Chapter 1006: Agriculture, Trade, and Superintendent

Wang Zhaojing and Zhou Xuezhi were both nodding slowly, agreeing with Ruhui's point. Zhao Jin, however, shook his head and said in a muffled voice, "Righteous cause and proper name — we are standing right on that threshold now. Compared to the local braves and militias who merely eat rations and sell their lives to defend their homeland, we are too large. Compared to the official armies who rely on righteous cause and proper name under the law of the realm, we are too small. Caught in between, we must use generous favor and rich profit to bind people's hearts. If we were to climb one more step up, we wouldn't even need to consider this."

The room fell briefly quiet. That prospect of "climbing one more step up" — though everyone had thought of it, hearing it spoken aloud still shook them.

"Big Brother, back when we granted rewards to the company and squad leaders, and distributed profit shares to the managers and stewards of Cloud Mountain Trading, we didn't give benefits to everyone either, yet we steadied the minds of the key men and let the others see hope. We can use the same method this time..." Wang Zhaojing spoke up.

Before he could finish, Zhao Jin slapped the table, his expression showing considerable appreciation, and nodded, "I was thinking about it wrong just now. There's a ready-made method right here. You're right — go on."

A smile surfaced on Wang Zhaojing's face. "Grant rewards to those household retainers who have served long and earned merit. Grant land to those militiamen who have gone out to battle the most times. Let everyone know that you, Big Brother, will not shortchange those who do well and those with ability. Rouse everyone's drive. Once a year, or a few times a year — spreading out the money and land like this, our Zhao Camp can bear it."

It was nothing more than a gradual, step-by-step method: put out a portion of the benefits, yet spur the entire group into action. Everyone nodded. Zhao Jin spoke, "We still need to discuss it with Dasheng and the others. Once it's settled, we'll begin."

Zhou Xuezhi, who had been silent at the side all along, now spoke up. "Master need not worry about the rewards. Once this cotton weaving gets going, gold mountains and silver seas will come rolling in. No amount spent will be a concern."

After he finished, everyone laughed — relaxed laughter. Thinking of Zhao Camp's ability to make money, thinking of the current income from the industry and commerce departments, everyone suddenly felt at ease. How much could a year of hard farming yield? And how much had the liquor and trade brought in? Then think of the sea trade and cotton cloth that were about to generate wealth — there was truly nothing to worry about.

"Tonight or tomorrow morning, organize what we discussed today into a document for me," Zhao Jin said. Wang Zhaojing and Ruhui both nodded.

Just then, a household retainer outside announced, "Young Master Chen the Second has arrived."

In the territory of Xuzhou, there was only one person who could be called "Young Master Chen the Second" — Chen Sheng's younger brother, Chen Hong. At seventeen years of age by the traditional count, he was already the superintendent of Zhao Jin's treasury. All gold and silver flowing in and out of agriculture, industry, and commerce across Zhao Camp's sphere of influence was under his control. However, the He Family Village was not a convenient place to set up a treasury; it was instead located in Cloud Mountain Temple on Cloud Dragon Mountain. There, three companies of household retainers and three companies of militia rotated on guard duty, and the forces within Xuzhou City also had the obligation to rush over in support at any time. Chen Hong, along with a group of reliable bookkeepers, audited and supervised the gold and silver entering and leaving the vaults there. He came to He Family Village once a month to report the accounts. The father of the Chen brothers often lamented that raising his sons was no different from having raised none — the elder son drilled troops all day, the younger played at being a fake monk in a temple, and neither was at his side to show filial piety. Yet every time the old man said this, his face was full of pride.

Chen Hong's arrival surprised the few people in the room. Zhao Jin smiled and said, "I was the one who arranged for Erhong to come. Outside, they all say our Zhao Camp has both civil and martial talent. Now, the core figures of the civil side are all gathered!"

Hearing Zhao Jin say this, Wang Zhaojing, Ruhui, Zhou Xuezhi, and Chen Hong each reacted differently. Chen Hong first paid his respects and greeted each person. Hearing those words, he scratched his head a little sheepishly and said with a smile, "Your little brother just likes calculating accounts and keeping books — it has nothing to do with civil affairs."

Compared to Chen Hong's straightforward reaction, Wang Zhaojing and the other two were far more subtle. The three exchanged glances, then each lowered their heads slightly. The general framework of Zhao Camp had already taken shape. On the military side, there were naturally Chen Sheng and the others, with a clear hierarchy. But on the civil affairs side, things were relatively vague. By rank, Wang Zhaojing was at the top, yet in practice he did not have the authority to oversee Ruhui and Zhou Xuezhi. Moreover, the affairs they each managed overlapped. Even the internal security handled by Liu Yong and Lei Cai intersected with their work.

Zhao Camp's expansion and restructuring was imminent, and Zhao Jin had also mentioned clarifying the framework. Everyone had their own different thoughts and objectives, and had expressed them to Zhao Jin, whether openly or subtly. From the meaning in Zhao Jin's words, today might be the day they discussed this matter. Otherwise, he would not have summoned all four of them together — ordinarily, these four were very hard to gather in one place.

Ruhui simply picked up his tea bowl to drink. Wang Zhaojing glanced at Chen Hong, then looked at Ruhui and Zhou Xuezhi, his gaze lingering slightly longer on Ruhui. Zhou Xuezhi was somewhat nervous and merely lowered his head. Chen Hong, however, noticed none of this; he was only staring curiously at the notes in front of each person, wondering what they had been discussing just now.

Zhao Jin swept his gaze over everyone, then spoke. "Hearing the name Zhao Camp, everyone assumes it's a force of local braves and militiamen. Yet our Zhao Camp, aside from the household retainers and militia, also has large numbers of workshops, manors, and trading companies. Beyond the military affairs of leading troops into battle, there are also all manner of affairs in governing the people, promoting agriculture, trade, and artisan manufacturing. Without the household retainers and militia fighting and bleeding on the front lines, these industries of ours could never have grown. But without the manpower and output of this agriculture, industry, and commerce, the household retainers and militia could not afford armor, could not ride warhorses, and could not even eat their fill. The importance of Zhao Camp's agriculture, industry, and commerce is not one bit less than that of the household retainers and militia."

Hearing Zhao Jin put it this way, everyone unconsciously straightened their posture. Within Zhao Camp's sphere of influence, everyone felt that the household retainers and militia were the most important. Even the people in Cloud Mountain Trading, the manors, and the workshops thought so. After all, the household retainers and militia risked their lives in the fight, while everyone else was merely doing ordinary work — there was simply no comparison. Zhao Jin's affirmation today lifted everyone's spirits considerably.

"Affairs this important currently suffer from several drawbacks. One is unclear authority and responsibility — many matters, you can manage them, and I can manage them too. The second is overlap and confusion. Cloud Mountain Trading, the manors, and the workshops don't know what they ought to be managing. Some of them try to do everything, thinking they've left nothing out, when in reality they can't specialize. I was considering this matter back in Shandong. I want to divide these affairs into three categories: Agriculture, Trade, and Artisan Manufacturing. Specialized personnel will have specialized oversight. Then establish one Superintendent. This Superintendent will not be someone who manages all affairs, but rather someone at my side to relay orders upward and downward, responsible for all documents, confidential matters, and major and minor affairs — a role similar to a private advisor or secretary."

The few men listened with rapt attention. As Zhao Jin named each position, they either exchanged glances or sank into silent contemplation. Though all kept their expressions neutral, each felt a degree of unease, wondering how the assignments would be made next.

After saying all this, Zhao Jin looked over everyone again and spoke. "The Artisan Manufacturing category includes liquor, weaving, and ironware. I am handing this to Xu Housheng to manage — after all, he has specialized expertise in this area. As for the other positions, I would like to ask your own thoughts?"

Hearing these words from Zhao Jin, Wang Zhaojing, Ruhui, and Zhou Xuezhi exchanged a glance, then all rose from their seats and bowed. "We ask Big Brother (Master) to decide."

"I should be the one to decide, but I still want to hear your own thoughts. Think it over, then speak," Zhao Jin said frankly.

The group looked at one another again. Wang Zhaojing spoke first. "Big Brother, is there no assignment for Erhong here?"

"Of course there is an assignment. Erhong controls the treasury. The remittance and exchange business of Cloud Mountain Trading will also be handed to him to manage in the future. He will be half a rank lower than these positions, but will report directly to me," Zhao Jin answered. He had arranged this long ago.

Wang Zhaojing nodded. Chen Hong rose to express his thanks. He showed little change in emotion, because the position given to him was exactly what he was already doing, and this position — half a rank lower but reporting directly to Zhao Jin — was also the current situation.

After this was said, the room fell quiet again. Ruhui reached again for his tea bowl, his hand stretching out pensively, but nearly knocked the bowl over. The mishap made Ruhui laugh in spite of himself. He glanced at Zhou Xuezhi, then spoke. "Third Master, you go first."

"Yes, yes, Third Master, you go first," Zhou Xuezhi caught on and echoed.

Wang Zhaojing clenched his fist, then spoke with a solemn expression. "Big Brother, your little brother wishes to take this Superintendent post, to serve at Big Brother's side, handling the clerical and miscellaneous affairs."

Zhao Jin nodded. Ruhui, however, was somewhat surprised. He had assumed Wang Zhaojing would not want this Superintendent position, which was heavy with tedious tasks yet held little real authority. Ruhui had already prepared to take it himself. With Wang Zhaojing saying this, the somewhat heavy and tangled atmosphere in the room immediately eased. Ruhui and Zhou Xuezhi exchanged a glance, and Zhou Xuezhi smiled and gestured for him to proceed.

"Master, your subordinate wishes to oversee Agriculture," Ruhui said solemnly. Zhou Xuezhi rose with a smile and said, "Then your subordinate can only oversee Trade."

"Good. From the way you've stated your preferences, I know our Zhao Camp cannot fail to prevail," Zhao Jin said in praise. The three had deferred to one another, each choosing their own strength. This outcome was exactly what Zhao Jin wanted. In truth, any of the three could manage either category, and each had experience in both. When Zhao Camp's operations had not yet grown large, there was naturally no need for everyone to stick to their own duties. The real specialization had only begun in the last few years.

Zhao Jin got straight to the main topic. "Don't just look at the literal meaning of the words 'Agriculture' and 'Trade.' Agriculture will oversee the various manors, supervise them in diligent farming, have them build irrigation works, manage their marriages and funerals, maintain public order, and provide manpower for Trade, Artisan Manufacturing, and the household retainers and militia. You will be the government. I intend to give you authority even greater than the government's. Right now, our Zhao Camp controls territory equivalent to an entire province. Ruhui, you will be like the Provincial Governor of that province. The manor heads below you will be like the Department and County Magistrates. Everything they are supposed to do, we must do — and do it more, more thoroughly, and in greater detail."

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