Yu Honghuo's family was very poor, and most of his wages were used to teach his three sons to paint. He believed that if the ancients could paint on pottery, then porcelain could also be painted on.
Kang Yueran was overjoyed when she heard Yu Honghuo's words, and asked Dacheng to take the books from the donkey cart.
"Master Yu is right. I bought Baitou Mountain to make colored porcelain. This book was given to me by my master. It records many techniques for making porcelain."
She pushed the book in front of Yu Honghuo and said, "Master Yu, you can stay and take a closer look."
Yu Honghuo was shocked. "No way! This is your master's unique skill. How can I learn it?"
"My master doesn't know how to make porcelain, he just has this book. If I can promote the skills in the book, I believe my master will be very happy."
"How is this possible? Every family's unique skills are always in the hands of their own family."
This is a matter of concept! Kang Yueran explained: "My master and I have different ideas from you. The person who compiled this book is no longer with us. If I don't take it out, won't this skill be lost?"
The cover of the book was a painting of a doucai plum vase, and Yu Honghuo was attracted by the picture. He was only interested in porcelain firing in his life.
"Master Kang, I'm willing to go with you to Mount Paektu to make porcelain."
It's hard for anyone who truly loves porcelain not to like Doucai. Kang Yueran smiled and said, "Okay! I don't need you to sell your bodies, but I want you to sign a ten-year contract. Within ten years, you can only work for me on Mount Paektu. You can't work for others, nor can you start your own business.
If you wish, you and your family can move to live near Mount Paektu. I will give you a house. If you do not wish, you can stay in Yujia Village and come back every month to reunite with your family.
Yu Honghuo's wife, Lian, was surprised and asked, "A house as a gift?" After the two sons got married, the family had a very tight living space.
Hu Dacheng said proudly: "Our girl has marked out a large piece of land at the foot of Mount Paektu. She will build a house after the New Year. From now on, anyone who works on Mount Paektu can use their work as collateral for the house."
Kang Yueran continued, "After the New Year, I will determine the monthly salary after I have seen Master Yu's craftsmanship, but it will definitely not be less than five taels.
Since it is colored porcelain, naturally someone is needed to paint it, and the monthly salary of the eldest brother San Yu will not be less than three taels.
They have four days off each month, and they receive their wages as usual during those days. They also receive four sets of unlined clothing and two sets of cotton-padded clothing each year."
Yu Honghuo laughed even louder when he heard that someone shared the same ideals as him. "Okay, let's sign a contract with Kangda!"
The Yu family was also very happy. Lian said, "Having a house on both sides means living comfortably, a high monthly salary, free rest, and clothes for all seasons."
The four of them, father and son, had a monthly stipend of 14 taels, and that was the minimum. The youngest son's betrothal gift and the two daughters' dowries could be raised quickly.
Hu Dacheng returned to the donkey cart to get paper and pen, Kang Yueran wrote the contract, and both parties signed it.
She said, "Leave the book here, Master Yu, and take a good look at it. Tomorrow I'll have a few carts of porcelain clay delivered. If you're itching to try it, Master Yu, you can try firing it in your small kiln. After the first month of the new year, come find me on Qingping Mountain."
After saying that, he took out twenty taels of silver from his sleeve and said, "This is your wages for the New Year, please keep it.
I'll have the colored materials for the colored porcelain delivered along with the clay. Try them out as much as you can, don't be afraid of wasting them, and learn the ins and outs of colored porcelain."
The Yu family was worried about how much money they would have for the New Year, but when they saw Kang Yueran being so generous, their liking for her skyrocketed.
Knowing that there was no kiln built in Baitou Mountain yet, Yu Honghuo recommended a friend who used to work with him to Kang Yueran.
This was a pleasant surprise for Kang Yueran, and she quickly agreed, saying that she was not afraid of too many people, and as long as they had the ability and good character, they could be invited and the salary would be negotiable.
Yu Honghuo hastened to assure that they were all honest people, and made an appointment with Kang Yueran to bring those people to Qingping Mountain to find her after the New Year.
It was almost the twelfth lunar month, and Xu Jiushi took people to distribute silver to the farmers who grew radishes.
The place for distributing the silver was set at the entrance of Lijiaji Village. That day, many people from nearby went to watch.
Xu Jiushi shouted twice to quiet everyone down. "The radishes have all been sold, and the accounts are settled. That translates to 10 taels, 430 copper coins per mu."
I'll call out your names one by one later. Come forward and collect your money. First one, Li Mao..."
The onlookers started talking again.
"I heard that Li Lizheng took the people of Lijiaji Village out to sell radishes, and each family earned several taels of silver."
"I also heard that Li Erniu, a poor fellow from their village, has found a wife. A few days ago, he even bought two pieces of cloth to make clothes for the girl."
"This is all thanks to Li Lizheng's courage. Who would have dared to deal with the people from Qingping Mountain back then?"
"Li Lizheng was brave enough. He took his men to Qingping Mountain to trade mint and eggs for rice. That's how no one in Lijiaji Village starved to death."
"I heard that the people in Lijiaji Village have cleared a piece of land and plan to grow mint, and then exchange it for food next year."
"I also heard that the women in Lijiaji Village are raising chickens and pigs at home, saying they want to sell them to Qingpingshan."
"What do you think? Can we also grow mint and raise chickens and pigs? Oh, I'm afraid Qingping Mountain won't accept our crops."
"It works! Li Lizheng said before that Qingping Mountain has been harvesting crops. Besides eggs and mint, they also harvest soybeans."
"Oh, let's see, that lame widower Li is also talking about a wife. She's a young widow from our village, nearly twenty years younger than him. Oh, Lijiaji is really rich!"
Everyone was sighing that Lijiaji Village had good luck, had stood up, and had become rich...
Everyone in Lijiaji Village had a smile on their face and walked with a breeze.
After the money was distributed, the onlookers dispersed in groups of three or four.
Li Mao insisted on inviting Xu Jiushi and others to his house for dinner. Xu Jiushi could not refuse. Knowing that Li Mao's family could also afford a meal, he agreed.
Miao and her daughter-in-law used all their household skills, killing chickens and stewing meat in the kitchen, making the New Year celebrations even more lively than in previous years.
Li Mao, Xu Jiushi and others were talking in the main hall. Besides them, there was also Bai Lizheng of Sanhe Village, as well as the headmen and elders of the six surrounding villages.
Xu Jiushi knew what these people were thinking and said directly, "The boss said that radishes must be planted in fields with sand on top and clay on the bottom to taste good. If there is no sand on top, no matter how good the land is, you can't grow sweet radishes.
Let me also tell you that we have saved the radish seeds. After you harvest the sweet potatoes after the New Year, you can come to Qingpingzhuang to get the radish seeds.
You must keep the seeds of the sweet potatoes and radishes you plant, as she will no longer be in charge of them."
Everyone's face was filled with fear. Li Mao said anxiously, "The boss lent us the land to grow radishes and gave us all the money. We are greedy..."
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