Chapter 358 Thriving
Manager Ma turned around and told Zhu Mingqing about this: "If Madam doesn't want to reveal her identity, it's best for her to avoid visiting Shili Mountain!"
Zhu Mingqing couldn't help but laugh. It was true, the feeling of being cared for by others was getting more and more like this. It was warm, yet a little overwhelming.
She changed the subject directly: "How is the construction of Shili Mountain going?"
"The houses have been built. There are a total of one hundred rooms. Although simple, they are enough to accommodate more than three hundred people." Manager Ma reported on the progress of the past few days. "Thirty acres of wasteland have been planted with sweet potatoes. The government has exempted them from taxes for the first three years, so life can be considered bearable."
Now, among the more than 300 people, there are more than 200 strong laborers. These 200 people are divided into two groups. One group continues to reclaim wasteland, and the other group begins to clear Shili Mountain according to Zhu Mingqing's plan.
There are definitely enough people, after all, there are still a steady stream of refugees guarding the city gate.
The Ming family would send people to distribute porridge at the gate every day, but when they would be let in depended on the progress here.
Otherwise, there will be too many people at once and it will be difficult to manage!
"Wait three more days. If there's no unusual movement, tell Wang Qin to release him!"
"Hey!" Manager Ma's face was excited.
After all, he was just a manager of a farm in the past. He was usually criticized by Manager Chao when he did things, and he was also under pressure from Mrs. Chen Nong, which made it very inconvenient for him to do his work.
Now his master has transferred him to take care of these refugees. Although there is a prefect's son next to him, he knows his own limitations and sometimes asks him for advice.
This kind of psychological satisfaction made Manager Ma feel like he had a second spring, and he was full of energy and vigor every day.
That day, Manager Chao returned to the farm from the city and happened to see Manager Ma taking the sweet potato seeds and preparing to leave.
The two of them collided head-on.
"Hey, isn't that Old Ma? Why is it getting darker?" Manager Chao dismounted, walked up to him, and raised an eyebrow. "Are you having trouble eating or sleeping out there? Those refugees are hard to take care of, aren't they? Do you want me to plead with the master on your behalf and have you released?"
Manager Ma saw that he looked superior and spat at him.
The spit splashed on his face, making Manager Chao fall backwards in anger.
"Old Ma, I'm helping you out of kindness. If you don't appreciate it, that's fine, but why are you still insulting me?"
In fact, Manager Chao did not do anything bad, but every time he saw Manager Ma, he couldn't help but say a few sarcastic words.
Manager Ma was too lazy to pay attention to him, which led to Manager Chao thinking that he was afraid. He felt uncomfortable if he didn't make some sarcastic remarks every time they met!
If Manager Ma were to say, Old Chao is mentally ill!
"Get out of the way. You've delayed the master's plan. Don't blame me for not reminding you!" Manager Ma snorted!
Manager Chao was also jealous of his master's increasing respect for him recently, and he felt uncomfortable. "I wasn't raised to be scared. How about I speak up for you?"
Manager Ma glanced at him, then suddenly sighed, stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "Old Chao, you don't understand my ambition at all!"
Manager Chao was stunned by what he said, and even after watching the man walk away, he was still confused.
ambition?
How can you, a steward in your fifties, become the emperor's steward?!
When thinking about this meeting again many years later, Manager Chao couldn't help but feel regretful. Why didn't he just follow her?
In the days that followed, Zhu Mingqing built more and more houses, and under the control of Prefect Wang, batches of refugees poured into Shili Mountain.
Because the preliminary work was done well, whenever someone caused trouble, Wang Qin, who was standing by, would order his men to lock them up.
Some conflicts were resolved among the refugees before they even became a problem.
In summary, everything is going in an orderly manner.
Because of Guancheng's recent actions, its good reputation continues to spread, and other towns suspect that there is someone behind the Guancheng prefect. Otherwise, why would you be the only one who stands out in this situation?
"Why!"
Magistrate Wang sighed again, and Mrs. Wang almost exploded after hearing this.
She turned around and shouted, "Can you please be quiet for a moment?"
Magistrate Wang looked distressed: "Madam, you don't know this, but if this continues, I, your husband, will become the envy of others!"
Mrs. Wang couldn't help but roll her eyes and look at this person. He was worried when no one cared about him, and now he is still worried even though someone is helping him.
"You can show off all you want, but if you show off too much, be careful or someone will plot against you!"
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Wang immediately sat up straight, his head held high and his chest puffed out. "Come on, I'm not afraid. What conspiracy? Could it be that my contribution to pacifying the refugees is fake?"
"I don't want to talk to you!" Madam Wang glanced at him. "Didn't you just say you had something to do? Why haven't you left yet?"
Magistrate Wang immediately lazily lay down in the rocking chair again, fanning himself with a folding fan: "Madam, please let me go. I haven't had a good sleep for three days. I finally have some free time, but you are urging me to go out!"
"Hey!" I said you were fat and you were out of breath!
Mrs. Wang picked up an apple from the table and threw it over. "Who asked me to remind him just now?"
Magistrate Wang begged for mercy: "There's no rush, take your time!"
Madam Wang snorted, "Then you can just waste your time sleeping in broad daylight. I have things to do!"
Magistrate Wang was puzzled: "What do you want?"
Madam Wang said proudly, "You're only allowed to have your own career, but I'm not allowed to take the lead? Sister Zhu invited me to visit the children at the school!"
It is said that it can play a leading role. On the one hand, it can encourage the people to send their children to school. On the other hand, it can also bring positive influence to the government and himself.
Mrs. Wang knew that she didn't know much, but she listened to advice.
And that’s Sister Zhu, a remarkable woman who has built her own career since coming to Guancheng!
She had always admired and envied the other party, and now she was invited to join. If she did well, she might even be awarded the title of honorary teacher.
Mrs. Wang never thought that she could achieve such an achievement in her lifetime.
Magistrate Wang really didn't know about this. The academy only heard Zhu Mingqing talk about it for a few minutes and then sent his subordinates to contact the other party.
Although the current school is nominally called an official school, the actual person in charge is the old teacher invited by Zhu Mingqing.
Girls appear in the school and live with boys. This situation is almost impossible to see in other towns, but it is very common in Guancheng.
Since the opening of Luo Family Academy, students have been ranked according to their academic performance every month. As time goes by, the proportion of girls in the top ten has reached as high as 80%.
Zhu Mingqing was also generous. In addition to a reward of 500 coins for each person, the top three could also receive additional rewards.
Such as free meal coupons at Huaxianglou, several roast ducks, ten kilograms of rice, gorgeous clothes and accessories, etc.
This greatly motivated the children to study.
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