Chapter 294: The Workers are Here (2)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Lin Xiaoyue smiled. “Of course.”
“Three days later, the owner of Ruyi Restaurant will come to my house to discuss the collaboration. There was also a high probability that someone from the Zhou Trading Company would come over.”
“If you’re free, you can come to my house to listen in.”
“If we reach an agreement, I’ll sign a contract with you and reserve all the cabbages in Daishi Village.”
“We can then discuss our plans for the coming year before winter.”
The village chief’s eyes were filled with excitement.
“Good! Then I’ll meet the boss with you three days later!”
Lin Xiaoyue smiled and nodded.
A village with over 100 mu of land would cost 2 to 3,000 taels of silver.
Moreover, one had to wait for someone willing to sell.
After buying the manor, she needed someone to look after it, and hiring farmers was not easy.
Cabbage was the most common crop in this era. It was better to let the villagers help grow it. When the time came, they could just buy them from them. It could save a lot of trouble.
Daishi Village was a large village. The land was close to 1,000 mu. It was much larger than an ordinary village.
By then, even if only half of the villagers helped grow cabbages, they would not have to worry about the coming year.
If she was worried, she could go to Shangyang Village and talk to the village chief about it.
She was confident that Shangyang Village would be happy to work with her.
Of course, for this kind of win-win situation, her priority was still Daishi Village, where her family was located.
Lin Xiaoyue discussed more details with the village chief again before she left.
After leaving the village chief’s house, Lin Xiaoyue went to Carpenter Sun’s house.
After that, she went to Craftsman Li Mie’s house.
She contracted Li Mie for a whole year.
It was to prepare for the chilies in the manor next year. At present, the family did not lack tools to make spicy cabbage.
Because there were not many cold cakes at home now, after the wooden buckets were empty, they could be used to make spicy cabbage.
Lin Xiaoyue only returned home after she had ordered the goods from Li Mie.
Not long after she reached home, Zhou Shi arrived.
Other than the coachman, there were actually seven other people who came with her.
They were the servants that Zhou Shi had bought for the Liu family.
“I bought them according to your request.” Zhou Shi said to Lin Xiaoyue.
“Please introduce yourselves.” As she spoke, she looked at the few people standing there.
The old man came forward and bowed to Liu Shi and Lin Xiaoyue.
“Hello Madam and Miss. I am Zhao Fu. This is my wife, Chen Shi. My eldest son, Zhao Kang. My eldest daughter-in-law, Ma Shi. My grandson, Zhao Dabao. My second son, Zhao Qiang, and my daughter, Zhao Shanshan.”
Liu Shi was a little surprised. She felt that although this person was a slave, he was composed.
Lin Xiaoyue nodded.
“What can you do?” She asked Zhao Fu.
“I used to be a housekeeper. Chen Shi is good at kitchen work. Zhao Kang and Zhao Qiang used to follow the family around as servants and coachmen. Ma Shi and Zhao Shanshan are good at needlework.”
Lin Xiaoyue was surprised.
“Is anyone literate?” She asked again.
“I, Zhao Kang, Zhao Qiang, and Zhao Shanshan are all literate. My grandson
Zhao Dabao had just learned the Three Character Classic.”
Lin Xiaoyue was stunned.
She did not expect all the young ones to be literate.
Glancing at the youngest Zhao Dabao, Lin Xiaoyue saw that the child was standing obediently beside Ma Shi with his head lowered.
“Not bad.” He was about the same age as Qing’er, so he arranged for him to be his assistant. He could go to town to take care of Qing’er.
“How old are you?” Lin Xiaoyue asked Zhao Dabao.
Zhao Dabao bowed respectfully.
“Miss, 1 am ten years old.”
Lin Xiaoyue nodded and looked at Zhao Fu again.
“Why were you sold by the previous master?” Lin Xiaoyue asked again.
This family of seven was neatly dressed and polite.
Zhao Fu especially, did not look like he came from slavery.
Zhao Fu froze.
Then, he bowed to Lin Xiaoyue.
“It’s because of me! 1 offended the previous mistress and implicated the whole family.” Suddenly, Zhao Shanshan rushed forward.
“Presumptuous, retreat!” Before Lin Xiaoyue could say anything, Zhao Fu had already reprimanded Zhao Shanshan sternly.
Zhao Shanshan’s body trembled. She looked at Zhao Fu in fear and retreated..