CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 454: POACHING

Quite a few people were waiting in the front hall of the Governor Mansion. When Wang Nai and Xie Shi arrived, everyone’s gaze swiftly shot toward them.

The two couldn’t help but pause before stepping forward with a smile to greet the others.

Yin Sheng and other officials had just arrived as well. The workers and bailiffs outside had been given the day off, but the reports still needed to be compiled and passed on to Zhao Hanzhang.

So they couldn’t rest yet.

After freshening up, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan arrived at the front hall feeling refreshed and warm.

Zhao Hanzhang sat at the head seat, while Fu Tinghan sat below her. They nodded at Wang Nai and Xie Shi, and with no urgency to introduce everyone, said, "What matters do you have? Speak."

Firstly, an official from the Governor Mansion slightly leaned forward while seated on his mat and said, "Governor, as of today, twelve buildings have been completed at Yushan Hall, thirty-two are halfway completed, and the foundations are being excavated for..."

He drew up a budget, "If materials are sufficient, everything should be finished within half a month."

Then he began discussing the issues with materials; bricks were fine, and the brick kiln built by Fu Tinghan was producing well and working day and night, barely meeting demand. Furthermore, they’re not taking a day off today or tomorrow.

The workers at the brick kiln were still working in shifts.

However, there was a significant shortage of timber and stone. To avoid delaying construction, they had to purchase timber from outside. Stone should be bought if possible; if not, they would need to send people to quarry it.

But quarrying stone wasn’t easy, and it was challenging to see results in the short term.

Upon hearing this, Fu Tinghan lowered his gaze; actually, there was a more convenient way to quarry stone.

He turned his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was also deep in thought, a mental tug-of-war ensued. Finally, she nodded, "Go ahead and make the thing."

Fu Tinghan nodded in agreement.

Their exchange was difficult for others to understand, and as they were about to ask for more details, Zhao Hanzhang already said, "Go ahead and buy. Spread the word that Lu Yang County wants to buy timber and stone. If you have them, deliver them, and I, Zhao Hanzhang, will pay you on the spot."

People did not like doing business with government offices, especially small and mid-sized merchants, because getting paid was too troublesome.

When items were delivered, it was likely they would be seized under some excuse, so Zhao Hanzhang could only rely on her reputation to attract people.

Although Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation across the land was somewhat fierce, she was still quite trustworthy, and upon hearing the news, many with timber and stone started to feel tempted.

Those who didn’t have them but had foresight and ambition began to contact people, wanting to make this deal.

Of course, that was for later. For now, Zhao Hanzhang and the others were still discussing.

All the officials of the Governor Mansion and the Lu Yang County government knew that Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan had visited the construction site incognito.

An open incognito visit!

Nonsense, except for the first day when Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan sneaked out without anyone noticing, the second day they boldly went out in ragged clothes.

There were so many watching Zhao Hanzhang; once she stopped disguising herself and strode out of the Governor Mansion, it was hard for them not to notice.

Therefore, the construction work at the site proceeded very smoothly these past few days, with minimal management issues. Even when problems arose, they were promptly resolved before Zhao Hanzhang had a chance to speak.

Zhao Hanzhang felt the sense of efficiency in the Great Jin’s officialdom for the first time.

This left her rather contemplative, "It seems they’re capable; it’s just a matter of willingness."

Every official in Yu State knew Zhao Hanzhang liked diligent officials, at the very least she absolutely despised lazy and indifferent officials.

Even in the Great Jin, officials who prided themselves on being carefree and elegant couldn’t avoid the common practice of pleasing their superiors, so everyone recently was performing diligently and cleanly.

The direct result was that the governance efficiency of Nanyang Country had recently been extremely high; the Governor Mansion was responsible for all counties in Nanyang Country, certainly not limited to just Lu Yang County.

Affairs from various counties were compiled here. After Zhao Hanzhang moved into the Governor Mansion in Nanyang Country, all the counties opened their seals for the new year, finally allowing previously unimplemented orders to be carried out in each county.

After handling today’s accumulated governmental affairs, Zhao Hanzhang introduced Wang Nai and Xie Shi to everyone, saying, "This is Second Son’s teacher."

The officials then greeted Wang Nai and Xie Shi, along with Yin Sheng, prefectural junior officer, who showed extra respect.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said, "You all will be working together in the future, make sure to get closer to one another."

Yin Sheng understood the implication of her words with a twinge of bitterness but maintained a respectful expression, "Governor, it’s the new year. Why not hold a banquet to welcome and wash away the dust for Mr. Wang and Mr. Xie?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Wang Nai and Xie Shi and agreed with a smile.

The officials had been nervously vigilant these past few days, and it was time to reassure them.

If she intended to employ them, she couldn’t keep them living in fear all the time.

She instructed Yin Sheng to prepare while she stayed back to chat with Wang Nai and Xie Shi, and concurrently brought Zhao Erlang, who had just returned from the military camp, to join them, "I want to entrust Nanyang Country’s management to Second Son."

Wang Nai and Xie Shi exchanged glances; this implied that the management would be handed over to them.

What could Zhao Erlang manage? He only knew a few characters, probably couldn’t comprehend an official document.

Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, "Though Second Son can’t read, he has insight. Please put in extra effort to teach him. No need to focus on literacy; just instill knowledge in military and civil governance."

After contemplating briefly, Wang Nai and Xie Shi agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang evidently intended to utilize them heavily, and it would be a pity to refuse; Nanyang Country was geologically significant, and Pei He had worked for many years to become the prefectural governor. However...

"As for Prince Nanyang’s side..."

Zhao Hanzhang was indifferent, "He’s in Chang’an now, not in Nanyang Country. As it is, we’ll manage the local affairs on behalf of Prince Nanyang, acting as we see fit."

Wang Nai and Xie Shi understood that Prince Nanyang was not important; they should follow her lead.

Wang Nai and Xie Shi agreed.

Meanwhile, Prince Nanyang was also speaking of Zhao Hanzhang.

The news from Nanyang Country went through much ordeal before reaching Chang’an, and since Nanyang Country was Prince Nanyang’s fiefdom, he was the first to receive the news.

Regarding Zhao Hanzhang forcing out Pei He, Prince Nanyang was displeased.

Because Pei He was his choice.

"Has Pei He sent no letter?"

"No, he directly resigned and left, no one knows the internal details."

Prince Nanyang snorted coldly, "Write to my brother, tell him the Governor position in Nanyang Country is vacant, I want to appoint a new governor."

"Whom does the Great King consider suitable?"

Prince Nanyang pondered, then asked, "What do you think of Chai Kang?"

"This person is too clever, and with the path between Chang’an and Nanyang Country severed, he might not obey the Great King’s orders once there."

"But we have no one available."

Someone immediately suggested, "Why not let the Regent King select someone from the Capital City?"

Meaning to let Prince East Sea choose one of his own people.

Prince Nanyang and Prince East Sea, being brothers, didn’t mind if Prince East Sea sent someone to manage his fief, since it was bestowed upon him after Prince East Sea rose to power.

But, "My brother is troubled now, likely not in the mood to select someone."

"The Great King should send a letter to inquire."

After considering, Prince Nanyang agreed.

Prince Nanyang wanted to reclaim his fief from Zhao Hanzhang but didn’t realize Zhao Hanzhang’s people were diligently prying at the corners of his walls.

Wu Erlang led a caravan through the snow into the city, rented a house, and settled down. He immediately sent someone to inquire about Beigong Chun’s residence, then picked two boxes of good items to send over.