The villagers all gathered around the table, but Liang stood outside the crowd.
Seeing Chen Qingqing surrounded by everyone like a star, he was consumed by jealousy.
This little girl is quite cunning; she's very good at winning people over at such a young age.
However, these things pose no threat to her. As the saying goes, "It's difficult for one person to please a hundred, and it's difficult for a hundred people to please one."
Nanshan Village has no shortage of people; finding a few workers shouldn't be difficult.
At this moment, Chen Qingqing, seeing the villagers gathering around, quickly smiled and reminded them,
"Don't rush, take it one at a time."
As she spoke, she picked up a stack of silver coins and handed them to Da Longzi. “Uncle Da Longzi, this nine hundred coins is last month’s wages, and the other two taels of silver is last year’s bonus. Here you go.”
"Oh my, so much money!" Da Longzi's hands trembled as he accepted the silver from Chen Qingqing, his face full of excitement. "Thank you, Qing girl. Uncle will definitely work hard from now on."
Chen Qingqing nodded and smiled, continuing to distribute bonuses to the others.
The distribution was completed quickly, and Liang was seen standing not far away without moving.
Chen Qingqing called out to her, "Aunt Liang, this is your wages and dividends."
Liang came to her senses and quickly came over. "Okay, thank you, Qing girl."
Taking the money, her lips twitched slightly, revealing an extremely unnatural smile.
"Qing'er, my back has been hurting lately. I wanted to tell you that I won't be coming to work tomorrow. If you need more help, I'll ask around and find someone to fill in for me."
"No need, Aunt Liang. Since your back is bad, just stay home and rest. Don't worry about the sugar shop. You're welcome to come back anytime you've recovered."
"Okay, then you go ahead with your work, I'll head back now." After saying that, Madam Liang hurriedly left.
At this time, only Chen Zhanshan, Chen Zhanliang, Lin Shi, Sun Shi, and Da Bao remained in the sugar shop.
Watching Liang's departing figure, Sun's eyes darkened. "Qing'er, there are some things your second aunt needs to tell you, otherwise it will make me feel uncomfortable."
"Second Aunt, what's wrong?" Chen Qingqing was slightly taken aback when she heard this, and looked up at Sun Shi. "We're not outsiders, so just tell me what's wrong."
"Qing girl, you don't know, that Liang Fugui is no good person. I heard that he also wants to make sugar to sell himself, and he also wants to buy the sugar beets grown by the villagers. He has said a lot of bad things about you behind your back."
“I’ve heard about this too,” Chen Zhanliang said indignantly. “That Liang Fugui is an ungrateful scoundrel. He’s forgotten who gave him a way to survive when he was starving.”
Chen Zhanshan shook his head repeatedly after hearing this, saying, "Don't take it too seriously. There are still two months until the autumn harvest, and besides, the villagers may not necessarily sell their beetroots to him."
“That’s right. With just a few acres of land, they can’t produce much brown sugar. It’s no threat to us at all,” Lin said, echoing her sentiment.
Chen Qingqing had long suspected that Liang's entry into the sugar-making room was not accidental; it seemed she was indeed secretly learning the sugar-making technique.
However, making brown sugar is not difficult; as long as you are willing to learn, you can do it in no time.
As the saying goes, "When one person makes money, the whole village is envious; when one person becomes rich, the whole village blocks their way."
Disdain for your poverty, fear of your wealth, resentment towards your possessions, and laughter at your lack—this is an unchanging law of human nature.
In the whole village, if even one person makes money, everyone will be envious and jealous.
Since there are profitable businesses, sooner or later someone will want to go it alone.
Today it's Liang, tomorrow it could be Wang or Li; she can't stop it.
Chen Qingqing couldn't help but smile faintly.
"People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. Having ideals is certainly a good thing. Besides, doing business is all about individual ability, so you don't need to worry too much. Just let things take their course."
Da Bao was a little worried and said, "Sister Qingqing, if they really manage to make brown sugar, it will definitely affect our sales."
“Yes, Qing’er, as the saying goes, competitors are enemies. You can’t be careless!” Sun said anxiously. “Our whole family works for you. If someone steals our business, we’ll have nowhere to earn money to support our family.”
Chen Zhanliang nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, yes. Our family is just starting to get better, and we still have to save money to pay our corvée labor and taxes. If that bastard Liang Fugui ruins our business, my second uncle's family will have no way to survive."
Chen Qingqing shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry, that day will never come."
Seeing her confident demeanor, everyone felt relieved...
The next day.
Nowadays, the sugar mill's supply is increasing, with the demand from Anyang County alone more than doubling, and the original 10,000 jin of raw materials ordered by Zheng Zhong is far from enough.
Chen Qingqing knew that today was the first day Zheng Zhong was to deliver the raw materials, so she planned to stay at home and wait for him, and also adjust the delivery volume.
"Sister, I'm leaving now." Chen Han's leave of absence is over, and he must rush back to the academy to study today.
Chen Qingqing smiled and instructed, "Be careful on the road. Study hard at the academy and try your best to take the imperial examination next time. If you can become a Juren or Zhuangyuan, I will have a strong support in the future."
Chen Han nodded solemnly, "Sister, I will work hard and will never let you down."
"Okay, I believe you."
Chen Qingqing didn't want to put too much pressure on Chen Han, but after her older brother was beaten and Li the Butcher caused trouble,
She knew all too well that in this feudal dynasty, merchants could not live in peace without officials.
If you don't have powerful backers, no matter how big your business is, you'll eventually become someone else's meat on the chopping block, at their mercy.
Lin helped Chen Han straighten his clothes, somewhat reluctant to part with him, "You've only been back for a few days, and you're leaving again. Can't you stay home a few more days?"
Chen Zhanshan laughed and said, "Xiao Han is going to study, not to play. What future can she have if she stays at home?"
“I know all that, but with all the children away from home, I feel so bad…” Lin said, her nose stinging with tears, and she turned her face away.
"Alright, the kids are all capable, let them go out and make their way in the world. Do you expect them to stay at home and farm with us?"
Since the sugar mill was built, the family's life has gotten better and better, Chen Zhanshan's horizons have broadened a lot, and his thinking has gradually changed.
Seeing Lin silently wiping away her tears, Chen Qingqing stepped forward and took her hand. "Mother, my father is right. Birds have to leave the nest when they grow up; children have to be independent when they grow up. If we grow up under your care all the time, what future will we have? Do you want us to go back to the hard life we used to live?"
Madam Lin shook her head. "That's not what I meant. Of course, your future is more important. It's just that I feel a little uncomfortable about you leaving so suddenly."
"Mother, don't be sad. I'll definitely come back to be with you early next time I have a day off," Chen Han said softly to comfort her.
Lin smiled with relief, "Alright, hurry up and go, don't keep your eldest brother Bao waiting."
......
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