The scene of over nine thousand people working simultaneously to excavate was grand and spectacular, giving a sense of human power overcoming nature.
The first thirty feet of road built were for experimental purposes. The ideal ratio of water, cement, and sand could be preliminarily determined by having oxen carts carry a ton of goods back and forth dozens of times.
However, construction in other areas did not halt. Thirty feet away from the experimental section, the roadbed was still being dug with great fervor, generally to a depth of one foot.
A construction team of two hundred and fifty people, responsible for tasks such as mixing cement and hauling, was assigned to build two hundred and forty feet of road per day.
The remaining less than an hour in the afternoon was not for rest. The laborers were gathered and taught literacy by scholars recruited by the court, implementing a basic education program.
Chu Chen naturally wouldn't let such an opportunity to gather so many young and strong individuals slip away.
Even at night, as long as it wasn't raining and the roads were dry, bonfires would be lit. People would be gathered to hear speeches on loyalty and patriotism, followed by singing, dancing, wrestling, and small games around the fire. After distributing a little wine, they would be dismissed to sleep.
Of course, this wouldn't happen for the first three days, as the tasks were heavy and arduous, and the workers needed a few days to adapt before having the energy for evening gatherings.
However, these activities were not suitable for Princess Xin Yue to witness, so Chu Chen did not mention them.
The two watched from the carriage for a while before returning to the city at noon.
Winter on the Qingzhou continent was a time of peace and quiet for both animals and humans. No one was willing to wage war and invade others during this season.
Even the rebellious Prince Liu, Li Mengdie, who was actively preparing for rebellion, did not plan to revolt in winter. She merely took advantage of the winter to accumulate her strength as much as possible.
Upon receiving the imperial court's orders, the prefects and county magistrates of the surrounding prefectures and counties wore troubled expressions. The higher-ups were displeased.
Was it something a human would do to send troops to quell a rebellion in winter?
After much deliberation and consultation via messengers, the prefects and county magistrates ultimately decided to feign compliance.
Thus, only five hundred men were gathered outside the city and stationed in Mengdie County to keep watch, which was considered fulfilling the order.
What was even more outrageous was that these prefects had also notified Prince Liu, Li Mengdie. Consequently, Li Mengdie merely instructed her people to be vigilant and did not intend to intervene further.
Could these poorly trained and ill-equipped county troops dare to attack the city?
The Empress in the imperial palace had no idea how the local officials were handling matters, and no one was willing to submit a memorial to inform her. Chu Chen, who knew the truth, was also unwilling to speak of it.
It was simple: how many people would freeze to death if war broke out in winter? Having hand warmers and thick hemp clothing did not make one immune to the cold. A day spent in the howling wind was entirely different from working up a sweat, or even working indoors with only a slight chill from the wind on the way.
Even when digging roads outside Shuangyue City, bonfires were lit every ten meters to provide a small amount of heat to the surroundings. Furthermore, relying on the city and surrounding counties, ginger soup and banlangen water were provided to prevent colds.
Medical practitioners were also on standby at all times, ready to treat anyone who felt unwell.
Time flew by quickly, and seven days soon arrived.
Through the efforts of nine thousand people working outside the city for seven days, a channel a foot deep and ten feet wide connecting to Guyue City was dug. This channel was not entirely filled with cement; it was for experimental purposes and primarily for alignment, ensuring that simultaneous construction from both sides would not cause the road to deviate and become unconnectable.
The excavation of the channel was a joint effort between Shuangyue City and Guyue City, not solely undertaken by one city.
After a specialist on horseback inspected that the roads could be joined, formal cement filling and paving were planned to begin the following week.
Today was Sunday. Work in the afternoon lasted for only one hour before stopping, with the remaining half-day dedicated to distributing the week's wages.
A large number of workers lined up in nine long queues, waiting to receive their pay.
"The Prime Minister truly keeps his word. He said wages would be settled in seven days, and indeed they are!"
"Of course. Have you seen who the Prime Minister is? He's a sage descended from heaven!"
The workers chatted for a few moments, and then one expressed some concern: "I hope those distributing the money won't embezzle my wages."
"They shouldn't, right? Before lining up, I specifically checked. The people distributing the money are flanked by Jin Yi Wei. With those man-eating tigers watching, I don't think those distributing the money would dare to be greedy."
"That's good, then I can rest assured."
They chatted and waited with smiles.
The Jin Yi Wei had a terrible reputation among officials, but for the common folk, the Jin Yi Wei did not bother them. Instead, they kept a close eye on the officials, pouncing on any illegal behavior they discovered, which was truly satisfying.
Therefore, in the eyes of the common people, they had a good reputation.
Such a secret service agency having a good reputation among the populace was entirely due to the full-time Jin Yi Wei members, all of whom were summoned by Chu Chen using summon cards obtained through the system, either by exchange or lottery.
Otherwise, like the Jin Yi Wei of the Ming Dynasty in Chu Chen's previous life, they would have been universally reviled by officials and commoners alike, feared by all, and even ghosts would have been troubled by them.
"What is your name? Which county and which farm are you from?"
"Reporting to the officer, my name is Zou Goudan! I am from Jia Village, Gaoyuan County, Shuangyue Prefecture."
"Hmm, registered. You worked diligently for seven days, earning thirty-four wen per day, totaling two hundred and thirty-eight wen. Do you want copper coins or Yun Chao? If you want Yun Chao, you can receive an additional liter of grain for every hundred wen. This grain can be consumed by yourself or sold back to merchants."
"Yun Chao! I want to receive Yun Chao!"
"Are you kidding? If I receive Yun Chao, I get two extra liters of grain. Who wouldn't choose that?"
As for the trustworthiness of Yun Chao, it was promoted by that sage Prime Minister, and who among the common folk didn't believe him?
"Alright."
The pay clerk opened a wooden chest beside him, took out a stack of Yun Chao, counted it, and handed the person two hundred-wen notes, one thirty-wen note, one five-wen note, one two-wen note, and one one-wen note.
"Here is two hundred and thirty-eight wen. Use the arithmetic you learned to check if it's correct."
Zou Goudan was surprised to find that the arithmetic he learned at night was being used so quickly.
He happily counted the money, confirmed it was correct, and then crookedly wrote his name on the contract, followed by his thumbprint.
"Next!"
"Goudan! What does this Yun Chao look like? Let us see it first!"
"Heh, you'll all be receiving it soon anyway. You can see your own then!"
Zou Ergou grinned and carefully placed the Yun Chao in his embrace.