Chapter 107: All Our Own People

Wen Gu did not actually keep staring at the Huwei Escort Agency the whole time.

He was staring at too many things, and the Huwei Escort Agency was just one of them, and it could be considered a relatively reliable one at that.

"After all, their gang... their team all has an upward-striving heart!"

When there is a strong purpose and ambition, he actually does not need to spur them on too much; he only needs to provide a slight reminder.

After returning to Jingxing Fang following the New Year, there were many affairs, and with no time to go out, Wen Gu spent most of his time in the two Fangs.

The ten guards transferred to him by the Head of the Family Zhao had also arrived.

Before the New Year, when Wen Gu brought a Telescope and a Microscope as New Year's gifts for his uncle-in-law and cousin, the Head of the Family Zhao was worried about Wen Gu's personal safety, so he promised to give Wen Gu ten guards.

These people were not for protecting Jingxing Fang and Qingyun Fang, but were specifically Wen Gu's own private guards!

Guards who carried weapons and had rich combat experience!

As for the carriage Wen Gu used, while he was staying at the Zhao Zhai during the New Year, Lady Shen had craftsmen repair the carriage.

Seeing this configuration, one could deeply feel the gap in rank between Ward Chiefs!

Without status and ability to support it, even if one could afford a luxurious carriage and guards, one would not dare to use them.

In this not-so-large Neicheng of Xinzhou City, how many wealthy and powerful people were gathered in those Fangs near the core area.

Do not think that in troubled times, the rites and regulations are not strict, and many things can be used casually. That also depends on the place and the person!

Now it is obvious that the Head of the Family Zhao and Lady Shen are elevating Wen Gu's status; as long as it is not made too exaggerated, even those scholars who used to be full of talk about etiquette will not comment.

At least on the surface, they will remain silent.

With Wen Gu's improved treatment, the people at the Jingqing Public Office felt a sense of honor.

Although they were Wen Gu's private guards, because Wen Gu rarely went out, these guards also stayed at the Public Office when he was there.

Standing there, they added a bit of solemnity and majesty to the entire Jingqing Public Office!

In the office.

Cheng Zhi was excitedly reporting to Wen Gu that some of the women among the residents who moved into Jingxing Fang last year were pregnant. Once they settled down and their health improved, good news immediately arrived.

Increasing the population is also one of the political achievements!

It is just that, overall, there are still many difficulties.

Thinking that the Public Office now had sufficient funds, Cheng Zhi suggested: "Is it necessary to allocate another portion of money and grain for assistance?"

Even in some previous dynasties, there were many child-rearing systems such as pregnancy decrees, tax and corvée exemptions, and the provision of material rewards and subsidies to promote population recovery.

Xinzhou also had relevant systems to provide subsidies to families with difficulties in raising children, but it was the responsibility of each Ward Chief. As for whether those subsidies were actually delivered, it was hard to say.

Look at those local commoners like Tao San; to get their share of winter relief supplies, they still had to play tricks and cry about their misery.

However, Cheng Zhi still trusted Wen Gu, this Ward Chief, very much.

Wen Gu had never skimmed off the commoners' supplies in this regard, nor would he cook the books on this, so Cheng Zhi dared to boldly make suggestions on such matters.

Wen Gu sighed: "It's not enough."

Cheng Zhi thought Wen Gu felt the subsidy was too little: "This... these are actually already enough!"

Any more would cause a burden to the Public Office! There are many places in the Fang that need money!

"That is not what I meant."

Wen Gu took out a piece of paper and drew a table.

"Follow this and have someone do a count first."

Cheng Zhi noted it down.

Wen Gu opened the map of the markets of Xinzhou City and looked at it for a while, then suddenly thought of something and asked: "Have those two from the Shen Family come recently?"

He was referring to the brothers Shen Qing and Shen Liu.

Cheng Zhi thought for a moment and replied: "These two came by yesterday, saying they wanted to go to Centai Academy to take a look, and stopped by here to see the progress of Wanfu Garden. They didn't stay long; they took a look and left, and they shouldn't be coming over in the short term."

Wen Gu had received the report yesterday, but he was busy with something at the time and did not ask further.

"What did they say at the time? Repeat it word for word."

Cheng Zhi recalled slightly: "The eldest young master of the Shen family, Shen Qing, said, 'Jingxing Fang is all our own people, I trust you!'"

Being able to gain trust, Cheng Zhi was quite happy.

Wen Gu, however, twitched his brows.

Jingxing Fang is all our own people?

With the minds of those two, saying it like that, they most likely thought so too.

"They are quite at ease here," Wen Gu said, lowering his eyes.

After quickly finishing the official business at hand, Wen Gu ran to the neighboring Qingyun Fang.

Qingyi Daozhang had made progress in researching pigments.

Wen Gu had set up a new printing and dyeing workshop in Qingyun Fang for the sake of publishing an art book.

Recently, when recruiting craftsmen, he also recruited people skilled in printing and dyeing, and at the same time offered high bonuses to incentivize the improvement of printing and dyeing technology.

There was progress in printing and dyeing technology, but the progress of the manuscripts had not kept up.

They must be spurred on!

This day, Wen Gu took people to the Shen Family to attend a banquet. Someone in the Shen Family was holding a joyous event and had invited Wen Gu.

After attending the banquet, seeing that it was still early when he left and there was still some time before the Fang gates closed, Wen Gu said to Chang Shun, who was driving the carriage: "Go to Zhaohui Fang."

Never mind Chang Shun, even the ten guards following alongside could not help but look at Wen Gu.

Zhaohui Fang? The place where the people of the Zhao Family lived?

Did he make a mistake?

The ten newly appointed guards became fully alert.

The juniors of the Shen and Zhao families had already fought so many battles!

They were thinking about what formation they should use to protect Wen Gu if the people of Zhaohui Fang made a move, while also analyzing suitable retreat routes along the way.

When sending them over, the Head of the Family Zhao said that everything must prioritize Wen Gu's safety!

Zhaohui Fang.

The people guarding the ward gate had their hands tucked into their sleeves, their necks shrinking as they were buffeted by the cold wind.

The weather hadn't warmed up yet, and there was still snow piled by the roadside; they weren't dressed as thickly as those nobles, so how could they not shiver when the wind blew?

However, the job of guarding the ward gate wasn't something just anyone could get, so in order to keep this position, they didn't dare to be too perfunctory.

He stared at the people coming and going.

Those who lived in Zhaohui Fang were either surnamed Zhao or relatives of the Zhao family; those kinds of disreputable street loafers would be stopped and interrogated.

At this moment, a carriage drove over.

The carriage looked very refined, the horses were spirited, and there were guards holding weapons by its side.

Even without seeing a family emblem or any obvious signs of identity, the gate guards didn't dare to block such a configuration.

It was just that... the attire of those guards looked a bit familiar, didn't it?

They wondered which family's noble it was, and who they were going to see in Zhaohui Fang.

Suddenly, they saw two sturdy-looking men, dressed like servants, quickly run to the side of the carriage and bow respectfully: "Ward Chief Wen!"

Under the imposing gate of Zhaohui Fang, the gatekeeper stood there dumbfounded.

Then, he gave a violent shiver.

Who?!

Is it that Wen Gu?

That Wen Gu who has the Shen family label on him?!

A member of the Shen family running to our Zhao family's territory?

Doesn't he know how many group fights the Shen family and that bunch of young masters from the Zhao family have every year?!

The two attendants who went toward the carriage were actually sent by Second Granduncle Zhao.

Wen Gu had sent word ahead before coming, and Second Granduncle Zhao, worried that Wen Gu was unfamiliar with the place, had specifically had people wait at the ward gate.

The carriage headed toward the residence of Second Granduncle Zhao.

At this time, two young men were passing by; they caught a glimpse of the commotion over there and took a casual look, but that one look made them freeze.

Although Wen Gu was sitting inside the carriage, those who had paid attention to Wen Gu could recognize the carriage, and also recognized Chang Shun who was driving.

At the New Year's banquet, Wen Gu sat at the front table, which made many of his peers envious and jealous; especially on the Zhao family's side, the attention and precautions invested would only be greater.

Before recognizing the person: Who is it? Making such a big scene?

After recognizing the person: Holy crap! Got guts!

Wen Gu, you member of the Shen family, coming to our Zhao family's territory, and you only brought ten guards?!

Who are you looking down on!!

"Wen Gu!"

That person let out a roar, stirring up ripples of reaction.

Heads popped up one after another from the courtyard walls of the nearby houses, hurriedly looking around to see if there were any Shen family members lying in ambush anywhere.

Did Wen Gu bring people here to trash the place directly?!