Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

At the garment workshop in the Chai residence, Chai Tao watched the embroiderers crafting splendid garments. There were designs for men and women, girls and boys, middle-aged women, middle-aged men, and the elderly. There were even styles for children, from one to twelve, and after thirteen, there were lines for boys and girls. Chai Tao said, "We're in a hurry to get through this, so let's give everyone a couple of days off." "Okay. We're not tired." "Then everyone should rest too," she said, leaving one of her men behind before leaving.

Chai Tao went to the machine workshop, where the crowds were high and the clothes were being turned out quickly. They were currently processing a large number of military uniforms for spring and autumn wear, and time was tight. The Ministry of Industry was also working on them, and the simultaneous processing of two operations was very stressful. Furthermore, the Chai family also had to make clothes for the common people. Chai Tao considered working the night shift, which would offer slightly higher wages and an extra meal in the middle of the night. This all needed to be discussed with the owner, who would have to agree! Having made up her mind, she went out to the front yard.

As Chai Tao walked along, she saw the changes in the mansion. Everyone was a little busy, but everyone had a smile on their face. The master never scolded anyone and treated his servants very well. They didn't have to worry too much about food, clothing, and other expenses. It seemed that except for the palace, they had the best life here. The food they ate was the same as the master's, cooked from the same pot.

Chai Tao happily arrived at the main hall and said, "My Lord, I have something to report!" Zhang Baohua looked at Old Lady Li. Old Lady Li said, "You can ask me. I don't care about the affairs of the mansion." Zhang Baohua said, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Zhang Baohua: "Manager Chai Tao, just tell me what you have to say." Chai Tao: "Master, I have an idea. Please listen to it and see if it is feasible. If it is, I will start to work on it. We are processing a lot of clothes now and can't finish them in time. I thought of working the night shift. The wages can be slightly higher than the daytime wages, maybe ten cents more. An extra meal at midnight will add more work for the kitchen. We have a lot of orders, and there will be more in the future." Zhang Baohua thought about it and said, "That's right, okay. However, you must enter and exit through the back door of the mansion, and you must not disturb the front yard at night, and you must not walk around the mansion. You will be in charge of everything, and just report to me if there is anything." Chai Tao: "Okay. I will go right away."

A notice was posted at the government gate, recruiting one hundred female needleworkers, aged fifteen to forty. Men were also accepted, aged eighteen to thirty, but only five were accepted. The monthly salary for each worker was five hundred coins for the first three months, and then they would be paid by the piece.

After posting several notices, including one at her family's clothing store, Chai Tao had her men bring a table, paper, and pen to the open space outside the mansion, waiting to recruit people.

Half a day later, many women arrived. Chai Tao went out and saw that they were all young people, girls, women, and men. Many people gathered outside the mansion. Many people signed up. Chai Tao said, "Everyone, be quiet." She asked someone to bring needles and thread and had the women sew simple pieces of cloth on the spot. She looked at their dexterity to see if they were familiar with handcrafting.

Chai Tao also recruited 120 female workers and 10 male workers after considering their appearance, manners, speech, dress, and neatness. Chai Tao looked at them and said, "Line up and remember what I say next. The trial period is ten days. Those who are qualified will be retained, and the remaining 100 female workers will be retained. There will be 5 male workers. Of course, they will also be paid 30 coins per day for these ten days. Secondly, those who go home will have two meals a day here. Day shift, noon and evening. Night shift, midnight and breakfast. Those who live far away can stay here and have three meals a day. Bedding is provided, and you can bring your own change of clothes. After three months, work clothes will be issued. Washbasin, towel, toothbrush, and toothpaste are all here. You only need to bring a change of clothes. Dismissed, report to the back door of the mansion tomorrow morning."

"Great! I was just worried about the long journey. It's inconvenient to go back and forth every day. That's great." "Xiaoyu, let's keep each other company." "Yeah, yeah. I'm happy too. Now that I'm making money, I can help support the family, and my brother can study with peace of mind," Li Wen said. Xiaoyu hurried home to tell her family the good news. The two girls ran off happily. Chai Tao glanced at them and returned home. She was busy getting large military uniforms tailored.