After hearing Xiao Hanzheng’s explanation, all the craftsmen showed shocked expressions.
They never expected the deputy governor’s wife to do such a thing.
Xiao Hanzheng still smiled gently: “I asked Deputy Governor Xiao to help hire some craftsmen for the county, and he proposed to exchange his wife with you.”
“I am a person who cherishes talents, so I agreed.”
When they were talking, it was indeed him who first proposed to ask the scumbag father to help find some skilled craftsmen.
The scumbag father’s confidant hurriedly proposed to exchange the craftsmen for his wife, so he didn’t lie.
The pit had been dug at the beginning, and the scumbag father had to jump.
It happened that the scumbag father’s confidants and followers were still here.
So he looked at the confidant and said: “Didn’t we discuss this at the beginning?”
The confidant always felt something was wrong, but it was indeed like this before.
So he could only bite the bullet and nod, “Yes, that’s what we discussed at the time.”
The attendant next to him thought, he was worthy of being the eldest son, he had already thought about how to break the master’s plan to not be alienated.
What surprised him was that Xiao Hanzheng had already made such preparations before negotiating to replace him.
No wonder, the master and the madam were repeatedly defeated by Xiao Hanzheng and his wife. How could they beat such a powerful mental method?
He looked at the craftsmen, and sure enough, their faces were not very good.
Obviously, they complained in their hearts that they were deceived, and because the lady, the deputy governor, abandoned them without hesitation.
This would make anyone unhappy.
But it has come to this point, and the attendant can’t save it.
So he looked at Xiao Hanzheng and said: “Young Master, the person you want has been delivered. When will you release the madam?”
Xiao Hanzheng smiled: “Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to personally escort your madam back to North City.”
The attendant didn’t think that Xiao Hanzheng’s move was well-intentioned.
His heart skipped a beat: “That’s not necessary.”
Xiao Hanzheng smiled and said, “No, it’s necessary.”
“Deputy Governor Xiao personally selected the craftsmen and asked you to escort them to Heyang County.”
“Since I want to exchange your madam, I naturally have to send someone to escort her back, so as not to be disrespectful.”
“And if I don’t send an escort, if something happens to her on the way, how can I explain to your deputy governor?”
He said with a tough attitude: “I can’t give him a wife as compensation.”
In Xiao Hanzheng’s territory, what can the personal attendant do? He can only agree.
“Then I’ll trouble the eldest young master.”
Would the eldest young master who hated the madam so much be so kind as to let someone escort her?
He doesn’t know what this eldest young master is up to, but he always feels that something is wrong.
Xiao Hanzheng smiled and waved his hand: “Then you can go back to the inn to rest first. Tomorrow morning, you can come to the gate of the county government office and escort your madam back to the north city.”
“Then we’ll take our leave!”
The attendant originally wanted to hear what Xiao Hanzheng would say to the craftsmen so that he could report to his master when he returned.
But the other party had already ordered them to leave, so he had no choice but to leave with the confidant.
After the two left, Xiao Hanzheng looked at the craftsmen and their families present.
“Your indentures are in my hands now.”
“I have only one request for you, do your job well, and don’t betray me.”
“I will give you 5 years. As long as you complete the tasks I assign you diligently during these years, and don’t leak any workshop technology or betray me.”
“After 5 years, I will return your indentures and your family’s indentures to you.”
“Your descendants will no longer be slaves. If they can read, they can also take the imperial examinations, or take the money they have earned over the years, find a wealthy village, buy some land, and settle down completely.”
“They will never be resold or given away again.”
The imperial court allowed the descendants of merchants and craftsmen to take the imperial examinations but didn’t allow slaves with indentures and their descendants to take the imperial examinations.
Xiao Hanzheng saw the originally dim eyes of these people light up.
He added: “And for those of you who perform well in the workshop, I can allow your descendants to study in the school in the county government that will be built soon.”
“Even if you don’t take the imperial examination in the future after you get rid of slavery, you can find a stable and decent job, such as shopkeeper, accountant, etc., which can make you live at ease.”
Hearing this, the craftsmen and their families present were all shocked.
There was such a good thing.
Before, they still had a lot of resentment in their hearts, and they didn’t have much hope for the future, and they felt very confused.
But now it’s like they were instantly injected with chicken blood, especially several old craftsmen, who wanted to burst into tears.
They signed the indenture contract out of helplessness, but it also caused their descendants to enter slavery. They thought it would be their lifelong regret.
Unexpectedly, the son of Deputy Governor Xiao wanted to release their indenture contract and make them good citizens.
One of the old craftsmen couldn’t help but say: “Is what you said true, sir?”
Was it possible that they were deceived into working first?
Xiao Hanzheng smiled and said: “Of course it is true. I can sign a contract with you and record it in the county government documents.”
“If I don’t act according to the agreement, you can sue me.”
This can be regarded as a guarantee and promise to these people to feel at ease.
Sure enough, the craftsmen were relieved after hearing this.
They saluted Xiao Hanzheng gratefully: “Thank you, sir!”
Xiao Hanzheng still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were a little sharper: “I gave you the opportunity, I hope you cherish it.”
“If anyone leaks what you are asked to do or the skills you are taught, not only will you not be able to get rid of your slavery, but you will also be imprisoned after being found out.”
“This will also be stated in the contract, we must abide by each other’s agreement.”
It’s impossible only to give sweet dates, but also hang a stick over these people’s heads.
If they betray, their descendants will not only continue to be slaves but also go to jail. The price was not ordinary.
When these people heard this, they were stunned and not as relaxed as before.
But it was understandable, after all, which master would want to see the slaves betray.
“Yes, we dare not betray the master.” They said in unison.
Being able to release slaves and allow their descendants to go to school was the motivation for them to work for the next five years.
For their descendants, they fought hard.
Now, the workshop has not been opened yet. He sent the urgent documents to the Emperor to the capital, and it would take some time for the Emperor to send rubber.
So Xiao Hanzheng asked the housekeeper to arrange for these people to stay first, and let them go to renovate and rebuild the yard behind the county government office.
Shi Qingluo sent the last wave of rubber grass seedlings taught the villagers how to plant them, and then returned to the county.
The yard was not repaired yet, and they still lived in the inn.
After she bathed, Xiao Hanzheng returned from the government office.
He told her what happened today.
Shi Qingluo smiled and said: “This time, the scumbag father is efficient.”
“Then I will go to the north city with you tomorrow.”
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