Chapter 47
Jiang Wanning ultimately underestimated the ability of neighbors to get things done.
Everyone was dejected for only a moment before they heard a soft, weak voice from behind: "If it's just that the place isn't spacious enough, I know a suitable place."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was Feng Niang who was speaking.
Feng Niang and her husband moved here two years ago, bringing with them three children: two boys and one girl. Her husband has always been the one earning money outside, while Feng Niang has been taking care of the children at home, and occasionally taking on some odd jobs doing sewing and mending.
Her husband is a peddler who walks the streets every day. In addition to selling things in the town, he also often goes to the villages below to sell things. Because he is hardworking and not afraid of hard work, his life is getting better and better.
The house her family rented came with a large warehouse, but the warehouse was not next to the main house. There were three or four other households in between. They were afraid that the groceries they brought in would be stolen if they stored them there, so they left it idle.
Feng Niang was short, with delicate features. "My family's warehouse has been empty for two years. It's at the end of the alley, and it's quite large and spacious. If we clean it up, it could be used as a school."
"There are only some unused rotten tables and chairs in the warehouse. It's easy to clean up. When my husband comes back tomorrow, I'll have him clean it up and see how to add more tables and chairs."
Without waiting for Jiang Wanning to speak, the others responded in unison: "I know Feng Niang's warehouse is not outside the alley. The children can go to school safely. I think it's okay!"
"Well, how much does your family's warehouse cost every month, Fengniang? Let's all chip in. We can't ask your family to pay alone..."
Jiang Wanning: “…” Okay.
She stood aside silently until everyone had finished discussing everything, even arranging how to divide the warehouse and how to order tables and chairs. Only then did they finally remember Jiang Wanning.
Aunt Tian wiped her hands on her apron and asked for everyone, "Now that we've found a place for classes, will Madam take care of the students?"
Having said that, Jiang Wanning couldn't refuse any more. She thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll discuss this with my husband when he comes back, and give everyone an answer tomorrow at the latest, okay?"
"And everyone wants their children to come to me. Do you think they'll take the imperial examinations, or work as accountants, or just learn a few words? There must be some reason for that, right?"
Speaking of this, as expected, there was another commotion from the audience.
Some people loudly said that they wanted to be accountants, some said that they wanted to work as managers for wealthy families, and some said that they wanted to be apprentices to doctors in clinics... Fortunately, after listening to everyone, Jiang Wanning found that no one was thinking of pursuing a career in politics.
Although she can teach about the imperial examinations, it would be enough to give her a headache if so many people wanted to take the imperial examinations and become officials.
Not to mention that not everyone is suitable for this path. Even if she worked hard to teach everyone, would a street full of scholars? I'm afraid people would suspect cheating in the imperial examination.
Although she did not agree on the spot, after listening to so many people's answers, she had a basic idea in her mind.
She sent them away in a gentle manner, went back to her room and drank some water, but before she could settle down, the next wave of people arrived.
This whole afternoon, not only was Grandma Lu surrounded, but Jiang Wanning was also unable to find a moment to rest at home. Groups of neighbors came over, and they all talked about wanting to teach their children to read.
But these neighbors took good care of her, and Jiang Wanning couldn't drive them away. She could only receive them one by one and postpone the discussion to tomorrow. She roughly estimated that there were at least thirty children.
This continued until Lu Shang came back. There were fewer people at home, but there were still knocks on the door from time to time. This time, the knocks were from a single household, or from one or two families together.
In fact, there were not so many families who wanted to send their children to school, but the commotion this afternoon was too loud, and with the instigation of acquaintances, everyone stayed at each house. Among the forty or fifty households in the nameless alley, thirty or forty of them had already come.
When Grandpa Pang came to question her that day, Lu Shangshang stood beside Jiang Wanning. Whether he was speaking for her or silently supporting her, there was always someone by her side. However, this time, Lu Shang just stayed away.
Even when someone came to the house after dinner, Lu Shang would just stay aside. Only after seeing them off would he come out and chuckle.
Jiang Wanning was completely bewildered by him, and couldn't help but vent her anger on him. She raised her hand and patted his arm: "My husband is laughing again!"
Lu Shangquan didn't care. When she turned around, he rubbed her head with his backhand and said, "I'm afraid Aning will be busy from now on!"
"Hey——" Jiang Wanning turned around, but the other party had already run away.
She stood there and pursed her lips, but when she came back to her senses, a smile spread across the corners of her eyes, and her heart felt warm, full of hope and beauty for the future.
It’s like... I thought it was an abyss with no bottom in sight, but when I reached the bottom, I found that there were small flowers blooming underneath.
No matter how much they laughed and joked, at night the two of them got down to business.
Having more children has its pros and cons, but since you have decided to take them in, you should always be responsible for them. Jiang Wanning is responsible subjectively, and the rest are some external conditions.
Jiang Wanning mentioned Feng Niang's family's warehouse, but Lu Shang said, "If you decide to use it, why don't we pay for it and see if we can rent it or buy it? It's better to be clear about matters involving money."
"I think so too. After all, there are too many people. If someone doesn't come, someone else will add someone else, which will be another mess."
Lu Shang said, "As for tuition and fees, Mr. Pang's family calculated it at 300 wen, but you also said at the beginning that this was because Pang Liang was the first student. What about the others?"
Jiang Wanning hesitated when she mentioned this. "I'm not really thinking of making money from the school. If I were to be responsible for the students' paper and pens, then three hundred coins a month wouldn't be enough. But if it were more... We're all ordinary people. We don't consider studying as a career path, so spending too much would become a burden."
Even at this point, she still felt, "Actually, it's good to be able to recognize some words and learn arithmetic. Who knows when these skills might come in handy?"
If it were someone else, they might not understand what she meant, but Lu Shang knew how important universal education was.
He was silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Why not change the tuition fee to a daily rate, three or five cents per person per day, just as your teaching fee, and have their families provide the rest of the paper and pens."
"Besides, these children all live in the alleys. They can just go home to eat and rest at noon, which saves them another meal expense."
Jiang Wanning asked, "But paper and pens are also quite an expense."
"I know, but have you forgotten the sand table?" Lu Shang chuckled twice. "Didn't their parents say they don't plan on taking the imperial examination? So, as long as you can write and recognize, you'll be fine. Practice on paper occasionally, and the rest of the time, just write and draw on the sand table."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Wanning sat up directly. Her eyes in the darkness were particularly bright and filled with moonlight.
Lu Shang asked with a smile: "Have all the problems been solved?"
Jiang Wanning tilted her head: "The problems we have discovered so far have been solved."
"Then go to sleep. I'll ask the warehouse for you tomorrow morning. Once your side is taken care of, I can focus on other things." Lu Shang said, pulling Jiang Wanning to lie down.
Jiang Wanning's mind was full of school matters, and she couldn't calm down at all. But when she tilted her head slightly, she could see that Lu Shang had closed his eyes. No matter how many thoughts she had, they gradually calmed down and finally turned into peace.
"My dear husband, sleep well..." Jiang Wanning said softly.
I thought Lu Shang had fallen asleep, but the next moment, I heard his deep voice: "An."
In the darkness, Jiang Wanning's mouth curled up slightly, and she finally closed her eyes.
The next morning, before Lu Shang and Jiang Wanning got up, someone was already at the door.
The older Grandma Lu gets, the less she sleeps. After yesterday afternoon, she also knew what her neighbors wanted to do.
She opened the door quickly after hearing the knock. Seeing a large group of people at the door, she was not intimidated and just stepped aside to open the door. "Shang'er and Wanning are still resting. Everyone, come in and sit down first."
The group of people entered the yard but didn't make any noise, just whispered to each other.
But the feeling is always different when there is someone outside the house or not. Lu Shang suddenly started in his sleep and sat up abruptly, but when he turned his head, he could see a figure hitting the window.
Especially when you take a closer look——
"?" Lu Shang nudged Jiang Wanning doubtfully, "Aning, is there someone coming home again?"
Jiang Wanning was still dazed when she was woken up, but when she looked outside, she quickly became alert. She subconsciously glanced at Lu Shang, and when the two looked at each other, their eyes were full of understanding.
Lu Shang laughed: "Okay, it seems that some people are more anxious than us."
He quickly changed his clothes and washed his face with the water in the basin at the door. Then he said, "Then I'll leave the house to you, Aning. I'll go ask for the warehouse for you."
Jiang Wanning responded while tying her hair into a bun. Not long after Lu Shang left, she also went out.
With Jiang Wanning's appearance, the discussion in the courtyard reached another peak.
Jiang Wanning stood on the steps at the door, which was just a little taller than most people. She pressed her hands several times and finally got everyone to quiet down.
She said, "My husband and I discussed this yesterday. I have no problem with everyone wanting to send their children to learn to read. It's just that everyone is concerned about the tuition fees—"
"As everyone knows, Pang Liang has been studying with me for a long time. He followed me before I moved to town. He also performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony and acknowledged me as his teacher. As my first disciple, he should be treated more favorably than others. That's why his tuition is only three hundred coins."
After hearing this, the neighbors calmed down a lot.
Someone asked worriedly, "Madam, do you mean that our tuition will be more expensive?"
"It's not expensive, actually." Jiang Wanning shook her head. "I asked everyone yesterday, and the aunts and sisters-in-law all said they didn't plan on having their children take the imperial examinations. If that's the case, there's really no need to spend money on fine pens and ink just to learn some simple calligraphy and arithmetic. It would be a waste of money."
"I'm thinking that everyone's tuition will be settled at the end of each month, based on the number of children and the number of days. Each person will pay two cents per day. For example, if Aunt Tian has two children and they come for twenty days a month, then they will pay eighty cents at the end of the month, and so on."
Last night, Lu Shangti asked for three or five cents in tuition, but Jiang Wanning also had a letter-writing stall, so she couldn't devote all her energy to the school. Besides, the children were just learning to write, so there was no need for them to practice calligraphy all day long.
So she thought that if she taught fewer classes, she would charge less money, and the cost of pens, ink, paper and inkstone would all be paid from this money, so the adults wouldn't have to worry about it.
Jiang Wanning continued, "But there's another point. The school in our alley doesn't have classes all day long. It only has half a day. In the morning, there are only three hours of classes, starting at yin and ending at si. After school, you can go home. In the afternoon, you can review your lessons or help with chores around the house. I don't take care of that."
"Can you learn anything in just half a day?" Some people still raised questions.
Jiang Wanning said patiently, "It's just literacy and arithmetic. Half a day is enough. Besides, the children are still young. Even if I could teach them, they would learn too much and forget it quickly. This way, we can combine work and rest. Besides studying, we can't let them completely lose their lives."
"Of course, I have my reasons for doing this. You've all seen the letter stand at the entrance of the alley, and I can't devote all my time to the school. The only thing is, since I'm collecting tuition from everyone, I can't go against my conscience."
"That's pretty much it. You might as well go home and think about it. I'll do another headcount in three days to see exactly how many people want to study with me."
Jiang Wanning explained the situation clearly, and seeing that everyone wanted to discuss it, she didn't chase anyone away. She saw that Grandma Lu had been helping to greet the guests for a long time, so she hurriedly told her to go back to her room to rest, while she poured some water for everyone.
When she was passing water to everyone, someone would always stop her to ask questions.
"My eldest son is fourteen years old this year. He only helps me and his father with housework at home and doesn't have a formal job. At his age, can I send him here?"
"Of course you can. It depends on the child and your opinion."
"Ma'am, I have a nephew who doesn't live with us. Can he come?"
"Of course, he can, but I don't provide food or accommodation here, so he has to consider food and accommodation."
"There's also Feng Niang's warehouse. Do you want us all to pool our money and reserve it in advance?"
Jiang Wanning slapped her head and said, "Oh, I actually forgot about this. I forgot to tell everyone that you don't have to worry about the warehouse. Whether it's renting or buying, the money will be paid by my family. I'll let you know once everything is arranged."
Someone cleverly counted on his fingers—
This female teacher only charges two cents for half a day's lesson. Even if she has thirty children, she will only make two taels of silver a month, and about twenty-four taels a year.
And these twenty-four taels are used to rent a warehouse and buy paper and ink. Don’t I have to pay out of pocket?
No matter how she calculated, she couldn't figure out that Jiang Wanning made any profit at all. It was already good enough that she could meet the daily needs of the children in this courtyard.
The more this person calculated, the more astonished he became. He also became more and more convinced that this female teacher was an honest person. It would be a good idea to send his child to study with her!
Everyone had asked almost all the questions and had a general idea of what was going on, so they soon left in groups of three or four.
However, at the end, a woman approached Jiang Wanning mysteriously and asked in a low voice, "Madam, although you are a woman, you are as knowledgeable as a man. So, can I ask my daughter to come and listen to the lessons in this school? If there is a chance in the future, I can ask her to help you?"
Jiang Wanning was startled at first, then smiled: "Of course!"
"If you're willing to send your daughter here to study, I'll waive her tuition. As for helping me—" Jiang Wanning knew all too well how difficult it was for girls to study in this world. Fearing she might go back on her word, she quickly promised, "How about my letter-writing stall? When she's learned enough, I'll have her write letters with me, and we'll split the money we earn in half."
"Oh, there is such a good thing!" The woman was surprised.
"I don't go out often, so you look unfamiliar to me. What's your name, sister?"
The woman said, "My husband's surname is Xiang, so you can call me whatever you want, Madam."
"Well, Sister Xiang—" Jiang Wanning pondered over it again and again, her voice unconsciously softening a bit, "I'll wait for you to bring our daughter over."
Only after receiving repeated assurances from the Xiang family did Jiang Wanning send her away.
After the Xiang family left, the courtyard was completely empty.
Jiang Wanning didn't know why. Even though the female student was not sure whether she could come, she was happier than when many neighbors came to her house to ask for study. She was especially excited at this moment. She wanted to prepare the pens and ink early and give them all to the girl as soon as she came.
Fortunately, she gradually calmed down when she thought about the many things that had not been arranged.
At noon, Lu Shang came back from outside.
Not only did he come back by himself, he also brought a house deed. When he opened it, he found that it was the warehouse of Feng Niang's family.
Jiang Wanning asked in surprise, "Did my husband buy it?"
"I bought it." Lu Shang said, "It's a coincidence that his family's house was bought from the same brokerage as ours. Anyway, he didn't need the warehouse, so I discussed it with them and bought it from the brokerage separately. This way, their monthly rent will be lower, and the warehouse will belong to our family."
This warehouse is very large, but it is not easy to rent or sell, otherwise it would not be rented out to Feng's family.
The broker also discovered that Mr. Lu was used to picking up things that others didn't want, such as the house and the warehouse. But no matter what, he would make some profit if he could sell the house.
Because the warehouse had no walls or courtyard, it was just a lonely room. It was finally sold for twenty taels of silver, and the broker also offered to help with the cleanup.
Lu Shang did not refuse, but just told them to clean it up within the next two days.
"The agent said he'll bring people over tomorrow, and the place will be mostly cleaned up by the day after tomorrow. You can take care of ordering tables and chairs then, and I won't take care of the rest."
Jiang Wanning agreed: "Okay, I'll take care of the rest."
"By the way, I'd like to trouble my husband to tell Sanniang's family that Dabao can be sent over in the next two days. However, when Uncle Pang and the others come tomorrow, they should bring Dabao with them."
Lu Shang naturally responded without hesitation.
It was already late, so lunch was not prepared carefully. Lu Shang fried some rice, Jiang Wanning helped to make a pot of porridge, and steamed an egg for Grandma Lu. That was enough for the meal.
Grandma Lu ate the steamed egg carefully, and was filled with emotion for a moment: "Even when I was a girl, I didn't eat like this. Now that I'm old, I'm enjoying it..."
Lu Shang said casually: "It is only when you are old that you should enjoy a peaceful life!"
Before lunch break, Jiang Wanning couldn't help but tell Lu Shang that the Xiang family wanted to send their daughter to study here. Although Lu Shang was surprised, he was also happy.
"That's perfect. Once you teach that girl a lesson, you'll be able to relax a lot."
Speaking of this, Jiang Wanning blinked her eyes and asked, "Does my husband remember Liangliang's cousin?"
After Lu Shang said yes, she continued, "I think the child is quite clever, but I don't know how he is doing in mathematics. If he is good at it, he can go and help my husband in two years."
Only then did Lu Shang realize where she had the confidence to tell Aunt Pang Liang that she was looking for a job. It turned out that she was waiting for him here.
Even so, Lu Shang was not angry. He even waved his hand and said, "That's great. Go ahead and teach Aning. And the kids in this alley, if they learn well in the future, they can keep accounts for me and do housekeeping. It's a good thing that I don't let outsiders take away from me. I'm confident that you can teach them well."
As for whether his logistics business would need so many people, the two of them were not worried at all.
The kids still have two years to go before they can finish their apprenticeship. Who knows what the situation will be like for his family in two years.
In the afternoon, Jiang Wanning and Lu Shang went out at the same time and separated at the entrance of the alley. One went to buy vegetables and meat, and the other went to look for a cheap and spacious house.
Since it was for the long-term workers of Pingshan Village to live in, the requirements for the house were much lower.
After Lu Shang arrived at the dental clinic, he only made one request:
Big, the bigger the better.
Of course, it would be better if there was a suitable place around the house to use as a warehouse.
After searching with the broker for an entire afternoon, Lu Shang finally decided on three houses near the city gate. These three houses were adjacent to each other, with a total of thirteen rooms. The houses were equipped with wells and kitchens, and even Lu Shang's additional requirements were met.
Not far from the house, there is a one-bedroom house with a very large yard, which is just right for parking carriages and horses. Once someone lives in the house, there will be someone guarding it at night.
Just because they are close to the city gate, there is a lot of personnel turnover around these apartments, and it is even noisy during the day. Fortunately, the farmhands are not at home during the day, so they are not affected too much.
These four apartments can be rented on an annual basis for only twenty taels of silver.
If it comes to cost-effectiveness, of course it is the most cost-effective to buy it. However, it is really difficult for Lu Shang to come up with so much money at once. He can only rent it for a year first, and then think about other things when he is able to make the money flow.
By the time he followed the broker to the yamen to sign the contract, it was already dark.
Jiang Wanning was busy this afternoon. She put the vegetables and meat she had bought back home and went out again. This time she went to Mrs. Cheng's house to ask her to go back to her parents' home so that she could order some low tables, round stools and bookshelves for her.
Mrs. Cheng also has a child of school age, and they have agreed to send the child to school.
Mrs. Cheng quickly agreed to Jiang Wanning's request, carefully wrote down her request, and said she would go back the next day and ask her father and brother to make it quickly.
After everyone left the Lu family in the morning, they gathered together to talk.
The shrewd woman told everyone her plan. After everyone calculated, they realized that Jiang Wanning really didn't make any money, and perhaps she was willing to take in so many children just out of consideration for their neighborly relationship.
She had already paid out of her own pocket to buy the warehouse and order tables and chairs, so Mrs. Cheng didn't want to make any more money from her. She roughly calculated the cost price, which was seven taels of silver for fifty sets of tables and chairs and eight bookshelves.
After a few days of commotion, all these matters have come to a temporary end.
The next day, Lu Shang was going to go back with the logistics team and check on the situation during his absence. He left home before dawn.
When it was time for morning class, just as Jiang Wanning had expected, Grandpa Pang brought three children in his car: Pang Liang, Dabao, and the young boy from the Lin family.
Uncle Pang might still be a little embarrassed, but Jiang Wanning seemed to have forgotten what happened before. She kindly called the children over and started asking about their homework.
While Dabao and Pang Liang were scratching their heads, Jiang Wanning told Grandpa Pang about the alley school. From then on, Pang Liang and the others would attend classes in the morning and a small class in the afternoon.
Uncle Pang was not unhappy when he heard this. Instead, he said happily, "I said that Mrs. Lu is a good teacher. They will definitely not regret sending their children to study here."
Jiang Wanning said, "When Liangliang and the others are older, I'll make a few beds for them at home, and let them stay with me. I'll change their daily leave into a monthly leave. That way, you can worry less, and the children can focus and settle down."
"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say." Even though Grandpa Pang cared very much about his little grandson, he didn't dare to express his opinion casually when it came to his grandson's studies. He could only do whatever Jiang Wanning said.
After seeing off Grandpa Pang, Jiang Wanning restrained the gentleness on her face.
Dabao and Pang Liang have rested for several days. It is time for them to get some stimulation and work hard.
She scribbled out two test papers, which contained everything she had learned during this period. After handing the test papers to the two of them, the little kid who had been so happy just now suddenly became listless.
Jiang Wanning said, "Write quickly. I'll review it when you're done."
"I'm going to take Brother Lin out to talk now, but I'll come back to see you. If I catch you whispering or copying each other again, I'll punish you."
"Especially Liangliang, since you've become my student, regardless of your academic achievements, if you have bad behavior, I will punish you severely."
"Dabao, what are you laughing at? Do you think you're fine? Behave yourself, or I'll tell your mother about this and have her teach you a lesson!"
After this intimidation, the two children no longer dared to have any weird ideas.
While they were answering the questions, Jiang Wanning took Lin Zhongwang out.
Without his uncle and others around him, this young boy who seemed to have some personality became much more restrained. Although he still pretended to be cold, there was still a hint of timidity in his eyes.
Jiang Wanning didn't expose him, but asked gently, "Your mother said she wants you to be an accountant in the future. So I also want to ask you, are you willing to learn arithmetic?"
She was worried that Lin Zhongwang had no idea about arithmetic, so she demonstrated two simple arithmetic problems to him on the spot. She then said, "Dabao and Liangliang haven't started learning arithmetic yet. They've been reciting poems and learning Chinese characters these days."
"But you're a little older than them, and time is a little tighter. If you're not averse to arithmetic, I'll start with arithmetic. Once you're more comfortable with it, we can move on to literacy. What do you think?"
Lin Zhongwang turned his head to look at her, then looked back at the arithmetic on the ground. After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "Can I calculate as fast as you?"
Jiang Wanning smiled and said, "That depends on your ability."
When the two returned to the elementary school, Dabao and Pang Liang had also finished their test papers. As expected, they were a mess again. If they could at least answer them correctly last time, they really couldn't find any advantages this time.
Even Jiang Wanning, who was well-mannered, couldn't help but ask, "Have you two been staying at home for so long that you've left your knowledge behind?"
The two little ones didn't dare to say a word.
When Jiang Wanning was decorating this primary school, he had not thought about adding new students, so he only built two sets of low tables. Now that Lin Zhongwang is here, he simply asked them all to study at the big table.
Dabao and Pang Liang were punished by her to write big characters, and during this time she taught Lin Zhongwang some words and sentences that would be used in arithmetic. He would write and draw from time to time and then ask her to repeat them.
After the class was over that day, Dabao and Lin Zhongwang, who were also led by Pang Liang, all called Jiang Wanning "teacher".
The day's classes are over at home, and all that's left is waiting for Grandpa Pang to pick up the children.
However, things were not going smoothly for Lu Shang. It wasn't that his business was having problems, but simply that there were problems with the layoffs of these temporary workers from Lujia Village.
Lu Shang has already rented a house and will go to Pingshan Village to recruit people tomorrow. After that, with fixed long-term workers, the existence of these short-term workers will not be so necessary.
It's not that he doesn't care about the old friendship, but the number of temporary workers has been fluctuating over the past period of time. If something happens in one family, this person may not come for two or three days. When several families come together next time, there will be a lot more people on hand.
Because it was a short-term job, Lu Shang couldn't force who came and who didn't. Sometimes when there were fewer people, the time for loading and unloading goods would be longer, and the delivery time would be delayed. Sometimes when there were more people, the delivery speed might not be much faster, but he would have to pay much more wages.
No matter whether there are many or few people, it will only bring harm to Lu Shang and no benefit.
He considered his words several times, but when he said that he would no longer need temporary laborers, some villagers who were used to doing the work immediately objected: "What do you mean, Mr. Lu? Didn't we agree to pay for a day's work? Well, since we have family matters and we don't come to work, don't we still get paid?"
Lu Shang suppressed his smile and said in a deep voice, "That's true, but my business is also continuous. The uncertainty of short-term work is too great. When the busy farming season comes in September, how many of you will be able to come? I can't let Guanhelou's goods be cut off just because everyone doesn't come, right?"
That's true, but most people only think about themselves and are unwilling to understand the difficulties of others.
"Well, that's September already. It's only the end of August, there's still some time left!"
Lu Shang shook his head: "That won't work. I need to recruit new workers and familiarize them with the job. Otherwise, when you all leave, the new ones won't be skilled enough and all the goods will be stuck in my hands. That will kill me."
"I understand everyone's reluctance, so if anyone says they can be a long-term worker, like my newly hired long-term workers who only have two days off a month, then they can stay. I'll provide food and accommodation, and pay them on time."
He did not hide anything and explained to them the treatment of long-term workers, including the monthly bonus and year-end bonus. He had told the villagers of Pingshan Village about this, and he did not leave them out either.
After hearing about such a generous reward, it is inevitable that some people will be tempted.
But providing food and accommodation also means that they cannot go home. The restriction of being able to go back home for only two days a month still makes them dare not agree easily.
Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, a slightly old voice rang out: "I, I can be a long-term worker. I don't need a vacation... Master, are you still hiring a coachman?"
Lu Shang took a closer look and found that it was someone he had disliked before.
He had a deep impression of this man. Due to his age and physical strength, this man could not meet Lu Shang's requirements in loading and unloading goods. But since he said that day that he could learn to drive a cart, this man learned the skills of driving a cart in just four or five days. After that, he was among the drivers on every trip to transport goods.
Lu Shang thought for a moment and remembered the man's name. "Lu Sheng, right? If you can guarantee to work at least 28 days a month, you can stay, and the compensation will be the same as before."
"Then I'll stay! Master, I can be a long-term worker!" Lu Sheng's family only has two acres of land, and the crops they grow are not enough for their own food and clothing. If he doesn't come out to make money, the whole family will starve to death.
As for the busy farming season, there are more than ten people in his family. Even if he is not at home, the rest of the people can take care of the fields. It is more important for him to stay outside and make money.
After him, two other people stood up firmly.
Lu Shang asked again, and when he saw that no one else said anything, he roughly understood.
"Okay, I really don't need any short-term workers anymore. If anyone wants to come over in the next two or three days, they can come. I'll pay them as usual, but after three days, I'll no longer be involved."
Originally, he wanted to go to Pingshan Village in person tomorrow, but now it seems that he will have to personally supervise the delivery of goods every day before the farmhands start work.
No matter how resentful these people were, it was getting late and if they didn't come back, they would be too late.
After Lu Shang paid today's wages, these people left one after another.
Lu Shang left the three people who were determined to continue working behind and told them, "Remember to tell your families that when the farmhands arrive, you can move in too. You'll live in the town from now on."
"Yes, yes, we all know..."
In the end, only Lu Qi was left by Lu Shang's side.
Lu Shang glanced at him and asked jokingly, "Why, do you want to stay too?"
But Lu Qi scratched his head and actually said, "It's not impossible... I don't have much to do at home anyway, and Sanniang has been wanting to send me out to work for a long time."
"Brother Lu, you don't know. I've been working with you for the past few days. Regardless of how much I'm paid, Sanniang has become much nicer to me since I was away from home. She used to scold me four or five times a day, but now she only scolds me once. I don't get beaten if I don't talk nonsense."
“…” Lu Shang actually wanted to ask.
——Have you ever thought that the reason you get scolded less is simply because you spend less time at home, and it has nothing to do with your attitude?
But seeing Lu Qi's happy face, he was not in a bad mood after all.
Coincidentally, Lu Qi helped to monitor the work for a few days, and Lu Shang really didn't find anything wrong.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Well, I'm in need of a manager. My main job is to monitor deliveries and communicate promptly with both parties if there are any problems. Do you think you could do it?"
"Manager?" Lu Qi opened his mouth in shock.
Lu Shang couldn't help but laugh and said, "What's wrong with you, Manager? Thank goodness Manager Fu praised you to me before. Don't you even have this little confidence in yourself?"
"That's not impossible..." Lu Qi chuckled, "I'm just afraid of disappointing your expectations, Brother Lu. But if I really want to do it, it's not impossible."
"Then it's settled." Lu Shang made the final decision. "Go home and discuss it with your wife. Since I have to supervise the work, you probably won't be home too often. However, there is always a difference in wages between a manager and a farmhand. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I won't treat you unfairly."
"Anyway, I have to keep doing logistics here. You should also discuss it with your family. Don't make it happen today and not tomorrow. It will be difficult for you and me to deal with it."
Lu Qi nodded to show that he understood: "Brother Lu, wait for me and I will give you an answer tomorrow!"
"Okay. Oh, by the way, Aning also asked me to tell you that when you go back, tell your wife that Dabao's classes will resume from now on. It's still Uncle Pang who will take him back and forth."
"Okay, okay, I've got it all noted down. I'll be going back now. Thank you, brother! And thank you, sister-in-law!"
Looking at Lu Qi's running back, Lu Shang thought of something inappropriate at this time -
The children of this person who is one year younger than him have already started to learn English, but he hasn't even started to learn anything, let alone learn to play with his children.
He wasn't really anxious, but when he thought about it, he felt a strange sense of envy.
The next day, Lu Qi and Fan Sanniang came to the town together and went to Lu Shang's house. On the one hand, they came to give Jiang Wanning a gift, and on the other hand, they also wanted to thank Lu Shang for taking care of their family.
After a night of discussion, Lu Qi decided to continue working with Lu Shang.
Since he had made up his mind, Lu Shang did not hesitate and immediately sent someone to Pingshan Village, asking him to go to Pingshan Village to pick up Zhan Shunan and others, while he would go to the city gate to follow the goods and keep an eye on the temporary workers' last few days of work.
Fan Sanniang didn't bring many things this time. She simply packed five taels of silver. I don't know how long it took her family to save up this money.
Jiang Wanning refused to accept it: "How can a tutoring cost so much money? Sanniang, haven't you heard that Liangliang and his cousin only spend 300 wen a month? They can't spend that much money in a year. No, no -"
If she could refuse, Fan Sanniang could certainly choose not to listen.
She forcefully pressed the purse into Jiang Wanning's hand. "The Pang family is the Pang family, and my family is my family. Uncle Pang said that Pang Liang has already accepted you as his master. My Dabao doesn't look like a good student, so I won't ask him to become your master and tarnish your reputation. But that's not how you take advantage of others."
"Dabao is studying with you now and eating at your house. Five taels of silver is not a lot. Besides, Mr. Lu has asked my Lu Qi to be the steward. We should divide it more clearly."
"Anyway, if you don't accept this money, I won't have the face to ask Dabao to come to your place in the future."
"Oh, no—" Jiang Wanning was really embarrassed. "If you say that, Sanniang, didn't you take care of me when I was in Lujia Village? If you insist on this, it hurts my heart."
Neither Fan Sanniang nor Jiang Wanning had any bad intentions, but they each had their own opinions and neither could convince the other.
In the end, they had no choice but to compromise. Jiang Wanning kept two taels of silver as Dabao's food expenses, and Fan Sanniang was not allowed to ask for more money. Both parties were happy.
The next two days were the time for the neighbors in the alley to register for school.
Jiang Wanning spent the whole day memorizing names. At last she counted, there were 42 students, several times more than the number of students in the school she had peeked at in Beijing before. Fortunately, she had brought enough tables and chairs, otherwise there would not be enough space for so many people.
Two days passed in a blink of an eye. The hunters from Pingshan Village had all settled down in Tang Town. They had been delivering goods for two days and were basically familiar with the entire logistics process.
When the short-term workers who were originally resentful saw their appearance, they had to swallow their dissatisfaction due to the huge disparity in strength. After finishing their last day of work, unless they were changed to long-term workers, there would be no such easy money-making jobs anymore.
At this point, the logistics team has been formed.
Mrs. Cheng's parents also sent custom-made tables, chairs and bookcases. Mrs. Cheng's father took the initiative and added ten more chairs, just as a gift to the school, and did not charge any money.
When the warehouse door was opened and strong young men helped to move tables and chairs inside, most of the people in the alley came out, holding their children's hands and whispering in their ears: "Look, this is where you will learn to read and write in the future."
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