Chapter 488: Work-for-Relief
Shen Yueyao looked at the people working at the dock. They all looked skinny.
Shen Yueyao's expression changed.
The land at Hezhou Wharf should be very cheap nowadays, and the shop prices should also be cheap.
She plans to buy it and rebuild it.
In this way, we can hire local people to do the work and pay them all.
When everyone has wages and can spend money, it can stimulate the local economy.
It can be developed little by little.
So we need to build buildings and roads.
Shen Yueyao already had some ideas in her mind.
Su Xueyi concentrated and said, "Let's go ashore to the prefect's house first."
Since he came to the local area to serve as the prefect, he naturally had to live in the prefect's residence.
As soon as they came ashore, they attracted a lot of attention.
There are very few such good ships coming to the Hezhou Wharf, not to mention Su Xueyi, Shen Yueyao and the others. It seems that their dress and temperament are not like those of ordinary people at all.
Su Xueyi already knew the map of Hezhou. It was a long way to walk from the dock to the prefect's residence.
At least you have to take a carriage.
"Let's buy a carriage from the carriage shop first."
Shen Yueyao nodded and said, "Well, there should be a carriage and horse shop at the dock. Let's go over and take a look."
As they spoke, Su Xueyi, Shen Yueyao and their group walked all the way to the carriage and horse shop.
There are a few shops open at the pier, but they don't have many customers.
When the manager of the carriage and horse company saw Shen Yueyao and her group, he excitedly stepped forward and said, "Young Master and Madam, are you going to rent a car or buy one?"
The manager was enthusiastic but humble, and his voice trembled when he was excited.
Su Xueyi asked, "Is there a carriage here?"
"Yes, yes, there is a carriage. Sir, come and see it."
The manager nodded quickly in response and respectfully led Su Xueyi and the others towards the backyard.
There are several horses, cows, donkeys and mules in the backyard.
There is a cart next to it, you can just hitch the horse and use it.
"Guests can choose for themselves. We have horses and cows here..."
Su Xueyi took a look and asked, "How much are these two horses?"
The steward hesitated for a moment and said, "Fifty taels of silver for a horse."
When Shen Yueyao heard the price, she was also stunned. A horse would cost at least one or two hundred taels of silver.
There is actually fifty taels of silver here.
When did prices in Hezhou become so cheap?
However, Shen Yueyao also understood that everything was determined by the market.
Since no one buys carriages, the price of carriages will naturally be cheaper.
The manager looked at Su Xueyi and her group in silence, and saw their expressions change. He wondered if the price he asked for was too high?
"If you think it's expensive, we can make it a little cheaper."
His carriage and horse business was also somewhat unable to continue, but raising cows, donkeys and mules was still okay.
Raising a horse requires expensive feed, and buying feed for the horse every month is a considerable expense. He also wants to get rid of the horse as soon as possible.
Besides, many people fled Hezhou to escape famine and sold their horses, so the price he paid for the horses was very low.
Seeing that the group of people were well-dressed and obviously from a wealthy family, I thought that fifty taels of silver should be enough for a horse, right?
I didn't expect them to be silent.
So the manager was also anxious.
In the past, when there was no flood in Hezhou, a horse would cost at least one hundred taels of silver.
And it's a good horse.
Seeing the shabby clothes worn by the steward, Shen Yueyao's expression changed and she said, "It's okay. One hundred taels of silver will buy two horses, but can you give us a carriage as a gift?"
The manager's eyes widened with excitement, somewhat unable to believe it.
Seeing the serious look on the young lady's face, I knew she was serious.
He hurriedly said tremblingly: "No problem, the carriage is a gift, a gift..."
He started stuttering when he was excited.
He didn't expect to sell two horses at once for a hundred taels of silver.
He doesn't have to deal with the carriages and horses during this period. With one hundred taels of silver, he can hold on for a while.
At least I can have enough to eat during this time.
Woo woo, he almost couldn't help crying.
This young master's wife is such a good person.
Shen Yueyao took out a hundred taels of silver and said, "This is the silver note."
The manager saw the banknotes and said with some embarrassment, "To be honest, Madam, it's not easy to exchange silver at the banks in Hezhou. Do you have any cash?"
Shen Yueyao's expression changed and she said, "Shitong Bank has banks in various places, so it should be much more convenient to withdraw banknotes."
The manager said carefully, "To be honest, sir, when the crisis hit Hezhou, everyone wanted to exchange their banknotes for silver to escape the famine. However, the bank kept saying they had something to worry about and wouldn't exchange money. Some people couldn't exchange their money and started causing trouble in front of the bank. Eventually, the bank closed down. So now everyone only accepts silver, silver leaves, or copper coins, or they pay with things. They don't trust banknotes anymore."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yueyao and Su Xueyi looked at each other in surprise.
Unexpectedly, people in Hezhou no longer even trusted money houses.
Once people no longer trust the money houses, the money houses of the entire Great Yan Dynasty will be affected.
It’s just that some news has not been spread. If it had been spread, it would definitely have an impact.
If there were money houses, it would actually be much more convenient for everyone to use silver notes.
Shi Tong Money House also has a store in Yunzhou.
However, the money in the bank will indeed be lent out.
When something happened in Hezhou, everyone went to exchange silver, which also caused a certain impact on the money houses.
Shen Yueyao understood that the silver deposits in money houses were generally not large. Some of the silver would be transported to the head office, and some would be used for external investment and business.
The expressions of Shen Yueyao and Su Xueyi became solemn.
Even Su Ruoyun realized what the credit of the silver shop represented.
But she didn't say anything.
Shen Yueyao took out another big bag, filled it with one hundred taels of silver and handed it to the steward.
"This is silver, take a look."
The steward was very excited when he saw the 100 taels of silver. "Thank you, ma'am. No problem."
The steward quickly helped to select two of the best carriages, harnessed them, and gave them to Su Xueyi, saying, "Sir, the carriages are ready."
Su Xueyi invited them all to get on the carriage.
The group took two carriages and headed towards the prefect's residence.
Su Xueyi, Shen Yueyao, Dabao, Erbao and Su Ruoyun rode in a carriage.
Outside, the secret guard Su Ying was driving the carriage.
In another carriage sat two maids and four secret guards, and the servant Lusong was driving the carriage.
On the way, Shen Yueyao lifted the carriage curtain and looked around and said, "This should be the market place, but there are only a few scattered stalls and not many people shopping."
I feel that the scene here cannot even compare to the former Liuhe Village.
Su Xueyi said: "Many people have left their homes and left Hezhou."
"However, Hezhou has funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue, which can be used to build embankments and city walls. We can hire people to do the work and pay them. With work and wages, everyone can gradually make a living."
"If we take some more measures, the refugees who have fled famine will gradually return."
Su Xueyi also had a preliminary plan in mind.
Shen Yueyao understood that Su Xueyi's method was to provide work-for-relief.
Shen Yueyao said, "I'll see about buying some farms. Although it's the end of August and autumn is approaching, we can still grow potatoes and sweet potatoes."
“You can also grow some vegetables.”
The climate in Hezhou is much warmer than that in Yunzhou in the north, which is suitable for growing some vegetables.
"When spring comes, we can plant more crops."
"If there's food to eat and the sand can be used, many people will come back and cultivate the land again."
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