Within a few days, the newly appointed officials had all taken up their posts, and the overall situation in each county had basically transitioned smoothly. Next, it was time to grant these individuals a certain degree of autonomy, allowing them to govern themselves. After all, with over a dozen counties, if Zhang Chen had to personally handle everything, how could he possibly manage?
Fortunately, these individuals were capable enough to manage county affairs with ease, which reassured Zhang Chen.
However, the fact that these individuals were not officially appointed by the imperial court was somewhat troublesome.
Having executed so many officials at once, Zhang Chen had to report it truthfully. But once reported, it was possible that Emperor Ling would sell these positions again someday!
Last time, he had used the Han Family to secure three County Magistrate positions. What should he do now?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel worried, so he sent someone to summon Guo Jia and Tian Feng.
Ju Shou was still serving as the Magistrate of Guangping County and had already returned to Guangping County. Zhang Chen thought to himself that he would have to replace him someday; these strategists should remain by his side so they could discuss countermeasures when needed.
Before long, Guo Jia and Tian Feng arrived as ordered.
"Fengxiao, Yuan Hao." Zhang Chen quickly rose to greet them.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Chen explained his worries to them.
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia clapped his hands and laughed, "Lord, why bother yourself with such a trivial matter? Lord has already formed a marital alliance with the Zhen. Zhen Yan, the second son of the Zhen, is currently an aide to the General. Lord can write a letter and ask the head of the Zhen to help mediate this matter. This is the best strategy. If Lord is too concerned about appearances to speak, that's fine too. Now that those corrupt officials have been dealt with and their assets confiscated, the treasury is full. At worst, we can send someone to the capital and buy all these official positions."
Zhang Chen was surprised to hear this. So, I'm already that wealthy?
Emperor Ling's selling of official positions was not cheap. A position with a salary of 400 shi cost 4 million coins, and one with 2,000 shi cost 20 million coins.
The salary of a County Magistrate varied between 600 and 1,000 shi depending on the size of the county. Buying all the official positions in ten counties would require tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions, of coins!
This was no small expense.
Forget it, why be shy with my father-in-law? Zhang Chen decisively chose the best strategy and would write the letter later.
Having made up his mind, Zhang Chen said to the two, "Fengxiao, Yuan Hao, there's one more thing. I plan to establish a new department called the Heavenly Crafting Hall. As the name suggests, it will gather skilled craftsmen. It will temporarily have three halls: the Forging Hall will specialize in metallurgy, the Luban Hall will specialize in carpentry, and the Weaving Brocade Hall will specialize in textile weaving."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, Tian Feng asked in confusion, "Lord, what is the purpose of this action?"
Guo Jia smiled and said, "Lord has great foresight. People only think that craftsmen dabble in strange and frivolous skills that are not presentable, but they do not know the value of these techniques. Weapons and equipment, city defenses, and water conservancy structures—none of these can be separated from the skills of craftsmen. Lord's action is likely for future planning."
"Fengxiao is right, but only half right." Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Firstly, it is as Fengxiao said. Secondly, there are many displaced people now, but the land is limited, and many people cannot be settled. This will inevitably lead to unrest in the future. Establishing the Heavenly Crafting Hall and widely recruiting craftsmen is also to provide a livelihood for these unemployed people. The government will provide remuneration, and they can also learn a skill to support themselves, which will naturally bring peace of mind."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, the two nodded and said, "Lord is benevolent and righteous. We are impressed."
"Yuan Hao, I will leave this matter to you. You can withdraw any necessary funds from the treasury." Zhang Chen said, "Oh, and Li the Blacksmith and his son in the East Market have excellent skills. Send someone to them and tell them that I wish to recruit them to join the Heavenly Crafting Hall. If they are willing, the position of master of the Forging Hall will be theirs."
"Lord, rest assured, your subordinate will go and handle it immediately."
"Fengxiao, issue a notice to widely recruit skilled craftsmen and those unemployed people who are willing to learn skills. Let the craftsmen teach them so they can master basic skills, and then they can join the Heavenly Crafting Hall as apprentices."
"Yes." The two responded and left as ordered.
After the two left with their orders, Zhang Chen went to the back hall and ordered someone to summon Steward Wu to the study.
When Steward Wu arrived, Zhang Chen was sitting alone in the study, checking his assets.
【Assets: 2 million gold】
【Shops: 35】
【Land: 1800 mu】
【Tenant Farmers: 1500】
【Grain Storage: 5000 shi】
Zhang Chen couldn't help but be startled. He hadn't paid attention for many days and didn't expect to be so rich already!
Zhang Chen knew that the explosive growth of his assets was closely related to his cooperation with the Zhen. Without the support of a prominent aristocratic family like the Zhen, Steward Wu alone would never have been able to achieve this.
At this moment, Steward Wu walked in and bowed to Zhang Chen.
"Lord."
Steward Wu usually called him Young Master, so changing his address so suddenly made Zhang Chen momentarily stunned.
Steward Wu seemed to understand what Zhang Chen was thinking and smiled, "Lord, you have been in charge of the family for some time now. I haven't changed my address before because this old servant did not understand the rules. I have already instructed the servants to change their address starting today."
Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Your 'Lord' makes me feel several years older."
The two couldn't help but laugh, and Steward Wu asked again, "May I ask why Lord has summoned this old servant?"
Zhang Chen waved his hand, indicating for him to sit down, and said, "Wu Bo, you previously mentioned the matter of a business association. After much thought, I believe it is indeed a good idea. However, the situation was unstable a few days ago, so it was put on hold. Now that internal and external troubles have been settled, it is time to put this matter on the agenda. I plan to entrust you with full responsibility for this matter, to unite the merchants in the commandery and establish the business association."
Steward Wu was immediately delighted upon hearing this and said, "Really? Lord, rest assured, this old servant will not fail in his mission."
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Hmm, however, when the business association is first established, do not make too many enemies. First, unite the law-abiding merchants within Wei Commandery to resist those lawless individuals who engage in bullying and market manipulation. In addition, those who join the business association must abide by its rules. They must not arbitrarily raise prices, and even more so, they must not sell inferior goods as quality ones. Anyone who exhibits these behaviors will be expelled from the association. Of course, the specific details will be left to Wu Bo and a few prominent merchants in the commandery to decide among themselves, but remember not to harm the people."
Steward Wu immediately bowed and said, "Lord, rest assured, this old servant will remember. The original intention of establishing the business association was to rectify the market atmosphere and resist those who bully and manipulate the market. We will absolutely not engage in acts that harm the people."
Zhang Chen nodded, "That's good. Go and handle it quickly. If you need anything, you can come to me."
"Yes." Steward Wu bowed and withdrew.
With these two matters settled, Zhang Chen couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. The Heavenly Crafting Hall and the business association, one gathering craftsmen and the other accumulating wealth, would undoubtedly be his two major assets in the future.
Once the Heavenly Crafting Hall is established, he will bring out the novel things from his memory, such as the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow, wooden oxen and flowing horses, and so on. Once these things are built, wouldn't he be like a tiger with wings?
What? Blueprints? Of course, he didn't have them. But isn't there a saying, "Three humble cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang"? He had so many craftsmen, and he believed that even without detailed blueprints, as long as there was a prototype, they could always produce something that was close enough.
Something that was close enough was already enough to put him far ahead of others!
Zhang Chen thought to himself. Speaking of the greatest craftsman in the Three Kingdoms period, wasn't it Zhuge Liang's wife, Huang Yueying? But at this time, Zhuge Liang was only four or five years old, and she was probably not even born yet?
It doesn't matter. When he has time, he will make a trip to Jing Province and bring their whole family's ideas over.
Zhang Chen was making his calculations when suddenly, a messenger arrived to report that a guest was visiting outside the mansion gate, claiming to be a Gongzi from the Zhongshan Zhen.
Zhongshan Zhen? Gongzi?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but be surprised.