Chapter 276: Manual Labor
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the lit houses were those who Granduncle Su had chosen to work in the fields. Everyone woke up early to make breakfast so their families could arrive early at the fields.
After all, Granduncle Su said that everyone should work hard. If the villagers were lazy, he would not hire them to do more work in the future. Although everyone was honest, they dared not be lazy.
However, they also knew that many others were desperate to do such work, so they could not fall behind. Hence, the workers prepared themselves to put in their best efforts.
Li Dazhuang woke up early. He realized his sister, Li Erying, had also gotten up. She typically woke up early to cook. “Why are you up so early, Big Brother? Why don’t you sleep a little longer?
“I can’t sleep anymore.” Li Dazhuang could not sleep anymore since he had something on his mind. Moreover, he had never been a lazy person who slept till late.
He would wake up early every day, even in the past. He would either work in the fields, go for a stroll in the mountain, or chop firewood. He had developed a habit of walking up early all year round.
Li Dazhuang’s parents were no longer around, so his sister had also grown accustomed to waking up early to cook. She was the first person in and out of the house.
Although Li Erying was only ten, she had always considered herself an adult and ordered her eldest brother around.
“It’s too early, Sister. Go and rest. I can cook for myself.” Li Dazhuang also knew how to cook and felt sorry for his sister. He did not want his younger brother or sister to work hard if he could help it.
Li Erying insisted, “You still have to work on the land later, Big Brother. That’s physical work. I won’t get tired from waking up early to cook, you know?”
Old Madam Li also woke up. She felt gratified when she saw the brother and sister caring for each other. “Listen to your sister and rest, Dazhuang. After all, you’ll have to go work hard soon.”
“Okay, grandma.”
Old Madam Li did not stay idle after waking up—instead, she went to the yard to check on the chickens and ducks to see if they had laid any eggs.
Meanwhile, at the Li family home, “Big Brother, Second Brother, you two should eat more in the morning. You can’t slack off later. The others envy us because Chief Su chose you two to reclaim the land.”
Mr. Li looked at his two sons and felt gratified because it seemed he had taught them well. He made them work hard and trained them well since they were children. The two brothers were strong and were good at working when they grew up.
Since the family could work a lot, their days would quickly improve, and they would not go hungry. However, they still had to earn as much money as possible.
“Don’t worry, Father. We’ll do a good job.”
Mr. Li continued to lecture, “We must show Chief Su how capable you two are. Then he will hire you two again when there’s more work in the future. Did you see the team Su Zhengde formed?
“The people he chose are capable and bright. They’re also from the same village, and everyone knows what kind of family they’re from.”
“We know, Father.”
Meanwhile, in Lin Chai’s family home, “I made noodles and mantou last night, Husband. You should eat two, so you’ll have a lot of energy to work later,” He Shi had made noodles last night and woke up early to make mantou buns.
“I-I can’t bear to e-eat mantou for breakfast. I-I’ll drink some o-of the leftover s-soup instead.” Lin Chai looked at the mantou buns and was reluctant to eat them.
Although they were just plain steamed buns, the family would only be willing to eat them during the holidays.
“You’ll work hard on the land later, so you must eat more. Otherwise, you won’t be able to last until noon.”
Most families were like this as they woke up early to have breakfast. When the sun had just risen, they took their hoes and went to the designated land to start their work.
No one wanted to get left behind and be called lazy. So, the villagers worked hard to earn money and felt at ease. Everyone had free time since they had completed their autumn harvest.
They could earn extra coins daily if they worked, so they all felt happy.
Su Fengmao also woke up early to eat since he wanted to go to the fields to work with the others and watch them do their work. Although the villagers were honest, he would not feel at ease if he did not check on their work.
However, he heard movements outside when he opened the gate. Su Fengmao looked outside and saw many villagers going to the field with their hoes. He said, “They’re so early.”
He hurriedly went back into the house to eat his mantou buns. ‘I l didn’t expect everyone to be so early, especially since the sun had just begun to rise. I have to go there as soon as possible!”
He did not even finish eating his mantou. He took the other half and went off.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “Just look at how anxious he is.”
After having breakfast, Su Binglan went looking for Su Zhengde. He was bringing his workers to town early that morning since he needed to renovate Su Binglan’s hotpot restaurant. He typically brought his team to town every day because of that.
Su Zhengde did things professionally and supervised his workers. He was earnest about everything.
He was not home when Su Binglan went looking for him, so his wife was the one greeting and serving Su Binglan.
Su Binglan said, “1 have something to trouble Uncle Zhengde with.”
Madam Zhou said smilingly, “Did you hear yourself? Your uncle would be thrilled if you have a favor to ask him. I don’t know what he’s doing this time, but he’ll be back tonight. I’ll tell him you need something when he returns.”
Su Binglan took out her blueprints and handed them to Madam Zhou. “These are my blueprints for a tofu factory I plan to open in the future. I want Uncle Zhengde to arrange for his team to build it.”
Madam Zhou was stunned. “A tofu factory?
She was puzzled as she took the blueprints and looked at them. She felt even more shocked when she saw the designs. “This is such a big place. Are you sure my husband can complete it in such a short time?
She knew about Su Wenzhe’s tofu shop and that Su Fengmao and his wife would grind soybeans every afternoon. However, most tofu shops did not look like the one Su Binglan had designed.
Su Zhengde would be very busy if he and his team were to build such a big tofu factory in a short time.
Su Binglan explained, “I plan to hire people to make tofu so my parents can watch over them. I don’t want my parents to tire themselves.”
“You want to hire people? Like the villagers?”
Su Binglan nodded. “Yes, it’s more convenient that way.”
Madam Zhou responded, “That’s perfect. I know the villagers will be grateful to you if they find out about this. I have some reservations but don’t know if I should say anything, Binglan.”
“There’s nothing you can’t tell me, Aunt Zhou. We’re family, after all.” Su Binglan knew how good Madam Zhou was to her. It made Su Binglan feel a warmth in her heart.
Madam Zhou said earnestly, “I know the tofu factory will be large, and your family will get more tofu from it, but you can’t tell others your secret recipe.”
Su Binglan said smilingly, “I know, Aunt Zhou. I’m using an assembly line method, so the recipe will remain with my family. Also, each person will do a different task and must sign a confidentiality agreement.”
She did not hide anything from Madam Zhou, as she explained many things in detail.
“You’re so smart, Binglan. Sigh, I was blindly worrying again.”
“No, you’re not,” Su Binglan said.
Suddenly, a voice came from the door, “Grandma!”
Madam Zhou heard the voice and looked toward the door, saying, “My eldest grandson is home!”
She got down from the heated platform and went to the courtyard.. Madam Zhou looked at Su Xueye and said, “Did something happen to your grandfather?”