"To be honest, our kiln is not an ordinary pottery workshop. The technique for making white porcelain is a secret recipe, and I hope everyone will keep it a secret. If the secret recipe is leaked from us, we will have to pay a compensation of one thousand taels of silver!" Qin San Niang's tone was still calm, but the authority she exuded made everyone below feel a chill.
The men were stunned. What? A thousand taels of silver? That was truly astonishing! For generations, they had never seen so much silver!
"What are we afraid of! We're just here to earn money, we're not going to reveal the secret recipe!" said the dark-skinned, lean man from before. He thought to himself, "These idiots, do you think the boss would ever lay out the whole secret recipe for them? Everyone knows that secrets should be kept by family."
The others thought about it and agreed. "That makes sense!" they nodded in agreement. "Besides, so what if we know the secret recipe? It's a craft; it takes at least ten or eight years to master!" So, everyone chimed in, saying they would work hard and would definitely not reveal the recipe.
"Alright, since everyone has no objections, I'll continue. Manager Chen has posted the working hours and rest times at the kiln on the wall. There's a one-hour rest period at noon, and we'll also be arranging noon and night shifts. As you all know, once the kiln is firing, it can't be stopped easily; we'll have to work through the night. Meals for the noon and night shifts will be provided by the kiln."
Meals are provided during night shifts? That's great! Many families only have two meals a day these days, so wouldn't that save you the cost of a meal?
The men all silently calculated in their minds that it was actually quite a sum of money!
"Next, let me talk about the benefits. The wages for kiln workers vary depending on the job. Ordinary kiln workers earn thirty coins a day, while those who fire the kiln earn a little more, forty coins a day. Night shift pay is thirty coins a night, and you can rest at home during the day. In addition, there are benefits during holidays. You can have four days off a month, and you are paid for those days off. However, you need to apply for leave three days in advance so that the supervisor can schedule the shifts."
My goodness, thirty coins a day! The kiln workers are paid more, but firing a kiln requires talent and is not something that just anyone can do. The master craftsman will personally select the workers.
Even if they can't do the kiln work, there are still many other jobs they can do, so the wages are quite satisfactory!
Thirty coins a day, and so close to home? Four days off a month, plus holiday and New Year's benefits—this is a job you couldn't find anywhere else!
Everyone cheered and expressed their determination to work hard to repay the employer's great kindness.
Chen Jincai shouted, telling them to disperse and wander around the kiln site to familiarize themselves with the environment, as they would officially start work tomorrow!
After taking a stroll around the kiln site, everyone was surprised to find that the environment was absolutely fantastic! The dormitories weren't as shabby as they had imagined; instead, they were brand-new mud-brick houses—just places to live! It was simply amazing! The clean and tidy wooden-framed beds made their own tattered quilts seem utterly inadequate…
Chen Jincai's wages were two taels of silver a month, which was an extremely high wage! He was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling all day long, and as a result, he devoted himself to the back mountain and was rarely seen!
Wang and Xiao Zhou weren't angry at all. Two taels of silver a month! It was worth it even if they didn't go home every day!
After everything was back on track, it was already late autumn! Qin San Niang was afraid of the cold, so she prepared thick padded jackets for her family early on.
I remember how the children were moved to tears by this padded jacket during their escape. A year has passed in the blink of an eye, but those memories have not faded at all. On the contrary, they have become clearer, constantly reminding them to cherish the good days they have now!
Liu took out last year's padded jackets, washed them, and together with Wu Chunhua, altered the hems of the children's clothes.
That's how villagers are; they patch things up and make do with scraps to get through the year!
Although none of them were short of money for a few pieces of fabric for clothes these days, thrift was ingrained in their bones, so Qin San Niang had no problem with it; as long as it was comfortable, that was fine! Compared to glittering jewelry, she preferred a relaxed feel.
I'll wear whatever I want, as long as I'm comfortable! Of course, she also knows to respect clothes before people, but she's willing to go with the flow depending on the occasion.
Thinking that Xiao Chang'an and his servant didn't have any thick winter clothes, Qin San Niang bought some fabric and asked Wu Chunhua to help make clothes. If she wanted something more exquisite, she would have to ask Liao Hongying to embroider it.
There are two main reasons why we don't buy them ready-made clothes. First, the styles are too flashy and out of place in this village. Second, clothes that are worthy of a noble young man are simply too expensive! Although Qin San Niang is now quite wealthy, one can't be too extravagant when it comes to daily life!
The villagers gradually learned that two distant cousins had come to Da Wa's house. They were incredibly handsome, but they would be leaving after the New Year! Although many young women and wives were heartbroken, they knew that there was a world of difference between them and they had no improper thoughts.
However, everyone has a love for beauty, and they will still lurk around their homes, hoping to have a chance encounter with a handsome, ethereal gentleman...
What Qin San Niang found most amusing was that the girls were actually wearing makeup! Cheap rouge, obtained from who-knows-where, was smeared haphazardly on their cheeks, making them look like two monkey butts from a distance…
The impact was so strong, I can't help but laugh...
Xiao Chang'an didn't react much to this. His eyes seemed to have an innate air of looking down on all living beings. He didn't care about the focused gaze, as if he should live his life under the spotlight.
Qin San Niang thought to herself, "This Xiao Chang'an is definitely not an ordinary person!"
Xiao Chang'an, no ordinary man, displayed a leisurely demeanor that left his guard, Yuan Lang, utterly exasperated. Although he also enjoyed the food, the situation in Yongzhou was far more urgent! If those people knew that the young master had been murdered and was missing, who knew how much trouble they would cause? Yet, he dared not bring it up, fearing to displease the young master. These past years, the young master had been working tirelessly, never before so relaxed…
"Yuan Lang, what's wrong with that look on your face? You're really getting on my nerves pacing back and forth."
"Young master, when shall we return?"
Looking at his straightforward guard, Xiao Chang'an felt it was time to give him some pointers. "No rush. It's rare to be an outsider like this. Let's see how they put on their show."
Yuan Lang frowned, shrank his neck, and squatted down in front of his master, looking exactly like a lapdog.
After a long pause, he suddenly realized, "I understand, young master! Only in this way can we see who our true allies are! How wise!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com