CH 55

Chapter 55: Master Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Not Afraid to Walk into Another World!

At this moment, Lin Beifan slowly stood up and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, your humble servant has a method that can be tried!”

“Good! Please go ahead!” The empress said loudly.

Lin Beifan continued to bow his head, “But my method requires some things to be prepared. Please allow me, Your Majesty!”

“What do you need? Please tell us!” The empress said.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan loudly said, “Your humble servant needs some dried wood ear mushrooms and clear water!”

In less than half an incense stick’s time, two small eunuchs brought the dried wood ear mushrooms and clear water over.

Lin Beifan quickly ground the dried wood ear mushrooms into powder and poured it into the keyhole of the Thousand Miles and Rivers Box. Then, he quickly dripped a few drops of clear water onto the mushroom powder to allow it to absorb the water. Finally, he pressed the keyhole of the box with his hand.

In less than a minute, the box made a click sound and it opened by itself, revealing the contents inside.

All the ministers, including the envoys of the Darro country, were amazed.

“How did the Thousand Miles and Rivers Box open by itself?”

“How did he open it without a key?”

“What kind of magic did he use?”

“It’s too puzzling!”

Lin Beifan handed the box and the letter inside to the old eunuch and then calmly bowed, “Your Majesty, your humble servant has succeeded in opening the Thousand Miles and Rivers Box!”

“Very good, very good!” The empress exclaimed three times in a row before finally asking eagerly, “How did you do it, my miniter? Please tell us!”

Everyone pricked up their ears and listened carefully.

“The method is actually very simple!” Lin Beifan smiled and said, “As the saying goes, everything changes but the essence remains the same. No matter how cleverly a lock is designed, the principle of unlocking is the same! As long as all the springs inside are pushed open, the lock can be opened!”

“Therefore, your humble servant used dried wood ear mushrooms! Dried wood ear mushrooms have a characteristic that they can quickly expand when absorbing water! So, your humble servant ground the dried wood ear mushrooms into powder and poured them into the lock hole! Then, your humble servant added clear water and sealed the lock hole! The mushroom powder absorbed the water and expanded, with nowhere to go but to push open the springs inside, and the lock naturally opened!”

Ancient locks were not as complicated as modern ones. They were made up of springs, and any key that was inserted into the lock could open it. Even if the key was lost, another key could also open it, making it especially poor at preventing theft. It was said that the design was complex, but it was really just a few more springs.

Therefore, Lin Beifan easily opened the lock.

This was the power of science!

Master mathematics, physics and chemistry, and you won’t be afraid to walk into another world!

“I see!” Everyone nodded, whether they understood or not.

Prince Hamu took a deep look at Lin Beifan and asked, “Who is this gentleman?”

The Empress smiled proudly and said, “His name is Lin Beifan, the new top scholar of this year’s examination! He scored three years in row, is knowledgeable and talented, has seen much and knows much, and has outstanding abilities. He is my trusted and beloved follower!”

“Your Majesty is too kind, I do not dare to accept such praise!” Lin Beifan took a step back.

After finishing the matter, he left with hidden talents and name!

In modern terms, it means “showing off and then running away!”

The Empress opened the letter from Darro country, nodded in satisfaction, and said, “I accept the letter, but the matter of compensation needs to be discussed further!”

“Of course! This is a major matter, and combined with the long journey, I wish to return and prepare!”

“Granted, see the guests out!” The Empress ordered.

Prince Hamu made a bow and led the envoy out, but before leaving, he gave a deep look at Lin Beifan.

Lin Beifan felt that the two would meet again in the future.

At this time, the Empress said with excitement, “Sir Lin, come forward and listen to the reward!”

“Your Majesty, I am here!” Lin Beifan stepped forward.

“Before the diplomats of the Darro country that we met earlier, Sir Lin, you were wise and brave, and defended the dignity of our country. I am truly pleased!” The Empress said loudly, “Reward him with ten thousand taels of silver, ten rolls of satin, ten jars of jade liquid, a pair of exquisite jade ruyi, and two sweating blood horses…”

A pile of rewards were directly spouted from the Empress’s mouth.

Lin Beifan’s eyes widened in disbelief!

What’s got into the Empress? He only did a tiny thing, yet she rewarded him with so much!

Too extravagant!

The civil and military officials couldn’t help but feel sour in their stomachs.

This little guy only did a small deed, yet he was rewarded so much?

Too biased!

We have served as officials for decades, and we have never been rewarded like this.

We are so envious that our teeth are falling out!

So, they all spoke up.

“Your Majesty, this is not necessary!”

“Your Majesty, please withdraw the order!”

…

The Empress frowned and said unhappily, “Sir Lin has made merits, rewarding him is not wrong, is it?”

“Your Majesty, Lin has made merits, so rewarding him is indeed not wrong! But, the reward is too much for his achievements! Therefore, Your Majesty, please withdraw the order!” said an old official.

“Your Majesty, please withdraw the order!” the officials said in unison.

The Empress was so angry that she wanted to kill them all!

She had finally found a reason to reward Lin Beifan, but now they were causing trouble!

“How much is too much? I don’t think it’s too much at all!” The Empress sneered and banged the table, “Just now, the envoy from the Darro Country caused trouble, and none of you achieved anything, which almost made our country lose face! I have already forgiven you for not punishing you, but you are stopping me from rewarding those who have merits. What is your intention?”