Protect Our Clan Leader

“That said, this development project tends to cost tens of thousands of Qian Gold pieces.” Liu Yuanrui settled down, but still had some doubts, “I heard that the Wang family in recent years….”

Over these years, the Wang family has been declining. Where would they get so much money?

“Yuanrui, don’t worry.” Wang Shouzhe said calmly, “I have made arrangements for this.”

Liu Yuanrui froze slightly, was the issue whether to worry? But he was just curious… However, he certainly knew the rules and manners, therefore, he stopped bothering with it.

Wang Shouzhe quite clearly understood, his engagement to Miss Liu for the Wang family members was encouraging, after all, the Liu Clan was quite powerful and could provide support to the Wang family.

Even the family elders held the same thought.

But for the Liu Clan, the eldest daughter of the main family, marrying into a declining family, it was somewhat disconcerting and emotional. But the marriage was set by the old ancestors, so the younger generation didn’t object.

Because of this, Wang Shouzhe showed nothing but calmness toward this marriage, there was no joy or rejection. The Wang family would not become strong just through marrying a more prosperous family.

Even though he knew that the younger generations of the Liu Clan, would certainly have complaints, he also showed understanding. After all, on the surface, the difference in status between the Wang and Liu Clan appeared to be very great. If the positions were reversed, he naturally also wouldn’t be happy about such a marriage.

“Huh? Brother Shouzhe, a lot of people are coming over there.” Liu Ruolei had sharp eyes, she saw from the carriage window that there was a group of people coming from a distance.

Not only that, behind that group, there was still a burst of people coming over from afar.

“Those people are the civilians of our Ping’an Town.” Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, “I assume, they are coming to respond to our Wang family’s worker recruitment.”

“So many people came to apply?” Liu Yuanrui was astonished, “Brother Shouzhe, how much is your Wang family paying? Stop the carriage, I want to see.”

His curiosity suddenly aroused, the dredge and land-fill project was originally a huge project, if wages were raised, then the consumption would be too great. How could the Wang family afford it?

Since Liu Yuanrui wanted to see, Wang Shouzhe would not stop him and ordered the driver to stop the carriage. The guards also stopped one after another, forming a protective circle around the carriage.

The formidable momentum of the guards naturally made the civilians dare not come close, they could only bypass them and go to gather at the workers’ barracks.

“Everyone, don’t push, come and sign up one by one.” Two fourteen or fifteen- year-old boys, who still looked a bit immature, were maintaining order, “Our Wang family is providing work in exchange for food, the pay is generous, as long as you are willing to work, we guarantee that your entire family can eat.”

“Come here and sign up. Our Wang family’s employment includes food and housing.” Two little girls, each carrying tables and chairs, began to register the applicants, “Male workers aged from sixteen to forty will be paid half a load of Chen Rice per month. Healthy women will receive 20 catties of Chen Rice per month, and boys from twelve to sixteen will also receive 20 catties per month.” Both little girls were articulate and dexterously registering people. Rather than explaining everything over and over again it seemed more efficient to have one quick-witted young man stand beside and repeat the speech a hundred times over.

Regarding putting up an advertisement or something like that, the two girls weren’t stupid. The majority of tenant farmers and independent farmers couldn’t read.

These young people were naturally Wang Shouzhe’s siblings. Wang Shouzhe did not want them to sit idly during such an important event in the family. Their participation would help them grow.

Whether it’s launching a major project or providing work for relief, both will help to shape their sense of honor for the family and a correct worldview.

“You, what’s your name, where are you from, did you bring your household registration document?” Even Wang Luoqiu, the future “God Slayer,” was seriously registering each applicant.

However, her gaze was sharp and serious, as if she were judging the applicants, appearing as if she would not let even half a suspicious person slip through.

“My name is Ouyang Gousheng, I am a villager from Liu Zigu Village in Ping’an Town.” A slender young man handed over his household registration document nervously.

“You’re only fifteen? You can only count as a half worker, your monthly salary will be calculated as 20 catties of Chen Rice.” Wang Luoqiu said.

“Ah, Miss.” Ouyang Gousheng was disappointed and pleaded, “Look at me, I’m very strong, I’m used to hard work. Can I be made half a load eligible? My mother at home has not eaten for two days.”

“No, rules are rules.” Wang Luoqiu’s principle stood strong, “However, we provide food and shelter here. And I can give you an advance of 20 catties of Chen Rice. I can assure you, your mother will not starve.”

“Thank you, thank you, Miss.” Ouyang Gousheng thanked her over and over, and the tears of joy were already running down his face.

“Take these two bamboo plates, so you can get 20 catties of Chen Rice.” Wang Luoqiu handed him two plates, “Remember, starting from today you should work. You get your food when you finish your work. Besides, do your job well for me. If you perform well, I will remember and count you as a full worker.”

“Yes, I will definitely not be lazy.” Ouyang Gousheng, holding the two bamboo plates as if they were his life, was indeed precious.

“Take this worker’s card, there is a porridge shed over there. You can get free porridge with this card.” Wang Luoqiu, after registering the worker’s card, ushered him away with a serious face, “Go now, don’t delay Miss’s work. Next, name, place of origin, age!”

Ouyang Gousheng took the worker’s card and two rice plates and left full of gratitude.

Wang Luoqiu confidently handled each person, never procrastinating, and often getting finished in just a few steps.

“Wang Luo Jing, what are you wasting time with? Can you be a bit more efficient while working?” Upon turning to look back, Wang Luoqiu practically dropped dead from the sight, she had already handled five people, yet Wang Luo Jing was still dealing with her second applicant.

She couldn’t stand it and directly walked over, glanced at a fair-skinned young man and looked at his registration document: “A scholar?”

“That’s correct.” The young man nodded slightly, showing a slight hint of arrogance.

“Can you do this kind of manual labour?” Wang Luoqiu asked sceptically.

“I’m a scholar and can’t do such heavy work,” the young man replied. “I’m well-read in literature and classics and can act as a supervisor. I’d only require ten bushels of grain as payment per month.”

During this era, the literacy rate among the common people was very low.

Therefore, being educated provided quite a few opportunities. Government institutions and prominent families needed educated people to act as their backbone.

“Our family doesn’t need a supervisor,” Wang Luoqiu replied coldly, “You may leave now.”

“You, you, you dare underestimate scholars, young lady, let me tell you, reading is the only way to understand… such a young age… Ah~”

Before the scholar could finish speaking, he was sent flying, landing with a mouthful of mud.

“Even more long-winded than Wang Shouzhe.” Wang Luoqiu huffed, “Someone come.”

“Sister, I’m here,” Wang Shoulian ran over obediently like a dog wagging its tail.

“Get this man away, put him on our Wang family’s blacklist, never to be employed. ” Wang Luoqiu ordered in a commanding manner, then resumed her task of registering applicants.

Some of the applicants who were planning to feign incompetence quietly left the line upon seeing her stern and serious face.

Not far away, Wang Shouzhe and the others were approaching.

Seeing this scene, Wang Shouzhe’s mouth twitched slightly. Luoqiu, this brat, really knew how to put on a grand show. If one didn’t know the situation, they might think this little lady was the head of the family.

Liu Yuanrui, who arrived with them, was staring wide-eyed at all this: “Brother Shouzhe, each sturdy laborer only receives half a bushel of rice each month. Isn’t this wage a bit too low?”

Furthermore, the attitude of that young girl towards scholars seemed quite harsh, and as Liu Yuanrui, who considered himself a scholar, this seemed rather dangerous.

“Yuanrui, whether it’s too little or not, you can ask those lining up in queue,” Wang Shouzhe advised.

Liu Yuanrui took his advice without objection and asked several people, all of whom said it was enough. Many gave thanks to the Wang family for coming forward in these crucial times and providing food. Quite a few of them quietly complained about the Liu and Zhao Clans.

Upon returning, Liu Yuanrui’s face had a rather unpleasant look: “Both the Liu and Zhao Clans, who rose to power through usurpation, are incorrigible. It’s fortunate that Brother Shouzhe stepped in with the plan to provide work for food.”

“Brother, you weren’t this supportive of Brother Shouzhe’s idea before,” Liu Ruolei, his younger aunt, goaded from one side. “Now, with the current national policies, and the prominent families manipulating the food shortage for their land-grabbing agenda, if the price of grain were completely deregulated, the lives of millions of commoners would be in the hands of these top families who can manipulate the grain prices.

“And besides, don’t complain about Brother Shouzhe’s wage, considering everyone is running short of food, it is commendable that Brother Shouzhe is providing work for food.”

Liu Yuanrui’s face turned red, and he glared at Liu Ruolei. This pesky sister, always undermining her brother for no reason. Before you came, weren’t you saying you would train your future brother-in-law on behalf of your sister?

Before he could admonish his sister, he saw Liu Ruolei had already gone over to Wang Luoqiu.

She arrived silently at Wang Luoqiu’s side and curiously asked, “Little sister, what’s your name?”

“Li-little sis-…” Wang Luoqiu was about to explode but upon seeing it was a classy-looking pretty young lady, she immediately calmed down a bit. Annoyed, she replied, “I am Wang Luoqiu. Which family’s child are you? Go away, play somewhere else, don’t disturb me while I work hard for the rise of my family.”

“My name is Liu Ruolei. Ah, your handwriting is really ugly.” Liu Ruolei covered her mouth and giggled softly, “How about you ask the questions and I record the answers? It will be quicker that way.” She then took the initiative to go up and help.

Wang Luoqiu nearly fainted from anger. How dare she say her handwriting was ugly?

Hum, the massive Wang Family of Ping’an, even Wang Shouzhe wouldn’t dare…

Then, she saw the girl’s calligraphy… uh… it indeed looked quite nice and promptly swallowed her words.

Then she remembered that the name Liu Ruolei sounded familiar. Instantly, her eyes widened in surprise. “Are you the Miss from the Liu Family I’ve heard of?”

“That’s right.” Liu Ruolei replied with a smile. She didn’t expect to be so famous, and she started to register the applicants even more quickly.

“But you look so young, how will you bear children with Wang Shou… No, my fourth brother?”

“What?” Liu Ruolei blushed deeply, stamping her foot, “Where do I look young?”

No, no, that’s not the point…

The point was, where did she look too young?

No, that’s not the point either…

What was the point again?