11: Chapter 11 I can work too!

Elsewhere, the wealthy merchants led by Minister Wang Fugui also received the news.

"Hmph! He didn't accept my terms. No sooner had I left than he posted a notice recruiting city residents for construction. He's clearly trying to challenge me!"

"Indeed!" The subordinate reporting the news chimed in, "This City Lord is using Spirit Rice as wages and paying daily. This is clearly aimed at the tenant farmers working for you, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Minister Wang Fugui's gaze turned even colder. "By using Spirit Rice to poach our tenant farmers, our fields will be left uncultivated and naturally become useless. This City Lord isn't as naive as he appears; he actually has some brains!"

"However, does he think he can shake our foundation with just this? He is far too naive!"

"Pass the word down: increase the daily wage for all tenant farmers under the Chamber of Commerce to one thousand copper coins! Same daily payment!"

The subordinate was shocked. "Is that wise, sir? We have many tenant farmers. One thousand copper coins per person, per day—that's not a small sum in total!"

"What are you panicking about?" Minister Wang Fugui glanced at him, unconcerned. "No matter how many tenant farmers we have, can they possibly outnumber the city residents he's trying to recruit?"

"Since he wants to challenge all the merchants in Flower City single-handedly, I'd like to see just how long he can last!"

Outside the City Lord's Mansion.

Not long after the notice was posted, a crowd gathered.

As time passed, the crowd grew larger and larger, almost completely blocking the entire street!

Compared to just getting a meal, they were clearly far more eager for the job opportunity.

"Hey! What does the notice say? I can't see it clearly!"

"Stop pushing! Don't push!"

"Those in front! Has the recruitment started?"

"What kind of jobs are they recruiting for? Do they need tailors?"

"What's going on? Someone, say something!"

The city residents present were all very anxious.

It was rare to have such a job opportunity, and they were terrified of letting it slip away; everyone wanted to seize it immediately!

"Creak..." The doors of the City Lord's Mansion opened.

Zhou Yun heard the commotion outside and walked out.

Seeing Zhou Yun appear, the already excited crowd instantly erupted.

"City Lord! When does work start?"

"City Lord! Recruit me! I'm strong!"

"Recruit me! Recruit me! I can do anything!"

"City Lord saved my life! I don't need wages, just two meals a day will do!"

"Me too!"

"I only need one meal!"

Beside the notice board, the City Guards led by Lei Lie, who were responsible for maintaining order, were deeply moved.

Before Zhou Yun arrived, these people had always been listless, like the walking dead, filled with Death Qi.

When had they ever seen them look this energetic?

The faces were the same, yet their spirit and vitality were completely different!

Sensing everyone's enthusiasm and passion, Zhou Yun nodded inwardly.

He raised his hand, intending to ask everyone to quiet down, but in the next second, the entire street fell deathly silent!

Everyone's eyes still shone with fervent, eager light, yet they all closed their mouths in unison!

It was as if they hadn't been the ones speaking just a moment ago!

This scene deeply shocked Lei Lie.

The City Lord had only been in office for half a day; how could he already command such prestige among the citizens?!

"Everyone, rest assured!" Zhou Yun said, standing on the steps.

"Since the notice stated that we are recruiting fifty thousand people, there will certainly be at least that many, if not more!"

"Regardless of gender or age, as long as you sign up, there will be work for everyone!"

"And since you are working, you must be paid!"

"Don't talk to me about just needing two meals or one meal a day!"

"As City Lord, I keep my word. If I say I will provide Spirit Rice, then I will provide Spirit Rice!"

"For one day of work, you get one tael of Spirit Rice. Not a single grain less!"

As his voice faded, the citizens erupted in cheers.

"Did you hear that? Everyone has a chance! Everyone has a chance!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful! I can work, too!"

"Yes! As long as we work hard, we can receive one tael of Spirit Rice a day!"

"It's true! It's all true! *Sob...*"

"This is such a good thing, why are you crying?"

"Don't mind me, I'm just too happy!"

"I can feel everyone's enthusiasm!" Zhou Yun raised his hand in a calming gesture, signaling everyone to settle down. "However, fifty thousand people is no small number."

"Building city walls, reclaiming wasteland, constructing houses... these are all massive projects. Brute force alone won't suffice; we need organization, coordination, and planning!"

At this point, he looked toward the crowd with a burning gaze and said loudly:

"Is there anyone here who has experience with such matters and is willing to step forward to help me shoulder some of the burden?"

As his voice fell, the previously noisy crowd quieted down a little.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

They were all good at using brute force.

But when it came to planning and management, that was something only the big shots understood. They were just uneducated peasants; how could they possibly understand such things?

Just as Zhou Yun was about to assume that no one would respond and was preparing to bite the bullet and take charge himself,

"*Cough, cough...*" A weak yet firm cough came from the corner of the crowd.

"If the City Lord does not mind that this old man is useless... I could give it a try."

The crowd automatically parted to create a path.

A hunched, thin, yet wiry old man slowly walked out.

Although he appeared to be on the verge of death and was dressed in rags, his hands were unusually large and covered in calluses.

Upon seeing this person, Lei Lie, who had been following behind Zhou Yun, had his eyes light up. He hurriedly leaned in to whisper in Zhou Yun's ear:

"City Lord, this is Tie Shan, known as Master Tie!"

"He is the best blacksmith in our Flower City, and also our finest old craftsman!"

"When the previous City Lord was in office, most of the city's construction plans were drafted by him. He is quite talented!"

Zhou Yun was immediately intrigued. "Oh? Since he is such a talent, why does he appear so down-and-out now?"

Lei Lie sighed and lowered his voice. "It's all because of that Minister Wang Fugui!"

"Because Master Tie is upright and principled, he often offended Minister Wang Fugui while he was in office. So, after the previous City Lord passed away, Minister Wang Fugui targeted and suppressed him at every turn."

"Master Tie had no place to utilize his skills and couldn't even find a job to make a living, which is why he has fallen to this state..."

Hearing this, Zhou Yun's gaze toward Tie Shan softened with a hint of respect.

He quickly walked down the steps and approached Tie Shan. "Elder, I have heard about what you've been through. You have been wronged."

A flicker of emotion crossed Tie Shan's cloudy eyes, but he immediately shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Why bring up the past?"

"To be honest, if not for the Spirit Rice that you, City Lord, just provided, this old bag of bones would probably not have made it through this winter."

At this, Tie Shan suddenly straightened his hunched back, his eyes becoming sharp.

"This life was saved by you, City Lord!"

"Since you, City Lord, do not abandon me, should you have any need for my services, I will follow you through fire and water without hesitation!"