Chapter 109: A Good Person

With a goal, ambition, and a plan, efficiency is extremely high.

Zhao Han listened to Wen Gu's advice, patiently rested at home for a night to recharge, and plotted (x) strategized with Great-Uncle Zhao.

The next day, the fully energized Zhao Han began to assemble a team.

During this time, Zhao Han had been cooped up at home working, unable to go out and bond with his little friends, but the friends clearly hadn't forgotten him; when playing outside and passing by, they would come over to take a look.

Sometimes they would even use accumulated snow to pile up an animal or some other thing whose shape was unrecognizable. The young boys had their own secret ways of communicating.

Soon, these children and teenagers, encouraged by Zhao Han, took on new responsibilities.

Of course, when others in the family found out, there was gossip and snide remarks, but in Zhaohui Fang, Great-Uncle Zhao had high seniority and had shed blood and sweat for the Zhao Family, so he had the confidence and wasn't afraid of what others said—whoever spoke, he would snap right back!

Great-Uncle Zhao's attitude was extremely firm; his heart and mind were set on Zhao Han's future, prioritizing it above all else, and he would not allow anyone to come and interfere—

"You bunch of little brats! You don't have to participate, but you cannot block my grandson's path!"

Several days later.

A certain house in Zhaohui Fang.

A ten-year-old child lay over a desk, drawing earnestly, every stroke cautious and careful, meticulous.

The room was very quiet; the elders of the house held idle official posts, and although there wasn't much work, even if they were just acting as tools, they were at the government offices, not at home.

The servants did not dare to make loud noises while working.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang, and a young man strode into the room, his face showing obvious bruises as if from a fight, complaining and cursing about how someone from the Shen Family had launched a sneak attack, and how so-and-so was no good.

Today, the energetic young people of the Zhao and Shen families had gotten into another fight because of a small argument.

This kind of thing was frequent and not surprising.

However, after he entered the room and saw his younger brother drawing, he immediately quieted his voice and lightened his footsteps.

The child at the desk looked up, saw the injuries on his older brother's face, and showed a conflicted expression.

The young man gave a "heh" laugh, walked over, and asked, "What's wrong?"

The child hesitated and said, "Big Brother, your relationship with the Shen Family is so bad, should I..."

The young man interrupted, "What does our fighting with the Shen Family have to do with you? Don't overthink it!"

As he spoke, he looked at the drawing on the paper: "Still drawing rocks?"

The child said, "The rocks I draw best fit Zhao Han's requirements; the task I'm assigned now is only responsible for drawing rocks."

The young man laughed, "Your drawing skills can actually get you ahead?"

The child was so angry his bun-like face puffed up, and he defended himself: "It can't be drawn too refined! And it can't be too rough! Anyway, what I draw is just right!"

The young man looked at the drawing paper laid out on the desk: "Really? Just this?"

The child affirmed, "Truly, truly!"

The young man quickly ran to the window to look left and right, confirmed no one was outside, then scurried back and whispered:

"I heard that after Zhao Han finishes that painting, Wen Gu will take him to the Young Master to claim credit?"

The child replied, "That's what Zhao Han said."

The young man lowered his eyes, touching the new bruise on his chin from today, not knowing what he was thinking.

A moment later, he looked at the drawing papers on the desk again and picked up a brush.

"Big Brother will help you!"

Although the Beidi Zhao Family had been in a low period for a long time, their ambition to make a comeback had never faded, and knowing the imperial court valued literature over martial arts, they had never stopped the literary cultivation of the family's younger generation.

Most of the family had average talent, but they had all learned a thing or two. These two brothers had learned calligraphy and painting from the same teacher, so their drawing skills were cut from the same cloth.

The requirements for drawing skills on Zhao Han's side seemed to simplify the complex, but once one actually picked up the brush, they found there were actually some other techniques that not everyone could master. However, it wasn't difficult for them.

The young man first practiced by copying on a piece of paper, and only when it looked similar did he start drawing formally.

Only rocks were drawn on the paper; when the time came, Zhao Han would cut out whichever one he needed and paste it onto the pages of the picture book, assembling it with other materials into a storybook.

The young man quickly finished drawing several sheets, then couldn't help but ask, "Will this patchwork work?"

The child said, "I don't know, anyway that's what Zhao Han said."

With his older brother's help, the child completed the most tasks today, and the stack of papers sent the next day was the thickest.

The other little friends refused to admit defeat, secretly investigated, and wow! You actually hired outside help!

If you hire, I hire too!

Grandparents, parents, older brothers, sisters, younger siblings, cousins, distant relatives—if there was someone suitable, they were dragged in to help!

Then, one led to ten, ten led to a hundred...

Of course, most of the helpers worked secretly; after all, on the surface, they still stood with Zhao Mu and Zhao Kun, absolutely refusing to collude with the Shen Family!

This was also the situation Wen Gu had anticipated.

Behind every child and teenager, there would be their friends and family to support them, and they would definitely lend a hand when needed. Once they truly saw the benefits later, their motivation would only be stronger!

With more auxiliary personnel, the completion rate of the picture book soared.

Zhao Han only took charge of the core parts, and with other work distributed, the effect was obvious and progress was rapid; in just a few days, the first volume was finished!

Wen Gu took the original manuscript of the picture book and flipped through it; except for a few places that needed minor repairs, there were no other problems.

Once done, he immediately let Zhao Han take the picture book and go to Zhao Fu together to find Zhao Shaozhu.

Zhao Shaozhu had always kept the matter of the picture book in mind, and even if he forgot, Wen Gu would remind him from time to time.

Finally receiving the finished product, Zhao Shaozhu felt it was better than expected.

Although it did not meet high-level aesthetic standards, it was indeed, as Wen Gu said, very suitable for circulation. Whether upper class or lower class, regardless of cultural background or whether they had attended school, one could understand the meaning the picture book intended to express at a glance.

This picture book was not just a superficial story; it was also for popularizing epidemic prevention knowledge and improving everyone's mental state. Facing the Evil Plague Monster, one could not just lie flat and give up; one had to have the courage to resist!

Compared to Zhao Han's nervousness, Wen Gu was much more casual in front of this cousin, briefly mentioning Zhao Han's hard work during this time and the people who had helped behind the scenes.

Zhao Shaozhu flipped through the picture book.

The beginning of the book was fine, but from the middle on, it looked like it was covered in many patches, pieced together bit by bit; fortunately, it did not affect the overall content.

Zhao Shaozhu looked at it, his brows relaxing.

If it were the scholars under his command who had produced such a final result, he would certainly be dissatisfied. But most of those who completed these were youths in their early teens, and according to what Wen Gu just said, there were even children under ten involved!

That was not just satisfaction, but gratification!

The people of our Zhao family are not all dead weight after all!

There are still many talents that can be used!

"Not bad, very well done!"

Zhao Shaozhu praised Zhao Han without reservation.

Zhao Han was so excited that his face flushed red, and he was at a loss for what to do. The sense of recognition he had looked forward to for so long! An indescribable sense of accomplishment!

He had no idea what to say, only grinning foolishly.

Zhao Shaozhu also saw that every page of the picture book was printed with the words "Xinzhou Jingqing Bookstore".

He was even more satisfied!

It is conducive to making Xinzhou famous!

"Has the bookstore already been set up?" Zhao Shaozhu asked.

Zhao Han could not answer this and looked toward Wen Gu.

"Not yet, it is still in preparation," Wen Gu said.

Whether the bookstore could be built or not, as long as it passed here with Zhao Shaozhu, there was no need to worry about other links.

"How many copies can be produced within half a month?" Zhao Shaozhu asked again.

"We need to test it first; the printing technology has been slightly improved, but we still lack experienced craftsmen," Wen Gu replied.

"I will pick a few craftsmen from the Xinzhou Times side and lend them to you."

"That would be great, I will have someone make an estimate as soon as possible."

Zhao Shaozhu told them to go find the scholar in charge of printing.

For this aspect of the work coordination, Wen Gu let Zhao Han go himself; he did not follow, but instead gave an encouraging look: You can do it!

Zhao Han, who had been a bit timid, took a deep breath: I can do it!

Wen Gu had long since told him how to do it, and as long as he followed the plan, there would be no major problems.

After finishing his mental preparation, Zhao Han only felt a burning sensation in his chest and was full of fighting spirit.

He had been appreciated!

He had been entrusted with an important task!

Whoo, taking off!

Watching Zhao Han's figure leave full of confidence, Wen Gu was not worried.

Zhao Han was young and might not be able to handle this matter alone, but Zhao Han was not alone! He had a ward behind him!

Seeming to feel Wen Gu's gaze, Zhao Han turned back to look.

Wen Gu smiled and nodded at him, his expression sincere, as if encouraging him again.

Zhao Han was deeply moved and thought to himself: Ward Chief Wen is truly a good person!

Wen Gu was extremely satisfied and thought to himself: Another few tasks sent out!

After coming out from Zhao Shaozhu's side, Wen Gu had intended to go straight back, but at this moment, Chang Shun walked over quickly and whispered a few words.

Just now, his aunt Lady Shen sent a message that someone had exerted influence toward Young Mistress Xiao—that is, his cousin-in-law—

A certain family had taken a fancy to Wen Gu and hoped that Young Mistress Xiao could mediate and help pull strings, ideally to bring about a good match.

Young Mistress Xiao might not be willing to interfere in Wen Gu's affairs, but due to social obligations, she might still find an excuse to come forward and speak about it when Wen Gu came to Zhao Fu.

His aunt specifically sent someone over to remind Wen Gu that if he wanted to avoid this trouble, he should leave immediately after finishing his business!

He must not be intercepted halfway when leaving the manor!

Wen Gu pondered in his heart.

His aunt should be displeased with the family that moved his cousin-in-law, which was why she hoped he would avoid it.

However, cousin-in-law...

Not only did Wen Gu not leave quickly, but instead, he very naturally slowed his pace.

He was afraid that if he walked too fast, his cousin-in-law wouldn't be able to intercept him.