Luo Juan and Wang Daya were both stunned, not expecting Gu Qingcheng to remember them after a trip to the city.
Luo Juan, with her sweet tongue, said gratefully, "Young Master Gu, you are too kind. I am willing to work like a horse and serve you for the rest of my life."
Upon hearing Luo Juan say this, Wang Daya immediately felt her own tongue was clumsy. This was exactly what she wanted to say, but she was too shy to express it. She hadn't expected Luo Juan to be so forthright.
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "You flatter me, Luo Juan. Reheat the food before eating. We packed it fresh from the pot, but it cooled down as soon as we left the city."
"Yes, sir!"
Luo Juan, singled out, excitedly went to reheat the dishes.
Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo went into the makeshift shelter to discuss tomorrow's plans.
When the food was heated and arranged, Dai Fa tore off a chicken leg for Zheng Wuniang. However, Zheng Wuniang gave the chicken leg to Luo Juan and gestured for Dai Fa to give the other chicken leg to Wang Daya.
How could the two young girls possibly eat her portion?
So, after a roundabout exchange, the chicken legs returned to Zheng Wuniang.
Dai Fa's eyes welled up seeing his two daughters' thoughtfulness.
As Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo were discussing their next steps, Qian Wang arrived.
Seeing Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo drawing and writing with paper and pen by the bonfire, he immediately felt awkward, thinking he had come at the wrong time.
As a country folk, seeing someone who could read and write evoked a sense of inexplicable reverence.
"Speak. What is it?" Gu Qingcheng's tone carried a leader's authority.
Mi Guo felt that his sister was indeed like an immortal. In front of him, she was a kind elder sister, but when dealing with external affairs, she possessed a maturity beyond her years, inspiring awe in outsiders.
"It's like this, Young Master Gu. I've already spoken with the villagers. Upon hearing that you'll provide three meals a day and also offer silver, they are very willing to follow you. We fled famine for thousands of miles, wasn't it all for the sake of having enough to eat? Now that there's also wages, they are even more eager," Qian Wang said respectfully.
Gu Qingcheng felt Qian Wang was somewhat capable and said, "Very good, Qian Wang. I will take in all the people you can gather. How about this: help me inquire nearby if there are any more people who wish to join us in reclaiming land in the mountains. We need a large workforce. For every 100 people you recruit, I will give you one tael of silver as a reward."
Qian Wang was overjoyed to hear he could earn money and asked, "Young Master Gu, are the recruitment conditions still the same as for our village?"
"Yes, three meals a day, and if they don't slack off, one tael of silver wages per month." Gu Qingcheng had previously collected a large number of gold bars from Jinsha City, as well as the treasures from the landlords there. These precious metals were inert in her hands; she couldn't eat them. Thus, only by spending them could the economy be stimulated.
Hearing these generous terms, Qian Wang was confident that recruiting people wouldn't be an issue. He patted his chest and said, "Young Master Gu, this matter is on my shoulders. Do you have any requirements for the laborers? Are you only looking for able-bodied men, or will you take the elderly and children too?"
"As long as they have good character, a clean background, are willing to work, and don't slack off, I will take them all. Age is not a barrier; even the elderly and children have their uses." Gu Qingcheng's intention was to accept everyone.
Qian Wang felt more confident. Someone willing to hire refugees to work, regardless of age, meaning families wouldn't be separated, was a tremendous opportunity for them. Everyone would flock to it. However, Qian Wang also found it a bit strange. Normally, when hiring people for land reclamation, only the able-bodied were taken; children and the elderly would certainly be excluded. Why was Young Master Gu not following the usual path? But this wasn't something for him to worry about. Qian Wang happily accepted the task and left.
Gu Qingcheng's original intention was not to recruit strong laborers to amass wealth, but rather to help the refugees as much as possible. Furthermore, teaching them to fish is better than giving them fish. Her goal was to gather these refugees, provide them with a survival base, and also allow them to rescue themselves through labor. She couldn't possibly spend money to support a bunch of idlers, could she?
Gu Qingcheng's organized approach made her appear very much like someone from a noble family.
Dai Fa, who had overheard Gu Qingcheng and Qian Wang's conversation, stepped forward after Qian Wang left and said with a smile, "Young Master Gu, you are young, but you handle matters with such order and possess such magnanimity to help the refugees. Although I am a few years older, I am still deeply impressed."
Gu Qingcheng did not refute, merely smiling faintly.
Luo Juan and Wang Daya were excited upon hearing that they would be moving to the mountains. Although they knew that farming and land reclamation would be hard work, it was still better than being shut out of the city gates and living like stray dogs. Didn't everyone have self-respect? No matter how bitter or tiring it was, as long as their labor could earn them food, wealth, and their own land, they were willing.
The next day, Gu Qingcheng, Mi Guo, and Dai Fa went into the city as arranged. They booked a private room at the teahouse from the previous day to wait for Assistant Clerk Zeng.
Assistant Clerk Zeng did not break his promise. Shortly after they arrived, he appeared. Assistant Clerk Zeng looked very pleased and said, "Everyone, after I reported to the magistrate yesterday, he greatly admired your plan. And I mentioned that you are all quite capable, so he agreed to allocate an additional 100 mu of land for you, making it 300 mu in total."
Gu Qingcheng had not expected Wangchun City to be so generous, granting them 300 mu of land. This was a good thing. With the authorization of the government, the common people could not accuse them of illegally occupying land, and they could farm with peace of mind. Thus, official authorization and permission were very important.
Gu Qingcheng repeatedly expressed her thanks and asked, "Master Zeng, do we need to sign any documents?"
"Haha, I have already drafted the documents for you and drawn up the map with the boundaries. You just need to sign the documents." Assistant Clerk Zeng provided full service. This was mainly because he knew Gu Qingcheng was a generous person.
Indeed, upon hearing Assistant Clerk Zeng, Gu Qingcheng subtly signaled Dai Fa. Dai Fa understood the signal and quickly handed Assistant Clerk Zeng another heavy packet of silver. Assistant Clerk Zeng did not refuse and, in front of Gu Qingcheng, cheerfully accepted the silver. This packet contained at least 20 taels. Having received 30 taels in total over two occasions, it was equivalent to his annual surplus. He had struck it rich. Moreover, he had pleased both sides. He had helped the county settle refugees with worthless wasteland, earned considerable benefits for himself, and also gained praise from the magistrate.
Assistant Clerk Zeng enthusiastically produced two documents. Gu Qingcheng unfolded them. As expected, the authorization agreement and boundary map were all there, ready for her signature. After carefully examining the contents of the documents and confirming there were no unfavorable clauses or tricky wording, Gu Qingcheng signed her name. Assistant Clerk Zeng, knowing this was an important matter, had brought his official seal. Seeing Gu Qingcheng's signature, he stamped the seal on the two copies. One was for the archives, and the other was given to Gu Qingcheng. The matter was thus concluded.