HCB Chapter 201 Shen Li's Grand gesture
Chapter 201 Shen Li's Grand gesture
Originally, she wanted to inspect the three counties below, but Gu Chang'an was worried that she would be too tired from traveling, so he had Shadow gather the information and send it over. Shen Li sat in Xuzhou City as if she had opened her eyes to the heavens.
I remember once a county magistrate was a bit negligent, and Shen Li, upon receiving the news, pointed it out in an official document. From then on, that magistrate never dared to make a mistake again.
"Sir, an official document from the Ministry of Works." A voice came from outside the courtyard.
Shen Li didn't need to tell Lian Qiao to step forward and hand it over, while Shao Yao regretfully said that she hadn't come to bring food.
They were in good health, so they recovered faster after taking the medicine.
Shen Li ate another piece of watermelon before lying down again, and at the same time opened the official documents.
The message was simple: the Ministry of Works was about to arrive to repair the river embankment and hoped that Shen Li could help recruit local laborers, since repairing such a project required a large number of people.
Shen Li searched through the pages but still couldn't find the answer she was looking for.
"Recruiting workers is easy, but how are wages calculated?" Shen Li noticed that the official document didn't mention the word "money".
"Lian Qiao, tell the servant to bring my advisor to see me," Shen Li said, putting down the official documents.
A moment later, a thin clerk in his forties walked into the courtyard and bowed respectfully to Shen Li.
"I wonder what instructions Your Excellency has for me?" The clerk bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
Shen Li noticed that this person had the demeanor of a scholar and couldn't help but admire him.
"I have a few small questions. If you can tell me the truth, I will be extremely grateful. If not, I hope you will remain silent and not lie to me," Shen Li said, gesturing for a seat.
The advisor looked at Shen Li closely and nodded slightly in agreement.
"Were the workers who repaired the river embankment before it breached at the river mouth a commoner from Xuzhou?" Shen Li asked.
"Exactly."
"How much do you pay me?" Shen Li asked, worried that she hadn't asked enough, and added, "Per day."
"The wages were set by the Provincial Governor, ten coins per person per day," the clerk replied.
Shen Li frowned: "If you calculate it this way, they can only earn one tael of silver after working for a hundred days. Who would be willing to do such a job?"
"To be honest, sir, the labor is hard and tiring, so the common people are naturally unwilling to come. Therefore, the prefect has no choice but to stipulate that every household must send out able-bodied men."
"Conscripting men?" Shen Li understood.
"The people have no choice, and neither does the prefect. The higher-ups have allocated so much, and the construction is urgent, so this is the only option we can take," the clerk explained to the prefect.
Shen Li nodded and asked, "If we follow the market price, how much can you earn per day for a job like repairing a river embankment?"
"Fifty coins."
"Then I would like to trouble you, sir, to write a notice for me to post. Starting today, we will recruit laborers to repair the river embankment. Each person will be paid eighty cash per day."
The advisor originally thought he had seen through many things and that he wouldn't be very surprised, but upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Eighty coins?
It's increased eightfold!
"My lord, it's not that I'm trying to undermine you, but the expenses will be enormous if things continue like this, and the Ministry of Revenue won't approve it," the clerk advised.
“You said it yourself, it’s the Ministry of Revenue,” Shen Li said in a relaxed tone.
The advisor was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Is this what they mean by having someone in the court to make it easier to get an official position?"
Their prefectural governor racked his brains trying to figure out how to deduct money from the provincial governor, but Shen Li just did it so easily with a single sentence?
"It is a blessing for the people of Xuzhou that you care so much about their livelihood. I will go and post the notice now." The clerk bowed to Shen Li again with a touch of sincerity.
Many people are born into power and influence, and those who use their power to bully others are often the ones who do so; it is truly rare to find someone who uses their power to help the common people.
After the clerk left, Lianqiao asked, "Miss, is this alright? Won't it be too much for the Ministry of Revenue to afford?"
“My husband mentioned to me that the Ministry of Revenue’s allocation would be sufficient if managed properly,” Shen Li said, eating another piece of watermelon. “The reason we didn’t receive it, guess whose pocket it went into?”
"Corrupt officials," Peony said indignantly.
"In this way, even if the Ministry of Revenue incurs more expenses, at least the money will be used effectively." Shen Li put down her bowl, lay back in her chair, and began to rock back and forth.
"Moreover, the considerable wealth of the provincial governor and the Grand Canal transport commissioner was all plundered from this place. Confiscating their property is a way of giving back to the people what was taken from them."
Lian Qiao nodded in agreement: "What you say makes sense, Miss."
"That makes sense, but it sounds like bandits robbing the rich to help the poor," Peony whispered.
Shen Li laughed: "That's quite apt, but in this murky water, even bandits would be innocent."
Ultimately, it's a case of the upper beam being crooked, so the lower beam will be crooked too.
If we want a peaceful and prosperous world, we ultimately need a wise ruler.
"My lord, a letter has arrived from Young Master Xiao of Jizhou, along with some local specialties for you," a man reported as he entered.
Shen Li sat up straight, invited the messenger in, and inquired about the situation in Jizhou. She was relieved to hear that Lin Wan'er was feeling better, and then ordered someone to take her away and treat her well.
She initially thought it was just a greeting letter and read it casually, but after reading the third line, she stopped chewing and her eyes gradually lit up.
It turns out they were mutually attracted; that makes things easier.
She immediately replied with a letter containing only four words: "Return to the capital to propose marriage."
Lin Wan'er is being eyed by both the Crown Prince and Prince Yi's factions. The idea she came up with last time won't last long. Since Xiao Qi is interested, she should make a decision as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.
"Miss, what makes you so happy?" Peony looked at Shen Li's expression: "You haven't been this happy since you left Kyoto."
“I’ve stumbled upon an opportunity. Do you know what an opportunity is?” Shen Li was in a great mood, so she began to tell her.
"Opportunity and fate?"
"At the right time, with the right person, anything can happen by chance." Shen Li handed her the envelope: "Give it to that servant later."
"Lianqiao, pick out a few plain summer clothes from the clothing store that were delivered yesterday..." Shen Li said, then thought for a moment, "Two plain ones, and a few brightly colored ones for the servant to take back as well."
She always needed to make clothes before going out, and since Lin Wan'er hadn't prepared any for herself, she made extra. The two were about the same size, so the clothes fit her well.
"Yes."
Shen Li originally wanted to bring some more food, but worried that it would be too obvious and expose their relationship, so she gave up the idea.
"Let's have something nice tonight, but not too extravagant, just enough." She wanted to celebrate, but she was being conservative considering the disaster victims still living inside and outside the city.
The announcement caused a sensation both inside and outside the city. The people couldn't believe that they could earn so much money working for the imperial court. Many people went to the government office to inquire, and only believed it when they heard that the censor had ordered the announcement to be posted.
Although Shen Li had only been in Xuzhou for a little over a month, her prestige was already very high, and the people were willing to believe her. After asking around, they rushed to sign up.