By mid-April, the apprentices from Shengzhou Kiln had been studying at the Baekdu Mountain Kiln for more than a month. They had learned everything they needed to learn, and all that was left was to return to their own kilns to practice.
Kang Yueran went to the Baekdu Mountain Kiln and asked Wang Hai to gather a dozen apprentices together and ask them how their studies were going.
Everyone first expressed their gratitude and said that they had learned it.
Kang Yueran nodded, "That's good. You should go back to your residence today to pack your things and return to Shengzhou tomorrow."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Wang Zhuzi was a little afraid that Kang Yueran would cause trouble for him, so he huddled in the crowd to minimize his presence.
Kang Yueran said to Wang Hai, "Go and tell everyone that those who are willing to follow Manager Wang to Shengzhou should go to the accounting office after work to collect their monthly wages. The monthly wages will be paid today."
Wang Hai said hello and turned to leave.
Wang Zhuzi buried his head in his chest and didn't dare to look at Kang Yueran.
Kang Yueran laughed twice. "Don't be afraid, Manager Wang. The kiln workers are all good people, not my slaves. It's their own business who they choose to work for. I can't control it, nor do I want to."
She glanced at the crowd, "As for you, I've learned everything I need to know. Don't worry, I have no intention of pursuing any further questions. But go back and tell your master that if anyone dares to lay hands on my kiln again, I will chop off his claws."
Her face turned cold and she asked in a threatening tone, "Did you hear that clearly?" Wang Zhuzi was jumping up and down in front of him, but these people were still making small movements behind his back.
Everyone fell silent, and timidly whispered, "I heard it clearly!"
Kang Yueran's voice suddenly rose, "Louder!"
This sound frightened the apprentices to death. Two of them almost fell down because their legs gave out. "Listen carefully!"
Kang Yueran waved her hand and said, "Let's go back to our residence now!"
More than a dozen apprentices ran away in a scramble as if they were being chased by a ghost.
The effect was achieved, but Kang Yueran was still not satisfied. She asked Hu Xiaocheng beside her, "Am I that scary?"
Hu Xiaocheng was also frightened by the shout just now. "It's not scary, the girl is a good person!"
Kang Yueran's face darkened. "It's not scary. Why are you so uncertain?"
Hu Xiaocheng straightened his back and said seriously again, "The girl is not scary, she is a good person! Girl, shall we go home? I will go to get the horse for you." After that, he ran away.
Hey!
After Wang Hai’s announcement, the entire kiln was in an uproar, and everyone was asking each other whether they wanted to leave.
Some people were too embarrassed to say they wanted to leave, so they said they wouldn't leave. Some curious people didn't go home directly after work, but crowded at the door of the accounting office to watch the fun.
"Lu Tian, are you really leaving? Are you leaving alone or with your whole family?"
"You are stupid. Shengzhou doesn't have a house. Lu Tian's wife works in a garment workshop. According to the rules of the big boss, they can keep the house where they live."
"Lu Tian, you've become rich, so go to Shengzhou and make a fortune, and your wife will stay at home to provide for the house."
"Lu Tian is the one who thinks things through clearly. Our brains are not as good as his."
Lu Tian's face flushed red, "Don't make sarcastic remarks here."
"What's wrong with saying sarcastic things? Can they compare to how cold-hearted you are? The eldest lady has been so kind to us, yet you betrayed her for a few taels of silver."
Lu Tian loudly retorted, "The boss said we are good citizens, not her slaves. It's entirely up to us to go or stay. You all have good lives, so why are you stopping me from living a good life?"
Some people sincerely advised Lu Tian, "Lu Tian, what Li Tie said makes sense. The Yin family kiln is not as good as you think.
The boss was kind enough to teach them the craft of firing colored porcelain, but they spend all day trying to steal his talents. The Yin family is clearly not a good family. It would be better for them to just work for the boss honestly."
Two of the people who went to collect their monthly wages began to hesitate again, wondering whether to go or not.
Lu Tian advised, "Let's go! Manager Wang won't lie to us. Even if he did, there are so many kilns in Shengzhou, are we afraid of not being able to find work?"
Anyway, the house at home hasn't been repossessed yet, so if things really don't work out, we can just come back. If we can't work at the kiln, we can always go to Heshun Wharf." Manager Wang promised him that if he could persuade one person to follow him, he would give him 500 coins as a reward.
"Heshun Wharf is also the property of the big boss!"
"The boss only owns a small portion of the Heshun Wharf. Besides, the merchants at the wharf hire us, and the boss has no say in that. Let's go to Shengzhou and earn some money first."
The onlookers also advised, "Don't listen to Lu Tian. He might have accepted some benefits from Manager Wang. Lu Tian, just go by yourself. Don't harm others."
Lu Tian felt guilty and angry, "If you have nothing to do, just get out. You don't need to worry about our affairs!"
Wang Hai heard the noise and came out. "Alright, the boss said it's entirely up to you whether to stay or leave. Stop joining in the fun and go home!"
The onlookers then dispersed.
In the evening, Wang Hai went to Kang Yueran to report the situation. A total of eight kiln workers left this time.
A few days later, someone saw Li Fu and Li Shou measuring land and went up to ask. They learned that the land was being measured to build a school. Anyone in the village who wanted to learn to read could come and study for free. The villagers were happy but also felt sorry for those who had left.
There were people in charge everywhere, and Kang Yueran had been idle for only two days when the eighth prince Chai Shiqin brought his men to Anzhou.
Kang Yueran had received a letter from Chai Shijing in advance and knew that Chai Shiqin was coming. However, she had not expected that there would be as many as 200 people.
When people come to Anzhou, they have to stay! The post station was full, so He Zeng invited Chai Shiqin and the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household, Zhuo Limin, to stay temporarily at the government office.
When people come to Anzhou, they have to eat! However, the people in the Shaofu refused to eat the food prepared by the post station. Zhuo Limin found He Zeng and asked He Zeng to persuade Kang Yueran to take charge of their meals.
Chai Shiqin knew the relationship between Kang Yueran and Chai Shijing, and reminded Zhuo Liming that it was better to mind his own business.
Seeing that he couldn't make any money from Kang Yueran, Zhuo Liming set his sights on Anzhou's richest man, Ou Jiuyan.
He personally led people to the Ou family, saying that he was going to pay a visit.
Ou Jiuyan, fully aware of this "visit," treated him to a delicious meal. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, he pushed a box filled with gold cakes in front of Zhuo Limin. "It is a blessing for Anzhou that Master Zhuo can come to Anzhou. Please accept this!"
Zhuo Limin opened the box, took a look, and nodded with satisfaction. "Master Ou is a capable man. I have a difficult matter and would like to ask for your help."
"Master Zhuo, please speak!"
"I heard that the cooks in Lord Ou's family are excellent cooks. I would like to ask you two to cook for my subordinates for a few days. Is that possible?"
Since ancient times, the people have never fought with the rich, and the rich have never fought with the officials. Ou Jiuyan quickly agreed, "I dare not say that I am not good at cooking, but I can only say that the food is barely edible. If the adults don't mind, I will arrange for two people to go to the post station to serve the adults for a few days."
Zhuo Liming praised with a smile and left with the box.
Ou Jiuyan didn't dare to slack off and immediately asked the housekeeper to arrange for someone to go to the post station. He had just sat down to make a pot of tea and hadn't taken two sips when Zhuo Limin and his men came to the door in a menacing manner.
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