Chapter 491 – Future Vice Minister of Education (II)
Shangguan Wan’s cheeks turned red as she softly said, “How could Wan’er possibly be a role model with such little knowledge?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “My Wan’er is more than clever enough; you can definitely manage teaching simple knowledge.”
“But…” she glanced over at Jiang Nongqin sitting nearby and whispered, “Wan’er would rather follow Sister Nongqin…”
As they traveled north, Shangguan Wan encountered many things she had never seen before.
The more she saw, the more she yearned for power to protect herself.
Jiang Pengji understood her feelings and did not push her.
“What you’re doing isn’t wrong, but your martial skills aren’t up to par. If you end up on the battlefield, the danger is immense. How about this: you teach at the school for a while, and I will arrange for a martial arts instructor for you. Once you’ve completed your training, you can go to the battlefield.”
Shangguan Wan thought for a moment and smiled in agreement.
Jiang Pengji secretly furrowed her brows, thinking to remind Li Yun to be stricter with her.
If her martial skills weren’t up to a certain level, she wouldn’t be allowed out.
What kind of place is the battlefield?
One slip could cost a life; Shangguan Wan still needed time to grow.
After reminiscing, Shangguan Wan couldn’t help but think about the streets and houses she had seen along the way.
She sighed, “Following the troops from Hejian all the way to Xiangyang, I truly understand how chaotic the north is. In such circumstances, the common people under my brother’s rule can still live and work in peace, with lively spring plowing. Sigh, how fortunate the people of Xiangyang are to have a good official like Brother Lan Ting.”
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but chuckle, “You’re just buttering him up… your flattery could make his bones dissolve.”
She instructed the small kitchen of the county office to prepare meals for Shangguan Wan and Jiang Nongqin. The two had hardly eaten anything good on their journey, mostly relying on cold, hard rations mixed with boiling snow water to get by.
Now, smelling the enticing aroma of delicious food, they both dropped their pretenses and devoured a hearty meal.
Jiang Pengji headed to the administrative hall and called for Li Yun.
“I have taken on a disciple,” she said.
Li Yun was taken aback and quickly shook his head, “I, Yun, am not skilled in martial arts; how could I be a role model?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I don’t mean for you to take office right away; once we have completely conquered Fengyi County, then we’ll talk. For now, just focus on preparing for battle. When you’re ready, you can head out… As for Wan’er, she’s a keen learner; you just need to guide her at the school occasionally. Oh, I forgot to mention, I’ve entrusted the role of teacher at the school to her.”
The school?
Li Yun didn’t immediately catch on, and Qi Guanrang looked baffled; when did Xiangyang start messing with schools?
Jiang Pengji crossed her arms, adding, “The school is something I decided on the spur of the moment; I didn’t have time to discuss it with you.”
To be precise, it was only when Shangguan Wan showed up that she decided to start forming the school.
Qi Guanrang and Li Yun: “…”
With a lord like that who makes decisions like the wind changes, it’s exhausting for the subordinates.
Qi Guanrang knew Jiang Pengji often stirred up trouble but also understood she wasn’t the type to act rashly; each move was carefully considered.
He asked in surprise, “Why does the lord want to establish a school?”
Jiang Pengji countered, “Don’t you think we have too few people we can use?”
Li Yun scratched his head, asking innocently, “But… can’t we just recruit more people? Setting up a school isn’t easy, right?”
Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes inwardly; she could put other matters on hold, but this school thing was crucial for long-term development.
“Where can you find loyal and reliable talents among newcomers? Your lord is currently understaffed, and genuine top talents may not find us appealing,” Jiang Pengji said with amusement. “Do you know how Xiangyang became what it is today? Just ask Wen Zheng; he can tell you how exhausted we were last year. If we can cultivate a group of available talents, life will be much easier.”
Talents are always needed, no matter when.
Jiang Pengji continued, “They don’t need to learn much; I don’t expect them to be learning masters, just knowing how to read and do basic accounting will suffice.”
Once there were enough foundational talents, she planned to start nurturing elite talents.
The former takes time but shows results quickly, while the latter is a long-term commitment that benefits future development.
She understood that a nation’s prosperity requires a strong base of foundational talents as well as elite talents to serve as the “brains.”
However, it was still too early to think about all this; she planned to take things step by step.
Qi Guanrang immediately grasped the key point.
Indeed, they currently lacked basic talents, not top talents.
With a solid foundation, they could build even taller towers.
But… if they were to establish a school, it surely couldn’t be just one; the scale should be larger than ordinary private schools. How much investment would that take?
Suddenly, Qi Guanrang felt pity for Xu Ke; if their lord really set up a school, Xu Ke would have to prepare the budget.
Li Yun asked, “So, when will the school be built, my lord?”
Jiang Pengji pondered for a moment and said, “Once we conquer Fengyi County. Scouts have been sent there to investigate the situation; the Green Garment Army is indeed a bunch that can’t manage anything, as dumb as pigs. The vast county has lost more than half its population and is so desolate that it can’t even compare to a small town… Restoring the past will take at least six months, or even a year… Once Fengyi County is stable, we might have a foothold.”
Right now, her official title was merely county vice governor; for the county governor, she would need the approval of the Dongqing royal family.
But that was alright; whoever has the biggest fist has the final say.
The Fengyi County governor was obsequious to the Green Garment Army and would definitely listen to her.
When Feng Jin and the others returned, Jiang Pengji specially organized a barbecue gathering.
When everyone noticed two additional women at the table, they froze for a moment—what was this?
Feng Jin looked at one of them and vaguely felt she looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere.
“This is Jiang Nongqin; from now on, all matters in the women’s camp will be under her full responsibility,” Jiang Pengji announced.
Luo Yue and Li Yun were momentarily stunned, then simultaneously fixed their gazes on Jiang Nongqin, silently acknowledging that this was indeed Jiang’s lady?
Including the women brought by Jiang Nongqin, the women’s camp had now surpassed 1,200 members. Adding a few more, it could barely qualify as a unit on its own. According to existing regulations, a commander of this scale could be called a General or a Colonel… their lord actually appointed a woman as a commander!
Meng Hunyun congratulated Jiang Nongqin, who smiled in return, “From now on, I hope to receive your guidance, coach.”
Meng Hunyun laughed, “I wouldn’t dare say I’ll guide you; the lady can stand on her own now.”
Jiang Nongqin was naturally quiet, low-profile in her work, with a practical style. Meng Hunyun had worked with her before and was quite satisfied; he had a great impression of her.
Jiang Pengji turned her gaze to Shangguan Wan and said, “This is Shangguan Wan; before the school is built, she’ll be in charge of all affairs for the women’s division in the administrative hall.”
The women’s division of the administrative hall referred to the twenty women working as subordinates there.
Although their tasks weren’t significant, they entailed many details, helping alleviate a lot of work for Xu Ke and the others.
Shangguan Wan?
Li Yun secretly glanced at his future student; though she was a bit small, her eyes were resolute, not the kind to shy away from hardship.
