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

Over the next few days.

Qin Feng kept running back and forth between Liujia Village and Xishan Coal Mine, and in his spare time he would also discuss the route planning for laying wooden rails with Ma Guogong.

It may occupy some farmland or even houses along the way.

According to Xun Gui's idea, they could just seize these places by force. Fortunately, Qin Feng had seen the planning drawings in advance; otherwise, if these people had done it this way, the whole thing would have collapsed sooner or later.

"The compensation that should be given must be given. If the houses of the people along the way are occupied, a new house will be built for them in another place. That's how this matter is handled. In the future, if the wooden rails need to transport goods, you can't possibly send people to watch over such a long line every night. If you offend the villagers along the way, needless to say, they will cut off a few of your wooden rails, and your entire business will have to stop for several days."

Hearing Qin Feng's explanation.

Duke Ma immediately slapped his thigh, his expression turning serious.

That's right!

I almost did something wrong. I need to help build a house to spend more money. If the business stops for even one day, the loss could be several hundred taels of silver.

He immediately understood Qin Feng's meaning when asked how to calculate the score.

"As for the land occupied, just buy it directly. Pay enough silver. We've already invested hundreds of thousands of taels, what's a little more silver?"

"Understood."

Duke Ma nodded hastily.

In the past, when they invested in a business, it was at most a shop in the capital. They had never done such a big business, involving so many people.

To be honest... before construction even started, the preliminary preparations alone kept him so busy that he could only sleep for two hours a day at most.

"Lord Qin, we will set off today for our hometown to prepare for the selection of timber. If all goes well, we should be able to finalize the matter in seven days at most. We will recruit craftsmen according to your idea, hiring local people along the way to do the work. This will save a lot of trouble. They can work during the day and go straight back at night."

They discussed it again.

Duke Ma led his men away from Liu Family Village and headed directly to his hometown by horse-drawn carriage.

Timber is also a major issue; a great deal of timber is needed.

Other nobles also had to return to their hometowns to find timber.

Lord Qin said something quite insightful.

time is money!

The more they pondered it, the more they realized that this statement was truly a profound truth.

If the wooden rails get up a day earlier, they can start making money.

"Sir, are these nobles capable of handling things? Such a large business, is it really appropriate to leave them to oversee the construction?"

Cao Liang, standing to the side, offered a worried reminder.

Absolutely!

These nobles, while in the capital, did nothing of substance except for eating, drinking, and having fun.

"No, they care more about making money than anyone else, especially in all the prefectures. Even I, as an official, don't have as much influence as they do. There's no need to worry about this!"

Qin Feng smiled and waved his hand, no longer thinking about it.

He now faces a problem.

There's too much land!

Who would have thought that the Duke of Ma and his several nobles would pool together hundreds of acres of land in the surrounding area and give it to him, registering it under his name.

Now, including the land in Liujia Village, the entire area of ​​land belongs to him.

The plans for planting grain and greenhouses made a few days ago must be re-planned. Now that there is so much more land, manpower and farming are all problems.

but.

Duke Ma was a clever man. The government gave him a document that, on the surface, all the land was now registered under the Duke's mansion, but in reality, another document was in his possession, and the land belonged to him.

If the civil officials knew about all this land, they would surely submit a memorial to the emperor.

"How's the waterwheel construction going? Tell the craftsmen not to leave, and have every household contribute men, thirty coins a day, with meals provided, to dig a canal in front of the river!"

Qin Feng rubbed his thigh, stood up, and gave the order.

Being an official is really difficult!

He came to the capital to clear the Qin family's name, but now he's so busy he doesn't even have time to sleep.

We must hurry and achieve certain results before we can be promoted.

Once everything is cleared up, I'll retire and go back to my hometown.

While in office, one should also make enough money.

It must be admitted that in the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was incredibly easy for officials to do whatever business they wanted.

There's no need to worry about manpower.

This saves a lot of trouble.

"Young Master!"

Just then.

Liu Tu hurriedly ran over from the village entrance, saw Cao Liang following beside him, pursed his lips and called out.

"Cao Liang, go and keep an eye on the artisan workshop. Make sure nothing goes wrong!"

Seeing that Liu Tu seemed hesitant to speak, Qin Feng found an excuse to send Cao Liang away.

"What's wrong?"

"Young master, the villagers have arrived, more than fifty people, and they are currently outside the capital."

"What?"

Upon hearing this...

Qin Feng couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"Let's go, have Niu Wu bring the carriage over, hurry out of the city to pick up the people, and bring them in first."

People from Daliu Village who want to enter the capital city need a travel permit and proper identification; otherwise, it is very difficult for them to do so.

It's not like the last time when dozens of old scholars vouched for us.

but.

Now we finally have people we can use. Although the Imperial Guard has also arranged for over a hundred people, there are some tasks that these people simply cannot do.

Strictly speaking...

The only people who truly belong to them are Niu Wu and Liu Tu.

……

Outside the capital city.

Inside a dense forest.

Qin Dali and his dozens of brothers sat on the ground, munching on dry rations while observing the situation on the distant official road.

"This caravan probably has a lot of silver, it's a pity it's too close to the city gate, otherwise, we could have pulled off another heist."

"Stop working, we're full. The young master sent a letter that said it would take us half a month to arrive. We've been robbing this and fighting with that bandit along the way, and it's taken us more than a month to get here. I wonder how the young master is doing as an official?"

"If they're in such a hurry to send us, we must not be very good at our job!"

"..."

I heard the discussions among my brothers.

Qin Dali stroked his chin and sighed softly.

He also felt that Qin Feng probably didn't do a very good job.

The letter said that the capital was short of manpower and asked the village to send some people over. If they do a good job, how could the officials still be short of manpower?

not to mention.

Along their journey, they saw many convoys transporting food and weapons, and even a considerable number of soldiers.

Judging from this situation, it seems the imperial court is about to go to war.

"Stop talking and eat quickly. The person should be out in a bit. If you don't do a good job, don't say anything."

Qin Dali glanced at everyone and gave the instructions in a low voice.

Being an official is much harder than being a thief or bandit.

Qin Feng was alone in the capital, working hard for his undercover mission. When he later thought about it in the village, he realized how difficult it really was.

"Don't worry, Boss, we understand. Before he left, the old man instructed us to give him plenty of encouragement!"

"Yes, yes, praise the young master more; these difficulties are only temporary!"

"We've arrived, haven't we? Anyone who opposes the young master, we'll tie him up tonight."

"..."

As they were talking.

Outside the woods.

"Coo coo coo!"

A bird call rang out.

"They're here!"

Qin Dali packed up the dry rations and hurriedly led his men out of the woods.

From a distance, Qin Feng's attire was quite striking: coarse cloth clothes covered in mud.

Everyone was stunned.

Finished!

Have all officials in the capital fallen to this level?

Without a doubt, he did a terrible job!