At the beginning, they were reluctant to use ink and paper, so they first got the hang of it with hand gestures. Then they dipped their brushes in water and practiced on the table before finally, each person was given a sheet of paper to formally copy the character models.

Among the four children, Lian Manman and Wu Lang learned the fastest.

"Wu Lang had learned some before, so now he can pick it up faster. For Manman to learn this quickly, she’s definitely gifted," Old Master Lian used an idiom to praise Lian Manman, but then he sighed, "What a pity she’s a girl, if only she had been born a boy..."

Lian Manman quietly stuck out her tongue, not daring to admit her intelligence. The reason she learned quickly was mainly that she also had a foundation, but this was something she couldn’t say out loud.

"I can only teach you the ’Three Character Classic,’ when your Second Uncle returns, let him teach you," Old Master Lian said this after two days of lessons.

Old Master Lian had only attended a private school for a little over a year in his childhood when his parents were alive, and later on, he was self-taught. Lian Shouren, however, was a Scholar, so naturally, he could teach them much more than Old Master Lian could.

Lian Manman glanced at Wu Lang. Wu Lang adored studying and would surely be delighted by Old Master Lian’s words. However, what puzzled her was the absence of joy on Wu Lang’s face; instead, there was a slight frown.

Every day, Lian Manman and the others practiced with Old Master Lian but didn’t neglect their housework. The pickled vegetable workshop was running smoothly, and now, besides supplying Shopkeeper Woo Zhonglian’s restaurant, their produce was also sought after by inns in the county town and even those from other counties. Additionally, some peddlers bought pickles from them to sell at various markets, naturally at a higher price than what Manman originally sold them for in town.

Ten days after the workshop opened, some of the married women working there wanted to receive their wages.

"Didn’t we agree to pay at the end of the month?" Lian Zhizhi said.

"It’s Er Dan’s Wife. She said her brother-in-law worked in a workshop in some village, and after a month, he ended up without any wages," Lady Zhang said, "Er Dan’s Wife told me, it’s not that she doesn’t trust us, but her mother-in-law insists that if she doesn’t bring wages home, she won’t be allowed to work anymore."

In those days, most small businesses were known for their integrity, but there were always exceptions. Incidents where workers ended up unpaid were not unheard of.

"Mother, what do you think we should do?" asked Lian Manman.

"I was thinking of discussing it with you. If you ask me, I’ll give her the wages for these past few days tomorrow," said Lady Zhang. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"If that’s the case, let’s just do it. It’ll come to the same at the end of the month. We can’t deny her wages," said Lian Shouxin.

"Mother, why don’t we pay everyone’s wages tomorrow," Lian Manman suggested after a moment’s thought. "We’re now settling accounts with Shopkeeper Wu every three days. Others who buy pickles pay cash. Let’s just settle everyone’s wages every ten days, instead of waiting until the end of the month."

The initial investment in the workshop was not large, and with the funds from Shopkeeper Wu for rotation, business was rolling smoothly. Paying wages every ten days to the women who worked there was manageable for the workshop.

Even a few coins were highly valued in rural families. Shortening the pay period and allowing the women to receive their wages sooner would not only alleviate their concerns but also boost their enthusiasm for work even more.

"Manman has a good point. If it were me, I’d also prefer to get my wages sooner," said Lady Zhang, "let’s do that, then."

"Mother, you mentioned wanting to hire more people. Now, you won’t have to search. People will come to us on their own," added Lian Manman.

The next day, the women working in the workshop received their ten days’ wages, ranging from fifty to eighty-five coins depending on their work output.

This made the women overjoyed.

The following day, young married women from Thirty Mile Camp and neighboring villages continuously arrived at the Lian Family. As soon as they entered, they tried to build rapport with Lady Zhang, asking if the workshop needed more workers. They also wished to work there. With even more orders for pickles, Lady Zhang was indeed looking to hire additional help and selected a few from the newcomers, asking them to start work the next day.

"I was a bit worried the other day, afraid I wouldn’t find the right people. But look, so many candidates came today; there’s an abundance of choice," said Lady Zhang with a smile during dinner, "I expect even more will come tomorrow."

"Of course, it’s because they saw how promptly we pay," laughed Lian Manman. No flowery words could compare to the tangible reality of silver coins in hand.

"That’s true," Lady Zhang nodded.

"Right, Mother," Lian Manman thought of the scene where those women tried to connect with Lady Zhang earlier that day and decided to give her a heads-up, "Our workshop can’t afford to keep idlers. We only want capable workers, it doesn’t matter if they’re relatives or friends; none of that should influence us."

"I know," Lady Zhang responded while eating her meal, "our workshop can’t support idlers."

"It’s not about whether we can afford to keep them or not, we just shouldn’t," said Lian Manman firmly, "Mother, I know you have a kind heart, but we must be careful with this."

"Hmm," Lady Zhang nodded.

Just after the family finished eating and Lady Zhang had tidied up the dishes, planning to do some sewing while it was still light, Lian Xiuxiu came over.

"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, Father and Mother are asking for you," she said.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang naturally agreed. Since Lian Manman had nothing else to do, she also followed them to the Upper Room.

In the Upper Room, apart from Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and Lian Xiuxiu, Lian Shouyi and Lady He were also present.

"You guys need more workers, right? Let your Second Sister-in-law and Xiuxiu go," Lady Zhou began.(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support me. Your backing is my greatest motivation.)