314: Chapter 314 What is the reason?

Seeing Lin Xiao so agitated, Old Yu knew the matter was significant and lost his appetite for the meal.

"It's at the place where I live. Should I go back and fetch it for the General?"

"No need, I will go with you!"

Lin Xiao happened to want to see the living conditions of these technicians of his.

He had been away fighting wars recently and hadn't inspected the military factory in a long time.

Old Yu naturally had no objections and hurriedly stood up to lead the way.

The two boarded a carriage and quickly passed through the completed two-way, four-lane central avenue in Yangquan.

The Zhenbei Army factory had now been collectively renamed "Northern Military Industry."

The workers' families lived in the family village near the Yangquan branch factory.

This place was originally a dilapidated village. Keeping the philosophy of saving wherever possible, Su Wansha relocated the few remaining villagers and then either rebuilt all the houses from scratch or simply renovated them.

This was not only cost-effective and efficient but also convenient for the workers to commute.

The family village was already a relatively mature model, and with many hands making light work, it was completed in less than a month.

Public toilets, canteens, medical clinics, and schools—everything was available.

The only thing still under construction was a larger "Villagers' Hall," intended for villagers to hold weddings or watch theatrical performances.

Although Lin Xiao was dressed in casual clothes, he was quickly recognized as soon as he stepped down.

The workers' families gathered around, excitedly coming to pay their respects, and some even burst into tears.

Lin Xiao greeted everyone with a smile, asking how they were living here and if their lives were convenient.

The villagers praised him repeatedly; almost no one had anything bad to say. At most, they just wanted to find more work to do, but the military factory had strict vetting, and ordinary people were not allowed in.

Lin Xiao told them that after spring, as "Northern Baijiu" and "Northern Catering" continued to expand, there would be more demand, and they would be hiring again.

Upon hearing this, the villagers clapped and cheered, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.

Feeling the villagers' eager gazes, Lin Xiao felt the weight of his responsibility grow a little heavier.

Of course, seeing his "Insight Points" surge by several dozen, he was still quite satisfied!

"General Lin, don't take those words from the villagers too much to heart. There are only so many lucrative jobs; how could every household get one?"

Old Yu whispered from the side: "The junior masters in our military factory envy the wages of the senior masters, but the senior masters envy the wages of the craftsmen."

"People are always greedy. Many in this village used to go from one full meal to starving, but now that they have enough to eat, they want another job that pays well."

"Believe it or not, if you gave them all jobs, they would definitely start thinking about wanting bigger houses, more livestock, and carriages..."

"No matter how capable you are, General Lin, there will always be times when you are powerless."

"By then, many people who lack the ability to be hired as workers will surely curse you behind your back!"

Lin Xiao smiled. "You certainly understand these things well."

"I don't know how to be a general, but I do know how to manage workers."

Old Yu took a puff of his pipe and said, "When working at the imperial mausoleum, you get paid exactly what you are owed. You make a living by your skills; rules are rules. If you aren't satisfied, you have to endure it, or else get out!"

"Once you let certain people think that you, the foreman, are easy to talk to and that they can get a raise by pleading, it becomes hard to manage. If things go wrong, you could get your head chopped off!"

This was the first time Lin Xiao had heard Old Yu say such things to him.

It was clear that Old Yu was genuinely looking out for him; otherwise, there would be no need to say all this.

"Thanks, Old Yu. I appreciate what you've said."

Lin Xiao said, "However, I cannot ignore the majority of hardworking commoners because of a small minority of selfish people."

"If one holds a position, one must fulfill its duties. As long as it is within my power, I should naturally do more for the commoners of the Northern Territory."

"It is only right that they thank me, and if they curse me, it won't affect my decisions."

"Otherwise, how would I be any different from those parasites in the imperial court, or the likes of Prince Bai and Prince Yan?"

"Just do good deeds and do not ask about the future; as long as one has a clear conscience, that is enough."

Just kidding. If he didn't do things for the people, where would he get his Insight Points?

Besides, haters are everywhere. Does that mean one should stop singing and playing basketball just because of some haters?

Old Yu stood there in a daze, watching Lin Xiao walk away, unable to take a step for a long time.

He kept repeating "Just do good deeds and do not ask about the future" in his heart, gazing at Lin Xiao's back with increasing admiration.

He slapped himself. At his age, he had lived like a dog, talking such nonsense.

That's right, when did he become so selfish?

Arriving at the living area for the "craftsmen," the houses here were noticeably more refined, becoming detached courtyards.

As the soul of the military factory, Old Yu had also arranged for some experts from the Zhenbei Army to be nearby, disguised as ordinary villagers to protect him.

After Lin Xiao entered the courtyard, he found it very tidy, and inside the house, it was spotless.

"Not bad, Old Yu. Did you tidy this up yourself?"

Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised. This old man was usually slovenly, yet his living space was very clean.

"How would I have the leisure for that? It was A-Lian who cleaned it for me."

"A-Lian? You have a wife?" Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.

"No, she's a widow in the village, about ten years younger than me. It's a pity she's a mute..."

"A mute?" Lin Xiao frowned.

Old Yu seemed to know what he was thinking and smiled. "Rest assured, General Lin. This A-Lian's background is completely clean; she's just a little mute whose husband died. I've already asked Su Wansha to investigate, and many people in the village know her."

"She doesn't just help me clean the house; she is also responsible for the few old bachelors nearby. After all, a mute doesn't know how to read and won't speak carelessly."

Upon hearing him say this, Lin Xiao decided not to ask further for the time being.

It was clear that Old Yu quite liked this A-Lian; otherwise, he wouldn't have explained so much.

Old Yu opened a wardrobe and took out an iron box.

There was a mechanical lock on the box. Old Yu didn't even use a key; he manipulated the lock back and forth a few times, and it opened.

Old Yu carefully took out a few yellowed blueprints from inside and handed them to Lin Xiao.

"These are some of the blueprints passed down by our ancestors from the Xuanji Sect. The transmission assembly the General mentioned is right here..."

With a nervous heart, Lin Xiao took the blueprints and looked at them. His gaze was immediately transfixed.

After looking through several sheets, he blinked hard.

After confirming it wasn't a dream, Lin Xiao took a deep breath, feeling his scalp tingling!

"Gearbox... Differential..."

Except for the drive wheels and such, isn't this the transmission system of a locomotive!?

Although relatively primitive, likely products of the steam engine era, it was, after all, a product of the Industrial Revolution!!

"What? General, what are you talking about?"

Old Yu was completely confused; he couldn't understand what Lin Xiao was saying at all.

Lin Xiao furrowed his brows.

If everything was as he expected, the reason the Great Zheng Dynasty and the Xuanji Sect were destroyed...

The main reason wasn't internal, but external!

The Heavenly Palace likely discovered that the Great Zheng Dynasty's civilization was about to enter the industrial age, so they supported the Great Gan royal family to stifle the Great Zheng Dynasty!

But, what was the reason for the Heavenly Palace to do this?

Were they worried about their special status on the Tianwu Continent being surpassed?

Furthermore, was this industry of the Great Zheng Dynasty the result of the evolution of their own civilization, or was it brought over by a transmigrator like himself?