Quick wear: She has turned over the big guys from all walks of life

Chapter 1350 Famine and Natural Disaster 509
Mr. Ning smiled knowingly and stopped teasing. "You really care about the people, so the people respect you. But, do you plan to expand your business to other places?"

"When it comes to business, take it slow and steady." He didn't say it explicitly, leaving the audience in suspense.

"You have thought it through. I don't know much about business matters. You have your plans, and I understand."

Mingyi smiled brightly, "The canal digging matter has to be handed over to you. Old man, please give me a definite answer. Do you want to go in person or send someone to do the survey? I can make arrangements on my side. One day of delay means one day of drought at Pingyang Pass. The canal digging matter must be done as soon as possible."

Old Man Ning sighed. He was old and his legs were not as nimble as when he was young, so he didn't want to run anymore.

After witnessing the drought in Pingyang Pass with his own eyes, he couldn't bear to ignore it; in the future, as expected, their family settled down in the northwest.

Compared to other places that are dry and desert-like, the northwest region is lush with vegetation, like a paradise on earth.

The people's hearts are stable, the rulers are both civil and military, and they have a heart for the people; the drought does not seem to have much to do with the northwest, and the lives of the people in the northwest remain the same, and there are even signs of improvement. This is a phenomenon that was rarely seen before natural disasters and man-made disasters occurred in the Central Plains. During the heyday of the Great Xi Dynasty, it was the people who suffered, and when natural disasters and man-made disasters came, the people suffered even more.

The Northwest is not.

The tax rate in the northwest is only 40%, so the people can keep 60% of the harvest, which is enough to supply the family with food for a year; if they save a little, they can save some surplus food, and after accumulating for a few years, the surplus food will be considerable.

As for those who don't have land, they can survive by finding work or being tenants. Although their lives are a little difficult, at least they can survive.

During the prosperous years in the Central Plains, taxes were heavy, with the basic tax being 60%. When the court increased taxes, it was difficult to make a living. Such tax increases were countless, and the lives of the people in the Central Plains had long been miserable.

"Please forgive me, Miss Cheng. It's not that I don't want to go out to dig the canal, but my legs and feet are not convenient, and I am old and in poor health. I can't walk on the mountain road anymore."

Mingyi smiled and said, "That's not difficult. As far as I know, your children and grandchildren have a lot of experience in water conservancy and have inherited your true teachings."

Looking at the smiling young lady who was polite and graceful from beginning to end, Mr. Ning sighed from the bottom of his heart, "Miss Cheng, you are too kind. They have only learned a little bit, and I dare not say that I am proficient in water conservancy."

He didn't dare to accept the truth or not.

Having lived for several decades and been in official circles for more than thirty years, he knew all too well the twists and turns of officials in official circles. Unexpectedly, this young lady looked innocent on the face but had a dark heart.

Wasn't she warning him implicitly in her words? If he really dared to refuse and quit, his children and grandchildren would suffer. If the superior has a grievance against the inferior, she doesn't need to do anything, there are many people who will try to trip them up.

Mingyi really didn't think so. If the other person was unwilling to work, she wouldn't threaten him with his family.

At most it is inducement, there is no coercion.

But having said that, the Ning family's descendants have indeed been following Grandpa Ning to show their filial piety; they should have learned something, although not completely, but they know the principles, and they are willing to put them into practice, so the canal construction at Pingyang Pass has made some progress.

"Master Ning, you are too modest. Princess Zhou said in her letter that although you only worked on water conservancy projects a few times during your tenure in the court, the dams and canals you worked on have been in use to this day without any breaches."

"Pingyang Pass is connected to the Central Plains, and none of us can predict what will happen in the future. There are more and more people in the northwest, and the number of refugees fleeing famine and disaster is increasing day by day, not only from the Central Plains, but also from other places. Pingyang Pass is located at the border, with a vast terrain. If the problem of water and vegetation can be solved, and more refugees come to seek refuge, Pingyang Pass will be a good place to settle down."

Old Man Ning pondered. He could remain indifferent to anything else she said; however, when it came to the issue of resettlement of refugees, he couldn't say with a clear conscience that he didn't care.

He had gone through many hardships in his life and had managed to earn a fortune; but unfortunately, when troubled times came, his fortune was destroyed. When natural disasters struck, he had no choice but to abandon his hometown, save his family bloodline, and migrate to the northwest. Along the way, he saw the hardships of the refugees, who were displaced and had difficulty in getting food and drink.

The refugees from the Northwest saw hope when they arrived in this paradise. He was an old man over fifty years old, with one foot halfway into the coffin. He was so old that it was a rare opportunity for him to do something he wanted to do, so he might as well dig a canal.

"Madam Cheng, I agree to help you dig the canal, but before that, I have a condition."

"Just ask." Mingyi said generously.

Old Master Ning smiled and said, "My eldest grandson's studies have been delayed. It was difficult to escape on the road. Without a teacher to teach him, my eldest grandson has been delayed. In addition, there are several younger grandchildren at home who also need a teacher. This is my only condition."

I need a master!

That's easy.

Mingyi nodded readily, "It's easy. There are still many good teachers in the northwest. After the canal is dug, I will personally mention it to the prince and ask him to find a good teacher."

"After I finish my work, I have to go back to live in retirement, and my grandson has to follow me."

"People will go back with you. You can run a private school or discuss with the teacher to open an academy." It can be considered a good thing for the local people.

Old Master Ning understood, and the teacher followed him back, but they wanted to open a private school or academy; this method was exactly what he wanted, to enhance his reputation, gain benefits, and benefit future generations.

"As it should be, I will discuss this with the Master then."

After the deal was settled, Mingyi ordered the secret guards to bring the map of Pingyang Pass that had been prepared in advance.

The map is only owned by the army and is not disclosed to the outside world.

After receiving the blueprint, Mr. Ning asked uncertainly, "Madam Cheng, aren't you afraid that I will take the map and do something bad to the northwest? Do you trust me so much?"

"Old man, you worry too much. Trust the people you employ, and don't employ the people you doubt. The prince of Zhou and I have the same idea. Since I have chosen to employ you and your family, I have no intention of doubting you." Besides, it's just a map. Why should you be suspicious?
If she really had any suspicions, the old man would be heartbroken.

"Madam Cheng is great!" Old Master Ning didn't specify what made him great, but he had a better opinion of the prince of Zhou. "I'll take the job. I'll take a rest today and bring my eldest and second sons up the mountain tomorrow."

"You're going there in person?"

Old Master Ning said as a matter of course: "It's a deep mountain forest. I won't feel at ease unless I check it myself. I'll need Madam Cheng to assign some people to help me. If I can't walk on the road, I'll have to trouble Madam Cheng to arrange someone to carry me."

He knows what his body condition is like. He doesn't show off and is very self-aware.

If your body can't bear it, then it can't bear it. There's no need to hide it.

I didn't finish writing until almost 12 o'clock yesterday, so I'm too late to update. I stayed up all night to finish one chapter. I apologize to everyone, muah~~~