Chapter 8: He doesn't look like someone who has seen an inkstone before

However, Lin Xi looked around the house and found that although he had bought some items, he still lacked a real operating space.

She discussed with Xiao Yongyan that there was not enough time to rebuild the house now, so it would be better to clean up the west room and use it as an operation room.

He did what he said. This time, Lin Xi did not need any publicity. He just released a little news and a group of people came to find Lin Xi secretly.

Lin Xi also offered a wage of 100 wen a day, with one meal provided.

The people in the village now see clearly that they will not go wrong by following Lin Xi. The Ma and Sun families who work for Lin Xi now eat white rice, green vegetables, and chicken legs every day, which are better than what they eat during the Chinese New Year.

In Lin Xi's view, these treatments are just the most basic, but for the villagers who are used to living a hard life, they are simply godly treatments.

Therefore, when Linxi was recruiting workers this time, the threshold of his house was almost broken down.

With more people coming to the door on their own initiative, it became easier to deal with Lin Xi.

She first asked Xiao Yongyan to help register everyone's information, and then divided them into several groups and conducted group interviews for selection.

She often used this method of selecting people when she was the head of the department.

In the end, Lin Xi picked out ten skilled workers. She divided the work among each person and made the responsibility areas clear. Whoever was responsible for the part that had problems would be held accountable.

After the whole set of operations, Xiao Yongyan was greatly enlightened.

When preparing to turn off the lights and rest at night, Xiao Yongyan was quite emotional, "I only heard that the Lin family taught their daughter well before, but I didn't expect that they trained her so well in all aspects."

Even he didn't dare to say that he had much understanding of these ways of selecting and employing people, but looking at Lin Xi's operations during the day, it was clearly not the first time.

Lin Xi felt a little uneasy when Xiao Yongyan praised her so much. In fact, these were all acquired through her career, not from the Lin family.

Fortunately, the emperor is far away and the sky is high. If Xiao Yongyan wants to think so, let him think so.

The next day.

The task of renovating the house was handed over to Aunt Wu and Uncle Wu to supervise. Lin Xi and Xiao Yongyan borrowed the Ma family's ox cart to go to town. This time they finally didn't have to walk.

The driver was Wang Meihua, Ma Shanfeng's wife.

"Are you going to town to buy something this time?" Wang Meihua asked casually as the journey was boring.

"Yes, we want to ask a carpenter to order a table." Lin Xi replied. The Ma family has an ox cart and travels to the town frequently, so maybe they can have some good recommendations.

As expected, Wang Meihua immediately said, "Master Meng Jinnan from the east end of the town is the best at carpentry. Anyone in the surrounding villages who wants furniture made will hire Master Meng if they have some money."

At Wang Meihua's recommendation, Lin Xi and his friends went to Meng Jinnan's store as their first stop.

"Is Master Meng here? We want to build a platform." After Lin Xi said this, he took out the blueprint that Xiao Yongyan had drawn a long time ago.

In fact, the so-called workbench is also very simple. It is just a larger and longer table. It is almost not difficult for them carpenters.

After looking at the drawings, Meng Jinnan said there would be no problem and the work could be completed in a month, and his apprentice would then deliver the work to his door.

But Lin Xi couldn't wait for a month. "Master Meng, look, these things of mine are not complicated. If you can't be faster, I can double the price."

When the shop assistant heard this, he suddenly looked up at Lin Xi and the other person. They seemed to be dressed normally, yet they were so generous.

Since Lin Xi had said so much, Meng Jinnan couldn't refuse anymore and promised her that she could pick up the goods in three days.

After leaving Meng Jinnan's place, Lin Xi and Xiao Yongyan turned around and went to Momeizhai, a store specializing in selling pens, ink, paper, inkstones and books.

It should be noted that in ancient times when productivity was not well developed, studying was a very expensive thing and most families simply did not have the financial resources to support it.

Lin Xi and Xiao Yongyan were both wearing coarse linen clothes. When they walked into Momeizhai, they stood out from the surrounding students who were dressed in white and green.

The shop assistant came over and said, "Gentlemen, what we sell here are things for scholars. What would you like to buy?"

He asked, but the waiter stood in front of the two of them, clearly not wanting anyone to enter.

Xiao Yongyan was not annoyed and said politely, "We are here to buy some paper, pens and books."

The guy was a little surprised that they actually came to buy things, but did they have the money to buy them?

"The pens, inks, papers and inkstones in our Momei Zhai are all of the best quality. Take the inkstone for example, the cheapest one costs one tael of silver, and ink sticks are charged separately." After saying that, the waiter raised his eyes and glanced at the two of them. An inkstone that cost one tael of silver was still the worst quality, and he didn't believe that they would dare to be stubborn.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xi and Xiao Yongyan started chatting.

"For only one tael of silver, the inkstone used by the students in Fenghe County is too bad." Lin Xi was quite surprised. After all, according to the memory of the original owner who received it from her, the cheapest inkstone cost forty or fifty taels of silver. How bad must an inkstone be for only one tael of silver?

Xiao Yongyan comforted Lin Xi and said, "I've heard from the housekeeper before that ordinary students use the worst inkstones. One tael of silver is a considerable expense for them."

The guy listened to the conversation between the two and his expression gradually turned ugly.

This couple was really funny. They actually stood at the door of the store and commented on his things. They even said that the inkstone that cost one or two taels of silver was bad. Could they afford one or two taels of silver?

"I say, you two, either pay for it or leave quickly and don't delay our business." The waiter said impatiently.

Lin Xi didn't expect that after they just said a few words, the guy started to chase them away.

"When did we say we didn't want to buy it? We opened the door to do business. Can't we ask a few questions?" Lin Xi was a little angry.

The waiter looked at them with disdain, "You have been digging in the fields all your life, have you ever seen an inkstone before? How dare you comment on it?"

Lin Xi glared at the waiter, walked straight into the store, and pointed at an inkstone at random, "This is the most common stone inkstone. The stone texture is rough, and the workmanship is obviously average. Judging from the type, it is most likely produced in Wu County in the northwest."

"This piece is mostly carved with flowers, fruits, branches and leaves. The details are rough and can't stand up to close scrutiny. The tentacles feel a bit warm, but the overall quality is average. It's probably produced in Bing County."

Wherever Lin Xi went, he would tell the corresponding place of origin.

These are not Lin Xi’s own accumulation, but benefit from the reserves of the original owner.

At this time, the shop assistants and students were already stunned. Looking closely, they found that under Lin Xi's cheap outfit, she actually had a delicate and bright face.

Noticing everyone's gaze, Xiao Yongyan stood in front of Lin Xi unhappily, quickly picked up the cheapest stone inkstone and paper and pen on the shelf, and said, "Hey, check out."

Everyone saw that although they knew all the inkstones well, the one they actually picked up was the cheapest one. It was understandable that these two people just knew a little more and were just showing off.

The waiter came to his senses at this moment and hurriedly paid the bill for Xiao Yongyan.

Although the items were of average value, they together would cost several taels of silver, so the waiter did not dare to be negligent.