Chapter 5, Taking Office

In this day and age, having meat to eat is considered a luxury. The soldiers do not care about whether the meat is "expensive or cheap," or whether it has a fishy or gamey taste; they are simply satisfied to have meat to eat

In the following half month, Zhang Xi will still be going to work every day, finishing work, and taking inventory of the warehouse... It is indeed quite busy.

For example, with cured meat, it is impossible for every batch produced to be the same

On the first day of work, under the guidance of the warehouse clerk, Zhang Xi meticulously checked the account books and confirmed the quantity of materials in the warehouse, working diligently throughout the entire day.

Therefore, how could a newcomer like Zhang Xi possibly take care of all the intricacies involved here

Little Seven Treasures could not help but worry about their master, refusing to leave their master's side even for a moment

After all, at this moment, Liu Bei is merely a makeshift troupe, with only 3,000 men under his command, and he still has the mind to concern himself with such trivial matters

For instance, a certain blackguard not only came to the storeroom to claim the best year-end reward, but also audaciously complained, "How can there be no wine during the New Year festivities?" He stubbornly refused to leave the storeroom, insisting on being served wine, completely disregarding Lord Liu Bei's prohibition on alcohol.

Well, it feels a bit like what Yang Yi did back then

The first day of work passed so smoothly.

Oh, at fifteen, one really seems to be just a half-grown child; as a twenty-year-old adult, I will not join in the fun with the kids.

I am so ... ...

It is truly not a simple task to be a warehouse manager

Wei Yan is actually quite displeased

Well, it is this sentence that makes Zhang Xi feel as if something is not quite right.

Zhang Xi has been busy with this matter recently

The amount of rewards given to each battalion is not determined by Zhang Xi from www.hetushu.com, but is personally decided by Liu Bei based on daily records and the judgment of military judges

From the allocation of provisions across all military camps, to the rewards and penalties, and down to adjustments in the military's meals and the preparation of various camping materials, all require the coordination of myself as the "Chief Provision Officer"

Some camps may distribute pork, while others might provide dog meat, and some may even offer a few pieces of salted fish, varying widely.

Wei Yan did express some dissatisfaction, but considering that Lord Liu Bei had once advised him to treat others with courtesy, and with Zhang Xi's insistence, he ultimately said nothing further

Once again, Wei Yan looked unfavorably at Zhang Xi, and Zhang Xi also had a poor impression of Wei Yan. Although Zhang Xi did not yet know that the imposing man before him would become the future General of the Western Expedition for the Han Dynasty.

During this period, Zhang Xi has been most occupied with preparing for the year-end grand feast

Zhang Xi is primarily responsible for the distribution of these reward materials

It is not because the current tasks are unpleasant, but purely due to a bad mood

In any case, the place where Zhang Xi took office is not a military stronghold, and Wei Yan has made a rare concession this time

It is important to note that the goods in this era are not industrial products; by the end of the year, everyone can take home identical New Year goods. In this day and age, items are all sold as individual pieces

Zhang Xi sat down at his "office desk" and immediately a clerk brought over documents to verify the current inventory of grain and fodder with Zhang Xi, and then explained his scope of responsibilities to Zhang Xi

Why is it that, although we are both generals, someone can enjoy lamb while I can only grill a fish for a taste?

Otherwise, as a newly appointed official, if you know nothing and are unaware of anything, these clerks may secretly undermine you, leaving you unable to accomplish anything

The reserve of mutton in the storeroom is very limited, primarily supplied to the lord Liu Bei and a few close generals.

Since the gentleman has already assumed office, it would be inappropriate to disturb him, so I shall take my leave now! Wei Yan said this with a stern expression, uttering polite words.

Wei Yan has seen literati speak before; gentlemen like Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Yi Ji do not speak in the same manner as this Mr. Zhang. Their discourse is all straightforward and unembellished.

In any case, Wei Yan had a very poor first impression of Zhang Xi, so when welcoming Zhang Xi to take office, he naturally did not show a pleasant demeanor

Zhang Xi was unaware that this robust man was the nominal head of the Talent Recruitment Hall; he thought he was merely a gatekeeper.

In Wei Yan's view, Zhang Xi is a sycophant who enjoys nitpicking words and flaunting his literary pretensions, which makes him appear insufferable to Wei Yan

So the so-called "grain supply ledger" is really just a job managing the granary

After work, I did not return directly to the inn, but instead asked Xiao Qibao to run an errand to order some food at the inn, inviting a few clerks to have dinner.

Of course, there were also times when things almost went wrong

Wei Yan led Zhang Xi to a warehouse and said to him in front of a table placed at the entrance of the warehouse

Lamb is a delicacy enjoyed by feudal lords. Although the world is in chaos and the rites have deteriorated in this era, lamb remains a food that only nobles or generals can partake in

Forget it, considering that over the course of a year, the *illustrated* books also account for two hundred stones of millet, I will endure it

Office

The three generals are sworn brothers of the lord, and they often secretly drink wine. The lord turns a blind eye to this, so why should you unnecessarily offend him?

I apologize, there is no lamb.

Under the introduction of the clerk, Zhang Xi finally understood the specific duties of his role as the "grain supply ledger keeper"

If there were three hundred thousand people, it is estimated that Lord Liu Bei would not manage such details

However, thinking about Yang Yi's future achievements, Zhang Xi suddenly felt that what he was doing might not be so devoid of prospects... Although Zhang Xi personally despised this petty person, Yang Yi.

The irate Qibao made a series of grimaces at Wei Yan's back

Zhang Xi originally thought that this black fellow was rude and was contemplating whether to learn from Dong Xuan and issue a strong order. However, considering that the black fellow before him was not a public official or steward, and that his fists were truly larger than a bowl, Zhang Xi felt that his small frame might not be able to withstand it

Regardless of the circumstances, a new official must first familiarize themselves with their duties

Zhang Xiqiang suppressed the urge to twitch his lips and carefully observed the warehouse... There is nothing much to see; it is merely a granary

Having said this, without caring about Zhang Xi's reaction, he turned around and left

Do not underestimate this distribution

Originally, Zhang Xi had received a peculiar official position as the chief grain officer, and he was still contemplating what to do upon taking office. However, to his surprise, the person who came to greet him early in the morning was the burly man who had previously given him a cold shoulder.

Let's strengthen our relationship a bit

It is now winter. Although the military is conducting drills, the frequency is not high, and therefore there are no rewards or punishments being administered, nor are there any maps or books required, and there is no need for encampment.

According to the Han system, two hundred shi of millet per year is indeed quite substantial, as the annual salary of a provincial governor is only six hundred shi, and a chief clerk, who merely manages the grain and fodder... With this thought, Zhang Xi instantly felt much better.

This is the place where the gentleman conducts official business

In just over a month, the New Year will arrive. Before the end of the year, there will be a customary reward for the entire military. Each battalion will receive different rewards based on their performance, serving as a form of motivation

In simple terms, it refers to the logistics and provisions of the governor, which is considered a very important position

Unfortunately, there was no wine, but Zhang Xi still had Xiao Qibao ask the innkeeper to buy some cured meat to treat a few colleagues

Zhang Xi slowly extended a finger towards Wei Yan's departing figure

The black-clad figure left with satisfaction, but the words spoken by the clerk in Zhang Xi's ear left him feeling somewhat unsettled

Only Yang Yi is the governor of the entire Northern Expedition army, while Zhang Xi only manages the three thousand troops directly under Liu Bei's command, as well as four or five warehouses, which seems rather meager

Well, this is much more comfortable

Zhang Xi finds it somewhat difficult to bear... At the age of fifteen, why does he still behave like a child

As for Zhang Xi, his complexion is also not good

However, this matter cannot be blamed on Zhang Xi, as there is no mention of alcohol on the reward roster. Moreover, Lord Liu Bei has repeatedly prohibited alcohol. The wine stored in the treasury is reserved for official banquets hosted by Lord Liu Bei, and using up one jar means one less jar available.

Although Zhang Xi embodies the spirit of modern individuals, after a month of experiencing the revolving door of books, he has inevitably acquired some of the temperament characteristic of the scholars of this era... Who would send a security guard to welcome oneself upon taking office!

The distribution of provisions in the army follows a set schedule, and Zhang Xi only needs to adhere to it.

Little Qibao stood obediently beside, assisting Zhang Xi in grinding ink and preparing items such as brushes and carving knives

Zhang Xi understands the principle of "officials are as slippery as oil" and does not expect these people to open their hearts to him right away; as long as they do not cause him any trouble, that is sufficient

Fortunately, during the past half month, Zhang Xi treated those old officials to several meals, which finally earned him their initial trust. With their assistance and guidance, Zhang Xi was able to complete these assigned tasks without any major issues.

Why is it that we are all soldiers, yet the neighboring camp can have pork while we only have fish?

Moreover, although this fellow acted shamelessly in front of Zhang Xi, using his loud voice to intimidate others, he ultimately did not resort to force. Unable to withstand the persistent persuasion of the clerk beside him, he even whispered to Zhang Xi for a while, after which Zhang Xi had no choice but to secretly slip a jar of rice wine to this blackguard to silence him

As for Zhang Xi, under the guidance of Wei Yan, he finally arrived at his workplace

Obeying orders and fulfilling tasks, Wei Yan had no particular grievances; his dissatisfaction was solely directed at Zhang Xi as an individual

Wei Yan was a member of Liu Bei's retinue, and he would undoubtedly obey Liu Bei's orders unconditionally; he was also the nominal head of the Recruitment Hall, and it was his duty to guide talented individuals into office

Wei Yan approached with a dark expression to welcome Zhang Xi on his appointment, and Zhang Xi also wore a grim face as he followed Wei Yan to take office. Those who were unaware might have thought that Wei Yan was there to apprehend someone.

In all matters, it is not the lack that is worrisome, but the inequality.