novelraw Chapter 109: A Good Person
Chapter 109: A Good Person
Chapter 109 A Good Person With a goal, ambition, and a plan, efficiency will be extremely high.Zhao Han heeded Wen Gu's advice, patiently rested at home for a night to recuperate, and strategized (x) planned with Second Grandfather Zhao at home.
The next day, with full energy, Zhao Han began assembling his team.
Zhao Han had been holed up at home working on this project, so he hadn't had much time to cultivate relationships with his friends.
However, his friends clearly hadn't forgotten him, and would often stop by to see him when playing in the vicinity.
Sometimes they would even build animals or other shapeless things out of the accumulated snow.
The young boys had their own secret ways of communicating.
Soon, these children, at Zhao Han's instigation, took on new responsibilities.
Of course, when others in the family learned of this, there was gossip and snide remarks. But in Zhaohui District, Second Grandfather Zhao's seniority and his past contributions to the Zhao Family gave him the confidence to silence any detractors.
Second Grandfather Zhao's attitude was resolute, his mind solely focused on Zhao Han's future. He considered it paramount and would not allow anyone to interfere—
"You brats! You can choose not to participate, but you can't block my grandson's path!"Several days later.
A certain house in Zhaohui District.
A ten-year-old child was bent over a desk, drawing with meticulous care and caution in every stroke.
The room was very quiet. The elders in the family held nominal positions, and although there wasn't much to do, even if they were just acting as figureheads, they were at the official yamen, not at home.
The servants also dared not make any loud noises while working.
Suddenly, the door was flung open, and a young man strode in.
His face bore distinct bruises, as if from a fight, and he was loudly complaining that someone from the Shen Family had ambushed him again, calling them names.
Today, the energetic youths of the Zhao and Shen families had gotten into another fight over a minor dispute.
Such incidents were frequent and not unusual.
However, upon entering the room and seeing his younger brother drawing, he immediately quieted down and softened his footsteps.
The child at the desk looked up, his face showing distress at the injury on his brother's face.
The young man chuckled and walked over, asking, "What's wrong?"
The child hesitated, then said, "Big brother, your relationship with the Shen family is so bad.
Should I perhaps…"
The young man interrupted, "What does it matter to you if we fight with the Shen family? Don't overthink it!"
He then glanced at the drawing on the paper, "Still drawing rocks?"
The child replied, "My rocks are the most in line with Zhao Han's requirements. My current task is only to draw rocks."
The young man laughed, "Your drawing skills are actually good enough to be noticed?"
The child's baozi-like face puffed up in anger as he defended himself, "They can't be too detailed! Nor can they be too rough! Anyway, what I draw is just right!"
The young man looked at the papers laid out on the desk, "Really? Just this?"
The child affirmed, "Really, really!"
The young man quickly darted to the window, looked left and right to confirm no one was outside, then darted back and asked in a low voice:
"I heard that after Zhao Han finishes his drawings, Wen Gu will take him to Young Master Zhao to claim credit?"
The child replied, "That's what Zhao Han said."
The young man lowered his gaze, stroking the newly formed scratch on his chin, lost in thought.
A moment later, he looked back at the papers on the desk and picked up a brush.
"Brother will help you!"
Although the Zhao Family of the Northern lands had been in a slump for a long time, their ambition to rise again had never diminished.
Knowing that the Imperial Court favored civil over military arts, the cultivation of literary skills among the younger generation of the family had never ceased.
Most of the family members had average talent, but they had all learned something.
These two brothers had studied painting and calligraphy under the same teacher, and their artistic styles were passed down from a shared lineage.
Zhao Han's drawing requirements, while seemingly simplifying complex forms, actually involved subtle techniques that not everyone could master when they put brush to paper.
However, it wasn't difficult for them.
The young man first practiced on a piece of paper, and only when he had drawn something similar did he begin the formal drawing.
Only rocks were to be drawn on the paper. Later, when Zhao Han needed a specific piece, it would be cut out and pasted onto the story illustration paper along with other elements to assemble the narrative picture.
The young man quickly finished several drawings and couldn't help but ask, "This patching and mending, will it work?"
The child said, "I don't know, but that's what Zhao Han said."
With his brother's help, the child completed the most tasks today, and the drawings he submitted the next day were also the thickest.
The other children, unwilling to be outdone, secretly investigated and exclaimed, "Wow! You brought in outside help!"
"If you can have help, so can I!"
Grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, relatives near and far— anyone suitable was brought in to help!
Then, one led ten, and ten spurred a hundred…
Of course, most of the helpers worked covertly, as officially they remained aligned with Zhao Mu and Zhao Kun, refusing any connection with the Shen family!
This was also the scenario Wen Gu had anticipated.
Behind every child, their relatives and friends would lend support when needed.
Once they saw the true benefits, their motivation would only grow stronger!
With more auxiliary personnel, the completion rate of the picture album soared.
Zhao Han only handled the core components, and the other tasks were distributed, resulting in a noticeable improvement and rapid progress.
Within a few days, the first volume was completed!
Wen Gu flipped through the original manuscript of the picture album. Aside from a few minor revisions needed, there were no other issues.
Once it was done, he directly had Zhao Han take the picture album and go to Zhao Residence together to find Young Master Zhao.
Young Master Zhao had kept the matter of the picture album in mind, and even if he forgot, Wen Gu would remind him from time to time.
Finally seeing the finished product, Young Master Zhao felt it was better than expected.
Though it didn't conform to high-brow aesthetics, it was indeed, as Wen Gu had said, very suitable for wide circulation.
Whether among the upper or lower classes, regardless of their educational background, anyone could instantly grasp the meaning the picture album's content was trying to convey.
This picture album was not just about superficial stories; it was also intended to popularize epidemic prevention knowledge, boost everyone's morale, and instill the courage to fight against evil plagues and monsters, rather than passively accepting their fate!
Compared to Zhao Han's timidity, Wen Gu was much more at ease in front of his cousin.
He briefly explained Zhao Han's hard work during this period and the people who supported him from behind the scenes.
Young Master Zhao flipped through the picture album.
The beginning of the picture album was fine, but the middle section started to look patched together, made of many pieces. Fortunately, it did not affect the overall content.
As Young Master Zhao looked, his brow furrowed.
If his own scholars had produced such results, he would certainly have been displeased.
But the ones who had completed this were mostly teenagers, and, as Wen Gu had just mentioned, even children under ten had participated!
This made him not just satisfied, but gratified!
"Not everyone in our Zhao Family is a burden, after all! There are still many capable individuals!"
"Excellent, you've done a superb job!"
Young Master Zhao praised Zhao Han without reservation.
Zhao Han's face flushed with excitement, and he was at a loss for words.
The recognition he had long awaited! An indescribable sense of achievement!
He had no idea what to say, only grinning foolishly.
Young Master Zhao also noticed the words "Xin Prefecture Jingqing Bookstore" printed on every page of the picture album.
This made him even more pleased!
It would be beneficial for Xin Prefecture to gain fame!
"Has the bookstore been established?" Young Master Zhao asked.
Zhao Han could not answer this and looked to Wen Gu.
"Not yet, it is still in preparation," Wen Gu replied.
Whether the bookstore could be established was no longer a concern, as long as Young Master Zhao approved, they didn't need to worry about other aspects.
"How many copies can you produce within half a month?" Young Master Zhao asked again.
"We need to try it out first.
The printing technology has been slightly improved, but we are still short of experienced craftsmen," Wen Gu replied.
"We will lend you a few craftsmen from Xin Prefecture Times,"
"That would be wonderful.
I will have someone provide an estimate as soon as possible."
Young Master Zhao directed them to the scholar responsible for printing.
For the work coordination in this regard, Wen Gu let Zhao Han handle it himself. He did not follow, but gave him an encouraging look: "You can do it!"
Zhao Han, who had been a bit timid, took a deep breath: "I can!"
Wen Gu had already told him what to do, and as long as he followed the plan, there would be no major problems.
After building up his resolve, Zhao Han felt a warmth spreading through his chest, his fighting spirit soaring.
He had been appreciated!
He had been entrusted with an important task!
He was on his way to success!
Watching Zhao Han leave with confidence, Wen Gu felt no worry.
Zhao Han was young and might not be able to handle this matter alone, but Zhao Han was not alone! He had a whole district behind him!
As if sensing Wen Gu's gaze, Zhao Han turned back to look.
Wen Gu smiled and nodded at him, his expression sincere, as if offering further encouragement.
Zhao Han was deeply moved and thought to himself: Foreman Wen is truly a good person!
Wen Gu was very pleased and thought to himself: I've just assigned a few more tasks!
After leaving Young Master Zhao, Wen Gu had intended to return directly. Just then, Chang Shun hurried over and whispered a few words.
His aunt, Madam Shen, had sent word that someone was making a move towards Young Madam Xiao, his cousin-in-law.
A certain family fancied Wen Gu and hoped that Young Madam Xiao could mediate and help forge a connection, preferably leading to a good outcome.
Young Madam Xiao might not be willing to interfere in Wen Gu's affairs, but out of obligation, she might find an excuse to speak to him when he came to Zhao Residence.
His aunt had specifically sent someone to remind Wen Gu that if he wished to avoid this trouble, he should leave quickly after concluding his business!
He must not be intercepted on his way out of the residence!
Wen Gu pondered.
The family that had sought help from his cousin-in-law was probably not favored by his aunt, which was why she wanted him to avoid them.
However, cousin-in-law…
Instead of leaving quickly, Wen Gu naturally slowed his pace.
He was afraid that if he left too quickly, he might miss his cousin-in-law.
(End of this chapter)