As soon as he entered the county town, he happened to bump into Zhou Tian who was about to leave the city.
Han Zhen asked: "What's the matter?"
Zhou Tian reported: "County magistrate, Craftsman Yuan brought people to the Yamen to look for you."
"Walk."
Han Zhen waved his hand.
Craftsman Yuan is very efficient. What he ordered yesterday was completed today.
All the way to the Yamen, I saw Craftsman Yuan standing outside the hall, followed by fourteen craftsmen.
"Come in with me."
Han Zhen said hello and walked into the book hall first.
All the way into the study room, Craftsman Yuan said: "County Magistrate, I have conducted an on-site survey today and drawn the drawings. We will start construction on the three workshops after recruiting workers tomorrow."
Han Zhen muttered: "There is no need to recruit workers for the workshops in the military camp. When the time comes, you can find Nie Dong, and he will arrange soldiers to serve as workers for you to drive."
The gunpowder workshop built in the military camp was the top priority. Using soldiers as workers could enhance a certain degree of confidentiality.
"I understand."
After Craftsman Yuan agreed, he introduced: "These are all craftsmen from government-run workshops. They are honest and honest. They have a mother at home, a wife and children at the bottom."
Han Zhen ordered: "Well, you have worked hard today, so you should go back first."
Hearing this, Craftsman Yuan immediately understood, turned around and left the study, closing the door of the study at the same time.
Looking around at the crowd and seeing their anxious expressions, Han Zhen couldn't help but smile and said, "Don't be nervous. I've been waiting for you because I have an errand."
Errand?
Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up.
Nowadays, who doesn't know that the county magistrate is very generous? As long as it is an errand arranged by him, if it is done well, there will be a reward.
There are as few as ten strings, and as many as hundreds of strings.
Han Zhen said: "This job is different from the previous ones. Once you take it, you will basically be isolated from the world for the rest of your life."
Um?
The craftsmen were all stunned, with expressions of confusion on their faces.
Seeing this, Han Zhen continued: "With a monthly salary of three guan, you don't have to worry about eating, drinking, and having sex, someone will bring it to you, and you won't be short of wine and meat. Also, I will take special care of your children. If If you are talented, you will be recruited into the county government, and you will not necessarily become an official in the future. If you are mediocre in qualifications, I will arrange a decent and leisurely job, so that you will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your life."
"I'll give you some time to think about it while I'm waiting for a cup of tea. It's okay if you don't want to do it. Don't worry that you'll hate me for it."
After saying that, Han Zhen picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup of herbal tea.
The craftsmen looked at each other, you looked at me, I looked at you, unable to make up their minds for a moment.
As for the treatment, it is indeed good. A monthly salary of three thousand dollars, plus food and drinks, and the children will be taken care of in the future, so there will be no worries.
But the conditions are equally harsh and isolated from the world...
At this time, a craftsman said: "County magistrate, can you bring your family members to live together?"
Han Zhen replied: "Yes, but the family members will not be allowed to go out in the future."
Another craftsman asked: "If you take a monthly bath, can you go home to visit your family?"
"no!"
Han Zhen shook his head and said: "If you miss your family, you can send someone to take them to the military camp, but during this period, there will be soldiers monitoring you!"
The fourteen craftsmen looked tangled and hesitant.
The condition of not being able to go out is too harsh, but they are not willing to give up such generous treatment.
Han Zhen was not in a hurry and drank her herbal tea silently.
It seems that due to his influence, drinking herbal tea has become popular in the county government.
Even in Changzhi County, tea is rarely ordered.
Seeing that a cup of herbal tea was about to be finished, a craftsman gritted his teeth and said: "County Magistrate, I will take this job!"
Han Zhen reminded: "You must think clearly, there is no turning back. Once you accept this job, if you want to go back on it, there will be no way out!"
No wonder he was so cautious, but black gunpowder was his foundation and his trump card for seizing Shandong and even taking over the world.
Once the formula is leaked, the consequences are unpredictable.
"I...I have thought it through!"
The craftsman looked determined.
Han Zhen asked: "Okay, what's your name?"
The craftsman replied: "My name is Han Fang."
"Still the same family."
Han Zhen smiled and asked, "How many people are there in the family?"
"There is an old mother and a wife in the family, and there are two boys below."
"How old is the child?"
"The eldest is thirteen years old and the youngest is ten."
Han Zhen said seriously: "Don't worry, just do your errands attentively. If my mother and wife at home are in trouble, they can come to me at any time. When the two children are older, I will take them to the county government. Whether they can become officials is a matter of course." It’s up to them. If they don’t have the ability, I will arrange a dignified and leisurely job for them to ensure that they live a safe life and have no worries about food and clothing!"
"Thank you, County Magistrate!"
Han Fang knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times respectfully.
He is already thirty-four, and he took this job just to give his children a good future.
Poor parents in the world!
With Han Fang as an example, six more craftsmen immediately spoke up and took over the job.
The remaining seven people were still hesitating.
After finishing the cup of tea, Han Zhen said, "It's time. How are you thinking?"
A craftsman stuttered and said: "County Magistrate, I...my child is still young..."
"nothing."
Han Zhen waved his hand and said again: "I said, it's up to you to accept or not. You don't need to worry about me."
In the end, of the fourteen craftsmen, eleven took the job and three reluctantly turned down the job.
He found that the three craftsmen who turned down the job were all relatively young, only in their mid-twenties.
At this age, unless they are the kind of cold-tempered people, it is indeed a kind of torture for them to live a life of isolation.
After letting the three craftsmen go back first, Han Zhen ordered the remaining craftsmen: "You can stay at home with your wife, children and mother in the past few days, and report to the military camp at 10:00 in five days. If anyone fails to come, they will be dealt with according to military law!"
"I understand."
Han Fang and others all agreed.
Han Zhen waved his hand: "Let's go back."
Seeing that it was getting late, Han Zhen also got up and left the study.
In the thin hall, there are still many subordinate staff busy.
"Don't wait too late. Take care of yourself."
Han Zhen's words made the subordinate officials look moved, and they all bowed in response.
Stepping on the afterglow of the setting sun, Han Zhen stepped back home.
In the living room of the second courtyard, Mrs. Han and Zhang were sitting at the table, making calculations with their little hands.
Although she moved to the county, she did not drop her studies.
Hearing the footsteps, Han Zhang glanced up.
Seeing him coming back, a smile suddenly appeared in his eyes, and he asked: "Erlang is back, can we have dinner?"
"No!"
Han Zhen shook his head.
Mrs. Han Zhang stood up and said, "Sit down for a while, Erlang, and I will ask the cook to heat up some hot food for you."
Han Zhen is now running between the military camp and the Yamen. If he catches up with the meal, he will make do with it at the military camp or Changzhi County.
At first, Han Zhang insisted on waiting for him to come back and have dinner together, but later, under Han Zhen's persuasion, she ate alone.
By the time we finished eating, the sky had turned completely dark.
After the two washed up, they entered the room.
…
"Huhuhu..."
In the dark room, Han Zhang's heavy breathing sounded.
Han Zhen brought a pot of herbal tea from the table. After taking a big sip, he helped Mrs. Han Zhang up and thoughtfully fed her water: "Run Niang, come and drink some tea."
Mrs. Han Zhang enjoyed this intimate scene very much.
After the pot of herbal tea was finished, the two of them stuck together again.
Playing with a pair of firm and round fruits, Han Zhen was thinking about firearms.
Mrs. Han Zhang lay on his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat.
Suddenly, Mrs. Han Zhang said: "Erlang, we have been together for more than a month, but there is still no movement in my stomach."
"No hurries."
Han Zhen laughed dumbly and comforted: "This kind of thing depends purely on luck. If you are lucky, you will win once, but if you are not lucky..."
Mrs. Han Zhang was startled and asked quickly: "What's wrong with your bad luck?"
“If you’re not lucky, come a few more times!”
After Han Zhen said this, he suddenly turned over and threw Han Zhang under him.
"Uncle!"
A soft and greasy sound sounded in the dark night.
(End of chapter)
