Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After listening to Fang Zheng's speech, many people began to look at each other.

Government bidding projects weren't unheard of; everyone had heard of them.

However, most of those projects were being done in the capital or the imperial palace.

Local bidding was mostly for small shops and procurement.

A project worth ten thousand taels of gold was bound to be large in scale.

Jianjiang clearly hadn't caught on to this trend yet, and everyone was uneasy.

I can do the project for you, but what if you casually say the quality isn't up to par, this isn't right, that isn't right?

You don't give the final payment? Who would do a project like that?

Besides, none of us specialize in this; we mostly sell finished products like cloth and medicinal herbs.

Although the construction industry isn't too difficult in this era, as long as you recruit enough people, you can start work.

But there are risks, aren't there? Why should I take so many risks?

Unless the profit is high enough! If you give me ten thousand taels of gold, then it's not impossible to give it a shot!

Fang Zheng carefully observed the reactions of the crowd, prepared for all possibilities.

He smiled and said, "I know everyone probably has many doubts in their hearts."

"We're out here to make money, so it's always right to be cautious, after all, no one's money comes from thin air!"

"Then I, your official, will explain it to you in detail."

"First, about the cost. Now is the best time to recruit workers! Everyone should have plenty of stored grain at home, right? The masses of refugees outside the city will work as long as they're given food!"

"Are you still treating the grain in your hands as treasure? Everyone should have heard of the 'Prosperity Sweet Potato' from the capital that yields several thousand catties per mu. I brought a hundred shi of Prosperity Sweet Potato here to use as seed!"

"Plus, the capital will soon transfer another batch of grain to Jianjiang, and the price of grain will definitely fall in response in a few days!"

"And in less than two years! The planting of Prosperity Sweet Potato will be fully rolled out, and it will drive the price of grain down to an unprecedented low!"

"So, everyone... the grain in your hands will soon be worthless...."

After speaking, Fang Zheng looked meaningfully at the whispering crowd below, and when they had chatted enough, he continued, "As for the final payment, you don't need to worry."

"Defaulting on debts may happen elsewhere, but it is absolutely impossible here with me!"

Xie Xian sat below with a full smile.

Yes, the master's work never involves accounts, so how can there be any talk of defaulting on debts? He'll squeeze oil out of a stone for you!

Honesty is a basic quality of a Taoyuan County person.

"I will publicly announce this matter to the whole city, and then sign a contract with you!"

"The government's reputation is much more valuable than mere silver. The result of the project will also be judged by the people. Can everyone rest assured now?"

The people below began to whisper again, and after a brief discussion, someone raised their hand and asked, "Then, Lord Fang, what kind of project is it?"

Fang Zheng smiled slightly, "Confidential for now!"

"However, there are not many places available for this auction. If everyone is interested in signing up for the course, then let's just close the doors and do this auction ourselves!"

"The decision on this matter is in my hands, and if the number of people meets the standard, we can start tomorrow."

"Everyone here is the most capable. Ordinary people outside may not have the ability to eat such a big cake."

"Does everyone have any other questions?"

Someone mumbled below, "Shouldn't it be bidding... why is it auctioning..."

However, everyone just assumed it was a slip of the tongue from Fang Zheng, and no one cared.

Sun Jiacheng looked at Fang Zheng with some hesitation.

He wasn't interested in bidding or anything like that. He wasn't counting on making money; he would just cooperate with whatever Fang Zheng did.

Whether or not he could keep his little life was another matter.

However, the last line of the promotional poster made his heart flutter.

The top three registrants have the opportunity to win three tutoring sessions for children from the former Zhan Shi family.

He had a clever little son at home.

If he could invite Fang Zheng to his home and befriend him... then his safety would at least be greatly improved.

Seeing that the people around him were still discussing, Sun Jiacheng immediately raised his hand, "Lord Fang! I've decided, I'm the first to sign up!"

Wang Qixun's face fell. You're the first again!? It makes it seem like I'm not actively cooperating!

"My Wang family! Second!"

These two shouted! Leading this group of people to call out one after another.

Soon everyone raised their hands.

Fang Zheng looked at the people below with a smile, "Good... good! Since everyone is participating, then Shopkeeper Xie, please help me record the order!"

Sun Jiacheng stood up and saluted, "Lord Fang! I don't know if the places for the top three registrants for tutoring... are they really true?"

"True! Of course, they're true! But what's written above is 'opportunity to win'."

"I'm busy with official duties and can't guarantee that I'll always have time to come to your door to tutor."

"But... when I have time, it's not impossible!"

Sun Jiacheng's eyes lit up and he thanked him, then sat back down.

Fang Zheng continued, "Okay, now that everyone has signed up, this matter is over."

"Besides this, I have another matter to ask of you!"

"Everyone here can be considered a prominent figure in Jianjiang. With this great disaster, I hope everyone who has money will contribute money, and those who have strength will contribute strength!"

"So here, I want to shamelessly ask you all for a disaster relief fund to help the victims."

The merchants in the audience immediately felt their hearts sink!

You just collected five thousand taels! Now you want to ask for money in the name of disaster victims? There really is no free lunch in the world.

"The amount of money is entirely up to everyone's discretion! I'll take the lead, I'll donate...."

Fang Zheng slowly extended a hand, and everyone nervously stared at Fang Zheng.

"One hundred taels."

"........"

Only one hundred taels! That's good, that's good.

Everyone's hearts were relieved. Five thousand taels had already been spent, so this little bit of money really wasn't much!

But you, Fang Zheng, are stingy enough. Even a meal would cost more than this!

Sun Jiacheng was the first to stand up and shout, "I donate five hundred taels!"

"Then I'll also donate five hundred!" Wang Qixun looked at Sun Jiacheng with a tangled expression.

You're faster than me again? Shameless old thing!

"I donate three hundred taels!"

"One hundred taels!"

"........"

Fang Zheng's hanging heart was also relieved. Things were progressing smoothly, and everything was according to plan.

Five thousand taels had already been spent, so spending a few hundred more didn't seem like that much.

Of course, the heads of the Sun and Wang families contributed the most.

It seems that letting them go in the first place was indeed a wise decision.

The disaster situation in the local area was beyond his reach, so what he could do was raise money.

The more money he could get, the better. Adding up all the odds and ends, he could scrape together about one hundred and forty thousand taels.

Although the silver was not small, it was still not enough, and he had to continue to work hard.

After everyone had reported their numbers, Fang Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Then I, on behalf of the people of Jianjiang, thank you all for your kindness!"

Then he looked at Xie Xian, "Please have the money sent to Shopkeeper Xie first, and I will send someone to collect it!"

As expected, he is a true big corrupt official! Using the name of disaster relief to collect silver is not much better than Liu Xun, and his appetite seems to be even bigger.

Collusion between officials and merchants, isn't this how it's done?

Everyone simultaneously despised Fang Zheng in their hearts.

.........