GBP Chapter 682 In the dead of winter, the docks distribute welfare benefits.
Chapter 682 In the dead of winter, the docks distribute welfare benefits.
The Fifth Prince feels that everything is going very smoothly for him lately, in every aspect.
Although the amount of gold and silver treasures unearthed was pitifully small, he did manage to dig up a large number of weapons from the previous dynasty.
Compared to gold and silver treasures, these bronze and iron artifacts can be used in the army with a little repair.
As for the whereabouts of those gold and silver treasures, the Fifth Prince did not suspect the Tong family.
The Tong family wouldn't do something so self-contradictory; a large family like theirs still has its own bottom line.
The Tong family certainly never found any trace of the treasure; the person who took the gold and silver must have been someone else.
After all, there are always some incredibly lucky people in this world, and there are always some strange and wonderful encounters.
The Fifth Prince Zhao Hongjing felt that he was also quite lucky. He had dug out these weapons, which were enough to equip all the soldiers in his private army camp with weapons and equipment, and there would even be some left over.
The blacksmiths we kidnapped earlier have finally come in handy.
Meanwhile, his connection with the Ouyang family has become increasingly close. Whenever he reveals some information about Ouyang Jue, the Ouyang family treats him as an honored guest.
As for Ouyang Yan, ever since a storyteller was sent there, the woman has indeed stopped thinking about showing her face in teahouses every day.
Occasionally, when I visit the Ouyang family, I can still exchange a few words with them.
With the Ouyang family's connections, he essentially had the Empress Dowager's support.
After all, the large families are all of one mind and share the same blood. If the Ouyang family insists on standing on her side, the Empress Dowager will only acquiesce and then express her support in her own way.
The Empress Dowager is the Emperor's biological mother. If he has the Empress Dowager's advice, there will be very little resistance to him becoming the Crown Prince.
Then I can curry favor with the Empress and get her to register me under her name, thus giving me another source of protection.
Being both the "legitimate son" and the "virtuous," no one could shake his position.
"Ha ha".
The Fifth Prince even chuckled out of the corner of his mouth upon thinking about this.
"What makes Your Highness so happy?"
The personal eunuch, seeing his master's ever-changing expressions, all of which were a mixture of joy and excitement, finally dared to ask a question.
"It's nothing, I just thought of some happy things."
"Your Highness has indeed been doing very well lately, and everything is moving in a positive direction."
"Hahaha, yes, this is probably fate. When your time comes, you can't stop it."
Recently, the Fifth Prince Zhao Hongjing has been summoning his strategists less frequently, because there's nothing troublesome going on.
His subordinates are all quite capable, and the news they bring back is always good.
After returning to the southern border, the Prince of Xuannan dutifully patrolled the area and showed no intention of interfering in the affairs of the capital.
The heir of the Prince of Xuannan was even more obedient in the capital. He held a nominal position with no real power and never even left his residence except when summoned by His Majesty.
The eldest daughter of the Prince of Xuan Nan's mansion goes out frequently, but it's mostly for shopping and dining. I heard she's also thinking of starting a business recently.
In any case, they were all dealing with trivial matters that were not worth mentioning.
In addition, he kept a close eye on the Tong family and the Fourth Prince, mainly by having the Tong family help him make connections with officials both inside and outside the court.
The ninth and tenth princes themselves haven't made any moves, but their families have been very active.
The prime minister of the Ninth Prince's maternal family had no military power, while the tenth prince's maternal family had military power but were weak in the court.
Both companies have obvious weaknesses, but what if these two companies with obvious weaknesses were to join forces?
That would mean there are no weaknesses. However, forming an alliance is not so simple, since both sides have princes, and they may not be able to agree on the terms.
Which one is the primary player, and which one is the secondary player?
They might not only fail to reach an agreement, but they might also end up biting each other, like dogs fighting each other.
hum~
In the depths of winter, the first snowflake fell from the sky.
The Tongzhou Wharf is still under construction at a feverish pace.
Lord Qiu inquired about the wishes of the craftsmen from both the north and south, and they were all willing to continue working for a few more days, since there were still some days until the New Year.
Southern craftsmen felt that as long as they could get home before New Year's Eve, that was fine.
Northern craftsmen who live closer to home plan to stay until the very end, while those who live farther away may go home a few days earlier.
"My lord, it's snowing."
"Well, at least it hasn't frozen yet."
"The craftsmen said that even if it freezes, they will continue to work for a few more days to catch up on the project."
We never said we'd launch the ship for testing in the spring, but the craftsmen seem to know it all too well.
"What are you saying? Nobody's a fool. We paid a lot of money for processing and overtime. Who wouldn't see that we're in a hurry to finish?"
Alright, the craftsmen are all honest people. It's getting cold, and no matter where you are, make sure no one gets cold. Buy a batch of thicker new cotton-padded clothes and distribute them.
In addition, order more firewood from woodcutters in the mountains so that everyone can wash with hot water at night, and keep the fire pits burning in the work sheds.
Also, include more fatty meat in your meals; gaining some weight will help keep you warm.
The subordinates wrote down everything, and despite the pain of losing money, they decided to follow their superiors' instructions.
After all, they patrolled the docks every day and knew how tired the craftsmen were. When they returned to their work sheds, they didn't even want to talk.
When the kitchen staff were serving the food, all you could hear was the sound of chewing; there was no other conversation.
They could see perfectly well how tired the craftsmen were.
It is reasonable to provide more supplies and benefits, and those who work overtime should naturally be paid more. These are all justifiable.
They are not unscrupulous officials who exploit the labor of ordinary people. The craftsmen work so hard, it is only right that their pockets are bulging at the end of the year.
After all, farming is about reaping what you sow, and the same applies to craftsmen.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—artisans held a status second only to merchants, and were historically considered lowly.
However, the master and his superiors gave these craftsmen ample respect and money.
The elder is right. If you want people to work wholeheartedly for you, you either have to pay them enough money or give them enough respect.
If they have neither, why should they? Everyone's a fool.
"My lord, I have noted everything down. Is there anything else?"
"Well, that's all for now. When there's nothing to do, we'll increase the frequency of patrols to promptly identify and resolve any issues."
With the Lunar New Year just over two months away, many craftsmen in the north will be working until the very end of the year, and all necessary preparations must be made.
"I understand, and I will certainly not make everyone suffer. In addition, the craftsmen from the south will be returning to their hometowns one after another next month. Should we arrange carriages or boats for them?"
"Yes, it's time to make arrangements. Although these people have earned a lot of money, few of them are willing to spend it. Let's make arrangements to send them away in bulk; it won't cost much more money."
Moreover, with the year drawing to a close, bandits and robbers were rampant, and it was unsafe for them to travel separately.
Qiu Cheng had thought it through very well. Some of these people had dozens of taels of silver on them, while others had twenty or thirty taels. They had no weapons, so in the eyes of the bandits, it was like picking up free money.