Chapter 658: Recruitment
Editor: Atlas Studios

Then, the next question was where to get talents. Just as Fan Zijin had said, the Imperial Grace Examinations would only start this year, and there would only be new hires the year after.

“Nowadays, the army is filled with men who are illiterate. The logistics are completely supported by Zijin. As for business matters, Zijin also said that there aren’t enough stewards. However, if we want to recruit people, unless we poach from other business owners, it’s not so easy to hire someone who knows how to do accounts aside from being capable of managing the shop.”

“Then put up a notice to recruit talented people.” Mu Yangling said, “During the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period, didn’t those Marquises recruit talents like this? There’s never a lack of talented people in this world. While we think that talents are difficult to find, perhaps the talents are lamenting that there’s no opportunity for them to stand out.”

Qi Haoran fell into deep thought.

“We can do that for business matters, but military positions have to be appointed by the Imperial Court. Actually, I don’t understand why we have to wait for those positions to be filled after the Imperial Grace Examinations. Right away, we can deploy those officials who were dismissed for being upright or resigned to take time off for mourning, as well as those jurens who passed the village examination but didn’t have any connections to become officials.”

“Although opening up the Imperial Grace Examinations can make the students grateful to the Imperial Court and be loyal to Great Qi, they likely think that they were able to make a name for themselves mainly because of their own abilities. However, deploying those officials and scholars who originally didn’t have a chance can make them grateful to the Imperial Court and His Majesty. They will also be more attentive. As long as their character is passable, I think it makes no difference if we hire former officials or scholars from the previous dynasty.”

However, Qi Haoran had more considerations. At present, the officials in the Imperial Court were still a little anxious, fearing that the Qi family would get rid of the officials of the previous dynasty after stabilizing the empire. However, once this policy was implemented, it could calm the hearts of the officials.

Qi Xiuyuan was also having a headache over the unfilled posts in various regions. As soon as Qi Haoran sent in his memorial, he was tempted. But as it was not easy to use officials who had been deposed or resigned from their posts in the previous dynasty, he needed to test the waters first.

Qi Xiuyuan called Yan Du, Zhang Cheng, and the other important ministers of the previous dynasty, as well as the Left and Right Assistant Ministers of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs into the palace. He handed over the list of the positions he wanted filled and asked, “Which officials in the previous dynasty who have already retired or have resigned for other reasons are suitable for these positions?”

Zhang Cheng and the others’ eyes lit up. They felt that the Emperor was indeed magnanimous. Not only did he not suspect the officials from the previous dynasty, but he was also willing to redeploy those who were currently out of office. With this in mind, everyone was grateful and tried their best to recall if they knew any officials with such talent.

Everyone discussed it for the entire afternoon. Qi Xiuyuan got someone to write down the name list they provided, before leaving Yan Du alone and dismissing the others.

“Prince Rong asked me to seek jurens who have no connections to become an official, but I feel that if there are xiucai with special talent, it’s not impossible to make an exception and hire them. For example, I heard that there’s a xiucai in Ezhou who’s good at water conservancy. Because he specializes in water conservancy, he somewhat neglected preparing for the Imperial Examination. I don’t lack jinshi or juren, but I lack such specialized talents.”

Yan Du’s eyes lit up. He cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty making an exception to recruit talents is truly a blessing for the common people.”

Qi Xiuyuan waved his hand and said, “Minister Yan, don’t make it sound like a sure thing. If we make an exception and rely on the recommendation of the officials, I’m afraid that we’ll repeat the mistakes of the inspection system and the nine grades of rank in the former regimes. If we let the officials control the selection system, they could use the selection of talents as a way for them to fill their pockets and fulfill their own selfish desires.”

Yan Du thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. Although our dynasty has made an exception, the Imperial Examination is still the one that plays the main role. We can limit the officials in what they can do by formulating some policies. If the person recommended is indeed talented, then we’ll give the recommender some rewards, or add it to his achievements, or reward him with some money. If the person recommended is a mediocre talent with poor grades, the recommender will be implicated by being given demerit points.”

Qi Xiuyuan nodded. “Minister Yan, go write a memorial and submit it tomorrow. We will discuss it with the officials at the court.”

Yan Du knew that Qi Xiuyuan had agreed to this method, so he hurriedly bowed.

Qi Xiuyuan knocked on the table and sighed, then picked up Fan Zijin’s pulse diagnosis and looked at it. After that, he wrote a letter to Qi Haoran and asked him to recruit people nearby to help manage Fan Zijin’s business…

After Qi Xiuyuan returned to the harem, he asked Li Jinghua to open the storeroom and pack some precious and warming, tonifying herbs to send to Qiannan.

Li Jinghua hurriedly asked, “Did something happen to Prince Rong?”

Qi Xiuyuan said with a smile, “It’s nothing. It’s just that Qiannan is poor and I’m worried that they don’t have good herbs there. Just send them over.”

Li Jinghua paused and nodded with a smile.

At this moment, Qiannan was already bustling with activity. Immediately after Qi Haoran sent the letter to Qi Xiuyuan, he got someone to beat the gongs and drums in the streets to seek talent.

It was as lively as putting on a show, but no one went forward to apply. Fan Zijin watched in horror and said to Qi Haoran, “I think we should forget it. Where can we find talents who know how to do business in the barren land of Qiannan?”

Qi Haoran refused to believe it and asked Fei Bai to shout too loudly. “Just like what I said. As long as the person has real talent and knowledge, no matter who he is, I will definitely appoint him to an important position. He can leave after working for five years, and at that time, I will even grant him a bright future.”

Frowning, Fan Zijin said, “I’m not a magnanimous person. Anyone who works under me has to sign an indenture.”

Fan Zijin was very suspicious and was different from Qi Haoran. Those who worked under him were all his slaves, even the stewards he had assigned to Mu Yangling. It could be seen that he did not have much faith in people.

Mu Yangling was coaxing Little Bear to eat fruits at the side. When she heard this, she said, “Countless people away will be scared off by this one clause alone. Not everyone can accept being a slave. I think it’s better to sign an employment contract. Just do as Haoran said and have them sign a five-year contract. Within the first three years of departure, they’re not to betray the confidential secrets of our shops. Set the conditions to be more harsh. As long as the other party doesn’t have any ill intentions, they’ll usually accept the conditions. Since they won’t have to sign themselves away as slaves and will have a bright future, people will be incentivised to apply.”

Fan Zijin snorted and said proudly, “It’s their honor to be my slave. How can they be picky?”

Qi Haoran nodded repeatedly and said to Mu Yangling, “If we do as you say, no one will come to apply. But if we announce that Zijin wants to take in slaves to manage the shops, many people will definitely flock over.”

Mu Yangling did not believe it. “I myself recruit talents to manage my shops. Aside from being well-paid, they don’t have to be slaves. The conditions are so good. Comparing the two, anyone knows how to choose.”

Qi Haoran chuckled. “That’s because you don’t understand the human heart. If you don’t believe me, let’s have a bet.”

Fan Zijin’s interest was piqued. “That’s not bad. Why don’t we make a bet? We’ll set up two arenas and see if the candidates will apply to your side or mine.”

“So be it. Who’s afraid of who?” Mu Yangling turned her head and called Xiao Ting over. After giving him detailed instructions, she looked at Fan Zijin smugly.

Fan Zijin casually waved Yanmo away and said, “Just say that my shop is short of people and wants to take in slaves. Those with talent can apply, but they have to sign a death contract.”