Chapter 189: Chapter 184: Honoring the Wise and Cherishing the Humble (Additional Chapter 2 rewarded by “Snow*Flower”)
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Tomorrow, you should take people to Shangcai to invite him over. He is now the Chief Clerk of Xiping County, and many matters need to be discussed with him."
Actually, she wanted some of his advice. Zhao Hanzhang now has a plan; she is also very busy every day, needing to handle many things, yet she always feels something is missing.
Fu Tinghan is equally busy. They have tried to use the people below them as much as possible, but still feel that the efficiency does not match their expectations.
Although Song Zhi and Geng Rong both say that they are very efficient, the two of them still feel a sense of urgency because, after calculating the time, winter is fast approaching. Once the cold wave hits and the land freezes, they won’t be able to plant crops.
But now, they lack everything, even though they have asked Ji Yuan to buy supplies and requested Zhao Ming to approach the clan members within Wu Castle to purchase some, the shortfall is still large.
Zhao Hanzhang poked at the wheat porridge in her bowl and said, "My goal is that one day, all the people under my governance will be able to afford steamed buns and rice, no longer eating bean porridge and wheat porridge."
Wheat porridge, rice made from boiled wheat with husks.
Indeed, there are some people who truly do not know that wheat can be shelled and ground into flour to make more delicious food, but that is only in extremely remote places.
More people know this.
But why don’t they make it and instead eat wheat porridge?
Of course, it’s because there isn’t enough grain, and they need to save it.
Oh, there’s another reason: laziness and manpower issues.
After wheat is shelled and ground into flour, the husks can also be ground into powder and mixed with flour to make buns. Although the texture isn’t great, it’s better than wheat porridge.
But grinding it into powder requires a lot of manpower and time. Under circumstances where survival resources need to be fought for, not many people are interested in doing this.
After all, having food is already good.
But a good diet can not only provide a sense of happiness but also encourage people’s fighting spirit. Zhao Hanzhang took another bite of wheat porridge and immediately decided, "I want to build a mill!"
Fu Tinghan immediately agreed, "I support that."
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh, handing over the bowl, "Will you allot me some?"
Fu Tinghan moved aside, "No need, I can eat."
The next day, Qiu Wu took people to meet Uncle Cheng and Chang Ning halfway.
Qiu Wu said happily, "The lady sent attendants to receive Mr. Chang."
Chang Ning felt Zhao Hanzhang’s high regard for him, even though he knew she had ulterior motives, oh no, had requests, but couldn’t help but feel touched. View the correct content at freew(eb)no\vel..(c)om.
This is the change brought by a shift in mindset. Indeed, once the other side becomes your master and ally, ulterior motives can also turn into honoring the wise.
Chang Ning appreciated Zhao Hanzhang’s regard and accelerated his pace on the road.
Before approaching Xiping County, he already sensed a difference.
In the fields along the road, many young and strong men were working. He stopped to take a look, finding each plot of land had three to five strong men, while nearby there were no women or children.
Ordinary farming families do not only have men working the land; rather, the whole family, young and old, everyone who can walk freely, would go to the fields to work.
Chang Ning pointed and asked, "Are those villagers?"
Qiu Wu glanced and replied, "No, they are refugees taken in by the lady, who are now long-term workers." freew\e
"And these lands..."
"They are all ownerless wastelands," Qiu Wu said, "The lady instructed them to cultivate them, and wheat will be planted this year."
Chang Ning noted it silently. The closer he got to the county town, the livelier it became. Women, the elderly, and children whom he was familiar with began to appear in the fields, while fewer strong men were working the land.
Chang Ning didn’t need to ask to guess. He sighed and asked, "The siege battle in Xiping County must have had heavy casualties, right?"
Qiu Wu nodded, "Yes."
Because it was still the busy farming season, the outside of the city was bustling, while inside the city seemed a bit deserted, yet one could still feel the vitality of Xiping County.
Although the funeral banners and hemp were still hanging along the roadsides, there was little sense of grief from the war, and every passerby had a faint smile on their face.
Chang Ning hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to manage so well with Xiping’s fall not long ago. She had actually helped the people move on from sorrow.
Chang Ning rode forward, observing as he went along, and soldiers had already reported to the county government in advance.
Zhao Hanzhang then summoned all the minor clerks working in the county government to come out and welcome.
Chang Ning arrived at the county government entrance, and before dismounting, Zhao Hanzhang quickly approached with a happy face, "Mr. Chang, you’re finally here."
Chang Ning was flattered and quickly bowed, "Lady, you embarrass me with such a grand gesture."
"Sir, I went through great pains to invite you, so you deserve the honor," Zhao Hanzhang pulled him to introduce to everyone, "This is our new Chief Clerk of Xiping County, Chang Ning, Chief Clerk Chang."
Geng Rong and others quickly bowed, "Chief Clerk Chang."
Chang Ning quickly returned the gesture, and upon raising his head, saw a woman standing in the second row. He hesitated for a moment but then resumed his composure.
When the master is a lady, it’s not strange for there to be a female clerk in the county government.
Zhao Hanzhang introduced them, "Mr. Fu, whom the Chief Clerk has seen before. Although he does not hold a position in the county government, I rely on him for many matters. He is my right-hand man."
Chang Ning understood that Fu Tinghan has the status of an advisor, to be treated as if he is the master strategist of the County Magistrate.
However, the master’s attitude changed quickly; she immediately called him Chief Clerk.
Zhao Hanzhang first introduced Song Zhi, "County Magistrate Zhao is busy and often not at the county government, so the role of County Magistrate is managed by me and Mr. Fu, with trivial matters handled by Song Zhi. In the future, if Chief Clerk Chang needs to communicate with the County Magistrate, you should first approach him."
Chang Ning realized that Song Zhi was a document officer, though it seems not yet finalized.
Zhao Hanzhang then introduced Geng Rong, "This is the document officer I found for Chief Clerk Chang, Geng Rong. Since his father was the previous Chief Clerk, he is quite familiar with Xiping County. If Chief Clerk Chang has any doubts, you can ask him."
She also told Geng Rong, "Assist Chief Clerk Chang well."
Geng Rong respectfully replied, "Yes."
Then she introduced Chen Si Niang, "This is Chen Si Niang. She is currently with the Household Department. Due to the war, there are many orphaned children in Xiping County, so I established Yushan Hall in the county to take them in. She now oversees Yushan Hall."
Chen Si Niang stepped forward and curtsied.
Chang Ning returned the gesture and said, "Yushan Hall consumes a lot of resources, the accounts must be clear and precise to ensure its longevity."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Indeed, it so happens that she is not only kind-hearted and meticulous but also educated and can manage the accounts, so I entrusted this matter to her. Chief Clerk Chang should also keep an eye on Yushan Hall; once we’ve begun caring for these orphans, we must take good care of them."
Chang Ning agreed.
Then there were several government officials at the county government, "Some people are busy outside at the moment and are not at the county government. Chief Clerk Chang will meet them when they return."
Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, "Come, let me show you your office."