Chapter 90: Carrots and Sticks
Although the Imperial Guards had left, the female laborers of the Sixth Bureau were still in a state of trepidation, as Steward Leng, who had stolen pills, was their direct superior.
Because Hua Changxi had prevented the Imperial Guards from searching them and had saved them when Steward Leng made a move, everyone in the Sixth Bureau now regarded her as their pillar of support.
After Hua Changxi returned to her residence, the stewards from various teams gathered outside her room. Du Ruo, seeing that Hua Changxi had already gone to sleep, was about to ask them to disperse when Eunuch Fu, who was by Eunuch Jia’s side, arrived.
“Changxi, Eunuch Fu is here.”
Hua Changxi had not completely immersed herself in cultivation. Upon hearing Du Ruo’s call, she immediately opened her eyes, got up, and walked out, looking at Eunuch Fu.
Eunuch Jia had three godchildren: Fu, Lu, and Shou. Compared to Eunuch Lu’s strictness, Eunuch Fu was quite amiable.
Seeing Hua Changxi emerge, Eunuch Fu did not put on airs. He smiled and said, “Hua Changxi, Godfather says you are to take over Leng Xiangru’s position. From today onwards, you are the Second Steward of the Sixth Bureau.”
Hua Changxi was not too surprised to see Eunuch Jia promoting her again.
First, she had revealed her identity as a cultivator today.
Second, she had Shi Niang behind her. It was clear that in Eunuch Jia’s eyes, she had a backer.
Eunuch Jia had previously promoted her to Third Steward with the intention of using her. Now that he was promoting her to Second Steward, it was undoubtedly for the same reason.
Becoming Second Steward meant managing more people, which would be more conducive to her teaching pharmacology. This was a good thing for Hua Changxi, so she smiled and said, “Please trouble Eunuch Fu to convey to Eunuch Jia my gratitude for his trust. I will work hard and not let him down.”
Du Ruo and the other Third Stewards present also looked delighted.
When Hua Changxi was previously the Third Steward, many people in the Sixth Bureau had some objections.
But now, with Hua Changxi being appointed Second Steward, no one in the Sixth Bureau objected. On the contrary, they were eager for her to take the position.
Eunuch Fu stated that he would convey her message and then continued, “Little Luzi was just taken away by the Imperial Guards. With him gone, there is no one to manage the Fourth Bureau, Fifth Bureau, Sixth Bureau, and Seventh Bureau that he was responsible for.”
“Godfather said he couldn’t find a suitable replacement for Little Luzi for the time being, so he’s temporarily assigning the Fourth Bureau, Fifth Bureau, and Seventh Bureau to you as well.”
Hua Changxi looked surprised upon hearing this.
Taking over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus was something she had never imagined.
“Eunuch Fu, did Eunuch Jia really tell you to manage the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus?”
Eunuch Fu nodded affirmatively, “Yes, Godfather gave precisely those instructions. The order has already been conveyed to the Second and Third Stewards of the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus.”
“Godfather said that if anyone disobeys your orders, as long as it is within the rules, you can deal with them as you see fit. If there are matters you cannot handle, you can go directly to him.”
Hua Changxi did not show much happiness upon hearing this; instead, she appeared somewhat serious.
Power and responsibility were equivalent. Taking over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus meant she would have to help Eunuch Jia stabilize these three bureaus.
Although Steward Leng had escaped, the matter of her stealing pills was not over. The Imperial Guards were already involved, and the Medical Affairs Department would surely investigate.
As the head of the Third Department, Eunuch Jia would definitely be held accountable for such a major oversight under his command.
Before this incident, some people had already been targeting the Third Department, which Eunuch Jia was in charge of, aiming to bring him down. Now that Eunuch Jia was in trouble, it was only natural for those watching him to seize the opportunity.
With Eunuch Lu arrested, the four bureaus he managed were undoubtedly the best entry points.
Eunuch Jia was shrewd enough to have her manage these four bureaus.
She wasn’t afraid of trouble and had martial force, and she had someone behind her. Wasn’t she the perfect candidate for a human shield?
Hua Changxi remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Please tell Eunuch Jia that I will manage the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus well.”
If it weren’t for the need to teach pharmacology, she would definitely not have agreed.
Four bureaus meant four hundred people, which was worth her taking over.
Seeing that Hua Changxi had indeed agreed as Eunuch Jia had said, Eunuch Fu immediately smiled and said, “Alright, I will go back and report to Godfather.”
“Wait a moment.”
Hua Changxi stopped him, “Eunuch Fu, since I’m taking over Eunuch Lu’s position, does Eunuch Lu’s courtyard belong to me now?”
Eunuch Lu’s small courtyard had all four corners complete. If she lived there, she would have a private space where she could both cultivate and refine pills.
Eunuch Fu glanced at Hua Changxi, thinking she was being a bit greedy. Taking over four bureaus wasn’t enough, and now she even wanted to claim Little Luzi’s courtyard.
Did she think Little Luzi wasn’t coming back?
Hua Changxi saw Eunuch Fu frown but paid it no mind.
While it was true that Eunuch Jia had promoted her on the surface, it was also true that Eunuch Jia needed her help behind the scenes. Naturally, she had to seize the opportunity to make demands.
“I can’t make the decision about Little Luzi’s courtyard. I will ask Godfather and then reply to you.”
Eunuch Fu left quickly and returned to Eunuch Jia’s office courtyard, recounting their entire conversation.
“Godfather, you really know people. Hua Changxi actually agreed to take over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus.”
Eunuch Jia held a stack of papers detailing the Hua Family’s situation. “The Hua Family has its own apothecary shop. Although Hua Changxi wanted to be an apprentice at the Medical Affairs Department, she chose to be a laborer at home instead of returning to her family. What does that tell you?”
“It means there’s no place for her in the Hua Family.”
“Although Hua Changxi is a young woman, her proud nature is no less than that of a man. Treat her as an unvalued male member of the family, and you’ll understand many of her actions and thoughts.”
“Generally, male family members who are not valued by their families try their best to prove themselves and gain recognition. Such people will not refuse power.”
“The higher they climb, the more they can retaliate against their families for their neglect and prove that their families’ disregard was wrong.”
Eunuch Fu looked enlightened but then worried, “Male laborers are not easy to manage. Hua Changxi is just a young woman. The male laborers in the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus may not obey her.”
Eunuch Jia glanced at him, “Do you and Little Shou think that we should have handed over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus to you to manage?”
Eunuch Fu remained silent, implicitly admitting it.
Eunuch Jia scoffed, “Although Little Luzi is a bit of a womanizer, he is much stronger than you and Little Shou in many aspects.”
“Where do you think the little power we hold comes from?”
Eunuch Fu meekly replied, “It’s given by the benefactors above.”
Eunuch Jia shook his head, “That’s partly right and partly wrong. In times of peace, power is indeed given by benefactors above. But in times of upheaval, power is earned. Whoever has the stronger fist controls others.”
“Hua Changxi spent nearly a year in a medicine farm full of male laborers. Do you think she came back unscathed and safe by relying on what?”
“If the laborers in the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus behave themselves, fine. If they don’t, Hua Changxi will teach them how to be.”
After hearing this, Eunuch Fu dared not speak, even if he was unconvinced.
Eunuch Jia had no intention of continuing the conversation. He simply instructed, “Hua Changxi wants to live in Little Luzi’s courtyard. Let her have it.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Fu hesitated to speak.
Seeing this, Eunuch Jia knew he was thinking of Little Luzi. After all, he was his godson, and his expression was tinged with sadness. “Little Luzi isn’t coming back.”
Eunuch Fu was stunned. Knowing that a brother he grew up with would die, he felt immense grief and looked at Eunuch Jia pleadingly, “Godfather, is Little Luzi truly beyond saving?”
Eunuch Jia rubbed his forehead, his head aching. “What kind of place is the Imperial Prison? Even high-ranking officials in the court cannot intervene, let alone us.”
“Leng Xiangru was Little Luzi’s lover. Regardless of whether Little Luzi was deceived or not, he cannot escape.”
Eunuch Fu looked sad upon hearing this.
Eunuch Jia sighed, “I warned him so many times, but he wouldn’t listen. What do people like us, who have no roots, need with women? It’s just self-deception. Now, look, he’s even lost his life.”
When Eunuch Fu went to tell Hua Changxi that she could move into Eunuch Lu’s courtyard, she was on her way to the Fourth Bureau.
Having lived in the Great Jin Dynasty for nearly fifteen years, she knew that this era expected women to be good wives and mothers, managing the household and raising children.
Now, asking her, a young woman, to manage male laborers, they would surely be unconvinced.
However, she also knew that in the world of men, the strong reigned supreme.
Upon entering the Fourth Bureau and facing the male laborers who were indifferent to her, Hua Changxi wasted no words and directly released her Spiritual Pressure, enveloping the entire Fourth Bureau.
Instantly, the male laborers in the Fourth Bureau collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
One minute later, the Spiritual Pressure was withdrawn.
“Continue your duties as you did before. I dislike trouble, so don’t cause any.”
“If you have other masters behind you, restrain yourselves and don’t cause me trouble. If I truly decide to deal with you, even the gods and immortals won’t be able to save you.”
“Who here can read and draw?”
The people of the Fourth Bureau had not expected Hua Changxi to use force to suppress them right from the start.
They also hadn’t expected a young woman of fourteen or fifteen to be so powerful. Even if all hundred-plus people in the Fourth Bureau attacked together, they would not be her match.
Faced with overwhelming and formidable martial force, regardless of what thoughts the male laborers had, at that moment, no one dared to stand up and oppose Hua Changxi.
They didn’t know what Hua Changxi intended to do, nor did they dare to ask. They could only exchange silent glances.
Hua Changxi did not rush them, silently observing everyone. Just as Eunuch Jia had predicted she would take over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus, she also predicted that among the male laborers of the Fourth Bureau, there would definitely be someone who wanted to advance.
During a time of transition, it was the best opportunity to climb higher. There would be bold and intelligent individuals who would seize the chance.
As expected, a few minutes later, a boy of fifteen or sixteen stood up. “I can.”
Hua Changxi looked at him. “What is your name?”
The boy replied, “Reporting to Steward Hua, my name is Guo Cheng.”
Hua Changxi said, “Guo Cheng, from tomorrow morning onwards, I will spend half an hour each day teaching you how to recognize medicinal herbs and how to wash them quickly. You will be responsible for recording.”
She actually didn’t know how to manage people, but she understood the carrot and stick theory.
Using martial force to suppress them made the male laborers fear her, preventing them from looking down on her or causing trouble. This was the stick.
Teaching the male laborers knowledge of pharmacology was the carrot.
Men had the pressure of earning money to support their families, and their desire for skills and knowledge might even be greater. With this carrot dangling, they should be somewhat restrained.
As expected, the people of the Fourth Bureau began to whisper amongst themselves.
“Steward Hua, are you really going to teach us knowledge about medicinal herbs?”
“If you all do your jobs well and don’t cause me trouble, I will teach you every day as long as I am in charge of the Fourth Bureau.”
“Steward Hua, don’t worry, we will all listen to you.”
Everyone chimed in. Even those who were unwilling to learn or had ulterior motives, under the pressure of the majority’s desire to improve their earning potential, dared not say much.
After dealing with the Fourth Bureau, Hua Changxi went to the Fifth and Seventh Bureaus and did the same, thus completing her initial encounter with the male laborers.
As for how the male laborers would act later, she could only take it one step at a time and deal with situations as they arose.
After finishing with the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus, Hua Changxi returned to the Sixth Bureau and saw Du Ruo immediately upon her arrival.
“Eunuch Fu came again just now and said that Eunuch Lu’s courtyard is yours now.”
Hua Changxi nodded, “Good, I understand. By the way, you are familiar with Sister Zhou. Go and tell her to return to her original team and continue as steward.” After saying this, she went back to her room to pack.
Upon hearing the news from Du Ruo, Zhou Ran smiled heartily, “My luck is truly good. In just a month, I’m back to being a steward.”
As she spoke, she nudged Du Ruo with her elbow.
“Steward Hua is moving out, right? Then I’ll still share a room with you.”
Du Ruo also sighed, thinking that her friend had returned after all the twists and turns.
Thinking of Hua Changxi becoming Second Steward and taking over the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus, her expression became even more wistful.
This girl was rising too fast; she wondered if she could handle it.
Hua Changxi didn’t have many belongings left outside; they were all for disguise. She quickly packed them. Before moving into Eunuch Lu’s courtyard, she called Zhou Qiuyu over.
“Qiuyu, I’ve looked at the medicinal herb records you compiled. They are very detailed, and your drawings are excellent.”
“I am now in charge of four bureaus, and I will be lecturing on pharmacology in each one. I have a task for you: from now on, you will be responsible for organizing and summarizing the types of medicinal herbs I teach you, and recording all their medicinal properties. Are you willing to do this?”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiuyu happily agreed, “Steward Hua, I am willing.”
Seeing her agree, Hua Changxi also smiled, “In the future, if you have any questions about pharmacology, you can find a fixed time to ask me.”
Zhou Qiuyu quickly asked Hua Changxi when she would be free.
Hua Changxi thought for a moment, “Every month on the fifth afternoon, you can come and find me.”
Compiling the medicinal herb knowledge she knew into a book was something Hua Changxi thought of only after going to the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Bureaus.
Her time was limited, and personally lecturing on pharmacology every time would surely delay her cultivation. Moreover, not many people would hear it.
Compiling the medicinal herbs into a book for people to read would benefit more people and save her from repeating herself.
Feeling that she had done a good deed, Hua Changxi happily carried her bundle and moved into Eunuch Lu’s former courtyard.
The items in Eunuch Lu’s courtyard had already been removed. After Hua Changxi opened the door and entered, she performed a Pure Body Technique, and the rooms in the courtyard were instantly refreshed.
Hua Changxi chose the main room on the east side to live in. She set up a Spirit Gathering Array and an Isolation Array in the room and then went to the west wing room.
Eunuch Lu had originally used the west wing room as an Alchemy Room, and all the necessary alchemy tools were complete.
The apothecary shop in Feng’an Ward had been renovated and was now just waiting for Hua Changxi to refine enough complete and numerous pills before it could open.
The time of a Second Steward was more flexible than that of a Third Steward, mainly because a Second Steward did not have to do manual labor but only needed to supervise their subordinates to do their jobs well.
For the four bureaus, Hua Changxi spent two hours each morning teaching pharmacology, and the rest of the time she spent refining pills in the courtyard.
With the Isolation Array in place, the commotion and Incense of Pills from alchemy would not spread out. With no one to disturb her, her alchemy speed and quality increased dramatically.
After half a month, she had refined enough pills to open the apothecary shop.
Hua Changxi brought the pills to the apothecary shop and, along with Pu Cao and A Niu, placed the pills in the medicine cabinets. Soon, the shop counter was filled to the brim.
“Changxi, you haven’t named the apothecary shop yet.”
Pu Cao reminded Hua Changxi.
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi thought of her alchemy inheritance from the Shen Nong Cauldron and directly said, “Shen Nong Hall.”
