Fu Tinghan stared intently into her eyes, and upon seeing the helplessness within them, a hint of amusent flashed in his own. His brows curved gently, and he couldn’t help but let a smile form at the corners of his lips.
The guests followed suit, offering praise, yet unlike Zhao Hanzhang, theirs was sincere, filled with admiration as they looked enviously at Ji Yuan.
If they could also receive a flower from the Commander to pin in their hair, they wouldn’t wash their heads for a month. They would strive to preserve the flower, and if possible, hire an artist to capture the scene, have the painting mounted, and hang it in their hall for everyone to admire.
n of the ti cherished elegance, even a General like Beigong Chun couldn’t help but gaze at the flower on Ji Yuan’s temples with a touch of envy.
Fu Tinghan noticed their gazes drifting to the monthly rose in the porcelain vase beside him, with an almost imploring tendency. He promptly stood up, took the porcelain vase, nodded to Zhao Hanzhang, and turned to leave.
Forget it, today is the Dragon Boat Festival; work can wait until tomorrow. It’s better to rest today.
He had eaten his fill and decided to return to his room to rest.
Everyone regrettably watched Fu Tinghan leave, yet dared not disturb him.
The ti spent together had been short, but they had already discerned that there were two people under Zhao Hanzhang who seed uninvolved in matters and decisions, yet were absolutely not to be crossed.
One was Fu Tinghan, and the other was Zhao Cheng.
Fu Tinghan’s relationship with Zhao Hanzhang was profound. Although there were rumors outside that he was freeloading, once involved in Zhao Hanzhang’s affairs, it beca clear that most of Zhao Hanzhang’s liquid assets originated from Fu Tinghan;
Whether it was profits sent from Yu State or the local Luoyang workshops’ output, the accounts all passed through Fu Tinghan’s hands.
Even if he didn’t manage the accounts directly, it was handled by soone under his command.
Even Ji Yuan, the chief advisor beside Zhao Hanzhang, treated Fu Tinghan with utmost respect.
Additionally, many of Zhao Hanzhang’s asures to stabilize public sentint required his assistance. Though he seldom appeared in public, officials from the county governnt and the Inspector Mansion all sought him out for matters concerning money and supplies.
As for Zhao Cheng, he was even quieter, yet people were more cautious not to offend him.
Luoyang County Magistrate Zhao Kuan, Luoyang-local military record officer Zhao Xin, recently placed in the Inspector Mansion by Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Shi, and Zhao Yunxin, newly transferred from Yu State... among others, were his students and clan nephews.
Not to ntion the talents from Yu State, with many from or connected to the Zhao Family, and it was said that he once was the Mountain Master of the Zhao Family clan school. Now, Zhao Family youths aged twenty to ten were all enlightened by him.
The Zhao Family clan school also accepted relatives’ children for education, so many under Zhao Hanzhang’s command had to address Zhao Cheng as "teacher."
In the schools established by Zhao Hanzhang across various regions, the first instructors generally ca from the Zhao Family, trained by Zhao Cheng.
This ant that, even disregarding the present, only considering the future, five, ten, or even twenty years hence, the personnel Zhao Hanzhang might utilize could potentially be disciples or grandchildren of Zhao Cheng.
Especially now, as he resided in the Imperial College, beginning to absorb scholars coming to study from various regions.
They too wanted to send their children to the Imperial College...
Thus, despite appearing uninvolved, these two were decidedly people no one dared to offend or make things difficult for.
The previous offense by the Xiao Family to Fu Tinghan had left them utterly subrged; and as for Xiao Wei, it was said he was killed on his orders, Zhao Erlang having heard it was Fu Tinghan’s decision didn’t blink an eye.
Fu Tinghan had ordered the execution of the culprits, even pulling Xiao Wei’s sons out for beheading, reportedly they had all led people to plunder the populace.
Originally, Zhao Erlang intended to keep them as military slaves to open up wasteland, but due to Fu Tinghan, the orders were changed without the slightest regard for losing authority.
Who could remain ignorant of Fu Tinghan’s status among the Zhao siblings?
Once Fu Tinghan departed, Zhao Hanzhang also couldn’t stay; mainly because her presence seed to make everyone a bit uneasy, she decided to take a stroll, this ti taking Ji Yuan along.
With Ji Yuan gone, everyone then gathered around Zhao Cheng.
They heard that there would be exams at the Imperial College this August to select a batch of students for study, and wondered if it was true.
Zhao Cheng confird it was true, and this ti, they will not only accept students through exams but also officials and eminent figures’ recomndations.
This was a consensus reached through deliberation.
Zhao Hanzhang originally intended to select students through exams, but Zhao Ming sent a letter from distant Chen County upon hearing this.
He remarked, "I understand your intentions; you disdain sidelong interference from heritage families, so ever since you’ve grown your wings, you’ve been fostering talents independently within schools, wanting full autonomy. But don’t forget, you’ve only just grown wings, there aren’t many feathers on them yet."
Zhao Ming cautioned her not to be overly proud, nor to escalate a minor conflict into an irreparable one, "Our present greatest enemies remain Liu Yuan of the Han Kingdom, Shi Le of the Jiehu, and even the Xianbei, who are sowhat friendly to us, rather than the similarly displaced heritage families of the sa origin."
"Your school has been busy for three years, within these years, aside from a few subordinate officials that obey orders, has it produced any notable characters?" Zhao Ming asked, "Out of a hundred students, how many can excel, and how many can match the intelligence of noble scions?"
Zhao Ming bluntly stated, "Compared to noble scions, they are still far inferior; even if you wish to avoid sidelong interference, you must employ them, or you can anticipate being ousted from Luoyang back to Yu State."
Though the words were unpleasant, Zhao Hanzhang took them to heart and imdiately sought counsel from Ji Yuan and Zhao Cheng.
Then decided on four recruitnt channels.
Currently, talent remains chiefly recomnded, presenting Filial Piety, even the Nine-Rank rit System’s grading is a form of recomndation.
Thus Zhao Hanzhang had to employ the recomndation thod: besides exams, regional officials could recomnd students and talents they deed excellent into the Imperial College;
Heritage families could recomnd promising scions;
Village elders could recomnd deserving sons of humble origins and students.
Imperial College students need not participate in the talent recruitnt exam; passing the graduation exam suffices to beco an official under her command. Of course, those unwilling to serve under her could receive a recomndation to other positions or the court, going wherever they wish (provided the receiving one is willing to accept).
Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t hesitate with letters of recomndation.
Of course, this discussion remained private, yet to be publicly announced.
But it was imminent; Zhao Hanzhang just discussed the matter with Ji Yuan, "Given current inconvenient transportation, earlier action is preferable."
She said, "Once quotas for each region and family are set, draft the official docunt and send them out. Selection takes ti, traveling to Luoyang takes ti, I’ve decided the Imperial College recruitnt test to be held early August, with enrollnts comncing post Mid-Autumn Festival."
Ji Yuan acknowledged and remarked the task was substantial, saying, "I wish to ask the lady for two individuals."
"Speak."
"Fan Ying, Zhao Shi, Zhao Yunxin, and Wang Hufeng."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Fan Ying cannot be lent to you; she’s needed for many matters at my side."
"Determining regional quotas must be discussed with the lady, and there’s none better suited than her for conveying ssages. Wang Hufeng possesses thorough knowledge of regional aristocratic families, Zhao Shi and Zhao Yunxin are still young and can rely assist."
Zhao Hanzhang contemplated briefly and agreed, "Very well, I’ll have her co over during discussions."
Ji Yuan smiled and nodded in agreent.
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