novelraw Chapter 69: Poaching
Chapter 69: Poaching
Chapter 69 Poaching
March 25, 2025
Chapter 69 Poaching
A notice board was set up, with job advertisements for carpenters and kiln workers neatly posted.
In addition, there was a fire prevention illustration. Considering that many people were illiterate, it had only a small amount of text and was mostly pictures.
The drawings were slightly exaggerated and not of high artistic skill, but they conveyed strong emotions, allowing people to understand the general meaning at a glance.
When He Da went out to roam the streets, he told more citizens about the notice board in Jingqing Two Districts.
Someone was left at the notice board. Although this person’s literacy in the district was not high, their memory was quite good. As long as outsiders asked, they would recite the information.
The recruitment notices were simple; the more they were repeated, the more easily they were remembered, without needing to think.
Young Master Zhao had people keep an eye on activities in Jingxing District. After all, the notice board was something he had personally agreed to, so he needed to know how it was being used to ensure there were no other negative impacts.The subordinate monitoring Jingxing District was also talented. He directly copied the notice board with paper, replicating exactly how it was posted and its content.
Looking at the subordinate's report, Young Master Zhao was indifferent to the recruitment notices, but the fire prevention illustration was somewhat interesting.
Perhaps other districts could also post such illustrations.
Nowadays, epidemics were frequent, leading to a strong demand for hot drinks and hot food. Fires burning down houses occurred frequently in various districts of the city.
It wasn't that no one had warned them, but those people just didn't listen, and some simply didn't hear.
If they couldn't hear, then they would see!
Young Master Zhao circled the illustration with his finger, gesturing to the nearby scholar: "This is quite good. Make a note of it."
Nightfall, Jingxing District.
He Da returned from completing his tasks outside.
During the day, he led people out to promote the employment opportunities. Those who were interested heard the news, came here, saw the notice board, confirmed the information was true, and indeed, people started coming one after another.
Zhou Shan was responsible for the interviews. If they passed, they would undergo a trial period of a few days before a decision was made whether to keep them.
In the evening, before the district gate closed, He Da returned home.
He still had to practice reading.
He racked his brain to memorize, just to learn a few more words.
He was reluctant to light candles, but it didn't hinder the brothers from talking.
He Da haltingly recited an article, still gesturing to write characters, and asked his younger brother for verbal reminders if he forgot.
Finally, after finishing his night homework, He Da was about to fall asleep.
Little Brother He said, "I think our Jingxing District is also quite good. The foreman lives here most of the time."
Knowing that his older brother used to hanker after Qingyun District, Little Brother He occasionally tried to persuade him.
He Da's spirits lifted again: "Hah, I haven't thought about that place for a long time. Our Jingxing District will definitely become famous in Xin Prefecture City in the future! Maybe I can even work in the district during the day."
The world was changing nowadays, and Xin Prefecture City had a neighborhood system. Outside was actually quite deserted. When he went to inquire for news, he would wander through various districts.
He didn't dare to go to places with many noble people, as they were strictly managed. Only those with a more mixed population were accessible.
At first, he felt a sense of novelty, but chaotic times were chaotic times. Ordinary people didn't have much excitement to see; instead, everyone had their own hardships. Seeing too much made him feel both fortunate and distressed.
Even a selfish person like him felt suffocated.
Every time he returned to Jingxing District was when he felt most relaxed.
How to put it, the people of Jingxing District, regardless of their background or circumstances, had a different spirit. Even those living in shacks had a light in their eyes.
He Da said, "If our Jingxing District becomes lively, I can inquire for news in our district."
He knew that Wen Gu was going to build many houses here, and it would definitely become lively in the future. His imagination was limited, so he could only transplant the most lively scene he had seen in their county town to this place.
It was already enough to make him happy.
"See if Brother isn't very perceptive? The first time I saw him, I knew our foreman was no ordinary person!"
Now, the room they were allocated wasn't large, but it was enough to live in, and his younger brother could even work in the district's "yamen."
He himself was also doing well. Although he was still a runner, it depended on whom he was running errands for!
The next day, He Da, as usual, took his friends out to spread the word.
Then he learned about the rumors in the marketplace regarding honeycomb coal stoves and Wen Gu.
Compared to newspapers, the progress of honeycomb coal stoves was faster. The product wasn't out yet, but the news had already spread, and Wen Gu's name spread along with it.
These were all intentionally guided by the Zhao family.
He Da didn't know the inside story. Upon hearing the news, he immediately returned to ask Wen Gu.
Wen Gu told him the truth: "This thing has indeed been made, but there are no physical objects yet, so it hasn't been publicized."
After confirming the news was true and with the Zhao family's deliberate push, Wen Gu gave him a few instructions. He Da became even more unrestrained when roaming the streets.
He hadn't seen the actual product, but that didn't stop him from bragging as if he had: "Your Brother He has well-informed news!"
When someone brought up the topic of coal stoves, He Da started chatting:
"Our Jingxing District's foreman, who is the Young Master Zhao's cousin, is highly regarded. The honeycomb coal stove that is currently rumored everywhere, our Foreman Wen created it!
"Do you know about scholars' study tours? This is a major event concerning one's life. Our foreman discovered the honeycomb coal stove during his study tour...
"That honeycomb coal contains not just coal, but also other things. After burning, it can be used to pave roads! It's especially anti-slip in winter!
"It's also graded. Don't look at them all being shaped like honeycombs. Some coal undergoes different processes, with precious materials added inside, resulting in less odor and faster ignition. However, those can only be afforded by wealthy families.
"We can use the ordinary ones, as long as they are durable. We don't care about anything else."
He Da chattered away non-stop, leaving others stunned.
These people, regardless of whether they could afford coal themselves, didn't stop them from bragging.
He Da knew the nature of such people too well. After they dispersed, they would go to other places and continue bragging about what he had said, acting as if they were already using coal stoves themselves.
The news spread rapidly among the lower classes.
Regardless of whether they could afford it, everyone had a general impression of honeycomb coal. Many people were curious about that cousin of the Zhao family and specifically came to Jingxing District to take a look, which led to more people learning about the recruitment news on the notice board.
Zhou Shan interviewed even more craftsmen from the folk.
Qingyun District.
A young Taoist heard the rumors in the marketplace, inquired about He Da's movements, and reported to the Daoist Master.
Daoist Master Qingyi was very displeased.
That "dog scholar" had actually gained fame ahead of him!
Although the Zhao family was primarily responsible for this.
He knew that Wen Gu hadn't stolen his credit, and he knew that the Zhao family had their own considerations and would naturally favor relatives, and they also held prejudices against him as a Daoist priest.
But he was still angry!
That "dog scholar" must be very smug right now, right?
He had no mood to refine pills and didn't go to the Alchemy Room. Daoist Master Qingyi sat in his room with a somber face, pondering matters.
At this moment, a low-key and understated carriage arrived at Qingyun District.
Perhaps the owner of the carriage thought it was low-key, but in reality, anyone who could afford a carriage in this era was certainly not poor.
The horse's head was noble, and its breathing was powerful. Even without running, even just walking slowly, one could see how strong and powerful its legs were.
The horses of the Tiger Might Escort Agency would look slender in comparison.
The laborers working in Qingyun District saw this and quickly informed the young Taoist.
A noble person had come to Qingyun District, and the foreman was not here, so they must be looking for Immortal Master Qingyi.
Two young Taoists prepared to welcome the guest. Daoist Master Qingyi had given them special training.
Two other young Taoists informed the Daoist Master of the news and waited by his side.
Upon hearing that a noble person had arrived, Daoist Master Qingyi, who had been wearing a scowl, perked up. He quickly tidied his robes, adjusted his demeanor, and his eyes assumed the detached indifference of an expert.
When Zhao Mu entered the house with his attendants and guards, he initially disdained the place as too shabby and doubted if he had come to the right place.
What kind of powerful person would live in such a rundown place?
But upon seeing Daoist Master Qingyi sitting at the head of the table, his impression changed.
The Taoist robe was very ordinary, but his aura and subtle expressions were consistent with the information he had gathered.
Zhao Mu was dressed as a scholar, his demeanor elegant and courteous.
The Daoist master's first impression of this person was: "No, he can't pretend as well as that 'dog scholar'."
The visitor introduced himself.
Zhao Mu, a member of the Zhao family.
Daoist Master Qingyi reacted calmly: "Oh, I didn't expect a noble person to visit. What brings you here?"
The attendant beside Zhao Mu glared, disdaining the Daoist for being neither polite nor understanding human speech!
The Zhao family!
It was the Zhao of Xin Prefecture's Zhao!
The attendant was about to scold him, but Zhao Mu stopped him with a raised hand.
Zhao Mu, however, had a different opinion. He believed that the more capable people were, the more confident and temperamental they would be. Daoist Master Qingyi's attitude at this moment made him believe the information he had gathered even more.
He heard today that Wen Gu had been summoned to the Zhao Residence, so he immediately brought his men here.
Although he was a collateral branch of the Zhao family, the direct descendants of the Zhao family were few. The Zhao Family Head also intended to promote family members, but none had satisfied the Family Head.
Now, with Wen Gu's rising fame, they saw another way.
They had all found out that Wen Gu's importance was due to the several prescriptions he had offered, and in the end, wasn't it all thanks to this Daoist priest?
"I can do it too!"
If they could win over this Daoist priest and come up with a few more prescriptions, they could also gain importance!
Zhao Mu suppressed his dissatisfaction and looked at Daoist Master Qingyi. Since his identity could not move the other party, he would appeal directly to his interests!
Therefore, he began to belittle and denigrate Qingyun District, starting with the living conditions.
The Zhaohui District where the Zhao family resided was located in the core area, close to Xin Prefecture's center of power, and was much better than this remote place. Although this was the Inner City, it was actually close to the inner city wall, situated on the fringes.
Moreover, they had higher status. Even as a collateral branch, they were from Xin Prefecture's Zhao family, whose background and financial resources were beyond ordinary people.
In addition, if the Daoist master was willing to come, they would give him a large courtyard with blue bricks for his residence.
Daoist Master Qingyi was pleased. The promised conditions were indeed very good, and they even offered him a large blue-brick house! He indeed was rich and powerful.
Then, the other party followed with a series of elegant, sophisticated, and direct praises, which made Daoist Master Qingyi quite proud, but he didn't get carried away.
Learning from experience, he knew not to float.
However, a smile had already appeared in his eyes.
"Keep talking! I like listening!"
Seeing that there seemed to be a breakthrough, Zhao Mu became even more enthusiastic.
After about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, Zhao Mu stopped.
He was puzzled: Daoist Master Qingyi seemed very satisfied, but why wasn't he responding?
"Then... what is your intention, Daoist Master?" he asked.
My intention?
Daoist Master Qingyi thought to himself: All the conditions sound very good, and the other party has both financial resources and background, with obvious advantages. He is the kind of wealthy patron we like.
There was only one thing left.
So, Daoist Master Qingyi asked the crucial question:
"Have you, studied abroad?"