Chapter 476 Investigation of Guo Family Mine
Guojia Village.
It was located in Yunyang County (now Yunyang Town, Jingyang County, Shaanxi Province).
As the saying goes, "Those who live near mountains live off the mountains, and those who live near water live off the water."
Villages are typically situated at the foot of mountains or along rivers.
Large limestone deposits have been discovered in the mountain near Guojia Village.
"stop!"
"The mining rights to this mountain have been bought by the Ma family."
"Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach."
As soon as Wei Shuyu and his group arrived at the village entrance, they were stopped by several guards.
"Wang Fatan!"
Choi Shin-ki stepped forward and roared, "Open your dog eyes and see clearly who I am!"
The guard glanced at him.
Even the most foolish among them could tell whether someone was someone they could afford to offend simply by the opulence of their robes.
Not to mention that behind them, henchmen number one, two, and three were carrying weapons.
“Mining may involve dangers such as collapses.”
The guard's tone softened slightly: "Please leave!"
You won't listen to advice, huh?
Choi Shin-ki pulled out a brick.
Just as I was about to step forward and 'teach' the guard a lesson, my collar tightened...
Then, like a little chick, Wei Shuyu was tossed into the arms of henchman number one.
"Gentlemen, we are just curious about what a limestone mine is and would like to go in and take a look. We will definitely not cause you any trouble."
As he spoke, he took out a string of coins and stuffed it into the guard's hand.
"Just to take a look?"
The guard weighed the copper coin in his hand.
"Of course, stealing the ore won't do us any good."
Too.
Limestone is simply a type of rock.
Who would steal this thing?
"OK."
The guard called out, "Come with me."
"Remember, you are only allowed to look, and you are not allowed to move around without permission!"
The group successfully entered the mining area.
Wei Shuyu glanced around casually and saw that many laborers were carrying baskets and loading ore.
In the distance is an earthen kiln used for burning lime.
After limestone ore is calcined, it can be dissolved into lime by adding water.
There was also a group of men nearby.
They were hammering the ore with a large sledgehammer.
In ancient times, due to insufficient heat, large pieces of ore might not be fully heated, so they had to be broken into smaller pieces.
"How about it? Big scale, right?"
For the sake of the copper coins, the guard was in a good mood: "Let me tell you, this is the property of the Ma family in Yunyang County."
"It is indeed quite big."
Wei Shuyu nodded: "But I remember this was originally Guo Family Village, right?"
"They chased them away."
The guard sighed: "Their village is right at the foot of the mountain. They made a lot of fuss about mining, and the Ma family drove them away."
"Then these laborers aren't from Guojia Village?"
"That's for sure..."
The guard whispered furtively, "The people from Guo Family Village are asking for exorbitant prices."
"These outsiders don't want money."
Upon hearing this, Wei Shuyu's expression became even more somber.
"I remember the imperial court's policy of valuing commerce was mentioned..."
"Can local residents be exempted from some taxes?"
Upon hearing this, the guards all showed expressions of disdain.
"You just don't understand, do you?"
"Where there's a policy, there's a countermeasure."
"Giving money to these lackeys is not as good as giving it directly to the government."
"By establishing this relationship, we can also secure the tax-free benefits."
Then the guard paused and said, "By the way, why are you asking these questions?"
Wei Shuyu was furious.
But upon hearing the guard's words, he forced a smile and said, "My family is also thinking of getting into the lime business, so I came to scout it out."
"Then you'd better hurry, now is the most profitable time for lime." The guard nodded, without any further suspicion.
After learning that Wei Shuyu was also going to do lime business.
The guards treated the group even better.
Lime production is a large industry; you can't do it without considerable strength.
"They only provide meals every day?" Wei Shuyu asked again.
"right."
The guard nodded: "Two meals a day, since it's all hard work, you'll be full!"
Wei Shuyu's expression improved slightly.
But after a short while, his face darkened again.
Because the sounds of fighting and cursing came from afar...
A man dressed as a foreman was seen whipping a laborer.
The laborer lost his footing and fell to the ground.
"Can you do it? If you can't, get out!" the whip-wielding steward shouted sternly.
"Yes, yes, yes..."
The laborers carried the ore back into the baskets, and then laboriously carried the baskets on their backs.
Wei Shuyu's pupils suddenly contracted.
At first, he thought the marks on the laborers' bodies were from rubbing against the rocks.
Upon witnessing this scene, an immense surge of anger welled up within him.
This is the businessman I helped to support...
Exploitation of the people and collusion between officials and businessmen!
"Is this how he beat people?" Wei Shuyu asked, pointing to the scene in the distance.
"Hitting him was for his own good."
"What's the meaning?"
"Mining has quotas; if you don't meet the quotas, you won't eat!"
The guard replied indifferently.
Who would have thought that what he took for granted would ignite Wei Shuyu's anger?
"You bastard!"
Wei Shuyu suddenly roared.
This isn't hiring workers, it's practically recruiting slaves!
This shout also attracted the attention of others.
"Who allowed you to come in?"
The steward with the whip stepped forward, pointed at the guard, and shouted, "Do you want to quit? Letting outsiders in like this?"
"Manager Ma Qiu, please calm down. We'll be leaving now..." the guard said humbly, bowing with his hands clasped.
"Xiao Shan, take him down."
Wei Shuyu gave the order with a cold face.
"Okay."
Qin Shandao rushed forward.
Ah-da.
A short punch landed on Ma Qiu's stomach.
"You...you're all asking for death!"
Ma Qiu knelt on the ground, clutching his stomach with one hand and pointing at the group with the other: "Men, take all of these people down!"
Splash!
As soon as Ma Qiu finished speaking, a group of people rushed forward.
Along with them, the laborers also flocked to the scene.
Upon closer inspection, there were no fewer than several hundred people!
In the hearts of laborers...
The Ma family is a powerful family in Yunyang County. Standing up for the Ma family might be the only way to change one's fate.
"Get out of the way!"
Wei Shuyu drew the blade of Dog Leg No. 1 and held it to Ma Qiu's neck.
"We are officials appointed by the imperial court from Chang'an, here to investigate the matter of Guojia Village."
These words were spoken.
Many of the laborers whispered among themselves.
"Don't be fooled by him! How could the imperial court send a bunch of kids?" Ma Qiu immediately shouted.
"Don't believe me?"
Wei Shuyu took out a token: "This is my token."
However, no one recognized him.
They were all poor people; they had never seen any tokens before.
Even if the Imperial Seal of the State were placed in front of them.
They would just think it's a treasure and then sell it.
"Take them down!"
Ma Qiu didn't care about the consequences: "If the mine collapses, none of you will have a job!"
These words were spoken.
This immediately ignited everyone's fighting spirit.
They each carried a stone, pressing closer and closer.
Choi Shin-ki: "Remains, can you handle so many people?"
Fang Yi'ai: "It's alright, Xiao Shandao is here."
Bang.
Qin Shandao fell at their feet.
"..."
Fang Yi'ai: "Never mind what I said."
Wei Shuyu's face darkened.
He overlooked the ignorance of the people.
Since that's the case...
"I'm warning you one more time, make them back off!"
Wei Shuyu forcefully pressed down the knife that was held to Ma Qiu's neck.
"snort."
Ma Qiu grunted, but still arrogantly threatened, "If you offend the Ma family of Yunyang, you won't leave Yunyang County alive!"
"very good!"
Wei Shuyu slashed down with his sword!
"ah."
With Ma Qiu's scream, an arm fell to the ground.
The fingers were still unconsciously moving.
"I'll say it again..."
Wei Shuyu pointed his blood-stained knife at everyone: "We are officials appointed by the imperial court!"
"I am here to investigate the mining site."
"I understand that you're worried about not having any work!"
"But please remember..."
"The sweat you've shed is not commensurate with the rewards you've received!"
"Now……"
"We're going to the authorities to seek justice. If you trust me, come with us!"
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