104 – Vermicelli Workshop Opens

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The two masters were not the sort of people who criticized others harshly, while Uncle Fu and Aunt Fu were kind, so the servants of Leisurely Farm Residence got along well. Lei-Qin Hui was also happy for others, and said without hesitation, “I’m willing!”

“En.” Qin Mian said, “The third set of the servant’s house will be temporarily used as a school for you. Afterward, use two hours after lunchtime to study. It doesn’t have to be too complicated. First, teach some simple and commonly used words, as well as basic arithmetic.”

“Yes.” Lei-Qin Hui responded.

Uncle Fu and the others suppressed their excitement and knelt together, “Many thanks, Little Young Master and Eldest Young Master!”

Qin Mian hastily said, “Quickly get up. It’s not something that can’t be done. Uncle Fu, tomorrow you’ll arrange for people to go to the town to buy writing brushes, ink sticks, papers, and inkstones.”

Uncle Fu happily said, “Yes.”

“All right, tidy up this place.” Qin Mian stood up and felt a little hungry, “A-Tie, what do we eat in the evening?”

“There are fresh carps.”

“Then, make braised carps.”

The two said these and walked away.

Lei-Qin Le carried the money box and followed after in quite a distance.

“Awoo.”

Qin Mian glanced over his shoulder and saw a big and fleshy grey-furred rabbit in White Spot’s mouth.

“Hah-hah. White Spot came back at the right time. Let’s also make spicy rabbit meat.”

When White Spot ran up to him, he rubbed its big head in appreciation.

“Awoo.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you half, and the rest is made into spicy rabbit meat.” Qin Mian patted it on the head.

White Spot bit the rabbit and ran away, sending the rabbit to the kitchen.

The atmosphere between the two young masters was not so ambiguous because of the appearance of White Spot. Lei-Qin Le found a chance to speak, “Eldest Young Master and Little Young Master. There is news from the old house.”

When he said this, all three understood that it was the news of “separation”.

Qin Mian asked, “How’s it?”

“After a big fight, Old Master and Old Madam Du disagreed to separate the family. In the end, they came to a compromise that they still have to eat and do farm works together. Henceforth, the money earned by individual casual work should be owned by themselves. However, every month, Second Gongzi, Third Gongzi, and Fourth Gongzi have to give 150 Wen support money to Old Master, Old Madam Du, and Madam Wei.” Lei-Qin Le said.

Qin Mian raised his eyebrows. A monthly of 150 Wen was not a small amount for Lei Xiangren, Lei Xiangyi, and Lei Xiangli.

Lei-Qin Le added, “Little Young Master, I also heard that the original agreement was to give 100 Wen to Old Master and Old Madam Du, but Madam Wei disagreed.”

This was not hard to understand. Although Wei Shi had money and now pregnant, the child had yet been born. Du Shi had four sons and a daughter to which she could never compare with. If she could get more money for herself and her child, then she should grab it.

Seeing that Little Young Master had nothing else to ask, Lei-Qin Le stopped talking and sent the money box to him before excusing himself.

Lei Tie went into the kitchen to trim vegetables for cooking.

Every morning, Aunt Fu would pick some fresh vegetables from the garden. Actually, these vegetables were replaced by Qin Mian and Lei Tie. The vegetables picked from the garden were used to feed the chickens and ducks in the space. After all, the quality of the vegetables in the space was higher than that in the garden outside.

“A-Tie, what do you think Third Brother and Fourth Brother can do?” Qin Mian moved a wooden block and sat beside Lei Tie, shaking a folding fan in his hand. He helped Zhang Dashuan, Wu Di, and Li Zheng, who were neither relatives nor friends. It was inexcusable if he didn’t help Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli to find a way to make money.

Lei Tie had no clue, “The two of them have no craftmanship.”

Qin Mian used his feet to hook the dustbin made by Lei Tie and brought it to his front. He put down the fan, and there were a honey peach and a fruit knife in his hands. Then, he peeled the peach with the knife.

In fact, there was still a lot that could be done in the food and drink field, but he did not want Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli to venture into the food and drink field. Since food and drink were going into the stomach, it was better to avoid it in case there was a problem in the future and they blamed him.

“Or else, I’ll give Third Brother and Fourth Brother a recipe for charcoal burning. Most of the charcoal on the market now smoke heavily, which makes the eyes sting. The existing smokeless charcoal on the market is expensive; ordinary people can’t afford it. My recipe can guarantee that the charcoal is almost smoke-free. Third Brother and Fourth Brother are diligent people. With the recipe in hand, they will certainly make a lot of money this winter. It’s just, Lei Xiangren…” Qin Mian frowned. He didn’t have a good opinion of Lei Xiangren and his wife. But then, if he ignored Lei Xiangren, it might cause Lei Xiangren to rebound.

Lei Tie said, “Give it to Third Brother and Fourth Brother and let them call up Lei Xiangren. Also, have them make it clear that the earnings are distributed according to the amount of firewood they individually cut. The rest has nothing to do with us.”

Qin Mian nodded. Giving this recipe was like giving extreme benevolence toward the old house. Afterward, it depended on their abilities.

The next day, Qin Mian gave Lei Tie the recipe for charcoal burning and let him talk to Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli. Meanwhile, he took Aunt Fu to the Vermicelli Workshop.

It was the first day for the eight female workers. They came early and cleaned up very thoroughly. Seeing Qin Mian’s arrival, they all welcomed him.

“Boss.¹”

Qin Mian did not correct their address for him. Sometimes, it was necessary to set him apart from them.

“Everyone came early.”

“Boss gave us such a good chance to make money, so we dare not be late,” said a cheerful aunt with a smile.

Qin Mian nodded and signaled Aunt Fu to open the door.

Inside the workshop, the purchased potatoes and sweet potatoes had been piled up into hills. The necessary tables and chairs, kitchen knives, peelers, wooden basins, water vats, and so on had also been properly prepared.

Qin Mian took them into the kitchen. “Henceforth, you will work in this room. In the morning, work from the fourth quarter of the dragon hour to the end of the snake hour (8:00 to 11:00); in the afternoon, work from the end of the horse hour to the end of the monkey hour (1:00 to 5:00). There’s plenty of time left for you. You’ve got enough time to do your housework, and there’s still time to make dinner before it gets dark.”

The women all nodded and gratefully said, “Boss has arranged it very carefully.”

Qin Mian faintly smiled, “So, let’s be frank. I hope you don’t be late for work every day. As you know, many people in the village want to do this work.”

The women looked apprehensive.

“Your monthly salary is 300 Wen. 5 Wen will be deducted every time you are late. You should have seen the little bell under the eaves just now. The first ring of the bell is in the third quarter of the dragon hour (7:30). When you hear this sound, you must start to rush here. If you don’t enter the door before the second ring in the fourth quarter of the dragon hour (8:00), it means you are late.”

The women secretly admired his method and were also relieved. If they didn’t pay attention to the time when they were doing things at home, they still had time to come when the bell rang.

Qin Mian threw a look at Aunt Fu.

Aunt Fu took out some gauze masks from a small basket she was holding on her arm and handed out two masks to each person.

“You have to wear masks when you are working. You are allowed to speak, but don’t delay your work. Aunt Fu will stay here. If you have any problems later, you can ask her.”

“Yes.”

After Qin Mian finished the explanation, he left.

The few women knew that Aunt Fu’s stay must have meant to monitor them. They had wanted to get close to her, but when they thought that Aunt Fu was very loyal to Qin Mian and Lei Tie, and would never say anything that should not be said, they gave up. They put on their masks, took the tools to be used, and began to get busy. 300 Wen a month was more than some men earned by carrying goods for a month outside. Thus, no one wanted to lose the job.

Qin Mian walked home and saw Lei-Qin Shun picking up eggs in the henhouse.

“Little Young Master.”

“How much did you pick up today?” Qin Mian went over to take a look.

Lei-Qin Shun answered, “31. The chickens eat well. Almost every hen lays an egg every day. Aunt Fu has already saved more than 200. I heard her saying that some will need to be sold later. Nowadays, the weather is hot, so the eggs may get spoiled after some time.”

Qin Mian stroked his chin. Spoiled? He could make salted eggs. People here could also make salted eggs, but they didn’t know how to pickle the eggs, so the taste was strange. In the past, he and Lei Tie had tasted it while eating noodles in a noodle shop, and they never ate it again.

“Well then, you go and see who else is not busy. After that, go outside and find me some loess.”

The chickens in his space could also produce eggs. Now, he had saved more than 800 eggs. He and Lei Tie couldn’t eat them all. Fortunately, the space could keep them fresh. Since he was free today, he should just make salted eggs.

When Lei Tie came back from outside, he saw Qin Mian sitting in front of a big wooden basin full of yellow mud water. His two sleeves were pulled up and his hands were stirring in the muddy water.

“My wife, you are still playing with mud at this age.”

The corner of Qin Mian’s lips twitched, “Who’s playing with mud?”

“What are you doing?”

“Making salted eggs. You, come and help too.” Qin Mian turned his head and shouted at Lei-Qin Shun, “Bring over all the washed eggs. Lei-Qin Li, you bring over the earthen pots from there.”

“Aye.”

Lei Tie paused for a moment and then rolled up his sleeves before walking over.

“Add salt and mineral oil to the yellow muddy water. Put the washed eggs in and evenly dip them in the mud. Then put them into the earthen pot. Take them out after about 20 days, wash off the mud, and thoroughly boil to eat. This way of preserving will make the egg yolk oily, which tastes very good. The rest is also good.” Qin Mian glanced at him as he spoke.

Lei Tie nodded.

Qin Mian raised his hand and quickly drew a dot on his (LT) face with his index finger.

Lei Tie looked at him and slightly shook his head. His hands skillfully rolled the eggs around the mud and put them in the pot.

“Little Young Master, the eggs are all washed. Leave this work to us.” Lei-Qin Shun and Lei-Qin Li rolled up their sleeves to join.

“En. After you have finished, move them to the storehouse.”

Qin Mian went to the well to wash his hands. “Is everything going well?”

Lei Tie followed him and helped him rub the mud off his hands. “En. Afterward, you don’t have to care about them.”

“Of course, we have a lot of things to do ourselves.” Qin Mian said, “I came back from the vegetable garden over there just now. The earliest batch of chili has turned red. I need to harvest them as soon as possible. Then, make them into dried chili or chili sauce, so they can be stored for a longer time.”

Lei Tie said, “Take an afternoon nap first, and then go to harvest.”

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