Chapter 874 A Dream of Youth 406
"I don't know how miners are treated elsewhere, but here at the Xie family's, you've doubled their wages, plus some protective measures..."
After saying that, she sat down at the table and spread out a piece of paper to draw. She had been to the mine and had even familiarized herself with the mining process several times. Although she had only watched others do it, Xie Ning roughly knew how it was done.
It's impossible for her to have a mine but not to mine it, and miners also need this job, which can also drive some industries and increase employment.
Xie Ning wanted to achieve mutual benefit as much as possible.
She didn't know the current state of mining technology, or whether her experience was still relevant to modern miners; these were questions that experienced miners needed to answer.
"Sir, if we do it this way, the cost of mining will increase..." Then Xie Ning won't be able to make a lot of money.
Aren't they all just exploited?
Pay the least amount of money to hire the most hardworking oxen and horses.
Xie Ning glanced at Yuan Lian with a puzzled look. "I've calculated it. Even if I improve the miners' pay and add enough safety measures, I can still make a fortune."
The mine itself requires almost no cost, since she didn't pay a high price for it.
Moreover, one of her goals in prospecting for and mining minerals was to boost local employment.
Looking at Xie Ning's lowered eyes, Yuan Lian couldn't help but recall the scene when she first met Xie Ning.
That day, the spring rain was drizzling, but it was colder than winter. She and her maid came to the capital to seek refuge with her aunt, only to find that her aunt had already passed away and her uncle had remarried.
Her home was razed to the ground by the Northern Jin army. She and a maid escaped the calamity by going to a temple to worship Buddha. After going through many hardships, she finally arrived in the capital, only to hear the terrible news.
Walking through the capital city where she knew no one, her heart gradually grew cold beneath the surface of its prosperity.
Standing on the bridge, she seemed to see the shadows of her father and mother on the rippling river.
Just as she was about to jump, the rain stopped.
Xie Ning, who was clearly a noble lady from a prominent family, took her hand and led her to the porridge stall. There was a tarpaulin there, so although there was a wind, the rain did not fall on people.
The people here are sallow and emaciated, dressed in rags, but they are not numb or lifeless.
Her maid was also in line here. When she saw her, she was surprised that she had found this place. Yuanlian watched as Xie Ning stood in front of the woman distributing porridge and said something that made the woman laugh.
It turns out that the maidservant got her porridge and steamed buns here this morning.
Xie Ning showed no signs of being a refined noblewoman. She simply took a steamed bun, ate it, and strode over to another tent where doctors who had come to provide free medical consultations were sitting.
In Yuanlian's view, this was a very strange person.
Yuanlian sat there for a long time. She learned Xie Ning's identity. A scholar in tattered clothes blocked Xie Ning's way and begged Xie Ning to take him in.
But the man's gaze lingered; he bowed to Xie Ning's status and position, yet in another respect, he looked down on her.
Perhaps he was thinking that Xie Ning should be extremely grateful that someone like him was willing to join Xie Ning's ranks and serve as Xie Ning's advisor.
After all, if he hadn't lost his family fortune due to the war, he wouldn't have submitted to a woman.
Yuanlian was immediately moved and ran over to pay her respects. She was also talented. Her father often said that although she was not as knowledgeable as her brother, she was just as smart.
However, a man in an old robe ran faster than her. The man was eloquent and berated the scholar who blocked Xie Ning Road until his face turned red. Then he subtly elevated himself and showed his submission.
He wasn't lying; Yuanlian could see the admiration for Xie Ning in his eyes.
In the end, the two of them successfully joined Xie Ning's tutelage, while the scholar who had blocked their way was dragged away for causing trouble.
Yuanlian was puzzled, so she went to ask Mr. Ye, the advisor who had joined Xie Ning's tutelage with her.
Mr. Ye was organizing the materials Xie Ning had given him when he heard this and smiled. “Miss Yuanlian, everyone has desires: wealth, power, beauty... all are material desires.”
Like most people in this world, Lady Xie also had material desires, but she was not obsessed with them; she also had personal interests and desires, but she also possessed a rare and precious heart that loved the people.
Mr. Ye was very curious about what Xie Ning had gone through to have such a state of mind at this age.
He always asked questions when he was puzzled, but Xie Ning just smiled and remained silent.
She has been selfish and cold-hearted at times, but she has also seen far too many people, all sorts of people in the world. It's hard for her to stand outside of humanity. She has walked a long road, long enough for far too many people to teach her how to grow.
Xie Ning felt that she hadn't changed; she still loved herself very much, but she had also learned to teach others to love themselves.
Some people enjoy extravagance and luxury, filling their rooms with jewels and precious stones, while others prefer to grow flowers and quietly listen to the sound of them blooming.
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