After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 647 Craftsmen from Across the Country Gather in Tongzhou 2

The roads to the capital became crowded in autumn, but unlike last year, they were not packed with candidates traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations.

Rather, they were artisans from all over the country who came to the capital to earn money. This included not only carpenters and blacksmiths skilled in building ship hull parts, but also many other craftsmen.

The news that the capital needed a large number of craftsmen was leaked by someone who received the letter. At first, only those who knew how to build ships set off, but later anyone with a skill wanted to try their luck.

People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill; this is generally true. Everyone believed that since the capital needed so many craftsmen, their own opportunities must be even greater.

Such a bustling scene was unexpected by Qiu Cheng and his group. After the old craftsmen at the dock divided into groups, the first batch of craftsmen from nearby places arrived.

They weren't among the first to receive the news, but they were all from the surrounding prefectures of the capital, giving them a natural geographical advantage.

Those in the south and west, even if they received their letters early on, are probably still on their way.

There was no other way; at that time, transportation was underdeveloped, and many people could only walk to the capital.

Those who were slightly better off could hitch a ride in an oxcart, but the cost of carrying goods along the way deterred a considerable number of people.

Otherwise, there would be even more craftsmen going to Tongzhou now, not fewer than they are now.

Jiang Xiaoqi also came to Tongzhou Wharf to help out after receiving the news, since it would be good to help with personnel registration and river channel arrangements.

He was equally stunned by the scene before him. After all, he had experienced the Spring Festival travel rush, and he never expected that a scene from later generations could be reproduced in ancient times.

That's why there are no trains or high-speed rails. If there were, the entire Tongzhou Wharf would probably be bursting at the seams.

Jiang Wenqing also transferred most of the yamen runners from the county government. He himself did not come this time, mainly because there were too many people and he felt a headache.

I'll just let my men help maintain order; I won't get involved myself.

At least these craftsmen would be more cautious when they saw the servants' clothes, to avoid a stampede.

Jiang Xiaoqi rarely felt that his father was still somewhat useful, but before he could praise him, he was surrounded by a group of people.

"Should we register here? This kid is too young. Let's register over there. It seems more reliable over there."

"There are too many people over there, but fewer people here. The line over there will last forever!"

Jiang Xiaoqi was both amused and exasperated. He, a fifth-rank scholar and former top scholar, was being questioned for being unreliable.

However, he didn't rush to reveal his identity to explain: "Uncles and elders, although I am young, I will definitely do a good job in the registration and there will be no mistakes. Please rest assured, uncles and elder brothers!"

Jiang Xiaoqi was dressed in casual clothes, not fancy at all, just very ordinary everyday clothes, but with her naturally good looks, she was a delight to behold.

The words he spoke sounded clear and pleasant to everyone, and many people were immediately swayed.

Sigh, even in ancient times, it was a society that valued appearance.

"Alright, alright, this kid looks like a scholar. He was specially invited by the employer to register us. Everyone, line up quickly so we can get to work sooner."

"Okay, okay, line up, line up, don't delay our business."

Jiang Xiaoqi spread out paper and pens, patiently asking everyone what they were good at, and then categorized and registered them accordingly, doing things in an orderly manner.

Even though many people speak with a local accent, Jiang Xiaoqi can immediately understand what they mean.

With the system as a cheat, Jiang Xiaoqi only spent fifteen points to buy a language translator for various regions, which could translate not only dialects but also foreign words.

The reason it wasn't used when translating for Lord Li was because Japanese was something Jiang Xiaoqi already knew.

The Great Zhou Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, with countless dialects and local languages, so Jiang Xiaoqi had no choice but to rely on the translator provided by the system.

Jiang Xiaoqi felt that these dialects were no easier to learn than foreign languages.

Jiang Xiaoqi also inquired about their specialties, hometowns, and names in various local dialects.

The positive image people have of scholars is amplified at this moment because of Jiang Xiaoqi.

Oh my, they are truly learned people. They learned their language after hearing just a few words from them. Only the most intelligent people can read books, or can reading books make one the most intelligent?

Unbeknownst to them, people increasingly felt that studying was useful, thinking that they could earn more money this time so that when they returned home they could choose a smart child to send to school.

It's impossible for all children to go to school; even if we sold everything we owned, we couldn't afford it.

However, if one can earn a large sum of money this time, it is still feasible to grit one's teeth and send a child to school.

Even passing the preliminary examination and becoming a student is better than spending your whole life doing manual labor.

Look at the little boy in front of me, isn't his poise a result of studying?

After a long day of work, Jiang Xiaoqi was parched, but looking at the densely packed names in the register, she felt quite accomplished.

This was much more interesting than compiling books at the Hanlin Academy; he felt he was better suited to be a pragmatist.

Once the craftsmen are properly settled, and all ten groups work together, a fleet might be able to be built by next spring.

Seven or eight months seems like a long time, but it will pass in the blink of an eye.

It's unclear how His Majesty will pave the way for the Second Prince. Jiang Xiaoqi knows the Emperor has no other choice; the Second Prince's position is basically secure now.

However, it is precisely at times like these that we must not let our guard down, especially since there may be a hidden, unexploded bomb lurking in the south.

"Lord Jiang, you've worked hard. Please leave the resettlement of the personnel to me. You can go to your office and rest. Lord Qiu is already waiting for you."

"Okay, thank you very much, buddy. You've worked hard too."

An adult? That little child was actually an adult?

Could they have misheard?

Jiang Xiaoqi got up and went to the office, leaving Qiu Cheng's men to settle everyone down.

After glancing at the person in front of them, the crowd finally couldn't help but ask the question.

"Hey young man, you just called that little kid 'adult,' is that his name?"

"Ah? You mean Lord Jiang? He's a fifth-rank lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. He came to help out today because he saw that our lord was too busy."

Haha, that's no little kid, he's a real top scholar who passed the imperial examination!

Lord Jiang has been an official for two or three years now, and he was just promoted to the fifth rank this year. His future is very bright!

"What! He's that powerful?! That little kid... that Lord Jiang doesn't even look as old as my grandson, how can he be so amazing?"

"Haha, ambition knows no age. He was a child prodigy from a young age, and he was only thirteen or fourteen when he became the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

"A prodigy, truly a prodigy! We still need to let our children study. What if we have a prodigy like that in our family? Wouldn't the whole family be blessed?"

"Yes yes yes!"

Qiu's subordinates were not impatient with everyone's chatter, but they were thinking to themselves that a prodigy like Lord Jiang might only appear once every hundred or a thousand years.

Otherwise, why would I, already past thirty, still fail the imperial examinations?

"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone, hurry up and follow me so we can settle in and get some rest so we'll be more energetic tomorrow."