Chapter 321
Chapter 321
“When you return, wash your hair and body with that powder first. Share some with your family if possible. It kills parasites, including tiny bugs on the body.
“As you can see, our cloth must be pure white, so everyone must remain clean, especially your hands.
“Trim your nails neatly. They will be inspected before work every day. You received two outfits so you can alternate while washing them.
“You must wear your uniform to work. Without it, you cannot enter. Is that clear?”
All the women nodded.
They were then allowed to go home.
They gathered in small groups, talking with light shining in their eyes.
“They gave us such fine clothes. How generous.”
“Three taels a month! That’s more than my husband earns.”
“Exactly. My mother-in-law loves money. She’ll practically worship me when I get home.”
“This outfit is wonderful. Is this fat-based soap? Why is it different from what we’ve used?”
“How could a noble household use the same things as us? We’re truly fortunate.”
“Guard those clothes carefully. Don’t let your husband’s younger sister take them. If you have nothing to wear while one set is being washed, the workshop won’t let you in. What if you lose your job?”
“I know. This concerns three taels. Even my mother-in-law wouldn’t treat money that lightly.”
Outside the workshop gates, they saw a large crowd waiting.
Their relatives were among them.
Everyone immediately waved excitedly.
“Father! Mother! I’m here!”
“Wife!”
“Son!”
Greetings rang out everywhere.
“You were chosen? What are these? The owner even gave you clothes…”
Widow Ma was among those selected.
Her husband had been a soldier, but had died in battle.
She never remarried. Gritting her teeth, she struggled through the years to raise her son and relied on her needlework and embroidery to send him to school.
Life remained difficult.
People here lived roughly and rarely bought costly embroidery.
When she heard the workshop was hiring, she applied immediately.
Three taels a month meant stable work and good pay, far better than sewing clothes and selling small embroideries.
“Son, Mother was chosen.”
She returned home joyfully and found that her son had filled the water vat.
“You’ve worked hard, Mother.”
The young man smiled at her.
Widow Ma felt proud of her filial, accomplished son.
All her past hardship had been worthwhile.
“Son, heat more water today. The owner gave us this insect-killing powder and said our families can use it. I suppose they’re worried someone has fleas. From what I saw, everyone selected today looked fairly clean, at least on the surface.”
Widow Ma herself valued cleanliness.
The powder caused no harm, so she had her son wash his hair with it too.
Many others did the same.
Some truly had fleas hidden in their hair.
In this era, especially in Mobei, bathing and washing hair were difficult.
Many people neglected cleanliness and ended up with fleas in their hair.
Worse, they spread.
Stay close to an infested person long enough, and the tiny creatures would jump into another person’s hair.
They were hard to find and reproduced extremely fast.
So after returning home, the women used the powder on their whole families.
“Wow… all the fleas in my hair are dead.”
“Let me see. They really are.”
“Does your scalp still itch?”
“No. It feels wonderful.”
The next day, the workers followed instructions. They dressed, arranged their hair, and washed their hands and faces with soap before leaving for work.
At the gates, each was inspected before being admitted.
On the workshop’s first day, some spun yarn while others wove cloth.
The work was familiar and relatively easy. Once accustomed to the machines, they wove quickly.
Jiang Yunsui came with Youngest Aunt that day.
With her hands behind her back, she made an impressive show of walking around and inspecting everything.
Then she nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad at all.
Youngest Aunt smiled broadly too.
“This is how it should be. The workers look neat and orderly, and their efficiency is good.”
Jiang Yunsui said, “The weather is too hot. Send some ice here.”
The little girl was exceedingly generous.
After looking around, they left.
Several women overheard Jiang Yunsui and were delighted.
They ate lunch at the workshop.
For the first day, Jiang Yunsui even had a pig slaughtered.
So every worker ate meat.
“Heavens, the owner is far too generous.”
“Yes, the other dishes are delicious too.”
Everyone ate without lifting their heads.
For many present, even their New Year meal at home might not be this good.
Some regretted that they could not take the food home for their children.
The workshop forbade carrying food out. Each person had to finish her meal there.
Within days, the workshop’s reputation spread everywhere.
Food, clothing, and three taels a month – how could anyone not envy them?
“Hey, haven’t you heard? The workers chose something called team leaders. Each leader earns an extra tael, and I hear they’ll receive more benefits too.”
“What’s a team leader?”
“They divide into teams of ten. One woman leads the other nine.”
“That good? Did your daughter-in-law become one? She’s capable.”
The old woman pursed her lips. “No. Their leader is Widow Ma.”
“Why?”
“My daughter-in-law says the leader must read. She takes attendance, writes, and records how much cloth they weave every day.”
“Who knew literacy could benefit women like this?”
“Exactly. My daughter-in-law says the workshop Steward is also a woman, a rather young one. Guess her monthly pay.”
“How would I know? Five taels?”
“Eight!”
“Goodness…”
“She earns that much because she can read, writes beautifully, and knows how to use an abacus and keep accounts.”
“That’s more than accountants at restaurants earn.”
“Exactly. Who knew women could earn so much by learning to read and calculate?”
“I’ve decided to send my daughter to study. The workshop will expand, won’t it? If she gets hired later, even if she isn’t Steward, becoming a team leader would mean an extra tael every month.”