Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 361 Recruitment

Du Peng was about to ask and answer his own questions, but he didn't expect someone to stand up and ask questions.

He quickly explained: "Hahaha, it's not to help me, but to help His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"His Majesty has opened several large-scale white sugar factories, shipyards and salt drying plants on the coast today."

"The prince considers that the people in the Central Plains are about to suffer from drought, so he wants to recruit a group of workers from among you. Not only will they provide food and accommodation, but they will also pay them monthly wages."

Having said this, the villagers in Niujia Village suddenly entered a state of unbelievable commotion from a state of silence where they dared not say a word.

"Did I hear you correctly? The prince hires people to work, gives them food, drink, shelter and money?"

"Isn't this gentleman just entertaining us? This kind of good thing will never happen to us in eight lifetimes!"

"A good thing? If I arrange for you to go fishing at sea, do you still think it is a good thing?"

"Dr. You Fang said before that there are man-eating monsters in the sea, as well as Japanese pirates who kill without blinking an eye. I think this is a life-for-money job."

Due to the underdeveloped communication in ancient times, there were many false rumors.

And it was extremely exaggerated until the end.

For example, people in inland areas have an inexplicable fear of the deep sea.

So much so that most of the villagers in Niujia Village thought that Du Peng came here to recruit cannon fodder who would die at sea.

"All quiet."

Du Peng heard that everyone was talking more and more nonsense, so he quickly explained: "The people responsible for eradicating the Japanese pirates are currently my navy officers and soldiers from the Ming Dynasty."

"The purpose of your going to the coast is to build factories. As long as you obey the discipline, the work you do in the factory is basically not dangerous."

"If anyone plans to respond to the prince's call, you can come to me to sign up. I will personally lead you to your majesty's factory."

I heard that working in a factory is not life-threatening.

Attracted by such generous conditions.

The villagers in Niujia Village all showed expressions of being ready to move.

Soon, villagers are about to come forward to sign up.

Niu Bin finally understood the real purpose of Du Peng's recent visit to Niujia Village.

He was afraid that the villagers would go to work in His Majesty's factory.

No one would farm for him in the future, so he jumped out of the pergola with a single step.

Thinking about it, Du Peng asked loudly: "Dare common people ask, sir, if I work for His Majesty, will my future household registration be regarded as a civilian registration or a craftsman's registration?"

Several villagers who wanted to sign up stopped immediately after hearing this question.

Although they are farmers at the lowest level, they are still nominally one level above the craftsmen.

If I work for His Majesty, my status will be lowered.

Maybe, the agreed wages and other benefits will be gone by then.

After all, according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, there is no benefit for craftsmen to work for the court.

Du Peng glanced coldly at Niu Bin who ran out to cause trouble.

Because the question this person raised happened to be the one he wanted to cover up.

Du Peng didn't know what the prince's arrangements were.

Before leaving, I clearly emphasized to him that these people who work in the white sugar factory and shipyard will be the first batch of workers in the Ming Dynasty.

Du Peng had only read some of Lin Che’s lecture notes.

It is impossible to understand the meaning of worker at all, and can only be regarded as another name for craftsman.

Facing the expectant eyes of the villagers, Du Peng deliberately told a few lies and brushed off the matter.

However, he also thought of the prince's repeated orders emphasizing the importance of recruiting and immigrating workers to the future development of the Ming Dynasty. Du Peng couldn't help but sigh and said truthfully: "From now on, if you work in a factory, your household registration will automatically become a craftsman's registration."

"But your treatment is no different from that of ordinary people, and the Crown Prince also said that the treatment of craftsmen will be improved soon."

It's a pity that no one believes Du Peng's words.

Because he was just a craftsman, these two words were like a basin of cold water that instantly extinguished the villagers' expectations.

Those who originally wanted to sign up quickly squeezed into the crowd, fearing that the captain would overpower them.

Ushibin felt relieved when he saw this scene.

As long as these poor people dare not go out to work, he will not worry about his fields being abandoned.

Du Peng saw the proud and happy look on Niu Bin's eyebrows and vaguely guessed what this person was thinking.

He subconsciously wanted to arrest this guy who was so brave and dared to come out to tear down the prince.

However, consider that it is easy to deal with this idiot.

But if this attracts the nearby gentry and landlords, they will express their sorrow.

From now on, it will be more difficult for him to recruit people as workers.

Du Peng was furious, but suddenly thought of a clever plan.

That is to link the tax exemption with the number of workers recruited.

If he can't bring enough workers today, Niujiacun's tax exemption this year will also come to naught.

Du Peng didn't believe that Niu Bin would dare to stand in the way.

However, just when he was about to announce that the number of workers was linked to tax exemption, a villager suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and asked: "Sir, if you become a worker, can you really drink such sweet sugar water every day?"

Du Peng saw that the person who spoke was the villager with a foreign surname who had just helped him resolve his embarrassment.

He smiled and explained: "Not only is this sugar water, but also white rice and pasta are available, and the wages are still paid."

"As long as I can have enough food and clothing, that's all."

The villagers with a foreign surname seemed not to believe that the imperial court would really keep its promise of paying wages.

Then he carefully asked Du Peng: "However, I want you to agree to a condition before I go with you to work for your majesty."

Du Peng put away his words and put on a deliberately amiable smile on his face.

Originally, it was like working for His Majesty, with food, accommodation and wages included.

If we recruit workers in coastal areas, we may be overwhelmed by the people.

But the people in the hinterland were not only worried about this matter, but they also dared to put forward conditions to him.

If he weren't worried, this matter would affect the Crown Prince's immigration strategy.

Du Peng even wanted to give this bold and unruly man a beating, as well as Niu Bin, who ruined his good deeds.

He took a deep breath and asked with the last of his patience: "What do you want me to promise you?"

"I want to take my mother with me to His Majesty's factory."

The villager with a foreign surname noticed that Du Peng's expression changed, and he quickly knelt down and stated his conditions.

Then he continued: "My mother is also able to work, but her legs and feet are not very sharp, but she can do odd jobs. I promise not to eat for free."

"If, if there is no chores to do, it would be okay for my mother and I to have a bowl of rice."

When Du Peng heard these words, the frost on his face instantly dissipated.

No wonder this guy was always concerned about whether the factory was in charge of food.

(End of this chapter)