Since they were implementing tiered education, they would need quite a few excellent craftspeople to go to the school for class-based teaching.
No, rather, the students would need to go to various places to learn these skills.
Zhao Hanzhang pondered this. The paper workshop, book bureau, and oil pressing workshop—these places she could arrange people to enter freely. Sending apprentices to Blacksmith Wang’s place wouldn’t be difficult either, but other skills…
It seemed she needed to establish some other enterprises.
After the banquet experience, Zhao Hanzhang felt that rather than cooperating with others and being constrained, it was better to do it herself.
After all, she wasn’t short of money.
Zhao Hanzhang immediately summoned Chengbo, who was idling restlessly in the estate.
Chengbo was extremely surprised. “The Lady wants to establish a weaving workshop and embroidery workshop, and also open a medical clinic?”
Zhao Hanzhang: “Is there any problem?”
Chengbo: “…There’s no major problem, it’s just that I’m afraid opening these workshops now won’t be profitable.”
Zhao Hanzhang: “My purpose isn’t to make money, at least not to make money right now. It’s to give school students places to learn skills while saving costs.”
“Some things must be established even if they lose money, because in the long term they’re correct.” She said: “Besides this, allocate another sum from my private accounts. I want to establish an Agricultural Office in the county.”
“What is the purpose of this establishment?”
“For farming,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Agriculture is the foundation of the nation. I’ve established so many handicraft workshops, so naturally I must also establish an Agricultural Office.”
She continued: “I’ll issue a public notice recruiting experienced farmers and people with research ideas about cultivation to join. Their salaries will be slightly higher than other officials. For all achievements, there will be substantial rewards. The county office doesn’t have this expenditure, so it will all come from my private accounts.”
Chengbo acknowledged the order.
Zhao Hanzhang then said: “Go prepare. After the New Year, these workshops and shops must all open. I need to assign students to them.”
“Yes.”
Zhao Hanzhang went to the book bureau to visit Hu Jin. Coincidentally, Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang were also there.
Fu Tinghan was there to observe and learn woodblock printing techniques. As for Zhao Erlang…
Zhao Hanzhang walked up to look, and saw he was holding a carving knife, carefully engraving on a wooden board, and actually… doing quite well.
Zhao Hanzhang was astonished.
Fu Tinghan saw her, stood up and walked over, also glancing at Zhao Erlang. “Very surprising, isn’t it?”
Only then did the completely focused Zhao Erlang realize his sister was standing behind him. He jumped up happily, showing her the wooden board. “Sister, look at my carving. Isn’t it nice?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Nice. Erlang, how do you know how to carve?”
“It’s not difficult—it’s about the same as carving wooden horses and people.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. She took his board, which was almost completely carved with characters, and asked: “Do you recognize the characters on it?”
“I don’t recognize them,” Zhao Erlang said cheerfully. “I don’t recognize a single character. I asked Lu Hu, and he doesn’t recognize any either.”
“He said carving doesn’t require recognizing characters—you just carve according to the traced outline.”
Though this was the truth, his pride in it still left her not knowing what to say.
So Zhao Hanzhang changed the subject. “How did you end up at the book bureau? Didn’t the military camp train today?”
Zhao Erlang’s skin tightened. He quickly said: “No training. Uncle Qianli said it’s almost New Year, so besides routine training, everyone can rest. Some even need to go home to see their wives.”
“I don’t have a wife, so I came to the book bureau to play with Lu Hu.”
Zhao Hanzhang tapped his forehead and asked with a smile: “Do you want to marry a wife too?”
Zhao Erlang immediately shook his head. “No, not at all.”
Zhao Hanzhang stared at Lu Hu and Zhao Erlang thoughtfully. “The matter of marrying a wife indeed isn’t urgent—after all, you’re still young. But you do need a companion by your side.”
She looked Lu Hu up and down.
Lu Hu’s spine stiffened. He secretly straightened his back and puffed out his chest.
Zhao Hanzhang found it amusing and asked: “Lu Hu, would you be willing to stay by Erlang’s side?”
Lu Hu immediately knelt down. “I’m willing! I, I’m willing to care for and protect Erlang. I’ll die for Erlang, that what…”
Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily. “That what is what? And you don’t need to exhaust yourself serving him loyally—just take good care of him.”
Lu Hu repeatedly kowtowed in acceptance.
He had been at the book bureau for over ten years and could already confirm he wouldn’t learn printing techniques. Previously at Chen’s Book Bureau he had received no wages. After coming to Xiping, although he now had wages, if he still couldn’t learn printing techniques, who knew whether he’d continue to have them in the future?
So he still wanted to seek another path.
These past few days getting along with Zhao Erlang, though he spoke and acted somewhat differently from others, he wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for people. Following him would naturally be better than wasting away at the book bureau.
Lu Hu was very happy to go with Zhao Erlang.
Zhao Erlang was also very happy. He already considered Lu Hu a kindred spirit. He was illiterate, and Lu Hu was also illiterate.
He could never learn anything, and neither could Lu Hu.
Having grown this big, this was the first time he’d met someone like himself. Zhao Erlang very much welcomed this friend, bringing him along everywhere he went.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know his thoughts. She said to Lu Hu: “Since you’re Erlang’s personal guard, you must learn to read.”
Zhao Erlang immediately defended him. “Sister, if he’s illiterate, let him be. Didn’t you say knowledge isn’t only spread through writing? If he can’t learn, don’t force him.”
“He’s never studied—how do you know he can’t? “
Zhao Erlang froze, clearly never having considered this question. He turned to look at Lu Hu.
Lu Hu bowed. “Lady, I truly cannot learn characters. I’ve been carving for many years and still haven’t learned.”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, then turned to look at the inexplicably happy Zhao Erlang. After thinking, she nodded. “Then never mind.”
Zhao Erlang happily pulled Lu Hu away. He wanted to take him to pay respects to his mother.
Fu Tinghan watched them walk away, frowning slightly. “Why put someone like this by his side?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Lu Hu isn’t honest. He’s trying to please Erlang.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with pleasing Erlang. Seeking benefit and avoiding harm is human instinct. Knowing he relies on Erlang to be by Erlang’s side, yet disregarding Erlang’s feelings—that’s not just honesty, it’s stupidity.”
Zhao Hanzhang continued: “What kind of person he is needs further observation. If in the future his scheming is used against Erlang’s interests, we’ll replace him.”
Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but look at Hu Jin, who was not far away with his head lowered, carving.
That’s right—the two of them had been talking without avoiding Hu Jin. They seemed completely unconcerned whether he would pass these words to Lu Hu.
Hu Jin continued to lower his head, carving the board in his hands, while thinking that perhaps they wanted him to pass these words to Lu Hu.
Carving raised text was detailed work. Currently in the entire book bureau, only Hu Jin could do it. Naturally, the speed was very slow.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind. After looking at the boards he’d carved, she said: “After the New Year, I’ll send a batch of apprentices here. Teach them printing methods. Whether they learn or not, you’ll be their master craftsman.”