Chapter 272 Discussing Vegetable Planting
Lin Yuesha didn't really want servants who had made mistakes, especially since these servants had been sold from other places.
Lin Yuesha hesitated for a moment, then said frankly, "Huangya, although I am here to buy people, these servants are not here to serve me."
The conspiracy between Zhao Sanniang and her daughter didn't cause a huge commotion, and the yamen (government office) deliberately suppressed it, not holding a trial, for fear that servants in similar situations might have wicked thoughts and follow suit.
Is this really the case?
Huang Ya frowned. In normal transactions through brokerage firms, there were indeed those with dishonest hands and ulterior motives. He had been in this business for many years, and this was the first time he had ever heard of someone like Zhao San Niang.
"Zhao Sanniang couldn't give birth to a son herself and was oppressed in her husband's family, so when she saw that Xu was living a good life and Miss Jiang had maids to serve her, she became wicked."
It's a pity that Jiang Baozhu, with her good intentions, ended up getting herself into trouble.
The man with yellow teeth sighed, but even so, he still wanted to sell the family he had.
“Miss Lin, we’ve done business together before, and you know I’m not the kind of person who’s all talk and no action.”
Huang Yaren poured Lin Yuesha a cup of tea and then began to talk incessantly again.
Lin Yuesha was speechless. Every time Huang Yaren started with this, it meant he was about to introduce his useless servants.
I've explained Jiang Baozhu's situation clearly, but Huang Yaren is still incredibly insistent. Let's hear what he has to say.
“Logically speaking, servants who have made mistakes should not be allowed to buy things, as Mr. Huang mentioned before, but this family’s situation is a little different.”
As Huang Yaren spoke, he secretly glanced at Lin Yuesha's expression. He wasn't trying to cheat anyone; if he could sell his servants, he would be relieved of his worries.
Besides, he could tell that the family was really nice.
Having worked as a dentist for many years and served countless servants, Huang Yaren prides himself on having a good eye for people.
“Yellow-toothed man, just be straightforward and say it directly. I must proceed with caution this time when buying people.”
Lin Yuesha gestured for him to continue, waiting for the man with yellow teeth to finish. She was losing patience with all the preamble.
"That's right, there are only three people in this family: the father, mother, and daughter."
Originally, this family of three were servants of a minor official's family on the estate. The man was a minor steward, and his wife was a capable woman who excelled at everything she did.
The couple has only one daughter, Shaoyao, who is sixteen years old this year.
Last year, when Shaoyao came of age, she was so beautiful that she caught the eye of the young master of the manor. The young master was a womanizer and had several maids by his side even before he was married.
The young master took a fancy to Peony and wanted to snatch her to serve him, but Peony was a woman of principle and resolutely refused to become a concubine.
"Unable to fight city hall, Peony jumped into the river and committed suicide."
After jumping into the river, she was discovered by villagers, and someone rescued her. Because the incident caused a great stir, it damaged the reputation of the minor official.
So the family was accused of theft, beaten, and kicked out.
The official's wife specifically instructed the broker to sell the family of three far away, to the northern lands.
“Miss Lin, tell me, it’s really difficult for me to deal with a servant who makes such a mistake.”
Some people who come to buy servants do so only to acquire maids for their wives, and the yellow-toothed man can't very well push them into a pit of fire.
After this back and forth, the person was stuck in their hands again.
It's just that Huangya Ren always thought of his servants, hoping that they would all find a better master after leaving him.
“That man is quite capable, working as a small manager on the farm. Miss Lin, think about it, Miss Jiang will be all alone in the future, it wouldn’t be good to just sit around and do nothing. Buying a farm to grow some grain and be self-sufficient would be a good idea.”
In that case, Peony's father can also help; they are all experienced servants.
This is precisely because of mistakes; otherwise, it would be very difficult to find such capable people.
"That makes sense."
Lin Yuesha lowered her eyes. She had only listened to what the man with yellow teeth had said; whether or not that woman became a concubine was none of her business.
Having pride in one's servant position isn't always a good thing.
However, Peony's father had once worked as a minor steward in a farm, which suited him well.
Jiang Baozhu needs a capable person to manage the household, and they can't be too weak, as they always have to deal with all sorts of gossiping neighbors.
"Then send someone over so I can take a look and ask a few questions."
Lin Yuesha's softened tone delighted Huang Yaren, who felt the deal was on track.
A moment later, the family of three arrived at the front hall and greeted Lin Yuesha with neither servility nor arrogance.
Having worked in the government, Lin Yuesha knew the family's customs and asked, "Uncle An, you used to work on the farm. Do you have any experience in farming?"
The North is different from the South. I heard that in the South, every wealthy family has a heated room. This is what Lin Yuesha most wants to ask.
In winter, vegetables are scarce in the north, and she really can't stand the days of just radishes, cabbages, and potatoes. She wants to put growing vegetables in a greenhouse on her agenda before this winter.
Unfortunately, Lin Yuesha only had theoretical experience and knew nothing about practical operation.
"I dare not accept such an honor."
Uncle An was apprehensive, thinking that they had been called here to ask about past mistakes.
They hadn't done anything wrong, but servants have their own helplessness. They had to obey their masters and reopen their wounds, which was still a very painful thing.
The daughter was traumatized by this and it took her a long time to recover.
Uncle An was surprised that the young lady in front of him did not care about the mistakes they had made, but instead asked about the affairs of the farm.
"Miss Lin, are you referring to growing vegetables in a greenhouse?"
Uncle An was quite experienced in this regard. His former employer was a flower lover who particularly liked peonies, so the greenhouses on the farm were used to grow flowers, with only a small amount of vegetables.
The family had never experienced a winter in the north before. According to Huang Yaren, it would be difficult to grow vegetables in such cold weather, and the cost would be even higher.
"The inside needs to be kept warm by a stove fire, and a layer of straw mats also needs to be added."
Growing vegetables indoors is possible, but it lacks sunlight. If you have enough money, you should use glass.
"But glass is very expensive."
Lin Yuesha stroked her chin. Daqi had already started producing glass, but even the lowest grade piece cost tens of taels of silver, which ordinary people simply couldn't afford.
For example, even if one's own family has some savings, building a greenhouse out of glass would cost at least a thousand taels of silver; it's practically burning money.
Another point is that the quality of glass in this era was not very good. It could not withstand thermal expansion and contraction and was very easy to crack, so the money would be wasted.
Modern greenhouses use plastic film, but Daqi doesn't have that at all; you can't just use tarpaulin.
Therefore, after much consideration, Lin Yuesha realized that the temperature difference in the south was not so great, so glass could be used, but it wouldn't work in the north.
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