The sun is warm, autumn is in full swing, the leaves and branches of the locust trees in the yard have turned yellow, and in the blink of an eye it is already October.
The climate in the north is relatively cold, and the weather has become increasingly cooler, especially after the floods. Thin summer clothes are no longer suitable for wearing.
When Yu Fuling came from Changkui, she brought some thick clothes for Yu Jiao, which were just right for her to wear now.
The gate of the courtyard was crowded with people from Xixun County since early morning. The ragged refugees were wearing very thin clothes. They put their hands in their sleeves, looking forward to Yu Jiao opening the door.
After having breakfast, Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling took the two employment contracts that were prepared on the table and went to the yard.
The waiter moved the tables and chairs into the yard before opening the gate.
The long-awaited people of Xixun County came in one after another. The number of refugees was much greater than the last time Yu Jiao summoned them into the courtyard.
These people all came here eagerly after hearing that Yu Jiao was going to buy a field and hire workers. Such a good thing is hard to come by even with a lantern.
All the families with able-bodied laborers came this time. Because they brought their families with them, the whole courtyard was packed with people.
"I think everyone came here because they heard that I wanted to buy land and were interested in selling it." Yu Jiao said.
As soon as she spoke, the originally messy yard suddenly became quiet. Everyone looked at Yu Jiao and listened to her carefully.
Yu Jiao looked at everyone and said loudly, "Last time I said that anyone who is willing to sell all the land in their family to me can sign a labor contract with me. You should have heard the general situation. There are some details that I didn't have time to explain. This labor contract has a time limit. The tentative contract is three years."
Upon hearing this, some people in the crowd began to criticize. If it was only for three years, they would sell all their land, and if Yu Jiao didn't want to hire them as workers after three years, they would have no food and wages. How would they survive after three years?
Yu Jiao raised her hand to stop the discussion and said slowly and carefully, "I am a businessman, not a saint. If the land I bought is not enough to cover my expenses, then I can't continue this loss-making business. You should also know that providing food rations for each of your households and paying wages is a considerable expense."
"The reason why I set the three-year period is for everyone's sake. If the deficit continues, I will be heavily in debt and unable to pay for food and wages. This will not be a good thing for you and me."
Everyone listened patiently as Yu Jiao continued to speak.
"After three years, if I no longer want to manage the land, you can buy back your own land from me with the price you paid today. Then you don't have to worry. This employment contract is only valid for three years." Yu Jiao said, "This clause is included in our employment contract. Of course, I have the initiative. If after three years, I am willing to continue to manage and plant the land, you cannot buy back the land. However, you can renew the employment contract."
The people in the courtyard began to discuss among themselves. As long as they could get through the current difficulties, they could still hope to buy back the land after three years. What difference would this make from renting out the land for three years? The three-year period did not seem to do them any harm.
"If the harvests from the fields you bought, Miss Yu, are not good in these three years, can you fulfill the promised good food and wages?" someone asked bravely.
Yu Jiao nodded, "Why do you think I set this three-year deadline? I'm not afraid of being laughed at by everyone, but I set this deadline because I'm afraid that there will be no harvest in these three years, and I can only afford everyone's food and wages for these three years."
Some people in the crowd laughed, and after hearing Yu Jiao's words, they all felt closer to her.
In the past, those unscrupulous businessmen and wealthy families would not make any plans for them. They would just buy land. But Miss Yu was different from those people. She was like a living Bodhisattva sent by God to save them after the flood, and she took them into consideration in everything.
"Since Miss Yu said so, I have nothing to worry about. Miss Yu, please take a look at my family's land and population to see if they meet the conditions you originally mentioned. Can I sign an employment contract with you?" A strong man walked up and asked impatiently.
He was the man Yu Jiao used as an example of producing one dan per mu of land. He patted his chest with confidence and said, "Miss Yu, you won't suffer any loss if you hire me to work. If others can produce two dan per mu, I can do it too!"
Yu Jiao had some impression of him. Seeing that he was still so upset about the example he casually gave her last time, she couldn't help but smile and asked carefully, "How much land do you want to sell? How many people are there in your family? How many laborers do you have?"
The strong man pointed at a middle-aged man next to him and the woman standing behind him, and said, "My family has eight acres of fertile land and four acres of poor land. There are six people in my family, my parents, my grandfather, my wife, and a four-year-old boy. My father, my wife and I can all work!"
Yu Jiao nodded, "We can sign the employment contract." She looked up at the crowd, "Have you invited anyone who can read?"
"Yes!" someone in the crowd responded, "Master Liu, please help us look at this employment contract."
Soon, an old man over fifty years old was pushed out by the crowd. It was the Master Liu they were talking about.
Yu Jiao handed the employment contract to the old man. Master Liu walked forward, took it, and looked at it carefully.
Everyone was patiently waiting for Master Liu to review the employment contract, but a man in his early twenties couldn't help but stand up. He said nervously, "Miss Yu, do you... remember me? Last time you said that if you don't meet the requirements, you can sign another employment contract if you want to sell the land..."
These words attracted the attention of many people. Some of these people had few laborers at home, similar to the situation of this young man. They also heard from the man that there was another employment contract, so they wanted to come and try their luck.
Yu Jiao looked up at the man and said, "Yes, but this employment contract has nothing to do with selling the land. I will need to hire some people to work later. If any of you don't want to sell all the land, you can sell a few acres of land as an emergency measure to get through the current difficulties at home. I will hire a group of people to work in the future, not for farming but for business-related matters. If any of you want to work then, you can sign another employment contract with me."
The young man breathed a sigh of relief and was a little ecstatic. He suppressed his joy and thanked Yu Jiao repeatedly.
Master Liu on the side had carefully read the contents of the employment contract, and he listened to every word Yu Jiao said just now.
A look of an old man appeared on his face as he handed the employment contract back to Yu Jiao with both hands. He then looked at everyone and said, "I have carefully checked the employment contract in Miss Yu's hand and it is exactly the same as what she told everyone."
Everyone was delighted and rushed forward one after another, fearing that if they fell behind, they would not be able to sign the employment contract.
Master Liu took a deep look at Yu Jiao and could not help but sigh, "Miss Yu is really a kind person! This move has helped our county of Qiyun get out of trouble. It is a great blessing for the people of Qiyun County who are suffering. I would like to thank Miss Yu on behalf of my fellow villagers."
When he first heard about this, he thought it was a trick played by unscrupulous merchants, otherwise how could they take advantage of the people of their Xifeng County in so many ways? But today, after meeting this Miss Yu, listening to every detail, and reading the clauses in the employment contract, he realized that he was too narrow-minded.
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