Mo Lingxi spread his hands, finding the statement not awkward: "Only with such a capable wife can I be so capable."
Tao Lengshuang looked him up and down several times, concluding, "You've become even more shameless."
Mo Lingxi cupped his fists in a bow: "Thank you, Princess, for the compliment. My current achievements are inseparable from your guidance."
Tao Lengshuang's mouth twitched: "Only you can speak of shamelessness with such refreshing elegance."
Mo Lingxi once again attributed it all to his wife's excellent teaching.
Tao Lengshuang no longer wished to continue the topic. She had truly experienced Mo Lingxi's shamelessness; this man had indeed pushed shamelessness to its absolute limit.
"Have you thought about how to resettle the disaster victims?"
Mo Lingxi's smile faded, and he said earnestly, "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Tao Lengshuang offered two words: "Employment."
Mo Lingxi: "No matter how prosperous Dongdu is, the available jobs are limited and cannot satisfy so many people."
Tao Lengshuang had an idea: "Post-disaster reconstruction."
Mo Lingxi's interest piqued, and he gestured for her to elaborate.
Tao Lengshuang explained her idea: "This depends on how the court arranges it. The Eastern Jin Dynasty has suffered such a great disaster, with many areas needing reconstruction and many matters to handle. The disaster victims can be assigned to these tasks."
"If the disaster victims are made to work for free, they will certainly be unwilling. Some compensation in the form of money and supplies can be given, which will not only help the disaster victims overcome this difficult period but also alleviate some of the immediate problems.
Furthermore, aren't there many mountains and open spaces outside Dongdu? These can be utilized reasonably, for example, through a contract system. A mountain could be contracted to someone for planting fruit trees, grains, or other profitable crops. This way, a portion of the disaster victims can be settled."
These were all modern experiences she had adapted.
Mo Lingxi's eyes grew brighter: "The contract system is...?"
Tao Lengshuang explained the contract system in detail, also mentioning that contracted mountains should not have their trees excessively damaged, as this could lead to soil erosion and other hazards.
Mo Lingxi found the contract system to be a good idea. Some people lacked the funds to purchase mountains, while others were eager to earn money. Thus, the contract system would be very suitable for them.
"There must be certain rewards and leaders, only then will people be motivated."
Tao Lengshuang couldn't help but marvel that the current God of War was indeed a God of War. As soon as she mentioned the contract system, the God of War thought of rewards and leaders.
Indeed, the minds of ancient people, especially those skilled in political maneuvering, were remarkably sharp.
The two discussed how to resettle the disaster victims and how to help the Eastern Jin Dynasty recover more quickly.
While they were discussing, Tao Lengshuang remembered the matter of teaching medical skills and mentioned it to Mo Lingxi: "We could also teach for free... or charge a small amount of money to teach a craft."
"As the saying goes, it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Working for others is never as good as having a craft. Moreover, having more artisans would greatly benefit the development of the Eastern Jin Dynasty."
For example, some people might lack the connections or funds to learn a craft, but these individuals could be hardworking, possess innovative thinking, or be able to identify problems.
If a group like this could be cultivated, it would bring immense benefits to the Eastern Jin Dynasty's development.
Mo Lingxi had also considered this issue: "Most artisans are unwilling to teach outsiders. In their view, crafts are meant to be passed down to family members or apprentices, never to outsiders. This is the rule."
Tao Lengshuang scoffed, her expression showing disdain: "Rules? Because of these so-called rules, how many crafts have been lost! A craft is only truly a craft when it is passed down and appreciated by everyone; otherwise, it is merely a decoration."
Aside from external factors, many crafts had disappeared due to these so-called rules.
Mo Lingxi also disliked this rule: "You are absolutely right. If a craft cannot be passed down, what is its purpose? However, many people do not consider the loss of their craft their fault; they believe they simply cannot find successors."
"We can find artisans who are willing to pass on their skills, and they can provide the money and venues to teach others, striving to enable more people to acquire a craft.
However, having too many artisans can also be a problem."
Tao Lengshuang: "Disperse them; don't concentrate them all in one place. Send them to areas where there are few or no artisans, and the court can provide a certain relocation allowance."
Mo Lingxi nodded slowly, then suddenly stood up: "I will go to the palace now to discuss these matters thoroughly with Zi Cheng."
Tao Lengshuang knew that the sooner these matters were settled, the better, and she gave him a few reminders.
As she saw Mo Lingxi out, Tao Lengshuang remembered something else: "We can have public carriages."
"Public carriages?" Mo Lingxi asked, confused: "What are those?"
Tao Lengshuang explained: "Carriages are not cheap items; ordinary people cannot afford them, right? But the court can use money to buy a batch of ordinary carriages, spacious ones, arranged according to long-distance and short-distance needs."
"For example, if I travel from here to the north, or to another region, I can pay a certain amount of money to ride a public carriage. These carriages can also carry goods, but it will cost more money, which also creates employment and saves many people from the hardship of travel."
Mo Lingxi was already eager to go to the palace to discuss these matters. He exchanged a few words with Tao Lengshuang and then hurried to the palace as quickly as possible.
Tao Lengshuang pondered what else from modern times could be useful and adapted here.
She wrote down the methods and good ideas she thought of, refining or modifying them to suit this era.
When she had finished most of her tasks, it was time for dinner.
She ate and chatted with Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng.
"By the way, Godmother, I have a few bottles of newly formulated beauty pills. Could you please help me sell them?"
Madam Sheng was surprised: "Is Lengshuang short of money?"
Tao Lengshuang was indeed short of money: "I want to buy a mountain and am a bit short of funds, so I thought of selling some pills."
Madam Sheng said with mock anger: "If you need money, why don't you tell Mother? Why are you being so formal with me?"
Tao Lengshuang: "...Godmother, I'm grown up now. How can I use your money? Besides, I can earn money by selling pills. Keep your money, Godmother."
Madam Sheng ordered a wet nurse to fetch her wooden box and said to Tao Lengshuang: "You are my only child, and all these things are yours. Don't be so polite with Mother."
"If you are polite again, Mother will be angry."
Tao Lengshuang was helpless. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Xiao Feng's words, which made her both amused and exasperated.
"Then is Mother's property also Xiao Feng's?"
Madam Sheng hugged Xiao Feng and said yes: "However, Xiao Feng is a little man, and it's best for you to earn money yourself. You should support your mother, shouldn't you?"
Xiao Feng nodded his little head: "Yes, when Xiao Feng grows up, he will earn a lot of money for Mother and Grandmother to spend. Mother, Grandmother, just wait to enjoy yourselves."