Chapter 262: Yun'an County builds roads and walls, Ning Yuanchen visits Xiao Ying
"With cement, we can replace sticky rice and stop competing with the people for food."
"With cement, we can build the city walls of Yun'an County higher and thicker, better protecting our people."
"With cement, we can build wider and smoother roads, and even repair and build houses, so that people can live a better life."
“That’s why cement is so important, and everyone who produces it is equally important.”
"I have decided that all workers in the cement workshop, regardless of gender, will be paid one tael of silver per month."
"The workshop provides free accommodation, and the cafeteria provides three meals a day. Although it's not free, the price is very cheap."
"If you work one month, you can rest for two months, so you can work four months a year."
"This way, we can make money without delaying farming, and it can benefit more families."
"Hereby, I declare: The cement workshop officially opens today!"
There was no passionate talk, Ning Yuanze just told the truth, but it made everyone excited and happy.
They never expected that the wages for working here would be so high, one or two taels of silver a month!
In other places, they used to be considered very lucky if they could earn six or seven hundred coins a month.
They also provide free accommodation, so you don’t have to sleep in a tent and worry about freezing to death.
The canteen also provides three meals a day. Not to mention fleeing famine, I wouldn’t have dared to be so extravagant even at home.
I don't know how much a meal costs. The county magistrate said it's very cheap, I hope it's really cheap.
Otherwise, they can eat two meals a day.
In this way, they could earn an extra four taels of silver in a year, which was more than what they earned before fleeing the famine, and they basically didn't have to worry about the family going hungry.
The more they thought about it, the happier and more excited they became, and they couldn't wait to go to work.
Of course, some people were not very satisfied. If they could continue working, wouldn't they earn twelve taels of silver a year? They really didn't want to share the benefits with others.
Ning Yuanze, Xiao Ying and others noticed everyone's reactions, but did not interfere too much.
Next, the manager of the workshop was announced.
A minor official named Zhao Ke from the county government was appointed as the manager, and Fude, who was recommended by Xiao Ying, was appointed as the deputy manager.
In addition, deacons and deputy deacons were appointed for each link.
Wang Da Chong served as the deacon of the core link of cement firing, and Guan Peng, who was proficient in building kilns, served as the deputy deacon of the warehouse.
Xiao Junshu served as the deputy deacon of the raw material mining process, and Xiao Laosan served as the deputy captain of the guard team. However, the entire guard team of thirty people combined were no match for him.
In this way, Xiao Ying has planted five people on her side, and any abnormality in the cement workshop will not escape her eyes.
In addition to the wages from the workshop, she will also give these five people an extra share to ensure that they are more loyal.
After the deacons are assigned, the workers will be divided into groups.
The four hundred people were divided into several groups, each responsible for different tasks.
Before officially starting the work, they all signed and pledged not to disclose anything about the cement workshop.
Otherwise, they will be expelled at best and thrown into jail at worst as a deterrent.
This is the property of the county government. Unless these people are really stupid, I believe they would not dare to disclose it.
At the exact time of Si, the cement workshop was officially started, and hundreds of people began to work busily.
Xiao Ying and Ning Yuanze visited everywhere and saw that everyone got the hang of it quickly and worked enthusiastically. They were all very satisfied.
"At this rate, we should be able to start building the city wall tomorrow."
Ning Yuanze was satisfied. The workers to build the city wall had already been selected, also from the victims of the disaster. There were about four or five hundred people.
The rest of the family received money and food, and several plots of land were newly allocated to them so that they could build a village and settle down.
If more disaster victims arrive in the future, the number of people will continue to increase, and it would be best to have a thousand people.
He decided to first strengthen the city wall of Yun'an County, and then widen and raise it to at least ten meters, instead of only three or four meters now.
Ten meters is already considered very high, and the city wall of Shangjing is only twelve meters.
With this construction, Yun'an County is absolutely impregnable.
But the cost is not cheap. The city wall of Yun'an County is several miles long. Building the entire wall is no joke. They can only do this because the price of cement is cheap.
"There are still three months until the Lunar New Year, which means each disaster-stricken household can still earn three taels of silver. This year should be a good year."
Xiao Ying smiled and had to admit that the victims who fled to Yun'an County were lucky.
"I have to thank Lady Xiao for this."
Ning Yuanze was amazed. If it weren't for Mrs. Xiao offering cement and proposing such a good idea, he would at most have distributed some money and food.
"Your Excellency is too kind," Xiao Ying said politely, and then said, "By the way, I plan to build a school, a medical clinic, and a martial arts school in Chenjia Village. Construction started yesterday, and I'd like to inform you of this."
Ning Yuanze showed a little surprise: "It's a good thing that the lady has such a broad mind. I will definitely support her."
The establishment of these institutions had to be registered with the county government, and as a lady, Xiao Ying naturally had the qualifications.
"Thank you, County Magistrate." Xiao Ying was not surprised at all. "Chenjia Village is vast and sparsely populated. I think we can take in some disaster victims. That way, we'll have more manpower to build the academy, medical clinic, and martial arts hall."
"Mrs. Xiao is willing to accept more disaster victims. This official is more than happy to accept her. Just send someone to take as many as you need."
Ning Yuanze would love that. Asking the disaster victims to build a new village is a last resort. It would definitely be better if they could be integrated.
This was exactly what Xiao Ying wanted, as she really needed a lot of people.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Ying went back first, while Ning Yuanze stayed until the afternoon.
In just one day, the cement workshop's output reached 5,000 stones, and this was because the work started late.
If we start work at normal hours in the future, the output will definitely be higher, which makes Ning Yuanze very happy.
He would wait until tomorrow to build the city wall and see the effect. If the effect was good, he could start reporting it.
Early the next morning, Yun'an County began to reinforce the city wall.
Hundreds of people worked together, the work was huge, and coupled with the incentive of wages, everyone worked very hard.
Ning Yuanze stood on the city wall and watched, nodding from time to time.
Ning Yuanchen next to him was also amazed. This thing called cement was really amazing. It could solidify in such a short time. The effect was not inferior to glutinous rice mortar, but the price was much cheaper.
If this thing is promoted, it will definitely cause a sensation.
"This Xiao Ying is quite intelligent. Does she live in Chenjia Village? I'll go visit her."
Ning Yuanchen became more and more interested in Xiao Ying. It was the first time he had seen such an intelligent and courageous woman. She seemed different from those noble ladies in the capital who only focused on the harem.
"She lives in Chenjia Village. She's straightforward and doesn't like to beat around the bush. Third brother, please be mindful of your words and actions and don't be rude."
Ning Yuanze gave the instructions with some concern, fearing that Ning Yuanchen would offend the other party.
"Don't worry, I've met all kinds of people and I know how to make friends."
Ning Yuanchen rolled his eyes, immediately asked his followers to go down the city wall, and got on a carriage to Chenjia Village.
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