Pickling a few pounds of vegetables for personal use is no big deal, but pickling that many pounds every day was extremely physically demanding. By splitting into two shifts, everyone could avoid excessive fatigue and work more efficiently. Moreover, these daughters-in-law only needed to work half a day, leaving the other half to do household chores and take care of family members. With both needs attended to, everyone was quite willing.

The Lian Family had also roughly established their division of labor. Lian Shouxin took charge of collecting cabbages and weighing them. Lady Zhang was responsible for managing the workshop, such as coordinating how the several daughters-in-law divided the work, and more importantly, she was in charge of the quality of the pickled vegetables, insisting that the cabbage shreds be cut finely and the blanching done just right, for example. The hired daughters-in-law were responsible for shredding the cabbage and boiling water for blanching, while the final pickling was left to Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin.

Even though they had hired help, Lian Manman and the others wouldn’t take a break and busied themselves in the workshop. Lian Manman even secretly appointed herself with a title: Sanitary Inspector.

Sanitation was very important for something as delicate as processed pickled vegetables. Having never been a seller before, Lian Manman thought from a buyer’s perspective, prioritizing the cleanliness of anything meant to be eaten. Therefore, any daughters-in-law who came to work had to wear aprons and wrap their hair with kerchiefs, washing their hands with hot water before starting. Additionally, Lian Manman had Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi sew some cotton masks overnight, insisting the daughters-in-law wear them while working.

Lady Zhang had selected tidy and cooperative people, all of whom were very accommodating. Pickling vegetables involved no special skills; it was all work these daughters-in-law were accustomed to. They quickly got the hang of it after Lady Zhang’s explanations and arrangements.

Lian Manman watched from the sidelines, calculating in her mind that, at this rate, supplying Shopkeeper Wu would be more than feasible.

"Wow, there are quite a lot of people here!" someone lifted the shed curtain and walked in from outside.

Turning her head, Lian Manman saw that it was none other than Lady He.

Lady He had a handful of sunflower seeds, cracking them while scanning the room with her eyes, eventually landing her gaze on a skinny figure busy with the fire.

"Old Three’s wife, your mother-in-law is looking for you. There are so many chores to do in the Upper Room, what brought you down here to work?" Lady He called out loudly, "How much did Old Fourth’s wife pay you?"

Since Lian Manman’s family opened the Pickled Vegetable Workshop, Lady Zhao took it upon herself to come over and help. Lady Zhang even tried to dissuade her, worrying that Lady Zhou would have criticisms. Lady Zhao insisted that she had finished all her chores before coming. With Lady Zhao’s eager attitude to help, Lady Zhang couldn’t really stop her.

"My mother-in-law is looking for me? Didn’t I complete all the work?... Alright, I’ll go right now." Upon hearing that it was Lady Zhou, Lady Zhao hurriedly stood up and walked out.

"Sister-in-law Three just came over to take a look and lent a hand; she hasn’t actually worked for us." Lady Zhang quickly explained, fearing that Lady He would gossip in front of Lady Zhou and cause trouble for Lady Zhao.

Lady He didn’t respond, continuing to crack sunflower seeds and spit the shells onto the ground, stepping further into the workshop.

"Second Aunt, what are you doing?" Lian Manman reached out to stop Lady He.

"Just because you start a workshop doesn’t make you incredible. Can’t I just come to look?" Lady He rolled her eyes.

"Third Aunt, if you want to look, you can do so from the doorway, but there’s no need to come into the workshop, look at all these aunties and grandmas here..." Lian Manman firmly blocked Lady He from entering the workshop.

Lady He spat sunflower seed shells everywhere, and Lian Manman already showed immense restraint by asking her to converse at the doorway. In fact, Lian Manman wished she could send Lady He far away.

"Second Sister-in-law, this workshop is for work. Look at us, we have to dress like this to be fit for the job." Lady Zhang approached and said.

Blocked at the doorway by Lady Zhang and Lian Manman, Lady He realized she couldn’t enter and reluctantly stayed put, yet she was unwilling to leave.

"Goodness, you all are quite meticulous, wrapped up so tight." Lady He commented, observing the daughters-in-law working inside.

"Since it’s food that goes into one’s mouth, we have to be particular about it. It gives buyers peace of mind. Wouldn’t we want the same if we were buying something?" Lady Zhang said.

"Exactly, Second Sister-in-law, there’s nothing interesting for you to see here in our work. You might as well go elsewhere to crack your sunflower seeds." Another daughter-in-law chimed in to support.

Lady He, seeing that no one welcomed her, sulkily left.

...

In three days’ time, the Lian Family’s workshop truly produced fifteen hundred pounds of pickled vegetables. Shopkeeper Wu sent a horse-drawn cart over, and after three trips, all the pickled vegetables were transported to town.

Lian Shouxin and Lian Manman followed the cart to town.

Shopkeeper Wu, seeing that they indeed delivered on time and even set up a workshop with hired labor, nodded his approval repeatedly.

"It must have been hard for you, I was worried that the first delivery wouldn’t go smoothly."

"We stand by our word when we make a promise." Lian Shouxin said.

"... Proactive and reliable, promising, very promising." Shopkeeper Wu smiled and remarked.

"As long as Shopkeeper Wu and the boss can trust us that’s all that matters." Lian Shouxin said with a simple smile.

When it came time to settle the payment for the pickles, fifteen hundred pounds should equate to fifteen hundred Wen Money, Shopkeeper Wu had already handed over One String of Coins, so only five hundred Wen Money was left to be paid.

Lian Manman didn’t immediately reach out for the five strings of coins.

"Shopkeeper Wu, our family doesn’t have much to fall back on. Setting up this workshop has tied up a considerable amount of money, and we’re running a bit short now. Your family has significant resources..."

Before Lian Manman could finish her sentence, Shopkeeper Wu understood what she was getting at.

"You’re quite the sharp one, young lady."

"I’m just speaking the truth." Lian Manman said, "If Shopkeeper Wu agrees, let’s make a written agreement." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)