Chapter 19: Not Worrying About Poverty But Worrying About Inequality

  The military dependents heard Han Kouer's severe tone, and that little thought immediately dissipated with the wind. If they really had to do it as the adults said, without any miscellaneous things, sneaking around to make a pool was not worth it.

  Many people have already estimated in their hearts how many ponds can be opened in Majiatun, excluding the shares of adults, and how many blocks of ponds these military households can divide, how much salt one block can produce, and how much income they can get in a year.

  When they finished whispering to each other, every one of them had a joyful expression on their face.

  "The adults have spoken" Han Xiao'er saw that the timing was almost right, so he announced what Yang Bo had entrusted him to say: "The adults said that the divided land will definitely be distributed to each household, but if you want to get more and live a good life, you need to make an effort. Whoever has made efforts for Maojia Village, whoever makes more efforts, will get more land, is it fair or not?"

  As soon as they heard this, everyone got anxious and shouted: "We don't have anything else, aren't we working hard every day?"

  Han Xiao'er shook his head: "Forget about those things, now that the adults are here, how to make amends, we have to recalculate..."

  Seeing the puzzled eyes of the military dependents, Han Xiaoer continued: "The adults are still thinking about it, but I heard that the adults are preparing to establish a salt protection team recently. Those who want to go should hurry up and sign up. As long as they can be selected, they will definitely get more ponds..."

  The so-called military households and farmers in Maojiatun are not much different, they don't have to fight or anything, so they basically haven't had any training. Now hearing that there will be a selection, many people's hearts are racing with excitement.

  "What is the purpose of the adults forming this salt protection team?" an old military household asked

  "Later on, these ponds will all be yours. What if some lazy gluttons from nearby sneak into your ponds to steal salt?" Han Xiao'er asked back.

  "A few little thieves, don't be afraid, I can handle several of them" Li Er Gou patted his chest and shouted.

  Other military households also shook their heads, and they were somewhat moved in their hearts. This Lord Yang was too meticulous, even considering the theft of salt.

  "How many can you hit?" Han Yuer turned around and looked at Li Erdou

  "The three least" Li Er Gou got angry, tore open his tattered clothes, revealing a thin and wiry physique.

  "What if dozens of salt thieves came?" Han Chaoer didn't look at Li Er Gou's wronged face, and asked the crowd: "Can you guys handle dozens? What about dozens with long knives and bows and arrows? Can you handle that? What if hundreds come? Ah, blow it, Li Er Gou, blow again for me to hear?"

  Li Erdou scratched his head and fell silent. These military dependents hadn't even touched a long spear, let alone deal with those armed men.

  "Now you know the hardships of being an adult, don't you? Our village of Ma Family Village can't be too peaceful. There are bandits on Mt. Dafo, and salt smugglers in Xiahe Village. Recently, a new group of pirates arrived at Ping Shan Island. If they come with dozens of people, or even just over ten armed men, forcing us to hand over the silver we earned from selling salt, would you be willing?"

  "Unwilling!" After a long wait, the military households finally responded sparsely. Although they were somewhat uneasy in their hearts, a simple idea dominated their thinking: once the salt pool was divided, it would be their own thing, and the whole family would rely on this pool to live a good life. Isn't the wolf that guards its nest the most ferocious?

  "What are you worried about? The adults have already thought of a solution, just follow them wholeheartedly and they will protect you. Look at me, Han Chou, it's only been a few days?"

  The military households nodded, Han Xiao'er followed the adults running back and forth, and the adults didn't treat him unfairly. In just a few days, he was promoted to the position of commander-in-chief. It's said that for this commander-in-chief position, the adults and Hu Datou had a fierce fight at the thousand-household office. If it were in the past, no one would have dared to think of such a thing.

  At the moment, several young and strong men asked clearly where Zhang Gou'er Xiaoqi lived after signing up, and rushed to sign up. Han Yao'er saw the disappointed eyes of several old soldiers and said: "Han Ershu, Li Dabo, you don't have to worry, the master said that now is the time to use people, no strength to participate in the salt protection team, if there are skilled craftsmen it's also possible..."

  What?

  Han's words were like a splash of water into a hot oil pan, exploding.

  "Hey, you hurry up and tell Second Uncle...!" Lao Jun grabbed Han Xiao'er's arm and shook it urgently, and Han Xiao'er was once again surrounded by people, but this time they were all old, weak, sickly, or disabled.

  Originally, the woodcutters boiled seawater and after deducting the head tax, the military households didn't get much salt. Adding to that, the salt fields' purchasing price was very low, a military household could only save less than five taels of silver in a year. You know, the current rice price is already at one tael and five mace per stone. Now, sir, you've come up with this solar evaporation method, which increases salt production, but the selling price remains the same. So, to support a family, they still need to divide several more ponds...

  "Whatever craftsmanship you have, go find Xiucai Gong to register, he's in charge of this." Han Xiaoer thought for a moment and said: "The adults are currently short of carpenters, and also need blacksmiths... and stonemasons..."

  Some military dependents used to work in the logging kiln household, and on ordinary days they would make a bed or a stool for themselves, and they had some skills, when they heard Han Chaoer's words, they ran away immediately.

  "Remember to find Xiū Cái Gōng...!" Hàn Yǎoér hastily called out towards the silhouettes, and those several military households waved their hands in acknowledgement.

  There were only a few people left on the scene. Han Ershu's face was full of embarrassment, wanting to leave but couldn't bear to part with Han Ya'er, and could only stare at her blankly.

  Han Chao'er sighed and said: "The adults have spoken, the troops do not support idle people. You can go register if you can do something. If you really don't know how to do anything... this is what we'll do..."

  Jian Han's beckoning gesture brought several old soldiers to his side.

  "If all else fails, you must have some relatives, don't you? You're also familiar with the people in Antongwei City, aren't you? Go to those artisan households and bring them over. As long as they know these skills, it's fine to bring them over. This is also a way to contribute to the village and gain merit!"

  "Remember, don't let the salt pool thing get out!" Han Chaoer saw the old soldiers nodding busily and instructed: "This is our Maojiatun's thing. If those bigwigs in the Qianhu and Weiso know about it, won't they take away our rice bowls? When the time comes, with just one order, these pools will be allocated to them, and we'll have worked for nothing! No matter what method you use, bring people to Maojiatun, and your merit will be established. Whoever lets the salt pool thing get out, not only won't they be rewarded by the bigwigs, but they'll also be severely punished! Do you all understand?"

  Han Er's stern words made those old soldiers' hearts skip a beat. Han the Second Uncle nodded and bowed: "Sir, you're right. If they find out about this salt pool, who knows how much more tax money we'll have to pay? We're not stupid, are we? So, sir, your meaning is that as long as we bring those craftsmen to Maojia Village, it's all settled?"

  A newcomer with 130,000 words finally received its first recommendation (unexpectedly two, one is Jing Xuan's selection and the other is Sanjiang Potential List). I'm a little excited. Recently, I've been writing planning-related things, and the plot has been a bit dull, but it should change soon.

  This book's data doesn't look good, but I know you guys are lazy and so am I. Generally, we don't speak up, but since it's been recommended, the data will affect future recommendations. If you've read it, take a moment to collect it. For those who have recommended it, thank you for your support. Of course, there are also many book friends who silently support me. It's not easy being new, thanks to all of you...

  During the promotion period, at least 6K, usually around 11:20 noon, 17:30 afternoon and 00:30 midnight.