CHAPTER 251: CHAPTER 246: 100 CALLS OF BROTHER-IN-LAW

The steward brought Chenzhou back to the inn, his expression somewhat solemn.

Chenzhou was anxious, "What did Chief Clerk Chang say?"

The steward’s face was grave as he said, "Zhao Hanzhang wants the craftsman from our family’s block printing."

Chenzhou was stunned for a moment and then said, "How is that possible? That’s the foundation of our family’s livelihood."

The steward lowered his eyes and said, "They said they don’t need a craftsman, a couple of apprentices would do."

Chenzhou frowned, somewhat unwilling.

The steward was also reluctant, but the terms given by Chief Clerk Chang were too good. He lowered his voice and said, "Chief Clerk Chang said that Zhao Hanzhang is currently in need of manpower. If the young master catches her eye, then it might even be possible to stay by her side to work."

Chenzhou: "... Are you asking me to be a petty official?"

His goal was for the Ninth Grade Examination in a year or two, which, as long as he could secure a high position, even a low one, he could still become a County Magistrate. Why would he stay in Xiping to be a petty official?

Once he became a petty official, it would set his course, and there would be no opportunity to advance on the civil service path in the future.

The steward said, "Not to be a petty official, just to work as an advisor by her side. Following her, you would meet well-known scholars, and I’ve heard that Xiahou Ren has a good relationship with her. In next year’s major selection, she might even speak a few good words for you."

Xiahou Ren’s cousin, Xiahou Jun, is the major adjudicator of Yu State.

Chenzhou pondered.

The steward waited for him to think it over.

Chenzhou repeatedly asked, "Just apprentices?"

"Just apprentices," the steward lowered his voice and said, "And they don’t have any blocks anyway. Even if they open a bookstore, they would need to accumulate new blocks, which is far from our family’s stock. What is the young master worried about?"

In large-scale printing, why is block printing said to be much cheaper than movable type printing?

Because a block can be used repeatedly and put away when not in use. Many bookstores have several rooms full of blocks, accumulated over generations and years.

Why has the Zhao Family never considered opening their own bookstore?

Is it possible they really can’t find a block craftsman?

Of course not, it’s because it’s not worth it.

Books nowadays, apart from being printed, are mostly hand-copied one by one. Most sophisticated knowledge is passed down through handwriting, and what’s printed is mostly common textbooks.

The Zhao Family doesn’t rely on a bookstore to make money, so naturally, they wouldn’t think of exerting such effort.

Because it’s truly too laborious. Every block needs a carpenter to carve each character. For a new establishment to match well-established bookstores in book and block storage, it either takes decades of time or requires tremendous resources, and the gains don’t match the input at all.

Who would be so foolish as to not care about costs and open a bookstore?

So after thinking it over, Chenzhou gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, agree to it. Go home at once and select two apprentices, as long as they know how to print books, it’s fine; they don’t need to be very skilled."

"Young master, I think it’s better to choose one good and one not so good."

"Why?"

"So Zhao Hanzhang knows we’re sincere. First promote the skilled apprentice to master and have him bring along another apprentice."

Chenzhou widened his eyes at the steward, "Isn’t that... deceptive?"

The steward: "... It’s not exactly deceptive. That apprentice is skilled and should be promoted to master anyway."

Chenzhou finally exhaled a long sigh, "You’re making sense."

The steward also breathed a sigh, feeling somewhat weary.

Zhao Hanzhang knew nothing of this as she was in the military camp sparring joyously with Zhao Ju. Initially, she deliberately remembered fixed moves, but as she got more into it, she completely forgot and only remembered some principles taught by Fu Tinghan. Her moves became increasingly smooth and seamless.

She gradually equaled Zhao Ju in skill.

Even though he’d seen it many times, Zhao Ju couldn’t help but exclaim again, "Third Lady has exceptional talent."

Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips and smiled. Even when she was blind, she could fight—oh no, practice martial arts—so now she could do even better.

Zhao Hanzhang retracted her spear and wiped her sweat with her sleeve. Zhao Erlang immediately ran up with a handkerchief, diligently wiping his sister’s sweat.

Zhao Hanzhang simply tilted her face up for him to wipe and only after he finished did she ask, "If you have a request, hurry up and say it. I have to patrol the city later."

Zhao Erlang immediately said, "Sister, can you give me the other spearhead in the box?"

Zhao Ju just unscrewed a bamboo tube to drink water, and upon hearing this, he started coughing, choking on the water.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said to Zhao Erlang, "Aren’t you practicing with a saber? Why do you want a spearhead?"

Zhao Erlang’s eyes shone as he said, "I think a long spear is more majestic and it’s more convenient to kill from horseback. Plus, it’s the same weapon you use, so I want to switch!"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind but said, "The spearhead belongs to Tinghan. You’d have to ask him."

She paused and then said, "Never mind, I’ll ask him myself."

This was a special gift from Fu Tinghan, so if she was going to give it to someone else, she had to ask him first.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erlang quickly followed her back to the county government.

As soon as they dismounted, he ran ahead of her into the house, racing to the study. Sure enough, Fu Tinghan was there, drawing and writing at the desk.

Zhao Erlang rushed forward, "Brother-in-law, if I call you brother-in-law a hundred times, will you grant me one request?"

Fu Tinghan looked up, "What request?"

"Will you agree to let my sister give me the other spearhead in the box?"

Fu Tinghan raised an eyebrow, "You can speak so logically now?"

He asked, "Was this something someone taught you to say, or did you come up with it yourself?"

Zhao Erlang was puzzled, "I came up with it myself, what’s wrong?"

Fu Tinghan asked, "You want me to agree with your sister, so where’s your sister?"

"Here," Zhao Hanzhang entered from outside the door, complaining, "You purposely got here one step before me, and who knows when you got so clever."

Zhao Erlang chuckled sheepishly.

Fu Tinghan smiled, and before Zhao Hanzhang could speak, he nodded, "I agree."

He sifted through his sketches on the side, took out the second one from the bottom, and handed it to her, "This is the spear shaft I designed for you. See if it needs any changes. If not, I’ll have the craftsman make it."

Zhao Hanzhang saw a pattern on the spear and leaned in for a closer look, "What pattern is this?"

"It’s the large seal script of your name." He paused before continuing, "I didn’t want to add anything initially, but Uncle Ming said that since you want to commonly use this spear, it ought to have your own mark."

The main thing is, the spear looks precious and powerful. Without any adornment, Zhao Ming would consider it a waste.

Zhao Hanzhang had no objections.

Fu Tinghan then looked at Zhao Erlang, "Then you should practice with the long spear later; I’ll design a spear shaft for you."

Zhao Erlang’s eyes sparkled, and he started calling, "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law..."

Seeing that he was about to call out all hundred times, Fu Tinghan hurriedly stopped him, "No rush, you can continue calling when you have time later."