Chapter 320
Chapter 320
Although Jiang Yunsui’s watermelons had sold out, many vendors at this year’s market sold cold melons too.
They all had red flesh and were vastly better than cold melons of the past.
They had been grown from seeds people saved from the melons Jiang Yunsui sold last year.
Some clever people saw the opportunity and deliberately sought out seeds to cultivate.
None grew as well as Jiang Yunsui’s.
But Jiang Yunsui was happy to see it.
She wanted everyone to enjoy sweet cold melon in the scorching summer.
So after strolling around with her hands behind her back, she wore a broad smile.
“They don’t know how to grow cold melons, though, so some haven’t turned out well.”
She made a decision. “Next year I’ll raise more watermelon seedlings. I can sell some and teach people how to grow them. Then they’ll grow plenty of good ones!”
Ji Yan’an asked, “Aren’t you afraid they’ll steal all your business?”
Jiang Yunsui said, “Impossible. What I grow is always the best. They can’t beat me.”
“Only when more people grow them will cold melons become cheap enough for ordinary people to afford.”
Her words moved Ji Yan’an.
The little girl cared about more and more people now.
“I’m done talking. I’m going to see the textile workshop.”
The workshop was complete, and finished looms were carried inside one after another.
They had gathered almost enough sheep’s wool too.
Recruitment could begin.
With so much work, Jiang Yunsui pulled in every child at home capable of helping.
She also requested several young workers with good handwriting from the Ji’an Orphanage.
She had hired teachers there as well.
They mainly taught the children reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Now those lessons proved useful.
First, they posted large notices in conspicuous places.
The notices were soon discovered.
“What does this say?”
Many people in this era could not read.
So the children and workers from Ji’an Orphanage became useful.
They wore matching clothes. Most had mixed features, but their dress was proper, their hair clean, and their faces neat.
When questioned, they clearly read the notices aloud and patiently answered questions.
“This is a recruitment notice. The new textile workshop is hiring women. Any woman who knows weaving or embroidery may try. Workers earn three taels a month.”
The crowd erupted.
“Three taels?”
Some men were especially shaken.
They carried heavy loads and labored all month, and even half a tael counted as high pay!
Three taels was what an accountant at certain shops might earn.
And the workshop hired only women.
“Young brother, did you read it wrong? How could weaving cloth pay three taels?”
“Exactly. You don’t look like people of Great Liang. Did you mistake the characters?”
Dawa was extremely unhappy to hear that he was not considered a person of Great Liang.
Why not? Only half his blood came from Great Liang, but rounded up, that meant all of it did.
Besides, the young mistress said origin had nothing to do with blood. What mattered was whether one’s heart belonged to Great Liang.
Many people of Great Liang blood helped traitors. He did not want such people acknowledged as citizens!
His household registration was in Great Liang. The young mistress had personally taken them to obtain it.
“You’re wrong there. I truly am registered in Great Liang. In life I am a person of Great Liang, and in death I will be its spirit!”
He spoke with righteous conviction, his gaze so firm that he looked ready to join the Party.
“Besides, I serve under the Young Master and received a proper education. If you doubt me, is anyone here literate?”
“I can read.”
A man raised his hand. “The young brother speaks the truth.”
The crowd began discussing it.
Many women were fiercely tempted.
Three taels every month!
Their lives had improved. With sweet potatoes, at least they no longer starved.
But even after selling their crops, an entire family working all year might have at most five taels before everyday expenses were taken into account.
Who would not want such a job?
Even the men were deeply tempted.
“You truly hire only women?”
Dawa said, “Yes. Only women. Those with family members in the army will receive priority if they perform well.”
Families of soldiers rejoiced.
They asked every question they had, and Dawa’s group answered patiently.
Then people hurried home. Some had already decided to apply, while others needed to discuss it with family.
As one group left, another arrived with more questions.
After a full day, the young staff answering inquiries around the city were parched.
At the end of their shift, Jiang Yunsui provided watermelon and sour plum juice.
They also received five hundred copper coins each.
That was half a tael.
Having earned so much in one day, the young people beamed.
Though publicity lasted only one day, word traveled widely.
Many people in the city prepared to apply.
Even families that favored sons or looked down on their wives and daughters-in-law hesitated before the temptation of three taels a month.
So when registration began the next day, an enormous crowd arrived.
Dawa and the others served as registrars and answered endless questions.
“Those who have registered, come with me and demonstrate your skills. We are hiring only one hundred people in the first group. Those not chosen shouldn’t worry. The workshop will expand, so everyone will have another chance. No one came for nothing either. Anyone not selected will receive five eggs for participating.”
The army camp had plenty of chickens, so Jiang Yunsui purchased a batch of eggs.
Everyone relaxed at the news.
Five eggs were still worthwhile even if they were not hired.
But they certainly had to perform their best.
The unfamiliar looms left all the women uncertain.
“Don’t worry. Instructors will teach you.”
Most had woven at home. Though the loom was new, its principle was simple, and they learned quickly.
When they actually began, however, nervousness caused many mistakes.
After repeated rounds of selection, the hundred most suitable remained.
Some were eliminated because they rushed, some had never woven at home and were disadvantaged by unfamiliarity, and others failed because of hygiene.
Personal hygiene mattered too!
Many were qualified, but among them, women with immediate male relatives serving in the army received priority.
Those eliminated could only leave regretfully with five eggs.
Those selected received two identical outfits, a packet of medicinal powder, and a bar of soap before leaving.
The soap was Jiang Yunsui’s improvement on the world’s existing fat-based soap.