Chapter 110: I Have a Suggestion, I'm Not Sure If It's Appropriate |
This was a rare "chance encounter" today, and he couldn't let Cousin-in-law's interception fail!
After slowing his pace for a while, he finally met his target before leaving the residence.
Young Madam Xiao, accompanied by her maid, was holding something and appeared to be in a hurry.
Upon seeing Wen Gu, Young Madam Xiao showed a look of surprise and delight.
After exchanging pleasantries, she said, "Perfect timing. We've recently hired a few artisans who have made a batch of stationery."
Young Madam Xiao pointed to a wooden box carried by her maid.
"Cousin, you should take a look at the styles and pick a few first.
I'll have someone set them aside for you, so others don't snatch them all up."
Wen Gu looked hesitant but still bowed and said, "Then… I'll trouble Cousin-in-law!"
Having come prepared, they went to a nearby warm room and took out the stationery from the wooden box for Wen Gu to choose from.
Nowadays, the world is in turmoil, with chaos erupting everywhere. For the surviving common people, even obtaining food and clothing is a difficulty.
However, for the wealthy and noble families with substantial savings, they still value elegance when composing poetry or writing letters. Only these people can afford to use stationery in these chaotic times.
The needs of the target customers were clear. This new batch of stationery was either luxurious or elegant.
It had enough class!
Wen Gu chose quickly.
Young Madam Xiao chose her words carefully.
She knew that the Zhao Family Head and Young Master Zhao valued Wen Gu, and they would consider his wife's family. Furthermore, with Madam Shen also present, she was reluctant to get involved in Wen Gu's affairs.
However, she had been entrusted with a favor by an old family friend, so she had to probe his intentions.
Young Madam Xiao hesitated, looking at Wen Gu across from her.
However, the person opposite also hesitated.
Young Madam Xiao was greatly surprised.
Putting aside her own thoughts for the moment, she asked, "Cousin, do you have any suggestions? Please speak your mind."
Wen Gu smiled apologetically, "I was just suddenly thinking about matters in the district.
Lately, I've been discussing the women, children, and the elderly in the district with the clerks at the public office, and I have some ideas. Today, I happened to meet Cousin-in-law, and I have a suggestion.
I'm not sure if it's appropriate…"
…
Meanwhile, in Young Master Zhao's office.
Not long after Wen Gu left, a subordinate informed him that Madam and the young master had a chance encounter and were talking in the warm room over there.
Young Master Zhao didn't pay much attention to it.
He had received some prior information, and Madam Xiao had mentioned it.
He knew why his wife had stopped Wen Gu.
An hour later.
After handling a few matters, Young Master Zhao inquired about the situation again, "Is Wen Gu still at the residence?"
The subordinate replied with his head bowed, "They are still chatting in the warm room."
Young Master Zhao was genuinely surprised.
What were they talking about?!
It wasn't that he was worried about impropriety, but he was curious if Wen Gu was actually interested in the family his wife was trying to introduce him to.
Curious, Young Master Zhao got up to go over.
However, by the time he arrived at the warm room, Wen Gu had just left.
Inside the warm room, Young Madam Xiao seemed to be pondering an important matter, lost in thought.
Young Master Zhao saw two pieces of paper on the table, filled with writing. With a quick glance, he saw words like "women and children" and "care" written on them.
Upon closer inspection.
"Charity house?" Young Master Zhao picked up the two pieces of paper.
Young Madam Xiao, returning to her senses, sighed, "Yes, I was deeply moved by Cousin's suggestion just now."
Young Master Zhao's expression became serious as he read the writing on the papers.
The amount of writing on the two pieces of paper was not large, but it already outlined a clear framework.
"Did Cousin write all of this?" Young Master Zhao asked.
"He did. But he said the content was based on his past travels and studies with some modifications, and might not be comprehensive," said Young Madam Xiao.
Young Master Zhao looked at the content on the paper and remained silent.
Although Xin Prefecture had previously established some民间's relief measures, they were not on a large scale or standardized.
However, the clear framework outlined on these two pieces of paper seemed like something that could actually be implemented!
Standardizing Xin Prefecture's welfare system was also a way to strengthen management.
The more chaotic the times, the more it was necessary to strengthen management systems in all aspects!
Young Master Zhao read carefully for a long time before putting down the two pieces of paper.
Remembering his initial curiosity, he asked, "Regarding the family you were going to introduce, what are Wen Gu's thoughts?"
Young Madam Xiao froze, "…Huh?"
She had completely forgotten!
—
Wen Gu left the Zhao Residence with satisfaction.
This trip to the Zhao Residence not only resolved the matter of the picture album but also solved another problem.
Although Cousin-in-law did not immediately agree, he believed that given Young Madam Xiao's current predicament, the Xiao family would be very interested.
Entrusting the matter of charity to the Xiao family was also analyzed as having the highest chance of success for their takeover.
Previously, there seemed to be no sign of the Xiao family in several major investment projects in Xin Prefecture.
This meant that the Xiao family's large amount of money and grain had not been spent and was still being hoarded.
Not only had their substantial savings not been spent, but with the convenience of their current status, they had also carried out some businesses, continuously making profits.
They were definitely a prominent family!
They had money! They had grain!
But there was also a crisis!
The new people in Cousin Zhao's household and the families behind them were not to be trifled with.
Those wealthy family groups might be looking for an opportunity to replace the Xiao family at any time.
Currently, the "Charity House" was a good starting point for the Xiao family.
It could earn favor with the Zhao Family Father and Son, gain more reputation among the people, and stabilize Young Madam Xiao's own status.
It would just cost some money and grain.
However, he believed the Xiao family would be very willing to spend this money.
This kind of project that required large sums of money should be undertaken by these prominent families!
Returning to Jingxing District, Wen Gu went to the public office and had them clean out a study room and set up a few new workstations, suitable for writing and painting.
Cheng Zhi asked, "Is the public office hiring new people?"
Their Jingqing Public Office was an officially recognized institution in Xin Prefecture, and they, the clerks, were all officially employed members with formal positions!
Generally, new personnel had to go through a process and several approvals.
But looking at the situation today, was there going to be an airborne appointment?
And more than one?
The other people in the public office were also looking over, as everyone had relatives or friends watching the public office's staffing positions, waiting for the next recruitment opportunity.
Knowing what they were worried about, Cheng Zhi looked at the distance between everyone and this side, and lowered his voice to ask Wen Gu, "Are you not going through the process?"
Wen Gu replied, "No."
Cheng Zhi, "Are these also officially recognized, formal positions this time?"
Wen Gu, "Officially recognized, but not formal positions."
Cheng Zhi: ???
Hesitantly, he confirmed again, "Will they not occupy the public office's staffing quota?"
Wen Gu, "No, they won't occupy it."
Cheng Zhi was greatly surprised.
Did the Foreman mean that they were about to welcome several officially recognized, reliable individuals to work here, handle affairs, and contribute, without occupying the staffing quota?
And not just one person?
There was such a good thing?!
(End of this chapter)