Chapter 285 Work-for-Relief
After Qin Jinzhi returned to the courtyard, it wasn't until almost dawn that the noise from the government office returned.
The next day, Qin Jinzhi changed into men's clothing and took Luo Shui and Wei Xueqi to an embroidery shop.
Qin Jinzhi took out a seal and placed it on the counter.
"Give this to your manager."
Upon seeing the unique Zhao family mark on the seal, the clerk behind the counter quickly said, "Honored guest, please wait a moment."
A moment later, a panting figure ran down from upstairs.
"Third Young Master!"
The shopkeeper's hair was already gray, but his eyes were very bright.
Somewhat shrewd, but not in a mercenary way.
"This humble servant, Zhao Qiantang, greets the Third Young Master. Please come inside, Third Young Master."
Qin Jinzhi held the Zhao family seal, of which there were three.
Each seal bears the mark of its holder.
All shopkeepers of the Zhao family's businesses must obey orders.
Qin Jinzhi followed Zhao Qiantang upstairs to the embroidery shop.
Wei Xueqi and Luo Shui were both drawn to the silk in the shop.
Qin Jinzhi suddenly turned around and said, "Prepare two sets of coarse cloth clothes for the two of them, and find two makeup artists to come over."
Zhao Qiantang was taken aback, unsure of Qin Jinzhi's intentions, but readily agreed, "Yes, I will immediately instruct someone to do so."
Wei Xueqi and Luo Shui exchanged a glance.
The former was puzzled, while the latter was excited.
Luo Shui patted Wei Xueqi on the shoulder and followed Qin Jinzhi.
The group went upstairs.
Wei Xueqi and Luo Shui were invited to the next room.
Luo Shui casually brought the four kills along with her.
Qin Jinzhi followed Manager Zhao into the inner room.
"Why didn't you inform me of your upcoming arrival, Third Young Master? I could have arranged for someone to pick you up."
Qin Jinzhi sat in the chair and said, "I'm just passing by, no need to make a fuss."
Zhao Qiantang immediately asked, "What are your orders, Third Young Master?"
Qin Jinzhi said, "From today onwards, all subsidies to the government office shall be stopped, and all soup kitchens shall be withdrawn."
The Jiangnan region was hit by floods, and Suzhou was also a disaster area.
In addition to the disaster relief funds from North Korea and China.
Merchants in Suzhou also donated a considerable amount.
The Zhao family accounts for 80% of them.
Zhao Qiantang hesitated for a moment, but still agreed, "Yes."
The head of the household has said that the orders of the seal holder must be carried out.
Therefore, even if there were doubts, they still obeyed orders.
Qin Jinzhi noticed Zhao Qiantang's hesitation. "Manager Zhao, do you have something to say?"
Zhao Qiantang said respectfully, "This is just my humble opinion, please forgive me, Third Young Master."
Qin Jinzhi nodded, "Go on."
Zhao Qiantang bowed and said, “The Zhao family has only recently become imperial merchants, and the head of the family has already recognized the Empress. If the Zhao family stops donating to this disaster relief effort, will it affect people’s livelihoods and also damage the Zhao family’s reputation?”
Qin Jinzhi tapped her fingers on the table; this Manager Zhao certainly had a long-term vision.
"The money donated by the Zhao family is intended to combat the flood and build dams, but I believe that the prefect has no ability to control the flood. Even if he donates more money, it will only fill the prefect's pockets."
Zhao Qiantang nodded respectfully after hearing this, "I understand."
Qin Jinzhi continued:
"Yesterday I saw the soup kitchen that the Zhao family was distributing at the dock. Most of the people receiving soup were strong men. I didn't see a single old, weak, woman or child."
I sent someone to inquire, and it turned out that these people were all dockworkers who stopped working after the soup kitchens were set up and now go there every day to receive relief.
Those who truly needed help, such as the elderly, women, and children, were driven to other places, and those sent to give alms simply ignored them.
If that's the case, what was the Zhao family's purpose in setting up soup kitchens? Was it not to relieve disaster victims, but to raise a bunch of parasites?
Zhao Qiantang's expression changed slightly. "I have failed in my duty. Please punish me, Third Young Master."
Qin Jinzhi got up and opened the window; there were no more refugees to be seen on the street.
But it's not that there were no disaster victims.
Just as Zhao Qiantang was waiting for Qin Jinzhi to punish him, he heard her speak:
"Suzhou is famous for its silk business, and it has the best embroiderers in the entire Jin Dynasty."
However, due to the flood, many cloth shops reduced their production, leaving the embroiderers without a source of income. They either had to wait to die in the city or leave their homes.
If our Zhao family were to establish a new cloth workshop, wouldn't it be far more valuable to recruit a large number of embroiderers who have no means of livelihood? This would be far more worthwhile than throwing money down the drain.
Zhao Qiantang's eyes lit up. "Does the Third Young Master mean to use work relief instead of financial aid?"
Qin Jinzhi looked into the distance and said, "I hope this flood will only destroy some bricks and tiles, and not destroy people's hearts as well."
Zhao Qiantang was filled with awe.
Houses can be rebuilt, but if people's hearts are broken, Suzhou will become a ruin.
Qin Jinzhi turned to Zhao Qiantang and said, "In addition, we will set up charitable halls and orphanages outside the city. The charitable halls will only take in the elderly, women and children, while the orphanages will take in orphans. The workers in charge will be recruited from among the disaster victims. This way, we can achieve the real purpose of disaster relief, and the reputation will be more direct than directly donating silver."
Zhao Qiantang quickly replied, "Young Master, you have great foresight. I admire you greatly."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "No need for flattery, just get things done as soon as possible."
"yes!"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Zhao Qiantang opened the door.
Wei Xueqi and Luo Shui were dressed up as disaster victims.
The two walked in, and Wei Xueqi looked completely bewildered.
Luo Shui turned around and said, "Even coarse cloth can't hide my beauty."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and made the two of them turn around.
Luo Shui asked, "How is it? Does it look like it?"
Qin Jinzhi placed her hand under her chin and then said, "You two go to the riverbank and dig up some mud."
Wei Xueqi was taken aback. "Now?"
Luo Shui looked at Manager Zhao and asked, "Could you give us some tools for digging mud?"
Qin Jinzhi stopped Luo Shui, saying, "Just dig with your hands."
Luo Shui immediately showed a look of disgust on her face.
She gestured vigorously with her slender hands in front of Qin Jinzhi.
He then walked out with an angry expression.
Wei Xueqi was puzzled, but being obedient, she followed Luo Shui out.
After a while, Luo Shui returned with Wei Xueqi.
A person is holding a handful of mud.
Luo Shui said with obvious disgust, "What are you doing?"
Qin Jinzhi said, "Throw away the mud."
Luo Shui rolled her eyes and threw the mud into the basin of water beside her.
She turned to Zhao Qiantang and said, "Please prepare a basin of clean water for me."
Qin Jinzhi still stopped her, saying, "No need, raise your hand."
The two men lifted their hands, which were covered in mud.
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "That's more like it. Don't wash your hands. Luoshui, cut your nails and scratch your nail polish."
Luo Shui gritted her teeth and said, "I hate it!"
Once the mud had dried on their hands, Qin Jinzhi finally showed a satisfied expression.
"That's how hands should look like those of disaster victims."
Qin Jinzhi led the three away from Zhao Family Embroidery Shop.
The carriage stopped outside the city at night.
Luo Shui and Wei Xueqi got off the carriage.
The two helped each other walk toward the disaster victims' gathering place in the distance.
Qin Jinzhi patted Si Sha's little head, "Follow them."
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