The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

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

He asked, "Master, has there been any heavy snow in Yuanlu recently?"

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

He then added, "A few days ago, County Magistrate Wang had already arranged for yamen runners to go to various places to inform the people to pay attention to the snow and prevent the damage caused by the snowstorm."

County Magistrate Wang was a true native 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 off, Sun Shan had emphasized to him that he must notify the people and ask them to reinforce their houses to prevent them from collapsing under the snow during a heavy snowstorm and causing casualties.

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. "Looks like it's going to snow heavily in this weather. Oh, I really don't want anything to happen."

Master Zhang said soothingly, "Master, don't worry. We've done our best. If it's God's will, there's nothing we can do."

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

Overall, there weren't any major incidents. Perhaps because it was the Lunar New Year approaching, or perhaps because the weather had been good this year, the people had become more peaceful. Remote Yuanlu County passed the year in peace and tranquility.

Master Zhang asked, "Master, the guano workshop is still busy. Will they have a holiday for 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 Dayiao Village, so it is convenient for them to go home.

Sun Dingnan was still busy in the workshop.

It is now mid-to-late December, and it is not too early 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 his 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 work in the workshop. 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 be doubled 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, we will do as you say. If many people choose to work, we will continue to work. If few people choose to work, we will take a holiday and go home for the New Year."

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

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

Now that production has begun, Sun Dingnan is still there as a supervisor, supervising the workers. If the factory opens again during the Chinese New Year, Sun Dingnan will also be there.

Sun Shan sighed and said helplessly, "The villagers won't give Anan a holiday, and neither will they. Let him continue to watch over there. It's just starting, and without one of our own people there, it's uneasy."

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

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

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

The guano workshop belongs to Yuanlu County, and 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 will set up a supervisory body to let shareholders know the operation of the factory.

Sun Shan would not intervene in the guano workshop so openly; 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, he was asked to work under Master Wang in order to broaden his horizons and develop his skills, rather than being trapped in a guano workshop.

Sun Shan continued to talk with Master Zhang about 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 after all the officials were present.

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

When the officials saw Sun Shan, they hurriedly bowed and greeted him, "Sir, you're back! You've been gone for a while, and I missed you so much."

Sun Shan smiled slightly and nodded gently, "I, too, miss you very much."

This world is so hypocritical. When we meet, we have to say "I miss you so much", and we 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 addressed the officials, "Ladies and gentlemen, upon my return from Chenzhou Prefecture, Governor Liu had quite a few things to say. I'd like to share them with you."

Everyone immediately responded: "Sir, please speak."

What did Prefect Liu say? It was nothing more than that Wang En was great and that he was fortunate to be the prefect of Chenzhou Prefecture. 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 has said that as officials, we must manage Yuanlu County diligently, ensuring that the people of Yuanlu have ample food and clothing, and that their lives are getting better and better. Prefect Liu has repeatedly urged us not to forget that the people are our heaven and our earth, and that we must always listen to their opinions and serve them well."

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 "the people are the sky and the people are the earth"? If the people don't run away when they see them, it means the officials are friendly.

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

Since County Magistrate Wang had said so, Chief Secretary Wu naturally followed suit and said passionately, "Sir, I will also assist you in managing Yuanlu, listen carefully to the instructions of Prefect Liu, and serve the people wholeheartedly."

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, so it was not easy to make a big deal out of it.

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 next day we will review it together in the meeting room so that we can see what everyone has done this year."

The government office requires us to write an annual summary report, so there is no reason why the county office 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:......