One of the villagers asked, "Caiping, is this workshop also hiring?"

Ye Caiping nodded: "Yes, we need to hire people, a total of 50 people."

The villagers were overjoyed, especially those who hadn't had the chance to enter the spicy soup workshop; they were all eager to try their hand at it.

Ye Caiping continued, "This is a furniture workshop, where furniture is made. We need to hire some people to work as carpenters."

"Carpentry? My God, even if other people wanted to pay to learn, no one would teach them. Your workshop teaches us how to make furniture? Do you even pay us?"

Ye Caiping smiled and nodded: "Yes."

The villagers erupted in a buzz of excitement again. Could there really be such a good thing in the world?

Ye Caiping said, "But anyone who enters the workshop must sign a contract. Once they start working in the workshop, they must work for 10 years unless the workshop fires them. Otherwise, they must compensate the workshop 100 taels!"

"Also, you cannot teach what you have learned while working in the workshop, otherwise you will be fined 100 taels."

The villagers were shocked to hear that they had to pay compensation. "What? We did the work, and we have to pay for it?"

Ye Lizheng's old face hardened: "What, you think you can come in, learn something for free, and then quit to become carpenters on your own? Or are you planning to secretly teach what you've learned?"

The villagers shook their heads: "Of course not, we just want to find a job that pays us every month."

Of course, there were a few who had such thoughts, but dared not speak out.

Ye Lizheng continued, "That's settled then! As long as you don't break the rules, who's going to make you pay compensation?"

The villagers thought about it and agreed.

"Anyway, let me make this clear: you can sign up if you want, or we won't force you if you don't."

A villager stammered, "Then... what about the wages?"

Ye Caiping said, "There are many positions in the furniture workshop. The warehouse manager, similar to the one in the hot soup workshop, earns 30 coins a day."

"Carpentry is a bit special; it requires a period of training. The probationary period is four months, with a daily wage of 25 coins. After the probationary period, the daily wage is 60 coins."

The villagers exclaimed in surprise, "60 coins a day? That's 1.8 taels a month!"

"One tael and eight mace, that's more than the accountant's salary!"

"Give me 1.8 taels a month, and I'll work until I die, let alone 10 years! I'll work myself to death!"

Ye Caiping and Ye Lizheng exchanged a glance and smiled.

This is exactly the effect they want. As long as the wages are high enough, they will have mastered the skills, and retaining them will not be a problem.

The villagers who wanted to sign up were all very enthusiastic, but some of the employees' families at the spicy soup workshop were dissatisfied.

The hot and sour soup workshop was still open, so none of those people came, but many family members came to watch the excitement.

Granny Zhao pushed her way through the crowd, excitedly saying:

"How can this be? My son and grandson only earn 30 coins a day at the spicy soup workshop, but this furniture workshop is paying 60 coins a day?"

Ye Caiping had anticipated this situation and said, "Whether it's the spicy soup workshop or the furniture workshop, I have a share in both."

"The original employees of Hulatang can go to the furniture workshop if they want. They were all the first batch of people I selected, and they are the best. There is no reason not to let them go."

"But a furniture workshop is not like a hot and sour soup workshop; the technical requirements are higher. Only if Uncle Wang chooses us can we switch to a furniture workshop."

Anyone with hands can make a Hu spicy soup shop, so it's easy to hire more people.

Therefore, she doesn't mind employees jumping ship to furniture workshops.

When Granny Zhao and her family heard this, they were all overjoyed.

Ye Caiping said, "Those who are interested should go to the village head to register. You need to make it clear what job you want to apply for. If you don't want to apply for carpentry, just go back after you register."

"Those who want to be carpenters, after registering, go to Uncle Wang's place to line up for a trial period and let him see if they are suitable."

The villagers swarmed around Ye Lizheng.

Wang Shuantou, Wang Shouqiang, Wang Shoukuai, and Ye Yong sat to one side, waiting for the villagers to come and try out the work.

Ask them to chisel something, or simply carve something.

They are all experts and can tell whether these people have the talent, especially Wang Shuantou, who has a very sharp eye.

Standing in the crowd, Mr. Wei watched the bustling furniture workshop and curled his lip in disapproval.

It seems to be going quite smoothly.

But the thought of having to pay her 70 taels of silver made her very unwilling.

Anyway... her family earns over 90 taels a month, so this furniture workshop might not be profitable.

Ye Caiping watched as Ye Lizheng and Wang Shuantou proceeded in an orderly manner, while Ye Daquan occasionally shouted from the sidelines, telling everyone to line up properly.

Even Old Man Ye and Madam Du were busy bringing out small pieces of wood so that everyone could try working on it.

She couldn't help but smile. Old Mrs. Ye stepped forward and said, "Caiping, leave this matter to them! Go home and rest. By the way, let your village head and your older brothers come to our house for dinner today."

"OK."

The mother and daughter returned home, and Grandma Ye and Xiao Yan cooked in the kitchen.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

Ye Caiping was studying a book on glassmaking under a tree in the outer courtyard when she heard the sound and went to open the door.

"Greetings, Madam Ye." Duanwu's smiling face came into view.

"It's the Dragon Boat Festival, what's up?"

"Here you are." Duanwu brought over a fish basket. "This is for you, Master."

Ye Caiping took it, looked down, and saw a small crucian carp, about two fingers wide, lying inside, looking utterly lifeless...

"I'll head back now."

Dragon Boat Festival is over, and Ye Caiping is frozen in place, what should she do...?

In the end, she still carried the small crucian carp into the kitchen.

Grandma Ye was chopping cabbage while Xiao Yan was watching the stove. When she saw Grandma Ye come in carrying a small fish, Xiao Yan chuckled and said, "Which cat brought Auntie a fish again?"