Chapter 98: New Year's Eve

The Zhao Clan Young Master finished his tasks and came to the front hall to exchange greetings with several uncles and elders of the clan.

Those invited to the Zhao Zhai to celebrate the New Year on this Lunar New Year's Eve were, regardless of status or personal ties, quite special within the clan.

Even though the Zhao Clan Young Master was quite dissatisfied with the behavior of these elders and peers on ordinary days, today being the Lunar New Year, he still maintained his composure.

As the Zhao Clan Young Master, even though a string of curses ran through his mind, he possessed extraordinary emotional control and maintained perfect social etiquette on his face.

His steps were steady, his posture upright.

He walked into the hall, chatting and exchanging pleasantries along the way... then suddenly swayed back, staring blankly at a spot on the side.

Having caught a hurried glimpse just now, the Zhao Clan Young Master thought his eyes had deceived him. He looked back again, and it really was those few!

For a moment, his perfect facial expression twisted slightly, as if stamped with a capital "FUCK"!

Over there, sitting right next to the painting table, were three people—

Wen Gu. A new rising star in Xinzhou City amidst the chaotic times, both a relative and someone held in high regard.

Second Great-Uncle Zhao. High in seniority, and he had indeed bled and contributed for the Zhao Family. However, the older he got, the more stubborn he became, which was usually quite a headache.

Zhao Han. A timid child with mediocre talent, who was adopted by Second Great-Uncle from his biological family last year.

—The problem is!

In what state of mind did this combination appear here?

The atmosphere actually looked quite harmonious!

Overcome with curiosity, the Zhao Clan Young Master changed his pace and walked over there.

When the Zhao Clan Young Master inquired personally, both Second Great-Uncle Zhao and Zhao Han were quite excited.

It was just that Second Great-Uncle Zhao, now seeing a new situation opening up, had concerns and needed to weigh his words.

As for Zhao Han, having been dismissed so often in daily life, he was momentarily reserved and did not dare to speak.

Wen Gu, however, was calm and composed, briefly explaining to the Zhao Clan Young Master: "Since it will be warming up soon, I am planning to use simple sketches to remind the public to prevent epidemics, strengthen awareness of epidemic prevention, and cultivate habits. Work in this area cannot be relaxed..."

He also pointed out that Zhao Han's drawing style met his requirements, which was why he was here discussing this matter with the grandfather and grandson.

The Zhao Clan Young Master stared at the simple sketches Zhao Han had drawn. Indeed, the aesthetic did not conform to the mainstream preferences of the upper class.

As for the rest, what Wen Gu said about pictures that were easy to spread among the common people would still need to be evaluated after seeing the finished products.

What Wen Gu said and the drawings on the table seemed like a joke, but since it was Wen Gu who brought it up, he would not shoot without a target.

The Zhao Clan Young Master did not comment too much on the drafts; he leaned toward Wen Gu and asked in a low voice: "Is this kind of picture book also something you saw during your Study Tour?"

Wen Gu nodded.

The Zhao Clan Young Master took note of this matter seriously.

Wen Gu's "observations from his Study Tour" could not be underestimated!

Second Great-Uncle Zhao could not hear their conversation, but seeing the casual way Wen Gu and the Zhao Clan Young Master were talking in low voices, he trusted Wen Gu a little more. And...

Zhaohui Fang really couldn't be relied upon!

Wen Gu chatted with the Zhao Clan Young Master again about matters regarding the review process.

The Zhao Clan Young Master was lost in thought.

What Wen Gu said had indeed reminded him.

He had a team under him specifically responsible for newspaper-related affairs, and having now realized the benefits brought by newspapers, he could loosen up a bit and try other publications.

It wouldn't hurt to try.

He attached great importance to the matter Wen Gu raised; he would pick two people from the team to be responsible for the review of other publications and keep an eye on the trends.

If it proved effective, he could increase support.

Seeing that the matter he raised had been noted by the Zhao Clan Young Master, Wen Gu was satisfied.

Zhao Han was currently in a state of high excitement; the standards for the drafts didn't need to be very strict, as long as the content was on point, the efficiency should be relatively high.

Once the drafts were out, he would have Zhao Han take them to his cousin for review. The cousin certainly wouldn't have much time, but there must be someone under him in charge! It was best to standardize it now, pick the person in charge, and then follow the process directly to improve efficiency.

Don't wait until the last minute to find someone!

After a moment of chatting, everyone present was satisfied.

The Zhao Clan Young Master did not stay there for too long, but the attitude he displayed was enough for the grandfather and grandson to see hope.

Second Great-Uncle Zhao was so excited that his old, cold-stricken legs were trembling.

He had truly experienced what it meant to have a sudden turn for the better!

His aged gaze looked at Zhao Han, and then through the void, as if he saw a high official of the Privy Council many years later!

There was a successor!

There was something to look forward to in these days!

Wen Gu was a good man!

Having regained his senses, Second Great-Uncle Zhao grabbed Zhao Han's arm and earnestly exhorted: "Draw well!"

Zhao Han nodded firmly and passionately: "Yes!"

He was at the age where his self-esteem was strong; if there had been any other way before, who would be willing to face so many strange looks and accusations every day and be content with being a good-for-nothing?

Now that he finally had a chance to prove himself, and even the Zhao Clan Young Master—the clan brother recognized as difficult to deal with in Zhaohui Fang—had shown interest, he felt a surge of heroic spirit!

Grind!

Go back and grind!!

At the Zhao Fu New Year's Eve family banquet, Wen Gu met many members of the Zhao Family, calling this one uncle and that one uncle, refined and polite, with a respectful attitude.

The people of the Zhao Family also treated him with gentleness; regardless of what strategies they had behind his back, they had to maintain a superficial harmony on this occasion.

It was just that they were even more guarded against Wen Gu in their hearts.

Looking at Second Great-Uncle Zhao again, they felt even more stifled.

How long had it been, and he had already been turned!

Your old self's stance is far too unsteady!

The Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan ignored the other Zhao family members entirely; today, his attitude toward Wen Gu had undergone a 180-degree turn, and his usually taut old face was smiling with incomparable warmth, as he kept urging Wen Gu to eat more at the dinner table.

If his hands weren't so shaky, he probably would have wanted to pick up food for him personally!

Seeing the Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan firmly jump to the other side's camp, it wasn't as if there was no one from the Zhaohui Fang Zhao Family to try and persuade him.

However, the Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan was as stubborn as a mule; he wouldn't turn back!

They looked at the Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan: truly a senile old fool, getting swindled and still helping them count the money!

The Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan's inner thoughts: You lot don't know a damn thing!

Wen Gu did not pay too much attention to the "civil war" in Zhaohui Fang; there were more important things.

Today is New Year's Eve, a special day, and also the family banquet for the power-holders of the Zhao Clan of Xinzhou. The female relatives who usually stay in the inner courtyard would also appear.

Over the past two years, in the expanded Zhao Zhai, whether it was the uncle or the cousin, there were more people in the inner courtyards.

In private, Aunt Lady Shen would chat with Wen Gu, not to gossip about the inner courtyard, but to look at the trends in Xinzhou through these changes.

Wen Gu's gaze swept across that side, and a great deal of information jumped into his mind—

Salt, money, iron, incense, silk, tea.

Salt industry, gold shops, ironware, spices, silk, tea leaves...

Besides these, the latest information obtained was that among the people newly added to the Zhao Zhai inner courtyard recently, their backgrounds also included dyes and pawnshops.

All are industries with exorbitant profits!

During the initial period of the chaos, the Zhao Family of Xinzhou and many groups completed the transport of supply and demand and the exchange of benefits with extreme efficiency.

To be able to seize the opportunity in the one or two years that the world was in chaos, for the Zhao Family, with its thin foundation, to become one of the six major powers in the north and firmly control Xinzhou, they must have had sufficient money and grain to support it.

For these exorbitant-profit industries to be managed steadily, the relationships from top to bottom must be well-maintained; not only do they have the protection of the government, but they also coexist peacefully with certain black... folk community organizations.

To be able to build up to such a scale, there must be preparations against risks, and the grain and supplies in the hands of these people would also be a terrifying number. One cannot underestimate these riches hidden among the people!

Regardless of whose people these groups belonged to before, they now all rely on the Zhao Clan of Xinzhou.

Connections, resources, channels, armies.

The changes in the inner courtyard can only reveal a corner of the picture.

Based on the identities of the people in his cousin's and uncle's inner courtyards and the information obtained, Wen Gu was now estimating the balance of the Zhao Family's treasury accounts.

After deducting the expenses for raising the army and the necessary expenditures for territory construction and maintenance...

The more Wen Gu calculated, the more excited he became.

Hey! The balance is more abundant than expected!

Even after deducting the "Mirror" project, there is still a lot left; should the pace be a bit bolder after the New Year?

Wen Gu pondered.

Thinking of the Zhao Family's account balance, Wen Gu was in a good mood, and the light in his eyes was even brighter.

The Second Granduncle of the Zhao Clan, carrying warmth and gratitude, pulled Wen Gu to have a drink, and also saw the sincere light in Wen Gu's eyes.

The old man was very moved in his heart; as for the words of provocation from the few clansmen from Zhaohui Fang just now, saying that Wen Gu was black-hearted, he didn't take them to heart at all!

I, this old man, have lived for several decades; what have I not seen?

If nothing else, these eyes of Wen Gu look like those of a person of utmost sincerity!

The next day, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Wen Gu remained at the Zhao Family; there was another large banquet here today.

The hosts were all busy, so Wen Gu stayed in the small courtyard where he lived; he didn't run around, but he wasn't idle either, as he was writing New Year greeting cards.

During the New Year, everyone exchanges name cards as a gesture of New Year greetings, writing some auspicious words and congratulatory phrases inside the name cards.

Now that the world has changed, complex etiquette is inconvenient to complete, but exchanging name cards is still something that can be done to show mutual friendship and add a bit of liveliness and celebration.

Wen Gu had already prepared the name cards for New Year greetings in advance, having prepared several types of covers.

However, there was one name card among them that was newly made, only finished drawing last night while keeping watch for the New Year.

After writing the name card, he let Chang Shun, who was responsible for running errands, deliver it on his behalf.

Chang Shun had been arranged by Lady Shen to run errands by Wen Gu's side; it hadn't been long, and there were many things to do, but the reward he received was also high!

For the New Year, Wen Gu also gave a large red envelope, and Chang Shun was very happy.

Now that Wen Gu's status in Xinzhou City was different, Chang Shun, the person responsible for running around outside, also had more face when going out.

Delivering name cards for New Year greetings in the current world was a good errand for people like them, who were attendants and servants, to show their faces!

Therefore, under the envious gazes of his peers, Chang Shun held the greeting box and went out to deliver the name cards, full of festive spirit.

Starting from the few wards near Zhao Zhai, he delivered them all the way along.

To Old Master Hong's place, to Pei Jun and Pei Jing of the Pei Family...

All the way to Qingyun Fang.

Inside Qingyun Fang.

Qingyi Daozhang spent this New Year full of worries.

Early this morning, he got up to chant scriptures to cultivate his state of mind.

Just as he finished, a young Daoist acolyte ran in hurriedly.

"Master! Master!"

Qingyi Daozhang was very dissatisfied with their boisterous behavior.

How many times has it been said that one needs to purify the body and mind, and cultivate both internally and externally!

The cultivation is far from reaching the goal!

The Daoist Priest slowly opened his eyes, his expression indifferent: "What? Are there dogs about?"

The young Daoist shrank back, looking somewhat nervous, and held up a name card that looked quite noble: "Master, Chang Shun just came by to deliver a New Year's card."

Qingyi Daozhang: "..."

Hmm, there really is a dog lurking about!

The young Daoist walked over and held the name card out with both hands, not daring to look at Qingyi Daozhang's expression.

How to put it, if his master was angry, ten times out of ten, it probably had something to do with Ward Chief Wen!

Qingyi Daozhang looked at the name card quietly, not even reaching out to take it, and simply told the young Daoist to throw the card on the table.

"That's enough, go back to your work," the Daoist Priest said.

The young Daoist quickly retreated and closed the door tight to prevent the cold wind outside from blowing in. At the same time, he was also worried about being a target of his master's redirected anger.

Most of the time, whenever Ward Chief Wen made any move, his master would become irritable.

It's just that, for the New Year's greetings, surely Ward Chief Wen wouldn't write anything inappropriate to provoke his master?

Sigh, and it's the New Year, too.

There was no one else in the room; Qingyi Daozhang sat with his eyes half-open, silently staring at the name card on the table.

This was not the first New Year's greeting card their Qingyun Temple had received, but, just as the young Daoist had felt, Wen Gu's name card made one's spirit tense up the moment it was seen!

In the current state of the world, many name cards were homemade; some were plain, others ornate. One could roughly deduce the family background and status of the sender from the style of the card.

The card sent by Wen Gu was unique.

The colorful cover of the card looked like a gaudy, poisonous thing in his eyes!

Looking at the name card resting quietly on the table, after a long while, Qingyi Daozhang finally moved.

A starting stance!

First, a passage of scripture and incantations!

To ward off evil!

Then, holding his horsetail whisk, he swished it a few times as if performing a Dharma Assembly.

To drive away foul Qi!

Only after finishing that did he carefully open it to look at the content written inside.

"Eh?"

He read it again.

It was a very normal New Year's greeting; had the incantations and Dharma Assembly taken effect?

Only then did Qingyi Daozhang let out a long breath and sit down in relief.

He was almost being driven to paranoia by that Gou Shusheng!

Placing his Dharma Artifact horsetail whisk to the side, he picked up the New Year's greeting card and evaluated it:

"The cover of the card is actually quite nice."

Resources are scarce these days; most households cannot afford brush, ink, paper, or inkstone, let alone colorful pigments.

Only a very small number of wealthy families and nobles still have some stock of pigments on hand.

It was clear that Wen Gu had used painting pigments from the Zhao Family. The colors were very true; they were all high-end goods.

The patterns drawn on the cover of the name card were both festive and lively for the New Year, yet carried a hint of profound mystery.

It was colorful but not ostentatious.

"That Gou Shusheng has been learning calligraphy and painting from others; it seems he has achieved something!"

Qingyi Daozhang stroked his beard and looked down with a haughty air.

The more he looked at the patterns on the cover of the card, the more satisfied he became.

This~~~~

This kind of card could be imitated!

In the future, when exchanging cards with benefactors and believers, they should also have some character. Their Qingyun Temple should have its own high-class style, and name cards also represent one's face.

Looking left and right, and comparing it with other New Year's cards, this one from Gou Shusheng was still the most satisfying!

"Hand it over!"

Qingyi Daozhang felt no guilt; looking at the colors of the drawings on the cover of the greeting card, he pondered which pigments could be produced under the current conditions.

Once he thought of this, many types of pigments floated through his mind. Plant-based, animal-based, mineral-based, synthetic—all kinds of pigments passed through his thoughts.

Afterward, he only needed to screen them based on the available materials.

As a veteran of Alchemy, this sort of thing did not pose much technical difficulty for him; it only required a bit of thought and time...

Thinking this, Qingyi Daozhang suddenly froze and flung the card away as if it were burning his hand.

Could that dog be trying to trap me again?!

(End of chapter)