Shipin Dalizheng

In this case, he wanted to get more people involved.

Rong Tang seemed to see through his thoughts and said, "Too much is as bad as too little. Nothing has started yet, and not many people will be willing to invest money. I just want people to see the difference. But Master, let me be honest. Nothing is absolutely certain. There are still risks, so you have to think carefully."

The Third Master smacked his lips and nodded, "I understand. I'll think it over carefully."

Seeing that everyone had left the main hall, Rong Tang went back into the back hall, spread out the paper, and searched his mind for memories.

Rong An set up tables and chairs outside the compound and had people line up to register their specialties. The villagers weren't sure what they were doing, but upon asking, they learned that registration would be used to assign tasks later. Whether or not they'd buy shares was another matter; the work was a must, and a long line formed.

It's interesting to note that these village men used to see each other all the time, so who didn't know each other? Anyone with a respectable skill would have earned money using their skills. But now it's like a job market, with people applying to be carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, and even gardening has become a specialty that has been devised with great effort.

Some men even report some of the skills their wives know, believing that it is always good to have many skills, and they might come in handy.

The women finished their meal and looked up. Chuncao called out, "Aunties, please put away the leftovers, put the tables and chairs in order, take your belongings back, and bring your own bowls to share the food with everyone."

The oil in the dish was as thick as a finger, which was something the villagers rarely ate in the past. When they heard that the dish would be shared, they were ecstatic again.

Chuncao took advantage of this time to observe the performance of the women and children in each family, and made a few notes in the notebook from time to time until the end.

Basically, he knew clearly what kind of character each woman in the village had, who was straightforward and capable, who was lazy and cunning, who was petty, and who was decent.

The maid she had assigned to distribute the food was nearly torn apart by the women in the village, all wanting her to scoop up a few more spoonfuls of oil and water, and the chattering was so intense that it made their heads hurt. It was then that it became clear that Third Grandma was a wonderful person. She favored her grandson and was harsh on her granddaughter. However, when faced with difficulties from outsiders, she stood by her granddaughter and protected her from the criticism of some of the women.

Zhou hid behind and did not dare to stand up for her daughter.

The most amazing thing was that when all the soup and water in the jar were gone, Grandma San found that she had not gotten a single drop of it.

The third wife was furious. She slammed the empty basin on the table next to her and started scolding Daya again, "You stupid girl, you've divided it all up and you don't even have a drop left. What? I didn't expect you to take advantage of me, but now you don't even have your share?"

Daya had just taken a breath when she lowered her head again after being scolded by her grandmother.

Chuncao pretended not to hear what they said and shouted, "Daya, tell me, is there any family in the village that hasn't received any vegetables?"

When the Third Grandma heard this, she hurriedly poked Daya with her hand.

Daya whispered, "Except for the lonely old people in the village, everyone... everyone..."

The third grandmother's eyes widened like bells. Where is my family? Where is my family?

Chuncao nodded. "There are still two large basins left in the kitchen. They have not been touched. Give one bowl to each elderly person. Take the rest home."

The Third Grandma's body froze, and she twitched the corners of her mouth for a long time but couldn't say a word.

Chuncao laughed, turned around and went back to the yard, slapping the small notebook in her hand and going to hand in her work.

Passing by the small stone table, I saw Li Shiwa using a wet cloth to wipe the oil stains on it over and over again, very seriously and carefully.

San Ya said softly, "Brother Shi Wa, wipe it clean, don't wipe it anymore."

The light in Li Shiwa's eyes gradually dimmed. Yes, there is no need to wipe it. I am full after this meal, and I don't know where the next meal will come from.

Chuncao called a woman who was cleaning the kitchen. She was the daughter-in-law of the eighth master. She was clean and capable, and was also good at cooking. Chuncao had already chosen her as the cook.

"Aunt Dahu, come here, I want to ask you something."

Aunt Dahu agreed, wiped her hands on her apron, and followed Chuncao into the main room.

Chuncao pointed at Li Shiwa and asked, "Aunt Dahu, what's wrong with this child?"

Aunt Dahu glanced at Li Shiwa and sighed, "He's a poor child. Miss Chuncao, actually, he is related to our Rong family."

"Oh, tell me more carefully!"

"His mother, Xueyan, is also the daughter of our Rong family. Ten years ago, she was betrothed to a scholar in Dahong Village. But for some reason, she fell in love with Li Zongbao from the Li family in the village, and the two eloped. The incident was very serious at the time. Scholar Hong reported it to the officials and went to the Li family to make trouble. The Li family was so scared that they opened the ancestral hall and expelled Li Zongbao from the clan. Originally, we thought that the two of them could live well outside, but who knew that after more than half a year, Xueyan came back alone, looking miserable. When we asked her, we found out that the two of them were discovered by Scholar Hong, who had Li Zongbao beaten to death. Xueyan was eight months pregnant, but her third uncle had no choice but to have her hidden and give birth to the child. Xueyan was unlucky and died in childbirth, leaving behind this child. The Li family did not dare to recognize him, so the third uncle took the initiative to give him a name, and each household donated some food to feed him. He was hungry and full, and he looked like a six-year-old child even though he was nine years old."

"Whose daughter is his mother? Doesn't she care about her grandson?"

Aunt Dahu paused. This was the Rong family's private matter, but Chuncao was the young master's close friend, so there was nothing to hide.

"I once overheard my father-in-law mention that his mother was brought back from outside by Earl Jian'an and only raised by his seventh aunt. Her surname was also Rong, so I don't know whose bloodline she is. I'll have to ask the elders for the specific details."

Chuncao had a feeling that just hearing the name Xueyan meant that Li Shiwa's mother was no ordinary girl. As a general, the Earl of Jian'an might be the orphan of one of his soldiers.

"Go and do your work. Don't tell anyone else what I asked you."

Aunt Dahu responded and went back to work.

Chuncao entered the back hall and saw Rongtang writing and drawing with a pile of papers beside him.

"Master, I have something to tell you."

Rong Tang put down his pen and said, "You go ahead."

"Master, I want to take in a child and raise him with us."

Rong Tang raised his eyebrows, "Chuncao, did you see another girl being wronged?"

Chuncao pouted, "This time it's not a girl, it's a boy."

Just tell him about Li Shiwa.

"Li Shiwa might even be the orphan of one of the soldiers under Earl Jian'an. This child is so pitiful, I think Earl Jian'an would be heartbroken if he knew about this. Why don't we adopt him?"

Rong Tang pondered. It wasn't like he couldn't afford to raise a child, but things weren't as simple as Chuncao imagined. Li Shiwa had a family. Even if the Li family didn't recognize him, if he stayed with him, unless he was incredibly stupid, they wouldn't let him serve others for the rest of his life. What would the Li family think then?