novelraw Chapter 107: All Our People
Chapter 107: All Our People
Chapter 107: All Our People Wengu didn't keep staring at the Tiger Might Escort Agency.He was watching too many things, and the Tiger Might Escort Agency was just one of them, and a rather reliable one at that.
"After all, their gang… their team has an aspiration!"
When there's a strong purpose and ambition, he doesn't need to push them too much, just a slight reminder is enough.
After the New Year, back in Jingxing District, there was a lot of work to do, and no time for going out.
Wengu spent most of his time in the two districts.
The ten personal guards allocated to him by the Zhao Family Head had also arrived.
Before the New Year, when Wengu gifted telescopes and microscopes as year-end gifts to his uncle and cousin, the Zhao Family Head was concerned about Wengu's personal safety and agreed to provide him with ten guards.
These people were not for protecting Jingxing District and Qingyun District, but solely for Wengu's personal guard!
Guards who carried weapons and had extensive combat experience!
As for the horse-drawn carriage Wengu used, while he was staying at the Zhao Residence during the New Year, Madam Shen had instructed the craftsmen to repair it.Seeing this setup, one could deeply feel the difference in status between the foremen!
Without status and ability to support it, even if one could afford a luxurious carriage and guards, they wouldn't dare to use them.
In this not-so-large inner city of Xin Prefecture, the districts closer to the core area were filled with many rich and powerful dignitaries.
Don't think that in chaotic times, with less strict etiquette, you can use things as you please. It depends on the place and the person!
Now, it was evident that the Zhao Family Head and Madam Shen were elevating Wengu's status.
As long as he didn't go too overboard, even scholars who were previously obsessed with etiquette would not comment.
At least, they would remain silent on the surface.
Wengu's improved treatment brought a sense of pride to the staff of the Jingqing Public Office.
Although they were Wengu's personal guards, Wengu rarely went out on his own.
When he was at the public office, these guards also stayed there.
Just standing there added a degree of solemnity and authority to the entire Jingqing Public Office!
In the study.
Cheng Zhi was excitedly reporting to Wengu that some of the residents who moved into Jingxing District last year were pregnant. Once they settled down and their health improved, good news had come.
An increase in population was also a measure of achievement!
However, overall, there were still many difficulties.
Considering that the public office now had sufficient funds, Cheng Zhi suggested, "Do we need to allocate more money and grain for support?"
Even in some previous dynasties, there were many policies like "fostering young children," exemption from taxes and labor, and providing material rewards and subsidies to promote population recovery.
Xin Prefecture also had relevant systems to provide subsidies to families with child-rearing difficulties, but this was the responsibility of the various foremen. As for whether these subsidies were delivered or not, it was hard to say.
Look at ordinary people like Tao San, who had to play tricks and cry poor to get their share of winter relief supplies.
However, Cheng Zhi still had great faith in Wengu, the foreman.
Wengu had never embezzled relief supplies from the common people in this regard, nor did he falsify accounts, so Cheng Zhi dared to make suggestions on such matters.
Wengu sighed, "It's not enough."
Cheng Zhi thought Wengu felt the subsidy was too little, "This… this is already enough!"
Any more would be a burden on the public office! There were many places in the district that needed money!
"That's not what I meant."
Wengu took out a piece of paper and drew up a table.
"According to this, have someone do a statistic first."
Cheng Zhi took note.
Wengu looked at the district map of Xin Prefecture for a while, then suddenly thought of something and asked, "Have those two from the Shen family been here recently?"
He was referring to the Shen Qing and Shen Liu brothers.
Cheng Zhi thought for a moment and replied, "These two came by yesterday.
They said they were going to take a look at Centai Academy and also check on the progress of Wanfu Garden. They didn't stay long, took a look and left.
They probably won't be coming over again in the short term."
Wengu had received a report yesterday, but he was busy at the time and didn't ask further.
"What did they say at the time? Repeat it verbatim."
Cheng Zhi recalled slightly, "Young Master Shen, Shen Qing, said, 'Everyone in Jingxing District is one of us, I trust you!'"
Cheng Zhi was quite happy to have gained their trust.
Wengu, however, twitched his brow.
Everyone in Jingxing District is one of us?
Given the cunning of those two, it was highly likely they genuinely thought that.
"They seem quite at ease here," Wengu said, lowering his eyes.
After quickly finishing his current affairs, Wengu went to the neighboring Qingyun District.
Daoist Master Qingyi had made progress in researching pigments.
Wengu had set up a new printing and dyeing workshop in Qingyun District to produce picture albums.
When recruiting craftsmen recently, he also hired people skilled in printing and dyeing, and offered high bonuses to incentivize the improvement of printing and dyeing techniques.
There was progress in printing and dyeing technology, but the progress in the manuscript was not keeping up.
He needed to push them!
One day, Wengu took people to the Shen family for a banquet. Someone in the Shen family was celebrating something, and Wengu was invited.
After attending the banquet, as he was leaving and saw that it was still early and there was still time before the district gate closed, Wengu said to Chang Shun, who was driving the carriage, "Go to Zhaohui District."
Not to mention Chang Shun, even the ten guards accompanying him couldn't help but look at Wengu.
Zhaohui District? That's where the Zhao Family members live?
Are you serious?
The ten newly appointed guards became fully alert.
The young members of the Shen and Zhao families had already fought so many times!
They started thinking about what formation to adopt to protect Wengu if the people in Zhaohui District made a move.
They even analyzed suitable escape routes along the way.
When they were sent, the Zhao Family Head had told them that Wengu's safety was paramount in all matters!
Zhaohui District.
The guards at the district gate tucked their hands into their sleeves, shrinking their necks from the cold wind.
The weather hadn't warmed up yet, and there was still snow on the roadside.
They didn't wear thick clothes like the nobles, so they shivered when the wind blew.
However, watching the district gate was not a job for just anyone, and they didn't dare to be perfunctory in order to keep their positions.
He watched the people coming and going.
Those living in Zhaohui District were either surnamed Zhao or relatives of Zhao.
Those who looked like disreputable loafers would be stopped and questioned.
At this moment, a horse-drawn carriage drove over.
The carriage looked very sophisticated, with spirited horses and guards carrying weapons beside it.
Even though the family emblem or clear status indicators were not visible, the gatekeepers dared not stop such a procession.
However… the attire of those guards looked somewhat familiar.
They wondered which noble family it was and whom they were going to see in Zhaohui District.
Suddenly, they saw two sturdy-looking servants walking quickly towards the carriage and bowing respectfully, "Foreman Wen!"
Under the imposing district gate of Zhaohui District, the gatekeeper stood there dumbfounded.
Then he shivered violently.
Who?!
Is that Wengu?
The one with the Shen family's label on him?!
He, a Shen family member, is coming to our Zhao family's territory?
Doesn't he know how many brawls the Shen family and the Zhao family's young masters have every year?!
The two followers who approached the carriage were actually sent by Second Grandfather Zhao.
Wengu had sent word in advance.
Second Grandfather Zhao was worried that Wengu would not be familiar with the place, so he specifically sent people to wait at the district gate.
The horse-drawn carriage headed towards Second Grandfather Zhao's residence.
At this moment, two young men happened to be passing by. They glanced at the commotion and their gaze fixed upon it.
Although Wengu was inside the carriage, people who had paid attention to Wengu could recognize the carriage and Chang Shun, who was driving it.
At the New Year's banquet, Wengu sat at the front table, envied by many of his peers.
Especially from the Zhao family's side, their attention and vigilance would only be greater.
Before recognizing him: Who is making such a big fuss?
After recognizing him: Holy cow! How audacious!
Wengu, you, a Shen family member, are coming to our Zhao family's territory with only ten guards?!
Who are you looking down on!!
"Wengu!"
The person let out a roar, sending ripples through the area.
Heads began to pop out from behind the courtyard walls of nearby residences, looking around to see if there were any Shen family members ambushed.
Did Wengu bring people to cause trouble directly?!
(End of Chapter)