Returning to the Village

 

“Big Brother Huang, let me explain in detail about this soap. The most ordinary and lowest grade one is this yellow piece I have in my hand, odorless, with strong cleaning capabilities. In addition, there’s this white one, with added goat milk, which enhances its color and fragrance. Long-term use can improve skin radiance and provide a whitening effect.”

 

Jing Yi then introduced different types of soap, such as honey soap, floral soap, fruit-scented soap, each with different effects.

 

The more Jing Yi talked, the brighter Huang’s brothers’ eyes became. They had a keen business sense and understood the tremendous opportunity in this.

 

At present, these are cleaning products, and the profits are substantial. If they turn this into beauty and skincare products, the profits will be immeasurable.

 

‘’Big Brother, Second Brother, there’s also a top-tier product, which is medicinal soap. Ginseng and lingzhi can be added. For the high-end market, it’s up to you. As a commoner, it’s difficult for me to compete at a higher level, and I understand that. As for the lower-end market…’’

 

He paused, then continued earnestly, ‘’I’m not a saint; I’m just an ordinary person. I hope our products can cater to all groups. We should produce affordable products so that ordinary people like me can also have the chance to use them.’’

 

This statement deeply moved the Huang Brothers. They changed their household registration in their teens, and they would carry the scorn and restrictions they faced before the change throughout their lives. So, when Jing Yi mentioned benefiting everyone, they felt it personally.

 

‘’Big Brother will do his best to help you,’’ Big Brother Huang promised solemnly.

 

‘’As for the way we cooperate, let’s consider me as the seller. We should keep a low profile. This is the safest approach for me at the moment,’’ Jing Yi explained to himself.

 

Oddly enough, this statement made Big Brother Huang look at him differently. This young man not only had a sharp mind and great ideas but also was truly clear-headed. He could see the situation clearly, understand himself, and think about the future.

 

‘’By the way, Big Brother, I do have one condition. You will definitely set up a factory for making soap in the future, right? Can you raise the Huang family banner and set up a branch in the village? Don’t worry; I only want affordable products. The product delivery will be handled by connecting with the Huang family. As for security, I will ensure that too. Or you can send someone to supervise; that would be even better.’’

 

Jing Yi didn’t forget to seek benefits for the villagers.

 

The men in the family were too busy with farm work, but the women, children, and young folks could come to work. It was an additional source of income.

 

As for whether the Huang family would send someone to supervise, Jing Yi didn’t mind. In fact, he hoped for it. He had nothing to hide, and if the Huang family sent someone, he could save the cost of hiring patrols.

 

‘’I will present your request to them as well. Young man, I admire you!’’ Big Brother Huang stood up and gave Jing Yi a sincere bow.

 

Second Brother Huang did the same. They had not made a mistake with this brother.

‘’Hahaha, you flatter me. Mainly, I also come from a rural family, and it’s not easy for rural people to find a way to make money.”

 

With the discussion of official matters coming to a close, they were now waiting for Huang Big Brother to take the four pieces of soap to the main family and make a report. They had arranged that once the deal was confirmed, Jing Yi would personally go to Fuyang Town to sign the contract and discuss the next steps.

 

Around two in the afternoon, the feast ended, and the three of them contentedly went their separate ways. Jing Yi still had a busy schedule. He went back to the inn to find Chuxia, and then took a carriage with clothing for his servants and other items. He headed to the government office.

 

He instructed them to make sure they cleaned themselves thoroughly tonight and not slack off. If someone is found to be negligent, he would return them. He then distributed the newly bought clothes to them. After they took a bath and changed into the new clothes, he informed them that they would rest in a separate courtyard tonight. He assured them not to worry about bathing expenses and food and accommodation costs, as he had already covered them.

 

To make it more manageable, the Jing family chose Tong Mujie to oversee their people, while the Lin family chose Hua Chen. He also took a moment to inquire about the health of Tong Mujie’s husband and son, and upon learning they hadn’t fully recovered, he advised them to prepare extra medicine for tonight and to bring it with them on the journey.

 

He added a few words about taking care of the young couple and made it clear. Then, he left in a hurry. The servants left behind in the courtyard looked at each other. Some were frightened when they heard about the possibility of being sent back. However, once they received the new clothes and cotton shoes, they felt warmth in their hearts. Some were even teary-eyed, as they had never worn such new and good clothes before the disaster. Selling themselves didn’t seem so scary when the family was good, and they thought they had a future in the second half of their lives.

 

“The main family is kind. As long as everyone doesn’t have ulterior motives, they will definitely treat us well!” Tong Mujie was capable of handling matters and began to reassure everyone.

 

Hua Chen didn’t say much, but his eyes warmed up a lot.

 

Early the next morning, they set out. It was still dark, and the group from the Jing family and the group from the Huang family arrived at the government office to pick up the servants. Since Fuyang Town was not like the capital, the city gates would close once it got dark, so they had a tight schedule.

 

The servants from both families, under the leadership of Tong Mujie and Hua Chen, had already prepared their belongings. As the saying goes, when the family is in turmoil, it’s worth a fortune. They took everything that they could. Even a young boy named Gao Kun carried a bulging bag and held his little lover, Ah Qi, tightly in his right hand.

 

Ah Qi was terrified and almost stuck his entire body to Gao Kun due to the darkness and the number of people. He was very scared.

 

On the return journey, Jing Yi and shopkeeper Huang arranged four carriages to transport the people, which had been planned in advance. Since they would unload the goods once they reached the capital, the carriages heading back to the town would be empty anyway, so it made sense.

 

On the way, male servants from both the Jing and Lin families were divided into two carriages, and the female servants and young couples, including Gao Kun and Ah Qi, were in another carriage. The Tong family, which included four members, had one carriage.

 

The Tong family had a patient with typhoid fever who needed isolation. Everything was arranged well, and it didn’t take much time. They immediately set off. They traveled quickly, only stopping when necessary, and they finally reached the town before nightfall. The two families with their servants first went to the backyard of the shop in the town to squeeze in for the night. They planned to return to the village the next day.

 

Jing’s mother was more than surprised to see so many people in this backyard. She initially thought they would buy only two or three people, but it turned out that there were about ten people in this yard. However, she didn’t say anything, helped with the arrangements, and then urged her family of four to rest, leaving her to handle the remaining miscellaneous tasks.

 

The next day was the 18th day of the twelfth month, and the Jing and Lin families respectively took their people back to the village. By this time, it was already the middle to late twelfth month, and the village had a festive atmosphere. This year, the weather had been good, and the harvest was quite successful, so everyone could have a prosperous New Year.

 

Around 9 AM, a caravan entered the village. Apart from the first carriage where the Jing family members waved to the villagers, the other three carriages were quiet. The villagers were curious, wondering if they were transporting goods instead of people because the Jing family seemed to be spending a lot on New Year’s preparations.

 

As the villagers discussed excitedly, the four carriages reached the Jing family’s residence. One of the carriages…

 

One donkey cart was used to transport and assist two carters to the stable to unload the cart, letting the horses and donkeys relax. Afterward, they paid the four carters and sent them away.

 

All the people gathered in the front yard, with the Jing family members sitting inside the east side main house, and the front door was left open for convenience in listening.

 

Jing Yi stood on the steps in front of the jasmine gate, making arrangements for the people. “You will live in this courtyard from now on. There are five back rooms, which can be allocated two by two.” Jing Yi said while calling Jing An out, using paper and pen to record each person’s information and work arrangements.

 

“Now, everyone please report your names. If you don’t want to use your original name, you can follow my family’s surname, Jing. But I won’t force you, and if you’re willing to use your own name, it would save me the trouble of coming up with new ones.”

 

Jing Yi was straightforward; he was not good at coming up with names. Then, two young male cousins stepped forward. They were honest and felt that by following the main family, they should take on the family name. They changed their surname but kept their original first names, called Jing Renyi and Jing Renhe. The elder brother was twenty years old, and the younger one was nineteen.

 

Then there was a middle-aged man who knew some carpentry work and changed his name since his whole family had passed away, and there was no meaning in keeping his old name. Jing Yi gave him the name Jing Ming, hoping for a brighter future for him. He was only thirty-eight years old and still young by modern standards, so he could completely start a new life.

 

Next were the women who had been sold by her family and the ger sold by their previous owners. They didn’t want to keep their original names. Jing Yi didn’t have any particular preference for names for the opposite sex, so in the end, it was Chuxia who came up with the names Jing Dan and Jing Cui. They were called Aunt Dan and Aunt Cui in their daily lives.

 

Hearing these two names, Jing Yi’s mouth twitched, but he managed to control his expression when Chuxia looked back. That was close. The two of them were thirty-six and thirty-three. Ancient people looked older, and because they had suffered so much while on the run, Jing Yi had thought they were in their forties, nearly fifty.

 

For the others who didn’t change their names, Jing Yi expressed his relief, “That’s great, you saved my brain cells.”

 

Among the remaining people, there was a man named Qiao Maisheng who knew how to read and write. This year he was also thirty-eight. His appearance indicated that he had lived well before.

 

After gathering detailed information, the next step was to arrange their work. Initially, the role of the few male laborers was to work in the fields, so they would start with that, as it would also help them adjust and see their character. The heavier household chores, like sweeping, fetching water, and chopping wood, were also assigned to them. They would each receive a monthly salary of six hundred wen.

 

Jing Ming, a man in his thirties who knew a little carpentry, would be responsible for carpentry work. His monthly salary was eight hundred wen.

 

Tong Mujie and his wife would be in charge of supervising the entire household and handling the specifics. Tong Mujie would have a monthly salary of eight hundred wen, while Aunt Dan and Aunt Cui, who were responsible for cleaning and other household chores, would each receive five hundred wen.

 

Aunt Cui was also good at cooking, having been responsible for the kitchen of the second young lady in her previous owner’s house. Therefore, she would also be in charge of preparing meals for the family. The meals for the servants would be prepared by Aunt Dan.

 

Upon learning that Tong, the overseer, was also skilled at sewing, Jing Yi considered letting him use the good fabric from the city to make some clothes for everyone. Not only would they provide more warmth, but it would also be more convenient, as the cotton clothing was difficult to clean, and there was nothing to replace it with.

 

As for why not buy new cotton clothes, Jing Yi thought that it would depend on their performance, and rewards and punishments would be clear in his hands. Those who did well would not only receive bonuses and paid leave but also have new houses built for them. There would be many benefits.

 

Regarding the four young kids they brought back, Jing Yi said he hadn’t decided yet, so for now, they would keep them as flexible labor. After all, these were children he had raised from a young age, and he trusted them.

 

Unexpectedly, the eleven-year-old boy, Gao Kun, refused to cooperate.