The stewards didn’t dare to utter a sound, quietly listening to Fu Tian speak.
“Currently, there are five steward vacancies. If anyone has suitable candidates, you may recommend them. After passing the assessment, they can be hired.”
“Besides the steward vacancies, I also plan to add one deputy steward. The deputy steward is different from a steward; they won’t be stationed at a fixed shop, rotating every half year, and will receive the same monthly salary as the stewards.”
The stewards below were startled again upon hearing this. It was clear that Fu Tian was deliberately bringing someone in to supervise them.
With deputy stewards rotating every six months, there wouldn’t be enough time for them to become familiar with each other, and naturally no room for collusion or mutual cover-ups.
Fu Tian observed their expressions, then slowly continued, “Everyone is also welcome to recommend candidates for deputy steward. After passing the assessment, they will be hired as well.”
“If your recommended candidate is hired, you may collect a reward from the accounting office.”
Hearing this, everyone felt strangely relieved. If Fu Tian were appointing trusted aides as deputy stewards, then the stewards would obviously bear the title but still be subordinate to the deputies.
However, if the candidates were genuinely recommended outsiders, although they would still supervise, at least they could work as colleagues.
As long as no one had ill intentions, there would be no hierarchy issues.
Yet that wasn’t the most pleasing part. Fu Tian had first given them a stick, and now naturally, he was about to offer them some sweet carrots.
“As for all of you stewards…”
Fu Tian deliberately dragged out the sentence, building suspense before saying, “Since managing the rice shops is hard work, besides your monthly salary, I’m thinking of distributing bonuses yearly according to the profits of the shops.”
“How exactly to divide it still needs discussion; I will have someone draft a regulation as soon as possible.”
At these words, eager expressions appeared on everyone’s faces. The monthly steward salary wasn’t particularly high, but it wasn’t low either.
Most of them were not young and had families to support. Life was manageable but not comfortable. So, when Fu Tian mentioned bonuses, their faces instantly lit up with hope.
They even forgot Fu Tian’s earlier tactics and began to feel grateful that the Young Dongjia had taken over the rice shops.
Otherwise, with anyone else in charge, who knew how much more trouble they would have faced?
Under Fu Tian’s combined approach of carrot and stick, all the stewards became compliant — partly because they knew the Young Dongjia was not to be trifled with, and partly because the bonuses dangled right before their eyes.
If there was an easy way to earn money, no one wanted to risk stealing from the rice shop.
After clarifying all the rules, Fu Tian quickly outlined the framework of the regulations and left the stewards to offer suggestions for improvement.
This time, the stewards were much more enthusiastic and indeed proposed some practical ideas. Fu Tian had Wen Ji record them all for future talent selection.
***
Having dealt with this batch of matters, Fu Tian strolled towards the garden. Zhou Chuanqing, who had lately taken a great interest in him, followed along.
Chu Xiangtian shot him a displeased glance and hissed quietly, “Why are you following?”
Zhou Chuanqing shook his fan, smiling innocently, “To enjoy the flowers.”
The three sat down in the garden pavilion. Chu Xiangtian picked up the teapot and poured tea for Fu Tian and himself, deliberately skipping Zhou Chuanqing.
Zhou Chuanqing secretly muttered “stingy” under his breath and poured himself a full cup.
Outside, the peonies were blooming brilliantly. From the pavilion, the view was a splendid tapestry of purples, reds, and pinks beneath the blue sky and green grass — a scene of flourishing prosperity.
Suddenly, Fu Tian recalled the great drought of his previous life.
Taking a sip of tea, he unexpectedly asked, “Brother Zhou, if you knew a secret concerning hundreds of thousands of people, but speaking out might cause others not to believe you and even endanger you and your family, would you choose to reveal it?”
Zhou Chuanqing was momentarily stunned. He tapped his fan in his palm and replied, “Why the sudden question?”
Fu Tian exhaled lightly, feigning casualness, “It just came to mind.”
Zhou Chuanqing pondered for a moment and said, “That depends on whether I have the power to change the situation.”
“If I can’t turn the situation around, revealing the secret would only harm myself and my family. It wouldn’t really help others.”
Fu Tian had expected him to recite lofty ideals about loyalty and righteousness, but instead, he heard such pragmatic words, causing him to be momentarily taken aback.
Seeing Fu Tian’s stunned expression, Zhou Chuanqing smiled and explained, “Those in power make decisions.”
“It sounds selfish but isn’t without reason. Suppose I knew a secret about all of Great Chu, but I’m just a commoner. Even if I wanted to act, I wouldn’t have the strength, because no one would casually believe a commoner.”
Fu Tian felt conflicted. He didn’t want to implicate his family, but after all he had been through, he gradually understood the principle that without the state, what hope is there for the people?
“Then… shouldn’t you at least try?”
“To try is to invite all sorts of trouble,” Zhou Chuanqing said. “You could find evidence to prove your words true or try to contact someone with authority over the matter and hint around indirectly…”
Fu Tian listened intently and felt Zhou Chuanqing’s logic made sense.
He mulled over the signs before the last great drought. Every major disaster had omens. Though these signs alone were insufficient proof, they could serve as supporting evidence.
As for finding someone in authority… Fu Tian wasn’t close with any officials. The only chance might be this year’s Imperial Examination.
If he passed as a Xiucai, maybe he could approach the County Magistrate to mention it. After all, a Xiucai’s word would carry more weight than that of a mere merchant.
Whether the official believed him was another matter — all he could do was do his part and leave the rest to fate.
Moreover, he could stockpile grain early. In any case, he had to ensure the Fu Family’s safety.
Having resolved this crucial point, Fu Tian brightened and said, “Brother Zhou, starting tomorrow, please continue teaching me.”
Zhou Chuanqing was surprised. “Aren’t you taking over the family business?”
Fu Tian nodded. “But I can’t neglect my studies. I also want Uncle Ji to find me a bookkeeper to teach me accounting.”
Zhou Chuanqing shook his head, amused. “You don’t need to push yourself so hard.”
Fu Tian silently shook his head, thinking he had little time left to prepare.
Next autumn would be the great drought — or rather, its early signs would start appearing this winter.
“You don’t need to find another bookkeeper. Zhou Chuanqing is already here. Since it’s teaching anyway, why not teach both?”
Chu Xiangtian, who had not spoken before, carefully observed Fu Tian’s expression. He sensed Fu Tian’s question had an unusual seriousness, not a casual one.
But how could a wealthy young master, who had never even left Nanmíng Commandery, know a secret affecting hundreds of thousands?
The question made no sense. Shaking his head, Chu Xiangtian put the matter out of his mind for the time being.
***
Since Fu Tian insisted, Zhou Chuanqing could only oblige.
Every morning, Fu Tian attended a lesson with him. By the hour of Si (9-11am), he began handling business matters. After the busy hours, he spent the remaining time reading.
Since he planned to take the Imperial Examination, Fu Tian was not just paying lip service; he was truly pushing himself hard.
Besides managing the rice shop and estate affairs, whenever he had time, he buried himself in study. Sometimes he got so absorbed he burned the midnight oil.
Within less than half a month, he had already lost weight again.
Chu Xiangtian waited outside the study every day. He had tried persuading Fu Tian several times. Each time, Fu Tian agreed to sleep but continued reading once Chu left.
Realizing the Young Master had a stubborn streak of saying yes but not doing it, Chu started waiting outside the study as night fell and only went in to drag him away after the hour of Hai (9-11pm).
After a few failed resistances, Fu Tian obediently went to bed.
One day, Fu Tian was once again engrossed in reading. His focus and energy seemed better than before, often losing track of time while concentrating on a single subject.
His progress was astonishing — even Zhou Chuanqing was amazed — but Fu Tian still felt it wasn’t enough.
His previous conversation with Zhou Chuanqing made him realize that although his power was small, it was not meaningless. At least, he could help the people of Sifang Town.
Sifang Town relied on the Sihu River, which usually supplied ample water.
But Fu Tian knew that after next year’s drought, this river, relied upon by Sifang Town and much of Nanmíng Commandery, would gradually dry up.
When tired of reading, he relaxed by flipping through agricultural and hydraulic engineering texts. These books detailed many ancestral methods to prevent drought — constructing irrigation systems, stockpiling grain, improving crops…
Many methods existed. Leaning back in his chair, Fu Tian contemplated the practical steps he could take.
“What daydreaming about again?” Chu Xiangtian came up behind him, bending slightly, his warm breath brushing Fu Tian’s neck.
Fu Tian reacted belatedly, stretching and letting out a soft yawn, quietly asking, “Is it already the hour of Hai?”
Chu Xiangtian tidied up the books, poured out the tea on the desk, and pulled him up. “Time’s up. You need to sleep.”
Good-naturedly, Fu Tian let himself be dragged along. These days, Chu Xiangtian had been like a strict nanny, making sure he went to bed on time.
Although he never said it aloud, Fu Tian was grateful. Aside from his mother and sister, no one else cared for his health like Chu Xiangtian did.