Chapter 428: The Ability to Earn Money

Chapter 428: Chapter 428: The Ability to Earn Money

"Does the army have a rule about retirement age? You know, about hanging up your armor and returning to the fields."

In the middle of their meal, Ji Huan suddenly asked the question.

Guan Shan paused, his chopsticks halfway to a dish.

"If the court has capable generals and you feel you’re getting old and weak, you can return your salary to the emperor, resign your post, and go home. But if there’s a shortage of generals, you could be recalled to the battlefield by an imperial edict, even after many years in retirement. There’s no set rule."

"What about ordinary soldiers?"

"If they’re from a military household, going to the battlefield is a lifelong affair. If they’re lucky enough to live to an age where they can no longer hold a weapon, their children or grandchildren can take their place. If they’re just commoners serving their military duty, they can leave once their term is up—provided there’s no war and troop numbers are sufficient. Otherwise, I’m afraid they might never see home again."

In ancient times, the status of military households was quite low. While not the absolute lowest class, they weren’t far from it.

’Their status was low, and to make it worse, it was hereditary. Once a military household, always a military household. Future generations had no choice but to become soldiers.’

In times of peace, they were just like common folk—they farmed their fields and paid their taxes.

But the moment war broke out, they had to take up arms and go fight.

Sometimes they even had to provide their own weapons, armor, and warhorses. On the battlefield, they were basically cannon fodder.

Many risked their lives to fight and earn merits, all for the sake of freeing their descendants from the military household system.

’And in her time, so many young people wanted to join the army but couldn’t even pass the selection process.’

’What a screwed-up system...’

"What made you think to ask about this?"

"Oh, I saw a lost old soldier near our house today. He was quite old... I suppose he must be from a military household."

Guan Shan’s eyes flickered slightly. "Did he ask you for directions?"

"He didn’t, actually. He was a bit odd. I just hope he manages to catch up with the main force."

Ji Huan put down her bowl and chopsticks.

"The military men have all left. Are you coming with me to West River Gully this afternoon, or will you stay home?"

"I’ll stay home and handle the braising for you. That way, you can rest sooner when you get back."

Ji Huan considered it. That would be good.

She didn’t know how long she would be busy in the afternoon. If she waited until she got back to do the braising, it might be too late.

After Guan Shan cleared the bowls and chopsticks, he came out and washed the ingredients with Ji Huan.

Before long, Ji Mingfang came over with a book, but today was his "labor class"—he and Dabao were in charge of tending the fire.

Once the brine was boiling, they added the ingredients that required the longest cooking time. After repeating her instructions several times, Ji Huan finally left, still feeling a little uneasy.

Over at West River Gully, almost everyone had arrived. It was even more lively than the usual village assemblies at the entrance to the village.

People usually attended the assemblies reluctantly and impatiently, but today was different. The atmosphere was as festive as the New Year.

The hired women were practically radiating a joy they had never felt before.

This joy wasn’t just about women being able to earn money to support their families and hold their heads high in front of their mothers-in-law. It also stemmed from a heartfelt sense of accomplishment and pride.

It was a feeling difficult to put into words, but they felt... they felt they had more confidence when they spoke and more self-assurance in their stride. They no longer had to cower and shrink as they had before.

No wonder Ji Huan often said, "Economic power determines who has a voice."

’Whether you’re a man or a woman, the ability to earn your own money really is so important.’

It not only frees you from depending on others and living your life at the mercy of their moods, but it also gives you the possibility of more choices.

’Of course, most of them didn’t yet understand what they would do with so many choices. What could a woman choose besides marriage and childbirth?’

’But—earning money was always a good thing.’

While the workers were chattering away in a group, Ji Huan called the supervisor and the three team leaders aside to go over the final accounts.

The project had taken forty days in total. Sixty taels were spent on raw materials, seven taels on packaging like woven rattan baskets, and the labor costs for the sixty-five hired women totaled around thirty taels.

The purchasing team of young men hired by Hu Liang had only worked for a little over ten days, but their contribution was significant. Add to that the two mainstays, Ji Liansong and Shi Yong, and their combined costs came to about five taels.

After all the deductions, what was left in Ji Huan’s hands was just under eighty taels.

As for Ji Xuelan and Widow Xie, Ji Huan had originally wanted to be quite generous. Of course, she couldn’t give too little to Aunt Gao and Sixth Sister-in-law Feng either.

It was thanks to them that she had been able to pour all her energy into the new shop’s opening and operations.

But her rational side stopped this irrational impulse.

They were the team leaders, so if they received a bit more, the other women would be envious but not resentful. However, if the difference was too great, it would be difficult to prevent feelings of unfairness.

From a manager’s perspective, it wasn’t wise to inflate her subordinates’ expectations. It could easily lead to a point where no future reward would feel adequate.

When rewards lose their impact, resentment is sure to follow.

So the final distribution was: Aunt Gao and Sixth Sister-in-law Feng would each receive two taels, as they had also provided the work sites. Widow Xie would receive five taels, which included Hu Liang’s portion. As the supervisor who had worked the hardest, Ji Xuelan received ten taels.

Everyone was fine with it, except for Ji Xuelan.

Ten taels—an amount many people might not earn in several years. Ji Xuelan felt the sum was practically burning her hands, and she insisted on taking the same amount as Widow Xie.

Ji Huan couldn’t be bothered to explain the pyramid principle to her. She just told her that a person should fulfill the duties of their position and receive the pay that comes with it.

"Don’t think you’re working out of passion or idealism, or for the sake of kinship and friendship. Those are just excuses for greedy bosses to suck you dry."

"You put in the effort you were supposed to, so you take the money you’ve earned. There’s nothing to be ashamed of."

"I’m giving what I believe is fair, and you’re taking what you’ve earned. It’s as simple as that.

And another thing, cousin. In the future, Baiwei Square, the Sauce and Vinegar Workshop, and the new Braised Fragrance Workshop will all implement a tiered management system. Any employee who is recognized for excellent performance will have the chance to be promoted. Each promotion will come with a higher salary. This will motivate everyone to work even harder and aim higher.

They’ll look to you as their model. You’re the best example they could have."

"I... I..." Ji Xuelan was still anxious. "Can I really do it?"

Ji Huan patted her on the shoulder. "Supervisor Xuelan, show us that same spirit you’ve had these past few days. Everyone is waiting to get their wages!"

"That’s right, Xuelan. We’ve all seen how much you’ve taken on during this time. No one’s going to say anything sour."

"If it weren’t for your quick thinking and all the great ideas you came up with to save us all trouble, we might not have finished the order on time..."

"And whenever someone wasn’t feeling well, you were always the one to step in and make arrangements..."

After being urged by Widow Xie and the others, Ji Xuelan felt she would just be making a fuss if she continued to refuse.

Besides, just as Ji Huan had said, everyone over there was craning their necks waiting. It wouldn’t be right to hold things up because of her.

"Then... then I’ll accept it. Wan, you can rest assured. From now on, I’ll devote myself completely to Baiwei Square. I’ll earn even more money for you!"

Ji Huan smiled. "There you go."

The five of them, having reached an agreement, walked to the very front and stood still.

A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.

The change had been prepared in advance. Every time Ji Xuelan called out a name, that person would walk up and receive her wages, wrapped in red paper, from Ji Huan’s hands.

Each time, Ji Huan would say, "Thank you for your hard work."

It was hard to explain the feeling, but while receiving their wages was exhilarating, hearing the words "Thank you for your hard work" was just as stirring.

It made them feel that their labor had earned them not only money, but also recognition and respect.