Chapter 218 Come to the door
Qian Zhenniang said, "But the Great Zhou Dynasty has been busy dealing with Prince Ming in the east. Prince Ming currently has an army of 200,000, and his forces are still growing. The court should consider Prince Ming its number one enemy. Not to mention the King of Zhoushan in the west and the two Kings of Li in the south. They each have over 100,000 troops, which is a much greater risk than our Jinzhou Prefecture!"
"Not really. If Prince Ming wants to deal with them, even small bandits will be dealt with. Otherwise, where will the Great Zhou Dynasty's reputation be? I estimate that as soon as the war in the north is over, the court will immediately send a large army to eliminate the banditry throughout the country. Although the two Li princes claim to have 100,000 people under their command, most of them are refugees, a motley crowd. And the Zhoushan prince believes in the White Lotus Mother and is believed to be the true incarnation of the White Lotus. Although he has many followers and can respond to a call, he actually has no fighting power-"
Hearing this, Xu Zhenying couldn't help laughing. "So Secretary Hu is saying that these rebels are just a mob. Don't forget, everyone, we only just got rid of the label of a mob a month or two ago. So, because of the inconvenient transmission of information and the delay in news, the news we heard about other rebellions was just hearsay."
Hu Wei's face flushed slightly, but he tried to excuse himself, "City Lord, there's no need to underestimate yourself. A genius like you, capable of making soap, cement, gunpowder, and the like, is simply beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. What we need most right now is time, and submitting your allegiance will at least guarantee us two or three years of peace."
"I remember you said last time that if we want to get through this, it will cost at least 200,000 taels, and that doesn't even include the taxes we'll have to pay after we become our vassal." Xu Zhenying shook his head. "This isn't a good idea. We rebelled in Lan County under the guise of fixed taxation, and now we have to pay taxes to the court. The people will probably think we're two-faced."
"City Lord!" Hu Wei said excitedly, "The City Lord is a man of great ambitions. Why should he care about the opinions of some unruly people? If the City Lord decides to submit a petition, who dares to stop him?"
Xu Zhenying frowned slightly, and said in a somewhat cold voice, "Hu Wei, be careful with your words!"
Hu Wei seemed to realize his mistake immediately and remained silent.
In fact, Hu Wei never believed Xu Zhenying's idea that "all men are created equal". This brainwashing rhetoric may be used to deal with ordinary people at the bottom, but in the final analysis, it is nothing more than a means to gather people's hearts and instigate the people.
Xu Zhenying seemed to be slamming Hu Wei, and then slamming the others, "Don't say anything like this that's detrimental to unity again! If I hear it again, no matter how high or low your position, I'll have you all taken to me for a serious ideological lesson!"
Everyone immediately responded in a submissive manner.
"I'll give you a few more days to think about the petition. The next one is—"
Xu Anping then went up to someone and said, "City Lord, it's still about the exam. We've prepared three examination halls for this exam: one in Jinzhou Prefecture, one in Lan County, and one in Ye County. We've also sent out invitations to all the villages, but Jinzhou Prefecture hasn't yet implemented comprehensive education. Therefore, I suggest we focus more of our energy and manpower on Lan County."
"There's nothing wrong with this idea. Jinzhou Prefecture is now our administrative center. Even if no one takes the exam, we still have to keep it going. At the same time, we can also let the people see our determination to recruit talents regardless of their background, so that the people will be loyal to us from the bottom of their hearts. Oh, and if there really is no one, let those scholars who curse me behind my back take the exam first, and then let them go to open up the wasteland after they pass."
Xu Anping hesitated and said, "City Lord, they all learned the eight-part essay system. If you want to select talents from among them, I'm afraid it will be difficult..."
"They've been scolding me all the time, so let them take the test. Give them a score of 10 or 20, and then post their names and scores. Then let everyone in Jinzhou Prefecture see the level of these scholars."
Ming Xiaoshuang tried to hold back his laughter. He was indeed the city lord, able to come up with such a sinister way to torment others.
Scholars are most afraid of others questioning their level. If this happens, these scholars will probably doubt themselves.
The level of these people is not recognized by the city lord!
This is simply murderous...
Xu Anping also laughed, "I understand. Let's do as the city lord wishes. Let them take the exam first, and then send them out to open up wasteland after the results are out. This will prevent them from claiming to be noble scholars and saying that we are just a bunch of ruffians. Now they can't even answer the questions given by the ruffians, which will shame them to death!"
Qian Zhenniang said, "City Lord, I reviewed it yesterday. According to our current administrative structure, if we follow your proposal to assign a village chief and a propaganda officer to each village, coupled with the departmental responsibility system you're about to implement, we'll need to recruit at least 150-200 clerks. You also mentioned increasing clerk salaries as soon as possible. Will this put a strain on our finances?"
Although Miao and the others were preparing to leave, Xu Degui still attended the meeting. Upon hearing Zhenniang's question, he immediately said, "Today, I will have someone sort out the staff's wages, benefits, meals, clothing, etc., and calculate a total expenditure for 200 people and submit it to you for review."
Qian Zhenniang bowed from a distance and said, "Thank you, Minister Xu."
"Any other questions?"
Everyone shook their heads, put away their pencils, and rolled up the booklets they carried with them.
Xu Zhenying said, "Sanniang, you stay."
Wang Sanniang looked left and right, and seeing Xu Zhenying's serious expression, she felt a little nervous, but she still picked up the booklet and sat down directly opposite Xu Zhenying.
Xu Zhenying waved at her, "No need, come sit next to me."
Seeing that the two had something to discuss alone, Qian Zhenniang quickly poured some hot tea and placed it on the table.
Qian Zhenniang poured tea, and Wang Sanniang hurriedly accepted it respectfully. Sandwiched between these two authoritative giants, Wang Sanniang felt a little oppressed and didn't know what to do for a moment.
On the other hand, Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Sanniang, are you planning to return to Gaoxin County?"
Sanniang nodded, "What are your orders, City Lord?"
"Did you know that before we conquered Jinzhou Prefecture, your parents donated 100,000 taels of silver worth of supplies?"
"What?" Wang Sanniang was a little confused. "My family actually has 100,000 taels of silver?"
etc--
My parents donated 100,000 taels of silver?
Donate...donate...donated?
And donated...donated to the traitors?
Is this announcing to the world that their Wang family will live and die with Xu Zhenying?
Oh my God, Wang Yin had been cautious all his life, so why did he become so arrogant and unruly at the end of his life?
No, all the family property was donated. What will they eat?
Do your two brothers and aunts agree?
Wang Sanniang was stunned. Xu Zhenying smiled and said to Qian Zhenniang, "Look, I told you, Sanniang probably doesn't know."
Wang Sanniang didn't know what to make of her expression. She smiled bitterly and shook her head, "City Lord, I really don't know."
"I never thought the Wang family would be so courageous and loyal. Sanniang, I'm very happy that your family trusts me so much. Do you know what your parents' actions mean?"
Wang Sanniang thought for a moment, then clasped her fists towards Xu Zhenying and said solemnly, "City Lord, the entire Wang family obeys your orders and is willing to go through fire and water for you!"
Xu Zhenying was deeply touched. Although the Wang family also valued her future and wanted to repay her, she still had to accept the favor since the Wang family dared to make a bet so early.
She held Wang Sanniang's hand and smiled, "Here's what I think. My brother and Feng'er have been there for half a year and are already familiar with the business. The Wang family has been in business for generations, so they must be more experienced and should find it easier to handle things there. Go home and ask your parents if the Wang family is willing to take over my business in Shouzhou."
Wang Sanniang was stunned and murmured, "Then I won't go back to Gaoxin County?"
"With this personnel selection, we should be able to further expand our manpower. However, Feng'er has been struggling with no one to help. You should go over there first. Let Feng'er guide you through the process for a while before you start." Xu Zhenying held her hand, speaking with a serious tone. "Sanniang, the southern trade routes are the source of our military funding. Do you know how important they are?"
Wang Sanniang's heart skipped a beat.
This... is equivalent to Xu Zhenying handing over the lifeline of Jinzhou and Qianzhou to their Wang family.
Wang Sanniang was shocked, uneasy, and moved. However, she did not agree to such a big thing outright. She just said, "City Lord, I will go back and discuss it with my parents and report back later."
"Go ahead. Talk to your parents. Going south is a matter of great importance. You and your family should discuss it together."
Wang Sanniang retreated, and out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Qian Zhenniang, whose face was filled with joy. When their eyes met, Qian Zhenniang could hardly contain her joy. "City Lord, are you really planning to let Feng'er come back?"
"Of course. Feng'er has always been my right-hand man, and I intend to train her for a career in politics. It just so happens that things over there should have stabilized, and she just happened to come back and help set up the business here in Jinzhou."
Qian Zhenniang's voice was unusually cheerful. "I feel like I haven't seen her for decades. I don't know what she looks like now."
Xu Zhenying looked at Qian Zhenniang and said, "Zhenniang, you've been with me for over half a year. I'm planning to reorganize the department. Is there any department you'd like to join?"
Qian Zhenniang was a little confused. Did the city lord mean for her to start working on her own?
Qian Zhenniang was a little nervous, but the experience of following Xu Zhenying made her more resilient. "I'll do whatever the city lord tells me to do. I'm not afraid of any hardship, no matter how tiring or difficult it is. I'll go wherever there's a shortage of people!"
"Good girl!" Xu Zhenying patted Qian Zhenniang's shoulder affectionately, feeling somewhat relieved. "If your uncle and aunt saw you again, I'm afraid they wouldn't recognize you!"
Qian Zhenniang smiled coldly, "I've long forgotten about their affairs. Now that I think about it, I should thank them. If they hadn't been so anxious to kick me out of the house, I wouldn't have known the girl, let alone seen so many things."
Xu Zhenying said, "I don't think there's any need to thank the suffering. What you should be thankful for is your brave self."
Qian Zhenniang's eyes suddenly turned red, "City Lord——"
"No sentimentality." Xu Zhenying's voice suddenly became cold. Qian Zhenniang pursed her lips, then heard a commotion outside and vaguely heard the voice of the female soldier who was receiving the common people at the front gate.
Soon, the receptionist came running in, but she didn't go inside. She just stood at the door and reported loudly: "City Lord, several village chiefs from Jinzhou Prefecture came to consult about pig farming, but they ran away as soon as they saw us, and we couldn't stop them at all—"
As soon as he finished speaking, the people inside came out. Xu Zhenying and Qian Zhenniang walked quickly towards the gate of the government office, one in front and one behind.
Xu Zhenying set up a reception room next to the main gate of the government office to receive ordinary people.
The common people were afraid of places like the government office, just like ordinary people in their previous life were nervous when they went to the gate of a government agency. Therefore, Xu Zhenying specially found female soldiers with good looks and soft voices from the army to receive them in order to eliminate the people's fear. However, it seemed that this reception room had not been used since they entered Jinzhou Prefecture.
"Let me go, why won't you let me go? I told you I'm fine—"
The receptionist could only stop him and said softly, "Old man, you just said you wanted to see the city lord. Don't worry, our city lord is very kind. Just wait a moment, our colleagues have already gone in to call the city lord—"
This was nothing serious, but several uncles stamped their feet anxiously, "Hey, little girl, when did I say I was looking for the city lord? Did you hear me wrong? Quick, let me go, we're just passing by!"
Xu Zhenying couldn't help but hold his forehead as he watched the intense scene.
Blame her, really blame her.
These little girls are too enthusiastic. I should have asked them to be more cold-hearted earlier. Otherwise, the people will only think that something is wrong and it will make them even more scared.
Xu Zhenying walked out slowly, and the soldiers surrounding him immediately shouted respectfully, "City Lord!"
The uncles couldn't run away in front of him. They were so scared that they immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Xu Zhenying twice. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, spare our lives. We are just passing by——"
Qian Zhenniang wanted to laugh. She quickly helped the uncles up and said, "Uncle, our city lord has three heads and six arms, right? Look how scared you are. Hurry up and speak. Kneeling is not allowed here--"
A male soldier nearby said, "Exactly, sir. Our city lord is very kind. Don't be afraid. If you have any problems, just tell him. He will definitely take care of you!"
There were also male soldiers who said enthusiastically: "Hey, after talking for so long, please bring out a stool for the old men——"
"Sir, this is not possible, this is not possible--" The old men were sweating all over their foreheads, and were refusing and feeling uneasy. But the young men were quite enthusiastic. They forced them to sit on the stools and sat them in a row in front of the main gate of the government office.
Several elderly people were sitting on pins and needles, not daring to breathe. They were probably regretting why they had the courage to come here.
Xu Zhenying was speechless. Brothers, why are you so enthusiastic? Look, you’ve scared these old guys so much that they’re almost having a heart attack!
However, she didn't show it on her face. She just sat down and said, "My uncles, are you all the village chiefs of the village below?"
The leading elder in a green robe seemed well-educated and spoke slowly. Although he tried his best to appear neither humble nor overbearing, his tense demeanor still revealed his nervousness. "To answer your Majesty... the City Lord, we are the village chiefs of the villages under Jinzhou Prefecture. We just passed through your precious land and would like to ask for advice on pig farming."
Xu Zhenying raised his eyes and asked the soldier beside him, "Ming Xiaoshuang is in charge of raising pigs. Go call him. He should have just left not far away."
The soldier said, "Report to the city lord, I have already sent someone to call him."
Xu Zhenying praised him, "Not bad, you have a keen eye for things."
The soldier blushed immediately.
Xu Zhenying turned around again, motioning for the village chief to sit down, and then he said slowly, "There's a specialist in charge of pig farming. He'll be here soon."
"How...how can this be done?"
Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. It's what we should do."
Seeing Xu Zhenying speak slowly and with a constant smile, he seemed very approachable. Furthermore, Xu Zhenying looked very young, so the village leaders were less frightened than before. As the men engaged in a private argument, Xu Zhenying pretended not to notice.
Then, under the pleading gazes of his companions, the old man in the green robe mustered up the courage to ask, "City Lord, someone from our village went to Lan County a while ago and came back to brag to us that all the children in Lan County have to go to school. They call it universal education? They also said that as long as you attend the literacy class, you can also study medicine for free."
"That's true. There's a medical school in Lan County, and almost all the doctors there teach there, but it's not completely free. We're called targeted students, and tuition and miscellaneous fees are all free, including accommodation and food. But after graduation, you have to follow our arrangements and stay in the countryside for five years before you can be free and practice medicine outside."
The village heads were stunned and looked at each other.
Wow, this is actually true!
"City Lord, what does it mean to go to the countryside and stay in the village?"
"To put it simply, there are almost no doctors in the village now. If a villager gets sick, he or she can only walk dozens of miles to the county town for treatment, which can easily delay the treatment. As for the students who are assigned to a specific village, they must obey our deployment and stay in a village for at least five years. This is considered to be working for five years to compensate for my tuition."
"Oh, this is great news!" After hearing this, the village heads finally understood, "This is a great thing for our village!"
The hearts of the villagers in several villages suddenly became excited. If there were a doctor in this village, the villagers who had a headache or fever could get treatment without leaving the village. This was especially true for women who had given birth improperly. Time was of the utmost preciousness. How many people could be saved invisibly!
This mountain king seems to be much more reliable than the previous lord surnamed Gu!
After all, Lord Gu had been in office for three years, and the common people had only heard of his name when they were paying taxes and performing labor service.
As for whether he is a corrupt official or an honest official, the common people are completely in the dark.
"But right now, as you all know, we've just occupied Jinzhou Prefecture, and comprehensive education hasn't been rolled out yet. The prerequisite for studying medicine is at least literacy, so when the time comes, the first batch of targeted students in Lan County will be allocated based on demand. We'll then determine which village has the most elderly and children."
One of the village chiefs, a man with a square face, became anxious. "City Lord, when will universal education be implemented? Will it really be free? I heard that many villages in Lan County have specialized teachers. My daughter-in-law's family is from Xiangshui Village in Lan County, and they say that most children there can read. Even though you've just arrived in Jinzhou, the people of Jinzhou are still your people. You can't be partial!"
His companion next to him secretly pulled him, as if complaining about his hasty tone, fearing that Xu Zhenying would be unhappy.
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