Linxia

Chapter 215, Seeds

After leaving the factory cafeteria, the party director came over and said, "Master Fang, is there anything else that needs to be improved?"

"When it's time to eat, the workers come in a rush and the queue is extremely long. They can come in batches over a period of time... The woman who serves the food in the kitchen requires the same portion size, and stipulates that one dish is one full spoonful..." Fang Lin pointed out the problems one by one.

He would visit the factory from time to time and go among the workers to ask for their opinions. This could be considered as an irregular surprise inspection to discover and solve problems, ensure healthy operation in a dynamic manner, and avoid corruption.

The party leader listened and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Your Excellency has a keen eye. I will arrange for it and make corrections immediately..."

This is also something that he admires very much about Fang Lin. He has a very sharp vision and can quickly come up with a very good solution no matter what problem he finds. Little does he know that Fang Lin is standing at a historical height that people of this era cannot reach.

"Okay, no need to flatter me. I'm just talking, and the specific implementation depends on you. By the way, how are those newly incorporated factories?" Fang Lin was asking about the factories that were purchased from Gu, Ma, Shao and Duan.

"Those workshops followed the instructions of the adults and maintained the elimination system. All those who were not qualified were eliminated, and then they were compressed and merged, leaving a workshop to become the current women's weaving workshop... The men's workshop has been basically integrated and is on the right track and starting to make a profit..."

“Party leaders have a hard time.”

Fang Lin paused and said, "I've said before, regardless of your origin or background, the only thing that matters is your talent. As long as you can handle this, these factories will be handed over to you for management... Party leader, you are now the general manager of the men's factory."

"Thank you, sir!" The party leader... no, now he is the party general manager, looked quite excited.

He was just born in an ordinary family. He was recommended by Xu Kuo Lao and now he has become the general manager, managing thousands of people and having some face in front of the nobles in the city.

This is not only a change in status and position, but also has tangible benefits, such as commission from factory profits. This really means a huge increase in income, and you can count the money easily.

"If you want the horse to run, you have to let it eat grass. This is true for both Dang Zhixian and the government office relationship left by Prefect Pu."

Fang Lin also did not forget the government relationship left by Prefect Pu, and invested money every month to maintain it.

'Compared to the current management of Prefect Pu, it is a hope for progress for the officials of the prefecture, representing the future; the silver and money I give, such tangible benefits, represent the present.'

To be honest, the future of minor officials in government offices is limited. Compared with the illusory future, they focus more on the present. Fang Lin wins these people over by giving them monthly monetary benefits, allowing them to share the profits from his own business, forming a community of interests that is united enough.

——In the beginning, the team left by Prefect Pu basically had a moral bottom line, that is, Prefect Pu's favor, and Fang Lin didn't want them to do anything to be partial or illegal. They boiled the frog in warm water, showing sincerity and skills little by little, and then they were integrated little by little.

"These minor officials in government offices are actually quite important."

Fang Lin knew very well that power came from the system, and the system was made up of people. If these people did not cooperate, the government decrees would not be able to leave the government office at all.

Therefore, when Prefect Pu first arrived, the five families of Fan, Gu, Ma, Shao, and Duan united and pretended to obey but secretly disobeyed, which made it impossible for Prefect Pu to get things done. Now with Fang Lin's side, there are six parties, and if they unite, they can also make it impossible for Prefect Yan to get things done. This is also the reason why the other party wanted to get close to them and win them over when they first arrived.

"When the country gradually becomes chaotic and the central authority is greatly reduced, these local officials will become even more important," Fang Lin thought to himself.

After leaving the factory, he went to take a look at the soap business.

Over there, the factory construction was in full swing and would soon be put into production. Ma, Shao and Duan were urging Fang Lin to ask about advertising matters.

They care more about this business than Fang Lin - after all, if they have paid a huge price for an industry with great potential, and they can start making money one day earlier, how can they not care about it?
"The Ma, Shao, and Duan families can gradually test and adapt as they cooperate in the soap business, and eventually their interests will be tied together. The Gu family may also be able to do the same in the future. Only the Fan family is a problem."

Fang Lin's ultimate goal is to form a community of interests. Anyone who becomes his enemy will suffer the backlash of the entire system. Even if a new prefect is appointed in the future, nothing can be done without his approval. If he does not know what's good for him, he will be sidelined or even squeezed out.

"I have done what I can do with Emperor Hongtai and Brother Dong in the capital. I can only influence them indirectly, but I have to strive to control Huai'an, the base camp, step by step!"

……

Qian family.

Qian Wenyan came back from the yamen, put down the silver and money, washed his hands and prepared to eat.

"The number is not right. Why is it so much?" asked Sister Osmanthus.

"One is the salary of a clerk in the government office, and the other is from Lord Fang. As Lord Fang's business grows and is managed well, we will naturally have more money." Qian Wenyan said.

Fang Lin would set aside a small fixed percentage of his industrial profits every month to maintain relationships, which was considered a benefit for his faction. Not only him, but also the officials left by Prefect Pu for Fang Lin, received such money.

Sister Guihua listened and nodded, seeing the benefits. If Fang Lin's side was good, these officials would get more money. If it was not good, the money would naturally be less. They would share the dividends brought by Fang Lin's development, and their interests would be bound together.

She thought of more. If this money increased in the future and became equal to or even far more than the salary in the government office, and the government office job became a side job, who would these officials listen to?

Sister Guihua didn't say any of this. She took out some of the silver and money, and left some small change and copper coins, which she stuffed back into the purse for the other party to use in his daily life.

Qian Wenyan didn't really need much, and he ate and drank in the government cafeteria during the day, but he felt respected and was comforted by this thoughtfulness: "What do I need the money for? Take it and use it for household expenses."

"A man should always keep some money. I also work in the factory, so I have enough money at home." Sister Guihua shook her head and called Chen Ye, "Ye Zi, Zhi Zhi, come and eat."

"I'm here." Chen Ye came back holding his sister Qian Zhi.

Qian Wenyan looked at his wife and children, felt the warmth of home, and felt a warm feeling in his heart. Compared to when he was alone, it was really good to have a home now.

……

Outside the city, Wangjiang Tower.

This is the Gu family's restaurant outside the city. Today, the head of the Gu family, Gu Tongren, and the head of the Fan family, Fan Qingzeng, gathered here for a banquet.

It is dusk, and from here on the river-viewing platform, you can see the setting sun, white sails, the sparkling river, and all kinds of delicious food in front of you. It is indeed a great enjoyment.

"I heard that Brother Gu bought some land here and was planning to build a fish pond, a restaurant and so on?" Fan Qingzeng asked.

"Oh, Brother Fan also has an idea?"

With the support of Fang Lin, Gu Tongren has already acquired the largest piece of land and achieved his basic goal, which makes him satisfied. If the Fan family also has some ideas, they can only pick up some leftovers.

"My Fan family has its own perfume business, so we can just focus on developing it. Why would we want to get involved in these things?" Fan Qingzeng suddenly said, "I heard that Lord Fang started a soap business and used shares to exchange for the factories and fleets of Ma, Shao, and Duan. Didn't Brother Gu get involved?"

This is of course a provocation and a test.

Gu Tongren felt really bad when he heard this. Compared with cash, he actually wanted the soap business shares more. He was a little upset about the other party's different treatment.

——In fact, Fang Lin had no choice but to do so at the beginning. The Gu family had a larger fleet and factory, and he was eager to swallow them up quickly, which put the Ma, Shao, and Duan families at a disadvantage. The price could not be lowered, and if he really wanted to exchange them for soap business shares, he would have to give up a large part of it, which was too much of a loss.

However, despite the grudges, Gu Tongren could hear the intention of provoking others and would not be the first to speak out: "My Gu family plans to concentrate on developing land and running the restaurant business, and has no other thoughts on the 'soap business'. On the contrary, Brother Fan, I heard that the formula of the perfume was bought from Lord Fang in the beginning, but now he is trying to provoke others. Isn't it suspected of repaying kindness with enmity?"

"Brother Gu, you are overthinking. I was just asking. My Fan family and Lord Fang have been cooperating and we have a very close relationship. How could I have the idea of ​​provoking him?" Fan Qingzeng would not admit it and raised his glass: "Let's not talk about these trivial matters today. Come, Brother Gu, have a drink." Outside this restaurant, a blood-red sunset sank into the horizon, and in the distance a fleet of countless white sails was heading towards the sky.

……

Capital.

"Cough cough!" Emperor Hongtai lay on the bed, coughing non-stop.

Just yesterday, a horrific incident occurred in the palace: the palace maids rebelled!

It turned out that Emperor Hongtai was obsessed with alchemy, and his alchemy was different from that of ordinary Taoists. Taoists would not do illegal things, otherwise they would become evil Taoists. As an emperor, the ruler of a country and the master of the world, he would not care about these things. No one dared to touch him even if he broke the law, so he did some extraordinary things.

Specifically, they recruited a large number of girls aged 13 or 14 from the public, took their menarche blood, and used it to make an elixir called "red lead". It was said that eating this thing could make people immortal.

The maids who were summoned to the palace suffered terribly from this, and many of them fell ill and died from it. What was even more torturous was that during the blood collection period, they were not allowed to eat cereals, but only mulberry leaves, and could not even drink water, but only collect dew to quench their thirst.

The palace maids couldn't stand this situation and then they rebelled.

Of course, in the end, Emperor Hongtai did not die, he just had a near-death experience.

"I regret not listening to Fang Lin's words."

Emperor Hongtai almost died at the hands of a palace maid, but he managed to escape. Thinking of Fang Lin's words of advice in recent letters, he regretted it deeply: "Taoism emphasizes tranquility and inaction, and following the will of heaven. I refined the golden elixir to prolong my life. Is it really against heaven? Is this why I got into this disaster?"

He looked at the golden elixir in his hand, and after careful consideration, he put it down. Feeling his weak body, he said secretly: "I am going against the will of heaven, and I am afraid that my life span will not be long. However, I can die, but I cannot destroy the country and society left by my ancestors. It is time to pave the way for the prince."

"Somebody come!"

"Your Majesty!" Chen Daban, who was serving outside, walked in quickly.

"What was the name of the eunuch who saved me yesterday?"

"This man is called Li Jinzhong, his original surname is Wei, and his family name is..."

"Pass on my oral order. This man has made great contributions in saving the emperor. His original surname will be changed to Wei, and his name will be given... Zhongxian..."

……

Because Emperor Hongtai kept it strictly confidential, Dong Zugao was temporarily unaware of the "assassination attempt by a palace maid". That day, when he came back from the palace after leaving office, he received letters from Fang Lin and his family.

"Brother Fang's business has expanded again. Just in terms of factories and fleets, it is already one of the best in Huai'an." He exclaimed happily, looking at the silver bills exchanged through the merchant bank in the letter, thinking to himself that it was really a timely relief.

——The capital’s culture is extravagant, and the meager salary is simply not enough to support daily expenses and social interactions.

"Ugh!"

Dong Zugao didn't want to be like this, but he couldn't be a maverick and could only blend in with the crowd.

"The white sand is in the mud and becomes black with it. Can I really stay clean?" He smiled bitterly and sighed deeply.

……

Huai'an.

When Fang Lin returned home, Qiuqiu called him "Daddy" and rushed over with her short legs.

"Wang Wang!"

Huahua rushed over excitedly like an arrow, but missed the side and dived into the garden. It turned around twice and jumped out with some grass leaves on its body. It came to the front, stuck out its tongue, and wagged its tail quickly.

"Meow!"

Guaiguai jumped down from the pavilion lightly and called out a greeting. This guy is getting bigger and bigger now, really big, with shiny yellow hair, as majestic as a little tiger.

"Brother Linzi!"

Fang Yuyu and Fang Xiaoxiao also came over and said hello.

"Let's go!" Fang Lin picked up Qiuqiu with one hand and his two cousins ​​with the other and went in.

When they arrived at the main hall, those who were sitting and talking, whether it was the eldest uncle Fang Boxian, the second uncle Fang Zhonggui, the youngest uncle Fang Jiping, or Fang Chuanzong, Fang Chuanhui, Fang Caoer, Fang Suian and others, all stood up.

——Even if there are many elders among them, it is still the same. Fang Lin’s current status in the old Fang family has broken the generational restrictions.

"Uncle, second uncle, youngest uncle, and brother Chuanzong, all of you sit down." Fang Lin said, turning to look at Fang's mother: "Mom, it's getting late, shall we eat now?"

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you to come back!" Fang's mother ordered the dishes to be served.

The maid brought up plates and bowls of food. Seeing this scene, although it was not the first day they came here, my uncle and others were still quite reserved.

Mr. and Mrs. Fang asked them to sit down, told them not to be polite, and invited them to eat.

"We just moved here not long ago, and being waited on by others makes us a little uncomfortable, but the good thing is that the place is big and can accommodate everyone."

"Yes, it's not like in the alleys. When guests come, they have to squeeze in. If there's no room, they have to go to the inn."

"No matter what, it's much better than our village. Third brother, you don't know that the taxes in our village in the past two years..."

……

As the whole family was talking, Fang Lin's family was undoubtedly the center of attention. Eldest uncle Fang Boxian was relatively okay, while second uncle Fang Zhonggui and youngest uncle Fang Jiping both seemed to be trying to flatter and curry favor.

Fang Lin listened to this, looked at Tian Xuan who was pregnant beside him, looked at his daughter Qiuqiu, looked at Fang's father, Fang's mother, looked at his uncle and other relatives, and thought to himself: "Relatives and fellow villagers, these are all helpers, they can help me better control the current situation, whether it is the factory or the fleet..."

These seeds are planted one by one, waiting for time to ferment and bear fruit.

……

(End of this chapter)