Novel Full Chapter 939 - 55: Building the Resort Villa (2)
Chapter 939: Chapter 55: Building the Resort Villa (2)
"The health condition of the people in Swamp Prefecture is worse than we imagined." Zhao Yao raised his hand to pinch his brow, his expression grave, "We must find a way to improve the people’s physical fitness."
"Physical fitness?" Doctor Tong didn’t understand these words.
"It means making them healthy." Zhao Yao said with considerable headache, "The reason their bodies are in such poor condition is due to years of inadequate food and drink."
"Your Highness, even if we give the people tonics, their bodies won’t improve immediately." Doctor Tong reminded Zhao Yao, "Their bodies are too weak for heavy tonics; they can’t withstand them."
"I never intended for the people to drink tonics, as they can be poisonous to a degree. Moreover, I am not wealthy enough to offer tonics to all the people." Zhao Yao lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his expression thoughtful, "Actually, the simplest way to nourish the body is to eat well. If they eat enough, their health will gradually improve."
Doctor Tong nodded in agreement: "Your Highness is right."
"The people of Swamp Prefecture can basically fill their stomachs now, but it’s been too short a time to improve their health. In a few years, their health will be better; we just need to wait a few more years." This kind of matter cannot be rushed. "These three years should be enough for them to eat well and recover."
"Your Highness is benevolent."
"In addition to eating well, they need to eat meat." Zhao Yao said, "After the trade conference, we should encourage the people to go to sea to catch fish. Eating more fish is also good for health."
"Your Highness is wise." Thinking of the fish he had eaten before, Doctor Tong couldn’t help but feel a little greedy. The sea fish weren’t fishy, and the meat was very tender. If paired with delicious mushrooms, the taste was simply... a delicacy incomparable!
"Take good care of the children vaccinated with cowpox." Zhao Yao instructed, "As long as they return home healthy after vaccination, other children will sign up for cowpox vaccination."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"By the way, thanks to your previous preventive efforts, no infectious diseases have occurred so far. However, as the weather gets warmer and the mists increase, you must continue your preventive work, or the people might fall ill as they did in the past." Swamp Prefecture is named so because of the numerous marshes. Naturally, there are many mists. "In hot weather, there will be more snakes and insects, so pay attention to that as well."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. We have always been vigilant."
Zhao Yao felt at ease upon hearing this. However, he gave a few more instructions before letting Doctor Tong leave.
After Doctor Tong left, Zhao Yao called over Zheng Qian to inquire about the number of elderly and orphans in Swamp Prefecture.
Zheng Qian reported that Swamp Prefecture currently has over nine thousand elderly and more than four thousand orphans. This number includes the surrounding counties of Swamp Prefecture. In Swamp Prefecture City itself, there are several hundred elderly and orphans.
These elderly and children without families wander and beg everywhere, living in extreme misery and pity.
"Give the number of elderly and orphans to the Ministry of Industry. I will instruct them to build Fusheng Hall after the trade conference to accommodate these elderly and orphans." Zhao Yao felt there was no need to separately accommodate the elderly and orphans; they should be housed together. The elderly wouldn’t feel lonely with children around, and the orphans would have someone like family with the companionship of the elderly. They can care for and heal each other.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"In a while, it will be time to transplant the rice seedlings. Your Ministry of Revenue must keep a close watch on this matter."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. I have always kept this matter in mind."
Zhao Yao gave some more instructions before allowing Zheng Qian to leave.
Zheng Qian, like Zhao Yao, is very busy in his role as Minister of Revenue, with many tasks to handle daily. Fortunately, he is young and energetic enough to manage the workload.
Zhao Yao then summoned the Minister of Industry to inquire firstly about the progress of the water diversion project. The Minister of Industry reported that two wells had already been successfully tapped for water.
He also inquired about the sewer repairs. Just a few days ago, all the sewers had been repaired, and the streets had been paved.
The official road near Swamp Prefecture is under repair and will definitely be completed before the trade conference.
"After the trade conference, I plan to recruit people to establish guild halls in Swamp Prefecture. You and the Ministry of Revenue will be jointly responsible for this."
"Guild halls?" The Minister of Industry looked puzzled, "Like the taverns at the docks?"
"A bit larger than taverns." Zhao Yao explained, "In the future, people from all over will come to Swamp Prefecture to do business. If we allow them to establish guild halls representing their hometowns, they will surely be pleased. For example, I’m from the capital, I can establish a capital guild hall, so people from the capital will come to this hall to eat, drink, and have fun. Understand now?"
The Minister of Industry understood Zhao Yao’s intention and said with shining eyes, "Your Highness, this idea of yours is excellent."
Zhao Yao, saying this, pulled out a scroll from the drawer and spread it on the table.
"Swamp Prefecture has several nice hot springs where we can establish a hot spring manor. This is the floor plan I designed for the hot spring manor."
The Minister of Industry received the floor plan with both hands respectfully, looked at it carefully, and then showed a remarkably impressed expression.
"Your Highness, this floor plan... makes me feel ashamed." Wuwuwu, clearly he is the Minister of Industry, yet every time His Highness designs a plan, it is an eye-opener, making him feel inferior. "Your Highness, can you spare some of your talent for me?"
Zhao Yao unceremoniously refused, "No, it’s innate."
The Minister of Industry: "..."
"In addition to the hot spring manor, we will also build a vacation villa." Zhao Yao plans to develop Swamp Prefecture into a large metropolis that integrates foreign trade, commerce, agriculture, industry, and entertainment. "The vacation villa is similar to the Royal Mansion, serving as a place for rest and relaxation."
"Your Highness, are you planning to build the Royal Garden?"
"The Royal Garden will be built, but so will the vacation villa." Zhao Yao explained, "The vacation villa will be somewhat lower in grade than the Royal Garden since it will be open to the public."
"Your Highness, should we build it according to the Royal Garden’s standards?"
"No, the vacation villa should incorporate more entertainment options, like horseback riding, polo, football, archery, and even hunting..." Zhao Yao quickly listed many examples, "Think of any other activities that could be included."
The Minister of Industry nodded knowingly after hearing this, "I understand, Your Highness."
"The food, drink, and accommodation must surpass those of taverns..." Zhao Yao provided more guidance, and the Minister of Industry took notes.
Zhao Yao specifically emphasized, "The offerings at the vacation villa must be the best to attract and retain guests."
"I understand." The Highness is proficient in everything; what could he possibly overlook?
"The design of the vacation villa you must do yourself." Zhao Yao pointed to the hot spring manor’s floor plan in the Minister’s hands and said, "You can refer to my design for the hot spring manor, but bring me the designs once you’re done."
"We will strive to design it well."
Zhao Yao suddenly remembered something he had forgotten to tell Zheng Qian and, annoyed, raised his hand to smack his forehead.
"I forgot to inform Zheng Qian about the banking matter." With just over a month until the trade conference, there’s still no sign of a bank, and that’s not acceptable.