Xi Chun was happily preparing chili oil with her team. They were still short-handed, so Xi Chun found more people to help. Finally, they managed to complete the quantity requested by Boss Zeng within ten days.
"Phew, these past ten days have been non-stop, buying chili peppers and oil. I wish our village could open an oil press." Aunt Zhang and the others come to help after closing their stalls every day, which is why they are sighing now.
“Our village doesn’t have the advantage of that water level, so it will only require more manpower. If we cooperate well, we can negotiate a more suitable price.” At that time, there was no electricity, so it was not mechanical operation. Other villages and towns naturally discovered that using the difference in water level was more convenient than manpower, so they built water-powered oil presses and mills.
Therefore, as long as people are diligent and intelligent, there is no idea they cannot come up with; the wisdom of the ancients should not be underestimated.
However, the chili oil business has taken another step forward. In addition, Zhou Xiaoxue suddenly felt dizzy while working yesterday. After the doctor examined her and said that she was pregnant and needed to rest, Xichun decided to move the chili oil production site back to Taoyuan Village.
Taoyuan Village has more cheap labor and better confidentiality than in the city. This rented courtyard can be used as a small warehouse, where small orders can be completed.
If we encounter such a large customer again, we can process the chili oil in the village and then transport it to the city. Firstly, it takes up more space, which is more conducive to ensuring quality and quantity. Secondly, the chili oil making process produces a lot of fumes, which makes the surrounding neighbors unhappy.
So Xichun found Qiangzi and Zhou Xiaoxue and told them about his plan. After moving back to the village, Xichun decided that Zhou Xiaoxue would be in charge of supervising the main work. He was a very meticulous person and had been busy with the work for a long time, so he was more familiar with the entire production process.
“I think this is a good idea. The neighbors around here have come over several times to say that the smell of our chili oil making is too strong and it bothers them. Also, we were busy a few days ago, and people were coming and going, which made it a bit noisy.”
Zhou Xiaoxue agreed wholeheartedly, and Qiangzi also felt that moving to the village did have some advantages. However, if they stayed in the city and didn't need to continue making chili oil, they should lower the wages.
"Xichun, we're not making chili oil anymore, so let me lower the wages a bit. The wages are too high right now, and buying other materials is a waste of money. Our work is lighter now, so let's save money wherever we can."
"Brother Qiangzi, how can this be? You'll be running back and forth between the two places from now on, which will only make things more tiring. Plus, your wife will have to go back to the village to oversee production, so your wages will only go up, not down."
"You two are the main force in my chili production and sales. After we hire more people, you'll be the two biggest managers besides me—one in charge of production, and the other in charge of sales. As long as you both work hard, the business will only grow bigger. When your child is born, you can send him to school to learn more, and you can also buy more land to lease to others so you won't have to worry about food."
“Xichun, I think you’re absolutely right. Now that we have a child, we need to think about his future. If we could have better conditions, he wouldn’t have to work in the fields all his life like us and our elders, barely earning any money. He could go to school like Young Master Fu and be just like the children in the city.”
Having a child, Zhou Xiaoxue understood Xichun's meaning even better. She had made up her mind to work with Xichun from now on, and she was sure that in a few years she would be able to earn money and buy a house in the city.
“Yes, we’ll follow Xichun. We’ll do whatever you say. We’re all people you’ve trained. If it weren’t for Xichun, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Qiangzi chimed in.
"Okay, it's settled then. Brother Qiangzi, you'll have to work harder from now on, running back and forth. I won't treat you unfairly; your wages will be doubled again." Xichun made the final decision.
She had boundless hope, and so did Chen Xique. This pregnancy was finally secure, and she needed to make a good plan to help her family stand up so that she could have some support. This way, her husband would no longer listen to others and send her back to his hometown.
"Master, this year marks your three-year term. As long as you cultivate good relations with your superiors, you can arrange to become an official in a more prosperous county or a smaller prefecture. I have already inquired and can make arrangements for the prefect of Guangming Prefecture and the deputy prefect of Jiannan Circuit." The clerk reported the information he had gathered.
"Very good. I am currently only a seventh-rank official in a low-level county. It would be worth it if I could be promoted by one or half a rank. You must do your best this time. It would be even better if you could go to the prefectural city or other wealthy places."
“But sir, this operation requires a lot of silver. Judging from the amount we have saved so far, it is still not enough. I have inquired and it will take at least this much.” The clerk held up a finger. The county magistrate looked at it and saw that it was 200 million taels of silver. He had only saved 5,000 taels. He was still short 5,000 taels. Where would this money come from? He frowned.
"After what happened before, those wealthy families were too cautious. Plus, they had to distribute the money to those people. Now they only have about five thousand taels left. Where will the remaining ten thousand taels come from?"
"My lord, the previous plan can no longer be used twice. I think we have to think of another way. I have been studying the families in the city for the past few years and have some ideas. Several of the families that have sought protection have already declined in the prefectural city. They are our prey."
The two exchanged knowing smiles, both having come up with an idea. However, they needed to find someone willing to do this dirty work to frame him; otherwise, without a legitimate reason, it would damage his official reputation.
"My lord, I have thought of a few people who I believe will be willing to do things for the magistrate." The clerk's eyes lit up as he thought of suitable scapegoats.
Chen Xique was doing needlework. She was going to make more clothes for her unborn child, and she also wanted her son to become an official in the future, so that her status would naturally be higher.
"Madam, Master has come to see you." The maid's voice came, and Chen Xique stood up excitedly when she thought of Master's arrival.
"Please sit down, please sit down. You're quite ill right now. These things will be taken care of by the servants. There's no need for you to do it yourself," the county magistrate said with a kind and considerate tone, holding Chen Xique's hand.
"What brings you here, sir? Would you like to dine in my room tonight?"
"Of course, of course. Sigh, I haven't had much time to visit you lately because my three-year probation period is over. I heard you mention before that you didn't want to go back to your hometown and wanted to stay here to rest and prepare for your pregnancy. I was thinking that we shouldn't go to a remote place, because that would make it troublesome to give gifts to the higher-ups. Sigh, I'm so worried."
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