Chapter 15: Establishing the Workshop
“Alright, the quantity is a bit large; it might take about half a month.”
“No problem.”
When Ni Wenyu returned, she saw Jiang Lihua and Gu Qingran talking. She greeted them, “Brother Gu, what brings you here? And why are you at my house?”
“I came to discuss business with Lihua.”
Jiang Lihua asked, “Cousin, where have you been?”
“I went to the teacher’s house to study. Did something happen?”
“Nothing.”
Since everything had settled, Jiang Lihua didn’t want to worry him and kept quiet.
The three chatted for a while.
Then Gu Qingran left with the dirty beggar.
Jiang Lihua and Ni Wenyu went to find the village chief and bought the vacant lot beside the house.
Next, they went to the carpenter Wang’s home.
After negotiating the price to build the workshop, Wang gathered his crew and began work the next day.
Early the next morning, Jiang Lihua was still asleep when she heard the noise outside.
After getting up, she went out and saw Wang and six men working.
“Uncle Wang, why did you come so early?”
Wang scratched his head and said honestly, “You seemed eager, so I thought I’d come early to finish sooner.”
“Thank you, Uncle Wang. You all get to work.”
“All right.”
Usually, when hiring workers, lunch is provided.
Jiang Lihua didn’t want to trouble them, so she gave Wang’s wife a silver coin or two to take care of the workers’ meals.
Near noon, Aunt Wang came to the site with two children to prepare lunch.
Jiang Lihua was packing BB cream when a small boy approached.
“Sister Lizi, Mom says the food is ready and wants you to come eat.”
The boy was shy, twisting his clothes nervously as he spoke.
Jiang Lihua stood up and gently pinched his little cheek.
“Okay, what’s your name?”
“I’m Huzi.”
Huzi’s skin was dark, but his eyes were large, with eyelashes like tiny fans—quite adorable.
Jiang Lihua magically produced some candies for him.
Huzi stared, unsure what they were, looking up at her hesitantly.
She peeled the candy wrapper and popped one into his mouth.
His eyes lit up. “Thank you, Sister Lizi.”
“Take the rest too.” She handed him the remaining candies. “Come on, let’s eat.”
Holding Huzi’s hand, she walked toward the worksite.
“Lizi, you’re here! I also asked Gouzi to bring Ni the young scholar.”
“Thank you, Aunt Wang.”
“No need to be polite. The kids’ grandmother’s illness cost a lot; thanks to you, we’ve had it easier lately.”
“Aunt Wang, once the workshop is built, I’ll need workers. I’ll pay fifty wen a day. If you have time, you’re welcome to come.”
“Really? Lizi, I’ll come. I’ll do any work.”
Jiang Lihua smiled and asked, “Really, Aunt Wang, do you have Chinese cabbage?”
“Yes, if you want, I can cut some for you.”
“No, Aunt Wang, I want to buy five hundred jin of cabbage.”
“Why so much? Lizi, you won’t make much reselling it.”
Aunt Wang thought she planned to resell.
“No, I’m processing it to sell to the local taverns.”
“Lizi, have you made a solid deal? Don’t be fooled—the town folks can be cunning.”
Seeing Aunt Wang’s worried expression, Jiang Lihua felt warmly touched.
“It’s settled, Aunt Wang. Don’t worry.”
“That’s good. If you need five hundred jin, we have that much. The kids’ grandmother grows it.”
“She fell ill because of tending the vegetables and wouldn’t listen to stop working.”
Aunt Wang’s eyes reddened as she spoke.
“She’ll get better, Aunt Wang.”
Jiang Lihua understood that villagers couldn’t afford illness; it always meant heavy expenses.
“Sorry to trouble you, Lizi. When do you need the five hundred jin? I’ll cut and bring it.”
Considering the workshop would take six or seven days at least, Jiang Lihua decided to start processing in her courtyard gradually, then send batches to the taverns.
“Aunt Wang, if you’re free after lunch, could you cut one hundred jin and have a cart bring it over? I’ll start processing it here first.”
“Sure, I’ll cut the cabbage right after lunch.”
After eating, Aunt Wang went off to harvest the cabbage.
Jiang Lihua then went to Aunt Li’s house to invite them to work.
When Aunt Li heard it was for labor, she eagerly agreed.
After lunch, she happily brought the young women and daughters-in-law to Jiang Lihua’s home.
In the yard, they saw piles of cabbage and Aunt Wang already busy at work.
Aunt Li asked from the main room, “Lizi, you bought more cabbage?”
“Yes, Aunt Li. Today, like last time, we’ll wash, chop, season, and pack it into jars.”
“All right, I remember.”
With that, Aunt Li and the others began working.
Aunt Li teased Aunt Wang, “Your family’s cabbage grows well, look how fresh each head is.”
Aunt Wang replied casually, “Cabbage all looks the same.”
“Lizi bought a hundred jin last time—forty from us, thirty from the Zhang family, and thirty from the Zhao family.”
“Oh.”
“Why do you think Lizi buys so much cabbage?”
“Don’t know.”
Aunt Wang didn’t pry further.
Aunt Li stayed silent as well.
After finishing, Jiang Lihua paid the workers fifty wen each as agreed.