After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1175 - 1157: Newspaper Announcement

After crying his heart out before the grave, Fu Chang asked Fu Xuan the same question, "On my way here, both the city and countryside are stable, and the people are diligently farming. There are no wars, nor are there floods of refugees. Did Father see all this?"

"He saw it," Fu Xuan said, "Father left peacefully."

Fu Chang felt much better in his heart, finally stood up by supporting himself on the ground, and called out to the two foolish sons still kneeling, "Go, pay your respects to your elder brother and sister-in-law. These past two years, thanks to them for honoring our grandfather."

Fu Yong and Fu Hong quickly stood up to pay respects to Fu Tinghan and Zhao Hanzhang, but both quickly stopped them. Zhao Hanzhang said, "Second Uncle, you shame us; we’ve been running around for two years and haven’t been by Grandfather’s side, truly unfilial."

Fu Chang shook his head and said, "What Father desired all his life was peace for the country, and today it is stable because of you. This was Father’s aspiration, and you have fulfilled it, which is the greatest act of filial piety."

He said somberly, "Unlike me, unable to be filial before Father’s face, nor did I do anything for the country’s stability, just made Father worry about me, truly unfilial."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The situation was chaotic; Second Uncle, you managed to keep yourself safe and rescued over a hundred people, that’s impressive. Now the country is stable, with your talents, Second Uncle, much can be achieved."

She continued, "Stability needs to be maintained; this undertaking is not easier than pacifying chaos and requires all wise people to unite and strive together. I ask Second Uncle to assist me."

The heavy weight on Fu Chang’s mind loosened and began to rise. He finally took a deep breath and made a deep bow to Zhao Hanzhang, "I dare not disobey."

Zhao Hanzhang returned the bow promptly.

Fu Xuan frowned and interrupted them, "Ting Han has prepared the meal; you have labored along the journey, have a meal first."

Fu Tinghan had started to wash rice and prepare food as soon as he arrived on the mountain. He also picked quite a lot of vegetables from the garden. His cooking is always simple, mostly vegetables with different kinds, either blanched or boiled, quite straightforward, and it only took him less than three-quarters of an hour to finish.

The rice was also steamed just right at that moment, he waved to Zhao Hanzhang, Fu Yong, and Fu Hong, "Quickly, set out the bowls and chopsticks."

"Originally, I wanted to cook porridge for you, but the pot is a bit small, cooking porridge wouldn’t be enough, so I made rice instead." Fu Tinghan placed the dishes on the small table; the mountain is simple, and they usually sit on dried tree stumps.

The family gathered like this, eating three vegetarian dishes, but everyone enjoyed them quite a bit. Fu Hong couldn’t help but praise Fu Tinghan, "Elder Brother’s cooking is delicious, these two dishes are so crisp without any water. How did you make them?"

Fu Tinghan said, "Stir-fried."

"Stir-fried?" Fu Hong perked up, "With the iron pan? I want to learn too."

Fu Tinghan laughed and said, "Alright, I’ll have the cook teach you later."

Fu Hong’s smile froze, "Elder brother can’t teach me?"

Fu Tinghan replied, "My dishes are barely edible. If you want to truly learn cooking, it’s better to learn from the cook."

Rarely seeing someone interested in culinary arts, Zhao Hanzhang encouraged him, "Perhaps in the future, we can enjoy delicacies personally prepared by Third Brother."

Fu Hong lowered his head and thought seriously, "I think I can; my grilling skills outshine Father and Elder Brother. In the mountains, I do much of the cooking, I am quite talented."

Fu Chang stopped eating, and Fu Yong also found the rice in hand less appetizing. After giving him a piece of green vegetable, he said, "Eat more vegetables."

After the meal, Fu Chang sat in front of the grave lost in memories; Fu Xuan advised him, "Having paid your respects to Father, you and Second and Third Brothers should go home to rest. The Princess has arranged meals and rooms at the mansion for you."

Fu Chang shook his head, "I want to stay on the mountain to mourn with my elder brother."

Fu Xuan frowned deeply, "It’s not urgent to do this at the present moment; you should go home and rest for two days before coming back."

"How can filial duty be decided by time?" Fu Chang said, "I am heartbroken, can’t swallow food, and restless in sleep. Elder Brother wants me to descend the mountain; I’d only feel worse."

Fu Xuan couldn’t persuade him and could only look at Fu Tinghan and Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang considered for a moment then said, "Then stay. I’ll take the two brothers back."

Fu Yong and Fu Hong quickly expressed their desire to stay, but Zhao Hanzhang didn’t coddle them, saying, "There’s only one thatched house on the mountain, not enough for five people. If you want to stay, you’ll have to wait until another is built. So, go down and wait until it’s done."

Then nodded to Fu Tinghan and took the two away.

She delivered them to Fu Mansion, where Princess Hongnong was already waiting at home. Seeing the grown-up Fu Yong and Fu Hong, she couldn’t help but sigh, "You’ve all grown up."

It’s really odd; when the children are around, they seem bothersome, growing so slowly; but when they’re not around, a few years later, they seem to have grown up quickly.

Princess Hongnong directed someone to take them to rest, then asked Zhao Hanzhang, "How’s your Second Uncle?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "His hair is frost-white, he looks much older than Father. He must have endured a lot these past years."

Princess Hongnong sighed, "Your Second Uncle is unlike your father-in-law. He resembles Grandfather, heavy-hearted. Even hiding in the mountains these years, his worries would only grow, never lessen. And your Third and Fourth Uncles, who knows where they are and if they’ve settled down or are still wandering outside."

Refugees around Luoyang have been taken in. Whenever refugees appear, the counties within Si Province compete to take them in, so you rarely see refugees on the road.

But in other provinces, it’s different; there are still refugees fleeing. They might be trying to return home or find a more suitable place to live, thus not stopping nor willing to accept the county government’s recruitment.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t say anything but kept this matter in her heart, and after leaving, she turned to the publishing house.

The publishing house had expanded again, acquiring the shop next door to make a newspaper office. Now Luoyang has five kinds of newspapers, one named "Three Words, Two Hits," which, besides some anecdotes, primarily publishes poems, essays, and novels, as well as small advertisements from shops recruiting or individuals seeking jobs; anything can be printed as long as you pay.

The Court Bulletin and Endless Learning learned from this, so they occasionally publish information on seeking talents for the country in the Court Bulletin, seeking specific talents. Those with the capability can bypass the recruitment exam and directly come to Luoyang to meet Zhao Hanzhang; if they pass the interview, they can be employed.

Even, fearing that those talents don’t have the funds to come to Luoyang, Zhao Hanzhang specifically ordered that anyone with talent listed in the Court Bulletin can report to the local Governor Mansion or Inspector Mansion. After a preliminary assessment, the local government must cover their travel expenses to the capital and order the post stations along the way to take good care of them.

Zhao Hanzhang arrived at the newspaper office, and the editor inside immediately put down his pen and went downstairs to respectfully salute her, "Great General."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and asked, "Who is preparing the next issue of the Court Bulletin?"

A scholar immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "It is I."

Zhao Hanzhang walked to the table and glanced at the half-transcribed Court Bulletin, nodded, and said, "I want to publish a message in the paper. You write for me."

The scholar immediately bowed, picked up a blank sheet, dipped the pen in ink, then looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

She turned around twice on the spot then said, "The country is in peril; the administration has been neglected for years, leading to rivers and waterways falling into disrepair and clogging. This year we were lucky no disasters struck during the rainy season, but next year or the year after might not be as fortunate. Therefore, I want to recruit talents who can manage water nationwide, instructing all counties to investigate. If such talent exists, please send them respectfully to Luoyang."

She paused, then continued, "In the past, Mr. Fu constructed the Shenlai Dam to resolve flooding issues in the Yellow River across Yan and Yu Provinces. Among his works, there’s a famous article on water management. Anyone who can recite it may also come to the capital."