Chapter 230: Feint to the East and Attack in the West

Besides basic industries like food and clothing, Cheng Weiyao also wanted to invest in some cultural or entertainment industries. With the world's financial resources now largely concentrated in the hands of wealthy businessmen and officials, the best way to make money was to cater to their interests.

"Although the people have their own strengths, not everyone has the talent to be a consul." Wen Chengyun pondered for a moment, and although he expressed his approval, he also expressed his concerns.

They were now cooperating with the various prefecture and county governments to open warehouses and distribute grain along the way, and they would not stay in any place for too long. Buying a shop or restaurant was a matter of minutes, but running a proper business was not so easy.

"Old people can help new people, so let experienced old people lead young people to run the business together."

Su Miao had already considered this issue when he proposed this idea. Due to age and the famine, many shops were laying off employees. Even if young people were hired, they would make frequent mistakes due to their lack of experience.

If laid-off skilled workers are given new jobs, not only will they be able to obtain food and meet their basic needs, but most importantly, it will significantly increase the employment rate of young people.

As for other ordinary people who do not have any special talents, as long as the industry stabilizes and there are more jobs, they can always find a place that suits them, from waiting tables to cleaning.

Wen Chengyun pursed his lips thoughtfully. Cheng Weiyao's point of view was bold and novel to him, but it was also a good idea.

Each prefecture and county government office had a different focus: some prioritized food, others focused on clothing, and still others on poetry. Based on local customs, Cheng Weiyao and Wen Chengyun discussed and made slight adjustments.

After the plan was drawn up, it was time for implementation. Wu Qi had a good understanding of all the major brokerages and banks, so he was left to sort out the site selection. Cheng Weiyao, on the other hand, began selecting unemployed refugees.

At the relief point, some yamen runners were distributing porridge. Seeing Cheng Weiyao approach, they instinctively wanted to greet her. Cheng Weiyao, however, gave them a shushing look and then took over the runner's position, distributing the porridge.

"Girl, can you please give me more? My mother is at home and can't walk anymore, so I can't come and queue..."

Because of hunger, the people looked very bad. After Cheng Weiyao took the initiative to join the porridge distribution team, she observed the characteristics of each person while serving porridge to each person.

The smooth-talking ones became waiters, the smart ones became apprentices to the old accountant, and the honest ones did purchasing... After one afternoon, she had basically finalized the first wave of candidates.

At this time, the replaced yamen runner had returned from the yamen with the written notices, and the posted notices were posted around the relief point.

The people, fearing that the relief would be cut off, swarmed around, but they did not expect the job recruitment notice.

"Is it reliable? I heard from our ancestors that people can even eat each other when they are extremely hungry. Could they be human traffickers?"

"What are you talking about, you little brat? Don't you see the official seal on it? He just has a lot of money and wants to build some property, so what? Aren't we the ones who benefit from it?"

The people immediately started to chatter about it. To the local people, everyone in the Prince of Qingping's mansion was a stranger. With the appearance of this family, not only did the government begin to provide aid, but at this critical moment, they even opened a shop and bought property, which showed their extraordinary financial resources.

The age range is also very interesting. There are not many restrictions on young and old, male or female. This gives hope to many elderly people who have been forced to be laid off. When the first round of applications came, the number of people far exceeded Cheng Weiyao's imagination.

"Register your household registration information here. You can cook, draw, sew...anything you're good at."

Wu Qi sat at the entrance, registering each applicant's information. This round primarily screened out those at the management level, so talent and character were the primary considerations. As for those who didn't make it through the first round, finding a job at the grassroots level shouldn't be a problem.

Cheng Weiyao was responsible for finalizing the selection process, using a more modern workplace format: a self-introduction followed by a question-based test. For those with social anxiety, she used a talent demonstration followed by a written and pen-based test.

Two days later, the town was bustling with activity. Clothing shops, a food street, and art studios all opened for business, and dragon and lion dances injected life into the long-dormant streets.

Seeing that there was hope in life again, smiles appeared on the faces of the onlookers.

After all, the imperial concubine and the concubine were already quite old, and it would not be worth it for them to bump into each other in the huge crowd. In addition, they had to serve porridge while traveling on the Tianzhou horse. Therefore, they stood in the inn's room, looked at the hustle and bustle below, and then took a rest.

Wen Liyu and Cheng Weiyao brought their youngest, Wen Chengming, out to watch the fun.

"Sister-in-law, sister, look, this old man's craftsmanship is really amazing! It's sugar painting!"

Wen Chengming, holding one in each hand, quickly stopped in front of an old man selling sugar paintings. The old man's hands sculpted golden malt sugar into a variety of shapes, lifelike birds and beasts, and auspicious flowers and fruits that shimmered and moved. Whether flat or three-dimensional, he created them effortlessly.

"Would you like to try it? This is an old craft."

There was a hint of smile in Cheng Weiyao's eyes. In modern times, you can still occasionally see such old sugar painters setting up stalls in the streets, but their number is decreasing, and finally they have become an intangible cultural heritage.

After all, with the ability to rely on modern high-tech, few people can calm down and study their skills.

"Great, old man, can you draw us? This is my sister, this is my sister-in-law, and you can draw me too, just one for each of us!"

Wen Chengming smiled and gave the copper coin first, while his eyes closely followed the old man's hand skills.

The old man who was painting sugar confidently put a spoonful of sugar in and finished it in one go while it was still hot. As strands of sugar fell, the images of three people soon appeared vividly in front of him.

Wen Chengming held up the finished sugar painting with a look of joy. The little portrait looked so vivid under the sunlight that he was reluctant to eat it for a moment.

Cheng Weiyao took the opportunity to invite the sugar painter: "Old man, would you consider joining our food street? And taking in a few apprentices?"

Sugar painting may seem cheap, but it actually draws on the characteristics of traditional shadow puppetry and carving techniques. Since it is not in modern times, Cheng Weiyao thought it would be better to save this neglected skill as much as possible.

Cheng Weiyao's family has long been famous. The old man who was painting sugar wrote a big word "good" with the sugar in his hands.

The reason why these stores chose to open on the same day was not only to create excitement and encouragement, but also to provide cover for Wen Chengyun.