Phi-Fic Chapter 265 Recruiting Crew
Chapter 265 Recruiting Crew
Looking at the small fish and shrimps on the small fishing boat, Li Daniu sighed deeply.
This was the harvest he had gotten from casting his fishing nets several times after going out to sea.
His fishing boat is not big and cannot go too far, so he can only fish nearby.
It is winter now, and the fish are not active and have sunk to the bottom.
During this period, the harvest from fishing at sea has become less and less.
"Oh, when will these days end?" Li Daniu muttered to himself with a sad face, his rough hands stroking the fishing net with a few fish scales stuck on it.
He sat on the boat, looking at the sea sparkling in the setting sun, wondering how much he could sell this little catch for.
Since their place became part of the Anguo territory, their lives have indeed improved a lot, but it is only enough to keep them from starving to death.
They live close to the sea, and the land was previously in the hands of the rich and powerful, so most people choose to make a living by fishing.
Later, Anguo occupied this place, and every household had land, and many factories were built here one after another.
However, there is land here, but there are very few paddy fields.
Even if each household had the high-yield rice seeds, it would not be enough for the whole family to eat.
As for the factories that were established, the number of people needed was limited. When the whole family went looking for work, no one was selected.
Therefore, in order to make life a little better, his parents stayed at home to farm, and he and his wife continued to go out to sea to fish. After all, it was some income to supplement the family expenses.
Some time ago, his wife was in advanced pregnancy, so he let her rest at home and he went out to sea to fish alone.
The cold wind was blowing, and Li Daniu tightened his worn cotton jacket.
At this time, a small fishing boat came by, and an old man on the boat shouted to him, "Li Daniu, it's so late, why don't you go home?"
Li Daniu smiled wryly and replied, "Uncle Zhao, this is just a small harvest. How will we explain it when we get back?"
When he thought of his two children who were only a few years old, his wife who was about to give birth, and his parents who were getting older and older, Li Daniu hated himself for being useless and unable to let them live a good life.
Uncle Zhao glanced at the few small fish and shrimps in his fishing boat and said, "It's all the same. At least you have a harvest. I just worked in vain. It's too late now. We can come earlier tomorrow."
Li Daniu nodded helplessly: "This is the only way."
As he said that, he picked up the oar and rowed towards the shore with Uncle Zhao.
After reaching the shore and mooring the fishing boat, Li Daniu said goodbye to Uncle Zhao and walked home with the pitiful catch.
On the way, looking at the crowd gathered around the bulletin board, Li Daniu scratched his head curiously.
"What's written on this notice board? Why are so many people looking at it?"
He muttered softly as he walked towards it.
Li Daniu could only recognize a few simple words. When the school was first established, it was intended to encourage people to learn to read voluntarily.
The county magistrate who came here to take up the post said that it would be easy for those who could read to find a job in the factory.
Because of this, many people did go and learn it.
Li Daniu naturally went to learn as well, but he was not very smart and only learned a few words after taking the time to study a few times.
Later I felt that it was wasting my time fishing so I never went there again.
Li Daniu squeezed to the front with great effort and squinted his eyes to look at the words on the notice, but he didn't recognize most of them.
"What does this say?" Li Daniu couldn't help but ask the person next to him.
"It is said that the government wants to recruit a group of crew members such as boatmen, helmsmen and sailors." The person next to him explained enthusiastically.
Li Daniu asked with some confusion: "What are you doing?"
The man continued, "They say they're organizing a team to go to the deep sea. They don't specify what they're supposed to do, but if you're selected, you'll each be given 100 taels of silver. If you successfully return, you'll get another 100 to 500 taels of silver, depending on your accomplishments. If you don't return, your family will receive 500 taels of silver as a pension."
"So many!" Li Daniu couldn't help but widen his eyes, his heart full of shock.
It would take their family more than ten years without eating or drinking to save up one hundred taels of silver.
And this way, he could get at least two hundred taels of silver, which meant he could work less for thirty years.
"That's true, but everyone knows the dangers of the deep sea. The boat can capsize if you're not careful. Besides, there's no telling when we'll be able to return. The ship also said it'll take at least a year or two."
Yes, fishermen like them know best the dangers at sea.
But the government gave so much.
If you are selected and come back alive, you will get at least two hundred taels of silver. If you can't come back, six hundred taels of silver will be enough for your family to live a lifetime without doing anything.
Thinking of his parents, two children, and his wife who was working hard with a big belly, Li Daniu's heart began to beat uncontrollably.
He looked at the kind-hearted person and quickly asked, "How do I sign up?"
The man looked at him in surprise. "You should go. The place and time for registration are written below the notice."
Li Daniu hurriedly looked down, but unfortunately, he didn't recognize anything except one or two simple words.
"Young man, could you please read it to me?"
"Row."
The man was quite straightforward and read him the relevant registration details.
After hearing this, Li Daniu felt relieved. He hurriedly thanked the man and rushed home with his catch.
At the same time, countless people who saw the generous rewards chose to take risks.
On the day of registration, the place was packed with people, all of whom were poor people who wanted to risk their lives.
On the other side, Yun Zhi attended the morning court the second day after arranging people to recruit personnel there.
After finishing all the affairs of the day and waiting to adjourn the court, the ministers were surprised by Yun Zhi's words.
"I have decided to form a team to explore new countries across the deep sea, establish trade relations with them, and find more development opportunities for Anguo, so that Anguo will become more prosperous."
The ministers looked at each other, unable to believe what Yun Zhi said.
Your Majesty, what nonsense are you talking about? You are looking for a country across the deep sea.
How could there be someone on the other side? There is endless ocean all around them.
Sending people to cross the deep sea is like sending them to their deaths. Moreover, ships need to be built to go out to sea, which is equivalent to spending a lot of financial resources to do something that is impossible to succeed.
A minister stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, this is absurd. I have never heard of a country on the other side of the deep sea. Please reconsider."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. Just treat it as a new country across the way. The unknown risks are too great. It would be better to focus on developing our country, so that it can prosper and our people can live and work in peace." Another minister echoed.
When the ministers came out one by one to persuade Yun Zhi to think twice, Tang Qiuwan's eyes lit up.
Your Majesty truly has a long-term vision and extraordinary courage.
From the perspective of people in her later generations, His Majesty's decision is very likely to usher in a new era.
And she was able to witness this new era with her own eyes.
At this moment, she was trembling with excitement.
Tang Qiuwan looked at Yun Zhi who was sitting on the dragon throne with admiration.
An ancient man who was constrained by many limited thoughts could have such bold and forward-looking ideas, which really made her say that it was no wonder that Yun Zhi could be an emperor.
Looking at the ministers who were still asking His Majesty to revoke his decision, Tang Qiuwan took a deep breath, calmed down his excitement, and stood up.
"Your Majesty, I think this is feasible." Tang Qiuwan's voice was clear and firm.
The ministers' eyes instantly focused on her, full of surprise, confusion, and even a hint of dissatisfaction.
Tang Qiuwan continued, "Although the deep sea is full of unknowns, it also contains infinite possibilities."
"As Your Majesty said, if we can successfully establish contact with the country across the deep sea, the benefits to our An Kingdom will be immeasurable, and this move may even open up new paths for An Kingdom."
Having said this, she suddenly paused. She raised her head and looked at Yun Zhi who was sitting on the high seat, and her voice rose unconsciously.
"One day, all nations will come to pay tribute."