C83. Guo Mao.

C83. Guo Mao.

After seeing off Zhou Gongdan, the workload piled on Liu Jixin became even more burdensome.

Especially after Cai Ji fled, Yuan Li did not immediately appoint a new magistrate of Guangyang County. Instead, he took over Cai Ji's responsibilities and assigned them to Liu Jixin, Zheng Rong, and others to handle together.

Liu Jixin, who used to have time to rest, sleep, and enjoy tea at fixed intervals every day, now had no more free time. He was forced to work diligently alongside his colleagues. Within just two days, dark circles appeared under his eyes, and he looked noticeably worn out.

The rest of the team were also struggling.

Yuan Li named the organization composed of Liu Jixin, Yuan Lou, and the retainers sent by their father, the Political Affairs Hall, specifically for handling administrative tasks.

Despite Jian Shaoning and Yuan Lou not being initially proficient in administrative duties, they gradually became adept under the mountain of paperwork, even resorting to working late into the night.

At this time, Yuan Lou was once again taken away by Yuan Li to train the wounded soldiers.

Yuan Lou seemed eager to leave, his eyes shining brightly. The typically reserved individual even cracked a rare smile, bidding farewell to Liu Jixin and Jian Shaoning, "Brother Liu, Shaoning, I must go now. You two can continue working, no need to see me off."

Upon hearing his words, Liu Jixin, Zhan Shaoning, and the others grimaced. Liu Jixin waved his hand dismissively, "Just go already!"

Yuan Lou turned and hurried off, clearly delighted.

Teaching the wounded soldiers seemed better than being buried under a pile of paperwork.

As the civil officials were busy, the military officials were no exception. Wu Kai, accompanied by his deputy Gong Bin, set out to suppress bandits. Meanwhile, Wang Er had to safeguard the safety of Jixian County and handle the recruitment of troops, keeping him busier than he could handle alone.

The three individuals, Lin Tian, Guo Lin, and Zhao Ying, by Yuan Li's side all had their own tasks to attend to. Within a few days, from Liu Jixin to Zhao Ying, all approached Yuan Li to express that they were understaffed.

Yuan Li was also troubled by this issue.

One evening, he repeatedly lamented to Chu Hechao about the shortage of personnel until Chu Hechao eventually grew exasperated, "Tomorrow, I will have Guan Zhihuai come and assist you."

Having settled on this, Yuan Li added, "I wonder where Zhou Gongdan has reached. Do you think Wu Shanshi will notice anything? My parents also don't know whether they have arrived or not..."

Chu Hechao, who was initially affectionately holding Yuan Li's face, couldn't help but bite him upon hearing this, scowling, "Can you focus for once?"

Yuan Li glared at him, covering his mouth.

At Chu Hechao's immediate change in demeanor, Yuan Li saw something in his eyes. "If you keep looking at me like that, I will kiss you."

Yuan Li: "..."

The weather was getting hotter, and as they kissed, Yuan Li began to sweat. His eyelashes were moist, and as Chu Hechao's hands caressed his cheeks, their lips grew hotter and hotter, as if consumed by fire.

After a moment, the two of them pulled back, and there was a long silence.

After a while, Chu Hechao hoarsely asked, "Do you like it when I kiss you?"

Yuan Li nodded, "Yes."

This response pleased Chu Hechao, who chuckled twice and gave Yuan Li another kiss before getting off the bed to put on his shoes. "The apricots are ripe. Do you want to eat?"

Yuan Li replied, "Yes."

Shortly after, Chu Hechao returned with three or four apricots.

"Eating too much late at night isn't good," he said, wiping one on his clothes before handing it to Yuan Li. "I tried one, and it's quite sweet. Give it a taste and see if you like it."

Yuan Li took a bite, and the sweet and delicate flavor instantly filled his mouth. Chu Hechao asked, "Is it sweet?"

Yuan Li nodded and smiled, "Delicious."

Chu Hechao suggested, "Give me a bite."

Yuan Li brought the apricot to his lips, and Chu Hechao took a bite, quickly swallowing it. His frown relaxed, "Not bad. The peaches in Youzhou during autumn are even sweeter. When the time comes, I will pick peaches for you to enjoy."

Savoring the apricot, Yuan Li felt the sweetness reach his heart and replied, "Great."

The next day, true to his word, Chu Hechao arranged for Guan Zhihuai to assist Yuan Li.

Guan Zhihuai, with a stern face and a serious demeanor, maintained a formal and somewhat distant attitude when greeting Yuan Li.

Having heard numerous praises and rumors about Guan Zhihuai from Chu Hechao, Yang Zhongfa, and others, Guan Zhihuai was equally aware of Yuan Li's reputation.

Whether it was Yuan Congyun, Yang Zhongfa, or even the temperamental Mi Yang, everyone spoke highly of Yuan Li.

Guan Zhihuai found it peculiar that just as he left to pacify a rebel army, a new figure emerged in the rear.

He had heard that the thunder cannons used to defeat the Xiongnu were crafted by Yuan Li, and the military granaries were well-stocked thanks to him. Amidst these praises and rumors, Guan Zhihuai grew increasingly wary of Yuan Li.

Observing the generals and soldiers praising Yuanli, Guan Zhihuai could not help but wonder if the military camp was still under the command of the General Chu.

Upon learning that a messenger from Luoyang had arrived in northern border, Guan Zhihuai volunteered to deliver the message to Jixian County.

While delivering the message was his official duty, his primary motivation was to personally meet Yuan Li.

After sharing a meal with Chu Hechao, Guan Zhihuai observed the general's protectiveness towards his sister-in-law. Perplexed by this and learning that the general allowed a 19-year-old to train ten thousand soldiers alone, Guan Zhihuai's displeasure towards Yuan Li reached its peak.

It seemed like mere child's play!

After waiting for a few days, when he finally met Yuan Li, Guan Zhihuai approached him with a wary look.

Seeing Yuan Li in person, Guan Zhihuai understood why his colleagues admired him so much.

Undoubtedly a fine gentleman, Yuan Li appeared even younger and more attractive than Guan Zhihuai had imagined. His sincere and gentle smile disarmed any defenses, making him appear approachable and trustworthy.

While Guan Zhihuai maintained some caution, he at least considered Yuan Li a righteous individual, unlike a deceitful person.

Noticing Guan Zhihuai's aloofness, Yuan Li remained unperturbed. As long as the person was useful and could temporarily help with urgent matters, he didn't mind their initial reservations.

After enjoying a cup of tea together, Yuan Li led Guan Zhihuai to the military camp, where Wang Er was training the soldiers.

In addition to running laps, soldiers were engaged in various physical activities such as sprinting and push-ups. The training ground also featured mud pools, water pits, and net obstacles.

This unconventional training method surprised Guan Zhihuai, who initially dismissed it as frivolous. However, watching the soldiers crawl, leap, and overcome obstacles, his frown deepened, unable to tear his eyes away.

At first glance, it seemed like mere playfulness, but upon closer inspection, Guan Zhihuai realized that these activities held deeper meaning.

Mud pools, water pits, climbing... If these training exercises were all mastered, wouldn't these soldiers be well-equipped to adapt to various environments across the country?

The more he pondered, the more Guan Zhihuai immersed himself in these projects.

Yuan Li introduced him to Wang Er and privately instructed him, "Regardless of what he says, make sure he trains the soldiers according to my methods."

Wang Er nodded firmly, "My lord, rest assured, I will keep an eye on Mr. Guan."

With the military camp settled, Yuan Li turned his attention to the vacancies in the government office. He sought out Yang Zhongfa for recommendations of talented individuals.

Yang Zhongfa proved to be the right person for the job. When it came to finding distinguished scholars for Yuan Li, Yang Zhongfa exhaustively researched scholars from neighboring counties and even discovered some hidden talents.

After some consideration, he decided to introduce Yuan Li to a promising individual named Guo Mao.

Guo Mao resided in a rural area near Jixian County, making him the closest talent to the county. When they visited Guo Mao, Chu Hechao accompanied them.

Surprised by the General's presence, Yang Zhongfa asked curiously, "Why is the General accompanying us?"

Chu Hechao and Yuan Li rode together, with Chu Hechao responding nonchalantly, "I was bored, so I thought I'd join you to experience the countryside."

Yang Zhongfa chuckled, "In that case, why not stay longer in the countryside and enjoy a few more days of leisure? I see that Lord Yuan has been busy lately, let's take this opportunity to relax."

Chu Hechao coolly replied, "You're not the only one who hasn't seen him. We live in the same estate, and even I don't catch a glimpse of him."

Yang Zhongfa exclaimed, "Is Lord Yuan really that busy?"

Yuan Li smiled but remained silent.

When Yang Zhongfa turned away, Yuan Li swiftly kicked Chu Hechao.

A grey footprint appeared on Chu Hechao's leg, prompting him to brush it off with a sigh. "Why are you getting mad at me for being busy?"

In a hushed voice, Yuan Li warned, "Don't spread rumors."

Chu Hechao quipped, "Are you sure you're not feeling guilty about something?"

Yuan Li confidently replied, "I have nothing to hide."

Chu Hechao paused, at a loss for words.

The countryside was very close, and within an hour, they arrived at Guo Mao's residence.

As they were getting close, Yang Zhongfa told Yuan Li about Guo Mao's background.

Guo Mao was a unique individual. Despite growing up in poverty without any education or literacy, he was clever, ambitious, and determined not to be just a rural villager. Making money by doing business with merchants in his youth, he left home to travel and study.

Facing many challenges on his quest for education, he eventually met a widow whose father was a local magistrate. Seizing the opportunity, he married into the family.

Becoming a married in son-in-law was considered shameful at that time. However, Guo Mao didn't care. With the resources to study, he eagerly learned to read and write, showcasing his intelligence and wit.

It wasn't just his talents that made Yang Zhongfa recommend him to Yuan Li; Guo Mao was known for his ability to choose and promote talented individuals and his skill in persuasion and debate.

Arriving at Guo Mao's mansion, they were informed that he wasn't home.

"Where did he go?" Yang Zhongfa quickly asked.

"He went to the fields," the servant replied, "My master said if someone is looking for him, they can find him in the fields."

Yuan Li and Chu Hechao exchanged a glance. Did Guo Mao anticipate their visit?

After learning the location of the fields, they went to find him.

Soon, they spotted a middle-aged man with rolled-up pant legs, resting under a tree.

Dressed in coarse linen clothing, tall and handsome, the man exuded an air of dignity. Yuan Li knew immediately that he was Guo Mao.

Hearing the sound of horses, Guo Mao stood up, warmly welcoming them as they dismounted, "Are you here to see me?"

Yang Zhongfa asked, "Indeed. Are you Guo Mao?"

With a smile, Guo Mao replied, "Yes, I am Guo Mao. And you are…?"

Yang Zhongfa gestured to Yuanli, "This is the Prefect Governor."

Surprised and overjoyed, Guo Mao immediately bowed deeply to Yuan Li, "I pay my respects to the Prefect Governor. I never imagined I would have the honor of meeting the you. I have long admired you, please forgive my impoliteness!"

Yuan Li, taken aback by the warmth of this scholar, helped Guo Mao up, "You are too kind."

Excitedly, Guo Mao asked, "May I ask, Prefect Governor, are you here to appoint me as an official?"

Even before Yuan Li could respond, Guo Mao eagerly declared, "I am willing, I am more than willing!" As if he had been waiting for this moment.

After expressing his willingness, Guo Mao began to shower Yuan Li with praise for his virtues and achievements, speaking eloquently and fluently, as if his words were ready to be written into a literary masterpiece.

Yang Zhongfa had never encountered someone with such a thick skin, and he began to regret bringing Yuan Li along to recruit Guo Mao.

Observing Guo Mao, Chu Hechao asked, "Did you already know someone was coming to find you?"

Guo Mao calmly responded, "Yes, I had heard rumors of someone inquiring about me before the New Year. I have been waiting for someone to come see me ever since. It has been over five months now. I must admit, I have been eagerly anticipating this day. Please forgive my enthusiasm, esteemed gentlemen."

Yang Zhongfa, intrigued, remarked, "You speak quite frankly, unlike other scholars."

Guo Mao chuckled and stated, "I can't speak for others. But the Prefect Governor is the chief official of a province and the most prominent figure in Youzhou. He is also a renowned scholar who aided in the defeat of a Xiongnu chieftain, eradicated bandits in Youzhou, and personally prayed for rain for the people of Youzhou... Any scholar or talent visited or appointed by you, Prefect, would surely consider it a great honor."

He was right; being visited and recruited by a provincial official was a great honor for anyone, especially since the Prefect himself was a distinguished scholar.

Like Guo Mao, he had been hoping for a prominent figure to visit him, but he never expected it to be the Prefect Governor, Yuan Lijun, who had recently gained fame in Youzhou.

With such an opportunity before him, Guo Mao had no intentions of playing hard to get. He had been waiting for this moment for years and was eager for Yuan Li to offer him a position.

Guo Mao skillfully flattered Yuan Li, impressing Yang Zhongfa and Chu Hechao when they realized his sincerity and admiration for them.

Yuan Li, encountering someone so straightforward and sincere in their flattery for the first time, was taken aback.

"Please, Lord, wait a moment," Guo Mao pointed to the fields, "It's spring planting season, and I have one acre of land left to tend. It won't take long. If you are tired, you can rest in my home for a while."

Yuan Li, a humble and courteous man, accepted the offer. When Guo Mao returned to the fields, Yuan Li rolled up his sleeves and trousers, ready to help.

Seeing this, Yang Zhongfa tried to intervene, "It's a rare opportunity, Lord. You should rest..."

Before he could finish, Yuan Li was already getting ready to help with the planting.

Yang Zhongfa turned helplessly, "General, look at Yuan Li..."

The rest of his words stuck in his throat as Chu Hechao, with his gloves off and sleeves rolled up, was already joining Yuan Li to assist Guo Mao.

With a raised eyelid, Chu Hechao glanced at Yang Zhongfa, "If you don't want to get down, just stay put."

Yang Zhongfa broke into a wide grin, "Alright, alright, I'll go wait for you guys over there."

He looked around and ran over to a tree, leaning against its trunk, closing his eyes to prepare for a nap.

Chu Hechao got off the cart and walked over to Yuan Li to join him in planting rice seedlings.