mtlumby2d Chapter 298: Get Out If You Don’t Want to Do It
Chapter 298: Get Out If You Don’t Want to Do It
Zhao Cunliang stood carelessly in the crowd and shouted at the top of his voice, "Village Chief, stop using these high-sounding words! We're all down-to-earth people. Just tell me how much you want per day."
Zhao Cunliang crossed his arms over his chest, with a hint of impatience on his face and his brows tightly furrowed. He was not going to deliver any glutinous rice, he was just here to cause trouble. Guangzongyaozu was still lying in bed, and he had no place to vent his anger.
He glanced at the village chief and continued, "Don't bother with those empty words. We all work here to earn a few dollars to support our families! Just give us a figure. If it's okay, it's okay. If not, forget it!"
After saying that, Zhao Cunliang did not forget to spit on the ground.
The people of Murakami originally gathered here just to contribute to the repair of the city wall, and they didn't really have much hope of getting much money.
But after hearing Zhao Cunliang's blunt question, everyone fell silent. The crowd, who had been whispering, suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the village chief.
After all, who doesn’t want to make a little more money to improve their family’s life? People thought silently in their hearts, and their eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of expectation.
Even if it's just a few more copper coins, you can buy new clothes for your child or some oil and salt for the family.
The village chief looked at Wu Baixi with an embarrassed look, not knowing how to deal with this situation.
Seeing this, Wu Baixi stepped forward without hesitation and said solemnly: "My fellow villagers, it will cost a lot of money to repair the city wall. In recent years, Dayan has been plagued by internal and external troubles, and the national treasury is tight." Wu Baixi looked sincerely at everyone present.
He paused, then continued, "So this time we hire you to transport glutinous rice, and each person can only be paid ten cents a day." There was a hint of apology in Wu Baixi's tone, but his eyes were sincere.
"I, Wu Baixi, know that this amount of money is not much, but please believe that this is the greatest sincerity I can offer at the moment. The successful repair of the city wall will benefit all of us. I hope that all the villagers can understand and support it." Wu Baixi saluted to everyone with a fist.
Zhao Cunliang couldn't help but sigh loudly: "How can it be only ten cents a day! The last time Master Chen hired us to work, it was thirty cents a day!"
He waved his arms as he spoke, his emotions becoming increasingly intense. "This is a huge difference! Sir Wu, you're being too stingy!"
"We all have to support our families. What's the use of ten cents a day? We can't even have a full meal!" Zhao Cunliang kept shaking his head and muttering to himself.
When Xiuying heard what Zhao Cunliang said, she couldn't help but yell, "Zhao Cunliang, if you want to go, go. If you don't want to go, get out! Folks, now is not the time to be calculating about personal gain!"
She took a deep breath and continued, "I believe everyone knows that the Shang Kingdom has always been eyeing Dayan. If war breaks out and the city walls are breached, what kind of suffering will the millions of people of Dayan suffer?"
"Our families and friends will all be living in dire straits. Can we just stand by and watch this happen?" Xiuying swept a determined gaze over the crowd and continued, "Now, if we contribute to repairing the city wall, we are protecting ourselves and our home!"
The strong men in the village had already been assigned to repair the wall, and the only ones left were the team that had taken the chickens to the city to buy last time.
When the men selling chickens heard that there was work to be done, they immediately asked eagerly, "Can I go?" A burly man squeezed to the front and looked at Wu Baixi and Xiuying with longing on his face.
"Do you think I can go?" another dark-skinned man shouted, with anxiety flashing in his eyes.
"Me too, me too!" Others also shouted, and the scene suddenly became noisy, everyone was vying for this opportunity.
Seeing everyone so anxious, Xiuying quickly waved her hand and said in a louder voice, "Okay, don't worry, don't worry!"
She glanced at the crowd and continued, "Those who want to go should go to the village chief's house to sign up. We'll all come in order so everyone has a chance. When everyone comes back, go to my place and get two broiler chickens each."
The scene immediately cheered
"Great!"
"Xiuying is such a kind person!"
Excited smiles appeared on people's faces. They didn't expect that this time they could not only make money, but also get broiler chickens. You know, one broiler chicken can be sold for eighty cents, and two are one hundred and sixty cents.
When Zhao Cunliang heard that there were still two broiler chickens after he came back, he immediately regretted it.
He slapped his thigh hard, muttering, "Oh! Why is my brain so confused?"
Another good opportunity to make a fortune was missed.
"If I had known such a good thing would happen, I shouldn't have complained so impulsively." At this moment, he was like an eggplant hit by frost, wilted and completely devoid of his previous arrogance.
The team transporting glutinous rice was quickly organized and then set off in a mighty procession, with people either pushing the carts or pulling the reins.
Wu Baixi personally planted the flag of Pingyang County government on the cart transporting glutinous rice, and the flag fluttered in the wind.
He looked at the fluttering flags and said in a deep voice, "In this way, even if we encounter bandits, I don't think they will be brave enough to act rashly." Wu Baixi's voice was steady and powerful, as if it reassured everyone.
After hearing Wu Baixi's words, the people in the team felt a little relieved, but they still remained highly vigilant. Everyone looked around from time to time and held the tools in their hands tightly just in case.
On the other side, Xiuying's yard became lively again.
The women that the fourth brother Guihua and the fifth brother Lamei had found gathered in the yard one after another. After counting carefully, there were ten people in total.
These ten women were all honest and hardworking peasant women. They usually relied on picking mountain products such as wood ear mushrooms to exchange for food from Xiuying to supplement their family income.
"Sister Xiuying, I'm sorry to trouble you again!" An older peasant woman spoke first, her eyes full of gratitude.
"That's right, Sister Xiuying is kind-hearted and always takes care of us." Another peasant woman also echoed.
Xiuying smiled and said, "What's the big deal? This is a fair trade. You're getting what you deserve for your labor."
She paused slightly, her expression becoming serious, and then continued, "But let me be frank first. If anyone doesn't do their job well and doesn't meet the requirements, then leave. I don't want to keep idle people here."
Xiuying swept her eyes over the crowd with a firm look, a hint of majesty in her eyes.
"But as long as you stay and work hard, you can earn 20 cents a month. As long as everyone works hard, everyone can earn this money." Xiuying raised her voice and made a solemn promise.