Chapter 268: Former Steward Visits
The original manager?
Nanny Qin Qing said hurriedly, "Madam, Second Master, this farm was originally managed by Steward Mao. He was a kind man. I heard that when Master Zhen dismissed the farm, Steward Mao and his family redeemed themselves and left. Master Zhen, considering their loyalty over the years, did not give them any difficulty and did not ask for more money. He let them go smoothly. Why did Steward Mao come to see Madam and Second Master again when he was fine? It's strange."
Xu Zhichun thought for a moment and looked at Liang Mingxuan: "It's indeed a bit strange, but since he's here, let's meet him."
"Listen to my sister-in-law."
Zeng Xiaoyan heard this and gently pushed Liang Mingliang.
Liang Mingliang came back to his senses: "Ah, I'll go get him right away."
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Then bring him to the garden. We can take a break here."
The servants' rooms and the utility room are fine, but the furniture and objects originally displayed in the main courtyard and the main house must have been relatively valuable and precious items, or the owner's favorites, and have been moved out.
There were no tables or chairs. When people were taken there, there was not even a place to sit.
Liang Mingliang nodded and said okay, then turned and ran away.
Xu Zhichun and the others sat down in the pavilion and waited. Zeng Xiaoyan had just met with Steward Mao, so there was no need to avoid him. Nanny Qin Qing didn't avoid him either. She and Steward Mao were already members of the Zhen family, so there was no need for anyone to feel awkward.
Nanny Qin Qing was not embarrassed, but Manager Mao was stunned when he saw her. Nanny Qin Qing nodded and smiled at him.
Manager Mao was moved by the thought of fate and quickly greeted them, "Mrs. Liang, Mr. Liang."
Xu Zhichun said politely, "Manager Mao, please sit down and talk. I wonder what brings you here today?"
Manager Mao did not expect Xu Zhichun to be so straightforward. He had prepared a long speech before coming, but before he could finish it, it was interrupted.
It seems that there is no need to use his setbacks.
Besides, Madam Liang has Nanny Qin Qing by her side, so there is probably nothing that can be hidden from her about what happens on the farm.
Okay.
Steward Mao didn't sit down, but took two steps back and bowed slightly in a gesture of submission. "I do have something to ask of Madam and Second Master. I heard that Madam and Second Master are not from this county. I wonder if you have found a suitable steward to manage this manor? If not, Madam and Second Master, could you consider me? I have been managing this manor for many years and am very familiar with everything here. Master Zhen has never held me accountable for anything. I am confident that my character and morals are acceptable. In the future, I will serve Madam and Second Master with all my heart and soul to satisfy them."
Xu Zhichun and others were very surprised, and even Nanny Qin Qing couldn't help but look at Manager Mao.
Manager Mao is two or three years younger than Nanny Qin Qing, and is only in his early forties. If the farm is handed over to him, it will indeed save a lot of trouble.
However, he is too familiar with this place, and it would be a headache if he formed cliques and pretended to obey but actually disobeyed.
But as the boss, Xu Zhichun's advantage is still very obvious. In this era, there are not so many legal rules and regulations. She is the boss and has the final say in everything. Once the contract is signed, if Manager Mao dares to mess around, she can quickly deal with her without any fear.
If she and Mingxuan were so stupid as to allow this man to deceive his superiors and subordinates, and to act insincerely without noticing anything, then it would be better for them not to have this manor.
The uncle and sister-in-law looked at each other, as if they both thought the same thing.
No matter what you think, it is impossible to give Manager Mao an accurate answer at this moment.
Besides, this was not something that could be done with just a nod. Xu Zhichun had to think carefully about how to sign the contract, what the constraints were, how to agree on reward and punishment standards, the length of employment, the monthly salary, the scope of management, prohibitions and restrictions, etc.
Although her brother-in-law is young, he has a sharp mind as a scholar and may have many additions and improvements to make. The two of them still have much to discuss.
Nanny Qin Qing has lived in the mansion for so many years and is experienced in dealing with things, so she also wants to ask her for advice; when it comes to the things going on in the mansion, Xiaoyan knows much more than her who has only read a few novels about palace fighting.
When dealing with a worldly-wise man like Manager Mao, you can't let him take it lightly if he finds you making a mistake.
After a while, Xu Zhichun smiled and sighed, "Uncle Mao is right. I haven't assigned a steward yet. We don't live here long. If we have an experienced and familiar steward like Steward Mao to help us, we can really worry less. But--"
"Uncle Mao's arrival was so sudden that we didn't expect it. How about this, Uncle Mao will come again the day after tomorrow, and we'll go back and discuss it."
Although Manager Mao was a little disappointed, he was also mentally prepared. After all, how could such a big thing be decided just by saying so?
Since the lady said she would come the day after tomorrow, it means there is still some hope.
"Yes, Madam, please consider it first. I am definitely the most suitable candidate. I promise not to let you down! In that case, will I come back the day after tomorrow or at this time?"
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Alright."
"Yes, I will take my leave now. I won't disturb Madam and Master any more."
Xu Zhichun: "Mammy, please see Uncle Mao off."
"Yes, ma'am."
As they walked away, Zeng Xiaoyan said, "Sister Zhichun, do you want to use this Mao to manage things? It's convenient, but I'm worried he might have bad character. His family used to live here, and I'm afraid he'll get involved in everything, pocket the money, and become the boss himself."
Liang Mingxuan was also worried about this, "Sister-in-law, what do you think?"
"This is indeed a problem. Let's all think about it individually and then get together tomorrow to discuss and see if there's a good way to eliminate these troubles. If we can use him, that would be best, provided he can be used."
"Sister-in-law is right."
Outside the manor, Manager Mao used the excuse of asking Nanny Qin Qing to speak to him. "I didn't expect that Sister-in-law Qin would actually follow Madam Liang. It seems that Madam Liang trusts Sister-in-law Qin very much. Sister-in-law Qin is also very lucky, haha."
Nanny Qin Qing smiled and said, "Since Steward Mao has already redeemed himself, why is he thinking of returning to be a steward? To be honest, with Steward Mao's current wealth, wouldn't it be more comfortable for him to open a shop and run a small business?"
Manager Mao smiled bitterly and shook his head. "It's just a shop, but we've drained all our family savings. My useless son and his wife are now running the shop, and I don't know if the business can succeed. Even if it does, I'm afraid it will only be enough to make a living. I can't do manual labor at my age, and it's hard to find other suitable jobs. Yesterday, I happened to run into the head steward of the Zhen Mansion. He said that Madam Liang didn't bring a steward with her, and maybe she wanted to hire one. I came here to please him."
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