In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

Ma Jun quickly figured it out in his mind.

"General, in this way, the construction... the construction period can be halved!"

But...this requires...three times the manpower! Where are we going to get...so many people?"

The current number of migrant workers is simply not enough to fill the gap left by the "three shifts" system.

"Is Yecheng short-staffed?"

"As long as you pay enough, I can bring you every able-bodied man in the entire city!"

"Ma Jun, go write up notices! Post them all over the streets and alleys of Ye City!"

"Tell us about the job openings at Tongquetai! Not only are meals and accommodation provided (with meat at every meal), but wages are also paid! Only four hours of work per day! Limited spots available, first come, first served!"

……

That afternoon, the entire city of Ye was in an uproar.

"Have you heard?"

"That new supervisor of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, General Zhao, has gone mad!"

"What's wrong with you? You've gone mad?"

"He pays those who perform corvée labor! Thirty coins a day! And he even gives them meat!"

"Really? Is this some kind of scam to get people to fill in the gaps?"

"Really! Would I lie to you? Er Gouzi from next door just brought back a string of copper coins, saying it's his daily wage! He also brought back half a steamed bun!"

"Such a good deal?! Quick! Get in line! There won't be any spots left if you're late!"

The streets and alleys of Ye City,

A man in a tattered coat carried a shovel and a carrying pole.

Like a tide, they surged toward Tongquetai in the northwest suburbs.

The scene was even more spectacular than distributing porridge during the Lunar New Year.

On the construction site.

Zhao Yu looked at the long line of job applicants.

And there were shouts coming from afar.

He sat contentedly in the newly moved armchair and took a sip of hot tea.

"General,"

"This...this money is being spent like water! And...is the dowry enough...enough?"

"rest assured."

"Sun Quan's wool is quite thick."

Besides, I'll ask Prime Minister Cao for reimbursement once I've spent all the money.

I'm doing this to win over the hearts of the people for the Prime Minister; he should thank me.

At this rate, it could be completed in a month, let alone three months.

Besides, even if Sun Shangxiang came, what could she do if she didn't want to?

Every family has its rules, and every country has its regulations.

Let's have fun first and worry about the consequences later.

At worst, I'll pay with my body.

Anyway, one thing is clear now.

That's when the night at Tongquetai was ignited.

Since ancient times, people have worked at sunrise and rested at sunset.

As soon as the curfew was imposed, the entire city fell silent.

Only the sound of the night watchman's clapper will remain.

At night,

Thousands of pine resin torches were planted in every corner of the Tongquetai construction site.

There are also hundreds of huge charcoal braziers used for heating.

The sweltering heat and the deafening shouts of workers filled the air.

"One, two! Lift!"

"Hey! Let's go!"

This is the "industrial miracle" brought by Zhao Yu.

The first group of craftsmen worked for a full four hours.

They came down, drenched in sweat.

Immediately, steaming hot meat soup and steamed buns were stuffed into his hands.

After eating, go home if it's nearby.

Those who lived far away simply went into the newly built palaces atop the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and fell asleep immediately.

Immediately afterwards, a second batch of well-fed and refreshed soldiers took over.

People may rest, but life never stops.

The fire is extinguished, but the work continues.

The people of Ye City had never seen anything like this before.

The mass grave, which used to be only lit by will-o'-the-wisps at night, is now so brightly lit you could embroider on it.

Thus, a strange sight appeared in Ye City.

Every night, some people don't sleep.

Wrapped in a cotton-padded coat, he squatted on the outskirts of the construction site.

Like watching a play.

Watching that platform rise inch by inch.

This is the power of "money power" combined with "scientific management".

If you pay enough, the working people of the Han Dynasty can build a tower for you all the way to the moon.

However, there are always people in this world who cannot be brought to light.

……

"General...General! Something...something has happened!"

Ma Jun's face was covered in coal dust.

They rushed up to the observation deck.

He was still clutching half a piece of unburnt coal ash in his hand.

"Stop...stop work!"

"What's going on? Not enough money? Or not enough meat?"

"None of them..."

"It's charcoal! And stone! The supply... has been cut off!"

The underfloor heating system at Tongquetai relies entirely on burning charcoal.

The foundation is entirely made of stone.

Without these two things, the construction site would be paralyzed.

"There are coal mines and quarries near Ye City, how could the supply be cut off?"

Ma Jun gritted his teeth,

"It's that foreman you kicked away last time, General. His... his uncle is Chen Liang. The Chen family controls 80% of the coal and timber business in Ye City."

This morning, the people downstairs went to buy supplies, and they said... they were out of stock!

"Out of stock?"

"Didn't they say it was piled up like a mountain the day before yesterday?"

"They said it was for their own family to burn."

If you absolutely must buy it... the price will have to go up.

"How much will it increase?"

"Ten...ten times!"

6,

interesting.

This is blatant robbery.

They saw that the construction period was tight and wanted to strangle Zhao Yu, while also getting revenge for that kick.

"Okay, very good."

Zhao Yu stood up and straightened the collar of his cloak.

As the saying goes, the common people can't fight against the officials.

There really are people who dare to cause trouble.

"I originally wanted to interact with them as an ordinary person, but what I got in return was alienation and extortion."

"Since they want to play, then I'll show them what 'Game of Thrones' really is."

"Ma Jun, assemble your personal guard! Take my token and go to the city to summon the garrison."

"Come with me to 'buy' charcoal!"

……

Chen Family Goods Storehouse in the West Market of Ye City.

Chen Liang was sitting in the armchair.

He was holding two walnuts in his hand.

With a smug look on his face,

"Hmph, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake."

That little brat Zhao Yu dared to hit my nephew just because he's the Prime Minister's son-in-law?

How dare they break industry rules and pay wages to peasants?

"Pah!"

"If I don't make him vomit up what he ate today, I'm not a Chen!"

The overseer who had been trampled was lying face down on the soft couch.

Hmming and whining:

"Uncle, we must make him kowtow and admit his mistake! We also need to make him pay for the medical expenses!"

"rest assured."

Chen Liang took a sip of tea.

"Without charcoal in this heavy snow, his construction site will have to stop. His migrant workers are used to a good life, so will they be able to live as they please?"

When that time comes, if those lowly people cause a commotion,

"Every day he stops, he's one day closer to his death. The Prime Minister's military orders are punishable by death. He'll be begging me for mercy within three days!"

"Bang!"

The voice has not fallen,

The warehouse door was kicked open.

The kind that just falls down.

"Who! Who dares to cause trouble at the Chen family's residence!"

The smoke and dust cleared.

Zhao Yu was dressed in all black.

Behind him was Ma Jun, and further back followed the elite Cao army troops summoned from Ye City.

"Boss Chen, you're really something else."

Zhao Yu rode his horse directly inside.

Chen Liang's face turned pale, but relying on his influence in Ye City,

Trying to remain calm:

"General Zhao... General Zhao? What do you mean by this? Trespassing is a violation of the laws of the Han Dynasty!"

"Trespassing?"

"Who said I trespassed?"

"You've been selling this stuff for so long, how come you have no common sense at all?"

"I have received a report that your warehouse is stockpiling a large quantity of flammable materials, posing a significant fire hazard and seriously threatening the safety of the people of Ye City!"

"For the safety of all the people in the city, I have come here specifically for a 'fire inspection'!"

"Fire...firefighting?"

Chen Liang was stunned.

What is firefighting?