CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 223 PRESTIGE

She knew this could only be kept from Zhao Ming temporarily, and once the iron mine was officially mined, she wouldn’t be able to hide it for much longer.

Moreover, she didn’t really want to hide it because after all, using wood to smelt iron consumes too much wood, and the results are not good, so she needs coal.

Fu Tinghan had already used the high furnace to smelt steel; that high furnace had been modified again and again, and now it can be confirmed.

He did not intervene in the matter further but instead handed over the construction of the high furnace and the craftsmen skilled in iron and steel smelting to Zhao Hanzhang, and then took Zhao Hanzhang’s sword to the newly built high furnace.

At this time, Lu Tiejiang was sweating all over while working on iron by the high furnace.

Outside, it was bitterly cold winter, but inside it was warm; although the craftsmen found the work hard, they didn’t feel unhappy.

Upon seeing Fu Tinghan, all the craftsmen stopped what they were doing and respectfully greeted him.

Fu Tinghan casually waved his hand and handed the sword to Lu Tiejiang, "Reforge it using the steel we smelted some time ago."

With both hands, Lu Tiejiang took the sword, placed the sheath aside, and carefully examined the blade before saying, "This sword is already quite good; its sharpness can be considered a famed sword. Why does it need to be reforged?"

"It doesn’t compare to steel."

If he had the strength, he would have done it himself.

However, forging iron is a skill, not something that can be done with just strength.

Fu Tinghan had theoretical knowledge, but his hands-on skills were nearly zero, so he could only leave it to Lu Tiejiang.

To conquer Yu State in the future, Zhao Hanzhang will surely go to war, and a sharp sword is the best protection he can currently offer her.

"If there is leftover steel, forge it all into spearheads."

Lu Tiejiang agreed.

Fu Tinghan began to patrol the room, and the craftsmen immediately gathered around to ask, "Sir, the manager asked us to pack up, saying we are going to build a high furnace elsewhere. Do you know where we are going?"

Fu Tinghan replied, "You’ll know once you go."

The craftsmen hesitated, "Is it far? If it’s too far, can we bring our families?"

Fu Tinghan did not answer but went to Zhao Hanzhang to inquire after going out.

Zhao Hanzhang was preparing materials, ordering people to transport materials for building houses and high furnaces, and replied upon hearing, "The houses are not built yet. Once that’s done, I’ll prioritize arranging for their families to go there."

After the winter solstice, the weather turned increasingly cold, and most women, children, and the elderly in the city stayed home, while the able-bodied went to the county government to take on jobs and work outside.

During the Zhao Family banquet this time, Zhao Hanzhang sold many glazed products, with full-length mirrors having the highest sales.

No man from the Wei Jin era could refuse a full-length mirror; if they did, it was definitely impolite.

As aristocrats, makeup is a basic etiquette; whether it’s powdering or dressing, having a full-length mirror to view themselves clearly and comprehensively is crucial.

Not only do they need it, but they also want to bring some for their fathers, brothers, uncles, and younger brothers.

Therefore, full-length mirrors from the Glazed Workshop are in short supply.

Ji Yuan had to record their addresses and purchase quantities in advance, promising to deliver once ready.

Indeed, their service was so thorough.

Because they decided to deliver the full-length mirrors and purchase some food simultaneously.

Zhao Hanzhang had taken in too many people; although she had stockpiled a lot of food earlier, the food reserves had been rapidly decreasing due to the work-for-relief scheme.

So as the weather grew colder, Zhao Hanzhang stopped issuing work, and everyone stayed home through the winter, reducing food consumption considerably.

However, through the winter solstice banquet, she not only made a lot of money but also negotiated agreements with several families to exchange glazed products for food.

With more stored food, Zhao Hanzhang became more ambitious. When she returned to the county government, she summoned village chiefs and team leaders and issued new employment requirements.

It was essentially still work-for-relief, but this time it was not food being issued but money.

Zhao Hanzhang listed more than a dozen jobs, with daily wages ranging from eight cents to fifteen cents, settled every ten days.

With the money, the people could choose to buy food from the county government or purchase other items; it was no longer just food issued.

The village chiefs took the news back, and many immediately went out to join the employment boom.

As for the team leaders of the army, there’s no need to mention; those under them were all refugees who had no home or roots, more willing to seize the opportunity to earn money.

The team leaders confirmed with Zhao Hanzhang, "Can they also receive wages?"

"Of course," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "This is winter; it’s meant for resting, but if they work during rest time, naturally I’ll pay them wages."

The team leaders sighed in relief, acknowledged her understanding, and quickly took the news to their respective settlement points to share the good tidings.

Thus, when most of the guests visiting Xiping had left, the entire Xiping County mobilized.

Whether it was city dwellers in Xiping County or tenant farmers in the countryside, everyone followed the village chief or team leader out, hunching their necks to resist the cold wind while working.

After working for some time, their bodies began to warm up, and it wasn’t as cold anymore.

The main task of the county’s able-bodied men was digging canals, reservoirs, and building houses.

The winter ground was not easy to dig, with snow having fallen twice before, making the topsoil somewhat difficult to dig and requiring great effort, but as long as they thought of the ten-cent daily wage, they were full of motivation.

In the four directions of Xiping County, four brick kilns were built, starting to transport finished bricks to various settlement points.

Zhao Hanzhang rode her horse daily, patrolling and solving various issues on-site, moved by her own diligence.

Previously working for a salary, she wasn’t as proactive.

This way, the people of Xiping County quickly became familiar with this "County Lord."

Ordinary people did not care whether the ruler was male or female; as long as their lives weren’t too miserable, they were satisfied.

For Zhao Hanzhang, who had eliminated their autumn taxes for this year, although they doubted her capability somewhat, there was more gratitude;

Later, when she implemented work-for-relief and had village chiefs send villagers orphaned by chaotic armies to Yushan Hall in the county city for care, everyone began to genuinely accept her and hoped she could continue as Xiping County’s County Magistrate.

After all, encountering a County Lord as kind as her was hard.

To this day, she issued the work-for-relief decree in deep winter, with people’s admiration for her steadily rising, along with the famed reputation for being both affectionate and filial spread from the Zhao Family banquet. People’s hearts leaned entirely toward her, thinking from the bottom of their hearts, this is their County Lord!

As the actual agent of the family clan, Zhao Ming immediately noticed the changes in Zhao Hanzhang’s public reputation.

Seeing how she, in just three months, won the hearts of Xiping County’s people, Zhao Ming’s slight hesitation dissipated.

He convened a family meeting, formally saying, "Let Zhao Kuan and the others prepare to join society."