Mu Yi'an has already asked Butler Li to inform everyone that they will have dinner together tonight.
With Jiang's parents around, Mu Yi'an isn't afraid of not recognizing all the people.
Sister-in-law Li and the others had already prepared dinner: chicken stew with potatoes, the aroma filling the yard.
Led by Uncle Jiang Mian, the people from Jiangjia Village had already washed up and were still a little reserved when they entered the main courtyard.
"Jiang Mian, you take the lead and let everyone sit down."
Jiang's father was the oldest and of the most senior, so he led everyone to sit down.
Several large tables and long benches had already been set up in the courtyard, and the food was already on the table.
"Understood, Brother Xin."
Jiang Mian replied to his father and began to arrange for everyone to sit down.
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Yi'an looked at these unfamiliar faces and couldn't recognize a single one.
Everyone sat down carefully, but no one touched their chopsticks; they were all waiting.
"Today is a family dinner, so please don't be shy. It's your first time away from home, so you might feel a little uneasy."
You've gotten to know each other a bit better these past few days. If you work hard and diligently, Shuyun and her husband won't treat you badly.
We're from the same place, and by seniority, some of you are even higher than Shuyun. But let's keep things separate. When it comes to work, you have to listen to Shuyun and the others; for other matters in daily life, we can discuss them together.
Jiang's father set the tone and set the tone, which would save them from many problems later.
"Brother Xin, Shuyun, and Shuyun's family, don't worry, we understand. We're all grateful for the opportunity to come and work here."
Jiang Mian understood the meaning behind his father's words; it was also what his father meant.
“Starting tomorrow, let’s stop harvesting wheat and let the tenants do it themselves. Let’s finish building the houses we need to live in first. Once we have a home, we’ll feel at ease.”
Mu Yi'an told Butler Li that they would start building the house tomorrow.
Those with wives and children were assigned two rooms per family. Unmarried couples shared a large communal room.
The village has enough space, so we'll build two rows of houses first, and then gradually add more later.
Mu Yi'an felt that this was like the welfare housing in the 1970s and 80s, where workers had the right to live there but not the right to buy or sell.
"Dinner is served. Everyone, eat your fill and enjoy your meal."
Jiang Shuyun had said everything she needed to say, so there was nothing more to say to him. "Let's eat, we're all hungry."
Mu Yi'an and her family sat at one table, Butler Li and his family sat at another table, and the rest of the people were divided into two tables.
The meal was plentiful, and Mu Yi'an and the others ate while discussing the day's work.
With no one paying attention, everyone loosened up a bit and started talking quietly.
The meal was eaten quite quickly.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang took the children for a walk, and Mrs. Li organized people to clear the dishes.
Mu Yi'an asked Butler Li to bring Jiang Mian over, as she had something to discuss.
"Uncle Mian, from what I've observed, these people all seem to have a lot of faith in you."
Mu Yi'an got straight to the point; she didn't like beating around the bush.
"They're all young guys; they used to hang out with me."
Jiang Mian was well-liked, even back in Jiangjia Village.
"From now on, you'll be in charge of these people. Uncle Li will be back next month, along with Steward Wei."
On the farm, listen to Uncle Li on how to work. Once the breeding farm is built, we'll need to send some people there.
"Uncle Mian has worked hard these past few days, figuring out everyone's personalities and skills. It's best if we do work that we're good at."
Mu Yi'an explained what he wanted to do, and now it was up to Uncle Jiang Mian to decide.
“Master, I can handle this. If there’s anything I don’t understand, I’ll ask Steward Li or Fifth Brother. I’ll do my best to do it well.”
Jiang Mian knew this was an opportunity; he knew that Jiang Shuhe was now in charge of the estate in the county town.
"Alright, everyone came out here to earn wages. If the farm does well and the grain harvest is plentiful, everyone's bonuses shouldn't be reduced."
Mu Yi'an wasn't just making empty promises; there would definitely be a reward if things went well in the future.
"Thank you, boss!"
Uncle Jiang knew that Shuyun's family kept their word, and if they did a good job, they would be rewarded accordingly.
Shao Ming and his classmates had a seven-day break from school, and Mu Yi'an planned to spend those seven days at the manor.
The next day, Butler Li led people to build houses, while Mu Yi'an and Jiang Shuyun continued to study the wasteland.
"Yi'an, how is it? Can we grow crops?"
"It can't be planted there. The bottom half meter or so is all broken stones, and there's not much soil."
Mu Yi'an had seen the several pits that Master Zhao had dug, in different directions. Several pits had been dug in succession, and the situation was similar.
Master Zhao led Shao Yun and the others to fill in the pits they had just dug.
"We can't grow crops here, so we'll build a livestock farm here later."
Pigsty, sheepfold, chicken coop…
Mu Yi'an gestured, indicating that the place was large enough, and they would plan it out properly later.
"That works too. There's a lot of sand and gravel here, so it won't be too muddy when it rains."
"Yes, we'll build drainage ditches and a few manure storage tanks. With so much land, it won't work if the soil isn't fertile enough."
Mu Yi'an thought that when she had time, she would also clean the pond, and the silt at the bottom could be used for composting.
We also need to buy some lotus roots and plant them in two ponds; that will also bring in some income.
Mu Yi'an took the notebook she had ordered and started writing and drawing; she had quite a few things to do.
We also need to build a mill and an oil press so that we can press soybean oil ourselves after planting the soybeans. If we can't eat it all, we can sell it at the shop.
"I really don't understand these things. What you're saying sounds like gibberish to me."
"Every profession is like a mountain to climb; I don't understand what you're saying. But what does it matter? We're all running on our own tracks, it doesn't bother us."
Mu Yi'an patted her husband, wondering what had touched a nerve.
"I'm just grateful for my good fortune; I've lived two lives and never had to worry about money. Do you think our son will have the same fate as me?"
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