Chapter 304: Chapter 304

Chen Zhuo was well aware of his old friend’s temperament. Complaints were still just complaints; he wouldn’t really obstruct this good thing. Once the grumbling subsided, he would still rack his brains to come up with ideas.

Indeed, after venting, Feng Wenming paused for a moment and then said, "This matter cannot be rushed, it must be carried out gradually."

"That scoundrel Qin Zhan, if you don’t keep a tight rein on him, he dares to do anything. I must immediately write to remind him to select strong and healthy famine victims who, in the future, can farm the land or be recruited into the military camp to work in the iron mines."

As much as possible, recruit adult men who can be useful after a few days of full meals.

In fact, in times of famine, those who survive are usually adult men. The first to die of starvation or perish on the run are often the old, weak, women, and children. This fact is poignant and distressing, yet irrevocable.

The Nanyang Prince Mansion cannot just do good deeds blindly; recruiting famine victims and refugees is to bolster Nanyang County. From this perspective, Feng Wenming’s decision was not wrong.

Chen Zhuo, however, said, "That’s not how you account for it. If you only want adult men, excluding the old, weak, women, and children, you will miss many truly good men."

"Moreover, the Commandery Princess wants to bolster the population in various counties. Too many men without families can easily be troublesome over time and can easily become refugees again, fleeing everywhere. Those with families are better, as men with wives, mothers, and sons have ties, making them more reliable and diligent in their work. We can also rest assured in employing such people."

Feng Wenming pondered and had to admit that Chen Zhuo’s considerations were more comprehensive: "Alright, you write the letter. Remember to remind him not to take in too many famine victims; at most one batch per month, with each batch no more than four to five hundred."

Chen Zhuo thought to himself, "My dear friend, you are truly contradictory; one batch per month, four or five hundred. Three Personal Guard Camps mean more than a thousand people. At this rate, you can recruit tens of thousands of famine victims in half a year. The population of Nanyang County can increase by ten percent."

"Fine, I’ll go write the letter now."

Chen Zhuo busied himself writing, while Feng Wenming delved into the Household Department, pulling out a thick ledger and a familiar abacus. His fingers moved swiftly over the abacus, like playing a beautiful melody.

As evening fell, the light in the signature room was inadequate, and Chief Historian Feng was too focused on accounting to get up. Tang Youyin silently rose to light two candelabras.

The room suddenly brightened.

Feng Wenming, invigorated, ordered without looking up, "Come here."

Tang Youyin immediately stepped forward, "What are your orders, Chief Historian Feng?"

Chief Historian Feng pulled out two books from the high stack of ledgers: "Go and calculate these two account books carefully, deduct all expenses and find out the remaining amount."

Tang Youyin acknowledged, took the books, and sat at a table nearby, flipping through and working the abacus. Having worked as a Household Department Clerk in West E County Government for many years, he was very familiar with account books and calculations. This time, his fingers flew, calculating at a speed not much slower than Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng, in the midst of busyness, stole a glance at Tang Youyin.

This Tang Youyin, despite his ordinary appearance, does have some capability. He has been in the Prince Mansion for half a year already, working hard every day... No, he is working earnestly on his duties. Such honing for a few years, he may indeed hold his own someday.

Chief Historian Feng silently praised Tang Youyin in his heart, unbeknownst to him, Tang Youyin admired Chief Historian Feng even more greatly.

This Nanyang Prince Mansion, with so many people inside and out, all expenses must be worried over by Chief Historian Feng. Not to mention, just one Personal Guard Camp and the Nanyang Army Camp alone are burdensome enough. Moreover, the accounts of the Fourteen Counties also need to be reviewed one by one.

Chief Historian Feng is essentially the internal steward for the Commandery Princess, managing both silver and grain hands-on, every detail needs attention. Without Chief Historian Feng’s diligent and capable management, how could the Commandery Princess stay at the Capital City for months on end without worry?

He is fortunate to follow Chief Historian Feng in work, and he must learn well from Chief Historian Feng’s abilities. Perhaps, in the future, he can become the next Chief Historian Feng.

With a wonderful dream of the future, Tang Youyin worked the abacus until the third hour. Looking over again, Chief Historian Feng still showed no intention of putting down the abacus.

Tang Youyin continued silently.

Unexpectedly for Chief Historian Feng, just a few days after the letter was sent out, a batch of commoners was quietly brought into Nanyang County by the Personal Guard Camp.

"That Qin Zhan has learned to act first and report later!" Feng Wenming fumed, goggling with irritation: "If you calculate the time, he started secretly recruiting famine victims even before the letter was sent back. Fortunately, the Commandery Princess approved it, or I’d like to see how he’d explain it."

Chen Zhuo chuckled, personally pouring a cup of tea for Feng Wenming: "Don’t get upset, have a cup of tea to calm down. Qin Zhan dares to do this because he accurately judged the Commandery Princess’s temperament, knowing that she would certainly agree."

"The one who delivered the letter also mentioned, this batch of commoners totals 423. Counting by households, there are 116 households in total. Among them are 148 adult men, 153 adult women, and more than a hundred children and elderly."

"What’s most crucial now is to settle them quietly."

Feng Wenming, with a somber expression, drank tea: "I only handle accounting, silver, and grain, how to settle them is your business."

Lately, Chief Historian Feng had worried and toiled day and night, losing quite a bit of hair. Chen Zhuo couldn’t bear to argue with him, smiling as he coaxed him, "Alright, I’ll take care of it. This is my plan, listen up."

"This is the first batch of famine victims sent, they must be settled properly. Out of the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang, the three Upper Counties are the most prosperous. However, Bo Wang County has an iron mine, Biyang County breeds horses, and Ye County grows mulberries and weaves cloth, but their grain isn’t enough for their own people to eat. They still need the Prince Mansion to help buy grain. So, let’s not send them to these three Upper Counties."

"Of the remaining counties, based on the region, Li County is the widest. Also, Li County has mountains and forests within its borders. People relying on the mountains won’t starve to death. County Magistrate Cai is the most meticulous, diligent, and attentive in his duties. These famine victims will be settled in Li County, where County Magistrate Cai can lead them to reclaim wasteland and farm."

Feng Wenming finished the last of his tea: "Also, let County Magistrate Cai set an example for the other County Magistrates to see. In the future, when more famine victims arrive, they will be distributed to other counties."

Chen Zhuo skillfully picked up the teapot and poured another cup of tea: "However, we can’t just send the commoners empty-handed. From the Prince Mansion, we’ll allocate some money and grain first."

Feng Wenming inclined his head slightly with composure: "Fortunately, I’ve been busy preparing for this the past few days. Have someone come to the Household Department to collect money and grain today!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝕟𝕖𝕥

Indeed, Chief Historian Feng’s work is reliable.

Chen Zhuo gave a thumbs-up, praising his old friend.

Chief Historian Feng was amused: "Stop the flattery, get on with the work. The commoners have arrived; settle them well and let them take Nanyang County as their home."