Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 506 - 451: A New Level of Respect

Su Jingchen knew that it’s impossible for a person to become fat overnight. However, the autumn harvest is imminent, and after the harvest, the people should serve in the winter labor force. He truly didn’t want to make life harder for those impoverished people.

"How much lime soil has the cement factory produced so far? If there’s a certain amount, we can start planning to build roads immediately, first picking out some of the poorly conditioned roads around Yangcheng," Yu Xiaolian said to Su Jingchen.

"But it’s not the time for winter labor service yet. If we conscript labor before the autumn harvest, I’m afraid the people will complain.

Moreover, compared to road construction, the autumn harvest is far more significant to the people." Su Jingchen put down his chopsticks, losing his appetite entirely.

Yu Xiaolian frowned, "We need to come up with a compromise. In the past during winter labor service, the people were unwilling; some pretended to be disabled, some hid in the mountains because working in winter is exhausting and cold, while they are poorly fed and clothed. Not to mention, the government wouldn’t pay, and if they worked slowly, they’d be whipped.

If we build roads before the autumn harvest, when the weather is warm, and we pay the people and feed them, I believe they would be willing."

Su Jingchen sighed, "It’s not about whether the people are willing or not; rather, Yangcheng’s population is too small. Our cement factory staff already accounts for one-third of Yangcheng’s populace.

Currently, the most crucial matter is finding ways to bring back the lost population and seeing what our Yangcheng has to offer to attract new residents."

"That might be difficult for now, but once our cement roads are built next year, other counties will surely come to Yangcheng to buy cement. By then, Yangcheng will have money, naturally attracting newcomers.

I think, even if we don’t conscript many people, we should repair the nearby roads first. You know, cement can’t be used in winter."

The winters in the Northern Land are extremely cold, and if one wishes to use cement for road construction, it must be done in spring, summer, or autumn.

Su Jingchen fell silent in thought, then stood up from the dining table, "I’ll follow your advice. I’ll go discuss labor conscription with Brother Li, aiming to repair more road sections before the autumn harvest."

"But you haven’t eaten much. If this continues, your stomach won’t handle it."

Looking at Su Jingchen’s expressionless face, it’s hard to discern a difference; he doesn’t show much emotional change, nor does he reveal happiness or anger. Those unfamiliar with him can’t tell what he’s thinking.

Sometimes, even Yu Xiaolian couldn’t understand his thoughts. He can be very unfeeling, for example towards Su Jinghua; he consistently maintained a lukewarm demeanor, despite Yu Xiaolian’s many attempts to persuade him, Su Jingchen stuck to his original stance.

That is, to raise Su Jinghua with good food and drink to adulthood and then marry her into a good family. As for sibling relations, Su Jingchen never mentioned it.

Yu Xiaolian even believed Su Jingchen treated Cao Gen better than Su Jinghua.

Yet, this person who is cold and indifferent towards his half-sister is deeply concerned about national affairs and the people’s welfare.

It’s thought that in the book, Su Jingchen died young not only due to asthma but also largely because of his worries for the nation and constant stress.

"I’m fine! When you have time, organize the training for the Posthouse Minister. In about three days, they’ll all be gathered here, and you’ll be responsible for training them." With that, Su Jingchen hurriedly left.

Yu Xiaolian ordered the leftover dishes to be cleared and asked the servants about what Su Jinghua was doing and whether she had eaten.

"Madam, the Third Miss has already eaten and is writing in her room!"

Yu Xiaolian nodded, indicating she understood.

Su Jinghua’s sensibility is heart-wrenching; she knows Su Jingchen doesn’t like her, so she eats in her room alone, seldom mingling with them when she’s idle.

"Any news from Second Master?" Yu Xiaolian was very concerned about Su Jingyue and wondered if he was well and uninjured at the Southern Border.

"No news from Second Master!" Yu Xiaolian had recently been asking constantly whether any letter had come from Su Jingyue, sometimes twice a day; the servants were quite accustomed to it.

"Alas!" Yu Xiaolian sighed.

Su Jingyue has become quite untamed without his elder brother’s oversight, roaming freely as if the emperor were far away.

Yu Xiaolian returned to her room and began writing about etiquette in dealing with people, intending to teach the Posthouse Ministers from other towns this in a few days.

After finishing the etiquette topics, Yu Xiaolian drew the waist tokens of different-ranked officials and the literati and scholar documents one by one. She remembered being beaten due to Xiao Hu not recognizing the seventh-rank official’s waist token, not to mention this was largely because she was a woman.

Xiao Hu mistakenly assumed women couldn’t hold office, so he didn’t seriously examine the waist token Yu Xiaolian handed over.

Yangcheng once had a Women’s Virtue Academy, but now it no longer exists.

Qingquan Academy and Women’s Virtue Academy are now abandoned, rumored that the Bai Shixi couple have settled in Linzhou and ceased teaching.

Yu Xiaolian paused, believing it necessary to rebuild Qingquan Academy and Women’s Virtue Academy.

There seems to be an excessive amount of work to do; Yu Xiaolian felt she and Su Jingchen were constantly busy, their feet rarely touching the ground, yet the progress is slow, causing concern.

Three days later, all the Posthouse Ministers met at the county government inner hall, where Yu Xiaolian sat at the center desk, listening to their introductions from their respective towns.

"Posthouse Minister from Deyang Town, Yu Zishu, greets Yu Xueguan!"

Yu Xiaolian quickly raised her head.

Yu Zishu?

It really is him!!!

Wasn’t the Posthouse Minister in Deyang Town supposed to be Wei Dachun? How did such a change occur within just three days? And it’s her cousin from her uncle’s family? Su Jingchen never mentioned this to her!

Yu Xiaolian appeared shocked but said nothing, letting Yu Zishu sit back down after the introduction.

After lecturing the Posthouse Ministers, Yu Zishu stayed behind without Yu Xiaolian having to invite him.

"Cousin!" Yu Zishu smiled kindly.

"Big Brother!" Yu Xiaolian smiled back.

Yu Xiaolian had already figured out the situation; Yu Zishu becoming Deyang Posthouse Minister was likely not arranged by Su Jingchen. Otherwise, Su Jingchen would have informed her.

She knew before that Yu Zishu was connected with Qi Yunfan, so it seems Qi Yunfan had sent Yu Zishu to Yangcheng through Jun Mobai.

Her indirect probing confirmed her guesses.

Yet Yu Zishu is just a small Posthouse Minister; what good can he do in Deyang Town?

Perhaps there is something different about this remote Deyang Town compared to other towns?

"We’ve not seen each other for many years, and my younger cousin has transformed into a female official, truly remarkable for my respectful brother!" Yu Zishu grew up with Yu Xiaolian and was most aware of her limited literacy.