Along the way, Shopkeeper Wu and Wang Yongzhu chatted idly about common goods from Qilidun Mountain, and the leisure topics of hunting.
Ninth Master Lee kept his face stern, but at least he kept his silence.
Riches Dye Workshop was located on the southeast side of the county town, not too far from the store; it was a bit secluded with not too many people around.
For the past half year, since Boss Tian closed up, the shop assistants at the dye workshop had all sought other paths early on.
Only a mute was left behind, truly having no place to go.
Feeling pity for him, Yan Zhongren thought that the dye workshop needed someone to guard it anyway, and he made a special mention to Wang Yongzhu to give the mute a few hundred coins a month to guard the place, also to prevent the house from falling into disrepair.
Wang Yongzhu naturally had no objections; the several thousand bolts of cloth ruined by Boss Tian were still in the warehouse of the dye workshop.
Even without the mute, she would have needed someone to keep watch, so this arrangement was perfect.
Understanding that the mute could not speak, yet possessed good strength and had previously carried fabric and guarded the yard for Riches Dye Workshop, it was indeed perfectly suitable, so she readily allowed Yan Zhongren to pay the mute his monthly wage.
Now, seeing the horse-drawn carriage at the gate, the mute instantly ran out from inside the gate, holding a broom and looking apprehensively.
Shopkeeper Wu got out of the carriage first, then Ninth Master Lee also jumped down, and stood under the carriage. He hesitated for a moment and extended his hand, intending to have Wang Yongzhu support him by the arm to get off.
Wang Yongzhu, with her agility, didn’t need to hold onto someone to get off the carriage, and she simply and efficiently jumped down, standing firmly.
The mute’s surname was Yang, and everyone called him Yang the Mute.
Yan Zhongren had already introduced Wang Yongzhu to him, and he naturally knew she was his new employer. He put down the broom in his hand and a smile spread across his face, as he gestured with his hands and feet, making ah ah noises.
Wang Yongzhu nodded, "I’ve brought people to take a look, is everything inside still here?"
Yang the Mute was not born mute; it seemed he had mistakenly consumed something and lost the ability to speak. His family went bankrupt trying to cure him, his parents passed away, and they couldn’t heal him.
Only he was left, with truly nothing to worry about.
Hearing Wang Yongzhu’s question, he made a reassuring gesture, and proceeded to open the gate, inviting everyone in.
Inside the dye workshop, even half a year later, it was still clean and tidy, with no weeds growing between the bricks and tiles.
Wang Yongzhu was initially pleased; Yang the Mute really wasn’t someone who slacked off.
The last time Yan Zhongren brought her, the dye workshop was just . A few days ago, she came to the county town to check on the dye workshop and the condition of the fabrics, and it was just as clean.
The dye workshop had already been sold to the Lee Family, but Yang the Mute, she would have to take with her.
She made up her mind about it, but it didn’t show on her face.
She only spoke a few words to Yang the Mute, asking him to lead the three of them on a tour of the dye workshop.
Initially, when Boss Tian had fallen like a collapsing mountain, nobody dared to accept the job, and most of the contents of the dye workshop were left behind.
Thanks to Yang the Mute’s meticulous maintenance and care, the workshop could be put back into operation with just a bit of regulation.
The fabrics in the warehouse were also very well preserved, with lime scattered on the ground and the room being dry and well-ventilated.
Not only was Wang Yongzhu satisfied with this discovery, even Shopkeeper Wu and Ninth Master Lee looked at Yang the Mute with a newfound respect.
After inspecting the dye workshop, both parties were very satisfied.
They were just waiting for Shopkeeper Wu’s people to come and take over.
As Wang Yongzhu walked outside, she asked Yang the Mute, "Uncle Yang, I’ve sold this workshop to them. When their people arrive, show them around so they can get familiar with the environment, and then hand it over to them."
Yang the Mute was momentarily startled but immediately nodded his head to show he understood.
Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly said, "Why bother with a handover? It would be better to stay and work here. I like shop assistants who are diligent and willing to work hard! Five Hundred Coins a month with room and board included! Clothes for every season and a bonus at the end of the year! As long as you work hard, you won’t be treated unfairly!"
Riches Dye Workshop had been in trouble for over half a year, yet it was still well maintained; Yang the Mute was truly talented, even though he couldn’t speak.
For businessmen like them, the inability to speak wasn’t a defect but rather an advantage! Thus, they were eager to retain Yang the Mute.
Wang Yongzhu was almost amused to anger, as she was witnessing Shopkeeper Wu trying to poach her servant right in front of her!
Logically speaking, the offer was very generous, with room and board included, no worries about clothing or food, Five Hundred Coins a month, and even a bonus at the end of the year. Many people would fight over such a job.
Yet Yang the Mute first looked at Wang Yongzhu and gestured with a few "ahs," pointing first at her and then at himself.
Wang Yongzhu had thought Yang the Mute would be swayed by Shopkeeper Wu’s offer, but unexpectedly, Yang the Mute indicated he wished to continue following her?
She was overjoyed instantly, "Uncle Yang, if you don’t mind, I have another shop, the one that used to belong to Boss Tian, you know? There’s a small courtyard in the back that can house people. You can move into the shop to live for now and help me look after it. I haven’t decided what to do with this shop yet, but in the future, when I figure it out, I’ll still need you to watch over the shop for me! Your monthly pay will remain the same, along with clothes for every season, and there will be a bonus at the end of the year. Plus, I’ll give you an additional Two Hundred Large Coins for food every month."
Yang the Mute nodded to show he understood.
Shopkeeper Wu smiled, "Truly a loyal servant!" and let the matter go.
Although he felt it was a pity, he knew a person of loyalty with honest intentions could not be bought over by profit, and so he did not insist.
However, Ninth Young Master Lee showed a bit of interest in Yang the Mute. He had many people under him, but such individuals were always welcome in greater numbers.
For him, there was nothing in this world that could not be obtained; it was simply a matter of not offering a high enough price.
Unfortunately, Yang the Mute was Wang Yongzhu’s man, and it wouldn’t be proper for him to make an approach.
So he turned his head away in resentment but felt unsatisfied and glared at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu, who was giving Yang the Mute instructions, felt a piercing gaze from behind and turned around to catch Ninth Young Master Lee hastily averting his gaze. She was somewhat puzzled but didn’t perceive any malice and didn’t take it too seriously.
Meanwhile, Yang the Mute, who was facing Ninth Young Master Lee, saw the look in his eyes and took note of it in his heart.
After making arrangements for Yang the Mute’s living situation, the three of them got back into the carriage to return home.
It was nearly noon by then. Given the satisfaction with the negotiations that day, it was customary to invite Wang Yongzhu to have a meal.
Shopkeeper Wu was about to make the invitation when he glanced at the Ninth Young Master sitting beside him and swallowed his words.
Ninth Young Master Lee glared at Shopkeeper Wu a few times, thinking how tactless he was. How could he forget to invite someone to eat at such a time? How did he manage to negotiate in business?
Shopkeeper Wu pretended not to see.
Unable to hold back, Ninth Young Master Lee was about to speak when Wang Yongzhu spoke up first, "Just let me off up ahead."
The coachman heard her and reined in the horses, slowing down the carriage.
Before the carriage completely stopped, Wang Yongzhu lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down.