Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 353 Zhu Zhanhe's Troubles

"Oh? General Huang, you're too kind." After hearing the person's self-introduction, Yao Guan realized that the strange-speaking person in front of him was Huang Zhong, the one his prince had specifically requested to see.

So Huang Zhong is a military officer. But why does Huang Zhong's tone of voice sound strange, like he's from another race? Yao Guan guessed that this man named Huang Zhong might be from another race! However, although he had some suspicions, Yao Guan didn't show it and continued to communicate with him calmly.

"General Huang, please. There is no one here at the Prince's side right now, so he is waiting for General Huang to come." After learning that the person who came was Huang Zhong, Yao Guan also greeted him warmly.

After all, in Yao Guan's mind, someone who could warrant such concern from the Prince was unlikely to be just a simple foreigner. Moreover, judging from the Prince's implied meaning, this seemingly ordinary foreigner appeared to be able to solve Annam's most pressing problem: the lack of interpreters! This alone made Yao Guan's enthusiasm unwarranted. After all, the shortage of interpreters was one of the most intractable problems facing Annam's civil service!

"Thank you for your guidance, Prefect Yao. I hope you will continue to guide me in the future." Huang Zhong was a clever man. When he learned that it was the Prince who had summoned him, and that it was for his work as an interpreter in Annam, Huang Zhong immediately realized that his chance to rise to prominence had come!
Therefore, after briefly handing over his work in the military camp to his colleagues, Huang Zhong hurriedly headed towards the Anzhou Prefecture government office. His purpose was to see the first important person in his life, the Prince of Han, as soon as possible!
Huang Zhong was not at all surprised to meet Yao Guan, the prefect of Anzhou. After all, it was a fact that all the government offices in Annam were short of interpreters, and if he really took on the unknown job that the prince was giving him, he would probably have to deal with various government offices a lot in the future.

"General Huang, you're too kind. Please~" Yao Guan immediately sensed that the foreigner in front of him was no ordinary person and bowed to him in farewell.

"Prefect Yao, please~" Huang Zhong greeted the other party politely and left. After that, the two went their separate ways.

In the blink of an eye, Huang Zhong arrived at Zhu Zhanhe's door.

"Your Highness, General Huang Zhong requests an audience." Zhu Zhanhe had only been resting with his teacup for less than a quarter of an hour when Xiao Xizi rushed in again.

"Let him in." Zhu Zhanhe looked helplessly at the setting sun, feeling utterly exhausted.

"What a miserable life!" Zhu Zhanhe muttered to himself.

Could it be that the Dragon King has been away for too long, and he's been indulging in too much affection with his wives and concubines, leaving him feeling weak? Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but wonder to himself. But he immediately dismissed the thought. After all, he was the dignified Prince of Han; how could he possibly be weak?! It must be an illusion, a mere illusion! Zhu Zhanhe shook his head violently, banishing this inexplicable thought from his mind.

"This humble general, Huang Zhong, greets Your Highness. May Your Highness live a thousand years!" Just as Zhu Zhanhe was secretly mocking himself, Huang Zhong entered from outside the door and respectfully knelt on the ground to kowtow and pay his respects to Zhu Zhanhe.

Hmm~!

Huang Zhong was originally an interpreter in Anzhou Prefecture. Now he is the logistics clerk in the army of my Prince of Han's mansion.

"I remember you. You did very well, completing the task I assigned you beautifully." Zhu Zhanhe still remembered Huang Zhong vividly. After all, this was the first task Zhu Zhanhe assigned to the foreigner after arriving in Annam, and the other party had done a very good job. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe had a fresh memory of Huang Zhong.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

"It is thanks to Your Highness's favor that I have achieved what I have today." Huang Zhong was quite pragmatic; he knew how he had attained his current position. He immediately attributed his success to the imposing prince before him.

"You're being modest."

However, I have always believed in the principle of "more work, more reward"!

Therefore, in my opinion, everything you have now is what you deserve. After all, I assigned you the job of interpreter, and since you have accomplished it, I will fulfill my promise.” Zhu Zhanhe was still quite clear-headed; he wouldn't lose his bearings because of a few flattering words from a subordinate. So, Zhu Zhanhe earnestly affirmed Huang Zhong's self-effort. Unexpectedly, Zhu Zhanhe's words immediately filled Huang Zhong with joy.

"However, after reviewing the list of land allocations in the army, I found that you have only been allocated less than 500 mu of land this time."

"Now it seems that putting you in the military as a minor clerk is a waste of your talents." Zhu Zhanhe first affirmed Huang Zhong's personal abilities, then lamented that Huang Zhong was being wasted in the military. To be honest, in Zhu Zhanhe's opinion, with Huang Zhong's abilities as an interpreter, the education sector would be the best choice.

"Huang Zhong is willing to serve as a dog or horse for the prince."

"I will obey Your Highness's decree without question!" Understanding the subtext of Zhu Zhanhe's words, Huang Zhong unhesitatingly kowtowed, offering his knees and loyalty. Because Huang Zhong knew that besides offering his loyalty, he was utterly worthless! And loyalty was the only valuable thing he could offer!
"You're quite clever."

Well, I do have something troubling me lately.

Let me make this clear first: this is no easy task. If you don't do it well, I won't blame you.

"If you do well, I'll arrange a position for you as an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Rites!" Looking at the sensible Huang Zhong, Zhu Zhanhe was quite satisfied. He gently told Huang Zhong, "I do indeed have a worrying matter. However, this matter is not easy to handle. If you fail, I won't blame you. If you do well, I will promote you to the Ministry of Rites and make you an Assistant Minister!"

Zhu Zhanhe mastered this tactic of feigning indifference. The position of Assistant Minister was the lifelong goal of countless scholars! Not to mention Huang Zhong, a member of a different ethnic group! And now, this seemingly unattainable goal was right before Huang Zhong's eyes!

In an instant, Huang Zhong's eyes welled up with tears! Because this was a goal that Huang Zhong simply could not refuse!

Hearing his lord speak like that, Huang Zhong was filled with excitement. He immediately offered his forehead again and knelt down in front of Zhu Zhanhe.

"I'm willing to serve you like a dog or a horse, at Your Highness's beck and call!" Huang Zhong excitedly knew his chance had come. If he could accomplish what the prince had assigned, he, Huang Zhong, would be the highest-ranking Annamese in the Han Prince's mansion! Without a doubt! For Huang Zhong, this was the highest honor!
"Since that's the case, then I'll tell you." Seeing the excited Huang Zhong, Zhu Zhanhe knew that he had laid the groundwork sufficiently. So, Zhu Zhanhe officially began to explain his work. Huang Zhong listened attentively and seriously, as if afraid of missing a single word.

"While it can be described as one thing, it can also be considered two things." Zhu Zhanhe first set the general tone for the matter, namely that it was very complicated!
"With Annam newly established, the people and the government do not speak the same language. As a result, it is quite difficult for the royal decrees to be issued and for the people to hear their demands."

Although an interpreter could solve the immediate problem, it was not a long-term solution. Zhu Zhanhe calmly got up from his chair, went to Huang Zhong, and gently helped him up.

In an instant, Huang Zhong's face showed an even more excited expression, and his eyes were full of devout, believer-like gazes as he looked at Zhu Zhanhe.

"Therefore, I have decided to proceed in two steps."

As a first step, I still need quite a few interpreters to assist me in my work;

The second step is that I have established schools in all counties and prefectures, so that all the people of Annam can appreciate the essence of the culture of the Celestial Empire, just like the people of the Ming Dynasty! Zhu Zhanhe first stated his short-term goal, and then his long-term goal, all to see Huang Zhong's attitude towards changing Annam's culture.

However, it was clear that Huang Zhong, whose mind was now completely absorbed in the culture of the Celestial Empire and the position of Vice Minister, was utterly oblivious to the terrible consequences. Instead, he remained intently listening to Zhu Zhanhe's remarks.

(End of this chapter)