Many people were waiting in the Governor’s Office front hall. When Wang Nie and Xie Shi arrived, everyone’s gazes shot over instantly.

The two couldn’t help pausing, then revealed smiles and stepped forward to exchange greetings.

Yin Sheng and other officials had just arrived too. The workers and minor officials outside had been released on holiday and dispersed, but the reports they submitted still needed to be compiled and transmitted to Zhao Hanzhang.

So they couldn’t rest yet.

After washing up, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan arrived at the front hall looking refreshed and warm.

Zhao Hanzhang took the seat of honor, Fu Tinghan sat below her. The two nodded to Wang Nie and Xie Shi but weren’t in a hurry to introduce them to everyone: “What matters do you all have? Speak.”

First was an official from the Governor’s Office. Sitting on his mat, he leaned forward slightly: “Governor, as of today, Yushan Hall has completed twelve houses, with thirty-two half-finished, and foundations being dug for…”

He made estimates: “If materials are sufficient, in another half month, everything should be complete.”

Then he began discussing material issues. Brick production was acceptable. The brick kilns Fu Tinghan had ordered built were producing well, working day and night. They were barely sufficient, and moreover, they wouldn’t take holidays today or tomorrow.

The brick kiln workers continued their three-shift rotation.

But there was a large shortage in lumber and stone. To avoid delaying the project, they needed to purchase lumber externally. Stone could be bought if available, but if not, they’d have to quarry it themselves.

But quarrying stone wasn’t easy—results would be hard to see in the short term.

Hearing this, Fu Tinghan lowered his eyes. Actually, there was a more convenient method for quarrying stone.

He turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was also pondering, her mind in a tug-of-war. Finally, she nodded: “Go ahead and make it.”

Fu Tinghan nodded.

Everyone struggled to comprehend the exchange between them. Their gazes shifted back and forth. Just as they were about to inquire further, Zhao Hanzhang had already said: “Buy them. Spread the word—Luyang County wants to buy lumber and stone. Anyone who delivers them, I, Zhao Hanzhang, will settle payment on the spot.”

People didn’t like doing business with government offices, especially small and medium merchants, because payment collection was too difficult.

Sometimes after delivering goods, they might be arbitrarily accused and have their goods seized. So Zhao Hanzhang could only use her own reputation to attract people.

Though Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation in the world was somewhat fierce, she was still very trustworthy. When news spread, many who had lumber and stone in hand were tempted.

And those who didn’t have any but had vision and ambition began contacting those who did, wanting to do this business.

Of course, this was all later. Right now, they were still discussing.

All the officials from the Governor’s Office and Luyang County Office knew that Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan had gone to the construction site incognito.

Openly incognito!

Nonsense—aside from the first day when Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were secretive and no one noticed, on the second day they openly left the Governor’s Office in ragged clothes.

How many people were watching Zhao Hanzhang? After she stopped disguising herself and swaggered out of the Governor’s Office, they couldn’t help but notice.

So these past few days, the construction site project had progressed very smoothly, with very few management problems. Even when issues arose, before Zhao Hanzhang could speak, they’d already handled them swiftly.

This was the first time Zhao Hanzhang had experienced the concept of efficiency in the Great Jin officialdom.

This made her quite emotional: “So they’re not incapable of doing it—it just depends on whether they’re willing.”

All the officials in Yuzhou knew that Zhao Hanzhang liked diligent officials. At the very least, she absolutely didn’t like lazy officials who ignored affairs.

Even in the Great Jin, elegant and carefree officials couldn’t avoid the vulgarity of pleasing their superiors. So recently everyone had been performing very diligently and honestly.

The direct result was that Nanyang Kingdom’s administrative efficiency had been extremely high recently. The Governor’s Office faced all of Nanyang Kingdom’s counties—it naturally couldn’t only manage Luyang County.

Affairs from all counties were compiled here. Since Zhao Hanzhang took residence in Nanyang Kingdom’s Governor’s Office, all the counties below had started their administrative work for the year, and long-blocked policies could finally be implemented in each county.

After Zhao Hanzhang finished handling the day’s accumulated administrative matters, she finally introduced Wang Nie and Xie Shi to everyone: “These are Erlang’s teachers.”

The officials then exchanged greetings with Wang Nie and Xie Shi. Even Yin Sheng, the Commandery Administrator, showed additional respect.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded: “You’ll all be working together in the future. Get close to each other.”

Yin Sheng caught the information she revealed and felt bitter inside, though his face remained very respectful: “Governor, today is New Year’s. Why not open a grand banquet? It’s perfect for welcoming Masters Wang and Xie.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Wang Nie and Xie Shi, then smiled and agreed.

These past few days the officials had been on edge—it was time to show her face and reassure them.

Since she planned to use them, she couldn’t keep them living in fear.

She had Yin Sheng go prepare while she kept Wang Nie and Xie Shi to talk, also summoning Zhao Erlang, who had just returned from the military camp, to listen in: “I want to hand Nanyang Kingdom over to Erlang to manage.”

Wang Nie and Xie Shi couldn’t help exchanging glances. This meant handing it over to the two of them to manage.

What could Zhao Erlang manage? He only knew those few characters—he probably couldn’t even read through a single document.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled: “Though Erlang isn’t literate, he has insight. I ask you two masters to put in more effort and teach him. He doesn’t need to be literate—just focus more on military command and civil administration.”

Wang Nie and Xie Shi lowered their eyes to think for a moment before agreeing.

Zhao Hanzhang clearly intended to make serious use of them. If they didn’t accept, it would be too regrettable. Nanyang Kingdom’s geographical position was very important. Pei He had also worked many years to reach the position of Commandery Administrator. However…

“What about the Prince of Nanyang…”

Zhao Hanzhang dismissed it: “He’s currently in Chang’an, not in Nanyang Kingdom. Since that’s the case, we’ll manage the territory on behalf of the Prince of Nanyang. We’ll act expediently in all matters.”

Wang Nie and Xie Shi understood—the Prince of Nanyang wasn’t important. Just listen to her.

Wang Nie and Xie Shi agreed.

At this time, the Prince of Nanyang was also bringing up Zhao Hanzhang.

News from Nanyang Kingdom had gone through a thousand hardships to finally reach Chang’an. As Nanyang Kingdom was the Prince of Nanyang’s fiefdom, he was naturally the first to receive the news.

Regarding Zhao Hanzhang forcing Pei He away, the Prince of Nanyang was very displeased.

Because Pei He was someone he had chosen.

“Hasn’t Pei He sent a letter?”

“No. He directly resigned and left. No one knows the inside story.”

The Prince of Nanyang snorted coldly: “Write to elder brother, saying Nanyang Kingdom’s Commandery Administrator position is vacant, and I want to appoint a new administrator.”

“Who does the Prince feel is suitable?”

The Prince of Nanyang pondered, then after a moment asked: “What do you think of Chai Kang?”

“This person’s mind is too active. Moreover, now the road between Chang’an and Nanyang Kingdom is cut off. I fear after going there, he won’t follow the Prince’s orders.”

“But we have no one to use.”

Someone immediately suggested: “Why not have the Regent Prince select someone from the capital?”

Meaning, let the Prince of Donghai choose his own person.

The Prince of Nanyang and the Prince of Donghai were blood brothers. He didn’t mind the Prince of Donghai sending people to take over his fiefdom. After all, this fiefdom of Nanyang Kingdom was also bestowed by the Prince of Donghai after he gained power.

But, “Elder brother is troubled at the moment and probably has no mind to select people.”

“Why doesn’t the Prince write to ask?”

The Prince of Nanyang thought about it and agreed.

The Prince of Nanyang wanted to snatch his fiefdom back from Zhao Hanzhang’s hands, never imagining that Zhao Hanzhang’s people were working hard to undermine his position.

Wu Erlang led the merchant convoy through the snow into the city. As soon as they rented a house and settled in, he immediately had someone inquire about Beigong Chun’s residence, then selected two chests of fine goods to send over.