Under the supervision of the head of the village Li Zheng and Madam Wang Xueshi, 9 ordinary female workers were soon selected.
These 9 women were all relatively reliable women in the village, half of them from the Wang family and Fang family who had vested interests with Li Yao, so they could be trusted to work diligently.
Moreover, the remuneration given by Li Yao was quite generous. In theory, they would work 4 hours a day, 8 hours in total, 25 days a month.
As long as they worked the required hours and completed the workload, they could earn 900 wen in wages per month.
At the end of the year, they would also receive 2 months' wages as bonus.
900 wen!
Doing hard labor at the dock, they would thank their lucky stars if they could earn this much in a month!
But here working so leisurely for Li Yao, they could earn 900 wen!
At the end of the year, they could get an extra 1,800 wen!
This made several people unconsciously overjoyed, and made others who didn't get this opportunity green with envy!
"Those who didn't get the opportunity don't need to be too envious," said Li Yao. "In the future, the workshop will definitely continue to expand. Moreover, I still have many things that need people to do now."
Hearing her say this, everyone rekindled their hopes again.
"Now, I also need someone to manage the workshop."
Managing the workshop meant mastering the technology.
She had originally wanted He Xiaoya to do it, but He Xiaoya had too many things to do.
Moreover, it was evident that she was a very traditional girl who preferred staying by Da Zhuang's side every day to be a virtuous wife.
Therefore, after consideration, she decided to respect He Xiaoya's choice. Then who would be in charge of the core technology became the biggest problem.
The villagers naturally also knew that not just anyone could do this job, so no one jumped at the opportunity.
"Village head Li, why don't you recommend someone to me?"
"No, no, no, I cannot make this decision."
Wang Yuanguo repeatedly waved his hand.
As the village head, how could he not know the stakes involved?
Mastering the soap-making technology meant controlling enormous wealth. Who could guarantee that there would be no ulterior motives in the future?
If the person he recommended secretly sold the technology, wouldn't he become a criminal?
"Let me do it," Madam Wang Xueshi took the initiative to stand up at this time. "Da Zhuang's wife, if you trust me, this old lady can do a good job."
"Mother," said Wang Yuanguo with a laugh. "You're already old, don't interfere with sister-in-law's good deeds."
"That's right, mother," Shen Shi said untimely. "It would be better if I did it instead of you."
"How am I already old?" Wang Xueshi glared and said in a loud voice, "How am I useless? All of you, do you really think I'm only capable of cutting grass and feeding cows?"
"But sister-in-law also has to agree."
"I agree."
"See," Shen Shi laughed. "I knew sister-in-law wouldn't...wait, sister-in-law what did you just say?"
Everyone was stunned.
For such an important matter, Li Yao actually let old lady Wang take charge.
This...could she do it?
Even Wang Xueshi herself was a little doubtful: "Li Yao, are you sure? I just said it casually earlier..."
"There's nothing you can't do," said Li Yao. "If you don't know, you can learn. If you're older, you can learn slowly. I believe nothing is too difficult in this world. As long as you try your best, everyone can do a good job. Moreover, I know you are very capable, so there is nothing to worry about."
For some reason, Wang Xueshi suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable emotion.
Although she was usually very authoritative, no one had ever said such things to her.
Listen, my eldest daughter-in-law even said I'm capable!
"Alright, this old lady will definitely do a good job for you!"
Shen Shi was unhappy that she didn't become the supervisor of the soap workshop. But now the supervisor was her mother-in-law, so she didn't dare say much.
But she couldn't just give up like this. So she went up and asked: "Sister-in-law, I see your braised food business is also very busy, do you need someone's help? How about letting me help?"
"That's just what I was going to talk about."
Li Yao no longer planned to continue the braised food business.
Staying up all night was too tiring, and the profit was also very meager, so she planned to transfer it to someone else.
"Transfer it to me, transfer it to me!" Shen Shi was overjoyed when she heard this was a great money-making opportunity. "Sister-in-law, I will definitely do a good job!"
"You can take over if you want," said Li Yao. "But you have to bid for it like everyone else."
Shen Shi: ...
Bidding again?
Last time she bid but didn't win!
"If you can't even handle bidding, then you're not suitable to run this business," said Li Yao. "For a small business like this, it relies precisely on every tiny bit of calculation, otherwise it's hard to make money. Even if you can make money now, it won't last too long."
Shen Shi became as crestfallen as an eggplant frosted by frost. She gloomily went to write her bid.
But as Li Yao said, she couldn't even do calculations, naturally she couldn't figure out the profits. Giving a random bid, she certainly couldn't beat others' meticulous calculations.
In the end, the one who won the bid for the braised food business was Fang Mingqiang, the future patriarch of the Fang family and Fang Shian's eldest son. The neighboring county's braised food business had been run by him all along, so he had a good grasp of the profits.
Moreover, the Fang family were indeed good at detailed calculations, even Wang Yuanding was outsmarted by one move.
Obtaining 49% of the shares in the braised food business, plus the power to operate it, the Fang family was elated.
This was much more profitable than directly taking goods from Li Yao!
From then on, the entire Fang family relied on this business to become extremely rich.
"Li Yao, rest assured," said Fang Shian. "Our Fang family will not fail your reputation. We will definitely expand and improve Li's Braised Food."
"Thank you, Elder Fang Shian."
While the Fang family was elated, Wang family's second branch was a little disheartened.
However, the optimistic Wang Yuanding couple didn't get too upset about not getting the business. They could still take goods from the Fang family to continue running their small braised food stall.
"Sister-in-law is simply benefiting outsiders by doing this," Shen Shi complained indignantly at the side. "Sister-in-law, you're too honest. This is money for nothing that you're giving up to others so readily."
"It's not that we're giving it up. We really don't have Fang family's business skills."
"Then at least split it evenly!"
"Stop talking. We respect Li Yao's decision," said Zhou. "Aren't we living well now?"
"That's right, we're already content." Wang Yuanding also chimed in. "Knowing contentment is happiness. Sister-in-law, just stop talking. Youngest brother is helping sister-in-law purchase goods everywhere, that's also an important job, and sister-in-law's wages are not low either."
"You all...hey, who doesn't want more money!"
Wang Yuanding couple shook their heads. They didn't know what to say about this sister-in-law.
Of course more money is good, but you have to have the ability to earn it.
Just as the two were about to go home, Li Yao suddenly walked over: "Second brother, I have a job I want you to do."
"Sister-in-law, what else can I do?"
Li Yao smiled. "Be the supervisor."
