The scorching sun blazed.
Bao Le'an's family was simply settled for two days, then under the shouting of the yamen officers, they went to the county office to collect tools. The men formed one group, the women and children another, a vast gathering of thousands of people, surging like a black tide, heading towards the land to be cultivated and the trenches to be dug.
As they passed an intersection, Bao Le'an saw several people dressed as craftsmen. Leading them was an elder, about fifty years old. After a few words, a yamen officer shouted loudly, "Anyone with skills, stand by the roadside."
"Are there any ironworkers or miners? Quickly follow this officer, there's a daily wage of fifty wen."
Bao Le'an felt a surge of interest but, unfortunately, he had no skills and couldn't take on such work.
Nowadays they worked without any wages; they didn't even think about it. Having a meal was already a good fortune.
In the end, only a dozen were chosen from among the thousands.
