On the 28th, Ning Yao instructed Zhi Lan to spread the word that the New Year's gifts would be distributed starting on the 29th, and after receiving the gifts, people would begin their holiday, which would last until the 8th day of the first lunar month when work would officially resume.
Of course, not all shops are closed. Some shops that need to stay open have arranged for staff, and the wages are tripled.
On the morning of the 29th, the heads of various shops gathered at the Ning Family Manor to receive holiday items and rewards.
The Ning Family Manor was bustling with activity once again.
In the afternoon, the people in charge left and returned to their respective shops. After closing the shops at night, they gathered the workers to start distributing the goods.
Many people witnessed truckloads of goods being hauled into the city from outside at midday.
Some people guessed that it was probably given to the workers by the Ning family, so some curious people waited from noon until night, from day to night, just to see what the Ning family had given them.
However, the actions of the shop managers directly thwarted their plans.
Rewards were distributed behind closed doors; all that could be heard were cheers and sounds of surprise from inside, but no one could see what was being given out.
However, they found out the very next day.
"Have you heard? The shops under the Ning family's name give each employee very generous New Year's gifts!"
"They said they would give each person ten catties of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, five catties of vegetables and fruits, one zhang of cotton clothing and cloth, and five taels of silver as a reward!"
"That's not all! This is just a reward. They're on holiday from today until the seventh or eighth day of the Lunar New Year. They'll get paid even during this holiday. They'll get the same amount they normally work for a day!"
"What? How can this be? Doesn't that mean the people working during the holidays are losing out? The holidays are so busy, and they're getting the same pay as those who are off work? It's a total rip-off!"
"What do you know! Do you know that people who work during holidays get triple pay?!"
"Wait! What did you say! Three times! You're not kidding me, are you?!"
"You know, the lowest wage for a shop assistant in the Ning family's shop is fifty coins a day. If you triple that, that's one hundred and fifty coins a day! Today is the seventh day of the new year, which is a full nine days. That's one thousand three hundred and fifty coins! That's more than one tael of silver!"
"Who can earn one tael of silver in nine days? This is practically giving away money! The Ning family must have too much money to burn!"
Someone nearby chuckled, and what they said was a mix of jealousy and envy: "Let's not even talk about those who are off work. Just look at those who work during the holidays. They get one tael, three mace, and fifty wen for nine days of work. They get the same holiday gifts as everyone else. I won't even mention how much the chicken, duck, fish, and meat are worth, or how much the vegetables and fruits are worth. But do you know how much the cotton-padded clothes are worth?"
"The Ning family's cloth shop is booked until next year's Lunar New Year, and there are still people who haven't gotten a spot yet. I heard from a neighbor who works at the cloth shop that they get ten taels of silver a month just from tips this winter, not even counting their regular wages!"
"In that case, the cotton-padded fabric alone is worth more than a hundred taels of silver, and it's given to the workers as a New Year's gift. Who wouldn't be envious?"
Some people don't understand why they would give something so expensive away for free, instead of selling it for money.
Someone replied, "They're all produced by the Ning family themselves, and the Ning family is wealthy, so this isn't expensive for them at all!"
Everyone fell silent.
To be honest, everyone envies the workers who work at Ning's shop.
Clean and hygienic, high wages, good benefits, the boss is not harsh, and you don't have to be subservient to guests.
Even his own family members get half the price when they go to Ning Family Clinic for medical treatment and medicine.
Some people sighed, "I hope the Ning family opens a few more shops and gives us a chance to work in their shops. That way, our whole family will be secure for the rest of our lives!"
Hearing others say this, everyone began to have hope.
Meanwhile, Ning Yao listened to the reports from her subordinates about the city's reactions over the past few days.
She lowered her head in thought, and Ning Jin brought Shen Ce's letter home.
Almost all of them were asking about their farming.
Nanjiang City has vast plains, suitable for growing grain, and is the granary of the Chu Kingdom, but after this drought, it is clear that it is still not enough.
If you want to strengthen your country, make your army strong and powerful, and ensure that your people live in peace and prosperity, the most basic thing is to develop agriculture.
We must adapt to local conditions and ensure balanced development in all regions.
Now, Nanjiang City has returned to its former state, and the people have continued to cultivate the land. Shen Ce's decree has also been issued to cities in various regions.
But there are still very serious problems ahead.
What to plant?
How should it be developed?
With the Ning family in charge of Licheng, the cotton they grow has already become known to the Sheng Kingdom.
I heard that the royal family of Sheng Kingdom was furious and questioned Chu Kingdom about stealing their things.
Shen Ce casually remarked, "The cotton in my Chu Kingdom is large and white, and each piece is of the highest quality. If you don't believe me, then you are welcome to come and see for yourselves at next year's state banquet!"
Ning Yao pondered for a long time, then opened a map of the Chu Kingdom and began to mark it with circles and dots.
Haicheng is located by the sea, so it relies on the sea for its livelihood, developing fishing and salvage industries, building ships and roads to transport seafood from there to other places.
Although Yunxiang City is no longer closed off, whether or not it should interact with the outside world depends on the other side's wishes, so Yunxiang City is not considering it for the time being.
Following Licheng, whose environment and climate are very suitable for cotton cultivation, cotton can be developed as the main industry.
Qingzhou City has distinctive characteristics and is famous for its chili peppers. All kinds of spicy food, such as hot pot, barbecue, and mala tang, can be the main dishes.
Lin'an City is a water town in the Jiangnan region, with many winding streams and abundant vegetation and flowers, many of which are edible and suitable for making various pastries and cakes. Moreover, the vegetation and flowers can be shaped into other forms, which is a major highlight.
It goes without saying that Nanjiang City was the granary of the Chu Kingdom.
Songyang City, being the first city beyond the Kunlun Mountains, was a strategically important location and a bustling center of commerce and travelers. Now, all that's needed is to rebuild what was previously there.
Xuancheng is quite special; it produces many doctors, and many famous doctors come from Xuancheng. Xuancheng has a relatively flat terrain, but there are still hills and forests, which are suitable for the growth of medicinal herbs. Ning Yao thinks that this is a good starting point.
Pingyang City is very similar to Nanjiang City, with vast land and sparse population, but unlike Nanjiang City, it does not have much water, so it cannot grow aquatic crops. It is more suitable for growing dryland crops, such as corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. Developing other crops in it would also be a great help to the State of Chu.
The capital city was the center of the Chu Kingdom, where the emperor, his officials, noble families, and common people lived together. It was bustling with merchants and shops, but also chaotic and not suitable for any changes. It was more suitable for more diverse shops to move in.
Lingyue City is the last city north of the capital. Not only is it large in area, but it is also cold for half the year, with only spring, autumn, and winter, and no summer. However, because it is sparsely populated, much of the land here is uncultivated. Ning Yao thinks it is possible to cultivate it and grow the same crops as Pingyang City, making it the second granary of Chu.
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