On the first day, the number of applicants exceeded two thousand. After excluding those who did not meet the age or physical condition requirements, there were still one thousand five hundred people left.
Afraid they might not be able to register the next day, many would rather spend the night there than leave.
Lanxi and Qingshuang returned to the government office and handed the roster to Song Jinzhao for review.
"Today, a total of one thousand five hundred and thirty-one people registered, including three hundred and twenty-one women."
Song Jinzhao roughly flipped through the household registrations of these people. They came from both the inner and outer city, and about half were from nearby villages.
"Arrange the women for the day shift. If there are parents, brothers, or husbands signing up together, try to assign them to the same factory whenever possible."
Understanding the deeper intent, Qingshuang immediately nodded in agreement. "I understand, ma'am."
Working in a place mostly occupied by men, staying with family would help avoid a lot of gossip and rumors.
The next day, Song Anhao dragged Song Jinzhao to the restaurant to meet Liu Ziyuan.
Only a day had passed, and his mood was noticeably better than before.
In the carriage, Song Anhao smiled as she shared an update with Song Jinzhao.
"I asked Manager Lou to reprint the flyers and hand them out in front of academies and private schools. Yesterday combined with this morning, we sold seventy-one copies. The situation is much better than before."
Song Jinzhao nodded in satisfaction.
"If it's effective, keep it up. Are you planning to ship the books to Songzhou City for sale anytime soon? Do you need your elder sister's help?"
Song Anhao shook her head in refusal.
"No need for now. Manager Lou knows quite a few bookstore owners in Songzhou City, so he'll go there in person tomorrow."
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the restaurant. The waiter, wearing a white cloth towel, lit up the moment he saw Song Anhao step off the carriage.
He hurried over to greet her, grinning so wide his mouth nearly reached his ears.
"We just got a few pounds of live shrimp in the back kitchen today. We've been waiting for you, Second Young Master Song!"
Song Anhao asked him, "Has Young Master Liu arrived yet?"
But when his gaze swept over Song Jinzhao emerging from the carriage, the waiter began to stammer.
"He arrived a quarter of an hour ago. He's in the private room on the second floor."
"Greetings to County Princess Linghui."
"No need for formalities." Song Jinzhao smoothed down her skirt and glanced at him lightly.
Led up to the second floor, the waiter pushed open the door to the private room. Inside, Liu Ziyuan quickly stood up and greeted Song Anhao.
"Second Young Master Song."
Song Anhao stepped aside with a smile and said, "My elder sister wants to meet you."
Realizing who the newcomer was, Liu Ziyuan's heartbeat began to race.
"Your humble servant Liu Ziyuan greets County Princess Linghui."
Song Jinzhao said, "No need for formalities. Let's all sit down."
The three of them took their seats. Song Anhao looked up and ordered the waiter, "Bring a serving of that fresh shrimp you mentioned, plus a few of the signature dishes."
Liu Ziyuan, feeling uneasy under Song Jinzhao's steady gaze, found it hard to sit still. Even the pain in his right foot, where he was missing some toes, began to throb faintly.
Sensing the awkward silence, Song Anhao gestured toward Liu Ziyuan.
"Quick, show my elder sister your copy of The Cry for Justice II. She said your writing is excellent."
Knowing that County Princess Linghui was pleased with him, Liu Ziyuan's anxious heart settled slightly.
He fumbled for the book on the stool beside him and gently placed it in front of Song Jinzhao.
The pages were bound together with rough white thread, a very crude method.
"My humble work, written in my spare time. It is my honor that the County Princess would deign to look upon it."
Song Jinzhao picked up the book, turning over the first page with a light smile as she praised Liu Ziyuan.
"Young Master Liu, you need not be overly modest. A work so logically rigorous and captivating can hardly be called a humble effort."
Unable to wait any longer for Song Jinzhao to finish, Song Anhao slid her seat closer to the neighboring chair and craned her neck to read along with her.
The second installment retained the style of the first, but the narrative had become more polished, showing that Liu Ziyuan's storytelling skills had improved.
