Transmigrated as A Farm Girl Making Her Family Rich-Chapter 109 - 108: The Spectating Public
Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Spectating Public
The housekeeper, upon hearing Mrs. Lai’s shout, halted and turned back to address her, saying:
“Old sister-in-law, this gift is ordered by the Boss to be delivered to the village chief. I cannot decide on this matter myself, and if it is not handled well, it could bring punishment from the Boss!”
Hongji, hearing his mother’s words and then the housekeeper’s, saw people gathered at the courtyard entrance and quickly intervened, “Mother, the housekeeper is handling things; please don’t complicate matters.”
“Son, how can you say it’s complicating matters? He brought the items to our house, so of course, they are meant for our house.”
“Old sister-in-law, there is something for your family too. Wait until we finish our business, and rest assured…”
At this point, Hongji’s father glared at Mrs. Lai, then smilingly said to the housekeeper, “The housekeeper is handling it, we should be at ease. Just go with Hongji and complete the task first, attend to matters first. Later, we’ll prepare a table full of delicious dishes for you.”
...
“Older brother, to get the job done faster, we will not dine here to spare you the trouble. We have horses and a carriage here, and if everything goes smoothly, we can take the village chief to the county to handle affairs.”
After saying this, the housekeeper remembered that the wood for the two carriages had not yet been unloaded, so he instructed the guard and the driver to start working first, moving the timber into the thatched hut and covering it with a good tarpaulin.
The wood must not become damp during the rain, and the spot where the timber was stored was first lined with some straw to protect it against ground moisture.
Now, winter was rather dry, yet who could guarantee it wouldn’t rain during the winter?
Hongji stood at the entrance of the courtyard holding his little girl, waiting for the housekeeper to emerge, surrounded by the villagers who were spectating.
There were old and young, men and women present. It was not the busy farming season. Seeing the carriage enter, people from this family’s courtyard, out of curiosity and with no work to do, gathered, holding their hoes at someone else’s doorstep.
There were also those carrying buckets of urine or baskets, not wary of their belongings possibly stinking up others’ places.
“Hongji, what are they doing? Are they delivering materials for work at your place? I really envy you, having a fine woodworking skill. We’re idle without earnings now, yet you manage to make money every day.”
Said the burly man carrying the bucket of urine.
Hongji, hearing someone ask him, hadn’t noticed before but saw the man with the bucket choosing not to leave. Thankfully, they were all farmer families; otherwise, it would undoubtedly be aggravating, as who would spectate with a bucket of waste at someone else’s doorstep?
“Yes, brother, you go first and spread that load of fertilizer in the field. Perhaps there’ll be work at our house, and you won’t be so idle afterward.”
“Really? Brother, if there’s work, you must let me join in.”
The man laughed joyously and, without feeling embarrassed, stayed to learn more curiously about the work maybe available, possibly letting him get involved—could Hongji’s house be taking on apprentices!
This burly man hadn’t considered performing an apprentice’s duties himself, but thought about letting his family’s youngsters learn crafts from Hongji. If his boys could acquire skills, then their house, like Hongji’s, would have work to do throughout the year.
This burly man’s wife was quite fertile, having birthed five boys who nearly impoverished their father. Not to mention affording schooling, just feeding them was an achievement.
Mostly, the boys helped out with the work at home, and their father, idle during the slack season, toted about his stories while gossiping.
“They won’t take you even if they have work. You’re so slow-witted. It’s better you quickly go and spread that manure,”
the man holding a hoe commented, one hand on the hoe, the other covering his nose, though he wasn’t directly speaking about the man with the manure bucket.
Yet, fearing that the ruffian could be too rough and bring his five boys over to fight—a notable advantage in the countryside of having many sons; no one dared to bully them.
However, for someone skilled like Hongji, having birthed many daughters, no one dared to offend them either, harboring intentions of not crossing Hongji’s family, hopeful that when it came time to take on apprentices, their kin could be chosen.
“Cut it out, I’m slow-witted, but how are you any better? It’s not like I said I had a job. I have five boys. If Hongji has work, he could hire my five boys to help, just providing meals, even no wage would be fine.”
“Brother, your kids eat so much, it’s almost better to give you wages for them instead of feeding them.”
“Hahaha”
Some laughed at the stout man, and others joined in.
Hongji still had unresolved matters, and he couldn’t reveal them yet, so he only said:
“As fellow villagers, of course we’d first offer work to people in our village. You all go back for now. When the time comes, our family will have the village chief help with the registration or when Housekeeper Tang is hiring workers, villagers can come and sign up.”
“Really? Then it’s settled, our family will sign up too.”
Hongji nodded.
The housekeeper noticed that the guard had already moved the materials to the thatched hut and came out to the courtyard entrance, sniffing the smell of urine and feces and continuously fanning the air, saying:
“Who is it, carrying manure in front of someone else’s house? You can chat, but choose a better time!”
“Sorry, sorry, I’ll take the stuff to the fields first.” The burly man didn’t dare to offend Housekeeper Tang and immediately left with his load.
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on novelbuddy.cσ๓.
The man with the hoe hadn’t left yet, and he said to Housekeeper Tang, “Just now, Brother Hongji said there would be work for us later, is that right, Housekeeper Tang?”
“That matter hasn’t been settled yet. If you have work to do, go do it! If it is settled, you will be notified in due time.”
Housekeeper Tang knew that these farmers, during their idle seasons, were eager to find work to earn some extra money for the New Year.
Nothing was settled yet; he wouldn’t make promises because words, once uttered, are like water spilt—you can’t take them back, and that could lead to trouble.
Housekeeper Tang spoke cautiously, and the villagers and women could only nod in agreement.
Hongji, holding his daughter in one arm and leading her by the hand with the other, brought Housekeeper Tang to the village chief’s door; his family hadn’t locked the courtyard gate.
“Uncle, are you home?”
Someone in the yard heard the voice and came out—it was a matron, the village chief’s wife.
“Hongji, is that you? Come on in, your uncle is home.” The matron had already noticed the gifts carried by the housekeeper.
“Auntie, we have something to discuss with Uncle. This is the housekeeper from Tang Mansion.”
Hongji introduced the housekeeper to the matron as they walked in.
“This small gift is just a token of respect.” The housekeeper handed the gift to the matron.
“Housekeeper Tang, you are too polite. Why even bring a gift?”
“It’s only proper.”
“Well, I won’t be shy then, hehe.” The matron was polite for a moment but then accepted the gift from Housekeeper Tang, knowing that anything from a wealthy family must be somewhat valuable.
The village chief, hearing the voices, came out from the room to welcome them into the living room for a chat.
“Housekeeper Tang, may I know what brings you to see an old man like me?” The village chief didn’t dare to claim he was a minor official in front of Housekeeper Tang, as a minor official is hardly significant in the presence of a housekeeper from a rich family’s estate.
