Chapter 79 Factory Recruitment
The streets of Beijing are exceptionally lively today.
The once bustling Dongshi was now completely blocked by crowds.
It was all because a high platform had been erected in front of the most conspicuous signboard.
Colorful flags fluttered atop the high platform.
A brand-new plaque hangs in the very center, bearing three large, gold-plated characters: Gewu Si (格物司).
Princess Luan Xue, dressed in a smart red palace gown, stood in front of the stage.
Those eyes are now filled with determination and confidence.
Her gaze swept across the dense crowd below the stage, and her clear voice resonated throughout the entire venue.
"The Department of Gewu is recruiting talented individuals today!"
"We don't ask about background or gender!"
"Anyone who can read and write, knows arithmetic, or has a special skill is welcome to try!"
The audience erupted in chaos.
The people whispered among themselves, discussing the matter animatedly.
Especially the women standing on the edge, their eyes gleaming with disbelief.
A scholarly woman in a faded Confucian robe mustered her courage and squeezed to the front.
She clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her voice trembling slightly.
"May I ask, Your Highness..."
"I am a commoner. I have studied for a few years and can use an abacus. Can I really become an official?"
This question echoed the sentiments of all the women present.
Since ancient times, women have been confined to the inner quarters of the house.
She was a devoted wife and mother, and also skilled in embroidery and tea-making.
Even though the Empress Dowager gave the women of Dayu a chance, it was still very difficult for them to compete with those powerful families. How many of them could get the opportunity to enter the court as officials?
Luan Xue looked at the woman, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
She stepped forward, her voice firm.
"certainly!"
"This is an imperial decree issued by His Majesty himself!"
"His Majesty said that women can hold up half the sky!"
"Whether it's managing a textile factory or overseeing accounts, as long as you have talent, there will be a place for you in Dayu!"
Hearing His Majesty say those four words himself...
The woman's tears fell instantly.
She immediately knelt down and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the palace.
"This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
"If it weren't for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, I'm afraid all my knowledge and learning would have been buried with me!"
Several women in the vicinity were also infected.
They all knelt down, their eyes red with tears.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Our Great Yu has an empress; it's truly a blessing we've accumulated over several lifetimes!"
Among the crowd, several elderly women wiped away tears and sighed.
Who says women are inferior to men?
"Look at the second princess on the stage, and then look at the young emperor and the empress dowager in the palace."
"We women are getting more and more hopeful!"
Seeing this, Luan Xue raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
Then another message was released.
"It's not just about recruiting female officials and managers."
"Starting today, all factories under the Gewu Division will begin recruiting workers!"
"The same applies to both men and women!"
"Especially in textile factories, they give priority to hiring women who are meticulous and skillful!"
Luan Xue paused at this point.
He held up five fingers and raised his voice a few decibels.
"If you're hired, your monthly salary will be five hundred cash!"
"Every three months, we receive two sets of new clothes, and during holidays we also receive benefits such as rice, flour, oil, and salt!"
This statement caused the audience to erupt in cheers.
Five hundred coins?
That's how much money!
An average strong laborer who goes to the docks to carry heavy loads can only earn three hundred coins a month, even if he works himself to death.
This factory job actually pays five hundred coins?
Are there still clothes to be distributed?
"I want to sign up! I want to sign up!"
"Don't push me! I'm strong, I want to sign up too!"
"My wife is really good at embroidery, I'm going home to get her!"
The people rushed to apply, fearing that if they were a step too late, there would be no more spots available.
The entire East Market erupted in cheers.
Everyone was praising the Empress.
"Long live the Empress!"
…
at the same time.
On the outskirts of Beijing, along the Wei River.
Hundreds of craftsmen are busy around a huge object.
It was a giant wooden wheel, several meters high.
Its structure is ingenious and complex, resembling a coiled wooden dragon.
The Vice Minister of Works had large dark circles under his eyes and disheveled hair.
He held the system blueprint in his hand, his eyes were bloodshot, but he was frighteningly energetic.
"quick!"
"The last tenon and mortise are now in place!"
"Open the sluice gates and release the water!"
With a command given.
Several strong men cranked the turntable with all their might, and the sluice gate that was blocking the water slowly rose.
The rushing river water surged towards the huge wooden wheel in an instant.
A dull grating sound of wood grinding together rang out.
The enormous waterwheel began to turn slowly under the impact of the water flow.
It's getting faster and faster.
The enormous blades scoop up river water and rise into the air as the wheel spins.
Then it flows down the wooden trough.
Splash!
The clear river water resembles a silver waterfall.
Following the repaired ditch, we headed towards the long-cracked farmland in the distance.
"The water is here! The water is here!"
On the ridge of the field, a group of old farmers watched the rushing river.
They were all so excited that they were trembling all over.
Some even knelt down in the mud with a thud.
He scooped up the muddy water and smeared it on his face.
"The Dragon King has appeared!"
"This isn't a waterwheel, it's a water dragon!"
An old man leaned on a cane, tears streaming down his face.
"Our crops are saved!"
"Those magical potatoes and magical corn will surely grow big and good!"
A young man standing nearby shouted excitedly.
"These are all divine paintings bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress!"
"The officials from the Ministry of Works said this is called a waterwheel, and it turns by itself without anyone having to step on it!"
"Our Emperor is a celestial being descended to earth, specifically to save us common people!"
Looking at the water flowing continuously into the fields.
Everyone's heart was filled with hope.
It's as if I can already see the barns overflowing with grain when next year's harvest arrives.
…
The Imperial Palace, the Golden Throne Hall.
Sunlight streamed through the carved window frames, illuminating the golden floor tiles.
Yu Zhaoning sat upright on the high dragon throne.
Two short legs dangled in mid-air, wanting to swing but not daring to.
He could only try his best to keep his chubby little face straight and put on a dignified look.
The Vice Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue have just finished their reports.
The joy on his face was impossible to hide.
"Your Majesty!"
"The recruitment for the Gewu Division is going smoothly, with over 10,000 applicants already!"
"The large waterwheels along the Wei River have been successfully tested and have irrigated thousands of hectares of farmland!"
"The people are all praising His Majesty's virtuous rule!"
"It is projected that next year, the grain output of our Dayu region will at least quadruple!"
Upon hearing this...
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Yu Zhaoning's face.
Her eyes curved into two crescent moons.
[Yay!]
[marvelous!]
[In this way, the people will have enough to eat, and my points will increase rapidly!]
[Now the Empress Dowager's medicine is taken care of!]
[Maybe we can even get the Empress Dowager a full set of modern medical examination equipment!]
[Hehehe!]
Lin Qingyan, who was standing to the side, heard these thoughts.
A gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his handsome and refined face.
He lowered his head slightly, concealing the doting look in his eyes.
Although Your Majesty is young.
But this innocent heart is pure and virtuous.
Sitting on the phoenix chair, Yuan Hua heard his granddaughter's only thought was to save him.
I felt so comforted.
It's sweeter than honey water.
She looked down at the excited ministers and nodded slightly.
Although he didn't speak, his imposing aura still commanded respect.
Yu Zhaoning cleared her throat.
She spoke in a childish voice.
"You all have done well!"
"You've worked hard these past few days!"
"He deserves a reward!"
"Especially those in the Ministry of Works and the Bureau of Natural Resources, everyone will receive a six-month salary increase!"
All the ministers knelt down in gratitude.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
Yu Zhaoning was secretly making plans in her heart.
[Since everyone is so supportive.]
[Should I give them something nicer? Like a glass mirror?]
[These ministers come to court every day and don't care about their appearance. I should get them a mirror so they don't offend my eyes!]
Lin Qingyan's lips twitched.
She subconsciously touched her smooth chin.
I think I'm fairly tidy, right?
Just then.
A system voice suddenly popped into my mind.
[Host! Host!]
Forget about those mirrors!
[We have a job coming up!]
[There's new juicy gossip!]
Yu Zhaoning's eyes widened instantly.
I feel much more energetic now.
That was a hundred times more enthusiastic than when dealing with state affairs.
[What melon?]
[Hurry, hurry, hurry!]
[Cut me a piece to try first!]
[I've been so busy with infrastructure construction these past few days that I haven't had a proper chance to enjoy some melons. My mouth is practically watering!]
The system chuckled.
They kept it a secret.
[This gossip is related to one of your relatives.]
[And he's a very important person!]
[That's the Grand Princess who's away in the southern border region for a political marriage, your eldest imperial aunt!]
Upon hearing the words "Grand Princess".
Yu Zhaoning was taken aback.
He quickly searched his memory for anything about this eldest princess.
The eldest daughter of the Empress Dowager.
It is said that in order to ensure peace on the border of Dayu, he volunteered to go to the southern border for a marriage alliance.
She married the King of Southern Xinjiang.
She has always been a model of self-sacrifice for the royal family and an exemplar for women of Dayu.
During festivals and holidays, the Empress Dowager would sigh whenever she mentioned her, and would have many gifts sent over.
[The First Princess?]
[Isn't she the queen of the southern frontier?]
[I heard that although life there is a bit tough, they are highly respected.]
[Has something happened?]
[Did that old bastard from southern Xinjiang bully her?]
Yu Zhaoning's little fists clenched instantly.
[If anyone dares to bully my imperial aunt, I will send troops to pacify the southern border!]
[The current emperor is not the same emperor who only cared about money as before!]
[I now possess the technology!]
Lin Qingyan and Yuan Hua's expressions tightened upon hearing these thoughts.
Especially Yuan Hua.
His fingers gripped the handrail tightly.
That was a thorn in her heart.
Back then, her power base was not yet secure, so she could only watch helplessly as her daughter was sent to a political marriage.
The biggest regret of my life.
Could it be that something really happened to my daughter over there?
However.
The system's voice, however, carried a somewhat strange tone.
There was even a hint of schadenfreude.
[Bully?]
[Hehe, host, you've underestimated your great princess.]
[This melon isn't some tragic one.]
[This bite will absolutely surprise you!]