"We can instruct the officers and soldiers guarding the city to bring these refugees to Yanghuafang. Such a large number of people will definitely cause difficulties for Fang Chen in managing Yanghuafang."
"We can bribe a few of them by the way. If Fang Chen expels the refugees and lets them cause trouble, we can join him. Just say that he doesn't care about the lives of the refugees!"
"With us adding fuel to the flames, His Majesty won't be able to punish him even if he wants to!"
The more the man talked, the more excited he became. Zhang Yu's eyes were filled with relief: "Just do as you say!"
There was a burst of evil laughter all around.
At this time, Fang Chen was sitting in the tea shop drinking tea, opposite Hongxiu.
The pretty maid briefly talked about the affairs of Wenxuanfang. These days, according to Ye Xue'e's request, she went to Wenxuanfang to find out a lot of information from Fang Chen.
I heard that Liu Yuanqing built some kind of Wenxuan Pavilion, which attracted the scholars of Wenxuanfang to advocate it.
Fang Chen smiled disdainfully: "It's just a piece of trash that just whitewashes the peace. There's nothing worth caring about."
Hongxiu nodded her little head: "I think so too. That Wenxuanfang is just as smelly as the previous Yanghuafang. In comparison, I still think you did a good job, Mr. Manager."
Fang Chen smiled and said, "This is just the first step. From now on, Yanghuafang will only get better and better, and you and your sister will be comfortable living here."
"Hmm, by the way, Mr. Fang, do you want to come to our place for dinner?" Hong Xiu invited.
Fang Chen smiled and rubbed Hong Xiu's little head: "No, I have something else to do."
After being beaten by Her Majesty the Empress, Fang Chen knew that he could not get too close to Ye Xue'e now, as the imperial capital was always crowded with people.
And now the bet between him and Liu Yuanqing is still in progress. It would be bad if the other party sends someone to inquire about the information and happens to meet Ye Xue'e.
Hearing Fang Chen's refusal, Hongxiu left with some regret.
The little girl had a feeling in her heart that Ye Xue'e would feel better after seeing Fang Chen.
That's why the invitation was made.
Hong Xiu left, and Fang Chen returned to the Military and Horse Division. Li Yun had been waiting for him for a long time.
As soon as he saw him coming, he hurried forward and said, "Master Fang, you are here."
"If you have anything to say."
Li Yun said with a bitter face: "The official has done some calculations. Now there are more than 300 people in the urban management brigade. Each person earns three taels of silver per month, which means he will have nearly 100 taels of silver this month. I'm afraid the Bingma Division won't be able to get this money."
Come out."
The salaries of soldiers and horses are naturally paid by the imperial court, and even though the urban management brigade is now called the soldiers and horses.
But this matter has not yet been reported, and Li Yun felt that even if it were reported, neither the Ministry of Household Affairs nor the Ministry of Officials would regard the urban management officers who were originally local ruffians as official servants of the imperial court.
That means that this money has to be removed by the Soldiers and Horses Division himself.
But how could the Xicheng Army and Horses Division get such money?
Therefore, although the urban management department has made the work of the Military and Horse Division much easier these days, Li Yun is really not happy.
Hearing that this guy was worried about this, Fang Chen laughed: "What do I think is a big deal? Is this it?"
Li Yun said hurriedly: "Oh, my Lord Fang, this is not a trivial matter. You don't know the situation of our Military and Horse Department. The Ministry of Revenue only gives us so little money every month, how can we have so much money?"
Go support these three hundred people."
Fang Chen squinted: "You don't need to worry about this little thing. I will take care of the money issue. All you have to do is continue to recruit people for me."
Although Yanghuafang is a small city, it has a large population, with less than 10,000 people living there.
Just rely on these 300 people to manage all aspects of Yanghuafang. Just dream.
Li Yun gave a wry smile: "Master Fang can only say that he will try his best in this matter."
The gangsters in Yanghuafang have all been recruited, and the rest of the people have jobs or things to do of their own.
Who has nothing to do to work as a temporary worker? Therefore, Fang Chen, who found that he was short of manpower, has been thinking hard about how to solve this problem these days.
But he didn't expect that someone would send it to him soon.
The next day, early morning.
Fang Chen was still in his sleep when Li Yun called him angrily.
"What? The sky is falling?"
Seeing the anxious look on Li Yun's face, Fang Chen asked unhappily, "I'm having a sweet dream!"
How dare you wake me up!
Li Yun said anxiously: "Oh my Lord Fang, please go to Fangshi and have a look. Something big has happened."
"What happened?"
Hearing that something happened in Yanghuafang, Fang Chen's sleepiness was instantly dispelled.
Li Yun said in a hurry: "Early this morning, a large number of people broke into Yanghuafang."
"Who is so brave!" Fang Chen's eyes darkened.
Li Yun: “Refugees!”
…
"Food! We want food!"
"Quick! Give us something to eat! I'm so hungry!"
On Fangshi Street, every household and vendor stall owner looked carefully at the group of people on the street.
This group of people had unkempt hair, sallow complexions, thin skin, sunken eye sockets, and looked in a miserable state.
The food on the surrounding stalls was almost glowing green when he looked at it. Fortunately, there were people from the Soldiers and Horses Division guarding the surroundings, so these people were not allowed to mess around.
Otherwise, I might have to buy it for zero yuan just for this battle!
"Everyone give way! Everyone give way! Lord Fang is here!"
A sharp-eyed urban management officer saw Fang Chen rushing this way with Li Yun, and quickly scolded the crowd.
The crowd dispersed, and Fang Chen saw the refugees Li Yun was talking about.
Listening to Li Yun's story along the way, Fang Chen finally understood the origins of the group of miserable victims in front of him.
They were fleeing from the south along the way. Floods and food shortages broke out in the south.
The court's disaster relief efforts failed, resulting in countless people starving to death. This group of people fled all the way begging for food.
A few days ago, I was expelled outside the imperial capital by the officers and soldiers from the outer city. I don't know why I suddenly broke in today and found out that I had arrived at Yanghuafang.
If you pick up something, grab it. If the urban management team is not on patrol, step forward immediately to stop it.
I'm afraid many shops will be looted at this moment.
At this time, the people in Yanghuafang had a very good impression of the urban management.
Looking at the group of victims clamoring for food, Fang Chen tutted, "The child is hungry, and the child's mother will come."
"Which one of you is the leader?" Fang Chen shouted.
The refugees all showed fear in their eyes and did not dare to speak.
Fang Chen immediately changed his way of speaking and said loudly: "If you want to eat, follow me!"
The refugees became energetic one after another, and Fang Chen took out the one hundred taels of silver notes he carried from his sleeve.
They were all rewarded to him by the Queen and Her Majesty the Empress for his meritorious service. Although he didn't care about the money, he would always carry some with him on weekdays.
Handing the banknote to Li Yun, Fang Chen said: "Go and buy me some big cakes and steamed buns. Rice is the best. The more the better! Send it to the Soldiers and Horses Division."
Li Yun immediately took the money to do something, and the refugees gathered around him. The hungry man couldn't stand it anymore and looked at Fang Chen blankly.