Is he an honest official, or just an actor playing the role?
In the blink of an eye, he forgot about it.
"Liu De".
"Second Master." Liu De stepped forward.
"Go find the accountant, and I'll give you a note to get the money to buy some peonies. Hire the dockworkers at the entrance of the Marshal's Mansion to carry them. On May 3rd, I'm going to hold a peony charity ball at the Marshal's Mansion and invite the celebrities of Songcheng to attend so they can donate to the construction of dormitories."
"Yes!" Liu De took the approval slip and hurried down to find the accountant.
In the living room where Li Changzhou was alone, he tapped his fingers, pondering how to deal with the gang leaders and factions in the city.
With these people around, no matter how high the workers' wages are, they will be squeezed dry.
Gang leaders, gangs, martial arts schools, and even some government officials and military officers have formed a chain of interests. I am your subordinate, and you are my backer. Trying to resolve this without bloodshed is both time-consuming and hopeless.
After thinking for a while, he had someone write down his plans for building dormitories on a piece of paper, and then left the Marshal's Mansion.
It was already noon, and the porridge stall had begun serving porridge.
Many people in tattered clothes lined up with bowls to receive porridge.
Upon seeing an exceptionally handsome young man emerge from the Marshal's Mansion, they exclaimed "It's Second Master!" and knelt down in droves.
"Get up!" Li Changzhou said with a hint of reprimand. "Eating your fill is more important than kowtowing to anyone!"
"Thank you, Second Master! Thank you so much, Second Master!"
"Nannan, quickly kowtow to Second Master and thank him for the food!"
Li Changzhou walked into the porridge shop and checked the porridge bucket. It was very thin and watery, and there were no side dishes. He took a sip and found that it had a hint of rice soup fragrance and sweetness.
Reporters from a newspaper were snapping photos frantically on one side, their flashes going off non-stop.
Li Changzhou had no intention of putting on a show. After confirming that there was nothing wrong with the porridge, he did not serve it to anyone himself, but returned the spoon to the servants in the mansion.
They instructed someone to post a notice about "building dormitories" where the workers were drinking porridge.
"What did you write?"
"He can't read."
"Hey, Lao Song, what did you write before?"
"Let me see, hmm—, build workers' dormitories, hire workers, 60 cents a day... dormitory fees one dollar a month, limited to workers, laborers, and women working in this city... canteen staff needed..."
Every time Old Song read a sentence, someone would doubt its authenticity.
Old Song read aloud again: "Wages will be settled on the same day. If you receive even a penny less, I'll beat you!"
"It's Master Li!"
"Master Li said that last night!"
"It's true, absolutely true! There really is work to do! And we don't even have to share the pay with the foreman!"
"More than that! We're working for Master Li! Let's see which gang dares to come and collect protection money!"
Everyone realized what was happening and exclaimed in amazement, their faces beaming with joy.
"Old Song, where do we register?" a group of people asked anxiously. Many of them had no income and relied on the porridge stall to survive.
"Let me see. It says that the Ministry of Finance will be recruiting soon. Those who are strong can contribute their strength, those who are skilled can contribute their skills, and women can also work on the construction site to cook. The wages are 20 cents."
"mother....."
"Go ahead, Mother will be fine on her own."
"Anuan, I'm going to the construction site in a few days. Please take good care of the child."
“I’ll go with you. The kids are too old for that; let them stay home by themselves. It’s only 20 cents a day!”
As they talked, they looked expectantly at Li Changzhou in the distance, as if trying to confirm something. Each time Li Changzhou nodded, the fire in their eyes burned even brighter.
Six men hesitated for a moment before walking over.
"Second Master, thank you for saving our lives!" The six men knelt down and kowtowed as soon as they arrived.
Li Changzhou recognized them as the leaders of the workers who had been at the pear orchard gate the previous night.
"No need for thanks, just do me a favor." Li Changzhou didn't let them get up.
"Please give your orders, Second Master!" The one who cried the loudest last night immediately looked up and answered.
"The payment for building the dormitories is fixed. In other words, no matter how much you do, you'll get the same amount of money. I'll pay each of you 3 yuan a day. You'll keep a close eye on those people for me."
The six men were stunned. This wasn't about doing a favor; it was about collecting a reward!
"Second Master, we don't need money, just meals are fine. We'll cook for you for free!"
"That's right. Although we are lowly people, we will do anything you say, Second Master!"
“This money isn’t just for free,” Li Changzhou interrupted them. “You’d better supervise the project for me and get it completed sooner, which would save me thousands of yuan.”
The six people were speechless for a moment after hearing what he said.
"Second Master," the foreman said, "we'll do whatever you ask us to do, but three yuan a day is too much!"
"Yes, Second Master, if you insist on paying, we'll just accept 60 cents a day."
Li Changzhou smiled and said, "Do you think these three pieces of gold are easy to get? The more days the workers work, the more money they get. If you urge them to work faster, won't people hate you? That's it, get up."
The six men exchanged glances and ultimately did not object. Deep down, they were indeed in dire need of money.
“Don’t worry too much,” Li Changzhou said. “The sooner the dormitories are built, the sooner everyone can have their own rooms. And as I said, I guarantee you will all have jobs. If all else fails, I’ll just hire you to work on the road or the dock.”
The six men were completely relieved and vowed to supervise the workers properly for Second Master.
Li Changzhou chatted with them for a while longer, gaining a real understanding of their lives.
Besides having no work, having their pay docked by their bosses, and being regularly charged protection money by gangs, their biggest problem is how to hide their money.
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