CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 463: KILLING THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

Everyone was rushing to hoe the fields; some couldn’t get tools and were too impatient, so they just rolled up their sleeves and started pulling weeds by hand.

Zhao Hanzhang watched happily from the side, nodding with approval, "Nice, nice, spread the word that this area is blessed land. Before the second day of the second month, anyone who comes to hoe here will receive the blessing of the gods, ensuring a year of favorable weather and bountiful harvests."

Fan Ying replied loudly without thinking about the reasons or results, "Understood."

The officials nearby were puzzled, not knowing why such words needed to be spread.

Fu Tinghan turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang; this kind of marketing method was very similar to the private promotions of some temples and Taoist halls in modern times.

Seeing him look over, Zhao Hanzhang winked at him, thinking it’s great—three benefits at once. She saved money from hiring people to clear the fields; the refugees in Yushan Hall didn’t have to work so hard; and the folks coming here felt a sense of connection, so they would be happier.

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but shake his head and smile.

The rumors Zhao Hanzhang spread were very effective; in fact, she didn’t even need to promote them extensively. Fan Ying just sent out people to start the buzz, and those who participated in the ceremony today began spreading the word on their own.

The rumor spread far and wide, as if carried by the wind, even attracting people from neighboring counties who came carrying hoes just to cultivate near Yushan Hall.

Of course, having come from afar, they naturally wouldn’t just hoe a single patch. Since they were here to seek blessings, the more they hoed, the more blessings they’d receive. Ideally, they’d hoe untouched ground for the most potent blessings.

As a result, all the wilderness and barren land surrounding Yushan Hall were turned over, and even some distant owner-held land was cultivated until the second day of the second month was over.

On the second day of the second month, when the dragon lifts its head, it started raining lightly the following day, and after the rain, a spring breeze blew, causing fine green grass to sprout up on the tilled land by the second day.

Zhao Hanzhang stood by the field, squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil, and crushed it finely, watching the gray soil crumble down. She let out a sigh of relief, "The soil’s quality is good, though it’s been barren for years, it’s not too bad."

Fu Tinghan said, "In a couple of years, it will be fine."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "I fear we don’t have time to nurture it. So far, we’ve had good rain, but who knows what comes next."

Farming relies on the whims of nature. No matter whether it’s now or a thousand years later, humanity’s ability to counter natural disasters is limited.

Minor calamities might be overcome with effort, but when facing large-scale disasters, one can only endure.

The minor official managing Yushan Hall learned of Zhao Hanzhang’s visit and hurried over, gasping as he greeted her, "I wasn’t aware of your arrival, my lady. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner..."

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, asking, "How is Yushan Hall? They’ve been settled in for a few days; are they adjusting well?"

"Following your orders, my lady, we’ve been organizing several courtyards for teaching and adjusting the arrangements according to arising issues. Though there are minor problems, everyone is coexisting harmoniously."

This minor official, named Ping Xun, was a teacher Zhao Hanzhang had recruited from a school. He had participated multiple times in ranking banquets but never succeeded due to his humble family background and average talent.

It happened so often that Fu Tinghan, who reviewed annual official assessment records, repeatedly saw his name. The writer seemed to mock, so each assessment document listed Ping Xun as a recurrent failure.

After seeing it several times, Fu Tinghan couldn’t resist mentioning it to Zhao Hanzhang, stating, "In this era, some continually attend ranking banquets, but rarely in the same place. They value their reputation, believing there’ll be other opportunities elsewhere. The ones who keep attending in one place are either too poor to try elsewhere or too stubborn to care about ridicule."

"Regardless of the reason, he’s ambitious," Fu Tinghan remarked, "Ambitious individuals, if their talent and morals are decent, can be employed."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

Did people of this era lack ambition?

No, they indeed had ambitions, considerable ones, but they were reserved. Even with ambitions, they feigned being carefree, occupying positions while claiming to care little for power, shunning worldly affairs.

People like Ping Xun, who are both ambitious and straightforward, are rare. Zhao Hanzhang favored employing such individuals because they’d avidly pursue their goals by following her instructions and completing tasks proactively.

So Zhao Hanzhang curiously sought him out.

Ping Xun taught in Lu Yang County, earning a living while waiting for next year’s ranking banquet. He was somewhat well-known in the county; a little inquiry provided all the needed information.

Zhao Hanzhang attended two of his classes—the talent was indeed average, but his character seemed good, and his students respected him greatly.

Admiring his perseverance, repeatedly failing but never losing heart, positively and optimistically preparing for the next ranking banquet, she thought he was perfect for managing Yushan Hall.

Thus, she personally went to hire him into the Governor Mansion.

Yushan Hall falls under the Household Department of the Governor Mansion, making him a minor official there, his rank not very high—just eighth grade.

But with good performance, promotion is naturally a possibility.

Zhao Hanzhang spoke with him, expressing her vision for Yushan Hall—she wanted a comprehensive charity-based organization.

The government would provide some funding, but they must work to sustain themselves; thus, the surrounding lands of Yushan Hall belong to it.

The lands at Yushan Hall temporarily don’t have to pay taxes, nor do the hall’s inhabitants bear conscription duties. They can divide labor to cultivate the lands, grow vegetables, raise livestock;

Additionally, the government would supply them with weaving and spinning machines for women inside to weave and spin cloth;

And most importantly, there would be schools within, teaching children literacy and numeracy, possibly instructing girls in weaving or other crafts.

"In the future, they’ll be the pillars of Yu State, thus Yushan Hall is extremely important. By placing it in your care, I’m entrusting you with Yu State’s hope."

Truthfully, Ping Xun was internally excited, enthusiastically accepting the responsibility. These days, he was invigorated, living and working at Yushan Hall, earning the reputation of third-most diligent official in Nanyang Country.

Oh, the first and second are Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan. Ping Xun was quite aware of his position, not daring to compete for this title.

Zhao Hanzhang was not visiting today specifically for Yushan Hall but passing by meant she had to check on it, "The weather is warming up, the fields should be plowed to bury the spring grass, reducing the wild growth."

Ping Xun agreed, hesitated briefly, then said, "But most of those in Yushan Hall are elderly, weak, women, and children. Depending solely on hoes might be too slow; I kindly request aid with some plow oxen."

Zhao Hanzhang considered and replied, "Plow oxen are indeed needed, but I can’t provide many. Challenges must be overcome by yourselves."

"Understood."