novelraw Chapter 105: Something's Not Right
Chapter 105: Something's Not Right
Chapter 105: Something's Not Right2025-06-27 Chapter 105: Something's Not Right For various reasons, Wen Gu stayed at the Zhao residence for a few more days.
He spent the Chinese New Year there and received a pile of red envelopes—several money certificates.
He also received several sets of exquisite trinkets, which Wen Gu packed up and had sent to Jingxing District.
With matters here settled, Wen Gu had to return to his district to manage affairs.
However, before leaving the Zhao residence, Madam Shen called him for another talk.
There was no one else present; it was still a private chat between aunt and nephew, and they didn't discuss official matters.
Madam Shen looked at Wen Gu, her eyes filled with deep satisfaction and a hint of distress.
"In the past few days, many people have inquired about your marriage.
Your uncle and I have also been approached by some."
This was not the first time aunt and nephew had discussed this topic.In this era, people married young. Upper-class families arranged engagements for their children early on to foster alliances between families.
Madam Shen said, "Although I've informed them that you are already betrothed, in these times, as you understand, it's impossible to block their intentions."
In these chaotic times, many people faced hardship, and survivors fled to wherever they could.
Many existing engagements were now merely nominal.
When they had discussed this before, Wen Gu had said, "I have a prior commitment, and I will return when times are better."
Madam Shen had only assumed he meant he had an engagement and would seek out his promised partner when times improved.
Since Wen Gu's stance was firm and his decision made, Madam Shen didn't dwell on the matter.
However, after the grand banquet at the Zhao residence and the small meeting on the third day of the new year, Wen Gu's status in the eyes of Xin Prefecture's wealthy households and influential families had changed!
Perhaps they were drawn to Wen Gu's ability to provide greater political protection, or they believed he could enhance their reputation in Xin Prefecture and provide access to important information channels and connections.
Everyone wanted to tie Wen Gu to their own families!
Therefore, Madam Shen could only remind Wen Gu again that if he was not interested, he must absolutely avoid falling into their traps.
Currently, throughout Xin Prefecture, he was a hot commodity!
Madam Shen spoke seriously, and Wen Gu’s face was also solemn.
He was only eighteen!
Just past eighteen and not yet nineteen!
However, people in this era counted age inclusively from the womb.
In the eyes of many, Wen Gu was already approaching twenty years old.
Rounding up, he was at the year of capping, a time when one should start taking on responsibilities!
The New Year's banquet and the high-level meeting also proved Wen Gu's standing within the Zhao Clan, making it inevitable that he would be targeted.
Even in normal times, there was the frenzy of "capturing sons-in-law from the imperial examinations." In these chaotic times, with dangers lurking everywhere and greater pressure for survival, such practices would only become more intense.
Madam Shen was worried that Wen Gu was young and inexperienced, and with a slight misstep, he could easily fall into the schemes of those noble and influential families.
Seeing that Wen Gu had taken her words to heart and was treating the matter with greater seriousness, Madam Shen felt a little more at ease.
However, she did not know that while Wen Gu appeared serious, he was contemplating—
Being targeted?
That's too good!
Normally, he wouldn't have a reason to approach them unannounced. Let those wealthy families and dignitaries bring forth their schemes quickly!
He was still very willing to maintain genuine friendships with those families.
"Those" families! Emphasis added!
The bait had been cast; it remained to be seen who would bite first.
…
By the time Wen Gu returned to Jingxing District, Xin Prefecture was already bustling with activity.
Although the weather had not warmed up and the ice and snow had not melted, many affairs needed to be handled, and there was frequent movement of personnel from various parties.
Zhaohui District.
This was where Zhao Clan members and their relatives and friends resided.
Compared to the busy districts, Zhaohui District was much more peaceful.
It was cold, and no one was strolling outside, but there were many visitors.
Aunt Zhao was also called to a small gathering next door.
Several clan relatives were chatting, discussing who in whose family had been transferred where, and what interesting stories there were about their first day on the job.
She listened to the gossip with great enthusiasm, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Unlike those who craved power, Aunt Zhao was quite content with her current situation.
In the new year, she still only wished for peaceful and good times.
What was wrong with being a wealthy idler? Why seek trouble?
In the afternoon, a transfer order arrived: her husband and son were assigned to administrative positions at Centai Academy, to assist with its operation.
Aunt Zhao's smile vanished instantly.
"How could this be?!"
It was unexpected!
Outside their plans!
Such a variable made her entire family feel uneasy.
Uncle He was bewildered.
To be honest, he was quite happy with this new appointment:
"An academy, it doesn't involve power struggles, nor does it require fighting against evil creatures."
Aunt Zhao, however, felt more confusion.
"Something's not right! It's very not right!"
Based on her years of experience dealing with the Zhao father and son, she knew that something unknown must have happened!
Precisely because she understood her brother and nephew, she knew that the Zhao Family Head valued the academy and would definitely prioritize trusted confidants with ability, leaving no vacancy for others.
Their own family was merely relatives, not trusted confidants!
Some positions were specifically reserved as "sincerity" from the northern families, while those given to their relatives, who were considered "mediocre and not bringing much benefit," were dispensable positions or merely for show.
These administrative positions at the academy were not dispensable!
Could it be a shortage of personnel?
"There's something strange!"
Without time for anything else, Aunt Zhao rushed to inquire and returned before the district gate closed.
"I've found out, Wen Gu recommended them!"
Aunt Zhao's face was full of complex emotions.
Uncle He was also stunned: "This… are you sure?"
Aunt Zhao replied, "Sure, I asked Qing Jin directly!"
She even had to pretend to be grateful!
The response from Young Master Zhao was definitely not false.
When He Wenyu heard his mother say this, he immediately recalled the scene of meeting Wen Gu and his cousin outside the Zhao residence before the new year.
"Mother, could it be that time…"
"I was just putting on an act that day, who knew someone would take it seriously!!"
Aunt Zhao felt a blow.
He Wenyu pondered his mother's attitude towards Wen Gu that day and said, "Wen Gu is quite open-minded."
Uncle He agreed: "After all, he has studied the classics."
Although Uncle He and his son were content with peaceful and good times, being valued by the Family Head and Young Master, having their talents recognized, and going to an academy, a place that carried scholarly aura, still made them happy.
Father and son tidied themselves up and went to start their new positions the next day.
Within a few days, both of them had dark circles under their eyes.
There were too many affairs. Besides Old Master Hong, the founding team of the academy consisted of elder renowned scholars.
They couldn't burden the elders with everything; as the younger generation, they had to share more of the workload.
They left when the district gates opened each day and rushed back just before they closed in the evening.
Upon returning home, they slept soundly, too exhausted.
Aunt Zhao: "…"
She always felt that things were not as simple as they thought!
She wanted to slap herself.
For gossiping too much!
And Wen Gu too!
She decided that in the future, she wouldn't speak when Wen Gu was around!
Was that kid Wen Gu kind-hearted, or was he sinister?
…
Regardless of how many people were talking about him, Wen Gu carried on as usual.
Upon returning to his own territory, he offered some encouragement to the clerks and laborers in the district.
Once the severe cold passed, there would be many tasks in the district, and the construction sites would become busy.
During the harsh winter, although the construction sites were halted, the logging and transportation in Xin Prefecture did not stop for long.
After the snow, they used slopes and snow paths to drag back a large amount of timber.
Xin Prefecture's timber reserves had increased again this winter.
The craftsmen were making prefabricated parts at home, which could be used directly when work resumed.
After arranging the affairs of Jingxing District, Wen Gu went to Qingyun District to assign some tasks to the Daoist master and the craftsmen.
Qingyun District was short of a batch of glass-firing craftsmen, and the kilns also needed modification. They also needed to recruit another batch of ceramic-firing craftsmen, as the kilns here would be used for firing ceramics from now on.
Of course, Wen Gu did not handle everything personally. He listed the task plan and handed it over to the newly promoted stewards to manage.
The old batch of stewards had already been promoted to work in the Zhao family's workshops.
The new stewards were full of drive, as promotions, salary increases, and a more secure future were within sight!
It wasn't just rumors or hearsay; they had personally witnessed their predecessors'
"ascension"!
Artisans without status, or commoners born into humble backgrounds, had no other privileges.
They did not want to be dragged out to fight monsters.
The Zhao family's workshops, it was heard, were protected by the city defense army! Being able to work in the Zhao family's workshops meant greater protection for themselves and their families, and they wouldn't starve or be bullied by other dignitaries.
Who wouldn't covet that?
The other craftsmen were also doing their best, especially the older craftsmen, who received extra rewards for bringing up apprentices! They would receive a certain amount of money and grain per person for each apprentice they trained!
Most craftsmen, unless they were master craftsmen with unparalleled skills, were willing to take on apprentices.
Xin Prefecture City became busy after the new year, and Jingxing District and Qingyun District were particularly so.
It was a self-initiated kind of busyness.
Tao San, a newcomer to Jingqing Public Office and a local, deeply felt the fast pace and pressure beneath the vibrant vitality here.
For someone who considered himself knowledgeable, he truly found it difficult to adapt.
But that was okay; he would adapt to the rhythm here.
Not only would he keep pace, but he would also do better!
For him, mental pressure was insignificant; it was material hardship that would be the death of him!
As long as Foreman Wen paid well, He Da, Yu Er, Zhou Shan, and the others at the front were nothing!
If I, Tao San, put in the effort, I can wear them all out!
Do you understand the home-field advantage?
(End of this chapter)