The next morning, Zhu Ping'an took more than a dozen county clerks as well as Liu Mu, Liu Dadao and others to the northern suburbs flood refuge area.
After the people and refugees in the northern suburbs flood refuge had breakfast, Zhu Pingan gathered everyone together, stood on a high place, and used a homemade loudspeaker to announce the policy of work-for-relief to everyone.
"My fellow countrymen, from today on, Jingnan will begin to implement work-for-relief. What is work-for-relief? Simply put, it means..."
Zhu Ping'an had just said the beginning when the people and refugees in the flood shelter below burst into laughter.
"What? Did I hear you right? From now on, you're going to make us work and not provide us with food anymore?!"
"Oh my God, there is no way for us to survive."
"Damn it, the county magistrate is such a piece of shit. He reduced our allowance a few days ago, and now he doesn't even provide us with food. He keeps saying that he is our parent official. Bah, he doesn't give us a way to live, and is forcing us to death. It's better to rob him than to starve to death. I don't believe that they can stop us with so many of us..."
For a moment, the people and refugees below were outraged, and the situation seemed to be getting out of control.
"My fellow countrymen, don't get excited, just listen to me. I will no longer give out free porridge in Jingnan, but I will pay you wages. As long as you participate in the construction projects organized by the county government, the county government will pay you wages every day, no less than 20 coins per person per day. Work on the same day, settle on the same day, and I will never owe you even a penny! The official documents on work-for-relief will be posted all over the city later. My promises are all written in black and white, and are stamped with my seal. There is no falsehood, just like when we defended the city against the Japanese pirates! If you violate your promise, you can take down the official documents and go to the city to report me, Zhu Ping'an, to the governor!"
Zhu Ping'an stood on a high place, like a magic needle that stabilizes the sea, holding up a loudspeaker and speaking loudly to everyone.
"What? No porridge, but wages, no less than 20 coins per person per day?! That's 600 coins a month?! Is it that good?! I asked someone to find a connection and finally found a job as a kitchen helper at Mr. Liu's house in town, but he only paid me 400 coins a month."
"Pay wages? Really? The county magistrate is truly our father and mother. We kowtow to him."
"Why are you still asking us to work? What kind of work? Isn't it tiring... It would be better if we could just give out porridge like before."
"Bah, Liu Laonuo, you are such a lazy guy. There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. You want to eat for free all your life? It's such a good thing to get paid for work. Each person gets no less than 20 coins a day. If the family saves for a month or so, the money for building a house will be settled. If you work hard, you can also save enough for your wife."
After hearing what Zhu Ping'an said, the common people and refugees below were all excited. The daily wages were no less than twenty cents, and the payment was made on the same day. Even if some people tried to cheat and cause trouble, they were still taught a lesson by the people around them.
With the endorsement of the reward for fighting the Japanese pirates, the people had full faith in Zhu Ping'an's promise.
Of course, some people have raised concerns.
"Master Magistrate, I have a lot of strength and can work in exchange for relief, but what about my wife and my child? My child is only three years old and can't do anything except eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and playing."
"That's right, sir. My father is already seventy years old. How can he work?"
Zhu Pingan took everyone's concerns into consideration. He comforted them, "Don't worry, I have taken all these into consideration. The elderly, the weak, women and children can help with cooking, washing clothes, mending clothes, collecting firewood and fetching water, and other light and capable work, and they will be paid the same. Of course, there are exceptions for children under ten years old, the sick, and the elderly over sixty years old. Even if they do not participate in the construction, they can still eat for free."
After hearing Zhu Ping'an's words, the old and young, women and children in the flood shelter were relieved, knowing that the county magistrate was thinking about them.
"My name is Hu Zi, sir. I am eight years old, but I am strong and I want to work and get paid."
A chubby little boy was right in front of him, not far from Zhu Ping'an. He bravely stretched out his hand.
"What are you talking about, little brat?" A woman was frightened when she saw her son talking so boldly. Fearing that he might offend Zhu Ping'an, she quickly pulled him back and scolded him. Then she knelt down hastily and kowtowed to Zhu Ping'an, "Master Magistrate, my son is ignorant..."
"Sister, please stand up quickly. Although your son is young, he is brave and responsible. I have not praised him enough, so how can I blame him?" Zhu Pingan gave the woman a false hand and asked her to stand up, and said in a gentle voice to comfort her.
"Huzi, right? It's great that you have such ambition. You and other children who want to participate in work-for-relief are welcome to do so. You can collect firewood, pick vegetables, and do whatever you can. As long as you work hard, you can get paid. In addition, you can also have free meals."
Then, Zhu Ping'an praised Hu Zi, making Hu Zi very proud in front of a group of friends.
Collecting firewood, picking vegetables, washing vegetables... These small jobs are very easy for children of this generation. They are often ordered by their parents to do these jobs at home. It is not tiring, heavy or dangerous, and not only do they get free meals, but they can also get paid. Families with children are very happy, as this is a pleasant surprise for them.
"Mr. Magistrate, what kind of work is provided by the Work-for-Relief Program? How long will it take us to do it?"
Someone asked with concern.
"The first category is public works related to the public interest, such as building water conservancy facilities, repairing city walls, reclaiming wasteland, etc.; the second category is post-disaster reconstruction, which is to rebuild the homes of all the fellow villagers, build houses, etc.; the third category is anti-Japanese fortifications, such as watchtowers, fortresses, etc. ... ... There are many projects, and the fellow villagers have worked hard." Zhu Ping'an explained briefly to everyone using a loudspeaker on the high slope.
"What? You built a house for us and you still want to pay us? The magistrate is really our parent."
"The county magistrate is truly our great Lord. These projects are all for the long-term stability of Jingnan."
"We are not afraid of hard work, but we are afraid that there is not enough work for us to do. Please give the order quickly, the county magistrate, we have been wanting to stretch our muscles for a long time."
The people in the audience were extremely excited, with enthusiasm on their faces, and they couldn't wait to roll up their sleeves and start working.
The people’s hearts can be used.
Zhu Ping'an stood on the high slope, took in the expressions of the people below, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Of course, there is no order without rules, and the same applies to work-for-relief. The rules are very simple. First, abide by discipline and follow orders. Second, do not cheat or slack off. Once you are found cheating or slacking off, your wages will be deducted depending on the situation. If you commit the same offense three times in a row, no matter who you are or what the situation is, you will be expelled and will not be employed again."
In order to ensure the smooth implementation of work-for-relief, Zhu Ping'an announced the rules of work-for-relief in public.
"Don't worry, County Master. We will definitely do our best. If anyone dares to cheat, we will not let him off."
Everyone below expressed their opinions.