Chapter 30 The Workhouse in the New Era (5K 2-in-1)
This Llangevni workhouse has a large area and buildings with different functions. The greening is well done. The central main area is a rectangular square. Four four-story brown-gray buildings stand intersecting, dividing the large courtyard into
Several areas separated from each other.
"Mr. Fan Ning, are you driving the car yourself?"
After the car stopped, factory owner Stanley stretched out his white-gloved right hand and held the half-open main driver's door with impeccable courtesy.
"Yes, I even eat by myself."
After jumping out of the car, Fan Ning glanced at him expressionlessly, then walked to the back to pick up the two little girls.
Stanley's intuition told him that the first two sentences of the conversation were not pleasant, but he didn't understand what the problem was, so he had to smile.
Several people were walking slowly in the courtyard. During this period, several men wearing short cropped jackets dragged a transport truck loaded with vegetables past the four people. On the other side, Fan Ning saw a group of young women wearing gray rough canvas clothes.
Clothes and sheets were dried in front of the low, wide red brick house, and there were skipping ropes and hoops for play in the open space in the distance.
Stanley continued: "I heard from my daughter that you have become the permanent conductor of the St. Lenia Symphony Orchestra. Are you satisfied with her recent performance?"
Fan Ning once again remembered that when he was conducting the orchestra, he sensed that the intensity of Julius's inspiration had reached the level of a knowledgeable person.
He didn't believe that this family had nothing to do with the secret organization. Even if there was no connection in this place, there was a connection in other places.
He had already seen many problems and activities after the battle at the watch factory. The reason why he did not choose to report the "violators" information to the Special Inspection Office now was that he had long discovered that this group of people appeared to be harsh to the outside world and to themselves.
However, the interest group gave them the green light to guide the school without substantive mysterious evidence. It would be impossible to win a big factory. Secondly, he was wary of suspicion with them. Thirdly, he wanted to continue through Julius.
Track down the traces of "Experience Officer" Erof or more members of the covert organization.
Besides, I was already wary of suspicion with the Special Patrol Office.
"She has made rapid progress recently, very quickly." Fan Ning turned her head to look at him with a half-smile.
"Please worry about her more." Stanley expressed his thanks quickly and kept talking:
"Mr. Fan Ning, you came all the way here and didn't call here to say hello in advance. Otherwise, I would have sent a car to pick you up. The reception was not good last time. I will arrange some food for you in a nearby town tonight.
Authentic meal”
"Ms. Sheeran, we meet again. I will need you to continue to guide the labor rights mediation work. Who is this equally beautiful lady?"
The two girls responded softly and chatted. While Fan Ning silently looked at the surrounding environment, he was thinking about why he saw Stanley here.
This thing is both logical and unusual.
When the authorities appoint managers of urban poverty relief committees, they will give priority to large business owners and large factory owners. Moreover, the newly introduced "Urban Poverty Law" encourages social forces to intervene in the relief system to fill the funding gap of the poor tax...
Factory owners are often keen to improve their moral standards and political status through this approach.
In other words, factory owner Stanley is also a "philanthropist" or "social activist".
This is very logical, but what is not very common sense is that he, a man whose family business has spread all over the world, is here today.
"It seems like you haven't been busy with business recently. Did you come to the small town workhouse to inspect the work over the weekend?" Fan Ning looked at the road ahead and said casually.
Stanley's tone was sincere and candid: "Although I am the main person in charge and the main investor here, I rarely come here in person on weekdays because it is not a non-profit industry, it is just a charity charity established by us out of social responsibility... By the way,
The 834 version of the Poor Law Amendment Act has been repealed, and there is no longer a 'workhouse'. We now call this type of unit a 'poor relief institution'..."
"So, today was a spur of the moment?" Fan Ning asked.
"To be honest, Mr. Fanning..." Stanley shook his head, "The reason why I came here to spend the weekend is because the Special Patrol Office came over yesterday, and they kept checking until late at night..."
"Oh?" Fan Ning raised his eyebrows, "Who led the team?"
"Mr. Joe Wasius."
This thing is a bit strange and contradictory.
Investigators from the Special Inspection Bureau came all the way to explain what they thought was there. Today, the workhouse was peaceful, and Stanley was standing beside him, explaining that they didn't find anything here...
The vision of my three-person team may not be as good as that of the Special Patrol Office.
"Where did they check?"
"It's mainly our paint production line. Mr. Fan Ning, are you also interested in this place? Now even I am really curious... Do you want me to take you to visit now?"
"I'll go around by myself first."
Fan Ning walked into a building on the central square. Under the summer sunshine, there was bright light inside. There was a smell of washing water and vegetable leaves floating in the air. The walls were a little old and peeling, but overall it was pretty good.
Neat and clean.
He saw the food room sign on the door. The temperature inside was a bit high, and the boiler was already running. Several rows of wooden tables more than ten meters long were lined up in parallel. There were women in white coarse clothes and a few men who looked like chefs.
Interspersed with busyness during the period.
The black bread was lined up in a row, cut into fixed shapes by the women, and packed into iron basins; a cook was stirring the stewed potatoes in a large pot and pouring the salt into it as if for free; another cook was cooking
Chop leaves and carrots on a large chopping board, throw handfuls into a cauldron of boiling water, wrap a wooden pestle in a lard bucket with a layer of white flowers, then dip it in, and finally open a bag of yellowish
Pour sucrose inside.
"The Poor Relief Commission has formulated a total of six reference recipes, and we implement them according to the highest standards." Stanley said, "The staple food for breakfast is porridge, and the rest is bread, mainly brown bread, and occasionally white bread, with pig added.
Vegetable soup with oil and sugar is basically provided every day. Potato or broth is provided twice a week. The elderly can get extra butter, tea or sugar. On some major holidays, we will provide a small amount of bacon pancakes, small cakes, cooked eggs, and candies.
snacks, and allow them to drink a small glass of beer, or smoke a cigarette or two…”
Joan looked at the food, her eyes flickering, as if she was thinking about something. Sheeran tried to reach out and press the black bread on the counter. It was cold, but still soft.
Using his spiritual sense to scan everywhere carefully, Fan Ning turned around and left after finding no abnormalities. Stanley and several managers hurriedly followed the three of them.
Fan Ning then went to another residential building for adult men. There were 16 beds in each room. The floor was clean and cleaning tools were placed next to it.
The management system was printed and posted in prominent places. At this time, a leader in coarse linen clothes was leading the crowd to read loudly, which included observing work and rest times, prohibiting hiding food, prohibiting random movement, prohibiting leaving without permission, and prohibiting unnecessary Regulations such as the prohibition of pretending to be sick to avoid work, etc.
They were mainly elderly people, disabled people or people who looked more seriously ill. Everyone glanced at Fan Ning secretly, then looked directly at the rules and regulations again, reading out loud and self-consciously, even a few people who were obviously mentally disturbed. A man with normal eyes, slanted eyes, and drooling at the corners of his mouth has a decent posture.
"Many of the rooms you see are currently vacant, because most people who are physically able to work are working in the paint factory at this time, and you will see them later when you go there," Stanley explained.
"How did these people get in?" Fan Ning asked.
"Come and explain it to Mr. Fanning." Stanley pointed to a manager next to him.
The named gentleman stepped forward: "They applied, they applied. We have special poverty relief officers who are responsible for reviewing their degree of embarrassment, physical condition, working ability, whether they have bad habits, etc... Those who meet the conditions are here Before entering the main building, the concierge will search and confiscate their personal belongings and clothes. They will take a bath in a vat and have their heads shaved before putting on uniform clothes. At the same time, health officials will screen them for infectious diseases. We have done these procedures in a very standardized way, and then they will be discharged. Assigned to different areas to start living and working...Of course, if the applicant has his own family, the entire family must enter together and accept separate management.”
"You guys are no different from a prison." Qiong clenched her fists and glared at the managers.
"There is a big difference, they are free." Stanley corrected him seriously, "The feudal era is over long ago. The spirit of freedom is advocated everywhere in the empire. Every law-abiding citizen has the right to freedom and happiness... They voluntarily applied to move in, You can voluntarily abide by the management regulations, and you can also apply to check out at any time, take your family and take away your personal belongings and leave."
Fan Ning went to the second floor of another house again and came to a large room that functioned as a children's classroom.
Different diagrams were drawn on the light-colored floor and doorposts, and the walls were decorated with colorful children's paintings. The middle-aged female teacher was trying to explain the characteristics of the compass. She stopped teaching when she saw a few people coming over, but the children The performance was as quiet as ever.
The girls' hair was cut very short, and the boys' hair was almost shaved. Their clothes were uniformly made of blue serge with a harder texture, which could be said to be old and ugly.
The children seem to have done a good job of hygiene and hygiene. Although they are generally thin, their complexions are not as malnourished as Fan Ning had expected. The only problem may be in their mental and behavioral behaviors... they appear particularly unlively, and their eyes are
There is not much agility at this age.
A few people squatted down and chatted with some older-looking children for a while. Their desire to communicate with Fan Ning was not strong, but the conversation between the two girls and them had some effect, and there was no obstacle to obtaining basic information.
Some of them are illegitimate children whose parents have disappeared. Some of their parents were craftsmen, including carpenters, tailors, blacksmiths, mining and shipbuilders, and two were even clerks and landlords.
However, these parents either died in an accident, or lost their ability to work due to the previous harsh working environment, or they were lazy, wasteful, or addicted to gambling and alcohol. Even if the parents were alive, the whole family had to be managed separately after being admitted to the workhouse.
, the number of meetings can be counted on one's fingers.
In order to rule out hidden knowledge contamination, Fan Ning specifically asked about the study arrangements and checked the teaching materials. They have 4 hours of study time every day, mainly learning reading, spelling and common sense of life. The rest of the time is spent on labor and dining.
I go to bed and have a holiday every Wednesday afternoon. If the weather is fine, I will play outside in the square under the guidance of the teacher.
“The children here are aged 2-7, and there are children aged 8-14 in the other building.” Stanley explained, “For the older boys, we will let them read some historical materials, learn arithmetic, and grammar.
”
Looking at Fan Ning's thoughtful look, factory owner Stanley asked: "Mr. Fan Ning, overall, is this very different from the workhouse you imagined?"
"Oh? How do you say it?" Fan Ning asked him.
"Three meals of gruel are given out every day, an onion is given out twice a week, and half a bread roll is given out on Sunday... The brick-paved ground is full of poor women and children crawling around with dirty faces...
Old women were lying on the bed panting, unable to move, or sitting around the stove coughing loudly, while old men were hunched over and busy at work, struggling to survive... Children who had not enough to eat were beaten to death for asking for more food..."
Stanley described a bunch of scenes as if they were familiar, and then said, "These stereotypes used to exist, but they don't exist now... Maybe there are exceptions in dark corners, but that is definitely an accident... In short, there are bad people among business owners.
, I hate those managers who are rude or do not follow the rules the most in my life. They lower the overall impression score of the people."
"Fortunately, the era when the poverty relief system was criticized as the 'poor-class bus' is a thing of the past." Stanley seemed to recall, but also seemed to sigh, "It is now the year 913 of the New Calendar, and they can have enough to eat and live in relative comfort.
A clean environment. When they are threatened by serious diseases, there is a brand-new institution "City Mental Illness Committee Hospital" to treat them... They will no longer be ordered to engage in meaningless deterrence such as smashing rocks, breaking bones, grinding corn, and pulling flax.
Instead of engaging in sexual labor, they engage in real productive labor and receive on-the-spot education in 'striving to become industrial workers'..."
Speaking of this, Stanley looked a little proud: "From meals to life to education, you have also seen... The management and conditions of our Llangevni poor relief institution have been highly praised by the national committee.
This is something to be proud of... Our efforts in the field of charity can withstand the scrutiny of every citizen of the Empire."
Fan Ning couldn't help but retorted: "If you don't flatter me like this, I think this state is higher than expected, but since I even use the words pride...you don't think this is far from the normal life that people say
?"
"The inmates deserve to be treated worse than the poorest independent laborers." Stanley said sternly: "Someone who has bad habits, or is short-sighted, or is dissolute by nature, or is lazy and stupid... No matter what the reason, people who do not create wealth
It is shameful. The poor need to be responsible for their own poverty, and our responsibility is to help them realize their responsibility..."
"But children don't have this kind of responsibility." Sheeran frowned and said, "I just learned that some of the parents of these children do have bad habits, and many of them are even illegitimate children whose parents have disappeared... But in the end, the children entered the workhouse, not
Because they are lazy, wasteful, uneducated or short-sighted… they are not responsible for their poverty.”
"Miss Sheeran, you are absolutely right!" Stanley agreed with deep understanding. "This is exactly how the empire practices it. If the officers carefully compare the food, health, education and other conditions, they will find that we
The protection standards for children are higher than those for adults, and they are required to strictly abide by the principle of separation, live, eat and sleep completely separately, and minimize contact with their parents to avoid getting into bad habits that lead to poverty... In the final analysis, times have changed.
We advocate gentle education for the poor instead of barbaric survival of the fittest, emphasizing spiritual rather than material 'inferior treatment', so that they can spontaneously regard entering poverty relief institutions as a turning point in life and reputation... The empire encourages these hopeful descendants
A generation of children should get rid of the influence of their inferior families as soon as possible and become self-reliant and independent workers with dignity..."
"You call the workers at the Jinlangnia Watch Factory dignified?" Fan Ning stared at Stanley and sneered.
"Every day, some people enter the workhouse because they cannot support their whole family, and at the same time, some people choose to accept factories with worse conditions and lower treatment because they cannot tolerate the workhouse. Is this your pride? Your pride is to keep the two sides competing.
Shit, complete your inner cycle?...Sir, if you have business in your heart, it’s better not to talk too much about doctrines.”
Stanley was stunned: "...But you have to know that whether it is this gate or the factory gate, more families or individuals want to enter but can't get in line... My biggest headache every day is to manage the poor officials or personnel staff.
Bribery issues related to review of admission qualifications..."
As he spoke, his voice became smaller and smaller.
Because he read from Fan Ning's expression that the officer was considering whether to take out a pistol and put it to his head, so that he could handle certain things according to his requirements.
His tone finally softened: "Sir, no matter how you look at it, it would actually be a good thing if there were more people like me in the empire... It would not only increase the average income of workers, but also lead to unemployment at the age of 35.
The rate and salary reduction will be reduced, and the 3-day maternity leave benefit system for women will be better popularized... More intuitively and realistically, even the protection level of the Imperial Poverty Relief Agency will increase significantly, and everyone will have more choices, so there is no need to squeeze them all.
Come to me and apply..."
Fan Ning did have this idea, but he suddenly realized at the next moment that the factory owner's softened tone was not because he thought he was in the wrong, but purely for the reason of force... and on the contrary, he was still confused as to why he was treating his
The idea is this reaction. Besides resorting to violence, I don’t seem to know where to start to refute.
Stanley sighed again: "If even people like me have become unpopular and become less and less due to subjective and objective reasons, then it shows that this Tioline Empire is full of hope and prosperity.
It’s starting to go downhill…”
"Lead the way to the paint factory." After a short period of silence, Fan Ning spoke calmly.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
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