noveltune Chapter 95 Epilogue 4
Chapter 95 Epilogue 4
"Actually, you can report it and have the prefectural government or someone of a higher level send people over. There's no need to do everything yourself."
Zhou Jing said softly.
These days, 014's every move has been under her watchful eye. The fact that he was able to destroy the cancer that had entrenched itself in Gaoyang County for so many years without causing a backlash has given 014 a good initial impression in her mind.
Because if she were to do it herself, she would never be able to do it so meticulously. She is more used to being bold and reckless, directly eliminating the culprit.
"This matter is very complicated and cannot be explained in a few words. Moreover, you don't think that my test is over after I've cleaned up the Qi family faction and stabilized people's livelihood, do you? It's not that simple."
014 stood up and said:
"My main focus going forward will be on reorganizing the commercial and forestry industry bases in Gaoyang County. I simply don't have the energy to manage the infrastructure and technical population statistics that have already begun in other counties."
This task was left to the officials of Gaoyang County. In addition, the Sun family and the fishermen's mutual aid association were responsible for guarding and supervising the captured warriors as they worked.
Just keep an eye on these two things. Like I said before, you and your men shouldn't say or do anything; just keep an eye on things.
"Just being a recorder, right?"
Zhou Jing asked.
"That's roughly the idea. Even with the support of the Prime Minister, our power is far too weak. The slightest infighting could annihilate us. When the rules are in our favor, we must strictly adhere to them."
014 A concise and to-the-point reply.
"Okay, considering you've done a good job, I'll keep an eye on this for you."
Zhou Jing agreed without hesitation.
"Thanks."
……
The following day, under the watchful eyes of Sun family soldiers and members of the fishermen's mutual aid association, those members of the Qi family faction who had been captured or surrendered during the encirclement and annihilation battle were apprehended.
After several days of recuperation, they had basically recovered from their injuries, and then they were shackled with collars, using their martial arts-like physique as a foundation.
They might be rapidly rebuilding Gaoyang County and its surrounding areas, which had been reduced to ruins; they might be digging ditches; harvesting wheat fields; or transporting building materials, and so on.
From that day on, martial artists were no longer aloof and relied on their superior personal strength to dominate, but instead became real producers.
The streets were filled with shouting crowds and workers, and horse-drawn carts carrying building materials and waste were coming and going in an endless stream. Some were even pulled by manpower, and those who pulled the fully loaded carts were all strong martial artists.
Inside a small tavern, a slightly tipsy merchant looked at the scene on the street and said with a grin, "Judging from the county government's actions, it seems that this time it's not just a show; several areas have already been divided up."
I heard that commercial areas, residential areas, workshop areas, and dedicated material transportation and storage areas have already been planned.
"What, are you interested in the notice posted by the county government?"
"My companion asked with a smile."
"Of course, if things really go according to the announcement, then now is the best time to enter the market. Once it's all built, there won't be anything for us to do, and even if there is, it won't be at this price."
The merchant focused his gaze and spoke with a slightly serious expression.
"I think so too. Think about it, our Gaoyang County has had several county magistrates. They all said they would suppress bandits and develop people's livelihoods, but none of them did much talk and little action. Only the current magistrate has truly done something practical."
His companion stroked his chin: "Regardless of whether his announcement is true or false, at least he wiped out a long-standing scourge in Gaoyang County. Just for that, what's wrong with me contributing some money to support him?"
"Then it's settled. Let's support this newly appointed magistrate."
"Let's go. Didn't you say there were some bonds? It's probably the government borrowing money from us. Just buy them. Anyway, if we don't buy them, the money will just go to the gang as protection money. It doesn't matter who gets it."
Moreover, it's said that there are additional discounts available when purchasing store locations after buying the bonds.
The conversations between the two occurred throughout Gaoyang County. Nobody is a fool; you can tell whether someone is there to do something or not just by looking at their actions.
Words may deceive, but the well-maintained roads, dredged ditches, newly built planned areas, large quantities of harvested grain, and the endless stream of transport convoys do not lie.
……
A dozen minutes later.
County government office.
Peng Chi, Chen Ming, and Pang Hai entered the conference room and started chatting with 014.
"These are the land deeds I confiscated from the core members of the Qi family and others."
014 pointed to the three pages of paper on the table and said, "In the future, these places will be developed into residential areas. You can call a meeting with your subordinates, give them a small amount of money, and then distribute the houses free of charge according to their rank and contribution."
This was done partly to set an example for the people and reassure them, since the officials lived in this place, it must be a good place.
On the other hand, it was also a matter of rewarding merit. The troops had fought valiantly during the encirclement and slaughter, suffering considerable casualties; morale needed to be restored.
"Haha, thank you very much, sir."
Pang Hai laughed, glanced at the list and said, "These houses are either next to commercial areas or educational and medical areas, all in good locations. Even if you don't live in them yourself, you can rent them out to those businessmen and earn a lot of money every year."
"First distribute it to the brothers who died or were wounded. After they've finished, then give it to the other brothers who contributed."
014 added: "This matter cannot be handled flexibly. Whoever is responsible will be responsible. I can't be bothered with things that happened before I came. I let you redeem yourselves through meritorious service, and you did. So it's all wiped clean. If anything happens, I'll take the blame for you."
But now that I'm here, things have to be done my way. There's no longer any room for flexibility or tacit understandings.
If this happens again, anyone who dares to lay a finger on someone will be thrown into hard labor until they die; there will be no leniency.
"We understand, sir."
The three nodded in unison.
Peng Chi looked at 014, pondered for a while, and then said, "There's another problem."
"you say."
014 rubbed his swollen temples.
"There are too many people who are related to the Qi family and others, and who make a living off them. I roughly estimate that there are at least a thousand or eight hundred people. If you add their relatives and such, the number will be close to several thousand."
Peng Chi said in a low voice, "We can't arrest all these thousands of people and force them to do hard labor. That would be too cruel. There are also many women and children among them. If they don't have a certain level of education, they could really die from hard labor."
"We are, after all, government officials; we still need to maintain some dignity and abide by the law."
"They're not very close, and they don't have much money. They just hang out there to spend money and enjoy the cool air. They don't have to do anything. Just let the people from the fishermen's mutual aid association scare them a bit, so they won't become paranoid and afraid of being arrested one day."
014 thought for a moment and said.
"clear."