Cheng Wanwan's family collected a total of 50,000 to 60,000 kilograms of cotton this year, part of which was used to make cotton linings, which were brought to various parts of the country by merchants. The sales were very good, and the profits from this part have already been paid.
Most of the rest was used by her to make winter quilts and winter clothes. This was a product she planned to benefit the people. The inside was made of cotton wool and the outside was covered with linen and coarse cloth. The price was also very cheap. A winter quilt cost between one hundred and two hundred cents. , the price is calculated by the kilogram, and the size of winter clothes ranges from fifty to one hundred cents.
She rented a shop in the newly built market, specializing in selling winter clothes and quilts. The villagers in Dahe Village made these at home, so there was no need to come to buy them. The main force of consumption was mainly farmers from the neighboring villages.
It can be said that due to the development of various industries in Dahe Village, villagers in several nearby villages have also benefited. They no longer need to go to the city to find coolies for twenty cents that day. As long as they come to Dahe Village, they can find work. , the coal mine recruits workers all year round. If you are lucky, you may be able to enter the workshop of a Sui'an person, which is a sign of your ancestors' virtue. If you are a girl who knows some embroidery skills, you can work hard to enter Cao's embroidery workshop.
Because the nearby villagers have made money, they are naturally willing to spend money to improve their lives, and the sales of winter clothes and quilts are not bad.
However, there are only so many farmers in the surrounding area who can consume. Even if every household buys, they won't be able to clear out much inventory. Not to mention, in order to save money, many people only buy one set for men and women. No matter who wears it, the coldest part of winter is only for a month, so just get over it.
You know, she used 40,000 kilograms of cotton to make winter clothes and quilts, 5,000 winter quilts, and 10,000 winter clothes. They were almost based on the population of the lower class people in nearby counties and towns, but many people did not get the news. , and another one, many people can’t even afford a hundred cents.
In the afternoon, Cheng Wanwan braved the severe cold and went to the town.
The harvest in Ping'an County is good this year, and the county has also arranged a porridge donation. Just at the gate of the city, some ragged beggars are queuing up. Since there are not many people begging for food, the porridge is relatively thick. Two meals a day are enough for these people. Get through it.
She entered through the city gate. The situation in the city was quite good, and the sale of New Year's goods was very lively.
Passing through the busy streets, we entered the county government office.
Before coming, she asked Cheng Jia to come over and talk to the county government officials, otherwise she would definitely not be able to meet Magistrate Shen.
Magistrate Shen is really busy. He is either going to Huzhou to report on government affairs or handling various cases in the villages below. Except for holding court sessions during the day and sleeping at night, he is basically not in the county government office.
Seeing Cheng Wanwan walking in from the yard, Magistrate Shen quickly stood up.
When he was busy, he could forget many things. He could forget his son who went to the capital to take the exam, and he could also forget the woman who had been hiding deep in his heart.
He stared blankly for a while, and when Cheng Wanwan approached, he immediately withdrew his gaze and turned into a business-like person: "People from Sui'an came here this time, they must have something important to discuss."
Since the two families recognized each other, Sui'an people have always met his old mother directly every time they came here. This was the first time they came to see him.
Cheng Wanwan smiled and nodded: "I came here this time to ask Master Shen for a favor."
Magistrate Shen immediately answered: "People from Sui'an, don't be so polite. As long as I, Shen, can help, I will be happy to help you."
Cheng Wanwan took out the paper from his sleeve: "Master Shen, you know I have two hundred acres of lotus pond. This winter is the season for digging lotus roots, but this work requires manpower. Everyone in the village is busy and can't get it." There are so many people, so I want to recruit people in the city. Those homeless beggars, those poor people at the bottom who are struggling to make ends meet can come to Dahe Village to work for fifteen cents a day, including three meals a day. In addition, If you make it for ten days, you can get a warm winter coat as a gift, and if you make it for twenty days, you can get another thick quilt."
The wages in Dahe Village are generally thirty or forty cents a day. The reason why she offered fifteen cents was to persuade those who had a decent family to quit. She was willing to come to Dahe Village for fifteen cents, which showed that her family's life was really difficult. After a while, her winter clothes and quilts were prepared for this group. On the surface, they were gifts. In fact, she got her labor in vain. If she calculated carefully, she would not lose money.
County Magistrate Shen read the announcement and couldn't help but sigh: "Every November or December, water transportation stops, and many people in the city lose their livelihoods, and those at the bottom have no way to make money... This move by the Sui'an people can be regarded as giving them a way to survive."
"It should be said that Mr. Shen's merits are immeasurable." Cheng Wanwan said, "Many places do not provide porridge in winter, but Mr. Shen provides two meals of gruel every day, and I don't know how many lives he saved."
After the two blew rainbow farts at each other for a while, Cheng Wanwan left.
Magistrate Shen ordered people to copy the announcement and went to all nearby counties and towns to post notices.
It is afternoon now, and the people living on the streets are either taking shelter from the wind and keeping warm in the ruined temples, or begging on the streets. Although the county magistrate has given out gruel, they can only barely eat their fill. If they can beg for more food, they can fill their stomachs. Filled.
In every sheltered place on the street, there would be three or four beggars squatting.
Just then, there was a sudden commotion.
Pedestrians on the street gathered in one place and gathered in front of the notice board.
"Oh, people from Sui'an are recruiting workers. Oh my gosh, I have to go. If I get hired, I won't have to worry about it in my life."
"Hey, please calm down and see clearly. This time we are recruiting short-term workers. The salary is fifteen cents a day. Carrying big bags at the dock for a day is more than that."
"But Sui'an's family provides three meals a day. I heard the food there is pretty good."
"It's not easy to have enough food. The county magistrate gives out porridge every day. This is not something worth talking about. The wages are still too low and it's not worth the trip."
"Fifteen cents is too little, so I won't go. You can do whatever you want."
Several men dispersed. They really had no work to do at the moment, but they would not force themselves to go to the village to do errands for fifteen cents a day.
A group of people from behind gathered around and continued to discuss.
"Cats have nothing to do at home this winter. Fifteen cents a day can improve their lives, right?"
"It also mentioned giving me winter clothes and quilts. Our quilts have been used for more than ten years and it's time to replace them."
"Hey, let's go and give it a try."
Some men from poor families met to go to Dahe Village.
And those people at the bottom, as well as those beggars living on the streets, will not dislike fifteen cents as too little. They have food, drink, clothes, and wages. Such good things must not be missed.
Of course, there are also lazy vagrants. Since the county magistrate provides two free meals a day, why bother to do hard work by yourself...
When it was still early, many people came to Dahe Village.
Because Cheng Wanwan had already told them, they were not blocked at the entrance of the village. After registering their names and place of origin, they were all brought to the edge of the lotus pond.
The lotus pond in winter is almost dry, with only a shallow layer of water. The bottom of the pond is silt, and you can sink in if you step on it. This is why digging lotus roots is so difficult. In modern society, high-pressure water guns are used, which makes it much easier. , in ancient times it could only be done purely artificially.
