CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 231: ACADEMY (SUPPLEMENT 1)

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan brought back a batch of iron blocks and farm tools to the county government, coincidentally, Dahua and her father were also sent there.

Zhao Hanzhang really liked the decisive girl and asked her, "I need someone to help me with errands, would you be willing to stay by my side?"

Dahua immediately knelt and kowtowed, "I am willing."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "I’m not asking you to be a maidservant, but a clerk."

"The county government needs people to make blankets and clothes, and to twist dried grass into rope, as well as to make shoes. There’s someone managing this in the city, but no one in the countryside can take over." Zhao Hanzhang said, "Previously, it was managed by the clerks in the government office, but because they are men, their attention to detail is lacking, or they act roughly, resulting in poor quality products. You’re a hardworking girl, so I want you to manage this."

Dahua did not expect to become an official, and she was so nervous that her hands and feet went numb, stuttering, "B-but I am illiterate."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I know, so you have to set aside half the day to study every day."

Zhao Hanzhang directly led Dahua to the academy.

Zhao Cheng was teaching. Upon seeing her, he turned his eyes away.

Zhao Hanzhang was not bothered, patiently standing with Dahua outside the window, waiting until Zhao Cheng finished a lesson before leading Dahua inside.

"Uncle, you’ve worked hard." Zhao Hanzhang personally served tea to Zhao Cheng.

"No one visits the Three Treasures Hall for no reason. Tell me, what brings you here this time?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed flatteringly, "Uncle, you misunderstand me. Am I that kind of person?"

Zhao Cheng looked at her quietly.

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, gestured for Dahua to come forward, "I’ve brought a student for you, her name is Dahua, who has just become a clerk at my office. She is illiterate, so I wanted to ask Uncle if you could teach her some characters, and some basic arithmetic will do."

Zhao Cheng frowned, "Why are you sending all kinds of people my way? There are already many clerks and military officers here, and now even a female clerk?"

"Uncle, whether it’s one sheep or a herd of sheep, it’s just adding one more to the group, not much difference."

Zhao Cheng snapped angrily, "You say it’s no difference? Others have been studying for nearly two months, can she follow the same lessons now that she’s here?"

Dahua nervously lowered her head, tightened her fists, and suddenly looked up, saying, "Sir, I don’t need special teaching, I will catch up on my own."

Zhao Cheng looked at her, and Dahua swallowed and said, "I’m saying, I can start learning whatever you’re teaching them, and I’ll make up the missed lessons myself."

Seeing Zhao Cheng’s expression soften, Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Uncle, please help me by accepting one more student."

Zhao Cheng asked, "You have plenty of useful people under your command, I don’t believe you don’t know. Uncle Ming has already ordered that any young clan members who wish to enter society can follow you. Why did you specifically choose an illiterate girl?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The brothers are excellent, but what Dahua needs to do, they wouldn’t manage well."

"In Lower Corner Village, although she’s a girl, she was able to independently manage a team digging a canal, most of whom were men who didn’t dare defy her." She said, "Now, I’m in need of people, so I’m planning to use the countryside women and children as well."

"They may not be as strong as grown men, but they are just as capable in other tasks, if not more so. It’s all about proper division of work, and with the right arrangement, the results are great. Dahua is the key to my division of work. Teach her well and everything below won’t become disorganized."

"Zhao Kuan and the others can’t?" Zhao Cheng asked, "Having endured hardship during their travels, haven’t they eaten enough bitterness? You don’t need to worry about them not being able to endure hardship."

Zhao Hanzhang knew that this was the reason for Zhao Cheng’s dissatisfaction, because she hadn’t utilized the Zhao Family’s offspring.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, then explained, "Uncle, Brother Kuan and the others can endure hardship, but this isn’t merely about enduring hardship. One of the main reasons I chose Dahua is because she is a woman."

"Brother Kuan and the others are talented and should be used in better positions."

"For example?"

"Currently, the best place for them is this academy," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle, this academy isn’t just about teaching children to read and write, but also to teach them ethics. These people will be used by me in the future, and their thoughts all stem from the Zhao Family."

"Now, nearly half of the clerks in the government office, the squad leaders and centurions in the army and my division are studying alongside the Zhao Family offspring. Do you know what this implies?" Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, "It means their consciousness is instilled by our Zhao Family, and they will naturally favor Zhao Family, perhaps even you, Uncle."

Zhao Cheng was dumbfounded looking at Zhao Hanzhang, and after coming to his senses, he became angry, "What do you mean by this? You’ve turned teaching wisdom into something else? Educating people is about making them think for themselves and not become your shadows..."

Zhao Hanzhang was awkwardly driven out of the academy, but Dahua remained.

Dahua was in awe of the teacher who dared to expel the County Lord, standing aside with her neck shrunk, not daring to speak.

Zhao Cheng stomped around the spot twice. He finally understood why Chang Ning comes every ten days for a big lecture, and even Ji Yuan from Shangcai occasionally comes over to teach, it’s all because of this plan.

He previously thought it was just embarrassing how they praised Zhao Hanzhang during each lesson, but now, what doesn’t he understand?

Zhao Cheng stomped around twice, seeing Dahua, he waved his hand, "Go prepare now, first get your brush, ink, paper and ink stone, and come to class tomorrow."

Dahua happily agreed.

Zhao Cheng pondered for a long time without understanding, feeling this contradicted his educational philosophy, so he angrily ran back to Wu Castle and complained to Zhao Ming, "Who knows where she learned these cunning plans, she’s calculated it all along, and now she’s having me cultivate loyal followers for her."

Zhao Ming calmly poured a cup of wine for him and poured one for himself as well.

Zhao Cheng saw his expressionless demeanor and couldn’t help but frown, "You knew long ago?"

Zhao Ming nodded.

Zhao Cheng asked angrily, "Then why didn’t you tell me?"

Zhao Ming took a sip of wine and said, "Do you know how much it costs the clan to support a child studying?"

Zhao Cheng frowned, "Hm?"

Zhao Ming said, "Take Zhao Kuan, for instance, he has been living frugally and can endure hardship, traveling with you every year, but money is needed for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, not to mention the brush, ink, paper, ink stone, and books needed for study."

"A simple enlightenment book can be sold for 100 cents outside."

Zhao Cheng pursed his lips, "Zhao Kuan and the others are using books that were used by their father and elder brothers, and didn’t cost any money."

"But what about the literature collections they buy every year and some secondhand books? Were those used by their father and elder brothers too?" Zhao Ming said, "Every year they spend no less than fifty thousand coins on books, not to mention the consumables like ink and paper. Especially paper and ink, have you calculated how much you spend annually?"

Zhao Cheng hesitated and said, "Brother, I’m talking about the Hanzhang Academy matter."