The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

"I'll stay. If money drops from the sky, I'll definitely stay."

"Those who are left standing over there, tell the bailiff who you are, what your name is, where you live, come on, next one."

"I'm not a soldier, can I sign up?"

"can."

"Will you give me money for a full year of work?"

“Yes, but not that much.”

"That's how much to give."

"One or two."

When the man heard this, he realized that one or two taels of silver was still money, so he didn't hesitate at all and stood behind Da Zhuang in line to sign up.

After three days, Chen Gongxiang couldn't stop smiling. "My Lord, Mr. Ge is really amazing. It's only been three days and he has almost gathered all the people. They all came to him to sign up. With the current manpower, we can definitely start the work."

Wan Lianxing said: "It's quite fast."

"Yes, Lord, do you want to go and see the people who have been summoned? Not to mention that this is Mochun County, even in the most prosperous place in Fengying, you can't see so many people."

Wan Lianxing said: "I don't need to see, as long as there are people working, notify Hong Zhekai to start the work as scheduled, don't waste time."

"Yes, Lord, I will go and tell him in a moment. However, don't you want to check an auspicious day before starting such a big project?"

Wan Lianxing glanced at Huang Chenming beside him and said, "See which day is better."

Huang Chenming moved his fingers and said, "My Lord, tomorrow is the day to start digging the canal."

Wan Lianxing said, "Then don't discuss it. It will be tomorrow. You can notify everyone."

Chen Gongxiang was looking forward to this day. He went directly to Hong Zhekai's home to find him and explained his purpose. Hong Zhekai thought that Wan Lianxing's statement that construction would start in three days was just a casual remark, but it turned out to be true. "Isn't it too hasty to start construction in three days? Aren't you going to make proper preparations?"

"It's not hasty. Lord Marquis, we have been preparing for a long time. Is there something wrong on Mr. Hong's side?" Chen Gongxiang was most afraid that Hong Zhe would make a mistake here.

Hong Zhekai said: "I can start the work at any time, but do we have enough manpower?"

Chen Gongxiang said: "We have no shortage of manpower. We can provide as many as you need."

Hong Zhekai didn't believe it. Although he had only been in Fengying for a short time, he knew how many people there were in Fengying. "Where are the people in this late spring county? Lord Chen should know how many people there are in Fengying. There are only women and the elderly, the weak and the disabled. There are not many people who can work. Even if we conscript able-bodied men to do corvée, it will take more than a month. If we can only find a hundred or so people to work, I think it's better to start the work later so that we can keep the momentum going."

Chen Gongxiang said, "Mr. Hong, how many days have you not left the house?"

"Why are you asking me this, Master Chen? I don't have time to leave the house these days."

"Come on, follow me out and take a look."

"What are you looking at? I still have some work to do. You can tell the Marquis what I said. It depends on his opinion whether to start the construction tomorrow. I don't care. Just listen to him. But I still want to give you a piece of advice. Water conservancy is not a joke. It is not enough to have enthusiasm and money. The people must support it. If the people are not united and the manpower is not enough, this huge project cannot be completed in ten years. If the Marquis is only three-tenths enthusiastic, I advise him not to think about leaving a name in history for a century-long plan, and just solve the problem at hand. Isn't it just the water shortage in Mochun County? Give me a year and I will help you solve it."

Chen Gongxiang said: "It seems that Mr. Hong does not understand the Marquis. The Marquis has made up his mind."

Hong Zhekai said: "He can never change his whimsical and fickle nature."

Chen Gongxiang said: "In this case, Mr. Hong must go to the street with me today. It won't take up much of Mr. Hong's time."

Chen Gongxiang dragged the people onto the street. Hong Zhekai widened his eyes, "Where did so many people come from?" When had so many people appeared in the desolate county town?

Chen Gongxiang said: "We recruited them."

"Are these people here to perform corvée labor?"

Chen Gongxiang said: "Mr. Hong, you don't know that the Marquis has exempted the Fengying from corvée labor."

"Corvée labor can be exempted just like that? Wan Lianxing is really too bold."

Chen Gongxiang said: "Fengying has no crops and a sparse population. It is a miracle that there are still people willing to stay here. We are unable to collect taxes from the people, so the court did not collect taxes from us later. Now it is even better. The marquis has abolished corvée labor, and the people are living a better life."

"If it's not compulsory corvée service, then where did these people come from?"

"They came here on their own and are willing to be paid for a day's work."

"How many people must be here?"

Chen Gongxiang said: "All together, there are more than 10,000 people, but there will be many more people coming to sign up."

"How can so many people be attracted in such a short time? Or did they come here on their own initiative?" Hong Zhekai couldn't figure it out.

Chen Gongxiang smiled and said, "The Marquis has a good plan. The Marquis said that Mr. Hong can rest assured that we will provide as many people as you need. Mr. Hong, can we start work tomorrow?"

Hong Zhe thought happily that Wan Lianxing was quite capable. He had recruited people in just three days. If they didn't start the construction now, when would they? "Master Chen, let's go to the Marquis to discuss the details of tomorrow's construction."

"Okay, that's what I meant."

After everyone had discussed it together, construction started the next day. A huge groundbreaking ceremony was held, which attracted many people to come and watch, both from far and near. Many people came to sign up and find work. The three copper coins a day were attractive, and the silver they would get after a year was even more attractive, so the number of people signing up here increased day by day.

A few days later.

Chen Gongxiang came to Wan Lianxing and said, "My Lord, the number of people looking for work is increasing day by day. Are you still accepting them?"

Wan Lianxing said, "Take it. You don't want the people who come to you to work."

Chen Gongxiang said: "I just want to save money for the Marquis."

Wan Lianxing smiled and said, "It's just as heavy to carry as to carry. Just feel free to use people. But don't blame me for not reminding you in advance. With so many people gathered together, they will fight and brawl. There will be all kinds of people, and you will have to solve the chaos by yourself."

"My Lord, I dare not say anything else, but I know the most about your concern. If anyone dares to break the law here, I will make him remember it for the rest of his life. I don't care who his aunts and uncles are, or whether he is the first offender. As long as he falls into my hands, I will never let him off easily."

Wan Lianxing said, "Remember your words, take good care of your people, and keep an eye on Hong Zhekai."

"My Lord, Hong Zhekai is a serious and caring person, and he is also very friendly when talking to everyone."

Wan Lianxing said: "Really? Why is this person attacking me?"

"It's because the Marquis doesn't want the father and son to meet."

Wan Lianxing said: "He appears to be obedient to me but his heart is not. The more he is so hypocritical, the more I cannot obey him."