Chapter 434 - Chapter 434: Winter Arrives
Chapter 434: Winter Arrives
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan consoled Miss Li, “You no longer have to worry since your family will only work at the pottery workshop from now on. I’ll also hire more people when it gets too busy.
“We’ll need more bottles and jars when I build the winery. Then we’ll hire more people, and your family will be the masters to apprentices. You will manage the workers then, increasing your wages and bonuses.”
Miss Li became teary-eyed when she heard this. “You’re our benefactor, Miss Su.”
Mice Miss Li was not exaggerating when she said this, as she knew what it felt like before and what kind of life she could live now. Now, her sons could eat home-cooked meals and sleep on warm beds, not to mention being by their parents’ sides.
Miss Li no longer needed to worry about anything since her family could live peacefully. Now that the family had money, Miss Li would make arrangements to find her eldest son a good wife.
Since Tao Eryong was still young, Miss Li could save some silver for him in advance. She could also build a big house for her two sons. Then they could have comfortable lives when they married and had children.
Miss Li was more confident now than in the past.
Su Binglan waved. “I was just helping, so there’s no need to be so polite, Miss
Li. Yours and your family’s lives will improve.”
“Yes, Miss Su, we feel at ease when we do things with you.”
After chatting, Su Binglan revealed her designs, saying, “I came here to discuss these wine jars and bottles with you.
Tao Zhenggang looked at the drawings and was amazed. When he saw the drawings, he understood what Su Binglan wanted. However, he still doubted and asked, “Miss Su, do you want us to make these long, thin bottles? But it will have too little wine if it’s so small.
Su Binglan said, “That’s okay. Just make the bottles according to the drawing. The second drawing is of small wine glasses. But if you use another kind of clay to make more beautiful cups, you can heat them at higher temperatures.”
She then explained the difference between clay and porcelain. Tao Dayong, in particular, listened more carefully when she spoke. He was more talented than his father in pottery and quickly picked up the skill.
Tao Zhenggang did not have to teach his eldest son much, and Tao Dayong would naturally do the right thing.
Tao Dayong listened attentively and asked, “What kind of clay are you talking about, Miss Su?”
Su Binglan took out a small bag of soil, saying, “This is what I found when I passed by the foot of the mountain behind your village. You can make porcelain if you use this soil and burn it at a higher temperature.
“Porcelain will look more beautiful and shinier on the surface than clay. You’ll know when you try it.”
When she visited the Taos this time, she initially only wanted them to make what she had drawn. However, she had stumbled upon the mountain topsoil and told them about it. As for whether or not the family could use it would still depend on the Taos’ craft.
Tao Dayong’s eyes lit up as he looked at the soil and listened to Su Binglan’s explanation. He wanted to make more beautiful cups and things. His eyes shined passionately.
“Miss Su, we’ll study it carefully,” Miss Li said earnestly.
Su Binglan said, “No pressure. I’m giving you a heads-up, so just continue working as before. Work at 7 a.m., rest for lunch, and continue until dinner at 6
p.m. You can work for five days and rest for two.
“I don’t want you all to tire yourselves out. I will rearrange your work and hire more people when I need more things.”
The Taos felt touched that Su Binglan let them rest so much, even though she paid them a lot. Still, the Taos wanted to work hard.
Then Su Binglan left after giving some more instructions.
Time passed quickly, and winter arrived in the blink of an eye. The north wind howled, and everyone could feel the coldness of winter.
The people had nothing to do then, so no one would be shopping. Instead, they would stay in the warm confines of home. Everyone was worried about heavy snow when winter came.
Meanwhile, Su Binglan wanted to harvest the soybeans before it started snowing. She had bought 50 acres of land to plant soybeans, and they had ripened now.
However, the Su family was too busy to collect these soybeans. Therefore, Su Fengmao went to find Chief Su. Just like when Chief Su announced the rapeseed harvesting in the early spring, he hired strong men in the village to harvest the soybeans.
Since it was frigid during the winter and much colder than in autumn, Chief Su paid the villagers three coins a day. As soon as he announced that he was looking for workers, the villagers enthusiastically signed up.
Chief Su arranged for some to harvest the soybeans. There was strength in numbers, and everyone worked hard. The workers harvested 50 acres worth of soybean in just two days.
Luckily, Su Binglan had built a big house with a warehouse to store grain.
There was a large granary the family could use to store these soybeans. Otherwise, they would not have been able to store so many at once.
Still, the family had to store some soybeans in the tofu factory. The factory had enough soybeans to last a long time. Su Binglan also planned to plant more soybeans when spring came so the factory would not run out.
Su’s Embroidery became famous in the surrounding towns and villages during this period. Many people worked at the embroidery shop and received their wages and bonuses.
Everyone was thrilled when they received their bonuses. Some ran home to share the good news with their families. Since earning their money, they improved their families’ living conditions.
The business at Su’s Embroidery went excellently as merchants from far and wide asked about it and went to the shop to place their orders. The merchants who visited the shop did not look like they were just talking about business. Instead, they were polite to Su Binglan.
They knew how popular her items were in their local area. As long as the merchants purchase goods here, Su’s Embroidery would make a lot of money. The shop sold novelty items, and everyone liked them, whether the elderly, younguns, or children.
Su Binglan could see many people carrying backpacks and handbags when she walked around. People had grown accustomed to carrying these things whenever they went out, as it made things more convenient.
“Miss Su, we’d like to order another batch of goods. Don’t worry. I’ve brought the deposit.”
The merchants were warm and sincere toward Su Binglan. However, they feared she would say she had run out of stock.
“M-Miss Su, I was here first and am a regular customer. I’d like to order more items, please.”
“Me too. I’ve been waiting in line for a long time, Miss Su.”
Su Binglan noticed everyone’s eagerness and anxiousness, so she thought of expanding Su’s Embroidery and hiring more people..