The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Tang Youyou was humming a little tune as the carriage was filled with treasures—all of which were found in the secret cave indicated by the treasure map!

The harvest this time was quite bountiful, enough for her to expand her business several times over.

She thought happily that now the children would never have to worry about having delicious food and spicy drinks in the future!

But when she returned to her workshop excitedly, she was dumbfounded.

In the huge workshop, the old masters are still busy working meticulously, but there are very few young apprentices, and it is as deserted as if it is haunted.

"Master Liu, what... is going on? Where are the young people?" Tang Youyou pointed at the empty workstation, looking puzzled.

Master Liu sighed, his wrinkled face filled with worry. "Alas, young men these days all want to go to town to do business. They think manual labor is hard and tiring, and the pay is too low."

When Tang Youyou heard this, she suddenly felt overwhelmed.

If this inheritance is broken, who will take over her business in the future?

Does she have to go into battle herself at her age?

No, absolutely not!

She, Tang Youyou, is the one who will win by doing nothing!

Thinking of this, Tang Youyou immediately had an idea.

As the saying goes, education should start from childhood!

She decided to start with the school and cultivate fresh blood.

So, Tang Youyou went to the school in the town without stopping and found Master Zhuang.

Master Zhuang was an old scholar with old-fashioned ideas. When he heard that Tang Youyou wanted to change the teaching content of the school, he immediately blew his beard and glared: "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent! What do you, a woman, know? I have been teaching and educating people for decades, and I still need you to tell me what to do?"

Tang Youyou was not annoyed, as she had expected to run into trouble.

So, she took a deep breath and launched into her "Chicken Soup for Tang Syndrome" speech mode: "Master Zhuang, the times are advancing, and we must keep up with the times, right? Talent is needed in every field these days, and just studying the Four Books and Five Classics won't cut it! I plan to add some practical courses to the school, like carpentry, textiles, and even cooking! Let the children acquire a skill so they can support themselves wherever they go in the future!"

She became increasingly excited as she spoke, as if she envisioned a future filled with talented individuals: "Just think about it, if we could train a group of skilled craftsmen, that would be a great boon for future generations!"

Master Zhuang was stunned when he heard this. In his entire life, this was the first time he heard someone link cooking skills with benefiting future generations.

Although he still disagreed in his heart, Tang Youyou's passionate statement did make him look at her with new eyes.

In the end, Master Zhuang reluctantly agreed to Tang Youyou's plan.

Coming out of the academy, Tang Youyou was in a very good mood and felt like a hero who saved the world.

But she didn't feel happy for long, because a bigger challenge came...

In the evening, at the family gathering, Brother Tang looked at the "treasure" that Tang Youyou brought back, his brows furrowed: "Youyou, you..."

Brother Tang looked at the "treasures" that Tang Youyou brought back, his brows furrowed: "Youyou, where...where did you get these weird things? Can't we just farm and weave honestly? Our ancestors have lived this way for generations, and no one has starved to death!" He pointed at the pile of minerals and herbs, his face full of confusion.

Ever since this niece fell into the water, she has become a different person, doing all kinds of weird things all the time, which makes her, as the eldest brother, worry a lot.

Tang Youyou poured a cup of tea for Brother Tang with a smile: "Brother, you are right, the laws of our ancestors cannot be abolished. We really can't forget the basics. But these basics must also keep pace with the times, right? It's like when we farm, we used hoes in the past, and now we use oxen to plow, and in the future we may be able to use even more powerful tools, and the yield will increase several times!"

Brother Tang took a sip of tea, still looking skeptical. "Your analogy is... a bit far-fetched. In our workshop, the craftsmanship has been passed down from generation to generation, so steady and steady progress is the right way to go. You're organizing training and setting up some... assessment system. Isn't that just a waste of time?"

Tang Youyou did not refute, but followed what Brother Tang said and said: "Brother, you are right. This old craft is indeed valuable and must be passed on. But think about it, there are fewer and fewer young people willing to learn this craft. If we stick to the old ways, what will happen if this craft is lost in the future? I am also preparing for the future, for the sake of future generations!" As she spoke, she pretended to sigh deeply.

Brother Tang was stunned by her talk of "retreating to advance" and couldn't find any words to refute for a while.

Tang You You struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Brother, don't worry, I have an idea. This innovation is just like when we cook, we need to add some seasoning to make it delicious. We need to retain the traditional taste, but also add some new tricks to attract more people to taste it. Don't you think this is the case?"

Just as Brother Tang was about to speak, Tang Youyou said again: "Actually, I have found a young man with great potential..." She smiled mysteriously and paused deliberately.

Tang Youyou came to the workshop excitedly, ready to have a good chat with the young people about the "bright future".

However, reality gave her a loud slap in the face.

Most young people had no interest in the blueprint she painted, and some even looked at her with disdain, thinking she was dreaming.

"What's the point of learning that? I might as well go to the docks and carry heavy bags to make some quick money!" A young man curled his lips in disdain, as if Tang Youyou's suggestion was a huge joke.

"That's right. Being stuck in a workshop all day is like being in jail. It would be better to go home and inherit two acres of land and live a free and easy life!" another echoed.

Someone else said sarcastically, "The eldest lady of the Tang family is different. She talks without any hesitation. We don't have the time to play house with you."

Tang Youyou felt a chill in her heart as she listened to these sarcastic remarks, as if she had swallowed a large mouthful of iced sour plum soup.

Are all her efforts going to go to waste?

This grand plan of inheritance is about to die in the womb!

She felt like an "ancient entrepreneur" abandoned by the times, full of sadness and helplessness.

Just when she was feeling discouraged, she caught a glimpse of a young man out of the corner of her eye - Fu Wenyuan.

Although he was standing at the back of the crowd, there seemed to be a hint of curiosity in his eyes, which was completely different from the disdain of others.

Tang Youyou seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw and immediately became energetic.

"Fu Wenyuan, come here!" Tang Youyou's tone was filled with unquestionable firmness.

Fu Wenyuan walked over hesitantly, looking a little nervous.

"I know you may still have doubts about my ideas," Tang Youyou said straight to the point, his eyes burning, "but have you ever thought that one day you could become a top expert in this industry, respected by others, and gain both fame and fortune?"

She paused, her tone becoming even more passionate: "We are not just craftsmen, we are creating the future! Just think about it, in the future our products will be sold nationwide, and even around the world!"

Fu Wenyuan's eyes gradually brightened and his breathing became rapid.

Tang Youyou struck while the iron was hot and continued to paint a grand blueprint: "By then, you will be the founder of a school, and your name will be remembered by future generations!"

Fu Wenyuan was deeply shocked by these words. He opened his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but swallowed it back.

Tang Youyou smiled slightly: "Think about it, I will wait for your reply here."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving Fu Wenyuan alone, his eyes flickering, his heart churning...

At this moment, a voice rang out from behind the crowd: "Fu Wenyuan, you better think it through..."

Fu Wenyuan was still digesting the "bright future" described by Tang Youyou. He felt like he had taken Xuanmai and couldn't stop.

Ancestor?

Fame and fortune?

head to the World?

These words flashed across his mind like crazy, stimulating every nerve in his body.

He seemed to see himself standing on the podium, receiving flowers and applause, the flash lights blinding him...

"Fu Wenyuan, you'd better think it through..." This basin of cold water came from his good friend, and his tone was full of warning.

"You know who the eldest daughter of the Tang family is! She's always daydreaming and thinking about unrealistic things. If you follow her, you might end up with nothing!"

Fu Wenyuan was awakened from his daydream by his friend's splash and became hesitant.

That's right, although the eldest daughter of the Tang family is beautiful and generous, her train of thought is sometimes really...

Fresh and unique.

What if she's just a flash in the pan? Wouldn't that be a waste of my time?

At this time, Master Liu came over, patted Fu Wenyuan on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "Young man, it's a good thing to have ideas, but you must also be down-to-earth. Follow me and learn well, and you will become an excellent craftsman in the future." Master Liu is a craftsman of the older generation. He is steady, skilled, and very prestigious in the workshop.

Fu Wenyuan always takes his words seriously.

Fu Wenyuan looked at Master Liu, then thought about the future that Tang Youyou had described, and felt even more conflicted.

On one side is the old, steady path, and on the other side is a new path full of unknowns. How should he choose?

Tang Youyou was not idle either. When she returned home, she immediately began to formulate a "talent training plan."

She knows very well that it is not enough to just paint a rosy picture, and there must be practical incentives.

bonus?

Dividends?

Shares?

She racked her brains, trying to create an "ancient version of employee incentive program."

Brother Tang rushed over after hearing the news and urged Tang Youyou not to make any trouble.

"Youyou, why don't we just farm honestly? What if you do all these fancy things and lose money?"

"Brother, times have changed!" Tang Youyou held his forehead helplessly, "We can't cling to the old ways! If we want to get rich, we have to innovate!"

Big Brother Tang wanted to persuade him again, but Tang Youyou used his ultimate move: "Big Brother, think about our parents. If they were still alive, they would definitely hope that our family would get better and better, right?" This move really worked, and Big Brother Tang shut up immediately.

At this time, Miss Wang was standing at the door of the school, whispering something to Master Zhuang.

"Master Zhuang, you know that this craftsman's work is hard and tiring, and you can't make much money..." Her voice was sweet, but with a subtle hint of sinisterness.

Master Zhuang stroked his beard and nodded, "Don't worry, Miss Wang. I understand what you mean."

"That's good." Miss Wang smiled and turned to leave.

Her figure disappeared at the alley entrance, but she left behind a trace of cold aura, like a poisonous snake, quietly lurking in the darkness...

"I'll visit you again tomorrow."