Chapter 301: The population of Guancheng increases
Just when the He family felt that the future was bright, the sugar factory in Guancheng was also expanding.
Because Dazhu had successfully persuaded Dacheng to give up evil and join the good, he was selected to study in the literacy group of the sugar factory.
A total of twenty people were selected from one thousand employees, all of whom have been loyal to the sugar factory since its establishment.
Dazhu also cherishes this learning opportunity. After all, I heard that the current group leader was selected from the literacy group.
Dazhu felt that this was an opportunity, so he paid close attention to Xiaozhu's studies. Every time he came back from the literacy group, he would teach Xiaozhu every word without missing a single word.
The brothers' lives at the sugar factory were getting better and better. One day, someone suddenly went to the sugarcane clearing workshop and shouted, "Dazhu, someone's looking for you!"
Dazhu followed him to the outside of the sugar factory. There was no one in front of him. When he was puzzled, he suddenly saw Uncle Qi huddled beside him!
"Dazhu, it's really you!" Uncle Qi quickly stood up and ran over.
Dazhu didn't expect to see Uncle Qi here, and he had a bad feeling in his heart.
"Dazhu, Uncle Qi is so sorry!" Uncle Qi burst into tears. "Those villagers died on the way!"
Even though Dazhu didn't like the villagers abandoning him and Xiaozhu, the villagers he had lived with for many years suddenly died.
Anyone would feel very disappointed.
"What about you, Uncle Qi? Why are you still..." He swallowed the word "alive" back into his mouth and asked again, "How many villagers are still alive now?"
Uncle Qi burst into tears, crying miserably: "Ten people..."
Even though he was mentally prepared, Dazhu couldn't help but feel his eyes ache. "Where do you live now?"
Uncle Qi was not wearing thick clothes and had been waiting outside for a long time. At this moment, a gust of cold wind blew and he couldn't help sneezing.
"We heard that Guancheng is specifically helping refugees like us, so we came back."
Dazhu didn't ask any further questions. Now that his and Xiaozhu's lives had just improved, they couldn't help each other in any way.
But he still took out his only half-month salary: "Seventh Uncle, take this money back and buy clothes for the villagers. At least they can get through the winter safely. When spring comes, you can open up two acres of wasteland and settle down in Guancheng!"
Uncle Qi's face flushed: "No...I can't have it!"
Dazhu directly stuffed the money into the other party's hand: "Take it first, it's not too late to return it to me when you have the chance!"
Uncle Qi's eyes were red: "I don't know you and Xiao Zhu!"
If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have taken the villagers away!
Now I have no face to live anymore.
If Dazhu had met Uncle Qi a month ago, he might have been indignant.
But it was precisely because the other party left that Xiaozhu and I have a stable life now and can even learn to read and study!
Furthermore, Uncle Qi also brought himself and Xiao Zhu safely to Guancheng.
What happened in the past has already happened, so why bother dwelling on it?
"Uncle Qi, I still have work to do, so I won't keep you here any longer," said Dazhu.
Uncle Qi nodded quickly, turned around and walked a few steps, then turned his head to look over again, his expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Seventh Uncle, is there anything else?"
Uncle Qi quickly shook his head: "No...it's okay!"
I heard that there is a severe shortage of jobs in the sugar factory right now, so he spoke rashly, which made Dazhu feel embarrassed.
"Take Xiaozhu to work well!" he instructed.
After watching Uncle Qi walk away, Dazhu wanted to go back to the factory to continue working, but after thinking about it, he followed him.
Inside the Guancheng Relief Center.
Many refugees gathered here, some children were lying in their parents' arms, and there was a fire lit in the room. Even if it was not warm, at least there was a place to shelter from the wind and snow.
The prefect of Guancheng also organized a porridge distribution for wealthy households.
Life is still manageable.
Dacheng found the manager here and asked about the situation of the relief center during this period.
Perhaps the news that the city was taking in refugees had spread, and many people arrived every day.
There are nearly 200 people in the relief center now.
"I heard that the government has planned a destination for these people. I wonder if the person in charge knows it?" asked Dazhu.
The director of the relief center glanced at him and said, "You're quite well-informed!"
Dacheng chuckled and said, "Sir, I am a commoner working at the Ming Family Sugar Factory. I have relatives from the same hometown here, so I wanted to find out more."
The manager said directly: "There will be news in two days. I don't know now! But we can't keep these people for nothing forever. The government's money doesn't just come from the wind."
Dazhu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, you are right!"
As long as he knew there was hope, he felt relieved.
Otherwise, he and Xiaozhu would live safely in the sugar factory, while these relatives would suffer outside, which would make him feel bad.
In the following days, the number of refugees in Guancheng increased day by day.
Regarding this matter, Prefect Wang has contacted Zhu Mingqing many times.
It was finally decided to mark out an area three miles outside the outskirts of Guancheng and build houses.
If they wanted to stay in Guancheng, the houses could be lent to them for free for three years, but after three years each household would need to pay an indefinite amount of silver depending on the size of the house.
At the same time, you can also reclaim wasteland, and the government will provide grain seeds for the reclaimed land, and no taxes will be collected within three years!
As soon as the news came out, all the refugees in the relief center rushed out and immediately inquired about the authenticity of the news.
Later I learned that the sugar factory would expand and the cotton factory would recruit workers. After some discussion, I decided not to leave.
Half a month passed.
Magistrate Wang looked at the census booklet in his hand, frowned slightly, and sighed deeply.
"Madam Zhu, this person has been left behind. The population has now reached 5,000! How to feed these people in the future will depend heavily on you!"
Zhu Mingqing smiled faintly: "Don't worry, Prefect Wang, I will never go back on my word!"
Magistrate Wang also said, "I have already negotiated with several surrounding towns about the sugar business. Madam's business will surely reach new heights!"
Zhu Mingqing showed a gentle smile on his face, and left some rare toys before taking his people away!
When Mrs. Wang came in, she saw her master sighing and playing with a walnut jade carving in his hand.
"What's going on?" Shouldn't I have a pleasant conversation with Sister Zhu? Now that the population of Guancheng has increased and the income is gradually increasing, according to Sister Zhu, the only way is to stimulate consumption and let gold and silver circulate.
Guancheng will soon be transformed!
Every time Mrs. Wang heard the other party describe the future appearance of Guancheng, she couldn't help but feel extremely excited!
Magistrate Wang said quietly, "We are completely in the same boat with the Luo family!"
Mrs. Wang glanced at him and said, "Why, don't you think about how you got your current position?"
Magistrate Wang immediately apologized: "I know, this is because they are worried that if something happens to the Luo family again, mother, you, and the child will be implicated."
Madam Wang pinched the delicate flesh on his arm and said, "You underestimate me!"
Magistrate Wang cried out in pain, "Yes, yes, yes! I won't mention it again, is that okay?"
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