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Chapter 227 What the People Want

As the end of the year approaches, everyone is already happily preparing for the New Year.∮, but this year, there are few pedestrians in the streets and alleys of Qingyuan City, showing neglect. After a year of severe drought, many people have poor food and clothing, and there is no spare money for the New Year.

The Ji Mansion is also much quieter than in previous years.

On this day, everyone in the Ji family gathered in Old Mrs. Ji's house to talk.

"Where is the third brother now? Can you come back to celebrate the New Year?" Old Mrs. Ji leaned against the lead pillow and asked Master Ji Er.

"According to the plan, the third brother should be in Chameng at this time. I'm afraid he won't be back after the New Year." Mr. Ji Er estimated it before answering. Mr. Ji San went out to sea on a boat, which was not convenient for him to contact him by letter, so his family could only estimate his itinerary.

Old Mrs. Ji sighed and looked unhappy.

Seeing that Mrs. Ji was in a bad mood, Mr. Ji quickly coughed dryly, and winked Ji Xiaotang.

Ji Xiaotang was playing with Changsheng at this moment. Changsheng was wearing a brand new red jacket, wearing a pair of tiger-toed shoes with big red silk under his feet, and practicing walking on the kang. Ji Xiaotang stood under the kang, stretching out his hand to protect Changsheng, while walking with Changsheng. Seeing the second master Ji's gaze, Ji Xiaotang immediately understood and led Changsheng to walk to Old Lady Ji.

Changsheng walked to Old Lady Ji and giggled and pounced on Old Lady Ji's lap.

"Ouch..." Old Mrs. Ji shouted immediately.

Changsheng is now full of tiger heads and brains, and his fleshy body is quite weighty. Old Mrs. Ji is almost a little difficult to hold Changsheng.

"Grandmother." Changsheng lay on Old Mrs. Ji's legs, raised his head and shouted in a slight voice.

Old Mrs. Ji quickly responded and temporarily let Master Ji San aside. She rubbed Changsheng's head and rubbed Changsheng's small body with rolling flesh.

"The growth of grandmother is stronger." Old Mrs. Ji smiled and sighed, "In another year, grandmother will not be able to stand your pounce."

Changsheng giggled, and everyone in the room chuckled.

"Changsheng quickly tell his grandmother, let his grandmother rest assured, my uncle will definitely come back safely, and Changsheng will be filial to his grandmother." Ji Xiaotang told Changsheng to speak.

Although Changsheng spoke earlier than children of the same age, it is still difficult to say such a long paragraph now. However, he learned to speak with Ji Xiaotang and expressed his meaning intermittently.

Listening to Changsheng's angrily voice, Old Mrs. Ji couldn't help but feel soft.

"Grandma's good grandson, why is it so painful?" Old Mrs. Ji stretched out her hands and picked up Changsheng. "≤,

Changsheng was full of energy and refused to live in Old Lady Ji's arms. He stretched out his arms and kicked his legs. Old Lady Ji couldn't hold him. Ji Xiaoyun sat next to Old Lady Ji and hurriedly picked up Changsheng over.

"Xiaoyun, sister." Changsheng first called Ji Xiaoyun's name, and then called her sister. It tasted so milky, but the sound was already very clear.

Ji Xiaotang couldn't help laughing next to her, and Changsheng often called her like this.

Changsheng jumped in Ji Xiaoyun's arms twice, and suddenly remembered something, so he lowered his head and pointed his chubby finger at his tiger-headed shoes.

"Big tiger, shoes, made by Xiaoyun." The tiger-toed shoes he wore were made by Ji Xiaoyun. They were extremely exquisite and Changsheng liked them very much.

"It's big or small, I want to call you sister." Mrs. Ji Er couldn't help but smile, explaining to Mrs. Ji, "I've said it a few times and said that Xiaoyun made the tiger-head shoes. I'm afraid he'll learn it when he hears it."

"Xiaoyun made shoes, Xiaotang's... jacket." When Changsheng heard Mrs. Ji Er say this, he said something angrily.

Everyone laughed.

Seeing that Ji Xiaoyun was very suitable for taking Changsheng, Ji Xiaotang walked aside and sat down under Mrs. Ji Er.

"I heard the girls say that there were many refugees coming to the city?" Old Mrs. Ji asked suddenly.

"Yes." Master Ji Er replied.

There is a widespread drought in the north, and many people cannot survive in their hometowns and can only leave their hometowns and become refugees. Qingyuan is already rich and the drought is relatively mild, because Ji's mansion takes the lead to courgette, ensuring that the people in Qingyuan will not only not have to be displaced, but also have food. One transmission is ten, ten transmissions are a hundred, and many refugees will come to Qingyuan County when they know this news.

Master Ji Er is worried about this matter.

Many refugees came, not only needed more food, but also had no guarantee of public security as before. In just a few days, conflicts arose between local people and foreign refugees. Although they were relieved in time, the hidden dangers were not eliminated.

Many large households in the city have closed their doors, and the Ji Mansion has also strengthened patrols in the guards.

"Dad, you went to the county government office, what are you going to deal with Uncle Xie?" Ji Xiaotang asked.

"You Uncle Xie plans to open up a special place in the city to resettle these refugees, and the county magistrates are responsible for managing and maintaining public order. Every day, except going to the porridge factory to get porridge, they are only allowed to move in the resettlement area and not to walk around at will." Master Ji Er said.

Many young and strong refugees are very likely to cause trouble if they are not managed properly.

"This is a good way. ∏∈,” Mrs. Ji nodded.

Master Ji Er nodded. Although the place where the refugees were placed has not been repaired yet, the refugees have been driven away by the yamen runners and gathered there, so the streets in Qingyuan are much quieter than the previous few days.

Both Mr. Ji Er and Mrs. Ji Er agreed that Mrs. Ji did not understand these things, so she had no words, while Ji Xiaoyun took Changsheng and did not listen to these things at all.

Ji Xiaotang didn't say anything either.

"Xiaotang, what do you think?" Master Ji Er asked when he saw Ji Xiaotang's face showing a thoughtful expression.

"A lot of refugees are young and strong. Although they are surrounded by the county government and are not allowed to cause trouble, they will be afraid of any changes in the long run. Dad, I think that these people have not lost their ability to work. Instead of getting porridge and doing nothing every day, it is better to find some things for them to do and get paid according to their work. This reward is naturally not gold and silver, so rice, grain and cloth are replaced."

"Dad, I think this is the best way to stabilize people's hearts and situations." Instead of taking these people into custody like prisoners.

Ji Xiaotang thinks this way for her reasons.

In this time of his previous life, many refugees were in trouble because they were not full and had nothing to do. Although the Ji family also had porridge at that time, it could be said that they were their benefactors. However, these people repaid their grudges and revenge. Among the people who broke into the Ji Mansion back then, there were many refugees.

Mr. Ji Er has been an official for several years and has a deep understanding of human nature. After thinking about it, he felt that Ji Xiaotang's words make sense.

"But at this moment, there are so many workers for them to do."

"We have to find out if we don't." Ji Xiaotang's tone was firm, "Dad, I think there is another reason for this arrangement. I am worried that these people will be disturbed by those who are interested."

"Xiaotang, what you mean..." Master Ji Er looked at Ji Xiaotang.

Ji Xiaotang nodded.

Master Ji Er understood immediately.

"It's better to use them for me instead of letting them be used by others." Most of these people are now feeding them by the food of the Ji family. Ji Xiaotang further said. These refugees are a considerable force. Instead of letting these refugees be motivated by those who are interested, it's better to get these refugees to the Ji family first.

After all, if something really happens then, the strength of the Ji family and the guards will be too thin.

"Okay, I'll take someone to make arrangements now." Master Ji Er said immediately.

"If Daddy goes out, take Master Zeng with him." Ji Xiaotang told Master Ji Er.

"I understand." Master Ji Er nodded, and asked Mrs. Ji and Ji Xiaotang to accompany Mrs. Ji to get up and go out to make arrangements.

Although Mrs. Ji couldn't quite understand the conversation between Ji Xiaotang and Master Ji Er, she was a little older and experienced the world after all.

"...You have to be careful. This person is going to make trouble if he doesn't have enough food. He is too idle and he wants to make trouble even."

"Don't worry, the old lady is not at ease. No matter what, she will never be in trouble." Ji Xiaotang said with a hurried smile.

"Yeah." Old Mrs. Ji nodded. She was not worried about herself at all. Whether it was when Mr. Ji was there or when Mr. Ji was in charge of the second family later, Mr. Ji protected Mrs. Ji very well. "Your uncle is not at home, and there is no one to help your father. It's great that you can help your father come up with ideas, so you should also give more advice and be more careful."

"I understand, grandmother." Ji Xiaotang replied with a smile.

Master Ji Er took Master Zeng and a few capable managers and quickly arranged the affairs of the refugees. The young and strong among the refugees were selected and worked in Qingyuan City or on farms outside the city every day, and then received a certain amount of rice, grain and cloth. The more you work, the less you work, the less you work. For some people who really have no ability to work, they are still arranged to get porridge in the porridge factory.

In a few days, Master Ji Er also selected two leaders from the young and strong to assist the Ji family in charge. This is because the Ji family is indeed short of staff, and selecting leaders from among refugees is easier to accept and more convenient for refugees to manage.

"The same rice raises a hundred people. At this time, you can see the quality of your character." Mr. Ji Er was busy for a few days, and in Mrs. Ji Er's house that day, he told Ji Xiaotang about what he saw, heard and felt in the past few days.

Most of the refugees are young and strong, and they are very well accustomed to working for food and cloth, but some people are not like this.

Originally, they could make a living by doing nothing every day, but if they were asked to do their jobs, they would be very reluctant. Not only did they say a lot of words slandering the Ji family, but they also tried to arouse the dissatisfaction with the Ji family.

"If the rice and grain are not available later, or there are other changes, the former is fine, and the latter is probably the source of turmoil." Master Ji Er told Ji Xiaotang that he had asked someone to register all the particularly lazy people and secretly monitor them.

Mr. Ji Er is not talking to Ji Xiaotang, but teaching Ji Xiaotang his experience.

Since Ji Xiaotang was very young, Master Ji Er has been teaching her subtly. Ji Xiaotang is so precocious now, not only because she is reborn once, but is inseparable from Master Ji Er's teachings. Master Ji Er really treats Ji Xiaotang as a son and is raising him.

Mrs. Ji Er was carrying Changsheng next to her, and she had long been accustomed to the conversation between father and daughter. Even Changsheng was sitting quietly in Mrs. Ji Er's arms, not playing and making noise like usual.

You can imagine that when the immortality becomes older, you will sit with Ji Xiaotang and listen to Master Ji Er’s teachings.

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of the seventh year of Longqing, people call it the Little New Year, and every household has to sacrifice to the kitchen. On this day, refugees also suspended work and had a day off.

Ji Xiaotang got up early and she was still washing up. Madam Cheng and a few of the wife in charge had already come over to wait. The wife in charge were all waiting in the outer room, but Madam Cheng entered the inner room.

When Madam Cheng entered the house to salute Ji Xiaotang, she saw that Ji Xiaotang had already been washed. She had not applied any makeup, and her black oily head was neatly tied behind her head. Only two gilded beaded hairpins were inserted on her head, and she dressed very cleanly.

"The nanny is here, please help me choose clothes." Ji Xiaotang said to the mirror.

Madam Cheng smiled and came forward, and chose a water-red makeup wool and a rouge-red gray squirrel skirt for Ji Xiaotang.

"The girl thought about the hardships of the refugees' life, so she dressed up more simply. But after all, it was the New Year, so she should wear it more happily." As Madam Cheng said this, she chose a big red feathered veil from two fox fur cloaks, and then helped Ji Xiaotang wear it with Jin'er and Xiu'er.

After being dressed neatly, Ji Xiaotang came out of the house, and the wives in charge rushed forward to pay tribute.

"Are you ready?" Ji Xiaotang asked.

Today is the Little New Year. Ji Xiaotang has already discussed with Master Ji Er to go to the back street of the county yamen where the refugees are placed to deliver holiday supplies to the refugees.

"If you say it to the girl, you're ready." The wife of the manager replied quickly.

"Okay." Ji Xiaotang nodded and came to Mrs. Ji'er's house ahead surrounded by everyone.

"Xiaotang, your father just took people there. You don't have to go to such a cold weather or a place." Mrs. Ji Er advised Ji Xiaotang.

"Mom, I'm strong, it's okay. Grandma is old and she can't leave at home. I'm on behalf of my mother and grandmother, which is also the part of our Ji family." Ji Xiaotang said with a smile.

The Ji family provided food, medicine and cloth for refugees, and many people thanked the Ji family in their hearts.

And this is far from enough. Ji Xiaotang wants these people to become members of her Ji family.

Ji Xiaotang understood this truth at a very young age by exchanging heart. So, this time, she had to go in person.

"Xiaotang is going, just follow her." Master Ji Er said at this time, "Changsheng is still young, Xiaoyun is weak, and I only have Xiaotang as a helper."

"Xiaotang is a girl after all, so you really treat her as a man." Mrs. Ji Er angrily glanced at Master Ji Er, but did not stop him.

After having breakfast in a hurry, Ji Xiaotang followed Master Ji Er to the carriage and came to the back street of the county government office.
Chapter completed!
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