Chapter 69: Poaching Talent

The bulletin board was made, and the recruitment notices for carpenters and kiln workers were posted in an orderly fashion.

Besides that, there was also a fire safety warning poster; considering that many people were illiterate, it contained only a small amount of text, with the majority being illustrations.

The drawings were slightly exaggerated and not of high artistic quality, but the emotional expression was strong, allowing anyone who looked at it to understand the general meaning.

When He Da went out to roam the streets, he told more city residents about the bulletin board in the Jingqing Two Wards.

Someone was also left at the bulletin board; this person was not very literate in the ward but had a decent memory, so whenever an outsider came to ask, he would recite it once.

The recruitment notice was written simply, so it was easy to remember after saying it a few times; after saying it enough, it didn't even require any thought.

Zhao Shaozhu had people keep an eye on the movements in Jingxing Fang; after all, this bulletin board thing was something he had personally agreed to, so he had to know how it was being used to ensure there wouldn't be any other negative impacts.

The subordinate watching Jingxing Fang was also a talent; he directly used paper to copy it, restoring everything on the paper—how it was posted on the bulletin board and what the content was.

Looking at the subordinate's report, Zhao Shaozhu didn't care about the recruitment notice, but that fire safety illustration was somewhat interesting.

Perhaps other wards could also post such drawings.

Nowadays, epidemics are frequent, and there is a strong demand for hot drinks and hot food, leading to frequent dangerous incidents of fires burning down houses in various wards of the city.

It wasn't that no one had warned them, but those people just wouldn't listen, and some simply hadn't heard.

If they can't hear, then let them see!

Zhao Shaozhu tapped his finger in a circle on the drawing, signaling to the scholar beside him: This is quite good, make a note of it.

At nightfall, Jingxing Fang.

He Da returned from outside after completing his task.

During the day, he had taken people out to promote it, and interested people heard the news, came here to see the bulletin board, confirmed the information was true, and really did come one after another.

Zhou Shan was responsible for the interviews. If they passed, they would first be on probation for a few days before deciding whether to keep them.

At night, before the ward gates closed, He Da returned home.

He still had to practice reading and writing.

Racking his brains and rote memorizing, just to recognize a few more characters.

He couldn't bear to light a candle, but that didn't hinder the two brothers from talking.

He Da stumbled through reciting an article, his fingers tracing the characters, and whenever he forgot, he let He Xiaodi remind him orally.

Finally finishing his night homework, He Da was about to go to sleep.

He Xiaodi said, "I think our Jingxing Fang is also quite good; the Ward Chief also lives here most of the time."

Knowing his older brother used to pine for Qingyun Fang, He Xiaodi would advise him from time to time.

He Da perked up again: "Hey, I stopped pining for that place long ago. Our Jingxing Fang will definitely be famous in this Xinzhou City in the future! Maybe one day I can even work in the ward during the day."

Nowadays, the world is strange, and Xinzhou City uses a ward system, so the outside is actually quite desolate; whenever he goes to gather information, he wanders around the various wards.

He didn't dare go to places with many nobles where things were strictly managed; the only places he could go were those with a more chaotic mix of people.

At first, he had a sense of novelty, but a chaotic world is a chaotic world; the commoners didn't have that much fresh excitement to see, but rather each had their own miseries, and seeing too much made him feel both fortunate and uncomfortable.

Even a selfish person like him felt stifled.

Every time he returned to Jingxing Fang was his most relaxed moment.

How should he put it? The people of Jingxing Fang, regardless of their background or circumstances, had a different spirit; even those living in shacks had light in their eyes.

He Da said, "If our Jingxing Fang becomes lively, Brother will be able to hear news right here in our ward."

He knew Wen Gu was going to build many houses here, and it would definitely become lively in the future. The scenarios he could imagine in his mind were limited, so he could only transplant the liveliest scenes he had seen in their County Town to here.

It was already satisfying enough.

"See if your brother has a good eye? From the very first glance, I knew our Ward Chief was no ordinary person!"

Now the room they were allotted wasn't big, but it was enough to live in, and He Xiaodi could even work in the ward's "yamen."

He himself was also doing quite well; although he was still an errand runner, you had to look at who he was running errands for!

The next day, He Da, as usual, took his friends out to run promotions.

Then he learned of the rumors in the wards regarding the Honeycomb Coal Stove and Wen Gu.

Compared to the newspaper, the progress of the Honeycomb Coal Stove was faster; before the item even came out, the news had already spread, and along with it, Wen Gu's name.

These were all intentionally guided by the Zhao Family.

He Da didn't know the inside story, so when he heard the news, he immediately returned to ask Wen Gu.

Wen Gu told him the truth: "It is true that this thing has been made, but there is no physical product yet, so it hasn't been publicized."

Confirming the news was true and with the Zhao Family specifically pushing it, after Wen Gu gave a few instructions, He Da became even more unrestrained when roaming the streets.

He hadn't seen the physical product, but that didn't stop him from bragging as if he had: You, Brother He, are well-informed!

Whenever someone brought up the topic of coal stoves, He Da would start chatting:

"Our Jingxing Fang's Ward Chief is the Zhao Family's cousin, and he is highly regarded. The Honeycomb Coal Stove that's being talked about so wildly right now was created by our Ward Chief Wen!"

"Do you know about the Study Tour of scholars? That's a matter of a lifetime; our Ward Chief discovered the Honeycomb Coal Stove while on his Study Tour..."

"That Honeycomb Coal, it doesn't just contain coal inside, it has other things too; after it's burned, it can be used to pave roads! It's especially anti-slip in winter!"

"It's also graded; don't look at how they all look like honeycombs, some coal has different processes, and precious materials are added inside, so the smell is faint and it ignites faster. However, only wealthy families can afford to consume those."

"We just use the ordinary ones; we only ask for them to burn for a long time, who cares about anything else."

He Da rattled on outside, and the others listened, stunned.

This group of people, regardless of whether they could afford to use coal themselves, didn't stop them from bragging.

He Da knew the temperament of such people all too well; once they dispersed later, this group would go to other places and definitely continue to brag about what he said to others, acting as smug as if they were using the coal stove themselves.

The news spread rapidly among the lower classes.

Regardless of whether they could afford it, they all had a general impression of the Honeycomb Coal, and curious about that cousin of the Zhao Family, many people specifically came to Jingxing Fang to take a look, which in turn led more people to learn about the recruitment notice on the bulletin board.

There were even more civilian craftsmen for Zhou Shan to interview.

Qingyun Fang.

The Daoist acolytes heard the rumors in the ward, asked about He Da's movements, and informed the Daoist Priest.

Qingyi Daozhang was very annoyed.

That Gou Shusheng had actually managed to make a name for himself first!

Although it was mainly due to the Zhao Family exerting their influence.

He knew Wen Gu had not stolen his credit, and he also knew that the Zhao Family had other considerations; they would certainly favor their own kin and held prejudices against a Daoist like him.

But he was still very angry!

Gou Shusheng must be feeling very smug right now, right?

With no mood for Alchemy and having not gone to the Danfang, Qingyi Daozhang sat in the room with a dark face, pondering matters.

At this moment, a low-key and understated carriage arrived at Qingyun Fang.

Perhaps the owner of the carriage considered themselves low-key, but in fact, in this day and age, anyone who could afford a carriage certainly did not have a poor family background.

The horse's head was tall and handsome, its breathing was powerful, and even without running, even just walking slowly, one could see how strong and vigorous its legs were.

If the horses of the Huwei Escort Agency were standing nearby, they would appear much thinner and weaker.

The laborers working in Qingyun Fang saw this and hurried to inform the Daoist acolytes.

Since a noble guest had come to Qingyun Fang and the Ward Chief was not around, they must be here to see Qingyi Immortal.

Two Daoist acolytes prepared to welcome the guest; Qingyi Daozhang had provided them with specialized training.

Two other Daoist acolytes informed the Daoist Priest of the news and stood guard to the side.

Upon hearing that a noble guest had arrived, Qingyi Daozhang, who had been sulking, perked up, quickly tidied his Daoist Robe, adjusted his posture, and switched his gaze to the aloof and indifferent look of an expert.

When Zhao Mu entered the room with his attendants and guards, he had originally felt disdain for how shabby this place was, doubting whether he had come to the right place.

What kind of powerful person lives in such a dump?

But after seeing Qingyi Daozhang sitting in the seat of honor, his perspective changed.

The Daoist Robe was very ordinary, but the overall temperament and subtle demeanor were similar to the information he had gathered.

Zhao Mu was dressed as a scholar, his manners elegant and polite.

The first thing the Daoist Priest thought upon seeing this person: No good, he's not as good at putting on airs as Gou Shusheng.

The visitor introduced himself.

Zhao Mu, of the Zhao Family.

Qingyi Daozhang's reaction was flat: "Oh, I wonder what business brings a noble guest here?"

The attendant beside Zhao Mu glared, disgusted that this Daoist neither understood etiquette nor understood human speech!

The Zhao Family!

It was the Zhao of the Xinzhou Zhao Family!

Just as the attendant was about to scold him, Zhao Mu raised his hand to stop him.

Zhao Mu, however, had a different view. He believed that the more capable someone was, the more confidence and temper they had. Qingyi Daozhang's current attitude actually made him believe the gathered information even more.

Having heard today that Wen Gu had been summoned to Zhao Zhai, he immediately brought people here.

Although he was a collateral branch of the Zhao Family, the direct line of the Zhao Family had few heirs, and the Head of the Family also intended to promote family members; unfortunately, none had been able to satisfy the Head of the Family.

Now, Wen Gu's sudden rise to fame had shown them another path.

They had all heard that Wen Gu's ability to be valued was attributed to the few formulas he had presented; when it came down to it, wasn't it all because of this Daoist?

If he can do it, I can do it too!

If they could win over this Daoist and produce a few more formulas, they could also be valued!

Zhao Mu suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and looked at Qingyi Daozhang; since his status could not sway the other party, he would lead with benefits!

Thus, he began to disparage and belittle Qingyun Fang, starting with the living conditions.

The Zhaohui Fang where they, the Zhao Family, lived was located in the core area, close to the power center of Xinzhou, much better than this remote place. This place was called the Inner City District, but it was actually already close to the Neicheng wall, situated on the edge.

Furthermore, they had more status. Even as a collateral branch, they were still of the Xinzhou Zhao Family, with a background and financial power incomparable to ordinary people.

In addition, if the Daoist Priest was willing to go, they would also gift him a large courtyard made of green bricks for his residence.

Qingyi Daozhang was satisfied in his heart. The promised conditions were indeed very good, and they even said they would give him a large green-brick house; they were indeed wealthy and generous.

Immediately following this, the other party launched into a series of high-end, elegant, and straightforward flattery, which made Qingyi Daozhang feel incredibly smug, though he did not get carried away just yet.

Once bitten, twice shy; he couldn't get carried away recklessly.

It was just that there was already a smile in his eyes.

I love hearing this, say more!

Seeing that there seemed to be a breakthrough, Zhao Mu spoke with even more vigor.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhao Mu finally stopped.

He was puzzled in his heart: This Qingyi Daozhang looks very satisfied, so why hasn't he shown any reaction?

"So... Daoist Priest, what is your intention?" he asked.

My intention?

Qingyi Daozhang thought to himself: All the conditions sound very good, and the other party has financial power and a background; the advantages are obvious, and they are the kind of wealthy patrons I like.

Only one thing remained.

So Qingyi Daozhang asked the key question:

"Have you ever traveled to study?"

(End of this chapter)