RPAGF Chapter 31 Finding Workers
Chapter 31 Finding Workers
After returning home
"Grandpa, the shop has been rented, now we need to find someone to make toys quickly." Xiao Siyue urged her grandfather. Half a month had passed since the task was posted, and she had to hurry.
"Okay, I'll go find the village chief in a bit." There was no other way; the village chief had the most power in the village, and he trusted the village chief, so he had to trouble the village chief again.
Grandpa Xiao carried the gifts he had bought in town and went to the village chief's house.
"Brother, I need to trouble you again," Old Master Xiao said to the village chief as soon as he entered.
"What's the matter?"
"Here's the thing," said Grandpa Xiao. "Our family plans to open a shop in town to sell toys, but we're short of people who know how to do carpentry. We'd like to trouble you to find some reliable people in the village."
"Opening a shop! Selling toys!" The village chief exclaimed in surprise. Xiao Yong's family had made a fortune lately—first building a brick house, then a generous dowry, and now they were opening a shop. However, he didn't pry into their private affairs.
“Yes, it’s about making some small wooden toys,” Grandpa Xiao said.
"How many people are needed?"
"We need 10 people, who can do carpentry and have good character," said Grandpa Xiao, stating the number of people they had agreed upon earlier.
“Of course,” the village chief said. He would never choose someone of bad character. This was a good thing for the village, and he was very grateful to Old Master Xiao.
"Alright, we need to sign a draft agreement with these people. We can't let them leak our toy blueprints. You need to make that clear to them beforehand, brother," Grandpa Xiao instructed.
"Hmm, that's no problem. So how much are you planning to pay?" The village chief was most concerned about the wages.
"One tael of silver a month, and if business is good, there will be additional benefits," Old Master Xiao replied. As for these benefits, it was Xiao Siyue who mentioned them.
"What kind of benefits?" The village chief was already surprised by the high wages, and was even more puzzled when he heard about the benefits.
"The benefits are that if the shop does well, we can give more wages, or food and other items as rewards," Grandpa Xiao explained Xiao Siyue's words to the village chief.
"So that's how it is, Dayong, your family is a good one." The village chief couldn't help but sigh.
"Okay, brother, I'll head back now. Once you've found the person, come straight to my house. I'll need you to be my witness then."
After Grandpa Xiao left, the village chief sat on the stool, pondering who to look for, when Aunt Fang came in.
"What's wrong with the old man?"
The village chief recounted what had just happened to Aunt Fang.
After listening for a moment, Aunt Fang pursed her lips and said, "Old man, do you think we can go with our second son?"
The village chief looked up at Aunt Fang, then sighed and said, "No, thank you. Many families in our village are struggling. Let's give the opportunity to these people."
“Why not? You’ve been the village chief for so many years, have you ever thought about your own children? You’ve always saved the best for the villagers. This time we need 10 people, can’t you give the second son a spot?” Aunt Fang said sternly, her eyes reddening as she finished speaking.
"Oh, old woman, you... alright, I agree." Alas, he felt sorry for the villagers; he still had his own selfish motives after all.
“Then I’ll go talk to the second son,” Aunt Fang said with a smile as she went out to find her son.
The village chief's second son, Xiao He, is now in his thirties. Years ago, a cow belonging to a family in Xiaojia Village went mad for some reason. The village chief took his son to help, but was accidentally kicked by the cow, causing Xiao He to break his leg. Since then, Xiao He has lost many opportunities to make money.
In recent years, Village Chief Xiao always wanted his family to be better off, so he gave many opportunities to poor families in the village.
"Second son, I have some good news for you. Your Uncle Yong's family is hiring 10 people who know carpentry to make toys for them. Your father wants you to go. It's all relatively easy work, and you'll get 1 tael of silver a month," Aunt Fang said excitedly.
"What? Really? Mother, Father really said he'd give me a spot?" Xiao He asked in disbelief.
"Of course it's true."
Aunt Fang looked at Xiao He, who was overjoyed, with a touch of sadness.
The village chief acted swiftly, and the next day these people had already appeared in the Xiao family's courtyard.
"Fellow villagers, the village chief should have already told you that these toy blueprints are my family's secrets and must not be leaked. Just in case, we will sign a document," Grandpa Xiao said loudly.
"Yes, the village chief has already told us."
Next, everyone signed the document in the presence of the village chief.
After that, the toy workshop officially started operations.
During this period, Xiao Siyue also asked Xiao Qinian to draw several ink paintings as patterns for the puzzle. Previously, she had drawn more modern ones.
In the evening, in the main room of the Xiao family.
“Grandpa, our toy store is about to open, but we still need a manager. My eldest uncle is the manager of a restaurant, my second uncle is in charge of the toy workshop, and my father is studying. There’s no one suitable.” Xiao Siyue pointed out the current problem.
"So who do you think is more suitable?" Old Master Xiao asked the group.
“Grandpa, I think the most suitable one is the eldest brother,” Xiao Siyue said when no one spoke.
“But your older brother works as a waiter in a restaurant,” said Old Master Xiao.
"Grandpa, is my eldest cousin going to be a waiter in a restaurant for the rest of his life?" Xiao Siyue asked.
"Siqi, what do you think?" Old Master Xiao turned to look at Xiao Siqi.
Xiao Siqi was very excited. Of course he wanted to be the manager. "Grandpa, I want to be the manager."
Qu Yin, who was beside her, was also very excited. She was not stupid and knew how big the difference was between being a manager and a shop assistant. No matter how well Xiao Siqi did as a shop assistant, he could never become a manager unless her father-in-law stepped down.
Besides, the Jixiang Restaurant belongs to someone else; if the owner doesn't want people anymore, it's just a matter of a word. But this toy store belongs to my family.
Aunt Zhao Yindi was extremely grateful to Xiao Siyue at this moment. She knew that the family's good fortune was all thanks to Xiao Siyue, and it was Xiao Siyue who had recommended Xiao Siqi to be the manager.
As for the second branch of the Xiao family, they weren't jealous. Neither of their two children were suitable, and they were both still studying.
"In that case, you can take over the handover of the restaurant and oversee the repairs of the toy shop during this period."
"Grandpa, I have another suggestion. Although my eldest brother works for the family, he should still be paid. In addition to the 10% profit we keep for ourselves, we should give him a separate wage as the manager," Xiao Siyue proposed. She couldn't let her eldest brother be without his own savings.
"Okay, so how much do you think is appropriate?"
"I think we should give him three taels of silver, and then the same as the other workers. If business is good, we can give him some extra benefits." Xiao Siyue thought that three taels of silver would be just right, and then she would give him some commission.
"Okay, that works, let's go with it then."
After that, Mr. Xiao led the workers to rush to make toys, waiting for the opening.