"Though that’s the case, this development project involves tens of thousands of Qian Gold." Liua Yuanrui calmed himself, still somewhat doubtful, "I heard that in recent years Wang Family..." The Wang Family has been deteriorating over the years, where do they get such funds? "Yuan Rui, do not worry." Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "Your humble brother has already made arrangements for this." Liua Yuanrui’s expression froze; is this a matter of worrying? I’m just curious... However, he ultimately knew the etiquette and refrained from further questions. Wang Shouzhe, of course, was very clear that his marriage contract with Miss Liua was a morale booster for the Wang Family, as they can rely on the strong Liua Family. Even the clan elders had such expectations. However, for the Liua Family, their dignified Eldest Legitimate Daughter to marry into a declining family like Wang’s certainly sparked some grievances and emotions. Yet, since this marriage was arranged by the ancients from both sides, the younger generations naturally shouldn’t oppose it. As such, Wang Shouzhe was pretty indifferent towards this marriage, neither exhilarated nor prideful. The Wang Family cannot become actually strong just by climbing high branches and hugging thick legs. Although he knew well that the juniors of the Liua Family would surely harbor some complaints, he understood fully. After all, on the surface, the disparity between the Wang and Liua Families was vast; he himself would feel annoyed by such a match. "Oh? Brother Shouzhe, so many people are coming over there." Liua Ruolei, with her sharp eyes, saw a crowd approaching from the far side through the carriage window. Moreover, behind that crowd, smaller groups were also coming over. "Those are our civilians from Ping’an Town." Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "I suppose they’ve heard of our Wang Family’s labor recruitment and have come to respond." "So many people responding?" Liua Yuanrui was stunned, "Brother Shouzhe, at what high wage did your Wang Family set? Stop the carriage, I want to take a look." His curiosity was piqued; such a large project like dredging and filling earth was costly, and if the wages were increased, how could the Wang Family bear the cost? Since Liua Yuanrui wanted to see, Wang Shouzhe naturally didn’t stop him and instructed Wang Laoshu to stop the carriage. The other household generals also halted and formed a guard around the carriage. Such an imposing presence naturally intimidated the civilians, keeping them at a distance and prompting them to gather at the work sheds. "Everyone, don’t crowd, come register one by one." Two big boys around fourteen or fifteen, still a bit childish in appearance, maintained order, "Our Wang Family offers work relief with good pay, as long as you’re willing to work, we ensure your entire family will have food." "Come, come, come here to register. Our Wang Family offers full board." Two little girls each moved a desk and chair to start registering the applicants, "The monthly wage for young and strong laborers aged sixteen to forty is half a load of aged rice, while healthy women receive 20 pounds of aged rice, and youths aged twelve to sixteen get 20 pounds a month." The two little girls clearly spoke and worked swiftly to register everyone. Finding explaining individually too tedious, they simply had a clever, collateral boy repeat it a hundred times. As for erecting an advertisement board, most tenant farmers and self-sufficient farmers basically couldn’t read. These young people were naturally Wang Shouzhe’s siblings. For such a major family affair, Wang Shouzhe didn’t want them idle; it would help train them. Whether it’s initiating a major project or work relief events, all contribute to shaping their family honor and proper worldview. "You, name, birthplace, any household documents?" Even Wang Luqiu, who would "slay gods and extinct Buddhas" in the future, was earnestly registering every applicant. Her gaze was sharp and stern, seemingly scrutinizing every applicant, determined not to let a single ill-intentioned person slip through. "I am Ouyang Gousheng, a resident of Liuazigou Village in Ping’an Town." A sallow young man nervously handed over his household documents. "You are only fifteen? You qualify as half a worker, monthly calculated at 20 pounds of aged rice." Wang Luqiu said. "Ah, miss!" Ouyang Gousheng pleaded disappointedly, "Look at me, I’m strong and used to hard labor. Can’t I be considered for half a load? My mother hasn’t had a grain of rice for two days." "No, rules are rules." Though young, Wang Luqiu was principled, "However, we’re providing full board. I can even advance you 20 pounds of aged rice to ensure your mother doesn’t starve." "Thank you, thank you, miss." Ouyang Gousheng thanked profusely, tears of joy falling. "Take these two bamboo tokens to claim 20 pounds of aged rice." Wang Luqiu handed him two tokens, "Remember, you start work today, and collect your grain after work. Also, don’t let this lady down, work hard, and if your performance is good, I’ll credit you fully." "Yes, I absolutely won’t slack off." Ouyang Gousheng cherished the two bamboo tokens like two lives. "Hold this work badge, there’s a porridge shed over there, and with the work badge, you can get free porridge." After registering the work badge, Wang Luqiu sternly waved him off, "Go, don’t delay this lady’s work. Next one, name, birthplace, age!" Ouyang Gousheng, holding the work badge and two rice tokens, left with endless gratitude. Wang Luqiu worked briskly, never idling, often handling someone in just a few tries. "Wang Luojing, what are you dawdling for? Do your work with a bit of heart." Seeing this, Wang Luqiu almost got furious; she had already handled five while Wang Luojing was still tangled with the second applicant. Unable to bear it any longer, she approached and gave a glance at a fair-skinned young man, took a look at his household document: "A scholar?" "I am indeed." The young man slightly nodded, with some arrogance. "Can you even do this kind of work?" Wang Luqiu asked suspiciously. "I’m a scholar, how could I do such menial labor?" the young man said. "I’ve read extensively, so I can supervise. I only need a monthly wage of ten bushels of grain." In these times, the literacy rate among common folk is low. Therefore, scholars still have good prospects. Government offices, noble family businesses, and the like all need knowledgeable individuals to serve as the backbone. "Our family doesn’t need a supervisor." Wang Luqiu replied coldly. "You can leave now." "You, you, you, how dare you look down on scholars? Little girl, let me tell you, reading helps you understand the world... You are still so young... Ah~" Before the scholar could finish his sentence, he was sent flying, landing face-first in the mud. "He’s even more long-winded than Wang Shouzhe." Wang Luqiu snorted, "Someone, come here." "Sister, I’m here." Wang Shou Lian trotted over eagerly, acting sycophantishly. "Kick this guy out and put him on the Wang Family blacklist, never to be hired." Wang Luqiu ordered with authority, then went back to handle the recruitment registration. Watching her stern and serious face, some interviewees who were hoping to fish in troubled waters quietly left the queue. Not far away, Wang Shouzhe and the others were already approaching. Seeing this scene, Wang Shouzhe’s mouth twitched slightly. This unruly brat Luqiu, she really does have quite the presence. Someone who didn’t know might truly think this little lady was the head of the family. Liua Yuanrui, who came along, was dumbfounded watching all this: "Brother Shouzhe, isn’t half a bushel of rice per month for one strong laborer a bit too little?" And that little girl was very fierce, she seemed to hold a grudge against scholars, and Liua Yuanrui himself considered himself a scholar... It felt a bit dangerous. "Yuanrui, whether it’s too little or not, you can ask those queuing up to apply." Wang Shouzhe said. Liua Yuanrui didn’t hem or haw, he went up and asked several people, and they all said it was enough. They all thanked the Wang Family for stepping up at this critical time to give everyone a meal to eat. Many of them secretly complained about the Liu and Zhao Families. When Liua Yuanrui returned, his face was rather unsightly: "The Liu and Zhao Families are truly nouveau riche families that seized power. How utterly heartless they are. Thank goodness, Brother Shouzhe took action, coming up with the idea of work-for-relief." "Brother, you didn’t quite agree with Brother Shouzhe’s idea before." Beside him, his little sister-in-law Liua Ruolei added fuel to the fire, "Now with the national policy in the forefront, there are still noble families using the food shortage issue to engage in large-scale land grabs. If grain prices are completely deregulated, the life and death of countless commoners will be in the hands of some top noble families. They have ways to manipulate grain price fluctuations. "Also, don’t disdain how little Brother Shouzhe is offering. Right now, everyone is short on grain, and Brother Shouzhe can already provide work-for-relief, which is quite commendable." Liua Yuanrui’s face reddened, casting an unhappy glance at Liua Ruolei. This pesky sister, why are you always undermining your brother? Before you came, weren’t you saying you needed to train your future brother-in-law first for your sister? Before he could scold his sister, he saw Liua Ruolei had already walked over to Wang Luqiu. She quietly appeared next to Wang Luqiu, curiously asking, "Little sister, what’s your name?" "Little sister, your..." Wang Luqiu was about to explode, but seeing it was a refined pretty young lady, she immediately toned down a bit, though still impatiently, she said, "I’m Wang Luqiu. Whose child are you? Go, go, play elsewhere, don’t interrupt my effort for the family’s rise." "I’m Liua Ruolei, ah, your handwriting is really ugly." Liua Ruolei chuckled, "Why don’t you ask the questions, and I’ll handle the registration, that’ll be faster." With that, she volunteered to help. Wang Luqiu nearly fainted with anger, dare she say her handwriting is ugly? Hmph, the vast Ping’an Wang Family, even Wang Shouzhe wouldn’t dare... Then she saw the young lady’s handwriting, uh... it was indeed pretty, so she quickly swallowed her words. Then she thought about it, this name Liua Ruolei sounded very familiar. Immediately, her eyes widened in surprise: "Are you the famous Miss of the Liua Family?" "Exactly." Liua Ruolei responded with a sweet smile. She didn’t expect her name to be quite widespread. She promptly accelerated her speed in registering the applicants. "But you look so young, how can you have children with Wang Shou— I mean, my fourth brother?" "Ah?" Liua Ruolei blushed from embarrassment, stamping her foot, what part of me is small? No, that’s not the main point... The main point is, what part of me is small? Ugh, that’s not what’s important either... What’s the main point again?