The women watching were intrigued when they heard that not only could they work and earn money, but their children could also go to school, learn to read and write, and be taken care of. They started exchanging ideas.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shen Qing pushed Er Hong forward: "This lady officially starts work today, and she will receive her wages on the fifth day of next month!"

The woman at the front asked cautiously, "How much is the monthly wage?"

Shen Qing then had Su Lan explain the treatment to everyone.

Upon hearing this, she discovered that Su Lan also had excellent logic, and she became increasingly satisfied with Su Lan.

The women understood the wage calculation method, and some immediately signed up. Shen Qing quickly registered their names and addresses and told them to be on time for work the next day.

After everyone dispersed, Shen Qing flipped through the booklet and found that he had actually recruited five female workers. He smiled and said to Er Hong, "Sister Er Hong, you are truly my benefactor. Not only because you are the first female worker, but also because you helped me recruit five new workers on your first day of work."

Erhong was happy to be able to help Shen Qing and said enthusiastically, "I'll go back tonight and ask the other women in the village if they want to come and work for you!"

The next day, as expected, Erhong introduced three more female workers to Shen Qing.

So, about twenty children were taken to the kesi workshop for safekeeping.

Shen Qing instructed Chunju to organize the maids and servants of the Gao family to clean an unused side courtyard in the kesi workshop, making more space for the children to play, while he personally instructed the female workers on their work.

By the time I finished all of this, it was already evening.

After entrusting the children to Chunju, she returned to the shop and inquired with the shopkeeper about whether there were any unemployed schoolteachers in the area.

“There’s a retired scholar in the suburbs who’s said to no longer be taking the imperial examinations. Maybe we can ask him.”

After getting the address, Shen Qing immediately headed out of the city.

She's a woman of action, hoping to find husbands for her children today and get them in school tomorrow.

The outskirts of Jiangzhou were deserted, dark and desolate, with a few gray and white courtyards scattered along the riverbank, surrounded by tall reeds.

Shen Qing finally found the shop the shopkeeper had mentioned and knocked on the door.

A man wearing a beige long gown and with a long braid opened the door.

He was slender and straight, with delicate features and clear, resolute eyes.

Despite being in a humble abode and dressed simply, her demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant: "Madam, what is it?"

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Hello, are you Mr. Han?"

The other person stood ramrod straight with their arms behind their back, nodded, and said, "Indeed, what can I do for you?"

Shen Qing explained his purpose, fearing that he might not agree, and finally emphasized: "You can name your tuition fee, as long as you teach the children well."

Unexpectedly, the other party didn't mention tuition fees at all, but instead asked, "How old are the children?"

“The oldest are around ten years old, and the youngest are only a few months old,” Shen Qing added. “But please rest assured, sir, the infants who are only a few months old are being taken care of by others. You only need to teach the children who are of school age.”

After pondering for a while, the other party nodded in agreement: "Okay, then I will go to the school on time at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

"What about the tuition?"

The other party waved their hand: "You can decide on the tuition fee; there's no rush."

Shen Qing suddenly realized that scholars were indeed indifferent to fame and fortune.

She returned happily, only to realize halfway there that she had forgotten to ask the gentleman his name. She turned around and looked at the gray-white courtyard with its lights on.

Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up inside me.

Tonight went by too smoothly.

...

With Er Hong's help, Shen Qing finally managed to recruit twenty female workers before the machines arrived in Jiangzhou.

The first batch of cellulose extraction was also successful.

Er Hong performed better than Shen Qing had expected, so Shen Qing promoted her to group leader, mainly responsible for the extraction of cellulose.

The second group is the textile group, which is mainly responsible for operating ten looms.

Cheng Zhiwen sent a telegram to Shen Qing in advance, specifying the arrival time of the loom in Jiangzhou.

Seeing that the telegram indicated tomorrow, Shen Qing's heart suddenly started beating erratically, rising and falling aimlessly.

She touched her cheek; it felt a little hot.

I was filled with this strange feeling all day afterward, so much so that I didn't sleep well all night and got up before dawn the next day.

Chunju noticed that the light was on in her room, so she pushed the door open and came in to help her wash up and prepare her clothes for the day.

Seeing Chunju take out a royal blue embroidered butterfly-patterned jacket, Shen Qing said, "I don't want to wear this today, it's a bit old-fashioned."

Chunju asked, "What color dress would you like to wear today, young mistress?"

Shen Qing walked to the wardrobe and picked out a smoky purple jacquard dress to match a light pink jacket.

After she put it on, Chunju immediately praised, "Young mistress, you look so young in this! Like a young lady."

Shen Qing looked at herself in the mirror.

Her face was like a peach blossom, and her almond-shaped eyes were bright and clear, as if they were covered with moisture. They were dark and shiny. Her skin was plump and rosy, without a single wrinkle.

This is a nineteen-year-old's body, like a peach that has just fully developed, fresh, plump, and juicy.

Shen Qing hadn't seen herself this young in a long time.

As Chunju combed her hair, she asked curiously, "Young mistress, is there any joyous occasion in the manor today?"

Shen Qing snapped out of her daze: "No. Why do you ask?"

Chunju smiled and said, "Because the last time you dressed like this was for the old lady's birthday."

Shen Qing smiled and said, "That time it was because we needed to borrow money, so we had to dress up nicely to make everyone think we still had some money, which is why they lent us the money."

"And today? Is there something special that made you dress up?"

Shen Qing remained silent.

Today marks the arrival of ten looms in Jiangzhou.

Will Cheng Zhiwen come to Jiangzhou with the machine?

...

After finishing their breakfast, Shen Qing, Su Lan, and Chun Ju left the Gao family home and headed to the silk factory.

Old Xu was wiping the carriage when he saw them coming out. He quickly stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Boss Shen, do you need the carriage today?"

Shen Qing took Su Lan's hand and walked down the stairs, waving her hand with a smile: "No, let's walk over there and digest our breakfast."

Old Xu exclaimed "Hey!" and said happily, "Then I'll go to the dock to pick up Boss Cheng!"

Shen Qing immediately stopped in his tracks.

Suppressing his rapidly beating heart, he asked Lao Xu, "Will Boss Cheng arrive in Jiangzhou today?"

Old Xu chuckled: "Yes! Boss Cheng telegraphed me saying he'll arrive at Jiangzhou Port around 3 PM today and asked me to pick him up!"

Shen Qing couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, then go pick him up when it's time! I don't need a car today, so you can go ahead!"

"Okay!"

On the way to the silk factory, Shen Qing smiled the whole way.

Chunju, recalling her special attire today and knowing that Cheng Zhiwen would be arriving soon, immediately understood what was going on and asked bluntly, "Young Madam, are you meeting with Second Young Master Cheng tonight?"

Shen Qing snapped out of her daze, her smile widening as she cheerfully said, "Of course I'll see him! He helped me so much, I'll treat him to dinner!"

Chunju covered her mouth and laughed.

Su Lan whispered to Chun Ju, "Sister Chun Ju, who is Second Young Master Cheng?"