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Wang Jinhe looked at the deed sent by Xie Kui and expressed her gratitude, “Uncle, I’m troubling you again.”
“Why be so polite with me? What are your plans for the swamp? Are you going to hire people to dig it up?” Xie Kui asked after sitting down across from Wang Jinhe.
“I plan to hire people to dig it up.” The household’s laborers and workers were all very busy lately and had no time to help with digging up the swamp.
“Do you have suitable candidates in mind, Uncle?” Wang Jinhe asked Xie Kui.
After giving it some thought, Xie Kui replied, “Now that you mention it, I do have someone in mind.”
“In that case, Uncle, the more people you can find, the better. Please help me get the swamp dug up as soon as possible,” Wang Jinhe requested.
“Alright, they should be able to come the day after tomorrow.”
“As for the wages, it will be eighty wen per day, and meals will be provided.”
“No problem. With the high wages you’re offering, I’m sure there will be many people coming to earn money,” Xie Kui said with a smile.
The workers he had in mind were from Rong’s maternal village. The village’s situation wasn’t particularly good, so there should be many people willing to come.
As for why they didn’t seek help from their village, it was mainly because the distance was a bit far.
They would have to take it slow.
“Thank you, Uncle,” Wang Jinhe said.
Xie Kui waved his hand and left. When he returned home, he found Rong and asked, “Wife, do you want to visit your maternal home? I’ll go with you.”
“Why do you want to go there?” Wasn’t he quite busy lately? How did he find the time to go there?
“Xiao He bought the swamp to the west, right? She wants to hire people to dig it up. I thought of going to your parents’ place to find some help. It’s eighty wen per day, with meals provided, but it’s a bit far,” Xie Kui hesitated and said.
The distance was inconvenient for frequent travel.
“We still have the old house, don’t we? If they come, they can stay there temporarily. As for meals, they can cook for themselves, or we can hire a couple of people to cook for them. That should work,” Rong suggested.
Xie Kui realized that it was indeed feasible, and he decided to discuss the matter with Wang Jinhe.
“I’ll go talk to Xiao He about this.”
“Alright.”
When Wang Jinhe saw Xie Kui return, she was a bit puzzled and asked, “Uncle, what’s the matter?”
“Xiao He, I want to hire people from your aunt’s maternal home, and it’s a bit far from here. My old house can accommodate them. Regarding meals, I’d like to discuss with you if we could reduce their wages a bit and hire three people to cook for them,” Xie Kui shared his thoughts.
“I see. I’ll cover the cost of the vegetables and such. As for the wages, it will still be eighty wen per day, but for the cooks, we can pay sixty wen,” Wang Jinhe considered and responded.
“However, the vegetables may need to be purchased from your side, Uncle. I don’t have a way to provide them from here, as most of my produce is sent to the capital,” she added.
“That’s not a problem,” Xie Kui naturally understood that Wang Jinhe wouldn’t be able to provide vegetables, as her produce was destined for the capital.
“I have plenty of rice and flour at home, so we can use that,” he added.
“Alright.”
After finalizing the details with Wang Jinhe, Xie Kui returned home and informed Rong of her agreement.
Upon learning that Wang Jinhe had not reduced the wages, Rong felt a mix of emotions, but she was also pleased.
“When they come, I want to see if Xiao He can help them,” Rong said.
“You don’t need to worry about it. I have a plan. At the latest, within the next six months, I’ll be able to arrange something for them,” Xie Kui said as he harnessed the horse.
Rong looked at her husband with a sense of resignation.
“Wife, bring some eggs from our home and gather a few other things to take to your parents,” Xie Kui instructed.
“Alright.”
During the visit to Rong’s village, Xie Kui spoke up, “Wife, I know that when Xiao He asked me to find people to plant flowers and cotton, I didn’t consider your parents’ situation. I understand if you were upset with me. But let me tell you, their land isn’t suitable for these crops.”
“After hearing from Xiao He that she plans to teach people to plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms, I realized that it’s a perfect fit for your parents’ place. When Xiao He starts preparing, I’ll discuss it with her. Also, regarding the workshop and the school Xiao He plans to establish, we can recommend a few people to join. I’ve already discussed this with Xiao He,” Xie Kui said as he drove the carriage.
Rong looked at Xie Kui, feeling a bit embarrassed and at a loss for words.
“You think too much. That’s your maternal home, and how could I not consider their well-being? They will surely earn money, but we can’t let them do unsuitable work. At the latest, within six months, we’ll have a plan. By then, we can have a few of your sisters attend Xiao He’s school to learn some skills. Once the workshop is operational, they will have opportunities to earn money,” Xie Kui reassured her.
“Alright.”
It took about an hour and a half for the two of them to reach Rong’s village.
Rong’s parents were surprised to see them. “Daughter, why have you come back? Isn’t it busy at home?”
“Father, there’s some work that needs to be done here, so we thought of coming over. It’s eighty wen per day with meals provided, but we need people to cook. The cooks will be paid sixty wen per day. As for accommodation, our old house is spacious and can be cleaned up for them to stay,” Rong explained their purpose for visiting.
Rong’s brother was surprised, “Sister, what kind of work pays such high wages?”
“Xiao He bought a swamp and plans to hire people to dig it up and plant lotus roots and such.”
“In that case, we’ll join in.”
“Great.”
“Xie Kui, how many people do you need?” Rong’s brother asked.
“Xiao He said the more, the better. But I think twenty people should be enough. After all, with over ten mu of swamp, twenty people can finish digging in a few days,” Xie Kui considered and replied.
“Alright, I’ll help you find the workers.”
“Thank you, brother.”
“No need to be so polite with me.”
After the others left, Rong’s parents asked, “How’s everything at home this year?”
“Don’t worry, everything is fine at home. I heard from my husband that Xiao He plans to establish a school where girls can also attend and learn some skills. Once the workshop opens, I’ll go there directly. My husband has already secured a few spots, so all the children can attend,” Rong reassured her family, addressing any potential misunderstandings about Xie Kui.
Rong’s father looked at his daughter with surprise. “Really?”
“Yes, the reason why Rongjia Village wasn’t chosen for planting cotton and flowers this time is mainly because the land in Rongjia village isn’t suitable. My husband mentioned that in the second half of the year, Xiao He plans to find people to plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms, which will be suitable for Rongjia village. I will discuss this with Xiao He,” Rong explained.
“He naturally wants to choose the most suitable place for the county princess. The seeds and planting methods you sent us this year are really good. Our harvest this year will definitely not be lacking,” Rong’s father praised.
When Xie Kui initially sought high-yield seeds, Rong’s village also requested a share. At the time, Wang Jinhe had considered it and provided them to Xie Kui.