CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 301: EAGER TO RECRUIT TALENTS

Zhao Erlang didn’t quite think that way; while learning a single character, he had already mastered a set of spear techniques.

He stuffed the remaining bun in his hand into his mouth and mumbled, "I have listened carefully and remembered the military strategies and stories Sister and Brother-in-law told me..." So why still learn to read?

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, not wanting him to lose interest in learning, so she stood by his side and persuaded Mrs. Wang, "Mother, Erlang may not remember characters but he can remember words. You can just tell him what you want to teach, no need to force him to read."

Zhao Erlang indeed felt happier and nodded repeatedly.

But how could their family have someone who doesn’t know how to read?

Thinking of her well-reputed father-in-law, the highly intelligent husband since childhood, and the jewel-like Zhao Hanzhang, Mrs. Wang felt anxious.

She looked up at Zhao Erlang and saw his eyes wet, staring firmly at her. Mrs. Wang paused, swallowed back her words, and reluctantly nodded, "Alright then."

Zhao Erlang immediately became excited again, picked up another bun and nibbled on it.

Mrs. Wang sighed softly while watching her son eat happily and thought, well, some things can’t be forced, it’s rare for the child to be so happy.

Though she thought so, Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but worry.

She always felt that her son’s illiteracy would cause great loss to him in the future.

The family conflict resolved, Zhao Hanzhang also happily nibbled on a bun. Unlike Fu Tinghan, who preferred porridge, the Zhao siblings loved biting into buns.

After breakfast, Zhao Hanzhang took Fu Tinghan to the front office to meet the guests. Among the invited guests, besides County Magistrates from various counties, there were also some affluent aristocratic families. Yesterday, Zhao Hanzhang only briefly met with them.

Today, she specifically invited them to the county government to have more in-depth conversations.

"There are quite a few Zhao family members, but those who can be utilized are still too few, and we cannot rely solely on Zhao family members," Zhao Hanzhang, being part of the Zhao Family, shared the same fortune and fate, but she did not wish to overly depend on the Zhao Family or any particular power.

She wanted to cultivate her own power, so she could operate smoothly.

Her school was training talents, but talent couldn’t be quickly cultivated; without three to five, or even more years, the children in the school wouldn’t be ready.

Therefore, she needed to recruit talented individuals.

Currently, with her reputation, she could only recruit within various counties, and success wasn’t guaranteed, but what does it matter, she might as well give it a try.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang gathered the invited guests together to talk and expressed her urgent need for talent, explaining that the current situation in various counties was dire, and to stabilize people’s hearts and restore production, she needed their family’s help.

The invited guests exchanged glances, looking at Zhao Ming sitting below, with different thoughts in their minds.

Zhao Ming sat quietly, without interjecting; Zhao Hanzhang did well, not only did she need talent, but now the Zhao Family also needed talent.

But in these chaotic times, talented people were often very proud, who would be willing to be commanded by a prefectural governor? Especially when it’s a woman.

Zhao Ming smirked coldly in his heart, showing a mocking expression on his face, causing various speculations among the people below him.

Zhao Hanzhang was oblivious, nor did she expect these family heads to be of much use to her; they had high seniority and status, and she didn’t prefer to use them, she valued more the young blood in their families, especially those with passionate ambition who wanted to make a difference.

Thus, she only needed these family heads to bring the news back, as to how many would be willing to join, that would depend on fate.

Zhao Hanzhang was not demanding, after meeting them she sent them out of the county government, then turned around to head to the military camp for training.

Zhao Ming called her, "When are you leaving the county?"

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t surprised that he knew she was going out, though she hadn’t yet spoken about it, only planning in her heart, "Tomorrow."

Zhao Ming asked, "Going to Sui Ping County?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and sighed, "I initially thought he was the person Uncle found for me to rely on, being one of us, naturally, I must check Sui Ping first. But since he’s not, I should even more go to see Sui Ping."

Zhao Ming advised, "Bring more people, since the soldiers have been trained, they must be utilized."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed.

But she did not plan to bring many people, as the cost was too high!

She only had Qiu Wu lead two squads of ten, maintaining clear roads, so they could connect with Xiping anytime.

Ji Yuan really wanted to follow and see, but Zhao Hanzhang just recently officially became a prefectural governor, with many tasks, and they had to prepare military provisions too. After meeting the County Magistrates yesterday, Zhao Hanzhang directly said, "We now not only have to prepare provisions for the Inspector Mansion but also for relief in various counties."

So, he was busy, and this time only Fu Tinghan could follow.

Zhao Hanzhang did not let Ji Yuan return to Shangcai, instead she privately met County Magistrate Chai and after a frank conversation released him.

County Magistrate Chai may lack great talent, but he is cowardly and obedient, and Zhao Hanzhang is now legitimately his superior, so he must listen to her words.

Shangcai’s situation has stabilized, with precedents for various matters, he just needs to follow the rules set by Ji Yuan to avoid major mistakes.

Moreover, Shangcai is next to Xiping, close enough that if anything happens, both Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming will handle it. Even though Zhao Ming seems indifferent to external affairs, rarely inquiring into Xiping’s governance, he never really let go when Zhao Hanzhang approached him, right?

Before leaving, Zhao Hanzhang met the Xiping County clerks, especially Geng Rong, Song Zhi, Chen Si Niang, and Fan Ying, saying, "The situation in various counties is not good, but Xiping has stabilized; you have experience in relief and pacification, and you may need to go to other counties to work."

She said, "So, while you handle Xiping’s affairs well, also train a deputy and interact with Mr. Ji in handling Governor Mansion tasks."

The four sought her with bright eyes, feeling excited; did this mean they were transitioning from Xiping County clerks to Governor Mansion clerks?

Zhao Hanzhang liked their gaze, full of ambition and energy!

Her lips curled up, dissipating much of the gloom accrued from meeting lifeless family heads in the morning, saying, "Do well, I won’t treat you poorly."

A common phrase but also the most effective.

No one doubted Zhao Hanzhang’s word, and the four replied resolutely.

People should have ambition while young, the four were not very old, who didn’t have great aspirations?

They had yet to despair against the world, emanating a strong vitality, and listened earnestly to Zhao Hanzhang’s guidance.

Zhao Hanzhang felt much better and called Zhao Kuan to speak.

"How is the situation in Yu Yang County?"

Zhao Kuan felt more respectful towards this cousin. Clearly, it had only been a month since they last met, yet he felt the majesty around her had grown heavier.