The Struggle of the Reborn Prince

Chapter 37 Spending a lot of money

Zhao Tong then talked about his next plan. He would build two main roads, one horizontal and one vertical, along the main canal, build two bridges, connect them with the official road, and then choose a higher-lying place to build four roads along the main road.

Create a new village and let all the tenants move in.

"Second Master, why do you need to build a road and move your residence? Now the tenants can live in a decent place and the roads are just fine!" Zheng Fu, the chief steward, looked at the prince and asked doubtfully.

"I said that we should look further, don't just look at the tip of our toes. We are going to do big things. Once the roads are built, the things we grow will be transported out easily, and the things we need will be transported in. We not only need to build roads

, we also need to build a wharf by the Bianhe River. As the saying goes, 'If you want to get rich, build a road first'!" Zhao Tong explained, "The same is true for building new villages. The place where tenants live, except for part of it, is rented from the owner's house.

Yes, some of them were built on vacant land by myself. They are either in disrepair or leaking from the air. If you were allowed to live in a place like this, would you stay with peace of mind?"

"As soon as the second master said it, I understood. We want to plant sycamore trees to attract golden phoenixes!" Zheng Lu, the second steward, suddenly said.

"Second Master, it will cost a lot of money to pave roads, build bridges, build dams, and dredge main canals!" said the chief steward Zheng Fu, smacking his teeth.

"You must spend the money you should spend, don't feel bad!" Zhao Tong said with a smile, "And since we want to do it, we must do it well. I don't understand these things, and I want you to worry more, but the standard cannot be low. Dry canals

It should be widened and deepened, and it should not be rebuilt in less than two years. The road should be wide enough to allow two large vehicles to run parallel to each other. The road should be paved with stone slabs. Trees should be planted on both sides of the road. Roads should also be built between fields so that they can carry loads.

The one-hundred-stone cart is limited, and we choose low-lying places that are not suitable for farming to dig ponds and store water so that we can irrigate the fields nearby during droughts!"

Several people were stunned when they heard this. The prince was very generous when he made a move, but what he said next surprised them even more, "I plan to build the new village here, here, and here. It will not only facilitate the villagers to farm the fields, but also make it convenient for the village."

"Go back and forth!" Zhao Tong clicked on the picture and said: "Each village must be able to accommodate 500 households. The layout must be reasonable and easy to access. Each household must be able to accommodate at least a family of six people, two

If ten households want to have a common well, let’s just do this first, and we’ll discuss the details later!”

"Second Master, if we build roads and villages, firstly, we may not have enough manpower, and secondly, we are afraid of delaying the farming season!" Zheng Lu calculated secretly and said.

"Haha, we can start the construction according to the priority. The farming season cannot be delayed. Let's build the dam first and dredge the canals. The construction of the new village can be delayed for a while. We can start the construction after the summer harvest. But you can secretly let this news out!" Zhao Tao chuckled!

He said.

"Yes, just follow the second master's instructions!" Zheng Lu saw the sly smile on the prince's face and immediately understood, secretly sighing that the prince is really a little kid.

"Now, we must do two things: Second, please work harder. Immediately find experts who know water conservancy and road construction technology to make calculations to see how many people, how much work, and how long it will take to complete the work. At the same time, purchase

Tools and materials, complete these tasks before the start of construction, don’t delay; as the boss, you will take people to each village tomorrow to recruit people. You must be kind and bring cash with you. Whoever signs up will immediately register and receive an advance salary. This must not be ambiguous!”

"Yes!" "Yes, we will arrange manpower to do it right away!" The two people nodded in agreement.

"Second Master, I have another question, please tell me, how much wages should we pay them in advance?" Zheng Fu asked.

"How much money does a family need to spend the Spring Festival?" Zhao Tong asked rhetorically.

"Three guans a month is enough!" Zheng Fu calculated and said.

"Okay, we'll make an advance of three dollars and tell them that after work starts, they'll have to take care of two meals a day. If they do well, they'll be rewarded!" Zhao Tong immediately made the decision.

"Second Master, I'm afraid that this will really put the government into a deficit. If we recruit a thousand people, the salary will be one hundred cents, the food will be fifty cents, and the construction period will be one hundred days. This alone will cost fifteen thousand

Thousand guan, plus tools and materials, I don’t know how much it will cost!" Zheng Fu said distressedly, a middle-class family only has a few hundred guan, but the prince will spend tens of thousands of guan just to open his mouth.

"I've already considered this. There are still 190,000 yuan in the house, which can't be used up. Besides, we can also think of other ways to earn it back. Don't worry about money, I will take care of it!"

He said with confidence on his face that he had been thinking about this matter for several days, and he had already thought of a way to make money. If successful, the money would flow in like running water.

"What can you do, kid? Unless you reach out to the emperor and ask for it. If you can get money, why do you want us stewards?" Zheng Fu cursed, looking at the chief steward who had been silent, and suddenly thought of the prince.

Just building a greenhouse has earned the government nearly ten thousand yuan. Maybe the prince can really think of other ways to make money, otherwise the chief manager would not trust him to take charge. The more Zheng Fu thought about it, the more he felt it was right, and the look in his eyes when he looked at the prince was...

Something is wrong.

"The prince has explained everything. Everyone must do it with all their heart. This time, the prince is setting the stage for you. You must sing the play well!" Huang Jingchen said a sentence that the prince often said in the past two days. Although it was vulgar, it was

It's simple and clear.

"Yes, Your Majesty will set up the stage. We will sing the opera and we will definitely live up to Your Majesty's trust!" The several people in charge were all sensible people and immediately understood what the Chief Manager meant. This meant that we had to show our faces and rush to the front, while His Majesty held the command from behind.

.

"If you do a good job in this matter, I won't treat you badly. I will reward you according to your work after the completion!" Zhao Tong stood up and said to several people with his hands behind his back. However, it looked awkward like this. There was no official authority at all.

And a little funny.

"Thank you, Master!" The three of them said their thanks in unison while holding back their laughter.

"Ahem, Zheng Shou, how are you preparing for the New Year? Don't let these things affect the New Year?" Huang Jingchen couldn't stop laughing, and he coughed dryly and said to the third steward.

"General manager, all the food and drink for the New Year have been bought. The filial piety from the village has also been delivered. The 'benefits' ordered by the second master are also ready. In addition, we have invited several theater troupes and juggling troupes.

Well-known in Beijing!"

"Okay, everything during the New Year is complicated, and the population is large this year. Pay attention to fire prevention and thieves, and don't make any mistakes!" Huang Jingchen nodded and instructed.

"Don't worry, manager, everything has been arranged, and extra manpower will be sent to patrol at night!" Zheng Shou replied respectfully.

"Okay, everything has been arranged for today. You will have to work hard in the past few days. I treat you all to dinner today as a reward!" Zhao Tong stood up and said with a smile, "I am happy to tell you to start the banquet!"

"Okay!" Jian Xi agreed and immediately went out to order the kitchen to serve the food.

When a few people entered the restaurant next door, they first saw a copper hot pot on the table with boiling hot soup inside. However, the pot looked a little different from what they usually see. The pot on the table was integrated with the stove.

.Speaking of hot pot, it has a long history. In this era, it is already common in taverns in Bianjing, but it is still a pot. Just like in modern times, whether it is chicken, duck, fish, or delicacies, it is cooked in one pot.

Two large plates of chopped mutton have been placed on the table. They look like pieces of bamboo paper as thin as cicada wings. Under the skillful manipulation of the cook's hands, a large peony flower blooms on the plate.

There are several small bowls and plates, which are filled with red and green condiments, which are very beautiful. There are also four side dishes to go with wine. Tofu, spinach, cabbage and lettuce are placed on the tables next to them in the greenhouse.

Fresh vegetables produced.

The few stewards knew the prince's "eccentricities" and didn't like the idea of ​​eating fruits, but today's eating method still confused them. They didn't know how to eat chopsticks for a while. Even Huang Jingchen, who often eats royal meals, was confused.

, I wonder if the prince wants everyone to eat raw mutton and vegetables with those condiments, and then drink soup.

"Come on, I'll treat you all to hot-boiled mutton today!" Looking at everyone's looks, Zhao Tong knew that none of them had eaten it before. He took a small bowl filled with sesame sauce and quickly took some minced coriander from each dish.

, minced leeks (there was nowhere to find it at this time, so I had to make do), fermented bean curd (he came up with this when he was playing in the kitchen), put them in a bowl and stir them well, then added some salt and put them in front of Huang Jingchen

, then changed his pair of chopsticks to pick up a piece of mutton and placed it in the boiling soup in the pot a few times. When the meat turned gray, he put it on Huang Jingchen's plate, "Uncle Huang, try how it tastes!"

Huang Jingchen looked at Zhao Tong and picked it up in confusion, dipped it in the freshly prepared dipping sauce, put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and without saying anything, he immediately picked up a piece of mutton and put it in the soup to rinse it.

He dipped it in the toppings and put it in his mouth impatiently. After eating a few slices, he realized that the people at the table were all looking at him, "Where did you learn how to eat this mutton, Your Majesty? This mutton is so tender."

It's so delicious that you can't bear to put down the chopsticks. I'm so lost!" Huang Jingchen said with a blush on his face.

"Sir, this mutton is selected from Shaanzhou sheep hind legs. After it is frozen, the chefs use the knife to make it. This soup is chicken soup made by the prince himself. It contains mushrooms, dried shrimps, scallops, and most importantly.

The prince made this fermented bean curd, and it tastes different if it is added to the dipping sauce. Even the pot was drawn by the prince and made by the craftsmen in the palace!" When Huang Jingchen asked about it, he was delighted to offer the treasure.

He seemed to have introduced that he was involved in all these things, and he spoke clearly and logically.

"The prince learned from that immortal master. I heard that he is famous for his love of eating!" After hearing Jian Xi's introduction, Huang Jingchen whispered in Zhao Tong's ear.

"Haha" Zhao Tong laughed twice without replying. He blinked and gave Huang Jingchen a look that said it's okay if you know me.

Zhao Tong looked at the few people eating with gusto, and felt secretly happy in his heart. Although his copycat version of the mutton-shabu-shabu was all good, he couldn't find out the secret recipe of other people's ingredients. The taste was definitely much worse than modern ones.

If these people at the table could live for another 1800 years to eat an authentic mutton-boiled meal at Donglaishun, they would definitely beat themselves up before setting foot on it. I'm afraid they are not as long as Peng Zuchi.

Renzhong', maybe this way of eating has been passed down and is regarded as the authentic originator by future generations!