Chapter 811 - Chapter 811: Entrusted with an Important Task

Chapter 811: Entrusted with an Important Task

Editor: Henyee Translations

After the tablet was erected, a small shack similar to a kiosk would be built next to it. Chu Qingzhi planned to hire two people to staff it, specifically to assist visitors with inquiries and provide guidance.

Almost every day, new visitors came to Chu Village. Sometimes, when the villagers were too busy to be found for inquiries, and the visitors couldn’t locate Chu Qingzhi themselves, they had no choice but to leave.

Who knew if those leaving were potential major clients? Thus, Chu Qingzhi thought of constructing a duty pavilion to resolve this issue.

Qin Yuming and Xia Zongxian watched for a while before walking into the village.

Both thought simultaneously that the tablet must have cost dozens of taels of silver, considering the village seemed quite affluent!

As they arrived at the doorstep of Chu Qingzhi’s home, Wang Yuanping and Wang Yuanlin also reached, but since they didn’t recognize each other, they merely exchanged glances before waiting on their own.

Chu Xuhua came out from the house with Li Zhangjie to buy pigs in Sun Village.

Immediately after, Chu Qingzhi emerged and addressed the four, “Please wait a moment. Let me arrange their tasks first before I arrange yours.”

The four nodded in acknowledgment, “Yes.”

Chu Qingzhi approached Chu Qingshuang and others.

Chu Qingshuang, who didn’t need to go to the porcelain kiln these days, was resting at home. However, the industrious girl couldn’t stay idle and insisted on helping with household chores, so Chu Qingzhi tasked her with preparing the spices for curing pork.

Chu Qingshuang couldn’t handle all the work by herself, so she asked some young girls and boys from the village to help, around ten people in total.

At this moment, they gathered together, chatting and laughing while waiting for Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Xiafeng suddenly spotted a beautiful figure, “Sister Qingzhi is here!”

Chu Xiafeng was the grandson of Chu Lianghong.

Hearing Chu Xiafeng’s announcement, everyone quickly dispersed, shouting in unison, “Good morning, Sister Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded in their direction, “Have you had breakfast? Are you cold?”

“We ate, not cold,” Chu Xiafeng said. “This year, everyone could afford cotton. Our mother stuffed our clothes with lots of it. They’re soft and warm, not cold at all.”

“That’s good,” Chu Qingzhi went straight to the point. “There are people waiting for me, so I’ll make it quick. Your task is simple; just grind the spices into powder.”

Addressing Chu Qingshuang, “The spices are in the storeroom behind the old house. There’s a label on the bags, a total of seven kinds. You lead them there.”

Chu Qingshuang acknowledged, “Yes, Fifth Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi added, “The tools and containers are all prepared. Just grind them directly. If you encounter any issues, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“Yes.”

Under Chu Qingshuang’s lead, the group headed to the old house.

Turning around, Chu Qingzhi approached Wang Yuanping and the others.

Along the way, she assessed the four individuals.

Wang Yuanping and Wang Yuanlin were impeccably dressed, showing they took this matter very seriously.

Qin Yuming’s attire also matched his status, showing he was serious about the matter, but not as much as the Wang brothers.

Looking at Xia Zongxian, his body emanated a scent of steamed buns, his hands were greasy, and he held his sword casually. It seemed he was here to go through the motions.

Very well…

Regarding Chu Qingzhi’s gaze, the Wang brothers and Qin Yuming were quite composed, only Xia Zongxian felt somewhat uneasy, instinctively standing up straighter, though he reassured himself, “Just a young girl, what’s there to fear?!”

“Followme,” Chu Qingzhi led the four towards the fief.

The bamboo house was still under construction. Li’s father was indeed a man of action. Although the workers hadn’t arrived yet, he had already started working.

“This place is called Seal Office,” Chu Qingzhi explained. “This will be your workplace in the future, one room for each of you. The other rooms have different uses, which we’ll discuss later.”

The other three listened intently, while Xia Zongxian was somewhat distracted.

Chu Qingzhi continued, “The houses are not yet built, so your current workplace is temporarily set in a house I’ve rented.”

She took them to the house she had rented.

It was the same house Yu Wanwan lived in. Yu Wanwan had already left, but everything in the house remained.

“There are rooms in the house. If you’re tired, you can rest there. There’s also a kitchen, toilet, and bathroom, fully equipped. If you have money, you can even hire a village auntie to cook for you. In short, everything is available.”

Upon reaching the house, Chu Qingzhi showed them around.

Yu Wanwan and Zhuang Ziqian had lived there for over three months. Both of high status and not lacking in funds, they had arranged the place nicely, even planting vegetables in the yard, making it very comfortable.

Chu Qingzhi asked the four, “Did you understand everything I said just now?”

They nodded.

Chu Qingzhi then spoke about their remuneration.

“Seal Office currently has only four of you four, so the workload will be relatively heavy. I will offer you a higher salary.”

“Wang Yuanping and Wang Yuanlin, I hired you, so your salary is ten taels of silver per month. If you perform well, there will be bonuses. You’ll have four days off per month.”

“Qin Yuming and Xia Zongxian, you’re here to repay debts, so your salary is three taels per month, with no bonuses. If you slack off, I will extend your work period until your debts are fully repaid.”

Xia Zongxian objected, “Why do they get ten taels, and we only get three without bonuses?”

“Because you’re here to repay debts,” Chu Qingzhi crossed her arms, her expression slightly cold. “If you’re unwilling to work, you can leave immediately after repaying your debts.”

Xia Zongxian’s bravado diminished. If he had the money, he would have repaid it long ago. “Just tell me what to do,” he begrudgingly agreed.

“Regarding rest days, not everyone can rest simultaneously. There must always be two people in the Seal Office, so plan your rest days accordingly.”

“The specific assignments are as follows: Qin Yuming is in charge of population, Wang Yuanlin of agriculture, Wang Yuanping of tax collection, and Xia Zongxian of security within my fief.”

She intended to groom the Wang brothers into confidants, trusting the villagers of her fief more.

The other two were just making up the numbers for now!

Chu Qingzhi pointed to a chest in the room, “Here are the records of the population, agriculture, and tax collection of my fief. Your tasks for the next three days are twofold: verify the population, agriculture, and tax records, and familiarize yourselves with the distribution of my fief. You should know every detail, even the location of each tree.”

The Wang brothers did not expect Chu Qingzhi to entrust them with such important tasks. They gratefully bowed, “Yes, Miss Chu.”

Qin Yuming didn’t say much. His current attitude was to repay his debts, but he planned to complete the task diligently, “Yes, Miss Chu.”

Xia Zongxian, reluctantly, replied, “Yes, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi ignored his attitude, “In three days, I will assess your work. If I’m not satisfied, penalties will apply. In severe cases, you may leave.”

Considering the size of the fief, giving them three days was already quite generous. If they still couldn’t complete the task, she would consider finding replacements.