After hearing Fang Zheng’s speech, many people began to look at each other uncertainly.

It wasn’t unheard of for government offices to open projects for bidding, and everyone had heard of such things.

However, the vast majority of those projects were usually organized by the capital or the imperial palace.

Local bids were mostly for small commercial shops and procurement.

The so-called projects “worth thousands of gold” certainly couldn’t be small in scale. This kind of practice clearly wasn’t common in Jianjiang yet, and everyone was uneasy about it.

I can do the project for you, but what if you casually say the quality doesn’t meet standards, that this isn’t right and that isn’t good?

What if you don’t pay the final installment? Who would do such a project then?

Moreover, none of them specialized in this line of work; most were selling cloth, medicinal materials, and other finished products.

Although the construction industry wasn’t considered very difficult in this era – as long as you could recruit enough manpower, you could start work – there were still risks, weren’t there? Why should I take so many risks?

Unless the profits were high enough. If you’re offering 10,000 taels of gold, then it might be worth a shot!

Fang Zheng carefully observed everyone’s reactions, mentally prepared for various possibilities.

He smiled and said, “I know, you may have many doubts in your minds.”

“When it comes to making money, it’s never wrong to be cautious. After all, no one’s money grows on trees!”

“Let this official explain in detail.”

“First, about the costs. Now is the best time for recruitment! You should all have plenty of grain stored at home, right? The large number of refugees outside the city will work as long as they’re given food to eat!”

“Do you still treasure the grain in your hands? Everyone should have heard about the Prosperity Potato in the capital that yields thousands of catties per mu. This official brought 100 shi of Prosperity Potato seeds this time!”

“Plus, the capital will soon transport another batch of grain to Jianjiang. The grain price will surely drop in just a few days!”

“And within two years at most! Once the cultivation of Prosperity Potatoes is fully rolled out, it will drive grain prices down to an unprecedented low!”

“So, everyone… the grain in your hands will soon be worth nothing…”

After saying this, Fang Zheng looked meaningfully at the whispering crowd below. When they had talked it over enough, he continued, “As for the final payment, you don’t need to worry about that either.”

“Defaulting on payments might happen elsewhere, but it’s absolutely impossible with this official!”

Xie Xian sat below with a smile on his face.

Yes, the master never has any accounts when handling affairs, so how could there be talk of defaulting? He’d squeeze oil out of stones for you!

Honesty is a basic quality of a Taoyuan County person.

“This official will publicly announce this matter to the whole city, and then establish contracts with you!”

“The government’s reputation is far more valuable than mere silver. The final result of the project will also be judged by the common people. Now, can everyone rest easy?”

People below started whispering again, and after a brief discussion, someone raised their hand and asked, “So what kind of project does Lord Fang have in mind?”

Fang Zheng smiled slightly, “That’s confidential for now!”

“However, there aren’t many spots for this bidding. If everyone is interested in signing up for the course, then we might as well close the doors and do this auction among ourselves!”

“The decision-making power for this matter is in this official’s hands. If enough people sign up, we can start tomorrow.”

“Everyone present here is the most capable. Ordinary people outside might not have the ability to handle such a large project.”

“Does anyone have any other questions?”

Someone below mumbled, “Shouldn’t it be competitive bidding… why is it an auction…”

But everyone assumed it was just a slip of the tongue from Fang Zheng and paid no attention.

Sun Jiacheng looked at Fang Zheng with some hesitation.

He wasn’t interested in bidding or anything like that. He didn’t expect to make money; whatever Fang Zheng did, he would just follow along and cooperate.

Whether he could keep his life was another matter.

However, the last line on the promotional poster made his heart flutter.

The first three enrollees have a chance to win three sessions of family tutoring for children by the former Grand Tutor.

He had a young son at home who was clever and quick-witted.

If he could invite Fang Zheng to his home and build a good relationship… that would at least improve his safety considerably.

Seeing others still discussing, Sun Jiacheng immediately raised his hand, “Lord Fang! I’ve decided, I’m the first to sign up!”

Wang Qixun’s face fell. You’re first again?! Making it look like I’m not actively cooperating!

“The Wang family! Second!”

As soon as these two called out, it spurred the whole group to follow suit.

Soon, everyone had raised their hands.

Fang Zheng looked at them below with a broad smile, “Good… good! Since everyone is participating, Manager Xie, please help this official record the order!”

Sun Jiacheng stood up and bowed, “Lord Fang! I wonder if the tutoring spots for the top three enrollees… are really available?”

“Of course! Certainly! But as it says, there’s a chance to win.”

“This official is very busy with public affairs and can’t guarantee time to tutor at your homes all the time.”

“However… when this official has free time, it’s not impossible!”

Sun Jiacheng’s eyes lit up as he thanked him, then sat back down.

Fang Zheng continued, “Good, since everyone has signed up, this matter is settled.”

“Besides this, this official has one more request!”

“You are all influential figures in Jianjiang. In this time of great difficulty, I hope those with money can contribute money, and those with strength can contribute strength!”

“So here, this official wants to shamelessly ask you all for a donation to aid the disaster victims.”

The wealthy merchants below immediately felt their hearts sink!

You just collected 5,000 taels! Now you want to use the disaster victims as an excuse to ask for more money? There really is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

“The amount is up to you! This official will take the lead. I’ll donate…”

Fang Zheng slowly raised one hand, and everyone nervously stared at him.

“One hundred taels.”

“……..”

Just one hundred taels! That’s a relief.

Everyone relaxed. After spending 5,000 taels, this amount really wasn’t much!

But Fang Zheng, you’re quite stingy. Didn’t you spend more than this on just one meal?

Once again, Sun Jiacheng was the first to stand up and shout, “I’ll donate 500 taels!”

“Then I’ll also donate 500!” Wang Qixun looked at Sun Jiacheng with frustration.

You’re faster than me again? You shameless old fool!

“I’ll donate 300 taels!”

“100 taels!”

“……..”

Fang Zheng’s anxious heart also relaxed. Things were progressing smoothly, all according to plan.

After spending 5,000 taels, spending a few hundred more didn’t seem like much.

Of course, the heads of the Sun and Wang families deserved the most credit here.

It seems that letting them go earlier was indeed a wise decision.

The local disaster situation was beyond his immediate reach; all he could do was raise money.

The more money he could get, the better. Adding odds and ends, it could amount to about 140,000 taels.

Although it was a considerable sum, it still wasn’t enough. They needed to keep working hard.

After everyone had reported their amounts, Fang Zheng bowed and said, “Then this official, on behalf of the people of Jianjiang, thanks you all for your kindness!”

Then he looked at Xie Xian, “Please trouble everyone to send the money to Manager Xie here. This official will send someone to collect it!”

So he really is a big corrupt official! Using disaster relief as an excuse to pocket silver. He’s not much better than Liu Xun, and his appetite seems even bigger.

Isn’t this the beginning of collusion between officials and merchants?

Everyone inwardly despised Fang Zheng.