Xu Zhi removed the cotton from Zheng Yuanyuan's shoulder and said with concern, "Yuanyuan, you've worked so hard."
Thinking about the hardships of the past few days and the rumors she had heard, Zheng Yuanyuan felt a mix of emotions welling up inside her, which eventually turned into a sour feeling that rose slowly up to her eyes.
Seeing that Zheng Yuanyuan's eyes were red, Xu Zhi quickly put her arm around her shoulder and said, "I've heard about it. You're really amazing now. You lead so many people and have so many things to do, yet you manage everything so well. Yuanyuan, you've really grown up."
Zheng Yuanyuan wiped away her tears and said, "Sister-in-law, I haven't done enough. I think there's still room for improvement."
Xu Zhi smoothed Zheng Yuanyuan's hair and said, "Sister-in-law, I trust you. I have some things I want to discuss with you. Is there a suitable place to talk?"
Zheng Yuanyuan led Xu Zhi into a separate room, saying as they walked, "It was Granny Wang who helped us rent this courtyard. Granny Wang said that there are many women in Nancheng who do housework at home. If we rent a house here, they can come and help make cotton-padded clothes and earn some pocket money to keep for themselves."
Zheng Yuanyuan opened the door to the room, which was simply tidied up. There was a couch, a table, and a few chairs. Some papers were scattered on the table. Zheng Yuanyuan invited Xu Zhi to sit down and smiled as she tidied up the papers on the table. She said, "I usually help those aunts, sisters-in-law and older sisters make clothes outside. This room is where I discuss things with the managers. Sometimes I also rest here for a while."
Xu Zhi smiled and nodded, saying, "You've done a great job, really, Yuanyuan. I didn't expect you to do things so well."
Zheng Yuanyuan felt embarrassed and sat down next to Xu Zhi, leaning against her. She said, "Sister-in-law, I've always followed behind you and never done anything myself. Even when it came to managing the household, it was Granny Wang who helped me. This time, I gritted my teeth and did it all myself. At first, the difficulties were so great that I cried several times a day. After crying, I would wipe away my tears and keep going. I knew very well that my brother and sister-in-law weren't here, and I could only rely on myself. Sister-in-law, don't be fooled by how easy things seem now. In those days, I couldn't sleep at night. The weather was getting cold, and there were still so many clothes that hadn't been finished. I was very anxious."
Zheng Yuanyuan's approach actually had its advantages. Instead of purchasing from outside, she bought the raw materials herself and gathered the manpower to do the work, which really avoided a lot of trouble.
Zheng Yuanyuan sat up straight and said, "By the way, we're all having lunch here now. Sister-in-law, why don't you stay here for lunch? I'm providing lunch so that all the ladies can focus on making clothes. I even brought our cook to help with the cooking. And those older sisters are also helping with the clothes making here. I've already arranged with them that they'll still receive their monthly allowance from the manor. The clothes they make here are the same price as those hired to do the work. I'll pay them the same price per piece. They're really enjoying themselves now."
No wonder Xu Zhi felt the house was much quieter when she returned home. It turns out that apart from the people who stayed at home to guard the gate, everyone else had been brought here by Zheng Yuanyuan.
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "That's perfect, it saves costs. How many clothes have you made so far?"
Zheng Yuanyuan took out a piece of paper that read that more than 10,000 sets had been inspected, qualified, and put into storage. This was already very impressive. It was handmade, and with only a small team, and Zheng Yuanyuan supervising the process every day, it was truly remarkable that so many sets had been produced in less than a month.
Xu Zhi exclaimed in surprise, "So many! Yuanyuan, you're amazing!"
With a hint of embarrassment on her face, Zheng Yuanyuan put down the paper and said, "Sister-in-law, it's already September. It'll get cold in Wuzhou soon. I'm worried that I won't be able to make it well and deliver it."
Xu Zhi thought for a moment and said, "I'll help you think of a solution. If all else fails, we can hire more people. Yuanyuan, the reason I came to see you this time is to ask if you've found out the backgrounds of the people working here."
Zheng Yuanyuan nodded and said, "Wang Mama and the two aunts helped to discuss it. Anyone who comes to work must have five people vouch for them. Otherwise, they cannot work here. We are making cotton-padded clothes for the soldiers in Wuzhou. If someone tries to cause trouble, it will be difficult to explain later."
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "I came here today to tell you about this. The situation in Wuzhou is very critical. Da Yan has been preparing for so many years. There will inevitably be a fierce battle in Wuzhou. What we are making is not only clothing to keep the soldiers warm, but also to ensure that the soldiers can wear warm clothes so that they can fight Da Yan to the death. Yuanyuan, you must ensure the quality of the cotton-padded clothes here. You must not let any defective products get in. More importantly, you must guard the warehouse well and not let any malicious people come and ruin the cotton-padded clothes we have already made."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuanyuan's face turned pale. Xu Zhi knew it was somewhat cruel to tell her this, but that was the situation. It was better to explain the situation clearly and take preventative measures than to be caught off guard and attacked.
Xu Zhi held Zheng Yuanyuan's hand and said softly, "Sister-in-law is back. I came back to finish making these cotton-padded clothes with you and send them over. I'm going to the Feng residence now to borrow some people to help you guard the courtyard. When the other tailors come over, they will be searched. Anything unrelated to making cotton-padded clothes is not allowed to be brought in."
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