She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

He propped himself up, gazing tenderly at the silhouette on the bed, a faint smile of satisfaction playing on his lips.

The next morning, before the old lady and Zhao Ling’er had even risen, Zhao Zun and another were already stepping out into the dawn.

When the two arrived on horseback in front of the County Magistrate’s office, at the place where Xiao Zhengfei was recruiting guards, there were only a sparse dozen or so applicants standing there.

Seeing Zhao Zun and Han Lei arrive, Xiao Zhengfei quickly stood up and saluted.

”Prince, Princess Consort.”

”Mm! How is it going?”

Zhao Zun nodded slightly, glancing at the sparse applicants, his brows tightly knitted.

”Alas! It’s been three days, and we’ve only recruited over three hundred people.” Xiao Zhengfei sighed and explained.

”Nowadays, the Beiguan Camp has already recruited a large number of able-bodied young men, leaving mostly the elderly, women, and children in the villages. Even if there are a few young men left, right now is the busy farming season, and they are all busy working in the fields with no time to apply.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong couldn’t help but feel a heavy heart.

He turned to look at Han Lei and saw her face was also serious. Zhao Zun couldn’t help but think to himself: If it continues like this, when will we be able to form a proper army?

He pondered for a moment, then said to Xiao Zhengfei, ”Let’s recruit enough for five hundred guards before starting training. We’ll figure out the rest later.”

Han Lei nodded in agreement, adding, ”That’s all we can do for now. Training the guards will still take some time, we must make haste.”

At this moment, Han Lei suddenly had a bright idea and said to Xiao Zhengfei, ”Why not also recruit laborers and masters who know how to raise pigs and chickens? Since Zhao Zun is in charge of allocating the land, and with Qu Linjiang nearby, we can go ahead and set up pig farms and poultry farms to regularly improve everyone’s meals.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Xiao Zhengfei’s eyes, and he quickly agreed, ”Alright, let’s recruit them together.”

Zhao Zun also found Han Lei’s suggestion feasible, and his furrowed brow slightly relaxed.

”Where do you plan to set up the guards’ camp?” Han Lei turned to look at Zhao Zun.

Zhao Zun thought for a moment and cast his gaze towards the direction of the cement factory.

”Let’s set it near the cement factory, including the pig farm and poultry farm. That area is sparsely populated and developing quickly. Being close, anything that arises can be dealt with promptly.”

Han Lei nodded.

The area around the cement factory has a lot of wasteland, and since the projects there will be managed in a closed manner, it’s an ideal place for training troops.

”Zhengfei, we are currently severely understaffed. You’ll need to recruit craftsmen and laborers in large numbers.” Zhao Zun’s tone carried a sense of urgency.

”Yes, Prince. I’ve already sent people to put up notices in nearby villages, there should be news soon.” Xiao Zhengfei replied.

Starting from scratch, staffing was the most vexing issue for Zhao Zun and Han Lei. Without people, all plans are meaningless.

”In any case, we have to speed things up. Zhengfei, make good use of your time, and regardless of who you recruit, have them report to the cement factory at once.”

Xiao Zhengfei respectfully responded, ”Yes, Prince.”

After communicating with Xiao Zhengfei, Zhao Zun helped Han Lei onto Jin Er Cong, then deftly mounted his horse, seating himself behind Han Lei.

The two galloped towards the cement factory. Meanwhile, Fufeng County’s County Magistrate Gu Changfeng, upon hearing the guards report that the King of Cangzhou had come in person, hurriedly rushed out to welcome them...

This large area around the cement factory is now a key development zone for Zhao Zun. Whether it be building factories, constructing roads, or training troops, it all starts from here.

Zhao Zun knows well that only by developing this area can they expand further and lay a solid foundation for their plans.

Upon entering the cement factory, Zhao Zun looked around but did not see Yang Qi Quan. He frowned and asked a nearby laborer, ”Where is Yang Qi Quan?”

The laborer paused his work and respectfully replied, ”Reporting to the Prince, Mr. Yang’s kiln has been completed, and he is currently attempting to fire it. Mr. Yang and others have gone to the quarry to build the road.”

Zhao Zun nodded, feeling slightly comforted.

According to Han Lei’s work arrangement, Zhang Ergou took the craftsmen to the mining site using the tricycle to build the road.

Within the cement factory, some laborers were preparing to fire the clinker, while some farmers were lining up on the vacant land in the distance, learning to drive the tricycle with Mr. Meng.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner, with Zhao Zun’s newly appointed foreman Yang Dazhu and two kiln masters overseeing, there should not be any major problems.

Zhao Zun walked to Yang Dazhu’s side, patting him on the shoulder, and asked, ”Dazhu, how are things progressing here?”

Yang Dazhu wiped the sweat from his forehead, pointed to the brightly burning kiln, and grinned.

”Prince, everything is going smoothly. The first batch of clinker will be finished soon.”

Zhao Zun nodded in satisfaction, with an approving look in his eyes, ”Very good, you’ve done well.”

Yang Dazhu gave a simple smile, speaking with a hint of pride, ”Rest assured, Prince, I will not fail the trust placed in me.”

Looking at the young man before him, Zhao Zun couldn’t help but feel moved.

Yang Dazhu is the son of Yang Qi Quan. Originally working for a wealthy family, he was summoned here by his father.

Although his skills aren’t as refined as his father’s, he is diligent, responsible, and particularly loves exploring new and interesting things, showing ambition.

Thus, Zhao Zun chose him as the new foreman.