The next morning, Lin Yun discussed the recruitment with Lin Feng and his father.
In this era, buying or hiring people are common options.
Lin Yun pondered for a moment and said, "Father, elder brother, our business is booming right now, and we really don't have enough manpower. But we don't know how good the people we've hired are. Why don't we hire people for a trial period first, and then sign contracts after they pass the test?"
Mr. Lin nodded in agreement: “Yun’er is right, it’s better to be cautious.”
So Lin Feng and his father went to the people's market in the county town.
There gathered many people looking for work there, including young maids, older women, literate accountants, and quick-handed assistants.
The two walked around the market and eventually picked out about ten men and women who looked honest and decent.
There were young embroiderers, middle-aged tailors, and several quick-witted handymen.
Lin Feng paid special attention to an elderly man who looked to be about fifty years old. He claimed to be surnamed Liu and said that he had worked as a steward for a wealthy family, but was sold off when the family fell into ruin.
Lin Feng felt that this person spoke with composure, so he brought him back.
When she returned to the shop, Lin Yun was counting fabrics in the backyard. Seeing her father and elder brother return with so many people, she put down her work and went over to them.
Lin Feng said excitedly, "Yun'er, I've brought everyone back. What do you think?"
Lin Yun smiled slightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone's faces.
She first inquired about the skills of several embroiderers, and then had them try their needlework on the spot. Finally, her gaze fell on the elderly man surnamed Liu.
"Uncle Liu, I heard you used to be a housekeeper?" Lin Yun asked.
Uncle Liu nodded respectfully: "Replying to the young lady, this old servant worked as the steward of the Zhao family in the south of the city for twenty years. Later, the Zhao family fell into ruin, and this old servant was sold off."
Lin Yun nodded: "Would you be willing to help us here? We won't shortchange you on your wages."
A hint of gratitude flashed in Uncle Liu's eyes: "If you are willing to take me in, young lady, this old servant will do my best."
Next, Lin Yun chose a woman named Zhang Ma. Zhang Ma was originally a cook in a wealthy family, but was sold off when her master moved to another place.
She was quick and efficient, and the food she cooked smelled delicious. Lin Yun tasted the side dishes she brought and immediately decided to keep her.
A girl named Xiao Tao also caught Lin Yun's attention. Xiao Tao was young, but she had clear eyes and was quick and efficient.
She said timidly, "Girl, my family is poor. My parents sold me to raise money... I can do laundry and cook, and I also know a little needlework."
Lin Yun felt sorry for her and thought she was sensible, so she kept her.
Finally, Lin Yun set her sights on a middle-aged man surnamed Liu. Mr. Liu had previously worked as an accountant at a cloth shop in the county town, but lost his job when the shop went bankrupt. He was quick with his abacus and had neat handwriting, so Lin Yun immediately decided to put him in charge of the shop's accounts.
A few more embroiderers were kept behind, all of them were still alive. The rest were taken back to the slave market by Lin Feng.
Lin Yun had originally planned to provide her elder brother with a page, but Lin Feng waved his hand and laughed, "I don't need one for now. I want to train myself for a while first." Seeing his insistence, Lin Yun gave up on the idea.
The newly recruited staff quickly integrated into the Lin family's life.
Zhang Ma gets up before dawn every day to prepare delicious meals for everyone.
Her cooking is not only delicious, but also nutritionally balanced.
After tasting the chicken soup she had made, Lin's mother couldn't help but praise, "Zhang Ma's cooking is truly impeccable, even better than the ones in restaurants outside!"
Uncle Liu was in charge of managing the order of the workshop in the backyard and arranging the work of the embroiderers and tailors.
With his extensive experience, he quickly brought the workshop to a well-organized state.
Xiao Tao is clever and diligent, and has become Lin Yun's capable assistant, helping her organize fabrics and pass on messages.
Mr. Liu took over the accounts and kept a clear record of every income and expenditure, which saved Mr. Lin a lot of trouble.
One midday, in front of Lin's Clothing Shop, Lin Yun was directing her newly recruited embroiderers and tailors to hang the newly made garments on the racks.
The shop was bustling with people. Since the introduction of the membership system, business has been booming, with daily revenue far exceeding expectations.
Mr. Lin stood behind the counter, greeting the endless stream of customers with a beaming smile; Mrs. Lin patiently took measurements and tailored clothes for customers.
Lin Feng was busy recording members' order requests. The entire Lin family was immersed in a busy yet joyful atmosphere.
However, inside the Brocade Pavilion, Xie Yu had a furrowed brow.
He sat in the accounting office, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his gaze fixed on the profit-sharing document that had been waiting for someone for so long.
"Three days have passed, why hasn't Lin Erniang come yet?" he muttered to himself, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
At this moment, the shopkeeper hurried in, his face showing some anxiety: "Boss, I just came back from East Street. I heard that there's a clothing store at the west end that has started some kind of membership system and is making over a thousand taels of silver a day!"
Xie Yu suddenly stood up, a look of shock flashing in his eyes: "Over a thousand taels? Which shop is that?"
The shopkeeper shook his head: "I don't know the specifics yet, I only heard that it's a newly opened shop and business is booming."
Xie Yu pondered for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes: "Prepare the carriage; I want to go and see for myself."
---
In the afternoon, a modestly decorated carriage slowly pulled up opposite Lin's Clothing Shop.
Xie Yu lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze falling on the bustling crowd at the shop entrance.
He squinted slightly, carefully examining the shop's signboard—"Lin's Clothing Shop"—and felt a vague sense of familiarity.
However, when he saw the busy figures in the shop, his pupils suddenly contracted.
Isn't that girl chatting and laughing with the guests Lin Erniang?
The middle-aged man standing next to her was her father, who had come with her to sell patterns that day.
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