novelraw Chapter 111: Between Scholars
Chapter 111: Between Scholars
Chapter 111: Between Scholars It turned out that such a good thing did exist!The study room was tidied up and within two days, someone couldn't wait to get started.
However, they seemed a bit young.
Zhao Han was the first to bring his study boy to familiarize himself with the new workspace.
The main tasks going forward would be related to printing, which was not suitable for Zhaohui District.
Wen Gu had planned to put it in the neighboring Qingyun District from the start, as it was home to many workshops and a Taoist temple under construction, fostering a strong artisan atmosphere.
The drafts for the picture album were already completed, and experienced old artisans with printing experience were gradually arriving.
Equipment was prepared, and the printing work was progressing rapidly.
If there were any issues concerning the drafts or finished products during this process, being close by would facilitate prompt resolution.
They also began preparing the drafts for the next album.
Thus, Zhao Han followed Wen Gu's advice and moved to the Jingqing Public Office.Zhao Han was quite enjoying this feeling, much like those with official positions who went to the government office at a fixed time each day and returned home when it was time. This gave him a sense of excitement and satisfaction facing a new environment and new challenges.
He not only enjoyed this feeling himself but also brought his other companions to experience it.
As a result, Jingxing District gained several Zhao Family children.
Little Brother He was assigned by Wen Gu to share some of the workload, taking charge of the bookstore's affairs with Zhao Han.
The employees of the Jingqing Public Office were very friendly towards these junior colleagues.
Not occupying official positions, this brought a sigh of relief to the clerical staff from commoner backgrounds.
The number of official clerical positions was limited; if one was taken, their relatives and friends would have one less opportunity.
Without any conflict of interest, and being members of the Zhao Family, the clerical staff at the Jingqing Public Office were amiable, referring to these new colleagues as "Little Masters" and offering them continuous praise. They occasionally even helped with odd jobs.
Being flattered daily, with ample emotional support, and with not too many other tasks besides painting, plus having companions to keep them company, the young employees were very happy.
In contrast, the young people like Zhao Mu and Zhao Kun were not in such a good mood.
"Traitors! They're all working for Wen Gu!" someone complained.
But as soon as the words were spoken, another young man, whose younger brother worked in Jingxing District, defended them:
"They aren't working for Wen Gu, but for the Zhao Family! It's a task assigned by the Young Master!"
With differing views and positions, they started arguing and only stopped after a while.
At this point, someone suddenly said, "I was thinking, we don't need to build another garden. Since Zhao Han and the others are doing well at the Jingqing Public Office, can't we directly build a few shops in Jingxing District?"
They had considered it before, but there were concerns about Wen Gu, as the foreman, causing trouble.
Now that someone had taken the first step and found everything to be safe without encountering any obstruction from management, it seemed they could also enter Jingxing District directly!
Furthermore, knowing the immense cost of building a new garden, they might not be able to afford it.
Perhaps a change in strategy could work?
More than one person shared this sentiment.
"I've confirmed with my grandfather. It's true that the Family Head asked Wen Gu to help Zhao Han."
"Now it's proven that Wen Gu hasn't caused trouble and has been supportive. If Zhao Han and the other children can get involved, so can we!"
"That's right! We don't need to go to that place called Wanfu Garden.
We'll open shops in Jingxing District! Build a few shops, and even if we don't make money, we'll upset the Shen Family!"
"We can avoid going to the Shen Family's Wanfu Garden, but we need a place for our own people in Jingxing District. We can't let Jingxing District become the Shen Family's territory!"
"He Wenyu is taking half a day off today.
Let's call him over to discuss."
Actually, they envied He Wenyu quite a bit.
He Wenyu's mother had gone to ask the Young Master for a position, and the Young Master had indeed granted it! And in such an important place as an academy!
Unfortunately, their elders were not as capable, and they couldn't get what they wanted, nor did they appreciate what they were given.
They still had to rely on themselves!
A short while later, He Wenyu, who was supposed to be sleeping at home after securing half a day off, was dragged over, suppressing his annoyance.
He Wenyu yawned as he listened to these people discuss "important matters," just smiling and saying little.
When his and his father's positions were mentioned, it was not good to let it be known that Wen Gu had spoken on their behalf.
His mother had also told him to mention Wen Gu less.
What could he do? He could only smile and remain silent.
When the Young Master's recognition and encouragement of Zhao Han and others were brought up, the people in the room became excited.
Zhao Kun thumped the table in excitement: "So, the Family Head and the Young Master still have expectations for us.
It's up to us to prove ourselves! We need to take initiative!"
Others chimed in: "Yes! It must be so!"
He Wenyu twitched his lips: "…Is that so?"
Someone passionately suggested: "Let's first send someone to Jingxing District and have Wen Gu immediately allocate a piece of land for us!"
The room suddenly fell silent.
There was a collective silence for a long while.
Another person tentatively asked, "Who will go?"
Everyone in the room looked at each other, then turned to the initiator of this internal meeting, Zhao Mu…
Zhao Mu's face turned ashen.
He hadn't managed to poach anyone from Wen Gu's territory before, and he couldn't even gain an advantage when meeting on the Zhao Family's turf in Zhaohui District.
Even less could he go to the territory managed by the other party and present himself to be beaten.
"Someone else!" he said decisively.
Zhao Mu looked at He Wenyu, and before the latter could refuse, he said, "Wenyu, you hold an important position now, you go!"
He Wenyu: …
Go to hell!
Don't so casually throw out such an impossible task!
He Wenyu shook his head vigorously: "I can't! I won't! I'm not going! What important position do I have? I'm just an employee, insignificant!"
Saying that, he jumped up abruptly.
"It seems my mother called me home.
I'm leaving!"
He quickly distanced himself from the dangerous topic and went back to catch up on sleep.
With He Wenyu gone, the others continued their discussion.
Since they had an idea, they needed to act quickly. There wasn't much vacant land left in Jingxing District, and they might even have to pay extra to buy it from others.
The slower they were, the more money and grain they would have to spend.
"Then let's all go together!"
Intimidation by sheer numbers!
Thus, an hour later.
Zhao Kun and several young men stood outside the Jingqing Public Office with stern faces, not entering the courtyard.
Zhao Mu and the others felt that they didn't look friendly enough.
To accomplish the matter quickly, they had them wait outside first.
"Hmph! Just because they've read a few more books and are better at putting on a show!" Zhao Kun grumbled indignantly.
At the same time, in a study room within the public office.
One side was the Zhao Family scholars, led by Zhao Mu, all appearing cultured and refined.
The other side was Wen Gu, along with clerks like Cheng Zhi and Little Brother He, who handled the paperwork.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
Although they were there to buy land and negotiate prices, both parties conversed as if discussing poetry, calligraphy, and paintings, occasionally citing classics and quoting sages. It was truly elegant!
After drinking two cups of tea, the matter was elegantly concluded.
The young Zhao Family members left with a document, inwardly sighing: Wen Gu is quite easy to talk to!
Wen Gu not only gave them suggestions for selecting land but also discussed future plans. He didn't deceive them; the planning maps had been shown to Young Master Zhao and annotated.
The ambitious young people of the Zhao Family, excited, ended up buying several more plots of land.
Both parties were very satisfied with this transaction and exchanged a set of very scholarly farewell courtesies upon leaving.
This elegant atmosphere filled with scholarly refinement further increased the goodwill of the Zhao Family scholars towards Wen Gu.
They thought: Scholars are indeed different.
Letting Zhao Kun and the others wait outside was indeed the right decision!
Wen Gu sincerely watched them leave.
With the Zhao Family getting involved, there would undoubtedly be future disputes.
However, in the long run, it was safer for both Wen Gu and the Shen Family.
The two Shen brothers had already begun to develop the mindset that "Jingxing District is Shen Family territory."
What Wen Gu needed to do was to break this mindset before it strengthened.
The figures at the entrance had long since disappeared.
Wen Gu looked at the accumulated snow outside the window.
The snow outside had begun to melt, but the temperature might fluctuate in the coming period, leading to more snowfall.
Once the snow completely melted and the temperature rose across the board, the entire prefecture would enter a state of readiness.
However, it would take another month or two for the snow to completely melt.
Before that, it was the peak season for merchant caravans, and it was likely that some caravans had already set out.
"Have someone monitor the movements in the outer city area and see which merchant caravan arrives first after the New Year."
(End of Chapter)