Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Seeing that she didn't say anything, everyone urged her, "Sir, you said you don't want to pay us, so let's start working today. If you want to pay us, then go and recruit workers. Who will do the work?"

This threatening statement was obviously very tough, but Shen Zheng just couldn't get angry.

She smiled helplessly, "You don't even want the money, you idiot!"

Everyone smiled at each other and said, "Then, sir, do you agree?"

Shen Zheng looked at them, and everyone's face was filled with anticipation. She was so moved that she could only say, "You don't have to give me the money, but I still have to eat, right?"

When everyone thought of the food they would have while digging the canal, they couldn't help swallowing.

The cooking skills of the county government chef are so great, it’s obviously the same dish, but they just can’t make it taste the same!

After hesitating for a moment, they said, "Well... let's eat it?"

After saying that, he secretly cursed himself for being spineless. He was so tough when he refused the wages just now, but now when it comes to eating, the gluttony in his stomach is aroused.

Shen Zheng smiled knowingly when she saw their reactions. She was once again conquered by Uncle Lai’s craftsmanship.

But she looked at the tools in everyone's hands and felt a little puzzled. After a moment, she said:

"But we can't start work today. The county school has only made a rough drawing. I still have to discuss it with the craftsmen today. We have to start work tomorrow at the earliest."

Everyone was a little disappointed when they heard this. After they learned the news yesterday, each village held a small meeting temporarily, thinking of coming to the county government office today to give the county magistrate a surprise.

Who would have thought that the surprise was given, but the work could not be started.

Shen Zheng looked at their disappointed expressions and couldn't help but chuckle.

Almost everyone in every village has come today, so it's a good time to announce the news. Yesterday, she discussed the carpenter apprenticeship with Mr. Qiao, and now that the county school is being renovated, it's a good opportunity.

Teachers in the county school have to teach and students have to read and write, so there must be tables, chairs and benches, right?

Some students choose not to go home at night and stay in the county school, so there should be beds, tables, chairs and benches in the county school dormitories, right?

Mr. Qiao said that whether it is tables, chairs, benches or wooden beds, they are extremely simple to make and are perfect for apprentices to practice on.

After Mr. Qiao finished speaking, Shen Zheng specifically asked Cheng Yu whether making tables and chairs was really as simple as Mr. Qiao said.

After all, Mr. Qiao was also a talented craftsman when he was young, and he had been working in this industry for many years. Shen Zheng didn't quite believe what he said was extremely simple.

So when she saw Cheng Yu nod yesterday, she believed that making tables and chairs should not be difficult.

Seeing everyone trying to leave with their tools, Shen Zheng called out to them.

"There is one more thing. Today is a good opportunity. I will announce it here."

After hearing this, everyone stopped in their tracks, their eyes lit up, and their ears perked up.

Every time the adults speak like this, it means something good is happening in the county!

Shen Zheng cleared her throat and said directly: "Now the county government has made a loom, which can weave cotton cloth."

"What!!!"

Before Shen Zheng finished speaking, everyone was already boiling with excitement.

Although they didn't know how to use the tools or how to weave cloth, they knew that there seemed to be no cotton cloth in the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Everyone asked in disbelief: "The cotton cloth you are talking about is made of pure cotton?"

It's no wonder they don't believe it. How could they know anything about tools or industry? They only know that they have lived for decades and have never thought that cotton could be woven directly into cloth.

This idea has been ingrained in them for as long as they can remember.

Shen Zheng nodded: "That's right. Now the loom is in the backyard of the county government office. The craftsman who made the loom is also in the government office. Moreover, this loom can not only weave cloth, but also can be used by the weaver to weave different patterns."

Everyone looked at each other in surprise when they heard this, and they were stunned for a while.

Such tools are now in their county government office?

Although they didn't quite understand what jacquard was, they understood the following sentence: different patterns!

How many of them have ever worn patterned clothes?

If I really have one, I only have one set, and I usually don’t want to wear it. What if it gets accidentally damaged on the ground?

Therefore, these patterned clothes are only worn during festivals and happy occasions.

If there was a happy event in someone's family and they didn't have decent clothes, they would go to someone who had clothes and borrow some, a pound of corn or two eggs, and wear them for a day or two. Afterwards, they would gently rub and wash them and then return them to the owner.

But now the adults say that their county government has a textile machine that can weave patterns, and it can weave patterns on cotton cloth!

It is well known to everyone that the price of cotton is not particularly high.

So now that there are textile machines, doesn't that mean they can wear cotton and flowery clothes? !

Seeing the happy expressions on their faces, Shen Zheng knew what everyone was thinking. However, if they thought it was that simple, she would not have announced it in public.

She waved her hand to everyone and continued, "With this loom, not only people in our county can wear cotton flowery clothes, but all the people in the Great Zhou can wear cotton flowery clothes!"

Everyone was confused by what he said. Did the adult want to start his own business?

Seeing their confusion, Shen Zheng explained, "In the future, a fabric workshop will be established in our county. This workshop does not belong to me, Shen Zheng, or the county government alone, but to the entire Tongan County!"

Everyone's eyes widened when they heard this, and the gentry and merchants standing in the front were shaking with excitement.

They just know it! They just know it!

Follow the county government and you will have soup to drink!

No, no, no, this is not soup!

That's a loom that can weave cotton cloth! Cotton cloth!!!

Following the county government is like eating a lot of meat! !

Hu Likai tried hard to suppress the excitement in his heart, but his trembling hands betrayed him.

He opened his mouth several times before he asked, "Your Excellency, are you saying that our entire county should unite to do business and sell cotton cloth?"

Shen Zheng looked at him and smiled: "Is that right? Isn't it enough for Shopkeeper Hu to sell grain seeds?"

She knew that businessmen are profit-driven. She didn't need to say much about how good the cotton business was, so it was normal for Hu Li to be tempted during the meeting.

But in the same way, Hu Likai is now in charge of the grain seed business, and he doesn't know how much money he can earn after the autumn harvest. Even if he is full, he still has to leave some for other businessmen.

But her words did not mean a complete rejection. If Hu Likai had that ability, it was not impossible for merchants to compete fairly. The only thing she was afraid was that after the autumn harvest, Hu Likai would have the capital and would suppress other merchants without mercy.

At that time, she would have no choice but to disregard feelings.

Although Hu Likai made contributions in the grain subsidy issue, it was ultimately a transaction in which both parties got what they needed.