Liu Pan came back quickly. As the leader of a group of dock workers, he had a lot of authority in the hearts of the other 22 people.
He said that he had met a benefactor and wanted to support Gui 'er's business. The 22 people gave up the rest of their work, including the money they should have earned before, and came with him.
Everyone was wearing fine linen clothes, and there was a large patch sewn on the shoulders with cotton cloth. It seemed that the patch was not patched after it was worn out, but rather, an extra piece of cloth was added before it was worn out.
First of all, this attire reflected the better life of the people of Tang. In the past, they were all bare-chested, and when they carried things, they would put a sack under them. When the crumbs on the sack fell down, they would be stuck by the sweat on their bodies, which made them itchy and allergic.
Gui 'er no longer sold her cold jelly outside. She waited for others to finish the little bit in their hands before she took the bowl and brought them home.
With a group of men around, she naturally did not need to push her own cart.
The group left the dock and walked for half an hour before they entered a residential area far away from the main street. At this time, all residential areas had their own courtyards. No matter how big or small they were, they would definitely use fences to enclose an area. Inside the fences were some vegetables that they usually ate. Almost every family set aside an area to pick onions, so that there was no need to buy them.
In Gui 'er's courtyard, there were four chickens, one male and three females. Their wings were cut short to prevent them from flying over the short fence around the vegetable field to eat the leaves.
There were two rooms and a warehouse on the side. The windows of the main room were covered with paper, and the house was built with mud and grass. The walls were flattened with a trowel, which could be considered as a kind of pressure press. There were exposed rafters in the herringbone frame, and above them were blue tiles. Judging from the situation, the tiles were just scraped this year, and someone added a 'hat' on the chimney.
Looking at the surrounding courtyards, they were also not bad.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were very gratified. This area in Yizhou City belonged to the slums. When they came here, many families were living a better life, which showed that the overall quality of life of the people was improving.
For a long time, they had not heard of anyone starving to death. Unless he stayed at home and did not know how to ask for food from others when he was hungry, or went to the local government, he would naturally be able to eat.
They didn't set up a separate department for the relief of the common people. They were directly assigned to the yamen. If there was a problem, they could directly go to the yamen to find the yamen. This was to prevent the external departments from arguing too much back and forth.
Gui 'er was a single woman with two children, so it was impossible for her to take care of the roof tiles. As a single woman, she would need at least five days to take care of the roof tiles. If she slipped and fell, it would increase the court's medical expenses. Even if the medical treatment was free, one could not risk one's life.
"Little brother, come in and take a rest." Gui'er did not care about the twenty-three dock workers. Instead, she was very enthusiastic towards Zhang Xiaobao, but this enthusiasm carried a sense of distance.
Zhang Xiaobao walked in with Wang Juan while Gui 'er went to make tea. Some people went to fetch water from the wells in this area. The dock was very dusty, so they wanted to wash their bodies and cool down before continuing with their work.
When Zhang Xiaobao saw that the tea was black tea, he was immediately worried. After thinking about it, it was understandable. The local tea must have been fermented for many years. Otherwise, Pu 'er tea would not be so famous.
If it was sold to people who lived in the grasslands, they would prefer fermented tea. If it was green tea, it would be less effective for cleansing the stomach. The real tea leaves of the Tea Horse Sect were not specially picked to make black tea. During the process of transportation, the tea leaves would be exposed to the wind, rain, and sun, and the tea leaves would be fermented. After half a year, they would be traded at a place. Black tea was very magical.
"Sister-in-law Gui 'er, there is no need to make tea. Xiaoyu and I will just drink some water. The tea is too hot and will not quench our thirst." Wang Juan stopped Gui' er and gave a lame excuse.
"Are you not used to the local tea?" Gui 'er asked bluntly. She then said, "My family is busy. They have been coming all the time, so I did not prepare other tea leaves. Wait a moment, I will go and buy some."
Wang Juan grabbed her arm and said, "No need, no need. We are here to discuss business. We do not lack tea. If we buy more tea, we will have to spend money."
"It does not cost much. You can see that we live in a remote place, but our living conditions are not bad. We can save the money to raise the two children. The two children have school to take care of them. The elder daughter is good at her studies, but is not as naughty as the younger one. The school gives us many candles.
In the past, if there were outsiders coming, I would feel embarrassed. I always felt that our family was poor. But now, I am not afraid. We have clothes, food, and food.
As for me, I am not afraid of you laughing at me. I am a single person, raising two children. The yamen gives me many benefits. My house costs a lot of money every year. I told them that I do not need it, but the yamen runners insist. No one can compare to this house. Usually, during the New Year, the yamen will give me vegetable oil and noodles. The meat is all thick with fat, and the little ones do not like to eat it. "
Gui 'er no longer went to buy tea. She also pulled Wang Juan and chatted with her. Her face was full of happiness, but she would occasionally roll her eyes at Liu Pan. Obviously, she had her own goals now that her life was better.
Wang Juan listened to her, and her heart was sweeter than honey. Everything in front of her was forcefully promoted by her and Xiao Bao. Free medical care, free education, and extra care for special groups. When it was implemented, there was no resistance. It was not that people did not want to, but that they did not dare. When it was implemented, it was like holding a knife in one hand and a pen in the other. If the pen was not put down, the knife would be put down. There was no room for negotiation.
The imperial court paid a large sum of money every year for this, but did not have to contribute much in terms of disaster relief. Most of it was borne by her and Xiao Bao. It was like a large family that once controlled the country's politics and economy.
Therefore, when they obtained power, they had to bear a large part of the responsibility. Moreover, they had to fulfill their dream of developing China.
Therefore, the two of them contributed to the good lives of the people. Instead of praising them directly, it was better to experience the lives of the people from the side.
"Sister-in-law Gui 'er, do the children want to eat lean meat? Why don't they eat more fish? When children are young, they like to eat fatty meat because it's easy to chew and can provide the body with what it needs. When they grow up, they can't eat too much. It's not good for the body, and it'll affect their health if they gain weight. "
Wang Juan gave the idea to let them eat fish. As for whether they liked it or not, this was not a problem. Xiaobei and the rest were starting to ask for children's newspapers.
Gui 'er nodded and patted Wang Juan's hand lightly. She said, "Sister, you know more. Your hands are so tender. One look and I can tell that you're a child of a rich family. You haven't suffered much."
Wang Juan was speechless. I haven't suffered much? Do any of you know the pressure Xiao Bao and I have endured? Although we have the best food, clothing, and other necessities, a person's happiness is not measured in this way. When the road to achieving one's dreams is long, walking on it is dangerous, and the requirements are not just food, clothing, and shelter.
"When we go back, I'll get someone to send some cosmetics to Sister-in-law. Actually, Sister-in-law doesn't need much makeup. Just put more stuff on your face. You just feel that you have something to do." Wang Juan touched Gui 'er's hand. It was indeed rough, but it was work, so it had to be like this.
"Sister-in-law, you can't accept things from younger sisters. Younger sisters need money to buy them. If you give them to Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law will feel bad. When Sister-in-law has time, you can buy them yourself. Do you also buy for younger sisters?" Gui 'er glanced at Liu Pan, who was standing there foolishly, and said.
Wang Juan understood. She shook her head and smiled. "How can a woman buy her own cosmetics? Isn't it because my disappointing husband gives them to me? He gives me a bunch of things that are useful and not useful. Not to mention that it's a waste of time, I also don't need them. "
Zhang Xiaobao very wisely cooperated. "Of course, of course. Regardless of whether they are useful or not, it has nothing to do with whether I give them or not. It's the reality that you don't need them. Whether you give them or not depends on your attitude. A man who doesn't buy new clothes and cosmetics for his woman is not a good man."
Liu Pan, who was standing not far away and listening to their conversation, blushed. He rubbed his hands in embarrassment and stammered, "I … I'll go out for a while."
After he finished speaking, he wanted to leave. Zhang Xiaobao immediately stopped him. "Brother Liu, don't be in a hurry. It's more important to discuss business."
Then he lowered his voice. "I have some cosmetics with an internal price. When the time comes, I'll give you a few sets. It's not worth it to buy them now."
"What's the internal price?" Liu Pan also asked in a low voice.
"It's the price to sell to the management of the cosmetics. For example, the most expensive beauty set of whale oil moisturizing skin care series is sold for 760 strings of coins. Moreover, there's a price but no supply. Even if the price is listed, there's no stock. The internal price is cheaper, 300 copper coins per set. "
Zhang Xiaobao explained.
Liu Pan's eyes almost popped out. "Brother, don't lie to me. Is 300 copper coins enough for the cost? It's not like I don't know anything. "
"You really don't know anything." Zhang Xiaobao blinked his eyes with an 'I know very well' expression. He thought to himself, "Do you know how much the cost is? A whale has a lot of oil. The ships guarding the sea can catch it while they're at it."
But he couldn't say that. Instead, he said, "The cost is not equal to the internal price. Does the cost have anything to do with the internal price? For example, if you have a cold, you can go to the clinic and get the medicine. It's free. Don't tell me the medicine has no cost?
For example, if you go to another place and you're penniless and hungry, you can go to the local yamen. They will treat you to braised pork, two taels of wine, steamed buns and rice. Do you need money? No cost? "
"Is there wine?" Liu Pan was really honest. He directly followed the words and thought of the free food and drink provided by the yamen for outsiders.
"It depends on the situation. There's definitely no wine on a hot day. If it's rainy and humid, not only will there be wine, but there might also be wine soaked in ginseng. In the past two years, there have been more ginseng cultivated by humans. Every yamen has prepared a lot. Brother, do you understand what I mean? The internal price should be lower than the cost. "
Zhang Xiaobao finally explained the situation. The person opposite him was a blockhead. No wonder he couldn't take a step forward in protecting Gui 'er.
Liu Pan thought about how he could buy over 700 coins worth of cosmetics for 300 copper coins. He was finally tempted. But he still hesitated and asked, "Little brother Zhang, how do you want me to repay you?"
Zhang Xiaobao patted Liu Pan's shoulder and said, "Live a good life, be hardworking, be loyal to the Tang Dynasty, abide by the law and abide by the rules. That's the best way to repay me."
"I've always thought of that, and that's what I do." Liu Pan didn't understand what his actions had to do with repaying the other party.
"Very good. I've already received my reward. Here's the water. Let's wash up. We'll talk later." Zhang Xiaobao said as he saw people carrying in four large buckets of water. He called Liu Pan over.
Wang Juan was talking to Gui 'er, "Sister-in-law, you should raise a few more chickens. You haven't looked at the backyard, but the front yard is big enough. It's enough to raise 20 more chickens. If you really can't do it, you can tie a rope between their legs so that they won't be able to take big steps and eat the vegetables in the field.
Let me think, if you have 23 hens, two, no, one rooster would be enough. You don't need to use eggs to hatch the chicks. It's just eating eggs. The rooster will guard the hens, and it won't be a problem if it crows normally. "
Gui 'er was very surprised. She lowered her head to look at Wang Juan's hand, then looked at the size of the yard. She looked at the four chickens that were not afraid of strangers and asked in surprise, "Big sister, you know how to raise chickens? Aren't you from a rich family? I raised six hens in the past, but they didn't lay eggs. It wasn't easy for them to lay a soft one. How could there be eggs to eat? "
Wang Juan didn't explain why she knew how to raise chickens. She said to Gui 'er, "Sister-in-law, it's easy to solve the problem if the chickens don't lay eggs or lay soft eggs. There are river snails and shells nearby. You can take a rake and rake a basket of them back for the chickens to eat. The chickens will eat the meat inside. You can crush the shells with a roller. It's best if it's small and scattered on the ground. The hens will eat it themselves.
Not only will it replenish the nutrition of the chickens, but it will also replenish the calcium. When the time comes, the eggs will be laid one after another. With 23 hens, you can at least provide about 20 eggs a day. My chickens can sometimes lay five eggs in four days. Sometimes, but it's definitely not a problem to say that they can lay four eggs in five days. "
Gui 'er was tempted. It was said that rich families were very capable. Normally, they could lay four eggs in five days. At that time, whether they sold it or kept it for themselves, or made into salted eggs, it would be good.
"Younger sister, what did your chickens eat when you raised them?"
"Uh ~ Sister-in-law, it's not suitable for you to use that method. Just a little less is fine. For example, two eggs in three days. My chickens eat fish bone powder, earthworms, rice grains, vegetable leaves, and the fermented products of the stalks. When the sun is high, there's a place to shelter them. When it's cold, there's measures to keep them warm. We also feed them running water and fine grains of wheat rice stone. The chicken dung is cleaned every day.
The temperature is low and the temperature is low. Sister-in-law, you don't have to do this. The cost is too high. My family's poultry is mainly responsible for the imperial court's research. In fact, they can lay more eggs, but we need to add other things. We thought about it and gave up. "
Wang Juan explained in detail. If she let other people raise them like this, the cost was too high.
Gui 'er understood and said, "Then I'll feed them some vegetable leaves and officials. When the time comes, I'll go to the river and get a basket of shelled things. Two eggs in three days. It's not a small amount. I didn't know in the past. Younger sister, you've helped Sister-in-law today."
Wang Juan was not satisfied when she heard this, "The government didn't tell you how to raise chickens? What kind of bullsh * t government office are they? Are they all freeloaders? "
"The government does?" Gui 'er asked, puzzled.
"Yes, of course they do. The imperial court pays for things that affect the people's lives. The information is free. Moreover, in important places like Yizhou, there are specialized technicians in charge of answering questions. It seems that either they don't have the printing materials or they don't advertise. It's too unreasonable to teach them a lesson when we go back."
Wang Juan said angrily. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. The people didn't know how to raise livestock and poultry. It was definitely the government's responsibility.
Wang Juan was angry. When it was Gui 'er's turn, she was shocked. She looked at Wang Juan and asked, "You, you can control the government?"
"Ah? The government also needs to be reasonable, right? We'll make money in two days. Moreover, we don't need to do things by ourselves like now. Sister-in-law, you can wait to get rich. "
Wang Juan didn't reveal her identity. Once she did, she wouldn't be able to find the right atmosphere to talk. Although others looked normal, their thoughts would definitely be different.
Gui 'er was happy and confused. She asked, "Sister, how do you think we can get rich?"
"Ask him." Wang Juan pointed at Zhang Xiaobao.
Zhang Xiaobao turned his head. "Wait a moment. When everyone is done, we'll start talking about the plan to make money. There's no need to get loans or find investors. There's only 24 of you. It'll be enough if each of you pool some money."
As soon as he said this, the people who were still pouring water on themselves suddenly sped up. After they finished washing themselves, they came over shirtless. They didn't care if their pants were wet or not.
"Little brother, we'll listen. As long as you really come up with a good plan, we'll definitely support you in the future. We'll listen to whatever you say." Liu Pan expressed his attitude.
"You'll rebel even if I ask you to?" Zhang Xiaobao asked with a smile.
Liu Pan was stunned. He scratched his head and said, "Brother, you're joking. We admit that we owe you a big favor by earning more money. But if you ask us to rebel, that's impossible. At most, we'll return the money we earned to you. If we really want to rebel, the surrounding neighbors will tear us apart before the army and bailiffs are mobilized.
Even if we really rebel, where can we run to if we avoid the neighbors and the army? If we run out, will we still have a home? We don't think that the Tang Empire is bad. We're living a good life now. The Emperor is reasonable. Xiao Bao and Cuckoo have been working hard to get more benefits for us.
If we really rebel, we'll let them down first. Brother, we've learned enough. You can't make the same joke again. Otherwise, we'll take it seriously. We'll first capture you two and send you to the Blue Sea Silver Sand Restaurant to be dealt with by Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. "
"Well, you see, Brother Liu, I'm just joking. We're giving you a lot of money now. We're giving you more benefits than Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. Don't tell me you still think they're good?" Zhang Xiaobao asked again.
Wang Juan glared at Zhang Xiaobao with dissatisfaction. "You're talking about how to earn money. What Xiao Bao and Cuckoo? Do you want to hear others praise you?"
Zhang Xiaobao was embarrassed. He really wanted to hear others praise him. It would make him feel better. Who didn't want to hear good words? Moreover, it was praise in front of others when they didn't know who you were.
At this time, Liu Pan waved his hand at Wang Juan. "Sister-in-law, Xiao Bao and Cuckoo should be praised. They're such good brothers and sisters. To be honest, if there's a disaster in Tang Dynasty and a lot of people die, I'll just feel sad for a while. It's too far away from me and I can't help much. If there's a need, I can take out some money, but the dead can't be brought back to life.
If one day I hear that something happened to Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, I don't know who to cry to. Then it's over. The whole Tang Dynasty is over. Don't talk about them. Look at my mouth, they can't be in trouble. Even if they catch a cold, as long as we know the news, we'll be worried. Good people have to live a long life. I'd rather get sick and suffer for them than … "
"Brother Liu, Brother Liu, come come, let's not talk about that. They're doing well. Let's talk about business. Can everyone take out five strings of coins?" Zhang Xiaobao's eyes turned red and he quickly interrupted Liu Pan.
Wang Juan also lowered her head and blinked her eyes. What else could one ask for after being an official like this? In the future, the evaluation of officials should be decided by the people. The people would know best if one did a good job. During one's term, has the income of grain increased? Has the welfare of the people stabilized? Has the living environment improved? That's the most important thing.
As for why you would cry whenever you see the people suffering from disasters, and then boast and promise this and that, you are just like an actor. Perhaps you could fool some people in the past, saying that you are cute, a baby, and so on, but the social environment is getting worse and worse. Then are you not embarrassed to be a high-ranking official of two worlds?
You might say that you have a lot of helplessness. For example, when you can't control the military power during the disaster relief, you can only shout, 'Who raised you? You're not the leader and you're being suppressed. If you can't do it, you should take the initiative to step down. What's the point of occupying a position?'
Wang Juan started to get angry again. As she thought about it, she suddenly realized that Xiao Bao wasn't criticizing her, so why should she? Sigh, they were all in the same class. Why should she be so anxious to attack each other?
She shook her head and wanted to throw away the bad thoughts in her mind. She looked at Xiao Bao and waited for him to play his role again. Every time this happened, she would feel the most comfortable. This kind of description of economic operations was as long as an ink painting. Every time this happened, Xiao Bao would always look very, very handsome.
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