The invasion of the abyss begins with the Laughing at the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 53 The era of great construction

The next day, the red sun rose, and the gorgeous morning glow painted the azure blue sky into purple-red, adding a festive touch to the New Year.

Notices were posted overnight under the city walls or in the streets and alleys, which published Shen Yuanliang's latest orders. Seeing this, many people flocked to the notices, wanting to know what was written on them.

"Shen Yuanliang of Shenjiabao announces to the people everywhere: Since the Jin Jiannu have been rampant, they have repeatedly invaded our Liaonan territory and killed people. In order to resist the barbarians, 30,000 laborers are conscripted to build the city wall."

"Every household must contribute one man, no violation allowed!"

In the crowd, Gongsun Shaojun, a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties wearing a black gown and a melon-shaped hat, looked at the orange-yellow notice and spoke word by word.

As one of the few scholars in Yongning City, Gongsun Shaojun still has some status. In order to know Shen Yuanliang's next move, he waited here early in the morning.

"What? Another corvée? Building the city wall. Fortunately, it's not far away, right at my doorstep. I just hope the corvée won't be too long and won't delay the spring ploughing."

"We need to repair our city defenses if the Later Jin invades. Otherwise, what will we do if 'Wild Boar Skin' attacks us?"

"Alas! We have to do hard labor for the rest of our lives, from the time we tie our hair until we die. When can we take a few days off to relax?"

The people watching were talking about it, but not many were against it. They were apparently used to doing hard labor and even thought it was natural. Many were glad that the place where they were to do hard labor was not far away.

The weather is freezing cold, and if you really have to go to Shenyang or other places to perform labor, such as building city walls, digging trenches, etc., you will be unfamiliar with the place and no one will be able to help you if something goes wrong.

"Wait, General Shen abolished corvée labor. From now on, you will be paid five cents of silver per month for labor service, and the general's mansion will also provide food."

Just when everyone was feeling a little disappointed and preparing to leave, Gongsun Shaojun looked stunned and couldn't help but exclaimed.

No dynasty had ever dared to abolish corvee labor, and even paid wages while performing labor. It was truly an unprecedented event. Shen Yuanliang's behavior made this scholar, who had failed the imperial examinations many times, admire him very much.

"Do hard labor and get paid? And get food? I knew General Shen was a good man. He abolished usury yesterday and gave us such a big surprise today!"

"Five cents of silver. I have nothing to do in winter. I can do some labor for General Shen. Not only will I get paid, but I can also save money for food for my family."

"What a pity. Each household can only send one person. It would be great if all of them could serve in the labor service. I have four sons! No, I have to ask if they can all go."

The entire Yongning City was in an uproar, and everyone was running around telling each other that Shen Yuanliang had replaced corvée labor with a hiring system. Such a groundbreaking event must be known to more people, right?
Taking advantage of the Spring Festival, many people set off firecrackers. The crackling sound spread throughout Yongning City. They were used to vent their joy, which was even more exciting than yesterday's New Year's Day.

In less than a day, 30,000 able-bodied men were recruited. Many people even volunteered to join the labor army, but were ruthlessly rejected by Shi Tou.

In order to manage 30,000 people, under the suggestion of Shen Yuanliang, everyone worked together under the leadership of their respective village heads and team leaders, and carried out construction in sections.

The Lijia system is very similar to the Baojia system. Both are grassroots management agencies aimed at promoting the Huangce system and strengthening local management. 110 households form a Li with a Li head, and ten households form a Jia with a Jia head.

"Stone. The new city wall is built with rammed earth and covered with a thick layer of large bluestone."

"Each large bluestone is three feet long, two feet wide, and one foot and three inches thick. It is related to the construction of the city wall and must be carefully carved and not sloppy."

On January 6, Shen Yuanliang, wearing a moon-white jacket and a wooden hairpin in his hair, walked on the barren hillside in the dry and cold wind and gave solemn instructions.

With only two months left, it was too late to burn bricks again, so Shen Yuanliang decided to use the large bluestone from the mountains to build the wall instead of blue bricks. After all, large bluestone is a kind of stone material that is widely distributed and easy to obtain locally, and only needs to dig up the mountain.

"Brother Liang, each piece of bluestone weighs several hundred kilograms. It is very inconvenient to carry it, which will greatly affect the progress of the project."

"Can you think of a solution?"

Scratching his head and holding a tin horn, the rough-faced Shi Tou said somewhat embarrassedly.

Due to the food shortage, it was difficult for the people of Yongning City to have enough food. Most of them did not have much meat on their bodies, so they did not have much strength, let alone hundreds of kilograms of bluestone.

"Now it is the middle of winter. Sprinkle water on the ground and wait for the water to freeze. Then slide the big bluestone over. This will save a lot of effort."

Looking at the people who were sweating profusely and lifting the big bluestone with all their strength, Shen Yuanliang pinched his chin and pondered for a moment. Then his eyes lit up and he suddenly clapped his hands and said.

At the same time, in order to speed up the construction progress, Shen Yuanliang decided to mobilize two to three thousand servants under his command to carry some large bluestones every day, just as they would strengthen their muscles and bones, just like the monks in the Shaolin Temple carrying water.

"Dang Dang Dang."

The crisp sound of gongs rang out, and under the leadership of their respective team leaders and village heads, many laborers lined up to get their meals, and no one dared to cut in line.

Shen Yuanliang's team is most disciplined. You have to queue up to eat, to go to work, and even to go home. Everyone was not used to it at first, but now they are slowly getting used to it.

"There is meat, fish. We can eat meat every day. General Shen is so good to us. I really hope that life like this can continue."

"In just a few days, I seem to have become much stronger, and I have more energy to do things. I have endless energy. General Shen is really kind. He said he would let us eat, and he let us eat."

"Hey! Why is it still fish? Fish is not tasty, I'm tired of it. When will it be changed to pork? Or sauerkraut fish will be fine."

In front of the steaming hot meals, there were laborers who had been busy all morning, rushing to finish their work, and servants who regarded carrying the large bluestones as a way to strengthen their muscles. It was a bustling scene.

Everyone stared eagerly at the greasy food in the big pot, which was full of ingredients and looked very appetizing, and couldn't help swallowing their saliva.

At the foot of the hill, several long queues stretched crookedly until the end of the sight, like long winding dragons. Everything was so orderly.

"Shi Tou, building a city is important, but your own martial arts path is equally important. No matter how busy you are, you must persist in practicing martial arts every day and strive to break through to the eighth level of martial arts as soon as possible."

"You just need to arrange things every day and do a good job of supervision. If you do well, you will be rewarded; if you do not do well, you will be punished."

Under the simple thatched hut, Shen Yuanliang sat at a rough wooden table holding a large coarse porcelain bowl, shoveling the food in the bowl in big mouthfuls, talking as he ate.

As for Shen Yuanliang's tasks, the stubborn Shitou completed them meticulously. Sometimes he even sacrificed his own martial arts practice time to keep an eye on the construction site, wishing he had a pair of eyes growing on the construction site.

After seeing him do this several times, Shen Yuanliang had no choice but to persuade him.

(End of this chapter)