Chapter 478

Although there were many doubts, Chen Wuji's proposed three-recruitment plan progressed quite smoothly.

The next day, Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun came to report the day's progress.

In one day, over thirty thousand civilians eagerly signed up for the government office's three recruitments, with land reclamation and farming being the most numerous, followed by mining at Qingyu Mountain, while enlistment and logging on the mountain were the fewest.

"Commandant, there is a matter I need to report." Zhang Xun stood straight at Chen Wuji's desk and said loudly, "Today, the thirty-seven thousand civilians who came for conscription are not all that showed up; it's just that the hour grew late, so we had to temporarily stop, and there are still crowds of civilians queuing on the main street."

Chen Wuji grunted, "After this day, any other problems?"

"There really is one matter." Zhang Xun said, "The civilians have repeatedly asked whether the government office will provide two meals a day for their work; this was my oversight, but after discussing it with Cheng Zhiheng, I added it."

"The government office should provide meals for civilians while they work, but not on rest days; this applies only to the laborers opening mountain roads, mining, and logging, not to the soldiers or those reclaiming land."

Chen Wuji nodded, "You've done well; the people have no surplus grain at home, and our purpose in discussing these matters is precisely to give them a livelihood—how could we add pressure to them?"

"Thank you, Commandant, there's nothing else left." Zhang Xun said.

"You've worked hard; go rest early. When this is over, I'll set a banquet to thank you all." Chen Wuji said. Although these Hezhou local officials are all timid and overly cautious, at least for now they seem to be doing things solidly.

After the three-recruitment plan was set, the entire Hezhou Prefecture Office practically began working nonstop; everyone was busy to the point of not touching the ground, with officials and clerks essentially making one person do the work of three or four.

Going to the Yunan County Office to coordinate the locations for land reclamation and farming, the specific settlement arrangements, who to send for supervision and inspection, the monthly grain and salary distribution process, etc., all these tasks require dedicated personnel.

The same applies to Qingyu Mountain and the logging sites.

Basically, it's one person watching over several holes.

Only recruitment is relatively easy.

Once the new troops are in place, they are simply sent to Yang Tiejiang's, requiring no personnel from the Hezhou Prefecture Office.

Chen Wuji has been the same these past few days.

The subordinates are busy, and he, who oversees the whole situation, is even busier.

Chen Wuji, who has always dreamed of being a hands-off shopkeeper, just can't bring himself to completely dump this big mess onto his subordinates; he can't help but want to intervene in every aspect.

He specially made a trip to Yunan, chatted with the upper and lower levels of the Yunan County Office, and visited the designated land reclamation collective farm. Having become busy upon arriving in Yunan, he didn't even have time to return to Xishan Village before hurrying back to Hezhou.

Returning to Hezhou, he remained constantly on the move, briefly handling official duties, then immediately set off for Qingyu Mountain to oversee the opening of the mountain road and personally inspect what the mountain was really like.

Upon arriving, Chen Wuji finally understood why, after discovering this mountain, the combined efforts of Hezhou could not turn it into a true treasure mountain, and thus it was abandoned there.

Without something formidable, merely opening a mountain road would take several years to hope to finish; the workload would be no less than digging another river within Hezhou's borders.

Moreover, this is premised on mobilizing at least ten thousand laborers.

If he lacked something like Shocking Heaven Thunder, Chen Wuji could only stare helplessly at this treasure mountain, utterly unable to do anything.

On the easiest route to Qingyu Mountain, two small mountains block the way; detouring can only lead to other mountains, and going around these two small hills to open a mountain road requires even more effort.

After surveying the surrounding terrain, Chen Wuji decided to flatten those two blocking small mountains.

"Shi Yi Shu, I don't trust Shocking Heaven Thunder with anyone else; you stay temporarily and level those two mountains." After descending from Qingyu Mountain, Chen Wuji said to Chen Li.

"Yes!" Chen Li replied without adding another word, agreeing very succinctly.

Old Shi Yi Shu, by Chen Wuji's side, is completely a stabilizing divine needle; wherever needed, he goes to steady it.

"These two mountains are steep and perilous; I just took a rough look—burying Shocking Heaven Thunder in the middle might possibly cause them to collapse a bit." Chen Wuji said while gesturing, "I don't know if Shi Yi Shu is familiar with the Luoyang Shovel."

"What is this?" Chen Li asked, looking bewildered.

He had never even heard of it.

Chen Wuji thought a moment, "Let them work first; you don't need to rush construction on your end. After I return to the city, I'll have the artisans make a few tools, and then you can come over."

It was his abruptness; the name Luoyang Shovel sounds like something not heard of in the time of Da Yu.

"Yes!"

"Let's head back; it will still take some time to extend the mountain road to those two mountains, so take it slow." Chen Wuji said, "I've seen everything I needed to see; I can finally rest, and today I should be able to get a good night's sleep."

Excavating a mountain road from Hezhou City straight into the inner periphery of Shenxian Ling is no easy task.

Even with a divine tool like Shocking Heaven Thunder capable of overturning the two biggest obstacles, this project still requires at least three months or more before any effect might be seen.

Chen Li chuckled, "Family Head, you indeed ought to rest; the Fifth Lady recently hinted, asking what you've been busy with, and why you haven't even stepped into the government office's courtyard."

Xiao Yuji didn't say anything explicit to Chen Li, but Chen Wuji could also read between the lines.

It seemed to carry a hint of resentment mixed with self-doubt.

But this truly cannot be blamed on Chen Wuji; it's not that he stopped entering the government office's courtyard after Xiao Yuji arrived—indeed, Xiao Yuji came at an opportune moment, just when he had been busy to the point of not touching the ground.

"Return!"

……

After working nonstop for seven or eight days, Chen Wuji finally lay down peacefully in the government office's courtyard.

The chair is a recliner, allowing him to lie very comfortably as a leisurely official; beside him sits Xiao Yuji, beautiful enough to leave one speechless, while not far away attend Yan Qiushui and Shen Lu, whose refined bearing makes them seem more like young ladies than maids.

"By the way, how's my father-in-law?" Chen Wuji suddenly sat up.

Xiao Yuji chuckled and rolled her eyes, "You finally remembered my lively father? He's gone to listen to music in the pleasure quarters. He's been staying there day after day for several days now. If you don't inquire further, I'm afraid my father will find me another concubine."

Chen Wuji rubbed his forehead, "These past few days I've indeed been busy to the point of confusion."

After Xiao Zong arrived in Hezhou, he slept for two straight days before regaining his strength.

Before Chen Wuji went to Yunan, the two met once, shared a meal, and briefly discussed opening a workshop in Hezhou; after that, Chen Wuji remained constantly occupied outside, never having a chance to meet again.