Linxia

Chapter 228, Continuous Rain

Ten days later, Fang Lin and his party returned to Huai'an.

Compared to being in other places, where I am subconsciously cautious in everything I do, as if I am keeping my tail between my legs, afraid of getting into trouble or offending people, I feel really safe in Huai'an, my base camp.

After feeling relieved, I then felt tired. Although traveling is for relaxation and fun, I still felt mentally exhausted. Just a few months seemed like a long time had passed, and my body felt like it was falling apart. It was a kind of fatigue from the inside out.

It is conceivable that the conditions of Fang Lin's family were the same. It must have been very difficult for Xu Xiake to measure Daxia with his feet.

Fang's father, Fang's mother, Tian Xuan and others were resting, and when Fang Lin came back, there were all kinds of things to do.

Fang Lin found Fang Chuanhui who stayed behind and asked him how Huai'an was doing in the past few months.

"Brother Linzi, it's no big deal. The five families of Ma, Shao, Duan, Gu, and Fan..." Fang Chuanhui spoke one by one.

The Ma, Shao and Duan families are now following Fang Lin in the soap business. They can make money just by lying down, so they naturally won't make any trouble.

To be honest, they admired Fang Lin's management ability and strategic vision for setting the general direction. The only thing they were not satisfied with was that he was too nice to the workers.

In the soap industry, the treatment and benefits of the relevant workers are on par with those in other factories under Fang Lin. The Ma, Shao and Duan families think that it is understandable that Fang Lin treated those farmers better in the past because of competition in the weaving workshops and fleets. But now they are the only one dominating the soap industry, and they treat those workers so well... Lord Fang, you are sitting on the wrong side of the fence!

It's like: in Fang Lin's previous life, the three food delivery platforms, Meituan, Ele.me, and Didi, provided billions and billions of subsidies during the war. But now you have become the only dominant player through integration and acquisition, and you are still giving benefits to users, subsidizing riders, and you don't even outsource labor. How can you be a qualified capitalist!

However, given the extremely high profits in the soap business, this is only a minor problem.

The Gu family was busy running the restaurant and fish pond in the area outside the city and did not cause any trouble.

Objectively speaking, the better Fang Lin's business develops, the more money the Gu family can make. After all, whether it is popular novels, or opening factories and fleets, it will attract a large number of customers, allowing the Gu family to benefit from it.

The Fan family is also honest.

There is actually no conflict of interest between Fang Lin's business and the Fan family, except for the grudge over the formula of the perfume and the dispute between the eldest and second in command. Otherwise, the two sides are still cooperating well.

In addition, at this time of great changes in the court of the capital, the Fan family really had no intention of causing trouble.

Fang Lin questioned five companies and conducted surprise inspections on the factories under his command.

Unlike in the past, problems were found in three factories this time. Two factories replaced inferior ingredients with good ones and reduced the amount of workers' meals. These were still minor matters. There was another factory with even bigger problems, with the defective rate far exceeding the normal level. After a detailed investigation, it was found that they were deliberately producing inferior products and reselling them!

After investigating the matter, it turned out that a machine in this workshop had a problem in the past few months, and a batch of defective products was produced. The person in charge of the workshop thought it was a waste to destroy them, so he reported to Dang Zhixian and asked him to sell them internally at a low price. The workers subscribed to a part of them at a low price, and the rest was resold to the outside. The whole workshop benefited from it and tasted the sweetness, and then the defective rate began to soar artificially.

Fang Lin investigated the matter thoroughly, and sent the bad apples to the government. All the defective products produced by that factory were also destroyed.

Then, he called Dang Zhixian over and scolded him. This guy then acted decisively, came up with ideas, and filled the loophole.

Fang Lin suspected that this guy was just looking for trouble to show off his presence. After all, as a subordinate, no matter whether the impression was good or bad, he had to let it pass through his head so as not to be forgotten.

This incident also made him sigh: "I was only away for a few months, and the factory was like this. If it was a little longer, wouldn't it be a mess? Some of my own factories are like this. If a country's public officials lose supervision, what will happen? I can't imagine it."

"That's why we need to constantly tinker with it and use the system to put power into a cage!"

……

Compared to the factory, the bookstore is much better and there are basically no problems.

Firstly, there are only three stores here, including the main store and the branch store, so the target is relatively small; secondly, the three shopkeepers, Liu Hongwen, Liu Hongru, and Zhong Zongdian, are all smart people and know their limits.

After inspecting various properties, Fang Lin also went to visit old friends, such as the Dong family, where he visited Dong's father and mother and brought back letters and things from Dong Zugao; he also brought gifts to Mr. Ou in Xixiang Hutong and to Manager Liu, who was now enjoying his grandchildren; he also went to Xu Kuo's hometown.

Speaking of the Xu family, this kid Xu Xianwen was given special treatment by Master Yu in the past, but it was a waste of time after all. This guy is not cut out for study. After all his struggles till now, he hasn't even passed the exam to become a student. Well, it seems that Fang Lin has no right to criticize him.

Also, this kid doesn't want to study and wants to do business, but he doesn't want to be under the control of Mr. Xu Kuo. He doesn't want to take shares, get dividends every month, and live a life of idleness and waiting for death. He also wants to go out to sea to see the world. However, Mr. Xu Kuo thinks it is dangerous at sea and disagrees.

This kid still had the style of a young boy, and ended up following Fang Lin's fleet and going overseas to the overseas business, where he did quite well. This made Xu Kuo very angry, and he secretly came over to ask Fang Lin to take good care of the kid, while writing a letter to scold him, and then concentrated on training the trumpet and training Xu Xianwen's brothers and sisters.

——Xu Kuo Lao naturally has more than one son, Xu Xianwen. He also has three younger brothers and sisters, who were born to Xu’s wife in recent years. In short, the Xu family will not lack people to inherit the family business.

During this period, news also came from the imperial court in the capital.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, the eunuch group represented by Wei Zhongxian and the civil service group fought increasingly fiercely, and an open and covert struggle for the right to speak over the posthumous title of Emperor Hongtai.

The new emperor was probably warned by Emperor Hongtai not to intervene as a referee. Although the court is noisy, the people are still relaxed, free and open.

However, it is conceivable that the imperial court is the center of Daxia, and the disturbances here will sooner or later spread to the world, causing unprecedented turmoil.

In addition, the new emperor's reign title was decided: Tianshun, in response to the frequent natural and man-made disasters in recent years. Therefore, this is the last year of the Hongtai Dynasty, and next year will be the first year of Tianshun.

During this time of transition from the old to the new and full of turmoil, Fang Lin's original plan to follow Missy on a trip overseas had to be postponed and he had to stay in Huai'an.

As for Missy, she followed Fang Lin's fleet and said goodbye to the sea. When the other party returned to the West, he would also solve the problem of craftsmen for him.

……

By June, half a month after Fang Lin and his party returned, it started raining in Huai'an.

The rain was drizzling, not heavy, but it continued for seven or eight days and showed no sign of stopping.

Due to the continuous rain, people in Huai'an have the habit of hoarding food. Food is still an issue, but buying vegetables is inevitably affected.

In many families in the city, there are no vegetables on the table now, and they can only drink white porridge.

Of course, this is the case for ordinary people. Families like the Fang family have no shortage of vegetables, meat and eggs.

——As early as several years ago, Fang Lin bought a piece of land outside the city and let farmers grow crops and supply grain and vegetables. He also bought a manor in Chaiyiwei Village, planted fruit trees, and raised chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, etc. This is almost like exclusive supply.

In this situation, even if it rained, the Fang family's supplies would not be affected at all. In fact, it was not just the Fang family, but the powerful and wealthy class in Huai'an City were basically the same.

At dinner that evening, the two maids, Caiyun and Cailan, did not need to be served and sat at a small table nearby.

Fang's father, mother, Fang Lin, Tian Xuan, and Qiuqiu's brother and sister were naturally at the main table. Fang Tai and Fang Xi no longer needed to be fed, they could eat on their own, facing the rotating table "invented" by Fang Lin, they picked up the dishes themselves.

However, the two little guys have no self-awareness at all. They only eat meat and no vegetables. They are pure carnivores.

Qiuqiu used to be picky about food, but after going out, especially after eating a bowl of noodle soup at Zhang Ruian's place, she became much better. She picked up a piece of green vegetables for herself and two pieces for each of her two younger brothers with chopsticks, and taught them like little adults: "Daddy said that eating green vegetables can help you grow taller and prevent illness... Also, don't waste the food on the table, pick it up and eat it."

Facing the tyranny of their sister, Fang Tai and Fang Xi looked aggrieved on their faces.

Fang's father, Fang's mother, Fang Lin, Tian Xuan and others all laughed when they saw this scene.

Father Fang said, "Your cousins, Chuanzong, Chuanhui, Hezi, Caoer, send some vegetables over tomorrow."

The Fang family had no shortage of vegetables, and they could send them to the servants, which was just a matter of eating. Although it was just a small amount, it was actually quite rare at this time, symbolizing the privilege of the "carnivore" class. Sharing this glory with these relatives could greatly enhance the centripetal force and cohesion within the family.

"Send some to Guihua and Xiaoqing as well," said Fang's mother.

Fang Lin nodded: "Dad, Mom, I know what I have sent."

This is not because he is very good at dealing with people and has no loopholes in dealing with people. After all, he is in charge of such a large business now and his energy is limited, so it is inevitable that there are things he fails to take care of.

Isn't there a housekeeper?

Butler Deng had thought of it a long time ago, and asked him about it. After Fang Lin nodded, he did it. Keeping a butler is to check for omissions and make up for deficiencies in these areas and play a role.

……

The next day.

Baishun Hutong, Qin's family, Qin Lan lives here, and Sister Guihua also lives here, not far from the Qin's family.

At the beginning, Qin Lan heard about Fang Lin's factory recruiting from her aunt's house in Xixiang Hutong, and joined the "Second Good Product Weaving Workshop". Later, she transferred to the "First Women's Weaving Workshop" which was full of female workers. Later, she was introduced to Fang Chuanzong by Fang He's wife Meng He, and also attended Fang Lin's family dinner.

Lunch this day.

Qin Lan's brother and sister went to the kitchen and stood on tiptoe to look into the pot: "Mom, what are we having for lunch today?"

"Rice porridge."

"It's just rice porridge, no vegetables!" The little kids dragged out their words, looking unhappy.

The Qin family is considered to be of middle class financial status in Huai'an Prefecture, so they can normally afford vegetables. But now it has been raining for days, and there are very few vegetable vendors in the market who brave the rain. Occasionally one or two come, but they are quickly snatched up.

In this case, you can only eat plain porridge, which naturally makes you lose your appetite.

"You have never been hungry, so you are lucky to have something to eat. Why are you so picky? Didn't you see your uncle Zhou from next door come to our house to exchange food?"

The Zhou family next door belongs to Zhou Laoer, who separated from the family and lives on his own. He works at the dock and has not yet started a family. He usually eats and drinks at the dock. He does not store much food at home, and there has been no disaster in the past few years, so he did not stock up and was a little careless.

Now, the family did not have enough food, so they came to the Qin family to exchange a few pounds. The so-called "exchange" actually meant buying with money. The Qin family gave the other party a few pounds. The other party actually wanted to exchange for vegetables, but the Qin family did not have any.

At this time, shouting was heard outside. It turned out that Fang Chuanzong came over and brought a lot of things.

Qin's father, mother, Qin Lan, and her younger brothers and sisters went out to see what was happening and were horrified.

There were fruits, vegetables and fresh meat. The vegetables included green vegetables, cucumbers, beans and eggplants... The fresh meat included pork, lamb and a sea bass... The fruits included peaches and plums... and there were also dried fruit snacks.

"My cousin sent it to me. I couldn't finish it, so I thought you have a big family..." Fang Chuanzong was a little dull and slow. In fact, it was Fang Chuanhui who reminded him to deliver it personally.

The Qin family refused for a while before accepting the offer. They pulled Fang Chuanzong to stay for dinner, but the marriage had only reached the stage of accepting the betrothal gift, and they were afraid that staying would damage Qin Lan's reputation, so they left.

Today, the Qin family had a pot of stir-fried pork and beans for lunch, which is quite rare under normal circumstances, and it is even more rare now that it has been raining for several days.

Qin Lan's brothers and sisters stared at the dish and swallowed their saliva.

"This is thanks to Lan Zi's advance."

Mother Qin said as she picked up a large piece of food with chopsticks for Qin Lan. She smiled and said, "I think Chuanzong is a good man. He still thinks of us and sent us so many things. I'm afraid he sent us all the things that Lord Fang gave him. This child!"

"He has never seen the world. Lord Fang is a third-rank commander. How can he be stingy? Besides, the brothers Chuanzong and Chuanhui live together. He doesn't know how to count. Chuanhui is smart. He must have kept some for himself."

Father Qin sighed and said, "Anyway, if Lan Zi marries him, she will never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of her life. It's good for a man to be honest, and he should be able to make a living without any tricks. Also, with this relationship, Lan Zi is in the factory, and maybe she can become a small manager in the future, and then her life will be even easier."

"Dad, stop talking. You act as if that's all I care about." Qin Lan felt happy and shy at the same time.

"What a fool you are talking about. Marrying a man means having clothes to wear and having food to eat, right?" Mother Qin said, exposing her daughter's true colors. "Besides, you looked down on Chuanzong at first, saying you wanted to spend more time with us. Later, you went to Lord Fang's family for a banquet, and then you came back and said you would listen to us..."

"Mom!" Qin Lan said unwillingly.

"Your mother's words are true. You should not be too proud."

Father Qin said, "You are beautiful and will not have trouble finding a husband. But you are the cousin of Lord Fang. Lord Fang is now a high-ranking official. The wealthy families in the city are willing to make friends with you! You are beautiful, but can you compare with the daughter of a wealthy family in the city? Can you be as literate as them?"

Qin Lan felt inferior because of what she said. She lowered her head and whispered, "Dad, I understand. I will obey the family tradition after I get married."

After dinner, the Qin family’s neighbors came over and wanted to exchange some dishes. The Qin family was not stupid, so they only exchanged a little from each family. However, this was already a big favor, and being complimented, Qin’s mother smiled widely.

……

The Qin family’s incident was just a small episode. It can be seen that due to the continuous rain, most families in the city have no food to eat.

But after ten days or half a month, the rain still hadn't stopped. Water accumulated in many places in the city and the river water outside the city was also rising. This made many people smell something bad.

……

(End of this chapter)