In fact, Wei Yu wrote a lot about the requirements on the notice.
For example, if he wanted someone with a background in mathematics, then they needed to be literate, know arithmetic, and also be meticulous, steady, and patient enough to pursue further study. That was the first requirement seen by the common people.
The requirements listed afterward were basically matched to areas like physics, chemistry, commerce, and agriculture. For example, those who were skilled in woodworking, alchemy, money-making, or farming…
Since this was his first attempt at recruiting through a posted notice, Wei Yu wasn’t sure if anyone would come. In short, he wrote everything in a more colloquial way, afraid that the common people wouldn’t understand and wouldn’t dare go to the county yamen.
Because he was eagerly seeking talent, he even dropped what he was doing and returned to Ziyang from his Second Brother’s side.
Of course, he didn’t openly say he was abandoning his post. He told his Second Brother that he had a way to get grain for the Oxhead Army by going to Ziyang.
As for what his Eight Brother would do—
Let him stew.
Keep following the Second Brother, when such a big opportunity to earn merit was right at hand? There’s no reason for the Eight Brother to have worked so hard for so long and not go claim some credit, right?
Wei Yu hoped his Eight Brother would achieve success, get promoted and rich, and eventually cover for him so he could freeload off of him.Bodhisattva bless.
—
Four or five days after the notice was posted, Wei Yu could only say: some things exists only in imagination.
Because not a single person came to apply.
Every day, he asked the yamen clerk on duty:
“Anyone show up?” No.
“Anyone loitering near the door?” No.
“Not even people chatting outside the gate?!” Oh—also no.
Wei Yu felt like his heart had shattered.
But thankfully the heartbreak didn’t last long, because although the notice didn’t have much effect, at least the Deng family’s grain delivery arrived.
Faced with the brother he had once visited brothels and drank flower wine with months ago, Wei Yu acted warmly and kindly.
“Ah, Brother Deng! Long time no see. You’ve lost a lot of weight! Ah, this journey must have been hard on you.”
Don’t talk business right after meeting—it’s too transactional. At least exchange some pleasantries.
After a long journey and worrying about how to face a noble upon arrival, Deng Guang had indeed lost quite a bit of fat.
He was initially uneasy, but upon seeing Wei Yu’s unchanged attitude, he was not only flattered but also moved!
“Your High– no, Prince– I– uh…”
His tongue slipped—he didn’t even know what to call him for a moment.
Wei Yu gave him a playful look. “Look at you, Brother Deng. You’re so tired you can’t even speak clearly! Didn’t we agree to address each other as brothers?”
“No, no, no!”
Deng Guang shook his head repeatedly, and this time he didn’t stutter, quickly denying it. “I wouldn’t dare!”
They were at the County Magistrate’s residence, where everyone present was either Wei Yu’s people or Guo Yajun’s.
And Wei Yu hadn’t yet revealed his identity to Guo Yajun. After all, there were too many people around, and Guo Xiu hadn’t been dealt with yet. Besides his own men, Wei Yu didn’t trust anyone else.
“How would you not dare?” Wei Yu smiled at him, affirming, “Brother Deng looks down on me!”
Deng Guang: !
He was stunned—almost scared into stuttering again.
Fortunately, his younger uncle, who had been at his side, stepped in.
Deng Zhengde gave a faint smile and replied with a calm and composed manner: “The Prince misunderstands. My nephew is not very capable and unfit for great matters. To be friends with the Prince is his honor.”
Finally remembering his uncle, and seeing Wei Yu’s eyes shift toward him, Deng Guang quickly introduced them.
“Uh, Prince—Brother? This is my younger uncle. You said before you wanted to meet him…”
Wei Yu stared at the man without blinking.
In fact, the moment he first saw Deng Zhengde, he already had a hunch—this man was Deng Guang’s younger uncle.
Sure enough, he was!
Wei Yu sighed inwardly. This must be that unique mental connection between clever and capable people.
Ah, such wisdom.
After Deng Guang finished introducing them, Deng Zhengde gave Wei Yu a greeting gesture.
It wasn’t anything grand—just a common courtesy between people.
This made Wei Yu think he was cleverer than Deng Guang, because at least he understood Wei Yu’s desire not to reveal his identity.
Since they were still standing in the front yard, where servants were constantly moving about, it was inconvenient, so Wei Yu invited them inside to sit.
In the front hall, once the tea was served, the servants withdrew.
With three people present, Wei Yu naturally sat at the head seat without hesitation, Deng Guang on the right, and Deng Zhengde on the left.
Wei Yu glanced at both of their sitting postures.
One sat upright and rigid, spine straight—Wei Yu suspected Deng Guang’s butt wasn’t even fully on the chair. The other sat more at ease, like a regular person discussing business.
Well, Deng Guang was useless.
Wei Yu turned directly to Deng Zhengde with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Uncle Deng. It’s fate indeed. A few months ago, I visited Pingnan Prefecture and, at Brother Deng’s invitation, attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. It was quite well organized—many hidden intricacies.”
Deng Zhengde had just reached for his teacup when he heard this and paused slightly.
He looked up at Wei Yu, met his smiling eyes, and his own gaze flickered.
Wei Yu smiled. “I heard from Brother Deng that the idea for the Chamber came from you. The Deng family’s Chamber of Commerce has been running for over twenty years—I imagine you understand its operations deeply. I’m very curious. Would Uncle Deng be willing to explain it to me?”
Instead of jumping straight to the grain issue, he brought up the Chamber of Commerce.
Deng Zhengde sighed inwardly. He realized this Wise Prince truly understood the deeper workings of the Chamber…
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Deng Guang. Deng Zhengde paused, his heart sinking slightly.
Maybe the Prince had already seen through it back in Pingnan.
Otherwise, why would he have asked to meet Deng Guang’s uncle?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Deng Zhengde stood up and respectfully bowed to Wei Yu.
“The Prince is perceptive. My shallow opinions are hardly worth mentioning. Since the Prince already understands, he’s likely more capable than I. I should be the one learning from the Prince.”
Deng Guang: …?
He didn’t even know whether he should stand or stay seated anymore.
Wei Yu was very pleased and quickly stood up to personally help Deng Zhengde rise.
“Uncle Deng, you’re too kind. We’re all businessmen, aren’t we? Aren’t we all just thinking about making money?”
Deng Zhengde: “…You wish to join the Chamber of Commerce, Prince?”
Let’s not even discuss the whole “we’re all businessmen” part—he didn’t quite agree.
As for joining the Chamber, one couldn’t blame Deng Zhengde for jumping to that conclusion. After all, Wei Yu had brought up nothing but the Chamber in their conversation. Plus, there was the recent issue with the Prefectural Deputy.
“Yes and no.”
Wei Yu smiled, finally revealing the air of a benevolent nobleman and a capitalist. “To be frank, I actually have a better approach for developing the Chamber of Commerce. Would Uncle Deng be willing to take a look?”
The Deng uncle and nephew duo were both stunned.
What did he mean?
Was he dissatisfied with their Chamber model, wanting to start something new, and even trying to rope their family in?
Deng Zhengde was the first to react.
He only thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“Since the Prince has said so, wouldn’t it be my loss not to take a look?”