After working for more than an hour, Bai Ying came over and said that a boy named Lin Fang had come to see Xu Zhi and said that he had something to discuss with Xu Zhi.

Xu Zhi quickly put on her shoes and got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and greeted Lin Fang, who had come over, in the outer hall.

Xu Zhi knew Lin Fang. His father was a scholar, and the family was originally quite well-off. During the war, his father was injured, and the family's wealth was stolen by bandits. Lin Fang's parents originally intended to take Lin Fang to the interior to seek refuge with relatives. However, when they arrived in Liaodong Prefecture, Lin Fang's father's old wounds relapsed, and he eventually passed away.

Lin Fang's mother was already in poor health. After Lin Fang's father passed away, she was devastated and fell seriously ill. Because she had no money to seek medical treatment, she also passed away.

Lin Fang originally intended to sell himself to bury his parents, but at that time, in order to reduce the population of Daliang, the imperial court issued strict regulations on the border, prohibiting the buying and selling of orphans. The government paid for Lin Fang to bury his parents and sent him to an orphanage, waiting for him to reach the appropriate age to be released, either to return to his hometown to farm or to do something else.

Lin Fang spent two years at the orphanage. Because he was literate, the children respected him. Over time, he became the leader of the children at the orphanage. When Xu Zhi came to the orphanage to find someone, he saw it as an opportunity. He not only came himself but also encouraged his friends to come along.

After Lin Fang entered, he bowed to Xu Zhi and said, "Miss, I've come to ask what arrangements you have for us."

Xu Zhi hadn't expected that someone would come and ask her about her study plans before she had even finalized them, so she couldn't help but ask, "So, do you have any ideas?"

Lin Fang said bluntly, "When you came to find us, you said that you wanted us to be trained so that we could work for you. In that case, I would like to ask you first, do you need us to sign a document of servitude?"

Xu Zhi shook her head and said, "Of course not. I've thought about it for a long time and I feel that I can't sign a contract of servitude with you. I have a way to tell you about it, what do you think?"

Lin Fang was surprised that Xu Zhi wanted to discuss this with him, and he couldn't help but become serious, looking at Xu Zhi very earnestly.

Xu Zhi pulled a piece of paper from the table and said, "My idea is that after I train you, you will sign a contract with me. This contract will stipulate what you can and cannot do. During the period of signing the contract, you cannot betray me. There will be relevant clauses to bind you."

Lin Fang listened attentively. Xu Zhi handed the paper to Lin Fang, who took it and looked at it carefully. Xu Zhi thought for a long time and decided that she should accept the contract form that her father had proposed.

These teenagers, whether they learn management or pastry making, will ultimately have the skills they acquire to rely on. According to the contract, they will work for Xu Zhi for a few years. If they want to continue working in the future, they are naturally welcome. If they have better options and want to switch jobs, can you stop them from going? It's better to set clear rules first and follow them. This will give them something to look forward to and reduce any thoughts of harming the employer.

Xu Zhi continued, "I need to accumulate wealth as soon as possible. Lin Fang, you came from an orphanage, so you know very well how the children there are doing. As for me, after I make money, I want to build a new orphanage in our Daliang territory. The children in my orphanage will not only need to be fed and clothed, but also learn various skills. Even if they want to take the imperial examinations, I will have to hire tutors to help them study."

Hearing this, Lin Fang looked at Xu Zhi in surprise, and after a long while, asked, "Can I know why you are doing these things?"

Xu Zhi knew that many people thought her idea was unrealistic, because no one would be kind to a complete stranger for no reason. But Xu Zhi wanted to try it. The hardships she had endured made her feel that if she didn't do something good, she would really be letting down God for his kindness in giving her a second chance at life.

Xu Zhi smiled slightly and said, "I've lived with my parents in Hexi since I was a child. As you know, there's not much going on in Hexi most of the time. But when the Northern Di invade, many people leave their wives and children behind to fight bravely in order to protect their homes and country. Many women in Hexi who have lost the pillars of their families and have children live very difficult lives."

Although Lin Fang came from a well-off family, he grew up on the frontier and had seen what life was like for families that had lost their breadwinner. If the children were a little older, they could always help with some things, but if the children were still young, the mother had to support the family.

Xu Zhi nodded when she saw that Lin Fang understood, and continued, "When my father was the magistrate of Hexi County, there was a great victory in Hexi. Thirty-five orphans appeared in the city. Their parents went to the front lines to defend their homes. My father made proper arrangements for these thirty-five orphans. But our Daliang is so big, and there are still many orphans who have no one to take care of them for various reasons. I have always thought, if I had money, would I be able to make life better for these children?"

Upon hearing Xu Zhi's words, Lin Fang bowed respectfully to her and said, "Madam, I deeply admire your noble character. I hereby swear that I will obey your every command, even if it means going through fire and water."

Upon hearing Lin Fang's vow, Xu Zhi quickly said, "You don't need to do that. Since I said I would take care of you and help you learn a skill, I will naturally find a way to train you well so that you will have a way to make a living in the future."

Lin Fang said with a serious expression, "Madam, I have nothing to my name right now. I will learn skills in the future and help you with your affairs so that I can repay your great kindness."

Xu Zhi saw that although Lin Fang was young, he was grateful and knew how to repay kindness. In addition, Lin Fang started his studies at the age of three and had been studying with her father for several years. If he was properly nurtured, he could help her with many things in the future.

After Lin Fang left, he pondered Xu Zhi's explanation to him. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was not only an opportunity for himself, but also an opportunity for his brothers and sisters who were just as helpless as he was. It was a chance to pull him out of the mire, so why not seize it?