The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 210: Treating the Land as Life

In the evening, the villagers returned home one after another from working in the fields.

Gu Dahuan also came back home from the fields at West Mountain.

Along the way, people kept asking Gu Dahuan about hiring workers for his family. Some even intercepted him on the road, hoping to work for the Gu Family.

Knowing not all Xu Family members were like Xu Si, Gu Dahuan didn’t dare agree without Tong Huaqiong’s permission. He detoured through the cornfield, using the thick corn as cover, to return home.

Tong Huaqiong had just finished discussing with Gu Dahuan about excavating the remains of Mrs. Hong’s parents under the twisted tree when Village Chief Liu brought the hired workers to their doorstep.

Originally, Liu Tieshan had planned to bring the people over in the evening.

But the enthusiasm was overwhelming, and he had to bring them earlier.

"Aunt Tong, Da Han knows how I work. Back when he and I carried sandbags in Pingchuan, only Da Han could outdo me."

"Aunt Tong, I can work on a trial basis for three days. If you think I’m unsuitable, you can reconsider."

"Dashi’s mom, our piece of land borders yours. You know my work ethic—I don’t slack off."

...

The workers hired by the village chief flooded into Tong Huaqiong’s yard, and upon seeing her, they launched into self-recommendation mode.

Observing the scene, Tong Huaqiong realized Liu Tieshan had been shrewd. He hadn’t told them they were already secretly chosen by her and could work as long as they wished.

Tong Huaqiong understood Liu Tieshan’s intention.

Firstly, he was worried that work given too easily might breed complacency and lack of appreciation.

Secondly, to let them know Tong Huaqiong’s family offered generous benefits, and there was no shortage of manpower in the village.

"I first gathered them without promising anything, only mentioning your offered conditions. Whether it works out depends on their trial performance," Liu Tieshan whispered to Tong Huaqiong.

Understanding the village’s sentiment required someone like the village chief.

Tong Huaqiong looked at the dozen laborers—both men and women—and saw they were strong workers.

"... I assume the village chief has informed everyone that working for my family will not leave you at a loss. I won’t mince words; seeing you all work swiftly, I specifically asked the chief to hire you. If possible, we’ll start the trial tomorrow, testing for three days. Rest assured, you’ll receive wages and meals during the trial period."

"I know most will perform well during the trial, but if anyone slacks off afterward, disregarding community ties, I’ll fire them immediately. They can forget about any future work from my family."

Tong Huaqiong began her admonition.

Originally, she hoped Gu Dahuan would handle this, but he was still stuck in the mindset that asking anything from fellow villagers was awkward, so she stepped in.

However, future work supervision would still fall to Gu Dahuan.

"Among us are those who grew up together or carried sandbags alongside me. Everyone knows no one else offers higher wages than my family, and no employer is kinder than my mom, especially with meal provisions—we’re unmatched in Yan Guan Town. Don’t think you can slack off or fool me just because I’m sincere during supervision."

"While I might overlook other things, I’m particular about farming—no slacking allowed. If anyone shirks under my nose, they’ll be kicked off my land without debate, disregarding sentiments."

After finishing, Gu Dahuan proactively stepped forward and repeated the earlier statement.

He rubbed his hands, looking at Tong Huaqiong after he was done.

Tong Huaqiong nodded in approval.

She was worried her stepson wouldn’t grasp the boundary between employer and hired worker, mingling villagers into family matters.

Hearing Gu Dahuan’s words dispelled all her worries.

Though not yet adept at managing people, his exceptional passion for the land is notable. His enthusiasm stands out in all of Qinghe Bay.

His love for the land means he won’t tolerate anyone ruining it.

If anyone messes with the land, especially Gu Family land, under his watch, he won’t stand it.

That’s why Tong Huaqiong is confident with Gu Dahuan supervising.

Supporting her stepson, Tong Huaqiong turned and said, "I’ve entrusted the land to Da Han. Don’t think you can push him around because he’s honest—misjudge, and it’ll be your loss. Da Han’s words are mine."

This meant she wouldn’t allow anyone dismissing Gu Dahuan’s authority as the family’s head due to her role as stepmother.

Liu Tieshan chimed in from the side, "In Qinghe Bay, everyone knows you treat Da Han like your own son. Anyone who thinks of bullying him is truly short-sighted."

The workers couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of their mouths.

Who doesn’t know how Aunt Tong used to give Gu Dahuan a hard time?

But to be fair, that was all in the past.

In the last six months, Tong Dajiao indeed treated Gu Dahuan no different than a real son.

They were here to work, not meddle in Gu Family affairs. Since Tong Dajiao said Gu Dahuan managed the land, they’d listen to him.

After all, the wages are good, with a meal a day exceeding expectations.

Glancing at each other, they noticed the joy in each other’s eyes and all promised with smiles.

"Aunt Tong, rest assured, I’ll treat your land as my own, working diligently without slacking off."

"I advise those who’re lazy at heart to give up early and not drag the rest of us down. I’ve finally found a great job here; I won’t spare anyone who ruins it for me."

"If anyone thinks they can take advantage of Da Han’s honesty and not work hard, they’d better leave now. Such unprincipled people aren’t fit to be hired hands."

... 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

How well these workers did, Tong Huaqiong couldn’t yet conclude.

But she wasn’t worried since the trials were starting the next day.

"... I have another task to discuss with everyone." Village Chief Liu, beforehand commissioned by Tong Huaqiong, addressed the workers, "The plot of wasteland behind the Gu Family’s yard has been purchased for a house, and they want to conduct a ritual for those who were hacked to death by rogue soldiers beneath the ground. After discussing with Dashi’s mother, we’d like your help to exhume the remains."

As Village Chief Liu said this, murmurs spread through the yard.

Truth be told, hearing a request to dig up remains gave everyone goosebumps.

After all, the wasteland behind Gu Family’s yard had always been taboo among the villagers.

Some even whispered, wondering who in their right mind would buy that land for a house—were they insane?

Previously, not to mention the wasteland, even visiting the Gu Family was rare.

Though Tong Dajiao’s difficult nature was a big factor, it’s hard to say fear of ghosts in the wasteland wasn’t also a reason.