Xiao Yunying understood and whispered in Zhang's ear, "So, they've come to repay me?"
The feelings of peasants are really simple. In the past, because of the original owner's unlikable arrogant personality, they did not want to associate with her. Now that she shared a method for watering the fields, they took the initiative to help her and show their goodwill.
But this is good. If everyone were selfish, cold, and vengeful, she would really have to say that the world is doomed.
Zhang said with a smile, "Once your method of watering the fields is put into practice, it will save a lot of effort. They are grateful to you and have come to help on their own initiative."
At first, only one or two families came to help, but as word spread throughout the village after some people saw it, more and more people came.
Wang whispered, "Second sister-in-law, thanks to you, we've gotten a lot of orders for coarse porcelain pipes. We'll tally them up tomorrow and send them back to your parents' home. I'll have my mother give you a red envelope then."
"No need for the red envelope. I like to eat the pomegranates from my second sister-in-law's house. Just give me a few when the fruit is ripe."
Xiao Yunying glanced at the progress and said to Zhang Shi, "I have a lot of land, and I can't finish it in a short time. I don't know all the people in the village. Sister-in-law, please do me a favor and write down the names of the people who came. Ask them if they are willing to help me clear out these fifty acres of land together. I will give each person fifteen coins a day, without meals."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Semi-grown children who can work also count."
Don't underestimate the labor power of children. In this era, children in ordinary families are rarely spoiled. Generally, they can help with household chores at the age of four or five, and can work in the fields at the age of six or seven.
Children can work even faster than some adults if they are offered something that interests them.
"Okay, sister-in-law will ask for you."
A woman who came to get a drink of water heard this and asked if it was alright for her.
“I have two children at home, one eight years old and the other nine years old. They are very hardworking. Yunying, would you like to take them in?”
"Sure, as long as you're not lazy, we'll take anyone who's diligent."
Wang said, "Alright, we'll handle the rest. Yunying, you go ahead and get busy. A large group of people are waiting for you over there."
Xiao Yunying then remembered that the oxcart hadn't been unloaded yet: "Then I'll go back first. Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law. This isn't urgent. Let's go back and have dinner first, and we can do the statistics this afternoon."
"Okay, don't worry about it."
Xiao Yunying returned to the front of the new house, told the oxcart to wait a moment, and led everyone inside.
She introduced the three courtyards as she walked: "This courtyard is for men, the middle courtyard is for Uncle Dai's family, and the other courtyard is intended for single women. I haven't bought anyone yet, so it's empty for now."
She pushed open the door of a house where people were living, and found that it was already furnished and had been cleaned.
It was probably done by Uncle Yang's family and his wife's family. They made a lot of new furniture and had nowhere to store it for the time being, so some of it was at the Yang family's house and some was moved to the ground in the greenhouse where vegetables no longer grow.
She said a few days ago that the house was empty and there was nothing there, so she didn't lock the door. She planned to bring people back today to move the furniture, but she didn't expect that they would have moved everything in without her noticing.
"Four people live in one room. You can choose between bunk beds. If there is a dispute, you can draw lots to decide. It's fair. This is the shoe cabinet, and this is the wardrobe. They are all for individual use. If you are not comfortable with them, you can buy a small lock to lock them yourself."
Each courtyard has its own washroom and outhouse. If you need water, you can fetch water from the well in front of the greenhouse we just passed. In a few days when it gets warmer, I will dig another well for your courtyard, which will make it much more convenient to use water then.
"The delicate work like mending will be handled by Aunt Dai and your daughter-in-law. Also, please come to my house to get the grain, vegetables, and meat every morning. If you run out of food, or if you need anything else, just let me know, understand?"
Everyone was surprised by how novel and comfortable their accommodation was, and they all responded that they understood.
Unlike the maids and servants who served the young masters and ladies of wealthy families, these farm laborers lived worse lives than ordinary people, and when the harvest was bad, they even had difficulty getting enough to eat.
So nowadays, hearing that one can eat three meals a day and live and use such good accommodations is already quite good.
Xiao Yunying came out of the house and continued, "I will give you one and a half taels of silver per month. During festivals, you will receive extra red envelopes and benefits. If you do a good job with the tasks I assign you, you will receive separate rewards. Does anyone have any questions about this?"
One tael and five mace of monthly silver was already a lot for a peasant family. You have to know that a strong laborer could only earn thirty coins a day carrying heavy loads at the dock, and a skilled worker who built her house could only earn fifty coins a day.
No one objected. Xiao Yunying continued, "I'm a rather easygoing person, just an ordinary peasant girl. I don't like the rules of wealthy families. You don't need to bow to me when you see me. Just call me 'Master'."
Young Master Chen should have already told you that I bought you back to farm, and you just need to take care of this land on a regular basis.
You should be more familiar with growing vegetables and grains than I am, so I won't go into detail. If there are any vegetables you haven't seen before, I will tell you how to grow them in advance.
You must know that my vegetable seeds were obtained at great expense from overseas merchants; they are extremely precious. You must take good care of them for me, and keep a close eye on them. If anyone wanders around my field aimlessly, be sure to persuade them to leave immediately. If they don't listen, drive them away directly.
There are good people and bad people everywhere. Right now, the villagers seem quite easy to get along with, but once her fruit and vegetable business grows bigger, it will inevitably arouse the greed or jealousy of some people.
She cannot guard against malicious people at all times; she can only do her best to prevent them from getting too close.
Xiao Yunying stroked her chin, thinking that perhaps she should raise a few more dogs, not only to scare people but also to scare away small animals.
Everyone readily agreed that they would take good care of the vegetable garden. Xiao Yunying's expression turned serious, and she said to them:
"I'm usually easy to talk to, but that doesn't mean I'm a saint who will forgive anyone no matter what mistakes they make."
I've laid my cards on the table today. If anyone has any improper thoughts or does anything they shouldn't, like stealing my seedlings or seeds to sell, then they'd better be prepared.
"Your indentures are all in my possession, and they are all binding. If I discover that any of you have betrayed me, I will certainly hand them over to the authorities and have them executed for stealing and embezzling a large sum of money from your master."
In maintaining the hierarchical system, the Kingdom of Yi favors the powerful and wealthy, while the laws are much stricter for servants and slaves of low social status. Things she cannot do can be left to the government.
Seeing that they were bowing their heads and not daring to speak, Xiao Yunying recalled that she had already said everything she needed to say—instructions, instructions, concerns, warnings, and threats—and softened her tone, saying:
"If there are no problems, everyone can leave now. Go outside and move your things. Two people come with me to move the grain. Aunt Dai, tidy up the kitchen and prepare to cook. There's nothing else to do this afternoon. You can familiarize yourselves with the environment and go to the east mountain to collect some firewood. We'll start working tomorrow."
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