I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1231: The Guano Workshop Does Not Take Holidays

After drinking the ginger soup and having dinner, Sun Shan did not sleep even though he was exhausted. He hurriedly called Master Zhang over.

Asked: "Master, has it snowed heavily in Yuanlu recently?"

Master Zhang shook his head and said, "Don't worry, sir. It hasn't snowed recently."

Then he added: "A few days ago, County Magistrate Wang had arranged for yamen runners to go to various places to inform the people to pay attention to the snow. To prevent the harm caused by the snowstorm."

County Magistrate Wang was a native of Yuanlu and knew the climate changes in Yuanlu better than Sun Shan.

I don't know how he handled it in previous years, but before he set out, Sun Shan had emphasized to him that he must notify the people and let them reinforce their houses to prevent them from collapsing under the snow during a heavy snowstorm, which would cause loss of life.

Sun Shan also knew that this situation could not be avoided just by reminders from the government.

Just like swimming, accidents still happen every summer vacation even if the school reminds us.

But the government must also do its utmost. If something still goes wrong, don't blame the government.

Sun Shan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: "It looks like it's going to snow heavily in this weather. Oh, I really don't want anything to happen."

Master Zhang comforted him, "Master, don't worry. We have tried our best. If it is God's will, there is nothing we can do."

Mr. Zhang talked to Sun Shan about some things that happened when he was not in the yamen.

Generally speaking, there was nothing serious. Perhaps because it was the New Year, or perhaps because the weather was good this year, the people became peaceful. The remote Yuanlu County spent the year in peace.

Master Zhang asked, "Master, the guano workshop is still busy. Will there be a holiday during the New Year?"

The workshop was completed not long ago, as was the zipline, and the road leading to the workshop was also built.

The road construction workers have gone home, leaving only the workers in the guano workshop.

Of course, most people are from Da Niao Village, so it is convenient for them to go home.

And Sun Dingnan was still busy in the workshop.

It is now mid-to-late December, and it is not too long before the spring plowing season next year. Sun Shan originally wanted to take New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off and then go back to work.

Don’t blame Sun Shan for thinking this way. After all, he often had to be on duty during holidays in his previous life, so he spent the holidays the same as if he didn’t have any.

So he said what he was thinking: "I don't want the villagers to have a holiday. They still have to stay in the workshop to work. But I don't know if the villagers have any objections to this."

When Master Zhang heard that there would be no holiday, he thought the villagers would definitely object. But when he heard that the wages would double from New Year's Eve to the seventh day of the New Year, he suddenly felt that the villagers didn't want to take a holiday.

These days, nothing is more attractive than money.

Working one day is equivalent to working two days. It doesn’t matter whether the year ends or not.

Master Zhang said, "Master, just do as you say. If many people choose to work, then continue to work. If few people choose to work, then take a holiday and go home for the New Year."

Then he asked, "Master, will Anan take a holiday?"

Sun Dingnan and Mr. Wang are responsible for everything in the workshop.

Now that production has started, Sun Dingnan is still there as a supervisor, watching over the workers. If the factory resumes production during the Chinese New Year, Sun Dingnan will also be there.

Sun Shan sighed and said helplessly: "The villagers won't take a holiday, and neither will Anan. Let him continue to watch over there. It's just started, and I don't feel at ease without my own people there."

Master Zhang thought so too, nodded and said, "Dalang and Erjie are also there, so Anan has company."

Then he asked, "Master, will Anan be in charge of the workshop from now on?"

Sun Shan shook his head and said, "After the Chinese New Year, I will discuss with Master Wang and hire a general manager for the workshop. Anan is my housekeeper and will not be there."

The guano workshop belongs to Yuanlu County, so it needs to find an experienced "factory director" who can balance the forces of all parties to manage it.

As the "factory director", Sun Shan would set up a supervisory body to let shareholders know how the factory is operating.

Sun Shan would not intervene in the guano workshop so blatantly; he would only manage it quietly behind the scenes.

What's more, Sun Dingnan is his steward, and his primary task is to help him. If he is transferred to the workshop, he will have no one on his side, which is absolutely unacceptable.

This time, letting him work with Master Wang was to broaden his horizons and improve his skills, rather than being trapped in the guano workshop.

Sun Shan talked with Master Zhang about a lot of official business until late at night before going to bed.

The next day, the snow fell even harder.

Sun Shan went to work early in the morning and held a morning meeting when all the officials were present.

It was not that Sun Shan wanted to hold a meeting, but he had to convey Prefect Liu's intention after returning from the meeting in Chenzhou Prefecture, even though they were all empty words.

When the officials saw Sun Shan, they immediately bowed and greeted him, "Sir, you are back. You have been gone for a long time. I missed you very much."

Sun Shan smiled slightly and nodded gently, "I am the same. I miss you very much."

This world is so hypocritical. When you meet someone, you have to say "I miss you so much", and you have to reply "I miss you too"!

To be honest, who would miss you? I wish no one could see me, so that I could be free.

Sun Shan sat in the center and said to the officials, "Everyone, when I came back from Chenzhou Prefecture, Governor Liu said a lot. I want to share these words with you."

Everyone immediately responded: "Sir, please speak."

What did Prefect Liu say? It was nothing more than that Wang Enhaodang was fortunate to be the prefect of Chenzhou Prefecture, and he hoped to manage Chenzhou Prefecture well and make the lives of the people better year by year.

Sun Shan followed suit and said, "Everyone, Prefect Liu said that as officials, we must manage Yuanlu County well and ensure that the people of Yuanlu have enough food and clothing and live a better life. Prefect Liu repeatedly told us not to forget that the people are our heaven and our land. We must always listen to the people's opinions and do good things for them."

County Magistrate Wang curled his lips and glanced at Sun Shan secretly.

Unexpectedly, Lord Sun became even more hypocritical after his trip to Chenzhou Prefecture.

Haha, who would believe the saying that the people are the sky and the people are the earth? The fact that the people did not run away when they saw them was already a sign of the officials' goodwill.

Although he thought so, he said, "Yes, sir, I will keep in mind what Prefect Liu said and help you manage Yuanlu well. Let the people live and work in peace and have enough food and clothing."

County Magistrate Wang said so, so Wu Zhubo naturally followed suit and said excitedly: "Sir, I will also assist you in managing Yuanlu, listen carefully to the instructions of Prefect Liu, and work wholeheartedly for the people."

If not now, when?

Everyone expressed their loyalty to Sun Shan and to Prefect Liu.

He wanted to express his loyalty to the emperor, but his status was too low to be taken seriously.

Sun Shan looked at everyone with satisfaction and nodded with a smile: "Well, everyone said it well."

Then he said, "Go back today and write a report on the internal affairs of the year. The day after tomorrow we will review it together in the meeting room so that we can see what everyone has done this year."

The prefectural government requires us to write an annual summary report, so there is no reason why the county government shouldn’t do it.

Sun Shan also wanted to see what his subordinates had done in the past year.

County Magistrate Wang and his colleagues:.......