Kong Shouzhen was watching the workers boiling the sugar. At first, the workers were not very skilled and boiled the two pots of sugar into a paste. However, they became more proficient in these pots and the color of the sugar turned into snow white.

When Kong Shouzhen heard his boss calling him, he hurried over and asked, "My boss, do you have anything to do with me?"

Zhao Fuxiang nodded and said: "Lao Kong, come with me to Fucheng, there are some important things!"

The sugar had just started to be boiled here. Kong Shouzhen was still a little worried and asked: "Boss, who will be in charge here after Kong is gone? Is it Fan Jian?"

"Fan Jian can't do it, he has to stay with me!"

Kong Shouzhen's words put Zhao Fuxiang in a bit of a dilemma. Fan Jian and Kong Shouzhen were both gone. Could these refugees, who had just had enough to eat, passively slow down their work?

Zhao Fuxiang thought for a while and then said: "Fan Jian, go and call the three foremen!"

When the three foremen arrived, Zhao Fuxiang said: "Everyone has worked hard during this period. My boss, I have decided to give each of you a reward of one tael of silver, but it cannot be distributed yet. It will not be distributed until all the sugar is boiled!"

When the three foremen heard about returning the money, they all said with a smile: "Thank you for the reward, sir. Please rest assured, sir, we have become much more skilled and we will not let our employer suffer any more losses!"

The three foremen thought that the boss was afraid that they would slow down work. In fact, Zhao Fuxiang did not care about such a small loss. He was afraid that if he was not on the island, the workers would run away. You must know that these guys know the complete process of refining white sugar. If they run away

If you go out, you will suffer huge losses.

After hearing this, Zhao Fuxiang smiled and nodded: "Yes, Mr. Kong and I are going out in the next few days. You three foremen are in charge here. Let's discuss whatever happens. If you don't understand, just wait until I come back to solve it! As for safety

Don’t worry about the problem, I’ve said hello to the Inspection Department, they will send people to stay here permanently, you don’t want to cause trouble, you know?”

People in the Ming Dynasty were generally afraid of officials. In addition, they all signed a death contract with Zhao Fuxiang. If they escaped and were caught, it would be a dead end. So when Zhao Fuxiang said this, he repeatedly promised to do as the master ordered.

After the arrangements were completed, Zhao Fuxiang took Kong Shouzhen and Fan Jian and left Xinbu Island by boat. When they arrived at Haidian Island, Zhao Fuxiang was still uneasy and said to the boatman Lao Huang: "Lao Huang, you don't want to go to the island these days. Regardless of the island.

Whatever happened, I will tell you everything when I get back!"

Lao Huang didn't understand what it meant, but Zhao Fuxiang was the boss, so he nodded and agreed. Now Zhao Fuxiang was completely relieved. Xinbu Island is right in the center of the Nandu River, more than 700 meters away from Haidian Island, and on the other side of the river.

It was more than a thousand meters long. The water temperature was extremely low on this cold day, and even if the water quality was good, it would not be able to swim more than three hundred meters.

Because he had forgotten what the old man told him, Zhao Fuxiang did not dare to go home and went directly to the ferry. At the ferry, Zhao Fuxiang specifically told Fan Tong to quickly form a joint defense team and not forget to go to Xinbu Island.

patrol.

Fan Tong said that the manpower had been hired. In order to ensure combat effectiveness, he even went to his son Zhang Rong and asked Zhang Rong to send two personal soldiers to train them. However, there were some procedures to go through at the Inspection Department and some money was needed.

Zhao Fuxiang knew as soon as he heard that Fan Tong was being naughty, but Zhao Fuxiang had no choice but to take out twenty taels of silver and give it to Fan Tong, asking him to solve the problem of the inspection department.

Fan Tong, who had taken the money, nodded repeatedly and said that he must not delay Mr. Zhao's errand, and that the patrol team would be set up in a few days.

After crossing the ferry, Zhao Fuxiang hired a carriage, got in with Kong Shouzhen and rushed to Fucheng.

Haidian Island is twelve miles away from Fucheng. Zhao Fuxiang closed his eyes and thought in the car. He was thinking that it was unreliable to only rely on discipline to control the refugees under his command. Now these guys can still be obedient in order to have enough food, but

How many years will it take? When these guys learn the craft, other companies will definitely pay high prices to poach them, just like they poached Shen Fu to bake bricks.

Kong Shouzhen was very clever. Seeing Zhao Fuxiang's eyes closed and not speaking, he knew that his boss was worried, so he quickly asked: "Does my boss have something on his mind? Tell me and see if Kong can help!"

Zhao Fuxiang heard it right! This guy is a scholar and has a very clever mind. Listen to what he has to say.

"Brother Kong, Zhao has a problem now. You also know that our sugar factory produces high-quality white sugar. Now the refugees are able to work hard to have enough to eat, but what about the future? How can we prevent them from changing jobs?"

Kong Shouzhen didn’t know the meaning of changing jobs. After listening to Zhao Fuxiang’s explanation, she understood that it meant changing jobs. Kong Shouzhen smiled and said: “My boss, this matter is very simple. Didn’t you sign a death contract with them? If they run away, they are runaway slaves. Catch them back.”

It’s a matter of death!”

Kong Shouzhen forgot that he was also one of the people who signed the death contract a few days ago, and now this plan is really vicious and cruel.

Although Zhao Fuxiang is shameless, he is generally quite generous. He does not want to use his status to restrict his subordinates. After listening to Kong Shouzhen's words, he frowned and said: "Brother Kong, this is too cruel. It is the birth of heaven and earth. I don't want to do this.

Are there any other good ways?"

Kong Shouzhen thought for a while and then said: "Then we have to win back people's hearts. They are all refugees and they want stability most. The boss can provide them with housing and let them get married. With the fetters of family, they will never leave the boss!"

"

Zhao Fuxiang heard that this was a good idea. It was a bit like the middle-class approach used by the American imperialists in later generations. They gave you high wages and gave you a high social status and sense of honor. At the same time, through education, housing, and medical care, the three big mountains were being reversed.

It’s a great way to exploit you!

Having solved the problem in his mind, Zhao Fuxiang was also very happy and said to Kong Shouzhen: "Brother Kong, how can you become a naturalized scholar in Qiongzhou as a scholar?"

Scholars in the Ming Dynasty were under the control of the province. Kong Shouzhen was a scholar from Shandong, so he had no status here in Qiongzhou.

When Kong Shouzhen heard Zhao Fuxiang ask about it, he smiled bitterly and said: "Haha, Kong has become a refugee, what kind of scholar is he? If he hadn't been taken in by his employer, Kong would have starved to death like those people!"

By this time, the carriage had arrived at the Nandu River Wharf outside the east gate of Fucheng. A large number of refugees from the south had gathered here, hoping to work odd jobs at the wharf to earn a living. However, there was a mixed crowd at the wharf, and these powerless outsiders had to be subjected to local restrictions.

Exploited by the government and oppressed by local mafia gangs, life was really difficult.

Seeing these refugees who were like walking corpses, Kong Shouzhen, who had just got rid of his refugee status, felt the same way. He knelt down in front of Zhao Fuxiang and begged: "My boss, Kong knows that you are kind-hearted. Please save us refugees. They are really suffering!"

It doesn't matter to Zhao Fuxiang whether these refugees die or not? But Zhao Fuxiang is interested in these tens of thousands of laborers. These are the remaining strong laborers after traveling thousands of miles. It would be a pity if they cannot use them.

Zhao Fuxiang thought for a while and came up with a good idea. He said: "Brother Kong, get up quickly. You know I don't have much money, so I can't save them all! But I won't just watch them starve to death. Brother Kong will save them when he is free."

Bring the leaders of these refugees, how about I provide you with some jobs?"

This was most appropriate, and Kong Shouzhen thanked the kind-hearted Mr. Zhao repeatedly.

Zhao Fuxiang saw that Kong Shouzhen was still knelt down and kowtowed to thank him, so he quickly helped him up and said, "Brother Kong, if I want to save them, I need your help!"

Kong Shouzhen has nothing now. Even her freedom was given by Zhao Fuxiang just a few days ago. So what can I do to help Zhao Fuxiang?

Kong Shouzhen heard what Zhao Fuxiang said and quickly asked: "If there is anything my boss needs Kong to do, please just tell me!"

Zhao Fuxiang laughed: "That's right, I want to make friends with a juren outside the city, but they look down on my status as a businessman and have sent back the gifts several times, so I want to use my identity as Brother Kong to make friends.

Look at this Zhang Juren!"

Although Kong Shouzhen was a scholar with an unclear identity, Kong Shouzhen's background could help. After all, Kong Laoer's name was still very famous. Zhao Fuxiang firmly believed in his heart that with his ability to deceive, as long as that

If Zhang Juren can see him, he will definitely be fooled by him...! No! Impressed!

Kong Shouzhen thought it was something. After hearing what Zhao Fuxiang said, he smiled and said: "It turns out that it is something like this. Please rest assured, my boss. Although Kong is not well-known in Shandong, he has made one or two friends. He will definitely be able to accomplish this for his boss."

Something!”

Zhao Fuxiang was overjoyed when Kong Shouzhen promised him. It wasn't that he hoped to make friends with Zhang Juren, but Zhang Juren's identity was too awesome. His teacher was Huang Daozhou, and he was ranked among the top troublemakers in the Donglin Party. With this identity, he would be a toad in the future.

After Emperor Zhu Yousong proclaimed himself emperor in Nanjing, he could use Zhang Juren's connections to enter the officialdom. Although he would not become a civil official, it was more than enough to become a military attache.

Thinking of this, Zhao Fuxiang quickly told Kong Shouzhen Zhang Juren's address and name. At the same time, he also told Kong Shouzhen to invite Zhang Juren out for a meal, so as to create an opportunity for Zhao Fuxiang and Zhang Juren to meet each other.

The two got off the carriage at the south gate, and Zhao Fuxiang asked: "Fan Jian, where is the house Zheng Song mentioned?"

"Sir, it's on Ma'an Street in Dongcheng, close to the Qiongshan County Government Office. It's very secluded!"

Zhao Fuxiang nodded: "Okay, Fan Jian will lead the way, let me see how this house looks like?"

Ma'an Street is in Dongcheng. In addition to the Qiongshan County Government, the county school, the government school and the Confucius Temple are also located in this area. Because there are government agencies stationed there, the public security is very good and it is quiet.

Ma'an Street is close to the east gate. There are six houses in the alley, and the second house is Zhao Fuxiang's yard.

Fan Jian came to the door and opened it, shouting: "Lao Yu, the master is back!"

Following Fan Jian's cry, an old man in his fifties came out of the courtyard. Hearing Fan Jian say that the master was here, the old man quickly put down his work and came out to greet him.

The old man was stunned when he saw Zhao Fuxiang and Kong Shouzhen. Although Zhao Fuxiang was standing in the middle, Zhao Fuxiang was wearing an ill-fitting robe and a small hat. He looked like a housekeeper and accountant, but he definitely didn't look like a wealthy man with a fortune of tens of millions.

On the other hand, the middle-aged scholar at the back, although wearing a long coarse cloth, has the look and demeanor of a scholar. He is probably Mr. Zhao.
Chapter completed!