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

Chapter 1263 1 pair of eyes 1 open mouth

When Shen Zheng first saw Yan Qiao at the government office, she thought something had happened to the cloth shop.

But Yan Qiao said it wasn't about the cloth shop, but about her own business.

Shen Zheng's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she turned and walked toward the carriage: "Let's talk in the carriage."

Yan Qiao loosened her sleeve, which was soaked with sweat, and followed Shen Zheng toward the carriage. Yu Shizhang and Xu Yunyan brushed past them. Yu Shizhang said, "We'll go in first."

Shen Zheng nodded gently and led Yan Qiao into the carriage.

The carriage was quite spacious, but Yan Qiao hesitated to sit down.

"Sit down." Shen Zheng raised her chin, seemingly questioning but actually certain: "You've come to see me because it's related to the newspaper."

Yan Qiao had just sat down when she sat up again, her eyes filled with fear: "Reporting to Your Excellency, it is...it is related to the newspaper."

Shen Zheng then asked, "Do you want to apply for the position of community official?"

Yan Qiao bowed and nodded slowly.

Shen Zheng asked her to sit down again, and only after she was seated properly did she ask the question that had been bothering her: "As far as I know, you are now the manager of Liuyang Cloth Shop, right?"

Yan Qiao's fingertips curled up, and she nodded again.

Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Compared to the manager of a cloth shop, the salary of a clerk is much lower. The cloth shop is booming right now, and with your abilities, you may become the manager of more than just one cloth shop in the future. But right now... you want to come to the newspaper office and start from scratch. Why? Is it just because the newspaper office is backed by the government?"

Despite asking this question, Shen Zheng knew that Yan Qiao was not such a shallow person.

So what if the newspaper is backed by the Liuyang Prefectural Government? The cloth shop is backed by the Tong'an County Government.

Anyone who can weigh things carefully will generally not give up the lucrative cloth shop business to switch to the uncertain new job at the newspaper.

Under Shen Zheng's direct questioning, Yan Qiao slowly raised her head: "My lord, I have absolutely no intention of betraying you, betraying the county, or betraying Sister Mo."

Shen Zheng was taken aback: "What?"

These repeated accusations of "betrayal" left Shen Zheng utterly bewildered: "You are from Tong'an County, so how can you talk about betrayal? To me, your move from the cloth shop to the newspaper is like transplanting a fat radish from one hole to another in my own field. The reason I asked that question is simply because I thought the previous hole was rich in fertilizer, and that's why I wanted to know your true thoughts, my 'radish'."

Yan Qiao was also taken aback, her expression blank.

Before coming, she had imagined Lord Shen's reaction.

They might show displeasure, ignore it, or even get angry and reprimand them.

But what she didn't expect was that Lord Shen's face showed complete "confusion," and only "confusion," and even the starting point of this "confusion" was still for her sake.

Yan Qiao quietly loosened her clenched hand.

She said, "My lord, it was my daughter's idea to come and take the job as a community official, and Sister Mo also supports it."

Shen Zheng nodded.

If Mo Qingwan hadn't agreed, Yan Qiao would never have appeared at the government office today.

"Tell me your thoughts." Shen Zheng paused. "Don't take this conversation as an interrogation. Just think of it as... my curiosity."

Hearing Shen Zheng's relaxed tone, Yan Qiao's tense back relaxed a little, and she slowly said her thoughts: "I want the county, the prefecture, and the cloth shop to have one more pair of eyes and one more mouth."

Shen Zheng listened quietly, then continued, "To be honest, sir, the cloth shops in Yuanzhou, Linjiang, and other prefectures have suffered quite a few hidden losses in the past few months. Although they aren't huge losses, they still cause Sister Mo a lot of worry..."

This was the first time Shen Zheng had ever heard of "the cloth shop suffering a loss".

But then I thought, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Even with the Fifth Chamber of Commerce assisting, if you want to expand and strengthen your business, why would you not suffer any losses?

Seeing Shen Zheng lower her eyes and remain silent, Yan Qiao continued, "The reason why the cloth shop suffers these hidden losses is mostly due to delayed information and rumors spread by competitors. Therefore, from the moment I learned about the notice, I thought... if I could get into the newspaper, perhaps there would be a solution to these difficulties."

Shen Zheng chuckled upon hearing this.

The girl managed to express the phrase "abuse of power for personal gain" in such a pleasant and melodious way.

Shen Zheng had noticed that she was quick-witted when they first met, but he never expected her to be this quick-witted.

"Go on," Shen Zheng said with a smile.

Yan Qiao took a deep breath and spoke softly but clearly: "I want to join the newspaper, not only for the sake of the cloth shop, but also for the people and merchants in my household. During the months I worked at the cloth shop, I gradually discovered that there are many things that the people can hardly distinguish, so they often spread rumors, which ultimately benefit those who spread the rumors."

She paused, then continued, "Just like when Lord Xu was first promoted, rumors were rampant among the people, not only damaging his reputation but also implicating you. Ultimately, the root cause was that many people were still living in a fog and needed a guiding light to lead them forward. Now, I believe that the newspaper you founded is that guiding light."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Zheng wanted to applaud.

What is eloquence?

That's called eloquence!

What is narrative ability?

That's what storytelling ability is!

After such a persuasive speech, even a block of wood would be swayed, let alone a person.

"So, this is what you mean by 'a pair of eyes' and 'a mouth'?" Shen Zheng asked finally.

Yan Qiao nodded and slowly lowered her eyes: "I want to find a different way to help you and Sister Mo. I don't want to be stuck at the cloth shop worrying when people are badmouthing you and the county."

Shen Zheng remained silent for a moment, suppressing the urge to offer Yan Qiao a job on the spot, then got up and walked out of the carriage: "Come with me, I'll take you to the interview."

Yan Qiao's eyes lit up, and she quickly got up and followed.

......

The person in charge of the preliminary review of the applicants' information in the government office was Fang Xianyue, the deputy clerk of the Household Department who had been promoted by Shen Zheng some time ago.

As Shen Zheng led Yan Qiao into the house, Fang Xianyue immediately stood up: "This humble servant greets Your Excellency!"

Shen Zheng nodded, then turned to Yan Qiao and asked, "Did you bring the register?"

"I brought it." Yan Qiao obediently took out the register from her bosom and handed it to Fang Xianrui: "My lord, I am Yan Qiao, and I have come to apply for the position of community official."

Fang Xianyue immediately recognized Yan Qiao. After taking the register, he suddenly remembered: "Miss, are you the manager of Tong'an Cloth Shop?"

Yan Qiao smiled and nodded, "You have a good memory, sir."

Is it really true? Fang Xianyue's expression gradually became blank.

He simply couldn't understand why this girl would give up her comfortable job as the manager of a cloth shop to come and apply for a position as a community official.

Could it be that... the salary at the Tong'an Cloth Shop is actually lower than that at the newspaper?

With many questions in mind, Fang Xianyue slowly flipped through Yan Qiao's register.

Shen Zheng tapped the table lightly with her knuckles, left with the words "Do what needs to be done" and then turned and left the room.