Chapter 70, Chapter Seventy: The Academy's Attendant
When Yang Qiaomai took Guo Baiwen home together.
From a distance, one could see Sister Yang leaning against the gate of the courtyard, which was usually tightly closed but was now slightly open.
Seeing this, Yang Qiaomai explained, "Ever since Brother Guo moved in, Tianqiao isn't afraid to sleep alone at night anymore."
That's a good thing.
Yang Xianu was about to go out to buy silk thread to make two outer garments for Xu Tianqiao when she heard a peddler's voice calling out outside the door.
She got up and went outside, and saw a peddler carrying a large box coming into Plum Blossom Alley.
This person had come several times before, but since there were only one adult and one child at home, she would usually pretend not to hear and wait until the person left before going to the fabric shop to buy fabric.
There were other people in the house besides herself, so Yang Xia Nu became bolder and immediately called out to him.
The peddler's box had several layers, and a wide variety of embroidered items hung on the rod at the top.
Besides the silk thread that Yang Xianu wanted to buy, there were also some colorful purse nets inside. It was estimated that in addition to selling things, he also collected some needlework he made himself while walking around the streets and alleys.
"What does the young lady need?"
"Do you have any silk threads here?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Look at this color! It's the hottest color this summer. It's made with high-quality dyes, so it won't fade easily even after seven or eight washes. Take a look, do you like any of them?"
The peddler was telling the truth; the silk threads in his box were indeed very bright in color.
But Yang Xiaonu didn't believe that it could withstand seven or eight washes without fading.
Nowadays, even the clothes of wealthy people fade after being washed two or three times.
No matter how good the dye, she had never seen one that wouldn't fade after all her years of needlework.
So he picked and chose from the box, specifically selecting some brightly colored silk threads, even though they looked a bit tacky.
But this is for the buckwheat, because children's clothes get dirty easily and fade after being washed a couple of times.
The color is deep, so even if it fades easily later, you can wear it for a longer period of time.
After selecting most of the silk threads, Yang Xiaonu, unusually in a good mood, looked at the pile of silk threads in her hand and asked the price, "How much for all of these together?"
"My wife has a good eye. She picked out so many threads, which is just enough to make it a round number for you. It's exactly fifty coins."
The peddler was still smiling, but Yang Xiaonu was startled by the price and tried to bargain: "How can this be? I can buy such a small amount of silk thread for less at the cloth shop. You..."
Just as the two were talking, Yang Qiaomai and Guo Baiwen arrived.
Yang Qiaomai chimed in, "Yeah, don't bully my sister. Just because she doesn't know the price of silk thread outside doesn't mean she can ask for exorbitant prices."
The peddler cupped his fists in a gesture of respect. "I really didn't mean to overcharge," he said, picking out a pinkish-red silk thread from the pile. He explained with a hint of grievance, "It's true that this color of silk thread is the newest one. I'm already selling it for less than the bulk goods in the cloth shop."
I've definitely never seen this color before.
Knowing that the peddler wasn't deliberately lying, Yang Xiaonu fell silent.
As she looked at the peach-colored silk thread, still hesitating whether or not to buy it, Guo Banshan happened to walk out of the courtyard.
He had just finished feeding Xiao Hei and was still holding the big basin in his hand. "Buy it, Tian Qiao likes this color too."
Then, when he looked up and saw Guo Baiwen, he was still able to raise his hand and greet him while carrying the big basin, "Bawen! You came with buckwheat today too!"
It seems that Brother Banshan gets along well with the Yang family of three.
Guo Baiwen returned the greeting while silently nodding to himself.
Of the things his grandmother had told him before she came, one has now been resolved.
When the customer arrived, and since Yang Xia really liked the color, she didn't hesitate any longer and paid the peddler the price in copper coins.
Then he invited everyone to sit down in the main room.
"Brother Banshan, Grandma asked me to bring you some things." Guo Baiwen said to Guo Banshan as he handed him the basket he was carrying.
As expected, Guo Banshan refused to accept it.
Having no other choice, Guo Baiwen said, "Grandma said that if you don't accept this gift, she will come over and deliver it to you again tomorrow."
After hearing this, Guo Banshan had no choice but to accept the basket of cured meat and sausages.
Just in time, he also had something to say to Guo Baiwen. "You've come at the perfect time. I was just thinking of going to your place to tell you that I've found a suitable job in the county town."
Guo Baiwen had heard this news from Yang Qiaomai and Grandma Guo.
However, the group still had only a vague idea of what kind of job Guo Banshan had found.
"What kind of job?"
Speaking of this, Guo Banshan was a little embarrassed, but thinking that he earned his money with his own hands, without stealing or robbing, there was nothing to be ashamed of. "Aren't there many tea and medicinal herb mountains near Xiuning County?"
Guo Baiwen immediately understood, "You went to their workshop?"
"Yes, it's just helping to sort herbs or select tea leaves, which can be done even if you don't have much strength in your right hand."
The family that was willing to take him in wasn't a large tea or herb farm; it was just a simple workshop that took on jobs from other companies, so they had both tea and herbs.
But there are advantages too, as wages are settled daily based on the amount of work done that day.
You can get the money on the same day.
You don't need to worry about being scammed.
He got this job from the older brother who lived across the alley.
He has been working for two or three days now, and although he is not working very fast, his daily wages are not much.
But at least it provides some income, which is better than just sitting around and living off your savings.
But he also knew that he didn't know how much longer he could continue doing this kind of day-wage work.
In particular, the workshop manager who recruited them didn't own his own tea or medicinal herb plantations and could only make a living by taking on odd jobs that others were unwilling to take.
But things like these are best kept to yourself.
There's no need to bring it up again to tell Grandma Guo and the others.
Guo Baiwen was naturally unaware of the intricacies involved. Seeing that Guo Banshan looked well and hearing what he said, he simply smiled and said, "I originally wanted to come and tell you, Brother Banshan, that I saw a suitable job for you, but I didn't expect to be a step too late."
Upon hearing this, Guo Banshan also became curious, "What kind of job is it?"
"He is a monk in the academy."
Zhaifu?
The name was a bit of a tongue twister, and this was the first time Guo Banshan had ever heard of it.
"Never heard of it. What does this 'woodcutter' you're talking about mainly do?"
Guo Baiwen explained it in a way that Guo Banshan could understand: "It's about helping to tidy up their dormitories and books in the academy, and lending a hand if doors and windows need repair."
Although it sounds a bit like doing odd jobs, it's still working in the academy, which is a place for scholars, so it's a respectable job.
After listening to the story, Guo Banshan realized that he could still do these tasks himself.
So he was immediately intrigued and couldn't help but ask, "So, how much pay do you think this job will get you?"
Zhaifu is actually a combination of a dormitory manager and a security guard from a previous life. Maybe he should also add a bricklayer.
Before Guo Baiwen came, he specifically asked to confirm that the job did not require many words, but since it was recruited by the academy, someone was needed to vouch for the job and ensure that the person was of good character and not of low social status.
Because the wages are low and there is a lot of work to be done every day, not many people actively apply for this position.
But if you really think about it, there are quite a few people who want this job.
After all, the vegetarian meal includes food and lodging.
With food, clothing, and shelter all taken care of in daily life, it was considered a rare and desirable job by someone who had only recently moved to the county town.
The job posting was put up before school ended. He saw someone putting it up from afar and then went over to join them.
I initially thought it was some new notice from the academy, but I was surprised to see a recruitment notice from the academy stating that due to the expansion of the academy's resident students, they now need to recruit two dormitory staff.
Isn't this like someone handing you a pillow when you're feeling sleepy?
Moreover, the wages listed at the bottom of the notice were not small; the annual wage was eight taels, with two meals a day and accommodation provided.
Although the job ostensibly only involves cleaning school buildings and managing books, during the workday, they not only need to be available on call for tasks such as repairs, but they also need to continue working at the county school during students' holidays.
Even during the academy's exams and sacrificial rites, they had to work overtime to help set up the venue. If you count the regular holidays carefully, only the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival would give them two or three days off to rest.
As for other holidays, those need to be discussed in advance and then taken turns to take time off.
This is even more terrifying than the 996 work schedule of my previous life. After all, students can rest for one day every ten days during their ten-day break, while monks can only rest for half a day.
Guo Baiwen originally thought that running his shop was a bit tough, but now that he looks at it again, he thinks it's not so bad.
The only consolation is that, because candles are expensive, the fasting man should still be able to get some rest from evening until dawn.
They have little money, few holidays, and still want a decent girl.
He felt this should be a good opportunity for Guo Banshan.
Unexpectedly, before he could even tell Guo Banshan about it, he had already found a suitable job.
So they had no choice but to give up.
But just as he picked up his teacup, Guo Banshan, who had just said he had found a job, became anxious and couldn't help but tug at his sleeve, asking, "Bawen! You just said how much a vegetarian can earn in a year?!"
"Eight ounces?" Guo Baiwen and Yang Qiaomai exchanged glances, neither of them finding the number particularly unusual.
After all, Yang Qiaomai's monthly wage is nine hundred wen, not counting the holiday bonuses, which adds up to at least ten taels a year.
But for Guo Banshan, the eight taels of silver he received each year meant he didn't have to worry about daily rent or food. In fact, the academy would even provide him with two sets of linen work clothes to change into during the winter and summer seasons.
By rounding up, he was able to save all eight taels of silver!
This is even more profitable than farming in Guojia Village!
So now, without Guo Baiwen saying anything more, he couldn't sit still any longer. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Guo Baiwen, and said anxiously, "Quick, quick, let's go!"
If we don't go now, what will we do if the academy is full and doesn't need any more people?
As for the county town, there are plenty of decent people who can vouch for him; Guo Baiwen is studying at that academy right now!
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