Flowers in full bloom

Chapter 678: Salary Payment

I originally thought that Hualei was just bringing up the topic of salary to win everyone's favor. There would definitely be some delay in when the salary would be paid, so it would be great if it could be paid before the end of April.

Unexpectedly, the other party directly said that it would be paid at the end of the month. Doesn’t that mean that I can get half a year’s salary in four days at the latest?

"Lord Wu is really conscientious and dedicated to his duties. Okay, go and get it." Hua Lei nodded and promised.

Wu Yousheng turned and hurried away.

"Which one of the Hufang Jieshizhong? Ask the Yincang Department to prepare the silver in advance. Once the salary list is approved, the Yincang Department will transfer the total amount of salary to the Lifang." Hua Lei asked again.

The monthly salary of officials in the Dasheng Dynasty was fixed. The only difference might be someone suddenly resigning, so there would be a slight difference in the total amount. Households generally had an approximate number, so Hua Lei asked directly.

"Your humble servant Feng Shuangxi greets you, sir. The Silver Warehouse Department has already prepared the approximate amount of salary, and we are just waiting for the specific amount on the salary list." A slightly plump middle-aged man stood up.

"That's good. Master Feng, you've worked hard. Please take a seat." It seems that no matter in ancient times or modern times, people are always anxious about their salary and take the initiative in doing things. Hua Lei secretly complained in her heart.

"Sir Feng, once the salary issue is settled, please prepare a copy of all the household records, including tax details, for me," Hua Lei ordered.

As the newly appointed head of Xichang Prefecture, Hua Lei still needs to understand how much liquid assets his family has.

"Yes, sir." Feng Shuangxi leaned over and responded.

"Okay, let's make this decision on the salary. Next, let's continue. Ladies and gentlemen, as I just said, I have just arrived in Xichang Prefecture and I don't know the situation here yet. However, there is one thing that is beyond doubt.

I believe that everyone who has served in Xichang Prefecture for many years should be well aware that our Xichang Prefecture is one of the poorest prefectures in the entire Dasheng Dynasty.

I think there are many reasons for this. As far as I know, first of all, it should be that in the past few years, Xichang Prefecture has been harassed by neighboring countries, and the people can't farm in peace, so it has seriously affected the development of our Xichang.

However, fortunately, the imperial court has signed ceasefire agreements with neighboring countries in the past few years. I think the situation has gradually improved in recent years. Therefore, we don't have to worry about this anymore.

On the other hand, I think the reason why our Xichang Prefecture is so poor is related to the geographical location of Xichang Prefecture itself.

Because it is located in the western border, far away from Shangjing City, many advanced agricultural tools and high-yield grain seeds from Shangjing City cannot be transported here, which is also an important reason why our Xichang Prefecture has not made any progress.

However, since I have become the prefect of Xichang, I will not allow Xichang Prefecture to develop in this way. I believe that everyone present here is also a key official of the Great Sheng Dynasty, and everyone has their own lofty ambitions.

Therefore, please work together in the future to contribute to improving the poverty in Xichang Prefecture. "

Hua Lei paused, looked around, and said, "While everyone is here today, let's discuss the future development of Xichang Prefecture. If you have any opinions, please feel free to speak up." As she spoke, she made a gesture of invitation, and was very humble.

Wan Tongpan sat there, looked at Rong Jin opposite him, paused slightly, stood up and bowed, saying: "Sir, Xichang Prefecture has high temperatures all year round, severe water shortage, and droughts often occur.

In addition, the soil is desertified, so the grain production is generally low, and it is difficult for the people to have enough food and clothing. I think that building water conservancy projects and increasing grain production are the most important things. "

Everyone sitting around nodded in agreement: "Yes!"

Another person said, "Sir, there is not much land under cultivation in Xichang now. Because of the war, many fields have been abandoned. In addition, the farm tools are old and inefficient, and many people just muddle through. This is also one of the reasons for Xichang's poverty."

Hualei nodded and said, "Both adults have hit the point. But it is already the end of March, and many people have already started spring ploughing.

It is not the right time to impose corvée labor and build water conservancy projects. It would be better to wait until the people finish their spring ploughing before we prepare to build water conservancy projects. "

Rong Jin, who was sitting on the side, nodded in agreement.

"As for increasing grain production, this also requires concerted efforts from many aspects. First of all, the most important thing is grain seeds. This time, I brought a lot of high-yield corn seeds and sweet potato seeds, which will take about half a month to arrive in Xichang Prefecture."

When Wan Tongpan heard this, he was a little surprised and asked, "Your Excellency has corn seeds? Is it the corn grown in Shangjing City?"

Hualei nodded and smiled, "Yes, but the quantity is limited. When the time comes, I want to plant some in some of the official fields in our prefecture city, and give it a try first. As for whether to plant in the official fields in the state capital below, we will discuss it in detail later."

"Great... Then let the Household Department plan it in advance?" Wan Tongpan asked cautiously. The official fields of the government office were managed by the Household Department.

"Okay. I'll have to trouble Judge Wan Tong to follow up on this matter for the time being." Hua Lei said cheerfully.

Judge Wan Tong nodded in agreement.

"As for the farm implements issue that this gentleman mentioned, I think it is also very important."

Hualei took the detailed list of the workshop warehouse on the desk and took a look. She felt a little disappointed. It seemed that there were not many items in the warehouse.

The local workshops had the same attributes as the Ministry of Works in the capital. In addition to routine maintenance and repair of government offices, they also made some tools needed in the local area, such as iron farm tools or large farm tools with more complicated craftsmanship.

However, there are very few valuable items in the detailed list in my hand. It seems that apart from the government office as a fixed asset, Xichang Prefecture has few other valuable assets.

"Which one of you is in the workshop?......." Before Hua Lei could finish her words, a middle-aged man stood up. "Your humble servant Hao Shijie greets you, sir."

Good season? This name! Very special. Hualei looked up and saw that he should be over fifty years old, a little thin, but very easy-going. Ignoring the suspicion in the other's eyes, Hualei spoke in a gentle voice.

"Master Hao, we don't have many items in our workshop and warehouse. Don't we have any decent farm tools? The farm tools such as plows and harrows that the people of Shangjing City used last year, have we ever made them in Xichang Prefecture?"

"My Lord, no." Hao Shijie paused and said directly, "My Lord, I have never seen any plowing cart or harrow."

Hua Lei nodded. Xichang Prefecture was located in the westernmost part of the Dasheng Dynasty. The prefect Fei at that time was promoted from a local position to the prefect.

He went back to his hometown last year to observe mourning. He probably hasn't seen the plow carts and harrows used in the capital, let alone the local officials who rarely leave Xichang Prefecture.