Chapter 10: The Family Code of Conduct
After explaining to the porcelain master in silence, he left a deposit of two thousand taels of silver along with the design sketches, and then hurried to Wang's wine shop to order fifty jars of Cang County kiln wine. He had his own cart, so he could first transport a few large jars of wine back, and then proceeded to the herbal shop to purchase several large bags of herbs such as grass fruit, angelica, bay leaves, dried tangerine peel, and star anise. For a foodie from the twenty-first century, these herbs were not meant for making medicinal soup, but were essential ingredients for preparing delicious dishes.
Do you understand? Liu Zheng asked calmly
Since it is his own team, it naturally has nothing to do with the Shen family. Shen Mo generously provided each household with a settling-in fee of ten taels of silver to win their hearts. After all, with Liu Zheng's investment of ten thousand taels of silver, he can now be considered a small moneyed man.
Xiao Hongyu, this name sounds quite pleasant, a good name makes a person even more beautiful. Looking at her appearance, her injuries seem to have healed quite a bit, and it is estimated that in a few more days she will fully recover. Thinking about her imminent departure, for some reason, a vague sense of loss arose in Shen Mo's heart.
Understood, thank you, Uncle... ..." The silence was filled with helplessness and a wry smile; he had thought too simply about this matter, not realizing how complicated it would be in practice
After arranging for these twenty households of tenants to move into their new homes, Shen Mo took Liu Zheng's carriage to the county town. Liu Zheng recognized Bi Yu and Lu Liu as his adopted daughters, and Shen Mo took the two girls into his household. He and Liu Zheng thus became related as son-in-law and a respected figure, further deepening their relationship. This is also the reason why Liu Zheng fully supports Shen Mo.
In the Canglong Continent, a girl is considered an adult at the age of fourteen, capable of marrying and bearing children, while a boy can marry and have children at the age of sixteen. However, in later generations, fourteen or fifteen-year-olds are still in middle school. He truly cannot bring himself to act on it; there is no way out for him, and he can only hold it in, for speaking too much only brings tears.
Upon returning, he summoned the ten estate workers responsible for guarding the premises and arranged their tasks. He then called in the ten skilled workers and began instructing them, with a focus on the technique of purifying the water liquor. He indoctrinated them, repeatedly emphasizing that confidentiality was also a key priority. Following this, he provided on-site guidance and supervision, allowing them to practice using the several large jars of Cang County kiln liquor he had brought back.
The additional young and strong laborers are the biological brothers of those twenty candidates, along with several underage males, which can be considered as a complimentary bonus for recharging phone credits. Silently, he has made a profit, and he already has plans in mind for how to utilize these extra young and strong laborers
It must be acknowledged that Xiao Hongyu's appearance and temperament are absolutely top-notch; describing her as a beauty that could bring disaster to a nation is by no means an exaggeration. Especially her mature and enchanting charm is something that cannot be compared to the innocence of a young girl like a jade or a green willow. In the face of sensuality, cuteness is completely overshadowed.
The predecessor of this shell was neither a novice nor a beginner, and neither was it silence. Faced with two delicate beauties, he dared not take action, constantly berating himself for being worse than a beast
Silently thick-skinned and cunning, adept at taking advantage of others, using Liu Zheng's vehicle openly and as a matter of course, indeed, it would be foolish not to utilize connections
The widow Xiao, feeling utterly bored while sitting in her chair, stood up and bowed deeply in greeting upon seeing the arrival of Shen Mo.
"Miss Xiao has injuries, so there is no need for formalities." Shen Mo turned to the side, only receiving her half-hearted greeting. Accustomed to referring to her as the young widow, he almost let it slip. The term 'young lady' is a respectful address for unmarried women, but Widow Xiao had already been married, and to three husbands at that. Her third husband was Hou Ba, and she should have been addressed as Lady Hou. However, since Hou Ba had passed away, he was momentarily at a loss for how to address her, so he simply referred to her as 'miss.' 'Miss' is a general term of respect for women, applicable to both married and unmarried individuals.
Silence required ten reliable guards, but Liu Zheng sent him over a hundred people of all ages, from the very old, who were already in the twilight of their years, to the very young, including a three-month-old infant. Among them, there were only about twenty-five or twenty-six able-bodied individuals, along with some weapons such as knives, guns, and clubs.
All the villagers were moved to tears, bowing and expressing their gratitude, for Liu Langjun is indeed a great person
Upon arriving in the city, Shen Mo sought out the owner of the porcelain kiln, as the quantity of items he wished to customize was substantial and the requirements were exceedingly high. Not only did he need to negotiate the price, but he also had to ensure the quality, making it imperative to have a face-to-face discussion with the owner
Ten young and strong farmhands are about to become the technical workers he focuses on cultivating. Ten farmhands who have practiced basic martial arts are responsible for guarding the winery, capable of dealing with minor thugs and ruffians, while the rest are all their families, totaling twenty households
In recent days, Shen Mo has been extremely busy, with chaos all around him, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Fortunately, Bi Yu and Lu Liu are very attentive, serving him tea and water, massaging his shoulders and legs, assisting with bathing, changing clothes, and warming his bed. It is often said that a gentle abode is the grave of heroes, and this statement holds true. Shen Mo quickly succumbed to decay and degradation, even beginning to develop a fondness for this wicked monarchical society.
For the owner of the kiln pottery business, this is a significant, stable, long-term, and lucrative deal, which naturally requires careful consideration. They treat the silent party with utmost respect, offering certain discounts. After a round of haggling, both parties sign the sales contract, complete with signatures and seals.
Breakfast and lunch are free in the cafeteria. Although not every meal includes meat, the food is plentiful and of very good quality. The five chefs in the cafeteria were selected from the families of these twenty households, and there are also a few responsible for the sanitation and cleaning of the winery. Depending on the importance of their respective jobs, everyone receives a certain wage, along with some monthly benefits and bonuses every six months. This has deeply moved everyone, and Shen Mo has earned their loyalty.
These individuals are all assets of the Shen family, but Liu Zheng used his power to make them disappear without a trace. Moreover, he handed over their contracts of servitude to Shen Mo, instantly transforming them into Shen Mo's personal property. This made him feel a slight sense of gratitude, and he found himself indebted to someone once again. Well, it doesn't matter; being in debt once is the same as being in debt a hundred times. Let's just leave it at that for now.
In this era, there were no thermometers or alcohol meters, and the equipment was simple and outdated. Efforts could only be focused on controlling the cooking process. Although the alcohol content of the liquor produced by several sets of equipment varied slightly, it was generally acceptable. The ten skilled workers quickly adapted, and after operating independently for some time, they would be able to master the techniques proficiently, eliminating the need for Shen Mo to personally supervise.
To ensure that ten skilled workers and ten caretakers serve loyally, in addition to offering high salaries, it is essential to take good care of their families, alleviating any concerns they may have. This can also be understood as treating their families as hostages, instilling a sense of caution that prevents them from betraying us. This is a fundamental technique of controlling and managing people's hearts.
The pain of restraint is truly unbearable; in silence, one inevitably succumbs to wild thoughts. Occasionally, the enchanting and cold beauty of Widow Xiao flashes through his mind. Only then does he recall how he has been overwhelmed with busyness these past few days, and that he has not visited the injured Widow Xiao for several days. This woman is indeed a captivating little enchantress.
After the ten household guards and ten future skilled workers officially start their jobs, they will enjoy some enviable special benefits, including wearing standardized work uniforms, three sets per year, free of charge