Chapter 1428 – Continuing Construction (Part 2)
“See this? This is what you call spending money like water, throwing cash around as if it grows on trees. Sometimes, I feel like I’m more wasteful than Zhao’er.”
Jiang Pengji stared at the budget ledger presented by Xu Ke, shocked yet self-deprecating.
The breeding farm at least managed to break even, but a public restroom? No chance! Not only is there no way to make a profit, but it also requires a mountain of silver coins for maintenance and repairs. The only silver lining is probably the increase in job opportunities, alongside a steady supply of organic fertilizer?
With a sigh, Jiang Pengji covered her eyes, unwilling to look at the ledger on the table.
If it weren’t for the “friendly sponsorship” from the Tao Clan and others, she would have definitely run into financial trouble by now.
Xu Ke advised, “My Lord, you should think positively. If this initiative truly benefits farming and fertilizer production, won’t there be plenty of ways to make up for it in the future?”
If the fertilizer problem is solved and bumper harvests become the norm, just the grain taxes would break records! Why worry about this little expenditure?
Jiang Pengji propped her chin in thought, “I like what Xiaoyu said. Time will prove that my wastefulness is meaningful.”
After spending half the day dealing with affairs of state, Jiang Pengji stood up, awkwardly stretching her limbs.
Perhaps it had been too long since she’d fully moved about; her bones felt sluggish. Maybe she should visit the training grounds and spar with Fu Wang or a couple of others soon.
She did a few chest-opening stretches and rubbed her sore neck, just as a series of footsteps approached from far away.
“It’s almost mealtime; is there really more work to be done?”
Jiang Pengji was just about to have lunch—can’t a person get a break?
“Reporting to my Lord, Dou Xi has come to assume his post; the chief clerk inquired about how to arrange him.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and put her hand down from her neck rub, saying, “Bring him to me; I’ll make the arrangements myself.”
Although Feng Jue and Feng Ren both agreed on Dou Xi’s talent, Jiang Pengji was rather strict with her choices and wanted to oversee the process personally.
Meanwhile, Dou Xi waited nervously for the outcome.
He felt just like a lucky fish from the Golden Scales Academy, standing on the edge of a wind gust, ready to take flight at any moment.
Dou Xi had tried to estimate his future as optimistically as possible, yet he still underestimated it.
When others informed him that the feudal lord Liu Xi would personally meet him, Dou Xi was left dumbfounded, almost becoming a stumbling mess.
Despite his internal turmoil, Dou Xi maintained a calm demeanor, his every move precise as if measured by a ruler.
“I, Dou Xi, pay my respects to Lord Lan Ting.”
Even in his old age, Dou Xi would always remember that bow in the hall and that prostration would define his life.
Jiang Pengji’s rather mild gaze lingered on Dou Xi, assessing him for a moment before looking away.
She stood up and helped Dou Xi get to his feet, asking, “You must be Zong Guang? Just as Master Feng said, you certainly have the appearance of a dragon among men.”
Dou Xi, rising and being humble, responded, “Just a humble commoner, I have no achievements to deserve such praise from Lord Lan Ting.”
“What’s so hard about achieving merit? Real gold isn’t afraid of the fire; Zong Guang possesses talent and merely lacks an opportunity to soar high with ease.” Jiang Pengji teased Dou Xi, saying, “From my perspective, it’s not that Zong Guang can’t shoulder such praise; it’s that such words simply don’t match Zong Guang.”
Dou Xi grew more flustered, his heart racing.
It’s good that the new boss valued him, but having such high expectations was no blessing.
If expectations were too high and he didn’t meet their standards, it would be his own downfall.
Unfortunately for him, Jiang Pengji’s words left him no escape; he couldn’t arrogantly accept it nor could he humbly decline—truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
Just as he felt anxious, Jiang Pengji smiled at him and asked, “What do you think about becoming the Chief Agricultural Officer?”
The Chief Agricultural Officer?
Dou Xi was taken aback, hastily responding, “I wouldn’t dare to take such a lofty position without any achievements. Please, Lord Lan Ting, reconsider!”
Though it sounded like a farming position, it came with the authority to oversee agricultural production, civil affairs, and land rent—a significant power.
Dou Xi had only been a commoner before; now, traipsing around he became the Chief Agricultural Officer, akin to a Governor. How could he not attract envy?
Seeing Dou Xi nearly sweating in fear, Jiang Pengji chuckled, “Don’t be so jumpy! With me, being the Chief Agricultural Officer isn’t exactly a cushy job. Since you come from a farming background, this position is suitable for you. We can’t let Han Mei take it on too—that wouldn’t sit right.”
Li Yun, a military general, couldn’t only focus on training troops upon returning but also had to manage farming matters. That’d spread him too thin!
Even if Li Yun’s achievements in agriculture weren’t bad, he wasn’t a professional; it wouldn’t make sense to keep him on such a part-time role.
Dou Xi stubbornly replied, “I wouldn’t dare take such an honor. I feel undeserving.”
Merit and position must align, or there will be calamity.
A pie falling from the sky isn’t always a blessing; a pie too hefty can crush someone beneath it.
At this moment, an idle viewer reminded Jiang Pengji not to scare Dou Xi further.
Zi Xiao Xiao: Host, please show him some mercy; don’t keep frightening him! It’s like a fresh graduate accidentally being pushed to a department head position at a Fortune 500 company—who wouldn’t be scared?
Ye Wu Yan Ling: The host should let him start from an inconspicuous position; if he has talent, he’ll rise eventually. Plopping him directly into the Chief Agricultural Officer role risks resentment, even if he’s capable.
“Since you’re so persistent, I won’t force you.” Jiang Pengji, taking the viewer’s advice, stepped back a little, saying, “I’ll keep the Chief Agricultural Officer position open for you; come to claim it when you’ve made your contributions! Don’t tell me you lack the confidence for this?”
Dou Xi understood; Jiang Pengji genuinely had high hopes for him.
Resolutely, he said, “I will do my utmost to repay Lord Lan Ting’s great kindness.”
Jiang Pengji wasn’t one to procrastinate. Now that Dou Xi had entered her ranks, there was no probation period—she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. Soil fertility had drastically declined from continuous farming over the past few years; if she didn’t try to remedy it soon, the next two years would yield dismal harvests. Time was precious; Dou Xi needed to get started immediately and achieve satisfactory results.
“Master Feng should have shown you that draft manuscript, right? What are your thoughts?”
Dou Xi replied straightforwardly, “If it gets published, it will surely become a classic in agriculture, revered by all!”
Jiang Pengji laughed, “It’s just some scribbled notes; how can it be worthy of such acclaim?”
Upon hearing this, Dou Xi stood there dumbfounded, his sharp mind stumbling.
Does Lord Lan Ting mean to say… that the manuscript was… written by her?
Jiang Pengji clapped her hands, and those waiting outside brought in the compiled manuscripts she had organized.
Though she understood some agricultural knowledge, it was merely trivial—at most, she saw further than Dou Xi, with a broader outlook.
This was not because she was more professional than Dou Xi, but simply because she stood on the shoulder of giants, giving her a clearer view.
