Chapter 93: Winning Hearts, Recruiting Strange Talents

Chapter 93: Rallying Support and Recruiting Unusual Talents

All the merchants' eyes turned to Bing Wengu. For a moment, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Bing Wengu gently nudged Nan Jinping under the table, then stood up, seized the wine jar, pulled out the stopper, and took a swig straight from the jar.

No one had expected Bing Wengu to do this. They had even prepared for him to storm out in anger, yet he chose to accept what amounted to a humiliating gesture.

Gulp by gulp, Bing Wengu downed the entire jar in one go. The empty jar was then smashed onto the ground, shattering into pieces.

The merchants at the table jumped at the sound of the breaking porcelain, fidgeting nervously in their seats.

Bing Wengu pointed a finger at Proprietor Li, his tone ice-cold. "The wine—I drank it. Remember to build your workshop in Ji County. Otherwise, I don’t forget slights."

Proprietor Li paled as he glared coldly at Bing Wengu. The two locked eyes, Bing Wengu’s piercing gaze making Proprietor Li back down until he was the first to look away.

Succumbing to the drink, Bing Wengu's head hit the table with a thud as he passed out completely.

"Wen Gu—cousin, are you alright?" Nan Jinping called out anxiously, reaching to support Bing Wengu. Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her left leg from him and sighed in relief.

Standing up, Nan Jinping addressed the merchants at the table. "My cousin can’t hold his liquor and has had too much. I’ll take him back first. Esteemed gentlemen, my cousin and I will look forward to your arrival in Ji County."

After a polite bow, Nan Jinping helped Bing Wengu out.

Once the two had left, Proprietor Li sent half the dishes crashing to the floor with a furious swipe.

"Who does this backwater magistrate think he is? How arrogant!" Proprietor Li snarled.

The others at the table remained silent, eyes downcast, none willing to speak up. Proprietor Li glanced at their subdued expressions before storming off in anger.

Only after he had left did someone finally speak up. "He really drank it?"

"I thought they’d come to blows right then and there."

Proprietor Zhou picked up his wine cup but didn’t drink immediately, instead rolling it between his fingers thoughtfully.

"Proprietor Zhou, what are you thinking?"

"I’m thinking about Magistrate Bing," Proprietor Zhou replied before downing his wine in one gulp. "Just the fact that he was willing to drink that humiliating jar of wine for the sake of Ji County’s people—count me in."

The merchants fell silent again, each lost in their own thoughts.

Nan Jinping struggled to support Bing Wengu back to the courier station. The moment the door closed behind them, the supposedly drunk man sat up, sober as a judge.

"Wengu, you’re not drunk?" Nan Jinping exclaimed in surprise.

"Just a jar of wine—it’s no big deal. Your husband could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"You’re still cracking jokes?" Nan Jinping sat beside him. "If you weren’t drunk, why pretend?"

"The atmosphere had reached a deadlock. Staying any longer would only lead to conflict. Better to fake drunkenness and leave."

"True. Who knows what else Proprietor Li might have pulled if things dragged on." Nan Jinping shook her head. "He’s too arrogant, relying on his brother-in-law being the prefect to look down on even you, the county magistrate."

"Don’t be angry, my dear. Favoritism putting incompetent bosses over skilled officials is nothing new—it’s been happening since ancient times."

Nan Jinping studied Bing Wengu’s calm demeanor, puzzled. "Wengu, patience isn’t your strong suit. When the Right Chancellor crossed you before, you dared to confront him directly. Today, I thought you’d throw a punch, but instead, you chose to drink."

"Though I prefer solving problems with force, there are times when force isn’t the answer," Bing Wengu admitted. "I’m a fighter, not a hothead."

"This jar of wine wasn't a concession to Proprietor Li, but a performance for all to witness." Bing Wengu was a master at manipulating hearts and minds. "By drinking this wine, at least eighty percent of the merchants at that table will come to build workshops in our Jixian County."

Even if Lin'an Prefecture was a done deal, Bing Wengu proceeded to visit merchants in several nearby prefecture capitals.

Though Bing Wengu was the magistrate of Jixian County, a strong dragon could not suppress a local serpent. The merchants treated him with courtesy but showed little real respect.

Bing Wengu paid no mind to this and still managed to persuade a few more merchants.

On their way back to Jixian County, Nan Jinping suddenly remarked, "I used to think a county magistrate was as mighty as the heavens, able to command anything with unquestioned authority. But now, after seeing you visit those merchants and endure so much humiliation, I realize a magistrate isn’t all that powerful after all."

Bing Wengu drew Nan Jinping close. "It's my fault for being too junior in rank to protect you and letting you suffer grievances."

"What grievances have I suffered? It’s you who endured them all. I was merely by your side. Some merchants treated you with such impatience, yet you, as an official, tolerated it despite their commoner status. Wen Gu, now I understand—you’re not some hotheaded fool all brawn no brains."

Bing Wengu chuckled. "Of course your husband isn’t. He simply dislikes scheming. If force can solve a problem, he won’t waste time thinking. But that doesn’t mean he’s a doormat to be trifled with."

"I know that well enough. Take Li Ye’s case—even after a year, you didn’t forget to retaliate."

"Wen Gu, what do you plan to do about Proprietor Li...?"

"Tear him out by the roots."

The next day, Bing Wengu appeared at the yamen. Zhao Weihai did a double-take at his appearance. "Magistrate Bing, you’ve returned so quickly from your business?"

Bing Wengu shot him a sidelong glance. "If I dragged my feet like you lot do on official duties, the people of Jixian County would starve to death."

Zhao Weihai sputtered indignantly, his breathing heavy with anger. As Bing Wengu strode into the inner office to work, Chu Hongyu stepped forward and patted Zhao Weihai’s shoulder. "After working together for so long, you still haven’t gotten used to Magistrate Bing’s way of speaking. Everyone in this yamen knows his words aren’t human speech—they’re poison."

Zhao Weihai retorted indignantly, "Why should he dress us down whenever he pleases just because he’s the magistrate? Let’s see how long his arrogance lasts!"

Instead of immediately attending to official paperwork, Bing Wengu first unfolded a sheet of paper and listed the talents he currently needed.

Jixian County was located in the north—wide-open but thinly settled, with four distinct seasons. Crops could only be planted twice a year, and without technological intervention, the yield couldn’t hold a candle to the south. After all, the south could harvest twice a year, naturally outperforming the north’s single harvest.

Bing Wengu wanted to change this situation through two approaches: improving crop strains to cultivate high-yield varieties, and producing fertilizers.

Both were feasible at present, not mere pipe dreams.

Now, as county magistrate, Bing Wengu had reams of paperwork to process daily, making it impractical for him to personally research these matters. He planned to recruit talent in these fields, never selling short the wisdom of the ancients.

Many legacies from ancient times remained unsolved mysteries even in the interstellar age, when humanity could jump between stars and wander the heavens. How could such wise ancestors be considered foolish?

After listing the talents he needed, Bing Wengu sought out Zhao Weihai. "These are the talents our yamen requires. Soon, I’ll hold a large-scale recruitment event. You’ll organize the personnel and put together some decent exam questions to select the candidates I need."

Zhao Weihai took the paper, glanced at it, and drew a complete blank. "Farmers? Magistrate Bing, hasn’t the land in our yamen already been cultivated? Why recruit more farmers? And what’s this ‘chemical industry’? What in blazes is that? Blacksmiths? And why recruit Taoist priests? Magistrate Bing, what use do you have for people from completely different walks?"

"I have my reasons for recruiting them. Just focus on your duties and prepare some decent exam questions."

"You want me to prepare test questions? But how? For farmers, sure, we can ask how to grow crops better. But what about this ‘chemical industry’? How do we test for that? And Taoist priests? Should I study Taoist scriptures and debate doctrine with them?"

Bing Wengu snatched the paper back from Zhao Weihai and gave him a disdainful look. "Imbecile! Can’t even prepare test questions—what use are you? Forget it. I’ll have to ask my husband to handle this."

With that, Bing Wengu strode away, leaving Zhao Weihai fuming behind him.

Zhao Weihai’s lips trembled. "I—I am an official of noble birth, personally appointed by the Sage Emperor! Even if I didn’t rank as high as Magistrate Bing, I shouldn’t be outshone by some dirt-farming nobody!"

"Magistrate Bing’s husband is literate. I’ve heard him say his storybooks are all the rage in Bianjing. He must have some learning," Chu Hongyu remarked.

"That's also a Shuang Er—a term for a male servant. Comparing this official’s knowledge to that of a Shuang Er is simply a slap in the face!"

Chu Hongyu had nothing to say to that. Even he felt that no matter how acid-tongued Bing Wengu was, this was going too far.

"And—and that list he brought! What kind of people is he even recruiting!" Zhao Weihai was so angry he couldn’t control his words.

"Dirt-poor farmers who know how to till the land—has he been so addicted to farming from his days in the countryside that even after coming to Ji County, dragging every last yamen officer into farming isn’t enough? Now he actually wants to hire peasants specifically to farm inside the yamen! And Taoist priests—those snake-oil peddlers—what’s the point of bringing them into the yamen? To concoct immortality potions for us every day?"

Chu Hongyu didn’t know how to respond to any of this.

Just then, Bing Wengu walked back in from outside, shooting Zhao Weihai a sidelong glance that made him choke back the rest of his gripes in fear.

"By the way, the recruitment fair will be held three days from now, right at the yamen’s entrance. Have people spread the word throughout Ji County and the thirteen townships below. Any commoner who wants work can sign up, regardless of background—even dirt-poor farmers are welcome."

"Yes, Lord Bing." Chu Hongyu strongly suspected Bing Wengu had overheard Zhao Weihai’s grumbling.

"And one more important instruction—these merchants were all personally invited by me, begging on my knees before them. If any issues arise during the recruitment fair, handle them with utmost respect. If anyone dares to offend the people I went through the trouble of inviting, I’ll make sure they *never* work here again!"

Bing Wengu’s tone was firm, and he made no effort to hide the difficulties he had faced in inviting them. Winning people over required a balance of firmness and gentleness—both kindness and authority.

Zhao Weihai said, "Lord Bing, why go to such lengths? They’re just merchants. Bending so low for them tarnishes the dignity of our Ji County yamen."

"Dignity? Prestige?" Bing Wengu stared coldly at Zhao Weihai. "What times are these? Ji County is on the brink of survival, and you still care about such empty posturing?"

Step by step, Bing Wengu advanced on Zhao Weihai, forcing him back until he was cornered. "Let me ask you—if we don’t bring those merchants here to set up workshops, how will the people of Ji County survive? On the meager relief grain? Or the wild herbs in the mountains come spring? When the people are starving to death, what use is this empty Ji County yamen to you?"

The open argument between the Magistrate and the Assistant Magistrate quickly drew the attention of all the yamen officers. Though none dared to openly watch, they still found corners to eavesdrop from.

Only when Zhao Weihai was backed against the wall with nowhere to retreat did Bing Wengu relent. "Should we wait until Ji County becomes a ghost town before your precious dignity as Assistant Magistrate is satisfied? Let me tell you—I personally invited those merchants to establish workshops here, to provide jobs for our people!"

"I was humiliated by those merchants you look down on. They made me drink an entire jar of wine on the spot before agreeing to come. And I did it—without a word of protest. I drank it all in one go, collapsed drunk under the table like a common drunkard, and it was my husband *who had to* carry me home."

Bing Wengu didn’t shout, but his calm, measured words landed like hammer blows in everyone’s ears.

"I lost whatever ‘dignity’ you speak of long ago. All I care about is making sure my people survive—and live well!"

At that moment, many of the yamen’s minor officers—most of them temp workers scraping by on starvation wages—listened in silence. They lived the same hard lives as Ji County’s poorest.

Hearing Bing Wengu’s words—how he had sacrificed his own pride as an official for their sake—moved them deeply. Some even wept openly on the spot. One yamen officer, Cong Lin, suddenly knelt before Bing Wengu.

"Lord Bing… Lord Bing, thank you for thinking of us nobodies. Our lives aren’t worth a copper coin—death means nothing. But my wife recently discovered she’s with child, and we have neither food nor silver at home. I can’t bear to lose this child—I want them to be born safely, to see this world just once with their own eyes."

He kowtowed until his forehead bled. "Now that you’ve brought those merchants to Ji County, if just one person in my family can get hired and bring home food and silver, my wife’s child might stand a chance."

Another officer knelt as well. "My elderly mother is ill, and we have neither money nor grain. My brothers and I are many, but in these lean years, we can’t earn enough to save her. If those merchants truly hire here, as long as one of my brothers is chosen, even if it breaks our backs, we’ll take it—just to earn silver for my mother’s treatment."

"Me too—"

One after another, they knelt before Bing Wengu, each with their own hardships.

Ji County had suffered three years of drought, leaving barren fields and starving families.

In this moment, Bing Wengu—who had stained his honor for their sake—was their guardian angel. The officers would’ve laid down their lives for him.

"We thank you, Lord Bing, for everything you’ve done for us—for the people of Ji County!"

"Our gratitude, Lord Bing!"

"Thank you, Magistrate Wengu!"

Choruses of thanks rang out within and beyond the yamen, echoing far and wide.

Zhao Weihai was so startled by the deafening gratitude that his legs went weak. He slumped against the cold wall, staring at Bing Wengu, his heart colder than the wall itself.

Having served as an official for so long, Zhao Weihai had never seen someone win the hearts of the people so swiftly in such a short time.

Between the people and their officials, there had always been an insurmountable chasm—more fear than reverence from the commoners toward their rulers.

Yet how had Bing Wengu done it? By humbling himself with just a few words, he had stirred genuine admiration in the hearts of every officer present.

Bing Wengu turned and bowed deeply to the kneeling officers. "My fellow officers, rise please. As the Magistrate of Ji County, this is my duty. I do not deserve such gratitude!"

Still, none stood. Only when Bing Wengu stepped forward to help Cong Lin up did the others gradually follow.

"Return to your duties, all of you. I believe the day will come when every person in Ji County has enough to eat and warm clothes to wear."

Such down-to-earth pledges resonated far more deeply with the common folk than lofty, empty words.

"Enough to eat, warm clothes to wear!"

This slogan spread like a mantra overnight, reaching every corner of Ji County. Soon, nearly every resident knew of Bing Wengu’s efforts and the simple yet profound goal of their new magistrate.

That evening, Bing Wengu recounted the day’s events to Nan Jinping.

Nan Jinping fixed her almond-shaped eyes on him intently.

"What? Dazzled by your husband’s charisma?"

"Wen Gu," she said, "you never cease to amaze me. I always knew you were brave and resourceful, but today I learned you also possess the skill to win people over."

Bing Wengu chuckled. "One can’t be an official without knowing how to win people over."

Nan Jinping smiled. "True."

"By the way, my love, I’ll need your help recruiting workers tomorrow." After so long under Bing Wengu’s guidance, Nan Jinping’s thinking had aligned perfectly with his. She understood immediately what kind of candidates he sought.

"Leave it to me." This Nan Jinping was no longer the hesitant woman of the past. Having seen the decadence of Bianjing, she now stood her ground with confidence.

Zhao Weihai’s heart remained chilled even after returning home, clutching his chest as if in pain.

Wu Shi, alarmed, was about to summon a physician when Zhao Weihai waved her off. "No need. It’s not an illness."

Her willow-leaf brows shot up. "Did that Bing Wengu provoke you again?"

After hearing the day’s events, Zhao Weihai muttered, "I just don’t understand. How did a few words turn those people as devoted to him as if he were their savior?"

Wu Shi flicked her handkerchief dismissively. "The rabble, used to being trampled upon. The moment an official—especially a county magistrate—speaks kindly to them, they’re won over. Why trouble yourself over such trivial hearts?"

Though officials might not always act for the people’s sake, who among them didn’t crave genuine adoration? Zhao Weihai was no exception. Despite contributing nothing, he still wished to be revered for his position as Deputy to the County Magistrate *(Note: Deputy to the County Magistrate)*.

"You’re right. What use is the fleeting admiration of such commoners? Do you think the Emperor would recall Bing Wengu to Bianjing just because they adore him?" Zhao Weihai said with vinegar in his voice.

"Exactly. It’s all fleeting admiration. Only a novice like Bing Wengu, with no prior experience, would think such things matter," Wu Shi agreed.

"Get this—" Zhao Weihai scoffed. "That Bing Wengu’s mind is cooking up the most harebrained schemes. Today, he actually had me recruit farmers, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and even Daoist priests for the yamen!"

Wu Shi giggled mockingly. "Daoist priests? To concoct immortality pills for him in the yamen every day?"

Zhao Weihai and Wu Shi exchanged glances and burst into laughter, their laughter dripping with scorn for Bing Wengu's eccentric behavior.

The Chu residence was also discussing Bing Wengu.

Chu Hongyu sighed, "In the past, I never bowed to the top scholar, thinking it was just bad luck and that my knowledge was slightly inferior, but in other aspects, I wasn't necessarily worse. But since Lord Bing came, I realize the vast gap between me and the top scholar. Just his ability to win people's hearts is something I must learn from."

Lady Han exclaimed in surprise,

"This Lord Bing is truly remarkable! I previously heard Assistant Magistrate's wife, Wu Shi, speak of him with contempt, saying he came from a farming background and lacked any real talent."

"If he truly had no talent, how could he have secured a livelihood for the people of Ji County in such a short time?" Chu Hongyu frowned, lost in thought. "But I wonder how long this path will last and whether it can endure the coming summer."

"Are you worried about the rumor from *Qin Tianjian* (the court's stargazers)?"

"Yes. If Ji County suffers a severe drought this year, what good are Lord Bing's workshops then? When the drought comes, everyone will flee regardless."

"Drought is merciless. Such a calamity would be beyond even a mere top-graduate magistrate—perhaps even the Sage himself would be powerless."

"Enough. It's too early to discuss this now. Let's take it step by step. Maybe Heaven'll leave us a way out, and salvation may arrive in time."

"Still, Lord Bing is young after all, and his mind works in strange ways. He actually wants to recruit farmers, blacksmiths, and even *daoshi* (Taoist priests) for the yamen?"

"What? Why would Lord Bing have such strange ideas? The first two are understandable, but Taoist priests? Is he planning to brew immortality potions?" "I don't know."