Chapter 19
Ganzhou County Government Office is very lively today, with all the famous wealthy families in the entire county gathered at the government office. Everyone knows that the county government has produced improved paper, which is said to be as white as silk and very delicate. People originally thought that they could only watch such extraordinary wealth, after all, no one dared to compete with the government for business.
But who would have thought that Magistrate Li would actually release the news, saying that he was interested in getting local merchants involved. Immediately, all the wealthy people in the county were excited. If they could really master this technology, the paper they made would be unique in the whole of Dayan. Instead of making money by lying down, some were fantasizing about making a fortune, while others were so proactive that they had already started selling their properties and were ready to devote themselves to the papermaking industry.
However, people are more likely to wait and see, and wonder what the official website is up to by releasing the technology for sharing.
As soon as the sky brightened, Liu Fu had already put on his appearance and arrived at the gate of the county government office. Unexpectedly, the office had not started yet, but the gate was crowded with people, pushing forward, hoping to wake up the officers and let them in.
Liu Fu slowly squeezed in and saw an acquaintance. "Hey, Boss Wan, it's early."
Wan Lu turned around and saw that it was Liu Fu, "Boss Liu, good morning to you too."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries with forced smiles and then went straight to the point. "You said that the news from the county government is true. They are not lying to us, are they?" Liu Fu asked.
"Who knows? But it's never a bad idea to come and take a look. Maybe it's true."
"So do you have any ideas?"
"And you?"
The people around couldn't stand their witty banter, and said bluntly, "It's true. My eldest aunt's nephew's daughter's nephew works in the county government. He told me the news and said that as long as I buy shares, it will be fine."
The onlookers stopped pushing forward and pricked up their ears to listen. "Invest? Invest money?" Liu Fu asked in surprise.
"Yes, it's like you invest some money in the early stage, and the county government will send someone to teach you how to make paper. The money earned from the paper will be yours after paying the commercial tax."
Upon hearing this, everyone had different thoughts. Some thought that it was just a matter of investing some money and they would earn it back soon, while others thought that it was not cost-effective to pay money before earning money, and that the government might be short of money and was making fun of them.
The former understood the key point and waited silently for the county magistrate to come on duty, while the latter left with an angry look on his face and a feeling of indignation.
Suddenly, the gate of the county government office made a heavy clicking sound, and an officer opened the gate from the inside, "Everyone, the county magistrate wants to see you."
The person who had just answered everyone's questions also took advantage of the chaos to slip in. He seemed very familiar with the county government office and ran into the lobby first.
In the lobby, Magistrate Li and Shuge Lin had already arrived. "Your Excellency, the matter has been completed."
"Thank you for your hard work. You go down first." Lin Shuge said.
It turned out that the person who just answered everyone's questions was sent by Lin Shuge.
"Or do you have a way to screen out the first batch?"
If someone doesn't even want to take a little money and just wants to get something for nothing, then even if he comes in to work with us, he will probably just be trying to take advantage of the situation. It's better to eliminate him as soon as possible.
Lin Shuge smiled and nodded to Magistrate Li.
After a while, the merchants came in one after another. "I am here to see the County Magistrate and the County Deputy."
"No need to be polite, just sit down. I believe you all know why I called you here today. Papermaking is a matter of great importance. If it is done well, we will all benefit. When the paper made in Ganzhou County is sold all the way to Kyoto, won't everyone be proud?"
"Moreover, this matter concerns the national economy and people's livelihood. From the imperial court to the common people, if everyone uses the paper made in Ganzhou, it will become famous throughout Dayan. This will go down in history, and our descendants will all benefit from it."
As soon as County Magistrate Li opened his mouth, he elevated the issue of papermaking to the level of the country, the nation, and future generations. As expected of a county magistrate, he had a high level of ideological awareness.
Lin Shuge thought with admiration, and sure enough, the merchants sitting below all had rosy faces, and some had already dreamed of becoming famous in history.
"Mr. Lin, please tell them about some matters concerning the shares." said County Magistrate Li.
"Yes, sir."
"All of you bosses are well-known wealthy families in Ganzhou County. You all want to get a piece of the papermaking pie, so I'll tell you the conditions. You all join in as commercial shares. Commercial shares are limited. The more you invest, the more workshops you build, and naturally you earn more."
Everyone looked at each other.
"The county government will teach you the papermaking technology. However, there are three rules. You cannot cut corners, you cannot sell the recipe privately, and you cannot enslave the craftsmen. Do you have any objections?"
The merchants were talking about this issue. Everyone understood that the recipe could not be sold. After all, if the recipe was known, how would anyone make any money? You can’t cut corners, and some conscientious merchants don’t care. As for not oppressing craftsmen, everyone had doubts.
After all, human life is the least valuable these days, and providing workers with food is already considered a great kindness. Someone raised the question, "Sir, what do you say about enslaving craftsmen?"
"Craftsmen can rest after working for four hours a day, and they will be paid extra wages for the time exceeding the limit."
As soon as Lin Shuge finished speaking, someone stood up and said, "Sir, it's good enough to pay them wages so that they can support themselves. They should be grateful to us if they are given extra wages..."
"Your Excellency, are you unwilling?" Lin Shuge interrupted him.
The man sobered up and realized that the person in front of him was not a worker working for him, but County Magistrate Lin. "That's not what I meant. I just didn't think clearly at the moment."
"Haven't you thought it through? Someone, send this guy out to think it over."
Immediately, officers came up and dragged him away.
"My Lord, my Lord, I know I was wrong, I won't do it again... my Lord."
Looking at the merchants being dragged out, everyone was dumbfounded and at a loss.
Lin Shuge looked at their expressions and asked, "Have the others thought it through?"
"Think it through, think it through." No one dares not to be clear.
After killing the chicken to scare the monkey, Lin Shuge said, "Why did I make this rule? It's for the people's sake. We are all scholars, so we should worry about the world's worries first. I gave everyone the recipe for paper because I was afraid that someone would take advantage of the recipe and monopolize the price. Then, let alone the people, we wouldn't be able to use the improved paper."
"I am also considering everyone. Everyone says that merchants value profit, but the merchants in Ganzhou County are not the kind of people who lose their conscience for a little profit. If you treat the craftsmen well, they will naturally work hard to repay you. There is no reason to let the horse run without letting it eat grass. The paper made in our county will definitely be famous in the future. The next step is for you people who treat merchants and people well to become famous."
"I'll see who dares to say that businessmen are profit-oriented."
As soon as Lin Shuge finished speaking, someone immediately took the lead in applauding, "Your Excellency is right, it is us who have been thinking the wrong way. We will definitely support your decision."
"Yes, the adults have given us the recipe, why would they care about that little money? It's obviously for our own good."
With someone taking the lead, everyone started to flatter him. Lin Shuge felt amused. If he didn't sound the alarm for these people, they would definitely exploit the workers as soon as they saw the profit of papermaking. Then all his efforts to lower the price of paper for the benefit of the people would be in vain.
Magistrate Li took the opportunity to come out and make a summary, "It seems that no one has any objection. Those who want to buy shares can go to Zhou Zhubu to register. Those who don't have any ideas can leave."
"Sir, wait a moment, I have something else to say."
The smiles on the merchants' faces froze. Could they be making another agreement?
"Everyone can ask your craftsmen, including you, to brainstorm and think carefully about whether you can make other papers besides the improved paper, such as paper with higher thickness and hardness, or paper with patterns. Those who can make it will not only receive a reward, but also an honor from the county."
Everyone asked curiously, "What honor?"
"The Ganzhou County Invention Technology Award will be presented personally by the county magistrate."
Everyone was excited. They didn't care about the money, but they cared about reputation. The reward was given by the county magistrate himself, and it was unique, so it was precious. They all wondered if they had any skilled craftsmen under their command.
County Magistrate Li looked confused and glared at Lin Shuge, but still said, "Yes, that's right. I will personally issue it when the time comes."
The atmosphere suddenly became lively. Some merchants went to register, some were discussing something, and some came over to get close to Lin Shuge, hoping to find out something more from him.
Everyone saw clearly that County Magistrate Lin had the final say in this matter.
Lin Shuge fooled them with a smile. After everyone left, he and Magistrate Li collapsed on their chairs. "It's really tiring to deal with these cunning people."
“Who said it wasn’t? But it’s finally over. Thanks to your cooperation today, everything went so smoothly.” Lin Shuge replied.
"Stop flattering me and using me as a raft for those merchants. Never mind. I won't bother with you." It's just an award anyway. Maybe Lin Shuge's move will lead to some big events in Ganzhou County and create something.
"Okay, you've worked hard today. I'll give you half a day off. Go back and have a rest."
"Thank you, sir." Lin Shuge said with a smile.
When he walked out of the lobby and was about to go to the clerk's residence to say hello to Zhou Du, he was about to leave work early, but he saw a man standing in the corridor. He was the one who took the lead in responding to him.
After seeing him coming, he immediately bowed and said, "Mr. Lin, I have something I want to talk to you alone."
This man looks wealthy, wearing gold and silver, and it is obvious at first glance that he is very rich.
Seeing the puzzled look on Lin Shuge's face, he said, "I am Qian Wancai, and it was my son that the young master of your house saved a few days ago."
It turned out to be him. The Qian family was a well-known wealthy family in Ganzhou County. The one who saved his son must be the young Qian who the owner of the clothing store mentioned liked to pretend to be a beggar to test people.
I have been busy since I came back and haven't had time to ask about the other victim of the kidnapping. Unexpectedly, his family came to my door first.
The Qian family is very wealthy, and they bought the most business stocks today.
Thinking of this, Lin Shuge followed him to the side of the rockery next to him.
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