Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1287 A moment of extroversion leads to a lifetime of introversion

On the second day of her leave, just as dawn was breaking, Shen Zheng had already stepped out of the courtyard gate.

Yu Shizhang, who was drinking tea in the pavilion, was greatly surprised and looked up at the sky: "Is it getting light late today?"

People who usually sleep until noon are getting up so early on their days off.

Shen Zheng yawned as she entered the pavilion, and Shen Xingjian handed her a cup of tea.

“You must be getting old and sleepy…” Shen Zheng sat down, sipping her tea and sighing, “Lately, when I close my eyes at night, all I can think about is the work I haven’t finished, and I’m too scared to sleep.”

"Work?" Yu Shizhang looked down at himself, then turned to Shen Xingjian: "Why aren't you using our readily available help? Why are you hiding away and worrying?"

Shen Xingjian also asked, "What other errands need to be done?"

Shen Zheng's lips curled into a smirk.

It was worth getting up so early; look, two bighead carp took the bait.

“There are many.” She counted them on her fingers.

"Now that the autumn harvest is over, the county and prefectural governments will be collecting grain taxes, right?"

Yu Shizhang and Shen Xingjian nodded.

Shen Zheng added, "The official road from Tongan County to the prefectural city cannot be delayed either. It would be best to start construction the year before last, wouldn't you agree?"

Yu Shizhang and Shen Xingjian nodded again.

Shen Zheng continued, "Chengxin Temple is still under construction, and we must continue to investigate the 'spiritual powder' to prevent it from harming the people, right?"

The two then nodded.

Shen Zheng: "The county schools haven't been established yet, there's still a lot of work to be done, right?"

The two nodded.

Shen Zheng: "The newspaper has just been established, so we should take time to manage it, right?"

The two nodded.

Shen Zheng: "The new crops transplanted from the capital will be ready for harvest soon. I'll have to go to the public fields to keep an eye on them then, right?"

The two nodded.

Shen Zheng: "There's still some rubber left. I need to take some time to think about its uses and see if I can come up with something new, right?"

The two nodded.

Shen Zheng: "The New Year is almost here. The county government, prefectural government, cloth shops, cloth stores, printing shops, and bookstores all need to do their accounting so that everyone can have a good New Year, right?"

The two nodded.

Shen Zheng: "Manniang and Weijing are getting married and they asked me to be their witness. I need to prepare several days in advance so I can give them my blessings, right?"

"?"

At this point, the two stopped nodding.

"What kind of job is being a witness at a wedding?" Yu Shizhang took the opportunity to rub his neck. "Is there anything else?"

Shen Zheng neither shook her head nor nodded: "I haven't thought of anything yet."

“Alright.” Yu Shizhang stood up immediately, looking fair and impartial: “Then I’ll assign these tasks.”

Shen Zheng raised her hand: "Lord, Xiao Xu hasn't arrived yet."

Yu Shizhang shook his head: "It's alright, I'll assign it directly and then tell him."

Shen Zheng lowered her hand and looked up at Yu Shizhang with Shen Xingjian.

Yu Shizhang said, "The matter of collecting grain tax should be handled simply."

Shen Zheng suppressed a smile and nodded.

Shen Xingjian had no objection.

Yu Shizhang added, "The matter of repairing the official road should be handled simply."

Shen Xingjian still had no objections.

Yu Shizhang: "Yun Yanlai is in charge of supervising the construction of county schools in each county."

Xu Yunyan was not present, so Shen Zheng and Shen Xingjian nodded on his behalf.

Yu Shizhang: "Have Yunyan take care of things at the newspaper office when he has time."

Shen Zheng and Shen Xingjian nodded in agreement for Xu Yunyan.

Yu Shizhang looked at Shen Zheng one last time: "As for the remaining tasks, they are all yours."

"?"

Shen Zheng felt like she had missed something: "And what about you, sir?"

So this is the kind of distribution he's talking about.

“You yourself said I’m an old man.” Yu Shizhang stroked his beard, looking quite matter-of-fact: “Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Someone like me only needs to sit back and take care of things for you.”

Shen Zheng choked.

She really didn't want to be accused of "elder abuse".

A short while later, Xu Yunyan arrived, bringing breakfast for everyone.

After eating hot porridge and steamed buns, the morning chill was mostly dispelled.

Yu Shizhang told Xu Yunyan about the tasks he had been assigned, and added before leaving, "If you feel it's inappropriate, please feel free to bring it up."

Xu Yunyan put down the bowl, pondered for a moment, and then actually spoke.

"My lord, my lord, I believe the county government should hire more staff."

Shen Xingjian was flattered: "No need for that, I... I can manage..."

Xu Yunyan glanced at him sideways and then said, "I made this suggestion not because I was afraid Xingjian would be too busy."

Shen Xingjian: "......"

A moment of extroversion can lead to a lifetime of introversion.

Amid Shen Xingjian's embarrassed expression, Xu Yunyan slowly said, "Tong'an County is now the most prosperous county among the neighboring prefectures, but the staffing of the county government is far behind that of other county governments. Take Quanyang County next door, for example, it has departments of household registration, clerks, public works, and criminal justice, while our county has always relied on just one person to support it. This is... unreasonable."

He then outlined the responsibilities of each department.

For example, the Lifang (吏房) was in charge of the appointment, dismissal, and evaluation of all clerks, constables, and yamen runners within the yamen.

The Household Registration Office was in charge of managing the county's household registration, land, taxes, and granaries.

The Ritual Office was in charge of the county's imperial examinations and sacrificial rites.

The military headquarters was in charge of the county's weapons and the training of the county's soldiers.

The workshop was in charge of farmland irrigation and road construction.

After hearing this, Shen Zheng realized how busy she and Xu Yunyan had been, or rather, how busy Xu Yunyan had been.

When all these things piled up, she wished she could break Xu Yunyan into eight pieces and use them all, and she didn't know how Xu Yunyan managed to bear it all without saying a word.

"I agree with Xiao Xu's idea." Shen Zheng had a complete change of heart and wholeheartedly agreed: "Our county government isn't short of money, we should provide more job opportunities for the people!"

And she had a premonition.

Once these offices are established, the county's prosperity index will likely increase by a few points.

Such a great thing, why not do it?

Finally, the county government's plan to expand its recruitment was passed unanimously. Xu Yunyan immediately went to the office to get paper and pen and began writing the proclamation.

At dawn, as the sun rose, Shen Zheng left the county government office through the back door.

She hadn't walked far when her little followers caught up with her.

Yu Nanshu and Cui Jinyin each took one of her arms, clinging to her and saying sweetly, "We want to go play with you..."

Fang Ziyan and Pei Zhaoqi also blinked and looked at her.

She sighed: "I'm not going there to have fun, I'm going to do something important."

"Then we'll follow you even more closely and be your assistant!"

No sooner had Cui Jinyin finished speaking than Xin Ji appeared out of nowhere: "Where are you going? Take me with you."

Shen Zheng's "one group" eventually became a "group of six".

The group walked out of the alley in a grand procession and headed towards the public fields.

The streets were bustling with people and mules and horses were coming and going, but the people still spotted Shen Zheng at a glance.

Xin Ji had never seen such a scene before.

Everyone rushed towards them, chattering away.

"Lord Shen! Lord Shen! Have you had breakfast yet? My family made scallion pancakes today, I'll go get them for you!"

"Lord Shen! Did you write that couplet yesterday? I've already written it down and plan to have someone write it and paste it on the door for the New Year!"

"Lord Shen! Are you leaving again this time? Is the government office very busy? You must take care of your health! Rest more if you're tired!"

"Lord Shen! Would you prefer smoked goose or smoked duck? I'll smoke them and bring them to you! If you like both, I'll bring them both!"