After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1133 - 1115: Recruiting Workers

Sun Linghui acted as soon as she thought of it, immediately taking out an almanac and making some simple notes on it. For uncertainties, she would consult the old farmers and then submit it to the book office for reprinting.

Unfortunately, Guangzhou didn’t have its own book office, nor did Qingzhou. They had to go to the book office in Yan State for printing, which was far away and costly.

They needed to request some printing craftsmen from the Great General. Guangzhou also needed its own book office, so that not only would the speed of printing be fast, the costs could be greatly reduced as well.

Each year, numerous materials were required for printing in schools across all counties and prefectures; a single book office wouldn’t suffice.

As Sun Linghui annotated the almanac, she also pondered over what was needed when writing to the court.

Besides the printing craftsmen, she also wanted some glassmaking craftsmen. She felt Guangzhou’s geographical location was even better than Xiping’s; from Guangzhou, glass could be quickly shipped to Jiangnan and Lingnan regions.

The new year began, and the new semester started as well. Since Zhao Hanzhang required children over eight years old to attend school for at least three years, learning basic characters and arithmetic, there was an urgent need for textbooks in various places.

Even though local book offices had prepared six months in advance, there was still a shortage of textbooks. Many schools had two, even five, students sharing a single book.

As a result, State Governors, Prefectural Governors, and even County Magistrates bypassed the Prefectural Governors and State Governors to write to Zhao Hanzhang, seeking craftsmen to open book offices.

Zhao Hanzhang received the letters, smiled, and called Chang Ning and Zhao Cheng to discuss with Ji Yuan and Ming Yu about setting up local book offices.

"This year, quite a few students are graduating from schools. Movable type printing requires literacy, which is the hardest part. Besides this, there’s crafting movable type. As long as these two are ensured, a book office can be established. However, the book office originally belonged to me, and now it’s being funded and operated by local areas. How will the profits be allocated?"

Chang Ning said, "Since it’s funded and operated by local areas, why not let all the profits go to them, Great General?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I currently lack money, so I must take a portion of the profits for free use."

If the money stayed local, it would be completely controlled by them, making it extremely difficult for her to use. Therefore, she needed to set the rules from the start.

Her honesty was met without opposition from Chang Ning, who immediately considered the differences of having money in the hands of the Great General versus the localities.

If the Great General had money, acquiring it would be easier than negotiating relentlessly with local authorities.

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Chang Ning’s eyes brightened, and he promptly nodded, "The Great General’s concerns are correct. How much do you wish to take?"

Zhao Hanzhang first asked Ji Yuan, "What does Ji Shizhong think?"

Ji Yuan replied, "Twenty percent."

Ming Yu said, "Since the Great General intends for local profits from the book office to supplement finances, then more than just book offices should be established. It’s best to set up paper mills as well. Though not every province needs a workshop, at least two book offices and two paper mills per state are necessary. Once there are more craftsmen in the future, more can be set up. Thus, twenty percent seems too much. How about taking ten percent instead?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Most students in schools are impoverished. If students are to be dispatched from Luoyang, Xiping, and Chen County to various places to build book offices and paper mills, their families must be settled well, and their travel expenses covered."

"Otherwise, the journey’s distance might prevent them from reaching their destinations."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "Then take twenty percent, from which half a percent will be allocated for craftsmen and students as resettlement and travel expenses."

She paused, somewhat reluctantly adding, "Since there are no profits yet, I’ll cover these expenses for now."

Zhao Cheng and Chang Ning both immediately straightened and bowed, "The Great General is wise."

The matter was thus decided, with the responsibility given to Chang Ning and Zhao Cheng to handle together.

All schools in the land were now under Zhao Cheng’s management. Once the official document was issued, starting from Luoyang, all schools became lively, particularly those students who had completed three years of education.

"The Great General said that students with more than three years of education can all take the test. Those who pass can enter the workshop. I heard a proofreader at the book office earns a monthly wage of 800 cents."

"Not only is there a monthly wage, but also a resettlement fund and travel expenses. Upon arrival, the book office covers the food and accommodation, essentially costing nothing. If I’m selected, the resettlement fund and travel expenses would help my family get through the next two months when resources are scarce."

"You all have pleasant thoughts, but you have to pass the test first. A proofreader must know all the characters from the Thousand Character Classic and memorize over twelve Chapters of the Analects of Confucius. Are you all capable?"

Many fell silent upon hearing this.

But without trying, how would they know if they could succeed?

Since the exam was free, qualified and willing students in the school signed up to apply.

Thirteen-year-old Jian Wuzhong sat at his place with his pen and ink, while Ji Wukuan, sitting next to him, looked at him in surprise, "Why are you also taking the test for the book office? Your grades are so good that if you study for another two years, you could perhaps apply to the county government as a clerk. Even being a clerk would be better than a proofreader at a book office, wouldn’t it?"

Jian Wuzhong replied, "My little sister is also going to school this year. I’ve set up my household separately, so I can’t eat public grain at Yushan Hall anymore. I have to consider them."

He continued, "The proofreader job pays well, and working at a book office still involves books, allowing continued study. If I wish to become a clerk later, I can do so after mastering it."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t restrict the background of exam participants, so he could still take the exam even if he wasn’t applying from a school.

Ji Wukuan said, "She’s not even your biological sister. If you ask me, it would be better to leave her at Yushan Hall. Although it’s tough, with the Great General around, you won’t starve, and she’ll be able to study."

Jian Wuzhong shook his head, "I promised my uncle on his deathbed that I would take good care of my cousin. Besides, the country is currently impoverished, and the Great General is struggling. Since I’m capable of supporting them, I should naturally share some of the burden."

"How can one push all responsibilities onto the Great General?" Jian Wuzhong had already made up his mind; he was determined to strive for a position at the book office.

Ji Wukuan sighed, "I feel I’m not smart enough. Further studying won’t help. I should find work instead. By the way, which book office are you hoping to go to?"

"I want to go to Qingzhou."

Ji Wukuan was surprised, "Qingzhou? It’s so far, and it’s a barren land. Why choose there?"

"The Qingzhou Governor is the Great General’s cousin and was our former County Magistrate. His assignment to Qingzhou indicates its potential," Jian Wuzhong said. "If I can join the Qingzhou Book Office, even if I don’t enter the Qingzhou Government in the future, focused work at the book office also promises a good career."

Familiar with Zhao Kuan, knowing he’s a just and honest official, seeking prospects naturally meant choosing familiarity over the unknown. Information about other Inspectors came through hearsay, nothing compared to personally dealing with Zhao Kuan.

Ji Wukuan, upon hearing this, hesitated before shaking his head, "Forget it. I’ll try to find a book office near Luoyang. My family is all here, and they’re unlikely to leave with me."