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Just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhao Pu hurried to the Dongning camp to ask to see Tian Yu.
"Mr. Tian, the rain has been decreasing over the past two months, and our salt drying method is showing results. It's really making it easier to produce salt! If we convert all the salt fields into salt drying ponds, annual salt production could easily increase several times over!" Zhao Pu was excited and anxious. After all, the coastal areas only have scarce rain in autumn and winter. If we miss the season, it would be a big deal. Renovating the salt fields was imperative, but it wasn't something he could decide on his own; he had to report it to the person in charge.
Tian Yu was not infected by Zhao Pu's excitement. He just asked coldly, "How many people are needed to transform the salt fields? When will it be completed?"
Seeing that his face was not very good, Zhao Pu could not help but be more cautious: "Manpower is easy to say. We can just draw it from the salt farmers. After all the renovations are done in the future, it will save a lot of manpower for salt boiling. It may take a month to repair our own salt fields, but it's hard to say about other people's salt fields. And cement, we may also need to allocate some..."
"We need to find someone to calculate the amount of cement needed and the specific working hours for building the pond, and report it to me. The headquarters will then send people to supervise the work, and regulations will be established in the future. After our salt pond is repaired, we will immediately sign contracts with several other companies to help them renovate the salt ponds. When we take over salt fields elsewhere in the future, we will also follow the regulations." Tian Yu spoke quickly, but his logic was extremely clear, making his words seem cold and merciless.
Zhao Pu felt a little uncomfortable. The salt pan renovation was a major project, and if there were constant oversight, it would be difficult to cut corners. Yet, he didn't dare oppose it. The Red Flag Gang was growing increasingly powerful, and their seizure of power was almost certain. Although the Zhao family controlled the East Gate salt pans, it was essentially a custodial position. If trouble arose, they would be the first to suffer.
The phrase "elsewhere salt fields" is also worth pondering. Could it be that the gang has already begun to covet other salt fields? If they really control the salt roads in the South China Sea, the Red Flag Gang will truly become a behemoth.
Zhao Pu's thoughts raced, and he quickly put on a smile: "Don't worry, Mr. Tian, I'll go down and make arrangements right away, and I'll definitely get it done properly."
Without further ado, Zhao Pu immediately went back to take charge of the reconstruction of the salt pond. However, Tian Yu did not take this matter seriously. Firstly, the salt-drying method already had a precedent, it was just a matter of standardization. Second, Zhao Pu was a man of insight and would not make a mistake in such a small matter.
His most important task now was establishing a new bank in the neighboring county. Unlike China Merchants Bank, Minsheng Bank's primary purpose was to curb the high-loan demands of the wealthy, allowing the common people to survive. However, this essentially undermined the well-heeled, and the resistance was predictable. Not only did he have to establish connections within the government, but he also had to have sufficient strength to compete with the local tyrants without causing panic or unrest, making the operation extremely complex.
But this was not the reason why he was in a bad mood.
A few days ago, news arrived from the island that the gang leader had granted the troops a holiday during the Mid-Autumn Festival to celebrate the occasion. This was beyond Tian Yu's expectations. They had won a victory and established their foundation, but with the Long Whale Gang at their side, there was no time to relax. Unexpectedly, the news immediately sent the soldiers into a frenzy. On the actual day, not only was the main camp filled with jubilation, but even the county government joined in the celebration. County Magistrate Cao even politely invited Tian Yu to a banquet to admire the moon.
Tian Yu naturally refused. In fact, he didn't even leave the house on Mid-Autumn Festival. The more lively the atmosphere outside, the more miserable he felt inside. This was his first Mid-Autumn Festival since escaping prison. While other families reunited, he was left alone. To this day, he hadn't been able to avenge his mother's death.
Yet, the deep-seated hatred he had previously harbored had somehow softened. He still hated the imperial court and the world, but he refused to compromise the Red Flag Gang's overall interests for the sake of personal grudges. Some things were more important than hatred.
He was no longer mad, no longer choking in a confined room, no longer pounding his legs in a frantic attempt to walk. But no matter how much he changed, he was still himself, a coward who only knew how to close doors and refuse to listen to laughter, and he would never be as good as that man. The entire family was slaughtered, and the pain the gang leader endured was infuriating. But as a woman, she always saw further ahead and took on everything with a courage that no one else could match.
Just like this Mid-Autumn Festival reward, it not only rallied the troops, but also resolved the resentment built up by the long battles, and made everyone feel grateful to the leader. Such a tactic was definitely not something a self-absorbed person could come up with. It wasn't something he could come up with.
But when the night was really over and everyone was asleep, how would she cope? Tian Yu felt the urge to head to Luoling Island immediately. But the next moment, he suppressed the thought. He couldn't even guarantee that he wouldn't lose his composure, so how could he comfort others?
I don’t know which one is more severe, the frustration caused by powerlessness or the depression caused by grief and anger, but it really made Tian Yu feel depressed and he couldn’t recover for a long time.
After finishing the files on the table, he couldn't help it and pushed his wheelchair to the school nearby.
The school was bustling as usual today. It was evening, the last class had concluded, and a group of children were running wildly across the training grounds. This was the school's rule: in addition to learning to read and write, they were also required to practice martial arts to strengthen their bodies. And regardless of whether these fishermen's children were diligent in class, under the guidance of a few veteran soldiers, they were truly serious during the drills, even somewhat cheerful. They were all around ten years old, what worries could they have?
Staring blankly into the distance, Tian Yu's mood gradually calmed down. Isn't this school the result of his hard work?
Unexpectedly, while I was thinking about my own things, a small voice suddenly sounded behind me: "Shan, Shanzhang..."
Tian Yu turned around and saw a little girl standing nearby, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, not sure if she was nervous or shy. Seeing him looking over, the girl immediately bowed and saluted, her voice a little louder: "Hello, Headmaster!"
Tian Yu hummed and asked casually, "Why are you standing here? Why don't you go do exercises?"
The girl suddenly became nervous and said quickly, "I, I've already finished running. I saw the headmaster coming over and I have something to ask..."
Tian Yu didn't respond, but just looked back with a normal expression. The girl became even more nervous, but she still mustered up the courage to ask the question in her mind: "Headmaster, can women take the fast class?"
Tian Yu frowned: "Why do you ask?"
The accelerated program at the academy had no gender restrictions from its inception; anyone, regardless of gender, who learned quickly and achieved good grades could transfer there for further study. The lecturers below should also be aware of this; they couldn't be deliberately trying to hinder us, right?
The girl pursed her lips and whispered, "The teacher said that it's enough for girls to learn math. They will definitely not be as good as boys in learning ethics in the future. He also said that the accelerated class is for selecting talents. Even if girls learn quickly now, they will just memorize by rote and will definitely not be able to keep up with the course in the future."
After hesitating for a moment, she continued, "My father also said that there's no need to spend so much effort on studying. I should focus on learning needlework so that I can get married after graduation..."
She didn't continue, but the meaning of her words was clear.
Tian Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you want to take the fast class?"
The girl raised her head and said anxiously, "I can read and do math quickly. I think I can get into the fast-track class! But..."
Before she could finish her words, Tian Yu said, "Then go and take the exam. Try your best and don't let yourself regret it. Of course, women can also take the fast track class."
These words were cold and icy, but they were like a ray of light, making the expression on the little girl's face come alive. She was so excited that she almost jumped up, but she still controlled herself and bowed to Tian Yu with all her strength: "Thank you for your guidance, Shanzhang. I will work hard!"
After saying that, the girl jumped and ran away like a happy lamb.
She might be the child of some leader, thrust into the inner circle by her parents simply because she was of the right age. She might eventually marry, choose to raise a family, and remain in the inner chambers for the rest of her life. However, with his words, she might strive to pass the fast-track exam, becoming the talent the gang leader needed, and finding a non-boring role within the Red Flag Gang.
In the past, Tian Yu wouldn't have answered like that, wouldn't even have considered it. "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent" was something he'd learned since childhood. But now, he'd somehow come to terms with it. There were as many women as there were men in the world, and intelligence and mental foresight weren't determined by gender. And whatever that woman desired, he'd strive to fulfill it, ensuring she got what she wanted.
All ministers are like vines clinging to their masters, relying on their masters' generosity to display their talents and realize their long-cherished wishes. Although he is a disabled person, there are still people in this world who can respect his talents and fulfill his wishes. How can he let her down?
Looking at the girl's back and the groups of lively babies in the distance, Tian Yu's expression finally relaxed. He leaned back in his chair and let out the anger in his chest.
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