qing hurriedly ran out, completely forgetting Shen Che's repeated admonitions.

Just as he was about to step out of the inn, Du Zhong blocked his way.

"Sanlang, the eldest son said..."

“A general in the field may disobey the emperor’s orders,” Shen Qing interrupted the spellcasting, “Besides, if we really ran, could you outrun me?”

"..." Du Zhong suffered his first major setback in his career and secretly decided that when he returned, he would also learn this skill called "lightness skill" from Lao Yue.

"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you," Shen Qing said understandingly. "I'll give you a chance, come with me."

What could Du Zhong do? He could only accept his fate and wait for his eldest son to return before complaining!

Master Liang's house was not hard to find. After all, it was known as a masterpiece of craftsmanship and was becoming a famous tourist attraction in Qidu. I paid two copper coins to ask the little beggar to lead the way, and soon we arrived at Guangming Lane in Sanshui Street.

Approaching the Liang residence, it was indeed bustling with activity. The courtyard gate was not closed, and seeing many people coming and going freely, Shen Qing did not stand on ceremony and followed them inside.

The courtyard was spacious, with a lot of timber piled up, and some wooden utensils on the side.

Most of the people who came were servants of high-ranking officials and nobles, who secretly bribed Master Liang to get him some private jobs.

The square-faced middle-aged man surrounded in the middle must be Master Liang himself. He looks honest and doesn't have the strange temper that celebrities usually have. Is it because craftsmen have a low status and can't stand up for themselves?

Shen Qing was unusually patient in queuing. While waiting, he looked around the courtyard. The sense of unease he felt when he first saw the Rubik's Cube and the flying boat grew stronger. Things didn't seem to be as he had thought.

After everyone had left, Master Liang asked, "Which household do you two gentlemen belong to? What can I do for you?"

Shen Qing clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I am just an idle person. I have heard that your craftsmanship is exquisite, so I have come here out of admiration."

"These are all empty titles, you flatter me, young man."

Shen Qing felt that the reputation was somewhat undeserved and directly asked the question that had been bothering him: "Master, your craftsmanship is so good, why do you only make toys and not use this talent to improve agricultural tools to increase production efficiency, or to invent weapons to reduce soldier casualties?"

Master Liang was taken aback by what he heard and fell into deep thought. After a while, he bowed to Shen Qing as if enlightened and said excitedly, "Young man, your words have truly awakened me from my dream. Creating objects that benefit the country and the people should be the lifelong pursuit of us craftsmen. I am ashamed to be indulging in playing with objects for the sake of gold and silver."

“Master, you flatter me,” Shen Qing said, seizing the opportunity to continue the conversation once it had begun. “I observe that you are an upright person, not someone who would research such strange and frivolous skills.”

Master Liang sighed, "To my shame, this was all my youngest son's idea, but he didn't want to be a carpenter and wanted to study, saying that all professions are inferior, only studying is superior."

"So... he did it to make quick money for tuition?"

Master Liang nodded and said helplessly, "The social system of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was strictly controlled. I advised him not to have unrealistic ideas, because even if he could read and write, he wouldn't be able to become an official. But he said that opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared."

"Then what is he now..."

"His wish came true. He met a benefactor who helped him transfer his household registration and start his own household. Now he works as a clerk in the government office."

Shen Qing understood. Master Liang was a native, and his son was a time traveler, but he was definitely not a science and engineering student. He just used his modern knowledge to make simple toys to please the nobles.

After leaving the Liang residence, Du Zhong noticed Shen Qing's disappointed expression and asked, "What's wrong, Sanlang?"

"Sigh," Shen Qing sighed softly, "Talent scouts are common, but exceptional individuals are rare."

"Who is Bole? Does Sanlang want to buy a horse?"

"..."

Life is really lonely as snow.

After walking a few steps, Shen Qing came to a realization. Recalling the world he lived in in his previous life, it was only in the last hundred years that technology exploded. Before that, it took a long time to accumulate knowledge and understand the properties of various minerals. In this era, there are not even many iron ore reserves, which is why no one uses iron pots. After all, the army is not even equipped with iron swords. Most of them are bronze weapons. How advanced can the iron smelting technology be?

The development of science and technology is interconnected, and it is by no means something that one or two people can change in an era.

I can't help but wonder, how come he never finds any open-pit iron ore, coal, or saltpeter when he goes out?

Lost in thought, I was about to leave Guangming Lane when a fragrant breeze wafted towards me.

Before he could react, a woman wearing a veil grabbed his arm and said urgently, "Young hero, save me!"

Shen Qing calmly examined the woman in front of him. He couldn't see her face clearly, but her voice was ethereal and melodious. She must be a beautiful woman. But a beautiful woman suddenly running out of the alley asking for help, could it be a honey trap?

If this were Xuandu, he would have saved him without hesitation. After all, no one would dare to jump on him. Besides, even without a conspiracy, he couldn't easily cause trouble in this unfamiliar place.

Just as I was hesitating, I heard a flurry of footsteps coming from the alley entrance.

"Where is she? I just saw that bitch run in this direction, how could she disappear in the blink of an eye?"

"They've already fallen so low as to be in the Inviting Moon Pavilion, yet they still dare to seduce Princess Jiahe's husband. They're really asking for trouble."

"You lot, search that way. The princess has ordered that once you find that slut, slash her face to pieces!"

The footsteps grew closer, and the woman's hands began to tremble with anxiety. She hurriedly lifted the curtain and looked at Shen Qing with a pitiful expression.

The moment Shen Qing saw her face, she knew it was definitely not her fault!

The woman cried out in surprise when Shen Qing picked her up around the waist. Then the young swordsman she had called for help ran away quickly. When her pursuers arrived, he used the momentum to leap onto the wall and scale the eaves, leaving only his back view.

The burly men who had been chasing the woman were dumbfounded and asked Du Zhong, who was still at the scene, "Do you know that guy?"

Du Zhong shook his head. "No, I don't know him."

Qidu Post Station —

Shen Qing rested his elbows on the table, propped his chin on his hand, and stared at the woman opposite him with a lovesick look. He originally thought that Jiang Qin deserved to be called the number one beauty in Xuan Kingdom, but compared to the Nuwa graduation project in front of him, she was nothing.

Faced with the intense gaze, the woman turned her head away in embarrassment.

"Ahem~" Shen Qing finally realized that he had been a bit rude, and swallowed hard. "I still don't know your name, young lady."

"My old name is no longer worthy; now I am known by my flower name, Dewy Bloom."

This must be a sad story. Shen Qing couldn't bear to ask, and praised, "The clouds remind me of her clothes, the flowers of her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, the dew is heavy. What a beautiful name."

Lu Hua Nong's eyes flickered slightly, sparkling like a galaxy. "Young hero, you have such talent. This is the best poem I have ever heard."

Oh no! I've been blinded by lust and have even recited Li Bai's poem.

Just as I was thinking about how to get through this, there was a knock on the door.

"Please wait a moment, young lady. I'll be right back."

When Du Zhong saw Shen Qing come out, he glanced at Lu Huanong in the room with a complicated expression.

"Sanlang may have stirred up some trouble this time."

Oh? There's a story behind it?