Chapter 471: Cultural Invasion
The residents of Han City buzzed with conversation, clutching the picture books in their hands.
The picture books narrated tales through vibrant illustrations, which directly showcased every facet of Gao Family Village. Without needing to conjure images in their minds, readers could behold the towering houses, the bustling Gao Family business hub, and an array of delectable dishes.
They also saw that acquiring such a life wasn't difficult; with honest labor, fair compensation was assured.
“I'm half-tempted to go see Gao Family Village for myself,” one said. “Around here in Han City, I’m just a useless good-for-nothing anyway.”
“I'm surely more capable than that main character in *Gao Piao*, aren't I? He literally knows nothing.”
“I'm skilled at making Han City sesame flatbreads. If I opened a shop in the Gao Family commercial district, who knows, I might even strike it rich!”
“And there's a deity watching over them there! The Heavenly Lord Dao Xuan!”
“Gods? I couldn't care less about them,” scoffed another. “As long as my labor is fairly compensated and no one can steal my earnings, I can get rich even without divine intervention.”
Such discussions intensified with each passing day.
If they were already far from home, what harm could there be in venturing a little further still?
And as this very idea took root in their minds...
The grain convoy from Heyang County made its appearance once more.
As vast quantities of grain were unloaded, a man dressed like a merchant stepped into the heart of Han City's market square and loudly proclaimed, “My name is Tan Liwen, from the Gao Family Village Management Committee! Gao Family Village is currently recruiting extensively for workers. The available positions are as follows: blacksmiths, unlimited; carpenters, unlimited; engravers, five; lamp makers, two; dyers, twenty... and general laborers, unlimited.”
He reeled off so many positions that the people of Han City were left gaping, thinking, *Gao Family Village is recruiting this fiercely? It's like they'll take anyone!*
“I can fit one of those roles!”
Realizing this, a crowd surged forward with a roar, encircling Tan Liwen and clamoring with questions. “What's a blacksmith's pay?”
“I know how to make lamps! What's the actual wage?”
“What about just manual labor?”
The throng was a hive of frantic excitement, more agitated than a man pacing outside a delivery room, awaiting the birth of his first son.
Tan Liwen didn't bother listing everything individually. Instead, he unfurled a massive sheet of paper and, with a flourish, pasted it onto a nearby wall.
In later generations, city enforcement officers would have instantly apprehended someone posting an advertisement in public like this. But in these times, such regulations didn't exist; flyers could be posted anywhere.
A large crowd converged on the advertisement, scrutinizing it intently.
To their surprise, the advertisement wasn't written text, but a series of pictures.
The first image showed a blacksmith hammering away, followed by a depiction of three silver ingots.
Everyone understood instantly: the pay was three taels of silver!
Below that, a carpenter sawing wood was depicted, also trailed by three silver ingots.
...
At the bottom, a figure was shown carrying heavy loads, clearly a general laborer, followed by three small piles of flour—indicating three catties of flour.
They scanned the chart from top to bottom, taking it all in.
A clear truth dawned on everyone: specialized skills brought significant wealth, while those without could still earn a decent living through manual labor. Essentially, anyone could make money.
Tan Liwen's voice boomed, “Our grain carts, once unloaded, will be returning to Gao Family Village. Anyone wishing to find work there is welcome to travel with us.”
These words, more than anything, truly sealed the deal!
For honest, simple folk who had never ventured far from home in their lives, the greatest hurdle in leaving for a distant place was the 'dread of the unknown.' But with someone willing to lead the way, it became far easier to find their courage.
“I'm going!”
“I'll go with you,” someone declared.
“Me too!”
In an instant, a wave of fervent enthusiasm swept through the multitude.
A faint smile touched Tan Liwen's lips. Indeed, the Heavenly Lord had been right. It would have been difficult to convince people who knew nothing about Gao Family Village to go there for work. But by first using *Gao Piao* to lay the groundwork, allowing them to grasp the general conditions of the village, the subsequent recruitment efforts were proving remarkably effective.
The Heavenly Lord called this ‘cultural invasion’!
Tan Liwen hadn't grasped it initially, but now he understood. By directly captivating the people of Han City through culture, it would take only a few words to have them follow willingly.
This was truly 'conquering without battle.'
Early the next morning, the grain convoy began its journey back.
Laborers from Gao Family Village pushed their empty grain carts, setting off to the south.
A vast throng of Han City refugees, meanwhile, shouldered small bundles containing all their earthly possessions, dragging their children along. They followed the grain convoy, setting forth toward an uncertain future.
They trekked for what felt like an eternity, eventually passing out of Han City County and into the lands of Heyang.
The moment they crossed the border, a striking contrast appeared. The land was surprisingly lush and green, cultivated fields stretching everywhere, as if untouched by any drought.
Farmers' songs drifted from the fields, and by the roadside, a few old farmers sat chatting, smiling serenely as they observed the massive 'immigrant procession.'
Tan Liwen, to their surprise, struck up a conversation with the old farmers. “Friends, how are your crops looking this year?”
The old farmers chuckled. “Thanks to your Gao Family Village,” one replied, “you provided us with fertilizer and even sent Mr. Zhao to teach us how to use it! Last year, with the Celestial Fertilizer, we had quite a harvest. This year, we're even more confident; look, I've memorized the Celestial Fertilizer’s mixing method perfectly, hahaha! Speaking of which, we haven't seen Mr. Zhao in ages. How is he doing these days?”
Tan Liwen smiled. “Mr. Zhao has gone to Shanxi, to help the people there.”
The old farmers sighed deeply. “Mr. Zhao is truly a good man! After helping Heyang, he went to Shanxi. Ah, we sincerely hope that such a good man receives good fortune, and that his breathing condition is quickly cured.”
“Gulp, gulp!” At the Gudu Ferry, Zhao Sheng, who was overseeing the construction of the dock town, grimaced as he gulped down a large bowl of 'asthma-settling soup' prepared by his attendant. With a pathetic whine, he pleaded, “When you brew this medicine, can't you add a little more sugar?”
A tiny Puppet Heavenly Lord, perched on the attendant’s shoulder, grumbled, “Too much sugar is bad for you. You'll get fat, and getting fat will strain your respiratory system, worsening your breathing condition. This Heavenly Lord has personally decreed that you are not to consume too much sugar.”
Zhao Sheng shrieked, “Ahhh! Heavenly Lord! While I am profoundly touched by your care for a humble mortal such as myself, this immense kindness is more than I can bear! Please, just let me add a little more sugar to my medicine!”
The Puppet Heavenly Lord, however, paid no mind to his theatrics, merely snorted, and slumped back down.
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