In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 667 Large-scale demolition and construction, with meals and accommodation provided.
As evening approached, the afterglow of the setting sun resembled a thin veil.
It gently sprinkled on every inch of the land of Daning City.

This made the city even more bustling and lively.

The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

The bright red lanterns resembled twinkling stars in the night sky.

The entire city of Daning was bathed in a festive atmosphere.

The lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming the upcoming New Year.

The weather was also very cooperative today, though a bit overcast, with no wind or snow.

There were also fewer pedestrians on the street than usual.

After finishing his duties and leaving the office, he rushed home.
Instead, they strolled leisurely through the city market with their families and children, their laughter filling the air.

Whether it was the taverns and teahouses in the north or south of the city, or the brothels and pleasure quarters, they were all extremely lively.

Inside the tavern, people sat together.
They clinked glasses, chatted about everything under the sun, and laughed continuously.

The teahouse was filled with the aroma of tea.

The storyteller was vividly recounting the story of the Ming Dynasty's defeat of the Yuan Dynasty.

In the brothels, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

The dancers moved gracefully, their figures swaying beautifully.

Many people who have suffered poverty for a year will take their families to enjoy fresh food.

The workshop owner or the merchant owner would take his work to go out and have fun.

But at this moment, the most bustling places in the city were not these areas.
Instead, they were numerous notices in front of the four city gates, the military command office, and the prefectural government office.

It's packed with people and incredibly noisy.
It was even longer than the queue on Anhe Street in the north of the city.

Many people stood on tiptoe, hoping to see ahead.

Although I can't read, I still hope to see something.
It was simply because the commotion around them was so exhilarating.

At the entrance of the military headquarters, Yang Shiqi held a large megaphone.

Looking down at the densely packed crowd below, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a sense of helplessness.

He had read the notice countless times.

But newcomers from the local population continued to ask questions and confirm information.
"Read it again, read it again."

"Didn't hear you"

With a shout, Yang Shiqi gulped down a pot of water.

They climbed onto a platform that had been prepared beforehand.

He shouted down to the people below:

"My fellow villagers, look at me! This is the last time, the very last time!"

Even though he had said this at least ten times,
But he still kept talking, as if to encourage himself.

After pairs of eyes looked over,

Yang Shiqi was no longer under the pressure he had at the beginning.
Instead, he imagined the people in front of him as cabbages.

"The Commander has decided that all the people of my Great Ning City..."
Each household can receive five dou of wheat flour, three dou of millet, and five jin of vegetable oil upon presentation of their household registration, ensuring a meal for the whole family to enjoy together.

Any male member of the household who is stationed on the frontier will be given an additional reward of ten catties of mutton and five catties of pork.
Ordinary households also received three catties of fresh meat to enjoy the feasts of the New Year.

Each household will receive two pairs of red candles, three strings of firecrackers, and one pair of Spring Festival couplets.
We also prepared a thousand "Fu" character window decorations, which were distributed free of charge at the market to add to the festive atmosphere.

Seniors aged 50 and above will receive an additional three packets of tonic medicine, two boxes of pastries, and 30 jin of charcoal.

The elderly, the infirm, the disabled, and impoverished families can obtain cotton-padded clothing and quilts from the government office.

Also prepare 100 loads of charcoal, which will be distributed along the streets on snowy days.

Fellow villagers, this is the reward from the Xingdusi government for your hard work throughout the year.

I hope all the people in the city can have a good New Year!

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

Many people's faces turned red, and even their palms were red from clapping.
Even though they had heard it many times,
But listening to it again still brings great joy.

Among the crowd were some elderly people with hunched backs and tattered clothes.
Staring blankly at the young man standing on the high platform, they remained silent for a long time.

But tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.

Yang Shiqi stood above for a long time, waving his arms, before he could calm down his fervent emotions a little.

He cleared his throat, took a big gulp of water, and continued shouting:

"And there's more! It's the night of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, which is tomorrow night!"
Each garrison's drill ground and the city's military training grounds hosted a continuous banquet for a thousand people, with hot soup and warm wine provided.
We invite the elderly, widowed, and disabled, as well as families of soldiers stationed on the border, to join us for a reunion, celebrating with songs and dances until midnight!

"it is good!!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once again.

Yang Shiqi went to great lengths to quiet them down again, and then continued shouting:

"From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a festive market will be set up at the north gate of the city."
The government exempted merchants from taxes for three days and set up free clinics and schools, benefiting all people.

In addition, during the New Year period, additional patrol soldiers were deployed to strictly investigate bandits and ensure the safety of the people.

In case of disputes, the government has established a special expedited trial department, which will resolve cases within three days!

"it is good!!"

As more and more people gathered around,
Yang Shiqi felt it was time.

He once again calmed the atmosphere in the arena and let out a loud shout:
"I have more good news to share with you all!"

"Next year, the Commandery will begin road repairs between Daning City and Shanhaiguan, a project that will take two years!"
No laborers will be conscripted for this renovation.
Instead, they hired men and women over the age of fifteen to do the work.
The funds are plentiful, and we plan to recruit 20,000 workers. We encourage everyone to participate.

In addition, the commander made a promise,
No matter what kind of work you do, whether it's washing clothes, cooking, splitting rocks, or being a coachman or coachman,
The monthly wage is at least one cent, with room and board provided.

Please come here tomorrow, as well as to the four city gates and the government office notice board, to see the detailed rules!

Upon hearing this, the room fell completely silent.

After a brief silence,
With a "whoosh," the atmosphere in the arena seemed to explode.

The sound was so loud it seemed to pierce the heavens, causing Yang Shiqi to flinch slightly.

"Really? Food and lodging included?"

A burly, 31-year-old man with a rough appearance jumped up and shouted.
His voice was particularly loud, making him look like a yak.

There are quite a few jobs in Daning City that pay one cent a month.
But there weren't many jobs that provided food, lodging, and wages.

This means that they can save at least one coin a month.

"Yes, yes, food and lodging will be provided!"

Yang Shiqi answered while listening to the questions from others.

"Can a ten-year-old go?"

"No. Children should go to school, not construction sites!"

Yang Shiqi's face darkened, and he retaliated swiftly!
Upon hearing this, many people looked disappointed.
Suddenly, sighs and lamentations filled the room.

After all, the children in the family are under twelve or thirteen years old.

That's the awkward age when you can't work but eat a lot.

The scene was noisy, with hundreds of people talking all at once, making the entire military headquarters a chaotic mess.

The clerks, who had been working overtime, looked up in a daze.
I felt a headache coming on and couldn't understand why the adults would put the notice at the entrance of the government office.

The north gate looked the same.

The people of the grasslands here were more excited and reacted more intensely than the people in the city center.
They jostled and pushed forward, hoping to hear more clearly.

Xie Jin stood on the high platform, holding a megaphone and documents.

Looking at the constantly moving heads, I just felt my whole body stiffen and my brain went blank.

There are too many people!

He originally thought that the grassland people in the north of the city were all lazy.

They were waiting for relief from the imperial court and government offices, for money, food, and supplies to be provided to them.
But to my surprise, their enthusiasm for the work far exceeded the many benefits mentioned earlier.

Among the crowd was a middle-aged man of medium build, in his thirties.
He gazed calmly at the notice in front of him and the scholar in the long robe.
But a complex emotion flickered in his eyes, along with a hint of envy.

Beside him, several grassland people who looked like guards were forcefully pushing and shoving the surrounding crowd, hoping to create a space.
However, due to the large number of people present,
Even with their forceful shoving, they still managed to squeeze next to the middle-aged man.

"Taji, let's leave here first, there are too many people here."

Hearing the voice, the middle-aged man snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at the bustling crowd around him, and nodded gently, his voice mild:
"Let's go."

A group of people escorted him away, and they soon separated themselves from the crowd.

The guard who had spoken earlier said, somewhat shaken, "..."

"Taji, we're new here."

It's too dangerous that soldiers are guarding such a busy place.

The middle-aged man smiled, a rare occurrence, which was taken as agreement with his words:

"It's just a look, nothing will happen, let's go."

Before long, the group had completely separated from the crowd and arrived at the intersection of Anhe Street in the north of the city.
A luxurious carriage was already parked here.
Two servants were anxiously scanning the surroundings.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man approach, the attendant breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went to greet him.
One of the older men bowed deeply and spoke in a loud voice:
"Greetings, Baisongbayar Taiji. I have been waiting here for a long time."

"Excuse me."

Bayar smiled and nodded, and one of the guards beside him went straight into the carriage.
They started turning it over and over inside, examining it carefully.
Another guard lay prone under the carriage, looking at the wide, thick wheels and shafts.

This action made the two servants' expressions somewhat unpleasant.

But they merely glanced around discreetly, saying nothing.

"Taiji, you can get on the bus now."

Only then did Bayar nod slightly and get into the carriage.

Sitting inside the spacious carriage, Bayar gently lifted the curtain with his fingers.

Looking towards the bustling scene in the north of the city,
When you see a family of three, four, or even five all holding steaming hot meat pies,
Bayar's face showed emotion, and he couldn't help but lean forward a little closer.

When he saw the crowds thronging in front of those street stalls,
He was even more astonished, his head almost popping out of his skin.

It was the guard who reminded him:
"Taiji, be careful."

Bayar hooked his finger and lowered the curtains a little, peeking out through only a crack.

Walking through the streets, I found that the area near the North Gate was very lively.

Every street seemed bustling with activity, and the faces of passersby were beaming with smiles.

The children's laughter filled the air.
People didn't find it noisy; they just watched with smiles.

A peaceful atmosphere permeated the air silently, and Bayar could feel it.

"Daning City has changed a lot."

One of the guards sitting in the carriage tilted his head and cast his gaze over:

"It feels even more lively than the clan's."

Another guard frowned:
"The clan is having a 10,000-person celebration tonight and tomorrow night. How can the city of Daning compare to the clan's celebration?"

Batel ignored their argument.

Instead, he stared blankly at the various scenes outside, his mind filled with complex emotions.

Before long, the carriage turned into a quiet alley.

There were fewer pedestrians, and instead, more conversations.

Batel watched as a young man in his early twenties from the grasslands ran at breakneck speed.
He shouted as he ran:

"Father, Father, there's a job available, with room and board included and money provided."

Hearing the shouts, many people who were chatting at the entrance turned their attention to the sound and shouted back:
"Hey kid, where are you?"

"The city gate! The city gate!"

The young man kept going, only turning back to shout, and added:
"They need to recruit 20,000 people, everyone go!"

Bayar just stared at him.
Watching him run swiftly with his long legs, his figure remaining steady, he nodded thoughtfully.

"He's a good candidate for military service."
But in this city, he no longer needed to serve in the army.

The two guards dared not utter a sound upon hearing these words.
He simply lowered his head slightly.

Before long, the carriage stopped at the back door of a house.

The place was rather rudimentary, with pitted and uneven walls.
Dust and cracks had accumulated on the door panels, making it look like no one had lived there for a long time.

The two drivers opened the door and respectfully greeted Bayar as he alighted from the vehicle:

"Bayartaiji, the Second Master is waiting inside the house."

Bayar nodded slightly, stepped over the threshold, and entered the house.

The guards who had followed looked around warily, then slipped inside as well.

With a bang, the courtyard gate slammed shut.

The decorations in the courtyard are completely different from the exterior walls and doors; there is no dilapidation, only overt and covert luxury.

Clean, tidy, and enormous bluestone slabs are evenly laid across the spacious corridor.
On both sides are evergreen pines that remain lush even in winter.

There are also some precious flowers of various colors.

Walking through it, a warm and gentle atmosphere greets you.

Bayar looked at the flowers around him, his eyes slightly narrowed, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Such vibrant colors are nowhere to be seen in the depths of the grasslands during winter.

Before he could even take a good look around, a hearty laugh echoed from the end of the corridor, followed by a rough shout:
"Hahaha, Bayar. Long time no see."

This shout straightened Bayar's back, which was about to bend.
He glanced at the figure at the end of the corridor.
He laughed in return and opened his arms to greet her.

"Manager Mi, it's been months, but you're still as dashing as ever."

"Hahaha, how can he compare to Bayartaiji? Come on, come on, let's go inside and warm up."

Mi Bin smiled and gestured for them to proceed.
The two walked hand in hand to the main hall.

The main hall was even more extravagant, with the tiger-skin carpet gleaming under the lights.
The hair stood on end, as if retaining the remaining power it had in life.

Inside the huge bronze cages at the four corners of the house,
The burning charcoal, now glowing red, continuously emitted a warm glow.

Mi Bin entered and led Bayar to a large wooden chair to sit down.
Between the two was an exquisite tea table.
The boiling water was already steaming, and the aroma of tea filled the air.

"Come, Bayar Taiji, please sit down and try some Pu'er tea from Yunnan, the capital of the Ming Dynasty."

This Pu'er tea was obtained from the Dusi (a local government office), making it extremely precious.

If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have taken it out at all.

Bayar looked at the yellowish tea in the teacup in front of him with some surprise.

"Yunnan tea? Is it from southwest of the Ming Dynasty?"

"Yes, it's probably 20,000 miles away from here."

Bayar nodded blankly, his expression vacant.
Looking at the tea in the cup, a sense of cherishing it welled up in my heart.
"If it's that far, we might never be able to get there in our lifetime."

"Um"

Mi Bin agreed with his words and nodded:

"For us, being able to make a trip to Yingtian Capital is already a great achievement."

"Yes. I lived in Beiping when I was little."
Even then, it was impossible to reach Nanjing; now it's an absolute pipe dream.

Manager Mi, however, was pragmatic and did not follow the royal court to the north, but instead settled in Daning City.
Our current situation is unclear.

Bayar shook his head helplessly, his voice tinged with a sigh.

Upon hearing this, Mi Bin sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"Taiji, don't be fooled by our brothers' success in Daning City."
But to those adults, they are just ants that can be crushed at any time, far from the carefree and unrestrained life of Taiji.

You may not know this, but a few days ago I was locked up in a cell by the new officer in charge of the capital.
They tormented me all day long, all I did was beat me.

As he spoke, Mi Bin rolled up his sleeves.

The wounds on his body that had not yet healed were exposed, and the scabs on them were still clearly visible.

"How dare this new lord be so bold?" Bayar asked, somewhat surprised.

Mi Bin rolled down his sleeves, his expression strange:
"Perhaps you even know him, Bayar?"

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Two years ago, when he was in the grassland royal court, he used the alias Arsleng and was still holding the seal of the Sun Khan."

Upon hearing this, Bayar's expression changed drastically, as if he had recalled some unpleasant memories:

"It's him?"

(End of this chapter)