Our family has been rebelling for generations, and you've become the top scholar in the imperia

Two days later.

The town below the Xishan Coal Mine.

Because of the large number of coal miners, local residents gradually gathered here, and some stalls and shops gradually opened.

but……

In the past few days, all coal mines have stopped operating, and the whole town has become much more desolate. It is said that the Ministry of Works has sealed off the coal mines, and even the transport king has been arrested.

"Come and see! The Ministry of Works' Coal Mine Shop is hiring. Excellent benefits, food and lodging provided, maximum four hours of work per day. Those who can endure hardship are welcome. Those with coal mining experience will be given priority."

Today, a group of strange people appeared on the town's streets.

A row of tables was set up, and people kept standing in front of them shouting.

"Coal mines are hiring? Only four hours a day? That can't be right. I don't think the workers that Yun Wang brought in before were paid even a tael of silver, and they only ate one meal a day."

Many people stopped and looked at the job postings, but no one dared to step forward.

Coal mining is hard work and doesn't offer good pay at all.

Besides, there are no good people in government offices.

Did the Ministry of Works actually pay people to mine coal?

Nobody wanted to believe it.

"This won't work, it's too slow!"

Sitting in the back, Qin Feng saw that although there were many people gathered around, not a single one of them came up to ask him anything. He couldn't help but sigh slightly.

It's all the fault of the former Prince Yun's Mansion.

They exploit people so much that they don't even pay wages. Who would want to come and mine coal?

It's no wonder the people don't believe it when it's now being recruited in the name of the Ministry of Works; they've suffered too many losses in the past.

"I am a senior official in the Ministry of Works, and today I am here on behalf of the Ministry to recruit workers. We will sign formal employment contracts, and each one will be registered in the yamen. Wages will be settled on the first of each month, and there will be absolutely no delays!"

Left with no other choice.

Qin Feng stepped out from behind the table and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"I know that many of the local people were once coal miners, and their lives were very hard. The Ministry of Works has now taken back all mining rights, and they will be directly managed by the Ministry of Works in the future!"

"Those who register today can receive one month's wages in advance for mining coal for the Ministry of Works; the monthly wage is two taels of silver!"

"Register now and you can receive two taels of silver!"

These words were spoken.

The people who had gathered around looked at each other in shock.

Two taels of silver a month, and you can register now and take it away?

You should know that even in the best times of the coal mining season, the wages were at most one or two taels of silver, and you had to dig in the mine for eight hours to earn that much.

Now, working four hours a day, one can earn two taels of silver a month.

"My lord, I would like to ask, is it really true that we only work four hours a day? And are three meals provided?"

Someone came out and asked.

Qin Feng smiled and nodded.

"That's right. In the future, the coal mine will be divided into two shifts, each working for four hours, for a total of eight hours a day. Work will stop at night for rest. To be precise, each shift will have two meals, since you will have your last meal after work. Of course, if you want to eat here, you are welcome to do so."

The man who came out looked excited.

People aren't stupid.

How could they possibly leave free food uneaten and go out to spend money on food?

"Sir, we have no problem mining coal, but... what if something happens in the mine?"

Someone else came out again.

Ask a key question.

The people behind them kept nodding in agreement.

Those who can work in coal mines are the breadwinners of their families. It's very dangerous inside; people die in the mines every month. If the breadwinner collapses, the family falls apart, and orphans and widows simply cannot survive.

"That's a good question."

Qin Feng clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.

He picked up an employment contract from the table and said in front of everyone:

"This is the Ministry of Works' employment document. It clearly states that the Ministry of Works will be fully responsible for any deaths caused by accidents in the mines, providing a compensation of thirty taels of silver, plus support for raising any children in the family to adulthood. It's all written in black and white on it. Anyone who can read can take a look."

To be honest, the compensation of thirty taels for the death of a person is not much, considering how much silver the coal business can bring in in a year.

Moreover, in the past, because there were many mines, the foremen were completely unconcerned about mine safety.

After he takes over, he will strictly control the operation and establish a set of mining standards to minimize casualties.

"I know a few words, let me take a look."

in the crowd.

A poor, shabby scholar stepped forward and respectfully accepted the employment document handed to him by Qin Feng.

He looked down and frowned as he read it.

The more he looked, the more excited he became.

It's all true.

The documents were very clear, including the monthly wage, the daily working hours, the amount of compensation after an accident, and if the worker was disabled, the Ministry of Works would arrange some simple jobs so that the disabled worker could earn some money to support his family.

To be honest, in all the years he had worked at the Xishan Coal Mine, he had never seen such detailed employment documents that were so considerate of the people.

Do not!

Even in the capital city, there wasn't one.

It also stated that each worker would receive a certain amount of bonus at the end of the year, depending on the coal mine's performance, ranging from a minimum of one or two taels of silver to a maximum of ten taels of silver.

Workers who perform well each month will be selected as outstanding miners and will receive a silver reward.

This……

"Sir, I know a little arithmetic and writing. I wonder if the mine needs someone like me who is literate?"

The impoverished scholar held up his employment contract.

He shouted to the people behind him:

"I've carefully reviewed the documents, and they match exactly what this gentleman said: the wage is two taels of silver, the work is four hours a day, and there are two days off per month—it's all true!"

"Of course, it is necessary to be responsible for counting working hours, taking head counts, and registering mineral resources. All of these require scholars. The salary is five taels of silver per month. You can sign up today."

It would be best if scholars could join.

He was also worried about the fact that a lot of things needed to be recorded every day at the mine. Most of the scholars in the capital were all talk and no action. They probably wouldn't even come to the mine to take a look, let alone work there.

"Then I'll join, sir. I have many fellow villagers who have no hope of passing the imperial examinations. If the mine also wants them, I'll go and call them right away!"

The impoverished scholar trembled with excitement.

Even teaching at a school wouldn't earn you five taels of silver a month.

"Alright, go ahead. I'll take as many as you have. Pay a month's wages in advance, and you can collect them when you arrive!"

"Register first; this is your salary for the next month!"

The crowd of people behind him stared wide-eyed at the loose silver in the poor scholar's hand.

They quickly surrounded them.

"Sir, I can do it too. My father and I have been working in the Xishan Coal Mine for a long time. I am willing to work with you."

"Don't push! I was here first. Two taels of silver a month! If they really give it to us, my family can survive and won't go hungry anymore!"

"Let me register. After I register, I'll go back and call people. Our village is land granted by the Prince of Yun. A few days ago, they were still mining coal there, but they haven't paid us. Our whole village is working for the adults."

"..."

In less than a moment.

Almost all the villagers near Xishan Coal Mine came over.

The registration table was completely surrounded by people.