Chapter 103
The Ganzhou County Court was in a commotion at the moment. All the craftsmen in the county were summoned. They originally thought that Magistrate Lin had called them over for some important matter, but they actually were asked to learn how to make kangs for free.
The craftsmen watched as Xiangli Gu and his men mixed something with water, and then mixed it with the blue bricks. They smeared the blue-gray stuff on one brick, and then laid another brick on it, and soon the wall between the kangs was completed.
While Xiangli Gu had the craftsmen build the U-shaped chimney, he explained to everyone how the fire outlet and chimney should be left.
The craftsmen had naturally heard of the Ganzhou kang, and some even knew how to make it. The former listened carefully, and from time to time took a pen to write and draw on paper. The latter noticed what Xiang Ligu had just been dealing with? It doesn't look like mud, but it looks more adhesive.
Someone was brave enough to ask, "Master Xiangli, may I ask what this is?"
Xiang Li Gu said casually: "The cement that County Magistrate Lin asked us to make is stronger than a wall built with mud alone."
One craftsman was brave enough to ask: "So how is this made?"
When these words were spoken, some people began to have ideas, while others cursed and said that there was no way such a good thing could happen, and that you could get such a good thing just by talking.
Suddenly, the noise got louder.
"Stop arguing. County Magistrate Lin asked you all to come here today so that you can learn the technique of making kangs. As for cement, it's actually not that difficult to make. The key is to know how to fire the kiln. Your Excellency will make the decision on this matter, and you won't lose out." Xiangli Gu said loudly with a dark face.
The noise died down in an instant, and the craftsmen quieted down. Looking at the officers around them, they secretly wondered how could they be so outrageous in the county government office. Fortunately, County Magistrate Lin and the other officials were kind and did not bother with them.
"But, the lord asked everyone to come here to learn today in order to benefit the people. Therefore, if the people of this county are interested in making kangs, you must remember that the price cannot be too high. Otherwise, if the county government finds out that someone is taking advantage of the opportunity to make a profit, he will be in big trouble." Xiang Ligu frowned, and his already dark face looked fierce at this moment. The craftsmen nodded in agreement.
"As for the cement matter, you will have to wait a few days. My Lord is discussing this matter with the merchants in the county. You will know the answer then."
The craftsmen then smiled happily and continued to work on the kang.
"If I can not only make kangs but also bake bricks and make cement, wouldn't I be rich?" said a craftsman happily.
"Do you have that much capital? I think only the Chen family in the county can take on all these jobs. It's good enough for us to be able to do one. It's enough to support the whole family."
"This County Magistrate Lin is worthy of his reputation. I heard that when he was the county magistrate of Ganzhou County, he benefited the people and created many good things. Now that the dog official surnamed Ma has left and County Magistrate Lin has come, we are blessed."
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Is this true? Ganzhou has paper and cashmere, and now there are dramas and legends. Which of these do we have here? Isn't it because Ganzhou has good officials, and we have that bastard official named Ma? Pah, he is so greedy for life and afraid of death that he colluded with bandits. I also heard that the food in Ganzhou restaurants is better than that in other places."
The craftsmen gathered together and whispered, and Lin Shuge, who was caught up in their discussion, sneezed loudly.
The merchants sitting in the hall didn't dare to say a word, only Lu Yuechuan smiled and said, "Sir, you'd better take care of yourself, otherwise you will catch a cold." After saying that, he winked at Lin Shuge.
Lin Shuge didn't bother to pay attention to him, and said to everyone: "I think you all already know why I asked you all to come here today. You are all big families in the county, and you have naturally heard about the cooperation between Ganzhou merchants and the county government. This deal must be a good deal for everyone."
A merchant asked, "Sir, do you want to cooperate with us? I heard that merchants in Ganzhou County want to invest?"
Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Of course, we are also investing this time, but this time we are producing blue bricks and cement, which are both good for building houses. If you want to see them, you can go to the backyard of the county government office after the discussion."
Someone looked at a sturdy merchant and asked him to give him an idea.
The merchant, Chen Kuan, asked, "Sir, is this method marketable?"
Lin Shuge said: "This item can be sold to the Duwei Mansion to build fortifications and city walls, or it can be sold to other places. At least the merchants in Ganzhou have a personal relationship with this official."
"Everyone, I still have to say something in advance. If this is really done, we must hire common people and craftsmen. People who are familiar with me naturally know that I hate people who enslave the common people the most. Merchants in Ganzhou all obey my rules, and naturally they will benefit a lot."
The autumn harvest has passed and winter has arrived. The people have no way to make a living. If there is not enough food at home after paying taxes, the whole family can tighten their belts to get by at best, but at worst they will freeze to death or starve to death.
All the merchants nodded their heads in agreement.
The merchants were somewhat reassured and asked to go and see the firing site and the finished products in person.
Lin Shuge waved his hand, and Yang Yan and Chu Xu stepped out and took them to the brick kiln. In the past few days, they had stepped up to build several brick kilns so that they could produce both blue bricks and lime.
Everyone followed Yang Yan out. Some merchants were interested in making kangs and wanted to do this business in the county. Although this craft was introduced from Ganzhou, the people in Qingquan County were poor. Only some rich families found people to build them themselves. Most people could not afford it.
According to adults, the cost of bricks and cement will not be too high. If you can control the entire process yourself, although the price will not be high, you can reach a wide audience.
After listening to what they said, Lin Shuge asked Cao Yong to take them to the back house.
For a moment, only Lin Shuge, Lu Yuechuan and Chen Kuan were left in the lobby.
"Boss Chen, do you have anything else to say?" Lin Shuge asked.
"Sir, I have something to report to you," he said and actually knelt down.
"Boss Chen, what is this doing? If you have anything to say, just explain it to the adults." Lu Yuechuan said.
Chen Kuan did not stand up. "Sir, please allow me to report. I once had a young son. He was born prematurely and was very delicate. My wife and the old lady at home doted on him. We waited until he was seven or eight years old, but Yao Dajiang from Huya Mountain found out about it. He sent people to kidnap the child and extort money from me."
Lin Shuge was shocked. When he interrogated the bandit, he did confess that Yao Dajiang had committed several kidnappings of wealthy families in the county. He didn't expect that the Chen family was one of them.
Chen Kuan seemed to be in deep sorrow. After a long while, he said, "My wife and mother were shocked and sad when they found out. They asked me to take out money and ask Yao Dajiang to release my son. They didn't mind even if it meant losing everything. I reported to the authorities while raising money..."
Lu Yuechuan stood up from his chair and exchanged a glance with Lin Shuge. Of course, the Qingquan County Government and Huyashan were in cahoots with each other, which was not a good thing.
As expected, Chen Kuan said, "I thought the government would guarantee my son's safety when I paid the money, but I didn't expect that the official passed the news to Huyashan. The bandits in Huyashan knew that I had reported it to the government and said that I didn't listen to them. I was terrified at the time and just begged them to spare my son's life, but Yao Dajiang said that I broke the rules and had to use my family as a warning to the world, so he... killed my son."
He went on, "Originally, the third in command, Meng Hu, also proposed to kill me. Fortunately, Lord Yang said that day that letting me go would let the people of Qingquan know the consequences of teasing Huya Mountain. Yao Dajiang then let me go. If it weren't for what Lord Yang said that day, I would have died long ago. It's a pity that my son died at the hands of evil bandits at such a young age. After my family learned the news, my mother had a seizure and died, and my wife has been depressed ever since."
"Fortunately, you came to Qingquan and got rid of the evil bandits, and then we got our revenge. Your Excellency..." He choked up and kowtowed, "Your Excellency can tell me what to do. I am willing to serve you like a dog and a horse."
After hearing what he said, Lin Shuge was furious at Yao Dajiang for killing so many innocent people, and even more furious at Ma Youliang for aiding and abetting the tyrant. It was so despicable. He calmed down and helped Chen Kuan up. "I am just fulfilling my duty. Boss Chen, don't be too sad. Yao Dajiang and Ma Youliang are extremely evil. I will not let them go even if I take off my official robes."
He looked at Chen Kuan and said, "However, there is indeed something that Boss Chen must do. Since the county has already produced a lot of blue bricks and cement, I think some of the county's buildings can be replaced. In addition, Qingquan is surrounded by powerful enemies, and I think we can build some fortifications. I wonder if Boss Chen is willing?"
"Sir, do you want me to recruit workers to repair it?" Chen Kuan asked after calming down.
"That's right. It will be contracted to you. I will also send Xiangligu to you. He will provide some construction drawings. You are only responsible for recruiting people to build it." Lin Shuge replied.
Chen Kuan thought for a while and said, "My Lord has entrusted this matter to me because he trusts me. Besides, this is a good thing. Others may not be able to do it if they want to." He laughed and said, "I will definitely not disappoint my Lord."
"Well, let's get started as soon as possible, but let me be frank with you, the people we recruit are all from Qingquan, and you are not allowed to treat them unfairly." Lin Shuge said with a hint of coldness in his eyes.
"Of course. I will definitely follow the rules set by you in Ganzhou. I have a clear idea of the daily working hours and wages." Chen Kuan said hurriedly.
"That's good. You can go find Yan Zhubu later. He has the explanation of the terms and the agreement. Please read them carefully before signing."
"Yes, sir." Chen Kuan bowed and left.
"Your Excellency has good intentions. You want the people of Qingquan to earn some money and live a better life." Lu Yuechuan said.
"Although repairing walls and building houses is really hard work, at least we can earn some money. Have you read the Qingquan files? The annual tax revenue is less than half of Ganzhou, and many people can't pay at all. Fortunately, Your Majesty is in charge of tax exemption this year, otherwise the people of Qingquan will have a hard time living." Lin Shuge said with reluctance on his face.
"I don't know what happened to the seeds I asked Dabu to find. By the way, I moved a cotton plant from Ganzhou and I'll show it to you later. If Dabu can bring more seeds, the people of Qingquan will have another way of making a living." Lin Shuge looked at Lu Yuechuan and said.
Qingquan's climate is drier and the soil is mostly sandy, which is more suitable for growing cotton. In later generations, the quality of cotton in Xinjiang was very high. With cotton, whether it was made into face cloth or cotton-padded clothes, it could be exchanged for money.
"What is cotton?" Lu Yuechuan asked.
"I'll take you to see it later."
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