In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 680 Popular support is useful; Daning Textile

Time flies, and twenty days have passed in the blink of an eye.

A long queue had formed on the official road outside Daning City.

In a world blanketed in white, light snowflakes drifted down, and a strong wind howled.
But this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the laborers and common people for building the road.

They held hoes and shovels, working diligently, hoeing and shoveling.

Their figures may appear small in the vast world, but the courage in their hearts can move mountains and fill seas.

The newly built official road is located on one side of the old official road.
The purpose of this is to ensure that the transportation of goods and trade are not affected during the renovation process.
After the cement road is laid, the original official road will be covered and repaired.

Some of these people had participated in the repair of the original official road, and now they felt no remorse as the old road was being demolished.

To this day, everyone knows that
Roads paved with concrete are truly good.

At a construction site thirty miles away from Daning City

Monggo Asir was vigorously swinging his hoe, breaking through the hardened clods of earth.

In order to make the road repairs more solid,
All the frozen soil that will collect water after thawing must be removed.
Otherwise, even if it is repaired,
Even in summer and spring, the roads will become bumpy and uneven after they thaw.

Asir was unaware of the reason.

He only knew to do the work as instructed, and that a supervisor would come to inspect later.

"call--"

Asir raised the hoe high and slammed it hard into the ground.

The slightly dark earth was only dented, and the force of the impact made his palms ache.

Asir looked at the tiny particles that had fallen and felt somewhat helpless.

This was the first time he had felt such profound awe for the earth:

"Too hard"

Not only him, but the laborers around him were also complaining.
But then, as if in a contest,
Continue swinging the hoe forcefully to break through the ground.

Just then, Asir's eyes widened in surprise.
Why are those tiny clods of soil that I just shoveled off shaking?

The next moment, he felt the ground shaking violently.

He suddenly raised his head and looked around at the vast expanse of white.
But all I could see was the road that was lit up when I came.

what happened?
More and more people noticed the ground shaking and looked up to check.
"Continue, continue, do not panic. A large contingent of soldiers is rushing past. You shall continue."

A foreman, carrying a megaphone, rode off at full speed on his warhorse.
They tried to outdo each other with their voices in a fierce battle against the raging snowstorm.

By the time the sound reached Asir's ears, it had become very faint.
But he still heard it clearly.

A large contingent of soldiers?

Asir looked southwest, and the official road disappeared into the white mist in less than three zhang, with only the dark mountains and forests in the distance faintly visible.

Suddenly, a warhorse, jet black, tall and with sleek lines, broke through the mirror-like surface formed by the white mist, its massive hooves swinging menacingly as it leaped out!

He stomped hard on the ground!
With a soft "thump," Asir suddenly held his breath.

The gaze shifted, and the soldiers on horseback, clad entirely in black armor, resembled knights emerging from hell, radiating a chilling aura.

Ice crystals were embedded in the armor, adding to its imposing appearance.

"Boom-"

More and more hooves landed, startling Asir so much that his mind went blank.
He involuntarily took a step back and fell to the ground.

Immediately afterwards, one after another majestic warhorses rushed out of the white mist, and slowly came to a stop as the soldiers tore at them.

"What are you doing?"

A deep, muffled voice came from behind the masked figure of the leader.
Asir pursed his lips, about to answer, when the foreman who had just left rushed back.

"Are they from Tianjin?" the foreman asked loudly.

"Yes."

The leaders answered succinctly.

The foreman breathed a sigh of relief and shouted loudly:
"We are the advance team for road repairs in Daning City."

The master gave instructions this morning.

If you are coming from Tianjin, you can go about five li east.

There was a supply depot set up by the military commander there, with plenty of hot water and food prepared.

The group of people looked at each other, their eyes filled with astonishment as they gazed at the bustling construction site ahead.

The leader forcefully ripped off his mask, revealing a weathered face that appeared to be over fifty years old.
His face was covered in wrinkles, and his features were tightly furrowed.

"What are you doing?" the old general asked again.

"Reporting to the general, the road is under construction," the foreman replied.

"With such heavy snow, they still need to repair the roads?"

The man looked surprised, a hint of absurdity flashing in his eyes.

He wanted to say that this was harming the people.
But seeing that the laborers were wrapped up tightly,

Hats, gloves, and cotton-padded coats were all available.
Judging from his appearance, he didn't seem to hate heaven and earth, so he withdrew his idea.

"There's no other way; we have to meet the deadline. We have to keep going even if it's snowing heavily."

Human determination can conquer nature; no difficulty can stop us!

The foreman answered loudly.

"Yes, it's just a little snow, what's there to be afraid of!"

Some people had already spoken up in agreement, some swung their hoes even more sharply, and some suddenly sped up their movements.
They seemed determined to prove with their actions that even harsh weather couldn't defeat them!
A man beside the old general, his eyes gleaming, leaned closer:
"Sir, they are all promising young warriors; their spirit and energy are outstanding."

"Working in this cold weather, they have more energy and spirit than our soldiers."

The old general nodded in deep agreement.

He looked at the foreman and asked:
"Which guard are you from?"

The foreman was taken aback, looked around blankly, and quickly shouted:
“General, we are hired laborers, not garrison soldiers.”

The group of people were stunned on the spot.

Not garrison soldiers?
The old general looked incredulously at the men who were vigorously swinging their hoes and occasionally glancing at him.

His lips trembled for a long time, but he didn't say anything; he simply waved his hand gently.
"Walk"

The group departed in a grand and boisterous manner, the clatter of hooves gradually fading into the distance.

The foreman waved his megaphone and shouted again:
"Alright, alright, stop looking. The person's already gone. Get back to work."
After we finish this stretch of road, let's go back and have some food.

Today we're having meat buns and cabbage soup. Eat as much as you can, but absolutely don't eat less than the people behind you!

"Meat buns?"

The laborers, who were engrossed in their work, were momentarily agitated and worked even faster.

Asir also drooled.

The meat buns were large and white, their soft skin soaked with broth.
Just thinking about it, he could already smell a fragrance spreading throughout the air.
So he worked even harder, swinging the hoe continuously.

"Therefore, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test his mind, strain his muscles and bones, and starve his body!"

"I want to make something of myself, I want my parents to live in a big house."

The post-Lunar New Year festivities in Daning City had not yet completely subsided.
The thriving commerce filled the city of Daning with joy every day.

People suddenly discovered that the Mi's Trading Company had begun collecting everything it could.
Whether it's a woman's sewn insole, a piece of clothing with a few holes, or a cracked pot or jar,

As long as it exists, Mi's Trading Company will take it all.

Furthermore, a new trading company called "Daning Textile" opened in the city.

They recruited over a hundred women from the city.
There were also various other odd jobs, totaling approximately three hundred people.

It's worth mentioning that the city is somewhat "quiet" now.
There were very few men to be seen, because all the able-bodied men had gone out of the city to repair the roads.

It's evening now, time to get off work, and the snow and wind from the daytime have subsided.
Pedestrians walked briskly along the road.
Many women could be seen carrying oil paper packages.
Even though his nose and mouth were red from the cold, he couldn't stop smiling.

At the entrance of the Regional Military Commission's office, many people had become accustomed to coming here to check the notices.
Because it will describe some major events that happened in Daning City.

"Where are they? Why haven't they come yet?"

"Yes, it's getting dark, why aren't you here yet!"

Amidst everyone's anticipation, Qiao Hui, a clerk from the military command, walked unsteadily out of the yamen, wrapped in thick clothes.

Before we even got close, someone urged us on:
"Hurry up, hurry up, I've been waiting for you for ages."

Qiao Hui's face immediately darkened:
"What are you yelling about? Can't we watch it tomorrow?"

"It's so cold, I have to read out notices to you all. What bad luck!"

After saying that, he seemed somewhat unsatisfied and shouted again:
"unlucky!"

But the people gathered at the entrance of the notice board didn't care about anything else; they just kept urging him on. Qiao Hui stood next to the notice board, glanced around, and recognized quite a few familiar faces.

When he saw the two old men squeezed at the very front, he couldn't help but laugh:
"Hey, aren't you two storytellers who claim to know everything under heaven? What are you doing here looking at this notice?"

"Stop talking nonsense and read it now, or I'll have your dad beat you up!"

An elderly man, his hands tucked into his sleeves, spoke in a trembling voice.

"If it is accomplished, then recite it."

Qiao Hui looked at the notice and suddenly laughed:
"Look. She was arguing with me every day a few days ago, and here she is."

"After investigation by the Prefectural Court's Judicial Office, the Military Command's Judicial Office, and the Records Office, it was found that..."

The fire at the Hu family warehouse in the north of the city a month ago was caused by Narisu, the leader of Longwei Mountain, and his two henchmen, who have now been arrested and brought to justice.

The military command and the prefectural government decided to severely punish those who vandalized houses within the city without authorization.

And within a month, troops were dispatched to Longwei Mountain to wipe out the bandits there.

Of all the proceeds, priority should be given to compensating Ms. Hu.

This money is intended for the reconstruction of the warehouses; all residents of the city are to be informed.

See, I told you so!

It's just a warehouse fire, why would the Commander-in-Chief need to cover it up? It's been written down exactly as stated.

Qiao Hui looked at the more than one hundred people who were slowly gathering and let out a triumphant laugh.

"It actually logged in."

Some people scratched their heads, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

In the past, such a major event would have been ignored by everyone, as if it had never happened.

Now, the commander has actually found the murderer and is preparing to send troops.

Is war about to break out?

A woman carrying a package of oil paper said worriedly,

She had only been enjoying her good days for less than a month, and she didn't want them to be ruined.

She tightened the oil paper package around her chest, feeling its warmth.

In the past, let alone roast chicken, they wouldn't even be willing to eat a single piece of meat.

"Yes, yes, Dragon Tail Mountain sounds impressive, isn't it?" someone else said with equal concern.

Qiao Hui waved his hand and cursed:
"Why worry so much? There are only a little over a thousand people at Longwei Mountain. How could the commander possibly lose?"

"Only a thousand people? They're no match for us. There are nearly ten thousand people working on the road outside Daning."

The storyteller in front said with a smile,

He was pleased; the notice mentioned the fire, so there would be more to talk about tomorrow.

Qiao Hui pressed his hand down:

"Don't make a fuss, I'll hurry up and finish reading, then I'll go home for dinner."

"念念念"

"After 20 days of construction, the road repair work in Daning has recruited 12,367 workers."
Road repairs have reached 30 li outside the city, and progress is rapid!
The first month's wages will be paid in full five days from now, so please rest assured, the people of the city.

Anyone interested in working, please register at the West Gate.

At least one tael of silver per month, with two meals provided daily.

Those who blaze the trail will be treated well and will have meat with every meal!
All the officers in the commandery believed that the wind and snow could not break their will.
The people of Daning City must earn their own good life through their own hard work!

Qiao Hui's voice grew louder and louder, like wind and snow, stirring the emotions of many people present.

As soon as he finished speaking, shouts of "Good!" sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

Everyone's faces were flushed, including many Yuan people.

I don't know when it started, but regarding such notices...
They were also extremely excited, and even felt a sense of pride.

"Don't get excited, don't get excited, there's one more thing."

"Daning Textile Firm plans to recruit 150 new female textile workers aged 15 and above."

Main tasks include fabric cutting and sorting. Excellent pay, at least 10,000 RMB per month, room and board included.
Those with such experience will be given priority in the selection process.

This recruitment may involve assignments to Beiping (Beijing) to work in the workshops of the Taxue Trading Company.

It also includes meals and accommodation, plus an additional living allowance.

"What do you mean! What does it mean to be sent to Beiping?!"

Someone asked on tiptoe, their voice soft; it was clearly the woman.

"It's just going to work in Beiping. As for whether it's good or bad, I don't know, so don't ask me."

Qiao Hui waved his hands repeatedly and continued:
"Stop arguing, stop arguing, I haven't finished yet."

"Daning Textile will deepen its strategic cooperation with Duoyan Sanwei, and from the perspective of economic and trade exchanges and mutual benefit, jointly build a new era and a new chapter for Daning Textile."

Seeing this, Qiao Hui scratched his head, unsure of what it meant.

Seeing pairs of eyes staring at him, he moved closer to see who had written those words.

The three large characters "Lu Yunyi" that came into view made him widen his eyes and examine them again.

Seeing his seriousness, the onlookers were not in a hurry.
Instead, they stared at him wide-eyed, waiting for his answer.

"The fabrics that Da Ning Textile recently processed were supplied by Taxue Trading Company."
We may collaborate with Duoyan Sanwei in the future.

In short, textile merchants are likely to have more and more business.
If anyone wants to work and earn money, they should prepare in advance.

Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged glances.

The work in the workshop is great! It's easy, you don't have to stand in the cold wind, and you earn a lot. There haven't been such good opportunities to make money before.

Many people are thinking of sending their wives, sisters, and other female relatives to work there.

At this moment, a grassland dweller who frequented the north gate spoke up:
"Yesterday, more than a hundred people from the Three Guards of Duoyan entered the city, many of them women. I wonder if they are going to work in the city."

"Sigh~" Qiao Hui nodded thoughtfully:

"Very likely, then you'd better hurry up, or you'll lose the opportunity to make money."

Upon hearing this, many people became nervous.

Some people were even yelling at them to get out of Daning City.

However, under Qiao Hui's glare, they gave up.

"Lord Lu said that once you come to Daning City, you're a Daning citizen. Don't you remember that?"
In a place as big as Dusi, why are you the only one who can make money while others can't? What's the logic behind that?
Lord Lu said that we must build a community of shared destiny for the people of the Military Command, and that we must ensure that everyone in the Military Command lives a good life.
Anyone who objects can get out of the command post!

Qiao Hui's voice suddenly turned stern, and the room fell silent.

At this moment, the Tianjin officials who were about to enter the government office saw this scene and couldn't help but stop and watch from the entrance of the military headquarters.

"A community of shared future?"

The old general muttered to himself, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"That's well said, but Zhou Xing doesn't have that kind of skill."

He stood there, listening quietly to Qiao Hui's rant:

"This is the last one, the very last one. After you've listened, hurry home."

It was cold at night. Last night, some idiot went to sleep in the alley, and when they found him this morning, he was frozen solid.

"Daning Construction Company will begin recruiting 600 workers next month!"

Anyone with experience in building houses, city walls, or dams can apply. Of course, if you are willing to work hard, you can learn on the spot.

Monthly rates start from just one cent, including meals and accommodation!
To reiterate, you must be 15 years of age or older to register! 15 years of age!
They were going to a school, not a construction site.

If you don't have money, send them to places in the city that teach farming and pig raising; they can also learn to read there.

If anyone tries to mislead the public, makes false reports, or conceals information...

Once discovered, you will be banned from working in any workshop in Dusi for one year!
Listen carefully, it's any!!!

After speaking, Qiao Hui raised both hands:
That's all for today's notices. That's all, everyone can go home now.

Seeing that they were still not satisfied, Qiao Hui's face turned ashen:
"I have to serve you old men all day long. Hurry up and leave. Don't gather here."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, the people from Tianjin looked at the scene before them with some strangeness.

A young man in the group approached the old general and tentatively asked:

"General, I don't think there's such a scene in Beiping either."

The old general also looked surprised:
"I have only ever seen such a lively recruitment scene in Yingtian."

Moreover, the spirit and energy of these people were no less than those seen outside the city.

(End of this chapter)