Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1637: Chapter 1637: Recruited for Personal Use

”The manpower that can be transferred from the Commerce Association is limited. It’s said that most are not assigned to implement new measures,” Jianqi said.

Bai Ruozhu responded with a nod, but a flicker of light flashed in her eyes.

”I’m going to the Female Physicians Institution later; I’ll visit the Commerce Association afterward,” she said.

Jianqi frowned slightly, ”Is Master concerned that someone at the Commerce Association is deliberately not cooperating?”

”Let’s take a look first,” Bai Ruozhu replied.

In the afternoon, she went to the Female Physicians Institution and arranged some tasks for the female physicians. They didn’t show any abnormal behavior, but some Imperial Doctors from the Imperial Medical Hospital looked at her with curiosity and inquiry.

Upon leaving the Palace, Bai Ruozhu, accompanied by Jianqi, went to the Commerce Association, where the President, Han Weizhuang, was also present. She greeted Han Weizhuang.

”Ruozhu, you came at the right time. Your proposal for the large shopping mall is indeed excellent. Many businesses have moved in, though we’re unsure about the future customer flow,” Han Weizhuang greeted Bai Ruozhu with a smile as he approached. A steward not far behind him changed his expression and looked at Bai Ruozhu more intently, reflecting a newfound respect.

”It will depend on the operation afterward; having a dedicated person in charge would be best,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Han Weizhuang showed a surprised look, ”Operation?”

”It’s about managing and running, like organizing large promotional events periodically, distributing flyers on the street to attract customers, to make more people aware of such a large mall,” Bai Ruozhu explained.

Han Weizhuang laughed, ”Young people like you are full of ideas; you’re the most familiar with this matter, so it’s better for you to take charge. However, such a big project is not solely decided by me; I’ll discuss it with a few elders first, but I don’t think anyone will oppose it.”

Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth, wanting to decline. She wasn’t someone with idle time, and taking on this matter would make her even busier. But after thinking it over, she closed her mouth. Originally, she apprenticed under Lin Zhenghui and received many dark guards and stewards from him, inheriting his position in the Commerce Association to ensure the safety and interests of those below her. If she refused such a good opportunity to gain a foothold in the Commerce Association, even if Lin Zhenghui had no objections, she would feel she was letting her mentor down.

”I will do my utmost not to let the President down,” Bai Ruozhu said with a salute.

”Good, good, young people should have this vigor—excellent, excellent,” Han Weizhuang nodded with a smile, clearly having great confidence in Bai Ruozhu.

Afterward, Han Weizhuang had other matters and left first, while Bai Ruozhu checked some materials at the Commerce Association. At this time, the steward who had been standing not far behind Han Weizhuang walked over.

”Lord Bai, I am Tie Tianyi, a steward at the general association,” the steward said, stepping forward to greet.

Bai Ruozhu respectfully returned the courtesy, ”I remember Steward Tie. During the meeting, Steward Tie supported my proposal—I haven’t had the chance to thank Steward Tie in person, my apologies.”

Tie Tianyi laughed, ”Lord Bai is too courteous. I wonder if Lord Bai can speak further?”

Bai Ruozhu discreetly sized up Tie Tianyi; for him to say this, there must be something confidential to discuss, right?

She nodded, ”Alright, Steward Tie, please go ahead.”

”I happened to receive some news related to Lord Bai, and I wanted to remind a few things,” Tie Tianyi said, lowering his voice significantly. ”I accidentally found out that recently Elder Wang Chengen and his disciple have mobilized personnel from the Commerce Association to do some questionable things.”

”Oh?” Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow.

”I can’t fully confirm the specifics, as there’s no evidence, but I usually despise such infighting—it’s harmless to have some competition, but going too far affects the interests of the Commerce Association,” Tie Tianyi continued.

Bai Ruozhu instantly understood his meaning; she clasped her fists towards him, ”Thank you for the reminder, Steward Tie. Otherwise, Ruozhu would still be clueless. Now the situation is much clearer.”

”Lord Bai is intelligent; you grasp it immediately. I hope to rely on Lord Bai more in the Commerce Association in the future,” Steward Tie bowed.

At his age, aspiring to become an elder was already impossible, and it was extremely difficult even to become a chief steward. His only advantage was being a steward at the general association in the Capital City, familiar with the situation here. But if he wanted to ensure better prospects, he needed to choose a side.

Previously, he favored Lin Zhenghui and Bai Ruozhu. On one hand, Lin Zhenghui held considerable status in the Commerce Association; on the other hand, Bai Ruozhu was smart, capable, and had official status—her husband and brother were both officials, providing substantial background.

Yet because Bai Ruozhu was a woman, he hesitated until he just saw Han Weizhuang’s attitude towards Bai Ruozhu. He finally made up his mind.

”That’s why, Steward Tie, if you have matters in the future, make sure to let me know and don’t hold back,” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

She didn’t want to involve herself too deeply, yet managed to acquire a capable assistant at the Commerce Association; although not a confidant, it was still beneficial.

Tie Tianyi felt relieved and smiled as he bid her farewell to attend to his tasks. Bai Ruozhu didn’t linger long at the Commerce Association and left with Jianqi to find Lin Zhenghui.

”Master, to think that Wang Chengen and Du Zhongshu could manipulate the Commerce Association’s resources like this—what background does Wang Chengen have?” Bai Ruozhu shared the content of her conversation with Tie Tianyi upon meeting Lin Zhenghui.

”Wang Chengen doesn’t have any particularly strong background, but I heard recently that he teamed up with Du Zhongshu to implement new policies and got a group of people in hand. He’s also adept at maneuvering, surely bribing many people privately,” Lin Zhenghui remarked.

Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes, ”Du Zhongshu must also play a significant role in this, and there must be someone behind the scenes helping him—is it the Liu Family or the Yang Family?”

”I’ll send people to investigate thoroughly. Fortunately, you were vigilant, or else being stabbed by our own people would make me the laughingstock among those old fellows,” Lin Zhenghui grumbled, referring to the other elders as ”old fellows.”

”It’s strange to me, as usually when asking the Commerce Association to investigate something, they’re fairly cooperative but not so perfunctory, and it’s rare for a large portion of personnel to be reallocated. Is someone intentionally preventing me from investigating this matter?” Bai Ruozhu remarked with a cold chuckle, ”I underestimated Du Zhongshu; before I even dealt with him, he’s causing me trouble.”

Lin Zhenghui’s face darkened, ”You want to deal with him, yet aren’t sure how? He wasn’t your opponent before, and he can’t stir up trouble now.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”You have too much confidence in me, Master.”

”Absolutely, why else would you be my disciple?” Lin Zhenghui boasted proudly.