Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

Chapter 427 The Substitute Bride Becomes a Reality (28)

The woman who was beaten and scolded was none other than Wang San's wife, who had previously sold the jade pouch to Qi Jinyu.

Wang San's parents cried and scolded her, refusing to let her go, fearing that once she left, she would be like a bird released from its cage, never to return.

Three-year-old Bao'er, wrapped in a tattered little jacket, was so frightened that she kept burrowing into her mother's arms. Wang San's wife silently covered her daughter's little ears, not wanting her to hear these foul words.

But the Queen Mother wouldn't let it go, turning her anger towards her granddaughter: "And you, you good-for-nothing! If it weren't for you, how could my son's lineage have ended? I really—"

The insults were unbearable to hear.

After her mother-in-law finished scolding and caught her breath, Wang San's wife slowly raised her head, her resolve to leave even stronger. She could endure humiliation and hardship, but her precious child could not grow up in such filth.

"If we don't go to the wool mill, what will we eat and drink?" Her voice was low and hoarse, yet tinged with a cold hardness. "There's not a single grain of rice left in the house. Are we going to freeze to death or starve to death?"

Her eyes were dark, as if two eerie flames burned within them. The Queen Mother was stunned by that gaze and fell silent for a moment, instinctively glancing at her husband, who had remained silent. The King's father, a gaunt old man, suddenly stamped his foot and hissed:

"Eating or freezing to death is fate! We just can't go! We can't lose face for the Wang family!"

Wang San's wife stopped talking and just hugged Bao'er in her arms even tighter.

Such events are unfolding simultaneously in many corners of northern Xinjiang. The cold wind persists, but hope, like sparks, quietly spreads beneath the oppressive ice.

-

The construction of the wool workshop is in full swing.

The notice recruiting male workers for site construction and equipment building was met with great enthusiasm; after all, no one would refuse the opportunity to earn money to support their family.

In stark contrast, however, the notices recruiting female spinners and weavers were always deserted.

After several days, very few women volunteered, and most of them were widows or widows who had no rice to cook at home or were forced by life's hardships. This was far from the female worker team that was expected to be quickly assembled.

Inside the council chamber, the charcoal fire still burned.

Qin Wujiu stood at the lower end, bowing to Qi Jinyu, but his gaze subtly swept over Su Ziyu beside him, his tone carrying a hint of expected knowing: "Your Highness, it's not that I haven't been diligent in supervising. The male workers are all ready, but the female workers..."

He paused for a moment, then said, “Although the people of the northern frontier are more rugged than those inside the Great Wall, the concept that a woman’s chastity is of paramount importance is deeply ingrained. Getting them to leave home and gather to work is ultimately an impossible task. Mr. Su’s plan is good, but it may be impractical and difficult to implement.”

His words were laced with undisguised sarcasm, and the atmosphere in the hall became momentarily tense. The subordinates exchanged glances, clearly confirming their initial fears about the current predicament.

Qi Jinyu frowned slightly and looked at Su Ziyu, only to find that the other party had a calm expression and clear eyes, without the slightest sign of anxiety.

“What Strategist Qin said is indeed the current situation.” Su Ziyu spoke slowly, his voice as steady as ever. “I never expected that a single proclamation could easily change a mindset that has lasted for hundreds of years. The will of the people is like water; it should be channeled rather than blocked, and it needs to be guided.”

"Oh? I wonder what insightful guidance Mr. Su has?" Qin Wujiu raised an eyebrow.

Su Ziyu turned to Qi Jinyu calmly and said, "Your Highness, I would like to borrow two people from you."

Qi Jinyu frowned upon hearing this. Given his relationship with his wife, there was no need to use the word "borrow." If his wife asked, he would be willing to offer her the moon in the sky.

However, in front of everyone, Qi Jinyu still had to be careful with her words. "Who is it?"

"Firstly, Your Highness, please allow a virtuous and respected female member of the royal family to serve as the 'supervisor' of this wool workshop. She will not need to handle all the administrative affairs herself, but only need to personally inspect the workshop at the beginning of its opening to show the royal family's attention and support for this matter. I believe that with the female members of the royal family setting an example, many rumors will be dispelled on their own."

A hint of admiration flashed in Qi Jinyu's eyes: "Granted! Granny Li used to serve the Empress Dowager, and now she is enjoying her retirement in the mansion. I will ask her for help tomorrow."

"Your Highness is wise," Su Ziyu continued. "Secondly, there is Military Advisor Qin. At that time, you may need to write a letter to all the soldiers and issue it in Your Highness's name. Only when the soldiers understand it will their families naturally face much less resistance."

Qin Wujiu was speechless for a moment.

Su Ziyu's plan not only cleverly resolved the doubts about "etiquette" and "social atmosphere," but also elevated the matter to the level of "stabilizing morale," making all of his previous objections seem pale and powerless.

If he were to object again, wouldn't he be going against the interests of the entire army?

"In addition," Su Ziyu added, "a primary school can be set up outside the workshop, and a female teacher can be recruited. All the young children of those who work in the workshop can attend school for free to learn to read and write, and the workshop will take care of them. This will solve the female workers' worries about their future, and it will also give them something to look forward to."

Qi Jinyu clapped her hands and laughed: "Excellent! The steps are all in place, and the consideration is thorough! We will do as you wish and carry it out immediately!"

Several days later, several measures were implemented in parallel, and the results were remarkable.

First, the county magistrate's wife personally accompanied Granny Li, who was being cared for by the Prince's family, to inspect the workshop under construction. Although they only stayed for a short while, it was of great significance.

Rumors quickly spread that "both the women of the royal family and the government officials value this matter."

Immediately afterwards, Qi Jinyu delivered a passionate speech in the military camp, and Qin Wujiu's handwritten proclamation to the entire army was posted all over the major camps and military settlements.

Upon hearing the news, the soldiers at the front were all deeply grateful for the prince's kindness. They wrote letters home, encouraging and even "ordering" eligible female relatives in their families to sign up, so as to relieve their worries about the future.

At the same time, news of the workshop's attached elementary school spread quickly, which was extremely attractive to poor families who hoped their children could learn a few words and have a future.

Wangjiacun.

Wang San's wife naturally heard the news of the government's inspection and the army's support, but what moved her most was that the wool workshop could allow her children to go to school.

She held Bao'er tightly, her already resolute heart burning even hotter.

When the recruited constables arrived at Wangjia Village again, Wang's parents continued to cause trouble, blocking the gate and preventing her from leaving the village.

Wang San's wife only glanced at them deeply before turning around and going to the kitchen with her daughter in her arms. A short while later, she returned with a kitchen knife in her hand.

Although covered in mottled rust, it couldn't hide the sharpness of the kitchen knife. Coupled with the desperate, madness of Wang San's wife, Wang's parents were so frightened that they could hardly stand. They shouted loudly, "Our daughter-in-law has gone mad, she's going to kill people, she's unfilial..."

The commotion not only alerted the surrounding neighbors but also attracted the recruited yamen runners.

The constables were used to this kind of thing. After all, they had seen similar situations in almost every village they passed through. They scolded Wang's parents and then registered Wang's wife, making her put her fingerprint on the form.

Before leaving, they warned Wang's parents that if Wang's third wife did not come, they would arrest them and put them in jail for obstructing official business.

Wang San's parents were terrified, and no matter how unwilling they were, they dared not say another word.

The cold wind still blows, but on the land of northern Xinjiang, a new hope is sprouting.

Su Ziyu stood outside the workshop, watching the female workers gradually gather, his gaze serene and profound. He knew this was only the beginning.