Chapter 62: Manpower
At dinner, Zhaodi asked Yaoguang how she planned to arrange the upcoming work.
Such a big order couldn’t possibly be completed by just the three of them in a short twenty days. This inevitably involved hiring helpers. However, they didn’t want others to know the family had made money, so they had to grasp this measure and plan ahead on how to distribute the work.
“The recipe is confidential and cannot be exposed, so we can only outsource the early work. Previously we went up the mountain to pick flower petals, but now there’s definitely no time. We can only buy from the flower shop or hire people to help pick them. This is what I’m thinking: we hire people from the village to pick some, and procure the rest from the flower shop.”
“Those bottles and jars also need to be procured, along with other medicinal herbs. Tomorrow we’ll go to the city to inquire and see if there are any quality yet cheap medicinal material merchants.”
“No need to go to the city then. Have you forgotten there’s a doctor in our village?” Zhaodi said. “I’ll go ask Doctor Lin later.”
“Right, Uncle Lin definitely knows which medicinal material merchants are honest and reliable. After dinner later, Mom, you go to Uncle Lin’s place.” After Yaoguang finished, she thought of other matters. “Even if we prepare all these, there’s still not enough manpower for making scented powder. We still have to hire people, but where to find trustworthy helpers?”
“Your second aunt and Chunni are diligent and capable. Why not call them over to help? They’re slaving away for others all day at that home anyway; better to bring them to earn some money. And your maternal aunt—her man needs medicine that costs money; I’m afraid their home can’t make ends meet anymore. Before, I couldn’t even take care of myself, so I couldn’t help them. Now that our days are better, we can help where we can. Daughter, what do you think?”
“I’ve been wondering if I forgot something, and it turns out I forgot this matter.” Yaoguang knocked her head once. “This brain is really getting dumber.”
“Why are you hitting your own head?” Jing touched the forehead she had knocked.
“My maternal uncle has been bedridden with a long illness. Jing’er, tomorrow come with me to my maternal uncle’s place, take his pulse and see a doctor for him, and check his situation.”
“Your maternal aunt has invited many doctors, and they were all useless. Jing’er is so young; are you still hoping she can cure him?” Zhaodi was not optimistic.
Jing said uneasily, “Yaoguang, I couldn’t even cure my own dad. I’m afraid… If only I could have learned more medical skills from my dad for a few more years.”
“What are you worrying about? We do our best and leave it to fate. As long as we try, we can face the result calmly. If we say we can’t do it before even trying, and blame it on heaven, earth, or people, what difference is that from a deserter? I asked you to go see him because I want to understand my maternal uncle’s situation myself. Don’t put that much pressure on yourself.”
After dinner, Jing stayed to wash dishes and tidy the room. Zhaodi went to Doctor Lin, and Yaoguang went next door.
Aunt Li next door was one of the few warm-hearted people. When Yaoguang was little, Zhaodi had entrusted her to Aunt Li for help in looking after. Now it was time to repay her.
When Aunt Li heard that a back basket of flower petals could sell for ten copper coins, and a bamboo basket of flower petals for two copper coins, she immediately agreed.
There were so many wildflowers on the mountain; they just needed to pick them, and it was ready money. She called her whole family, and tomorrow they could pick more to earn more money.
“I need quite a large quantity. It would be even better if Aunt Li could call more people to help me pick. Aunt Li is in charge of collecting; I’ll pay when the time comes. Anyway, I’ll give you ten copper coins per back basket. How much you collect from them is your business, I won’t interfere. I won’t leak this news to others either; everything is based on what Aunt Li says.”
Aunt Li didn’t fully understand, but her daughter-in-law next to her, who was quick-witted, got it. She tugged Aunt Li’s clothes corner and said to Yaoguang, “Alright, I’ll handle it.”
“Sister-in-law, different flower petals need to be sorted and not mixed together. If they’re messed up, the price will have to be cheaper.” She needed to make face creams of different scents; if mixed, it would take extra steps, adding a lot of work, so the price naturally had to be calculated separately. “Also, the flower petals must be fresh and clean. If the goods you select are good, I’ll buy for the next half month—however much there is, I’ll take it all.”
Fang Shi said with a smile, “Sister Yaoguang, just rest assured. I’ve noted everything you said, and I’ll definitely handle it properly for you.”
Having settled it with next door, Yaoguang no longer went to other villagers.
Since it was handed to Aunt Li and Fang Shi next door, let them contact people. Give them this opportunity to win hearts.
“They’re fighting! Quick, go see. The village’s two biggest shrews are fighting—that’s got to be lively!” Several gossips who feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough ran past from the side.
Those people usually idled around, going from one house to another. They knew everyone’s affairs in the village better than anyone, and ran faster than anyone at the slightest rumor.
Yaoguang saw them run into Doctor Lin’s courtyard and thought of Zhaodi being at Doctor Lin’s now, so she quickened her steps involuntarily.
Doctor Lin’s doorway was already blocked by many people. She couldn’t squeeze in and shouted loudly, “Whose money dropped?”
Hearing this, the crowd hurriedly lowered their heads to look for money.
While they were looking for money, she used some skill to squeeze in.
As soon as she squeezed in, she saw a fat woman swinging her hand to hit Zhaodi. Zhaodi tussled with the other, grabbing her hair and not letting go. The latter screamed in pain.
Doctor Lin anxiously advised from the side, “Don’t fight, don’t fight. Chunsheng’s Mother, if you keep this up, I won’t see a doctor for your family anymore. Let go quick!”
Yaoguang strode over, grabbed that woman, and pushed her away.
The woman stumbled and fell on her butt to the ground.
She glared with a pair of fierce eyes and cursed viciously, “Where did this damn girl come from, daring to push me?”
Yaoguang checked Zhaodi’s body. “Mom, are you hurt?”
Zhaodi touched the injury on her face and bared her teeth at Hu Shi. “Don’t worry, she didn’t get the upper hand either. Bah, madwoman. Fighting with me? I’ve never lost.”
Hu Shi got back up, rolled up her sleeves to charge forward, but was stopped by Doctor Lin.
Doctor Lin said angrily, “Chunsheng’s Mother, leave here right now. You’re not welcome here.”
“Doctor Lin, you’re refusing me because of this woman?” Hu Shi pointed at Zhaodi, her anger full of grievance.
Doctor Lin’s old face flushed red.
The villagers watching the show at the doorway all gaped.
What was this situation?
“Doctor Lin, you and Yaoguang’s mother…”
“No, it’s not like that.” Doctor Lin hurriedly explained. “There’s a misunderstanding here. Chunsheng’s Mother, don’t talk nonsense. Yaoguang’s mother came to me for a consultation.”
Zhaodi spat and cursed, “If you’ve gone mad, let Doctor Lin take a look at you. Damn it, I was talking with Doctor Lin here when she suddenly rushed in and hit me. I don’t even know what happened.”
