Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The heart of the earthquake lay near Shangjing, thus the people there have the most devastating loss. Such a large capital city became naught… it turned overnight into a lifeless wilderness.

The Xiangyang district is located at the edge of Fengyi county, distant to the heart of the earthquake.

When the earthquake happened, the effects experienced here was less severe than Shangjing. Consequently, the loss is not as extensive.

It is infuriating to think about the time when the earthquake happened. Who isn’t asleep at midnight?

Therefore, over ten thousand people died in their sleep.

Having experienced the devastation from the earthquake only to then end up oppressed by the Tsing Yi army, the Xiangyang district has a thousand things lined up and is awaiting rebuilding.

If the district is envisioned from a bird’s eye view, they will discover that at least one-third of the infrastructure is damaged.

Facing a desolated Xiangyang district, Jiang Pengji sorted out her feelings. She ordered the troops and imperial guards to clean up the ruins and houses urgently.

No matter what, there must be a place set aside for the people of Shangjing to settle down.

She pinched in between her brows, thinking of theXiangyang district’s present state, then uncontrollably said in disgust, “The Xiangyang district isn’t any better than Shangjing…”

After Feng Jin took a short nap, he felt he regained some energy, at least enough to respond: “The heavens will bestow huge responsibilities to the people, but they must first suffer to build their resilience. Their labour will be weary to their muscles and bones, hunger pangs will plague them, and they will empty themselves in poverty and face setbacks and troubles… Wise words by sages of old, they are timeless and true. Many things start off tough, Xiangyang district is one such heavy burden to bear. It is against the odds to rebuild upon ruins. But once the lord overcomes this hurdle, she will rise to the heavens.”

Jiang Pengji discreetly rolled her eyes. She isn’t a sky monkey, why would she rise to the heavens?

Nevertheless, Feng Jin’s words still eased her mood a little, and she summoned her subordinates for a meeting.

She doesn’t like to be fake, neither does she like hearing nonsense that doesn’t add value. Thus, she dived directly to the topic.

“After the earthquake and siege by General Jiu’s Tsing Yi army where they created havoc, Xiangyang district is impoverished and utterly desolated.”

As Jiang Pengji started the ball rolling, everyone sat around, with only bland tea and water on the table to quench their thirst and soothe their throats.

“Let’s not go into the details yet, the biggest challenge now is to rebuild the Xiangyang district, recruiting workers and soldiers to serve to strengthen the defence of Xiangyang district’s city. While rebuilding Xiangyang district, we must also be prepared for battle at any time. The scale of Tsing Yi army is much larger than we think, let alone mention the jackal of the same tribe, the Red Lotus group. These are the greatest threats and enemies to the Xiangyang district. At present, we cannot depend on anyone, only ourselves.” Jiang Pengji’s last words carries a deep sense of resentment.

The people agreed wholeheartedly.

Only, no matter which aspect they considered, they all required a lot of manpower, resources and time, yet Jiang Pengji is very poor now…

Poor not referring to a lack in rations or money, but a lack of manpower!

Thanks to the livestream viewers for their help in times of need, their awards have been helping her financially. She temporarily captured The System again, the little devil. The points of popularity in her hands are enough for her to spend and effortlessly support these few thousands of people. Maybe not to eat extravagantly, but at least they won’t die of hunger.

As for the money?

Back then, she “borrowed” money from so many households in Shangjing, cumulatively it looked very optimistic… enough for her to last till the end of winter this year.

She continued, “Yesterday, I assigned someone to get a headcount of the prisoners from the Tsing Yi army, it totalled up to 1781 men, of which nine countdowns from 30 years old to 13 years old strong youths. I also checked the biodata of Xiangyang district’s residents at the district headquarters, there are about 50,000 to 10,000 strongmen and including those who followed me from Shangjing… If they all joined in the labour force, I believe that with a concrete plan and if it’s executed orderly, it isn’t impossible that we rebuild Xiangyang district before winter comes.”

Hearing this, Luoyue knitted his eyebrows tightly, “Forced labour?”

“The lord intends to compensate the workers,”vFeng Jin said pensively. “The people offer their strength while the lord provides money and food. This ensures that the people are well-fed and warm while also contributing to rebuild Xiangyang district. The lord is not wealthy presently and her family assets are limited. Nevertheless, as the district magistrate, even if the people did nothing, the lord will not give them up to their deaths and food will still be given. Rather than this scenario, it is better to give them work and purpose.”

Forced labour refers to work without any returns. The people’s lives are in dire circumstances, they are poverty stricken. If they engaged in free labour, Jiang Pengji’s good reputation will be tarnished. Even if the people around wanted her to do so, she will not…not over her dead body.

Under such circumstances, providing work to relieve their poverty was a brilliant solution.

She did that before, so Feng Jin and the rest didn’t misinterpret her motive.

Naturally, the concept of forced labour is already entrenched in their hearts, it is expected for Luoyue to misunderstand.

“Even so… there aren’t many who are likely to willingly respond, especially the local residents of Xiangyang district.”

While fanning himself, fatigue was evident between his brows, however, both his eyes are very alert, and he continued to comment rather cynically, “Their households have sufficient money and reserves of rations. Also, they can continue to harvest more after autumn. They have no need for the rations offered from the labour.”

The Tsing Yi army was recklessly violent, they confiscated the possessions of many influential and rich men. The resources from one such house is enough to fill their stomachs, so they weren’t interested in the common folks.

Thus, the people still have remaining food supplies in their houses, they have their basic needs met. Since there’s no reason for them to work hard, the likelihood of them rejecting the idea of labour is high.

When he finished speaking, Qiguan Rang also sneered softly, his pupils held some degree of contempt.

Meng Hun heard, he suggested softly, “Why not increase the incentives?”

Jiang Pengji had a helpless expression; does she seem like a local tyrant?

“I, your lord, am poor. Where do I get so much money to pay them salaries? These houses are not built for me, they…” She clasped her fingers and cursed with her lips then she thought of something, she determined in her heart and added, “But, it is not without a solution. The earthquake caused innumerable infrastructures to collapse in the Xiangyang district, therefore many houses and land are available now. If no family member inherits them, based on the rules the government takes them back…”

Hearing her words, Feng Jjin and the rest thought deeply.

Nevertheless, someone reacted faster than them!

The audience in the livestreaming room has experienced enough pain from buying houses. They didn’t expect they would be hurt by watching the livestream.

Quer: “I am shocked! In history, the one who has the most experience in being a real estate agent is her!”

Yingyang Kuaixian: “If Xiangyang district is completely rebuilt and becomes the haven amid the chaos, I believe the land will become insanely expensive.”

Zuizhan Baishegeng: “Pei, which benevolent brother said houses in ancient times are cheap previously and wishes to travel back in time to be the queen of rentals and even said rents will come in easily even while lying down? Look, just look, the streamer wishes to be involved in real estate business, the costs of apartments will soar. Let alone to buy houses and rent them, when you time travel back, you have to be enslaved to the house, goodness gracious!”

As Jiang Pengji scanned through the bullet screen she felt wronged. She didn’t think so much from the start.

Why is she speculating into real estate and collecting land when she has no reason to?

She just wants to build houses on freehold lands, then those households who join the labour can stay while paying low rental costs. There will be tax relief bonuses given periodically in future. They can also use a lower price to borrow agricultural equipment and buffalos from the district headquarters…Her thoughts are too naïve.

However, right now… it seemed like something she can explore further?