Poverty Alleviation in Qin: A Sky-High Review of "I Am the Female Prime Minister of All Time&qu

"My lord, how is it?" Xiao He stepped forward and asked.

Song also looked weary: "Have someone go and prepare the gifts."

"Huh? What?"

Song also stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him: "I said, have someone go down and prepare the betrothal gifts."

"Oh! Very good! Congratulations, Your Excellency, on the birth of your beloved." Xiao He went down to prepare with great joy.

Song was left alone, questioning the meaning of life.

Wasn't she supposed to refuse the marriage proposal? How did it end up being accepted?!

But then she realized that the final agreement she and Lü Zhi reached was a marriage of convenience.

All Lü Zhi wanted was a title, a title that would prevent her father from arbitrarily giving her to Liu Ji.

But when she calmed down and re-examined the name, she suddenly realized that she might have underestimated the weight of the matter.

Empress Lü Zhi, who rose from being a figure behind Liu Bang in historical records to the very center of the Han court in the early years, assisted Emperor Hui of Han, controlled the government, stabilized the situation, and implemented policies to allow the people to rest and recuperate. Her achievements were by no means less than those of Liu Bang.

Song suddenly felt that it was a bit absurd.

He originally just wanted to help the other person avoid an unwanted marriage, but he ended up unintentionally bringing one of the most powerful women in history into his life.

Consider the present situation: which of the founding fathers of the Han Dynasty isn't working under her now?

To be honest, at most, he had already firmly grasped the most powerful support from the Lü clan behind Emperor Gaozu of Han in his own hands.

Then she recalled the hardships Empress Lü Zhi endured in history books, being captured, humiliated, imprisoned, and suffering countless torments before finally emerging from the slums.

Song could also see that Lü Zhi possessed ambition and tenacity that rivaled anyone else's. Rather than letting her marry Liu Bang and suffer in vain, it was better to keep her under his command and work together.

Since the sky has prematurely revealed the future, it has put itself in the spotlight.

However, she is currently based in Pei County, but her foundation is still shallow, and she has nothing and no one to rely on.

Then how about—

Let's just take it all at once.

He recruited Liu Bang and his future rebel group into his own ranks, turning them into his own support.

Song was never a naive newbie. In his previous life, he pursued a master's and doctoral degree, and after graduation, he worked hard at the grassroots level, climbing from the township level to a full-fledged position. He was used to seeing people's true colors and understanding the rules of officialdom. He knew best how to go with the flow and take advantage of opportunities.

She couldn't possibly be unaware of this divinely ordained up turn of events.

It's even less likely to be wasted.

This short time difference is Song Ye's biggest trump card.

The county officials, including Xiao He, Cao Can, Xiahou Ying, and Ren Ao, had long been employed by him, and their loyalty was gradually being cultivated.

But there are a few people she has remained inactive in, not daring to recruit them rashly.

Lu Wan, Fan Kuai, and Zhou Bo.

All of them are currently commoners, not registered in the government or part of the system, and live a leisurely life.

But Song knew all too well that this was the core, most capable, and most reliable team for Liu Bang's future group.

She couldn't openly solicit them; that would be too conspicuous and like forcing growth, only arousing suspicion.

If there are no shortcuts, then you can only wait for an opportunity or create one yourself.

"Xiao He," she suddenly spoke.

Xiao He immediately poked half his body in from outside the door and respectfully replied, "My lord, what are your orders?"

"Right now, public morale is low, security is tight in various places, and the county government is short-handed. I plan to temporarily recruit a group of people. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?"

Without much thought, Xiao He truthfully recommended: "My lord, in our village there is a man named Fan Kuai, who is strong and upright, well-known in the village market, and is most suitable to maintain stability. There is also a man named Lu Wan, who is quick-witted and diligent, and is best at running errands, delivering messages, and patrolling the streets."

"Zhou Bo was of upright character, deeply trusted by his neighbors, and in his work..."

Song nodded slightly upon hearing this: "Then we'll use the three of them."

"Make arrangements immediately so that the three of them can come directly to the county government to report for duty."

Xiao He bowed in agreement and turned to leave to carry out his duties.

Song Ye was the only one left in the courtroom. She looked down at the empty register and silently recited three names in her heart: Fan Kuai, Lu Wan, and Zhou Bo.

What she had been waiting for was this kind of recommendation that came naturally.

There's no need to deliberately recommend or forcefully recruit; the more natural and effortless it is, the less likely it is to arouse suspicion.

Once the timing is right, others will naturally place the pieces into the game for her.

When Fan Kuai heard the news, he was sharpening his knife in the back room of the butcher shop.

He had never been particularly interested in official duties, but this time Xiao He personally came to deliver a message and solemnly recommended him.

The man was stunned for a moment, then without saying a word, he put down his butcher's knife, closed his stall, and went straight to the county government.

Lu Wan was stopped by Cao Can while wandering the streets.

Cao Shen's face was solemn, and he only said one sentence: "Come back to the office with me, there are tasks to be assigned."

Without offering any further explanation, Lu Wan, though puzzled, obediently followed along, registering and obtaining his official robes.

It wasn't until evening, when he squatted by the wall and looked down at his neat, dark gray official uniform, that he belatedly began to savor the feeling.

"Huh? How did I become a minor official?"

Among them, Zhou Bo was the most decisive and efficient.

Upon hearing that the county government was recruiting servants to maintain stability, he packed his belongings and went to the office without asking any questions or hesitating. He filled out the forms, received his uniform, and completed the formalities before telling his wife about it when he returned home.

The next day, at the entrance of Fengxiang Lane.

Liu Ji carried a jug of cheap wine, intending to find a friend to drink and chat with.

But as soon as he reached the alley entrance, he spotted a tall and imposing figure standing next to the meat stall. Dressed in a neat and tidy gray official uniform, he recognized Fan Kuai, a man he knew all too well.

Upon seeing this, Liu Ji rubbed his eyes, walked closer, and confirmed that it was indeed Fan Kuai.

"What are you wearing?" Liu Ji's voice was a little unsteady.

Fan Kuai glanced down at his clothes: "These are the official robes issued by the county government."

Why did I send it to you?

"Because I'm now a member of the county government!" Fan Kuai slammed his knife on the chopping board. "Liu Ji, watch your mouth."

Liu Ji stood there, stunned, his mind racing, still not having recovered.

After walking a while, I bumped into Lu Wan again at the corner of the alley.

My childhood friend Lu Wan, now dressed in official robes, was squatting against the wall counting the names on the roster.

Liu Ji swallowed hard, his voice a little weak: "You went too?"

"Um."

"Who else?"

"Zhou Bo also went."

Liu Ji remained silent for three seconds, as if unable to find a more reasonable explanation, before finally blurting out, "You three...did you bribe Lord Song? Otherwise, why were you chosen?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the three of them turned to look at him at the same time.

"???"

Fan Kuai walked out from behind the meat stall, still holding a knife in his hand, the blade gleaming.

Lu Wan stood up from the wall, her face looking rather pale.

Zhou Bo happened to be walking over from the other end, carrying a roll of rosters, and stopped to look at him. The three men surrounded Liu Ji in the middle of the street, their eyes like three knives, each one piercing to the bone.

Lu Wan: "Who are you calling a briber?"

Fan Kuai: "Say that again?"

Zhou Bo: "Liu Ji, we don't care what you say at other times, but you need to make yourself clear today. We were recruited because the county government needs manpower. This is a legitimate job for the county government, not something anyone can get in through connections."

"Moreover, if your words get out, it will not be good for Lord Song's reputation."

"Exactly! Don't tarnish Lord Song's reputation!"

"The three of us got these jobs based on our own abilities! If you don't believe me, go ask Xiao He."

Liu Ji: "..."

That's some god-level strength. Don't think I don't know what kind of people you are.

Furthermore, is Lord Song planning to take all his good brothers away, leaving none behind?!

I always feel a little empty, but I can't quite put my finger on why.