The Great Ming in the Box-Chapter 262: Gradually Turning This Place into Gaojia Village
The road construction plan officially began…
A large number of laborers gathered, ready for action. Soon, a significant amount of cement was transported over from Gaojia Village. Along with the cement came a large group of experienced workers who had long mastered the skills of mixing cement and paving roads.
These veteran workers, upon arriving in the county town, became Captains of the road construction team. Each took charge of leading a large group to work on the cement road. Starting from scratch, they personally guided the laborers, teaching them step by step.
Simultaneously, the cement production formula was handed over to Liang Shixian.
Liang Shixian had long desired this formula!
In his view, building bridges and repairing roads were virtuous deeds worthy of historical recognition—the greatest benefit a local official could bring to his region, creating benefits that could last for centuries.
But he also knew that constructing over thirty miles of cement road would require an astronomical amount of cement. It was, of course, impossible to transport all of it from Gaojia Village. The Li Family had given him the formula so that he could find a way to produce some cement locally.
The county needed to immediately organize craftsmen to produce cement according to the formula.
Liang Shixian hurriedly took the formula and ran to the Official Workshops. However, the few remaining permanent workers in the county showed no interest in the formula he held. They lazily ignored it, barely even bothering to glance at it properly.
They didn’t want to learn this new thing! And they saw no need to learn it. Their professions were “fixed”: a blacksmith’s son was destined to become a blacksmith; a carpenter’s son would remain a carpenter. This newly appeared, mystifying job of a cement worker? Let whoever wanted it take it—they wouldn’t do it. Besides, doing it wouldn’t earn them extra pay.
Watching from above, Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly. Ah, he had nearly forgotten. The craftsmen here in the county town were still trapped at the very bottom rung of society, utterly lacking in motivation.
Seeing Liang Shixian shouting furiously and pacing alone while the craftsmen rolled their eyes and ignored the County Lord with cold defiance, Li Daoxuan found it darkly amusing: Wasn’t giving you the cement formula meant to make you experience the flaws of the artisan household system? Now you’re feeling it, aren’t you? Hehehe.
Half an hour later, Liang Shixian returned to the county office, dejected, covered in dust, and utterly defeated. He sat down weakly, his face etched with frustration.
The Clerk approached him. “Dong Weng, what troubles you so?”
Liang Shixian replied gloomily, “The members of the artisan households refuse to make cement. They claim they don’t know how and won’t learn. They even argued that the trades of their ancestors determined their fates—work outside of those trades is beyond their ability. When I grew stern with them, they simply adopted an attitude of ‘Go ahead, kill me if you wish.'”
The Clerk smiled bitterly. “This…”
Liang Shixian pressed, “In your opinion, how can this be resolved?”
The Clerk shook his head. “I’m afraid I lack the wisdom to advise on such a matter.”
Just as they were discussing this, a subordinate ed: “Mr. Wang from the Book Bureau seeks an audience.”
Liang Shixian perked up instantly, rushing with pride. “Show him in!”
Mr. Wang soon entered, clasping his hands respectfully towards Liang Shixian. “County Lord, the second batch of cement shipped from Gaojia Village has arrived. However… the third batch will be far less substantial. Gaojia Village has a small population, and the manpower available for cement production is severely limited. Even working at full capacity, they can’t produce much. Therefore… we must rely on your county to produce more.”
Hearing this, Liang Shixian’s expression darkened. “This is dire news! This official currently has no solution for cement production here. I fear our road construction work might be forced to halt midway.”
Mr. Wang, already briefed by the Deity on this very outcome, was here solely to tease Liang Shixian. He feigned great shock. “Ah? If that happens, won’t our Workfare Plan collapse entirely?”
Liang Shixian sighed heavily. “Alas! This official truly does not know what to do.”
Mr. Wang pretended to think deeply, though in reality, he was silently reviewing the Decree of the Deity relayed to him by Gao Yiye. Once clear, he chuckled meaningfully. “If that’s the case, I do have a plan that might eliminate the cement shortage.”
Liang Shixian was overjoyed. “Sir, what is your brilliant strategy?”
Mr. Wang proposed: “Our Li Family could provide the capital to establish a Chengcheng cement factory near the county town. This factory would actively hire workers from the artisan households. Pay them decent, steady wages for this specific work, and why would they refuse?”
Liang Shixian looked slightly embarrassed. “Chengcheng County has virtually no rotating workers left; only permanent workers remain bound by their duties. They cannot simply leave their posts. How could they possibly go work at a cement factory?”
Mr. Wang replied persuasively, “County Lord, you are the leader of this county. If you choose not to strictly monitor those permanent workers, who will? If you turn a blind eye—pretend you don’t see them—those permanent workers, desperate to earn money to survive this natural disaster, will certainly seek jobs at the cement factory. After all… have the Official Workshops had much work lately? What use are they just sitting idle?”
The moment Mr. Wang spoke these words, Liang Shixian flushed with discomfort.
He was right! The Official Workshops were hardly producing anything. The permanent workers had been languishing in a state of idle waiting. Turning a blind eye to a few seeking external work might be preferable to rigidly enforcing the deeply flawed artisan household system. Why be so inflexible? If they couldn’t produce cement, it would damage the entire grand Workfare Plan.
“Fine!” Liang Shixian declared. “But who will establish this cement factory? I cannot be involved myself, and using the official government’s name is inappropriate.”
Mr. Wang suggested smoothly, “Simply find a reputable local gentleman to be the figurehead owner. We’ll control operations from behind the scenes through that gentleman.”
Liang Shixian turned and fixed his gaze on the Clerk.
The Clerk sprang into action. “I know the perfect candidate. His name is Teng Yifeng. He was originally a contractor—if people needed pavilions, rock gardens, or building repairs, they hired him, and he, in turn, hired craftsmen. He has excellent relations with those workers and commands their trust. However, due to the prolonged drought, he finds himself unemployed and anxious about his livelihood. Having him lead the creation of a cement factory, with us directing things quietly, is highly feasible.”
Liang Shixian nodded decisively. “Summon him. Since he has good rapport with the craftsmen, he shall be the face of this cement factory venture.”
The Clerk hurried off to make the arrangements.
Mr. Wang took his leave of the county office. Turning a corner into the next street, he found Gao Yiye waiting for him. Mr. Wang ed quietly, pleased, “I have completed the task entrusted by the Deity.”
Gao Yiye smiled. “The Deity has already witnessed it.”
Mr. Wang added, “Thus, we’ve further introduced Gaojia Village’s methods here.”
Gao Yiye smiled again. “Indeed. The revered Deity mentioned that progressing this way, it won’t be long before the county town transforms to resemble Gaojia Village. When the County Lord eventually draws his sword, looking around to find the city he knew completely changed and unrecognizable, he could be startled.”
Mr. Wang burst into hearty laughter. “When will the County Lord realize the town has transformed so drastically without his notice? Hahahahaha!”
.
!
Chapter 262: Gradually Turning This Place into Gaojia Village
Comments