"What?! There's a subsidy for having a baby? One hundred coins a month?"
"They're paying me based on the number of clothes I make! My goodness! I'm very quick and efficient, so if you calculate it this way, I'll probably earn more than my husband!"
"I get subsidies for injuries and illnesses, and I only have to pay half price for medicine! My God, I'm so happy I could faint!"
"Four days off a month is really great!"
...
Even Cui'er and the others didn't expect such good benefits. During this period, their wages were settled at ten coins per day. It seems that piecework will be the only thing recorded starting today.
The Yu and Qin families were absolutely thrilled...
But then I realized they seemed to have invested in the business, and it was their own company. The employees' salaries were all deducted from the general ledger, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
No wonder Mom chased after my third brother's wife to beat her yesterday!
However, they only felt a little sorry for her, after all, they believed that their third sister-in-law could lead them to make a lot of money. You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub!
Seeing their shocked expressions, Cui'er whispered to Lu Guilan, "Judging from your expressions, you just found out too?"
Lu Guilan was a smart woman. She knew that if she said she had just found out, it would definitely create some rift between her sisters-in-law. So she said, "Mother mentioned it at dinner last night, but we were so tired from making clothes all day that we were busy eating and didn't notice all the benefits!"
Madam Yu also said, "Yes, we don't really understand these things either. My third sister-in-law is smart, so we've left everything to her and Mother!"
Cui'er didn't mean anything by it, but when she heard them say that, she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she listened carefully to what other benefits were available.
At this point, He Jiuniang had finished reciting a string of benefits, and it was time for the turning point. She cleared her throat and said, "But—"
"Our workshop is the first to offer such benefits, so the rules are different. Although we pay according to the quantity, it's not about being the fastest. Before the end of each workday, we send someone to personally check and inspect the goods. Only those that are well-made and meet the standards are counted. Otherwise, they have to be sent back to be redone. Each person only has three chances to redo their work. If they do more than three, all their wages for the month will be deducted, and they will be fired. No one else in their family will be allowed to work in our workshop anymore!"
"If you all agree, come over and sign and put your fingerprints on it. Once you sign and put your fingerprints on it, the contract will take effect on the spot. All the clothes you made today will be included in your wages, and you will be paid your wages for the previous month on the 15th of each month."
The group looked at each other in bewilderment. Did that mean they wouldn't get their paychecks until the 15th of next month?
Previously, everyone received their wages after finishing their work, or at the end of the month. Who ever received their wages in the middle of the month?
But the benefits mentioned earlier were too tempting, especially the benefits for having children, which really took all the women into consideration!
Some people in the crowd started whispering among themselves, "This contract can't be signed so casually. If we accidentally let it slip, we'll have to pay compensation."
While everyone was hesitating, Cui'er was the first to raise her hand: "I'll sign! I'm willing to sign! This is much more than the ten coins I earn a day now. I, a woman, can earn more than a man, and my status at home will be much higher! Jiu Niang, I'll sign!"
As she spoke, she squeezed through the crowd. Qi and the others reacted and pulled their daughter forward as well.
This is the time for the Lu family members to shine!
Then, the village chief's eldest daughter-in-law remembered what her mother-in-law had told her when she left in the morning. Thinking that this was indeed a good job, she also squeezed out with her sisters-in-law.
With someone taking the lead, the rest became much easier. People were packed together, and many young girls had tears welling up in their eyes from being jostled.
Sun was furious at the sight of those reckless women and shouted, "Quiet down! What are you all doing? If you push any further, get out of here right now!"
This worked immediately, and everyone quieted down. He Jiuniang said, "The people on the far left, come up, three people at a time."
Considering that many people are illiterate, He Jiuniang first wrote down their names and then had them put their handprints on their names. After everyone had put their handprints on their names, He Jiuniang said, "Today was a bit rushed, and I haven't had time to prepare individual contracts yet. In a few days, I'll have the children in my family copy them down, and each household will have its own contract."
These words immediately put everyone at ease. With the contract in hand, they could ask someone to review the terms if they ever forgot them, keeping them in mind and reminding themselves not to make mistakes.
After explaining all this, everyone happily went back to have lunch. After lunch, they would begin their money-making careers.
He Jiuniang let out a breath: "My mouth is so dry from talking all morning!"
She had already given her a beating yesterday, so Sun didn't say anything. She just glared at her with some displeasure, finding this big troublemaker annoying.
During lunch, Madam Sun kept a long face. Lu Guilan noticed and asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"
"What else can I do? Considering that this workshop hasn't even started making money yet and has already lost so much money, how can I feel good about it?"
As she spoke, Madam Sun glanced meaningfully at Lu Guilan. Lu Guilan instantly understood her mother's meaning and said, "Mother, please don't be angry. Third Sister-in-law only came up with these ideas to earn more money. We've never done this kind of business before and don't know anything about it. Third Sister-in-law must have her reasons for doing this! You can tell from the fighting spirit of those female workers that they will definitely work hard for us in the future and earn back all the money we've put in!"
Madam Yu and Madam Qin didn't really think too much about it, and they comforted her, "Yes, Mother, we don't understand those things. Third Sister-in-law is a reliable person, and we all trust her, so please don't be angry!"
He Jiuniang realized that Sun Shi was actually helping her, and felt inexplicably guilty.
She had discussed these terms and benefits with Mrs. Sun yesterday, but then she got distracted by Lu Xiaoyang's matter and forgot to tell the rest of the family.
At least the Yu and Qin families spent the same amount of money as her; she forgot to mention it, so she directly announced today that it was indeed her fault.
She put down her chopsticks, looked at everyone, and said, "This was my oversight; I forgot to tell you about my plan last night..."
"Third sister-in-law, please don't say such things! Little sister is right. Even if you told us about these business matters, we wouldn't understand. I've already said that you can arrange these things as you see fit. We just need to be shameless and wait for the year-end bonus. Second sister-in-law, don't you think so?"
Yu looked at Qin, and Qin nodded hurriedly. She was still confused and hadn't realized what was going on. She didn't think it was a big deal, so why was it being made so serious?
PS: Hehehe, sorry I'm a little late today.
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