CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 462: MOVE IN

Before the end of January, the construction of Yushan Hall was completed. Zhao Hanzhang deliberately changed into the inspector’s official uniform to cut the ribbon.

She also presided over the ceremony for the admission of orphans and lonely elders into Yushan Hall.

Many workers also came to watch the excitement. After all, they earned quite a bit of wages from the Governor Mansion over the New Year, used that money to buy cheaper grain from the market, and should not suffer from famine this spring.

The farming season has not begun yet, so everyone was still free. This Yushan Hall was built by them, and having heard that the female governor would personally come to see the completion of Yushan Hall, they also came to join the festivities.

As soon as Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan stood on the high platform, a dozen people in the crowd instantly gaped in surprise.

Fan Dalang even rubbed his eyes. After confirming that the two people on the stage looked very familiar, he grabbed an elderly man beside him, "Old Hei, Old Hei, look quickly, that female governor looks like Third Sister Zhao, could she be her sister? And the man beside the governor also looks very much like Fu Dalang."

Old Hei closed his mouth and couldn’t help but slap him, "Fool, it’s not just a resemblance, that is them!"

Fu Tinghan’s former teammates didn’t understand, "Why does such a noble person enjoy coming to the construction site to work with us as craftsmen?"

Old Hei, being older and more experienced, thought about the month of relief through work and couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s because they came to work as craftsmen that we have had such a stable month."

The meals were served on time, consisting of regular steamed buns, pancakes, porridge, and bean sprouts, with the occasional meat soup;

Daily wages were paid in full and on time, the grain at the market was free from old grain and mixed debris, and the fabric was of regular quality;

This was quite incredible compared to previous relief work activities.

Realizing that this was the result of Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan working alongside them for nearly a month, Old Hei’s tears fell, and he knelt down, bowing deeply, "Thank you, governor, thank you for your wholehearted care for the people!"

The teammates beside him quickly realized and also knelt down one by one.

As they knelt, others who didn’t know the reason followed suit, creating a large wave of kneeling.

Some people recognized Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, after all, they met many people daily at the construction site while eating and receiving wages, and they willingly knelt down, prostrating on the ground.

When the workers knelt down, the orphans and lonely elders about to move into Yushan Hall followed suit. They were sincerely grateful to Zhao Hanzhang.

They didn’t yet know about their food and clothing, but at least they now had a roof over their heads to keep out the cold.

Zhao Hanzhang, who had a lot prepared to say, couldn’t utter a word as everyone knelt down.

Her sharp ears caught the sounds of kneeling thanks and discussions below.

After pausing for a moment, she said, "You are all my subjects. I hope you can live comfortably and happily, free from hunger and cold. I know it will take us a long time to achieve this, and many of you might not live to see that day, but I hope our descendants will be able to live like this."

"What we are doing is creating a peaceful and prosperous Yu State for them, where there will be no more hunger and cold," Zhao Hanzhang said loudly, "Will you strive with me for this?"

"We are willing to strive with the governor, wishing for no more hunger in Yu State!"

The crowd’s voices were a little chaotic at first but soon became uniform. Everyone repeated it in unison, and the people on the platform, including Yin Sheng, were moved to the point of blood boiling. At this moment, they finally understood why Zhao Hanzhang advocated for diligence.

If diligent governance could earn the love of the people, it would be worth it.

The people below the stage knelt as far as the eye could see, bowing to Zhao Hanzhang with some knocking their heads seven or eight times without stopping. Zhao Hanzhang, having stirred up everyone’s enthusiasm, pointed to the barren land around Yushan Hall with a smile, "Today is a good day. Since everyone is here, and in a few days it will be the second day of the second lunar month. Why not take advantage of today and go to the field to dig a hoe, hoping for a bountiful harvest this year?"

Hearing this, everyone immediately agreed and got up from the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and called over an official, "Where are the previous tools? Bring them all out, let everyone take one and start digging."

The official immediately replied, "They are still in Yushan Hall. I’ll have them brought out right away."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and smiled at the refugees with their bundles, "This Yushan Hall was built for you. Starting today, you will live, work, and learn here. Hopefully, you will support and help each other in the coming days."

Her gaze fell on the group of children, and she said gently, "May you succeed in your studies. I hope you will grow up to share my burdens and those of Yu State."

The children responded crisply.

The smile on Zhao Hanzhang’s face deepened as she waved her hand, "Alright, according to the previous division of courtyards, you can enter the hall now."

The refugees cheered. Although the sound was noisy, they entered Yushan Hall in an orderly manner according to their assigned groups.

Before their arrival, Fan Ying had already followed Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions to assign courtyards and rooms to them...

Each courtyard had a head, and each room had a room leader to manage the people in each courtyard and room.

When Yushan Hall opened, the first to enter was a group of children, led by the older ones. After entering Yushan Hall, they were divided into respective courtyards. Once inside, they lined up somewhat crookedly, and some older children even had younger ones who couldn’t walk strapped to their backs.

With a wave of the older children’s hand, the room leaders led their people to dash toward what they considered the best rooms.

If two groups liked the same room and arrived simultaneously, the room leaders would either fight or play rock-paper-scissors to decide the winner.

Zhao Hanzhang knew they were fighting and didn’t stop them as they had their own ways of resolving issues. As long as it was within her acceptable range, she was quite tolerant.

After securing their rooms, everyone entered the house where the kang size brick beds were laid with clean and dry rice or wheat straw.

The bed issue gave Zhao Hanzhang the biggest headache. With so many people, how much wood and how many carpenters would it take to make beds in time?

So after discussing with Fu Tinghan, they decided to make kang beds.

A whole row of kang beds stretched from one end of the room to the other. For safety, Fu Tinghan took people to check all the room chimneys to ensure the smoke wouldn’t back up before feeling at ease.

Rushing into the room, the children quickly grabbed the spots they liked. Since they were still small, the kang beds seemed very spacious, and even though there were many people, it still felt roomy.

After setting down their luggage, the older child in charge as the room leader beckoned, "Hurry up, we need to go to the field, the governor will be watching in a while."

"Yes, we can’t be worse than those outside, hurry up, the governor is waiting."

Everyone efficiently put away their belongings and then lined up to go out. After gathering with other rooms, they headed out under the guidance of the courtyard head.

Outside in the barren land, the onlookers enthusiastically dug the field with their hoes. Those waiting for a hoe grew impatient when they didn’t stop after seven or eight digs, "Alright, alright, you’ve had your turn, now it’s my turn."