vstars Chapter 211 Recommends the Xie Family, Criminal Camp
Chapter 211 Recommends the Xie Family, Criminal Camp
"Choose the Xie family!"
These were the words that Yang, the bailiff, said to Wen Yuanqian before leaving the side hall.
Not only Wen Yuanqian saw these words, but other interested members of the Wen family also saw them, including Wen Wen.
While answering everyone's questions, Master He seized every opportunity to persuade them.
"Everyone, please think carefully about whether you want to become new residents or continue to remain criminals."
"Those who are interested, go with the constables outside to the room next door and wait. When it's almost time, someone will lead you to report to your respective households. Then your new life will begin. After a few years of hard work, the dawn will break! Think it over carefully. I've said all I have to say. Opportunity knocks but once."
"Just a reminder, there are no fees to register today. But if you want to register after today, it won't be as simple as just registering."
Master He paused for a moment, then continued, "At that time, not only will you have to spend extra money to find a guarantor from the yamen, but you will also have to spend time waiting in line. If you can get in after a year or two, you'll be lucky. If you don't get in, you'll have wasted money and time, and it'll be a huge loss!"
Master He's words of advice were truly heartfelt and earnest.
All the prisoners in the side hall fell into deep thought.
A moment later, there was movement.
"Master He, we want to join the Tang family."
"We choose the Meng family."
"I choose the Xie family."
Once someone sets a precedent, it becomes easier for others to follow suit.
The person who made the choice then left the side hall and went to the adjacent room to wait.
With most people gone, only about a hundred people remained in the side hall, and the Wen family was definitely among them.
Master He glanced at the remaining people, searching his mind for information about them, his gaze sweeping over their faces one by one.
These people were originally rich and powerful, so it's understandable that they didn't want to join those three families. However, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. When they need something from the government, the money in their hands will eventually end up in the government's pockets, and then their purses will be bulging.
Thinking of this, Master He's smile became even more sincere. "If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. I will answer them to the best of my ability."
Since that's the case, let's ask and find out the details first.
"Master He, do the criminals have a place to stay?"
"Master He, how far is the criminal's residence from the mountains to the north?"
"Master He, what's the situation with the mountains to the north?"
Master He raised his palm and pressed it down, "...Everyone, don't rush, let me explain slowly."
“The criminals had a unified camp, but the conditions were definitely not comparable to those of the new residents. It was neither close nor far from the mountains to the north, and it took some time to go back and forth. So, in order to save time, some criminals would build a makeshift shack near the foot of the North Mountain. Over time, the foot of the North Mountain became a gathering place.”
Wen Yuanqian asked the question that the Wen family cared about most, "Master He, are there any restrictions from the yamen on setting up a shack at the foot of the mountain?"
"No, it's up to you. As long as you bring the ore to the government office to be weighed at the end of each month, there will be no other restrictions."
Wen Qilin then asked, "Master He, can we build houses at the foot of any mountain in the north?"
Master He frowned and said, "In principle, yes, but there are wild animals in the deep mountains, so many people mine in the outer areas. After all, with a little effort, a family can get enough ore from the outer areas."
Next, we'll discuss some details.
Master He patiently answered everyone's questions in the side hall.
The commotion came from the next room.
Through the window, Wenwen saw a group of constables leading prisoners who had registered out of the courtyard.
"Those going to the Tang family, come with me."
"This is the way to the Meng family's house."
"Family member Xie, come with me."
The noise outside started quickly and then disappeared just as fast.
Everything is calm.
Looking at the people in the side hall, Master He's kind expression vanished, replaced by an extremely serious one. "Alright, come with me. I'll take you to the camp that the yamen has arranged for everyone."
Master He's sudden change of expression made the people in the side hall feel uneasy. They were afraid of offending the local official, who might give them a hard time if they were new to the area, and they wouldn't be able to have a good winter.
The group followed Master He out of the yamen, turned through several bustling streets, exited the north gate, and walked further and further into the desolate area. They finally reached the vicinity of the camp after crossing a sandy area.
The so-called camp was just a dilapidated group of houses, leaning precariously, with crumbling walls and drafts everywhere. They were afraid that a tornado might sweep the houses into the air.
At this time, you can still see some children and elderly people huddled in the corner. They are shivering from the cold. When they see newcomers, they immediately look away when their eyes meet.
When they arrived at the most desolate and dilapidated area, Master He pointed to a row of thatched huts in front of him and said, "These are your houses. You will stay here since you just arrived."
here?
A sense of sorrow filled everyone's hearts.
As expected, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
The houses we just passed were mud houses, which were drafty but at least had tiled roofs. But these houses are thatched huts, and judging by their appearance, a strong wind could blow the thatch away at any moment.
Someone asked ingratiatingly, "Master He, it's so cold. A gust of wind could blow the thatched hut away. Where can anyone live? I see there are empty mud houses up ahead. Could we go and stay there?"
“Oh dear, that won’t do. Those mud-brick houses are specifically for families who are waiting in line for new resident status. It’s not that I don’t want you to live there, but only families registered with the government can live there. As you know, there have been quite a few criminals exiled to the northern desert over the years. There are too many people and not enough houses. When the next batch arrives, there might not even be any thatched huts available.”
Master He spoke sincerely; the sincerity in his eyes was enough to win an award.
Someone pointed to a grove of trees in the distance and asked, "What about over there? There are a lot of houses over there?"
Master He stroked his beard, his smile now reaching his eyes, and said with a chuckle, "That's where the new residents live. However, you can't go there. Be careful not to cross the line. See those trees? Those trees are the boundary. That side is Tang family territory, and this side is the criminals' territory. I advise you not to cross the line... Also, going north from here leads to the gathering place at the foot of the mountain. I won't accompany you there."
Master He pursed his lips. "By the way, your camp is the 28th camp area. There are only a few days left until the end of the month. Lord Hu said that you should rest for the next few days. When we start work on time next month, we will give you a month's worth of brown rice. When we deliver the ore, we will use the ore to offset the cost. Do you understand?"
Seeing everyone nod, Master He added, "This place is not like the capital. There are people you can't afford to offend everywhere. When mining, be careful not to cross the line. Be careful when you come into the city to buy things, otherwise, even the yamen can't save you if you cause trouble. Remember that!"
After finishing his sentence, Master He turned and walked away with a flourish.
After the clerk had gone far away, Wenwen went into the thatched hut at the very end and looked around. When she came out, she said with a smile, "Grandfather, this hut is quite big. Let's fix it up and repair it!"