The three of them looked at each other, and then bent over while cupping their hands. Maybe at first, they saw that they were so young, they really kind of belittled them in the heart. But after what Ling Jingxuan did just now, they no longer dare have those thoughts. Besides, after getting here, they also quietly inquired about the situation in Yuehua Manor, and knew that although they were living in the countryside, they were rich and kind of capable, plus the good pay, of course they hoped to stay.
“Very good, since you all do not want to go, I don’t want to waste time talking to each of you. You can all stay. Jingpeng, bring them the labor contract.”
The centesimate effect had been achieved, so Ling Jingxuan knew when to stop. Ling Jingpeng brought the contract to them, “This contract is in triplicate, not only to protect us, but also to ensure your right. After you sign it, we each take one, and the third one would be taken to the yamen for filing. Once it’s signed, it has validity of criminal law. In the future, if we fail to perform any clause in the contract, you can take it to the yamen to sue us. On the contrary, if you violate any content in it, we also wouldn’t show mercy. So, please check it carefully. If you have no objection, sign your name and leave your fingerprint.”
Ling Jingxuan drew up the contract according to the modern contracts. Of course, he also made some modifications in accordance with this world. As long as they did their job well and wouldn’t do things they shouldn’t do, or betray him, he wouldn’t ill-treat them.
“The term of the contract is five years? Won’t it be too long?”
Mr. Wang who was also from the prefecture asked, frowning, and the other two young men also nodded approvingly. Usually it was three years at most. Under normal circumstances, it was one years. Five years was too long! But it seemed Yuan Shaoqi didn’t care at all. No, to be more exact, he didn’t look at it at all. He just threw it aside after a glance.
“Keep reading and you will understand. After you sign it, I would teach each of you a kind of simple but efficient way of keeping accounts, number accounting, single-entry accounting and double-entry accounting, some calculating formulas and so on. Those are all unique to our Yuehua Manor. In the future, wherever you go, you’d receive your new master’s approval. Use five years to exchange for some lifelong skills. It is a bargain, isn’t it?”
This simple problem, even Ling Jingpeng who had becoming more and more mature could handle it.
“Really?”
All three of them were delighted on hearing that they could learn simpler way of keeping accounts. Who wouldn’t want to be more capable? Farmers want to grow better crops, and blacksmiths want to forge better weapons. Naturally, they also want to master simpler methods of keeping accounts.
“Of course it is true, didn’t I tell you just now? If we do not fulfill the contents of the contract, you can take this contract to the yamen to cancel it, and ask for compensation for your losses, etc..”
Seeing that his younger brother could even handle a tough situation so well himself, Ling Jingxuan showed a satisfied smile. Meanwhile, Yuan Shaoqi on the opposite side was also quietly observing him. At the first eye, he knew he was the real master of this house. But now knowing why, he was trying to turn over the right in his hand to others. To someone of such background, that was unbelievable, but…his intuition told him that Ling Jingxuan wasn’t simple. Maybe, he could stay here for long.
“In that case, we have no further requests.”
Mr. Wang was the first to lean forward and pick up the brush on the table. Just as he was about to sign it, Ling Jingxuan’s voice rang again, “Before you sign it, I have some bad words to say first. After signing it, you are the bookkeeper our family hires. So be it small or big things in this house, you can’t leak any, or betray us. Otherwise, I will let you know what ‘to live is no better than to die’ feels like.”
As the last sentence fell, the few of them subconsciously made a quiver. After a while, Mr. Wang said with a trembling voice, “Sure. We didn’t bring any family with us only afraid that we would say something we shouldn’t to them. Master, you can rest assured.”
After this, Mr. Wang tried to stay calm and signed his name and left his fingerprint on the three contracts. The other three of them looked at each other and then did the same as him.
“If you want to bring your family, it’s OK. I can arrange a suite for your wife and children. As long as you don’t have any second thought, I won’t mistreat you.”
Ling Jingxuan stood up as he said so. He didn’t mind supporting a few more people. The only requirement was their loyalty.
“Really?”
Mr. Wang looked calm, after all he was in his forties already. But those two twenty years old or so young men looked quite excited. They were in their ‘thirsty’ age, of course it couldn’t be better if they could bring their wives here to live with them.
Ling Jingxuan did not speak, just gave them a light chuckle, and walked out. Ling Jingpeng, who was in charge of the aftermath, said while receiving the contracts, “My eldest brother always keeps his word. If you have a wife and children, you can take them over. But, don’t forget about his warning. The first thing we can’t bear is betrayal!”
In momentum, Ling Jingpeng could never compare with Ling Jingxuan. But Ling Jingxuan’s deterrence force was still lingering, the few of them still couldn’t help shivering and kept saying yes. No one noticed that Yuan Shaoqi’s eyes were always nailing on the back of Ling Jingxuan, looking quite complicated.