Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

The next day, after breakfast, Zhou Dashan called a meeting of the villagers and talked about setting up a factory.

When the villagers heard that it was Zhang Xixi who made the suggestion, they all agreed, because they were sure they could make money by following Zhang Xixi!

Zhang Xixi introduced the plan she had made yesterday to everyone. The main idea was that everyone would contribute money, and the money would be distributed according to the contribution amount on the last day of each month. At the same time, the workers in the factory would also be people from the village, but they would all have to sign a confidentiality agreement. If the formula was revealed, they would have to compensate the village with 10,000 taels of silver.

"Did everyone understand?"

"Da Bao's mother, just tell me how much silver we need to contribute and how much we'll get in the end!"

"Yes, just tell us the money, and we'll definitely handle everything else according to the rules!"

Zhang Xixi glanced at Zhou Dashan; this matter still needed to be addressed by him, since they would be managing the business in the future.

Zhou Dashan realized what was happening and gestured for everyone to be quiet. He then said loudly, "After discussion among the elders of our clan, we have divided this factory into one hundred shares. Since the recipe was jointly provided by the Yuhao family and the Zhang family, each family will receive five shares, leaving ninety shares. Each share will cost one tael of silver. You can decide how many to buy yourself!"

The villagers started talking amongst themselves when they heard that it cost one or two taels of silver, saying it was a bit expensive!

The eldest daughter of the Wang family was the first to respond, saying, "My family wants five portions."

Ms. Wang also said she wanted five portions.

Upon hearing that someone wanted to buy it, the villagers also expressed their desire to buy it.

At this moment, Zhang Xixi pointed to Zhang Wenbo's side and called out loudly, "Everyone who wants to buy, please prepare your money and come over here to register. Don't line up randomly."

Zhang Wenbo took out the contract he had written yesterday. The contract had all the terms and conditions written down, leaving only the places for the number of copies and signatures and seals blank.

Whoever wants a certain number of copies fills them out, then signs and presses their fingerprint, and finally hands over the money to Zhou Yuping; that's how a contract is made.

In the end, the villagers bought eighty portions, leaving ten portions. Zhang Xixi and Zhang Wenbo each bought five portions, so each of their families had ten portions.

Zhang Xixi saw that some people wanted to buy it, but her family really didn't have the money, so she hesitated there.

"There's one more thing. Making these noodles will definitely require a lot of sweet potatoes. Everyone can continue to cultivate and plant sweet potatoes. I can also provide the soil-improving solution, but you'll need to exchange them for sweet potatoes. One bucket of solution is for every 500 jin of sweet potatoes. The factory will buy sweet potatoes at two wen per jin, and we'll buy as many as you have."

"is this real?"

"really?"

Zhou Dashan said loudly, "It's true, and after the factory is built, people will be selected from the village to work there, with a wage of thirty-five coins a day."

Upon hearing this news, everyone became excited again.

"Chieftain, what do you think of my eldest son?"

"Uncle, uncle, how do I look?"

"I,……"

Zhou Dashan said seriously, "Alright, we will seriously consider the candidates. Wait for further notice!"

After speaking, Zhou Dashan asked several clan elders and the heads of households who had contributed the most money to stay behind, as they still needed to discuss the next steps.

"We asked everyone to stay so we could discuss who will manage the factory in the future, and what to do about the accounts!"

After discussion, it was decided that bricks and tiles would be purchased and the factory built starting tomorrow. The factory would be located on the north side of the village entrance, near the mountain, and Zhou Yuping and Zhang Wenhong would be responsible for its management.

One person was in charge of production, and the other was in charge of harvesting sweet potatoes. Since there was no need to set up a separate accounting office at the beginning, they were allowed to keep accounts in their own way. Both of them were literate and could write, so they could keep track of simple numbers.

Zhang Xixi was in charge of sales, while Zhou Dashan was responsible for supervising everyone's work.

The first batch of workers to enter the factory has also been selected: ten women will be responsible for cleaning and filtering, fifteen men will be responsible for grinding and drying, and two donkeys will be bought to pull the millstone.

After everything was arranged, the villagers got busy again.

Some built factories, others reclaimed wasteland.

After noon, Wang Daniu arrived at Zhang Xixi's house.

"Master, I'd like to report something to you!"

Zhang Xixi looked up at him and pointed to the bench, "Sit down and talk!"

After sitting down, Wang Daniu continued, "The brothers have been here for over a month, and they're all a bit homesick. So, could the boss give us a few days off each month so we can take turns going home?"

“Sure, just make a note of those people when they go home. As for your four days off each month, you can go home when you have time. Just tell Zhou Fu and ask him to supervise the work during those days.”

Wang Daniu quickly stood up, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, sir!"

Zhang Xixi waved her hand, "No need for formalities, please sit down!"

Wang Daniu chuckled awkwardly, "There's something else I'd like to ask of you, boss. I'll say it standing up!"

Zhang Xixi was a little surprised; what could be so important that it required such seriousness?

"Speak first!"

Wang Daniu told him that he had a son who wanted to go to school!

Zhang Xixi fell silent. The matter was simple, but her elder brother was preparing for the imperial examination, and there were no other teachers in the village, so she couldn't agree rashly.

"I think it's not just your child who wants to study; other children certainly want to study too. I don't want to favor one over the other. But right now, the school doesn't have enough teachers. Once we find new teachers, we'll come up with a plan and let you know then."

Wang Daniu was a little disappointed when his employer didn't agree, but he still felt hopeful after hearing what his employer said. He thanked him without saying anything more and then took his leave.

After Wang Daniu left, Zhang Xixi wondered who she should ask the tutor to!

I wonder if the brokers offer this service. Looks like I'll have to make a trip to town!

I should contact Manager Qian and ask him if he wants fans.

After she had sorted out her thoughts, she went to rummage through the patch of land in the yard, first picking all the watermelons and then throwing the vines into the cowshed.

Then they dug out all the potatoes. Since they hadn't planted many, they finished digging them out in a short while.

When Sun Xiuxiu returned from picking wild vegetables and feeding the chickens and ducks in the vegetable garden outside, she saw a pile of clods of dirt.

"Master, what is this?"

"This is a vegetable called potato, which can also be used as a staple food. It's delicious, let's make this tonight!"

"But I don't know how to cook!"

Zhang Xixi said calmly, "Peel the skin, cut it into strips and stir-fry it with chili peppers, or cut it into chunks and stew it with meat. Let's stir-fry it tonight, and explore other ways to cook it later."

"Hey!"

This pile of potatoes actually only weighs about 60 kilograms. The soil here is not suitable for potato growth, so the yield is low.

Zhang Xixi asked Sun Xiuxiu to leave behind a dozen or so potatoes, and moved the rest into the cellar.

There were only a dozen or so watermelons left. I sent two to my parents' home, and the rest I kept for my own family. We won't be able to eat any of the other fruits we grow this year.

Now that the watermelons and potatoes have been removed, let's plant a few more fruit trees in a few days!