Chapter 132: The Internal Problems of the Outer Laundry Bureau

Faced with Zhu Yunwen’s inquiry, Madam Wang only shook her head and sighed, saying, “Taking the outer laundry bureau, D rank room as an example, within ten days, only 200 pieces of clothing are received, distributed among twenty people, with each person getting only ten pieces, earning 100 wen. In this way, for a month they can only earn 300 wen, even if people are not laid off, they will still leave.”

Squinting his eyes, Zhu Yunwen asked, “Are you saying that the Outer Laundry Bureau determines wages based on the amount of clothing cleaned?”

“That’s right.”

After speaking, Madam Wang sighed and took the cloth from Huang Jiuer’s hand, saying with a bitter smile, “I can’t believe I’m discussing women’s affairs with you. Please have a seat, and I’ll brew some tea.”

Zhu Yunwen felt somewhat angry. The Outer Laundry Bureau was originally established by the Empress to provide a livelihood for widowed and helpless women in the capital. However, it seemed that these women had become overly competitive among themselves.

Zhu Yunwen can understand the principle of distributing work according to labor and calculating wages based on pieces produced.

However, the prerequisite for piece-rate payment is having a sufficient number of orders and a large workload, and distributing it relatively fairly.

If most of the clothing is assigned to a few individuals, while others receive very few pieces, it becomes unethical.

You have piled up work like a mountain, working until midnight, earning money like flowing water.

Others are idle, just watching the white clouds and the blue sky, and in the end, they become impoverished?

Zhu Yunwen didn’t expect that with just one visit in disguise, he would learn so much. It seems that the mass line approach is the right way.

Only by getting close to the people can you understand more issues. Otherwise, by just sitting in the palace all the time, you may not even be aware of such matters after ten years.

“Do your job well at the Outer Laundry Bureau,”

Zhu Yunwen took the tea from Madam Wang, said thanks, and then continued.

Madam Wang only managed to smile weakly, not taking it to heart.

Hollow consolation is never effective.

Zhu Yunwen had a meal and was ready to leave.

Huang Ying tugged at Zhu Yunwen’s clothes and said, “Big brother, can you please not hit my father anymore? It hurts him.”

Zhu Yunwen bent down and said earnestly to Huang Ying, “As long as you’re happy, your father won’t be hit again, I promise.”

Huang Ying giggled and said, “Big brother is really nice. I will definitely be happy.”

With that, she let go of Zhu Yunwen’s clothes and ran into the house, hopping and skipping.

“Huang Jiuer.”

“Here, Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yunwen walked out of the courtyard and looked at Liu Changge, who was still guarding not far away. He didn’t say anything to Liu Changge but turned to Huang Jiuer and said, “I forgot to tell you, the monthly wages for the craftsmen in the workshop have been adjusted. Craftsmen with less than five years of experience will receive three taels of silver, those with more than five years will get five taels, and those with over ten years will receive seven taels. When they reach fifty years of age, they can retire and receive one tael of silver per month.”

“If the child wants to study, let them study. If they want to go into business, let them try. If they want to eat candied haws, buy them. I’ve helped you remove the shackles from your children. Don’t bind them again.”

Huang Jiuer nodded repeatedly, filled with gratitude. He instinctively wanted to kneel but was stopped by Zhu Yunwen.

“I’m leaving. This trip was not in vain. When the cucumbers are ready, remember to send some to me. And bring Huang Ying along.”

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand and, accompanied by Liu Changge, left the alley.

Huang Jiuer watched Zhu Yunwen’s departing figure, tears in his eyes. He then turned to see Huang Ying standing at the doorway. He rushed forward, picked her up, and paid no heed to his daughter’s protests as he planted a hearty kiss on her rosy cheek, exclaiming, “Nunu, you’ve made a contribution!”

Huang Ying rolled her eyes, and tilted her head to one side, silently protesting.

“He’s gone?” Madam removed her apron, wiped her hands, and then hung it on a rack as she asked Huang Jiuer, who had come closer.

“Yes, he’s gone,” Huang Jiuer nodded emphatically. He moved closer to Madam Wang and whispered, “Huaniang, you need to stay at the Outer Laundry Bureau.”

“Stay there? If you’re getting seven taels of silver every month, I might as well stay at home. Now that Erjin has grown into an adult, he’s at the age to get married. When people hear that we’re a craftsman’s household, they won’t even send matchmakers. If we don’t establish a solid foundation, how will our child find a spouse?”

“The Outer Laundry Bureau doesn’t have any income now. I’ll go inquire in the market. I heard from Auntie Wang that the Two Kings’s residence is still hiring weavers. If I can find a job, it will help support the family.”

Madam Wang didn’t want to delay things.

Huang Jiuer shook his head firmly and said, “Just stay at the Outer Laundry Bureau. The issue you mentioned will be resolved very soon.”

“Just because of the foreman’s words? I think you’re going crazy. Since when can the foreman at the printing office manage the Outer Laundry Bureau?”

As Madam Wang walked to the chives field, she said with some heartache, “In the past, when our child was crying and making a fuss, you were unwilling to use eggs and kept them all for me. Why are you acting so strangely today?”

Huang Jiuer asked Huang Ying to go to the room and call Grandma and his brother out. Then he pulled Madam Wang, who was busy organizing the wooden rack, over. He spoke to everyone with a serious expression, “Listen, the one who visited our home today is not my foreman from the printing office, but the – Jianwen Emperor!”

Madam Liu stared with wide eyes, dropping her cane to the ground. Madam Wang, too, let go of the shovel she was holding, her face showing shock and disbelief. Huang Erjin and Huang Eryue were equally stunned, their mouths agape, overwhelmed by the surprise.

Huang Ying looked at her father with confusion, then turned to her shocked brother, mother, and grandmother, asking in puzzlement, “Is the Jianwen Emperor the highest-ranking official Grandma talks about? Is big brother’s official rank that high?”

Madam Liu’s aged face trembled, and she quickly grasped Huang Jiuer’s hand, asking, “What did you just say? The Emperor? The Emperor visited our home just now?”

Madam Wang also asked in haste, “This… how could it be? Why would the Emperor visit here?”

Huang Jiuer shook his head with bitterness and replied to Madam Liu and Madam Wang, “It’s our good fortune that the Emperor visited. Although he didn’t bring any gifts, he has given us so much.”

“Erjin, go to the bookshop and explain it to your master. In the future, if you want to do business, we will provide you with the money you need. If you want to sell books, then sell books. If you want to go to other bookstores, then do that. And, Eryue, your brother will buy books for you. Study well. In a few days, we will invite a teacher to teach you. Mother, Huaniang, the Emperor is our benefactor.”

“I still can’t believe it. Is it really the Emperor? Is it true?”

Madam Wang continued to question.

With teary eyes, Huang Jiuer said, “The Emperor said that craftsmen are great.”

Zhu Yunwen entered Jinchuan Gate, ascended the city wall, nodded at Xie Jin and Huang Zicheng, who had been waiting for a long time, and looked at the residential area in the distance. He pointed towards it and said, “That empty space can be developed to construct several granaries. There’s the Jinchuan River here, making grain transportation convenient. There are abundant water supply, even if a fire occurs, would be easy to control.”

“As for the construction of the granaries, no wood materials are allowed. Instead, we’ll use bricks and stones. You can place high walls and water tanks between the granaries to create separation. Regarding moisture and rodent control, the people below are more experienced than we are. I don’t need to go into every detail, right?”

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