Chapter 46: The Intricacies of the Matter

◎This daughter-in-law of the Mu family is quite capable indeed!◎

The courtyard of the Hu family was bustling with people, forming concentric circles, chattering noisily.

At first, only a couple approached to inquire about work opportunities. But after receiving Yu Lian's confirmation, news spread quickly throughout the village, and virtually every villager who had nothing else to do came over. Some, despite not yet finishing their farm chores due to their slow pace, hastily rushed over, hoping to secure these well-paid jobs before the spring rush. Otherwise, finding work in town or the city would become much more challenging.

By then, competition for limited jobs would be fierce, and earning a few silver coins would be difficult, not to mention the arduous journey back and forth. It was far more convenient to work within the village!

Even the village's notorious lazybones showed up. When asked why he had abandoned his unfinished fieldwork, he replied, "Working in the fields doesn't bring immediate coin. Doing odd jobs for others guarantees instant payment. That's the real deal; only a fool would pass it up!"

Villagers tended to speak loudly, so what was already a lively scene turned into a village-wide gathering, leaving no empty space in the Hu family's courtyard. Yu Lian felt no joy in being the "host"; instead, she helplessly put her hand to her forehead. The old lady, facing such a crowd for the first time, found it rather overwhelming and, with a headache, asked Mrs. Chen to support her inside, leaving the matter entirely in Yu Lian's hands.

This suited Mrs. Chen just fine. She had wanted to retreat to the house but, having been scolded by her mother-in-law for the previous housewarming feast, felt reluctant to hide. Nevertheless, upon receiving the order, she promptly helped the old lady indoors.

In the courtyard, besides young wives and aunts, there were mostly rough-hewn men eagerly seeking work, their voices boisterous and unashamed.

"Uncle Blockhead, Uncle Blockhead, could you give us a definite answer?"

"Yes, Brother Log, we're idle at the moment, with plenty of strength to spare. We'll surely build your new house beautifully, as good as it can get. And you mentioned clearing land, we're skilled in farm work too, we're quite capable."

Sanshu also chimed in, "Uncle Log..."

Silent for a while, Uncle Log Hua Zhan, also known as Brother Log, pressed his forehead before interjecting, "This matter... I'm not in charge. Ask my daughter-in-law, she manages all household affairs."

The villagers looked perplexed, not understanding what 'household affairs' meant. Second Grandpa knocked on the table to enlighten them, "That's a term used by wealthy families, referring to managing all daily matters, from finances to interpersonal relationships. When I was young and went to take the exams, I heard about it. In such families, it's usually the lady of the house or the eldest son's wife who oversees the household affairs. Presumably, that's how it is for the Huas."

Hua Zhan nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, the villagers realized that it was indeed the young and beautiful Yu Lian who was in charge of the Hua family. She was stunningly beautiful, like an ethereal fairy, with delicate features on her small face and flawless fair skin. Her demeanor didn't resemble a country girl at all. No words from the villagers could fully describe her beauty, she was simply breathtaking!

Seeing such a beautiful young woman, how could Hua Zhan and the elder be at ease entrusting her with household matters? Even though they had fallen on hard times and ended up in the countryside, they were once part of a noble household. Regardless of their wealth, there must have been numerous affairs to manage. This girl was truly remarkable.

Before, the villagers had only heard from the aunties, wives, and grandmothers who had interacted with Yu Lian, saying she was a good person. Despite her noble background, she was clever and resourceful. However, these were secondhand accounts, and their understanding of her was limited. Now, seeing her up close and receiving confirmation from Hua Zhan that his daughter-in-law was in charge, some of them began to regard her with more respect.

Men typically spoke bluntly among themselves, not bothering with formalities, even when talking to village women. But now, when it came to conversing with the beautiful and refined Miss Yu Lian, they became hesitant and unsure of how to approach her. They didn't want to frighten her with loud voices or feel awkward with soft ones. For a moment, even though eager to secure work, they fell silent.

Some who had brought their wives along nudged them discreetly, encouraging their spouses to speak with Yu Lian.

Thus, a group of aunts and married women approached Yu Lian warmly and politely, trying to get closer to her. Some, unsure of what to call her, simply referred to her as Miss.

Yu Lian chuckled softly. "Aunts, please don't be formal. My family name is Yu, and my given name is Lian. You can just call me by my name."

According to the current custom, most women took their husbands' surnames or were known by their husbands' family names after marriage. For instance, Mrs. Chen was called Wood's wife by these aunts behind her back since she had married Hua Zhan.

Yu Lian only mentioned her own name without mentioning her husband, which led the onlookers to imagine that she might be too sorrowful to mention him. They also knew some of the peculiarities surrounding her marriage and felt a sense of affection and sympathy for her. Thus, they smiled, changing the subject and addressing her as Lian-er, with some of the older ones affectionately calling her Lian girl.

The atmosphere instantly became lively and cordial, as if Yu Lian was already part of their family.

Having interacted with people frequently in her previous work life, Yu Lian handled the situation with ease. She wasn't one to prolong pleasantries, so after exchanging a few words, she got straight to the point, explaining the details of the labor recruitment.

"As you've mentioned, clearing the land isn't difficult – digging and weeding are tasks everyone is familiar with. However, building houses might pose a bit more of a challenge. If anyone is skilled in this area, feel free to approach me privately, and we'll discuss separate wages."

Upon hearing this, someone asked, "Will the pay for building houses be higher?"

Yu Lian nodded, and the person responded, "In that case, I'd like to do the house-building work. We've built our own homes before, so it won't be a problem for me."

Yu Lian replied with a smile, "For those who want to sign up, please register with me first. Tomorrow, I'll decide on each person's assignment based on their individual circumstances."

This implied that they couldn't choose anymore; she would have to make the selection herself. Some who had never built a house before felt uneasy about not being able to pick the higher-paying jobs, and one of them couldn't help but voice their concern, "That's not fair. Why would the pay differ when we're all putting in the same effort?"

Yu Lian replied, "Everyone, please don't worry. It's not just based on experience. If you're physically strong and diligent, you'll also have priority. The difference in pay isn't significant. What I need is someone well-versed in building houses to lead and take charge. That person will be called the foreman, and their compensation will be much higher. If you know anyone suitable, feel free to recommend them."

Although ancient house construction wasn't as technically demanding as modern skyscrapers, Yu Lian took it seriously since it concerned the safety of habitation. None of her family members were knowledgeable in this area, so it was better to find an expert to oversee the project.

"Once everyone has registered today, come back at the same time tomorrow."

Pausing here, Yu Lian scanned the crowd, slowing down her speech but with a more serious tone, causing people to disregard her age and appearance, instead listening attentively:

"Any matter involving money or employment can easily lead to disputes. So, I'll be straightforward. I won't tolerate laziness or taking advantage of the neighborly bond. There are quite a number of people in this village, and even though I need workers for land clearance and house construction, it might not require all of you. Some might not be selected, but don't worry. There will be other tasks in the future where everyone will have a chance."

After Yu Lian finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent for a moment. Then, a man said, "How could we be lazy? We're all hardworking people."

"That's right! Laziness means no food!"

Second Uncle chimed in, "Listen carefully when you're spoken to. Are you saying you're the only ones who are hardworking? Don't think you can slack off or deceive just because she's new here from the capital and might be less familiar with village ways. If you're chosen, work diligently. Didn't you hear what Lian said about there being more work in the future?"

Upon Second Uncle's reminder, the villagers nodded sincerely. As they dispersed, small groups left, whispering among themselves about the Huas.

Most of them were talking about Yu Lian.

"I have to say, this young lady from the capital is truly remarkable. Her words carry weight, and her approach to hiring workers is quite sophisticated. She had me flabbergasted. When I worked for the landlord in the town last time, I didn't feel nearly as nervous."

"Indeed, she's nothing like us common folk. Despite her youth, she speaks with an authority that even surpasses my old man. I feel both delighted and uneasy listening to her."

"One can't be both happy and unhappy at the same time, huh? Haha! Do you have two heads to experience two emotions simultaneously? Don't tell me you're simple-minded."

A burly man rubbed his head, looking earnest as he replied, "I can't quite put it into words. Anyway, I'll do my best tomorrow. If I can work hard, I'm sure I'll be chosen!"

"You're right, my heart is still in my throat. Tomorrow, I must put on a commendable performance. It's always good to work diligently and earn more money sooner."

Lazily strolling by, Hua Sanduo, a good-for-nothing, had a stem of dogtail grass between his teeth. Upon seeing him, a group of people couldn't help but jest at his retreating figure.

"Such is his condition, thin as a rake, neither tall nor sturdy, and incredibly lazy to boot. He hasn't finished his farm work, nor has he attended to his wife who has just given birth. There's no chance he would be chosen, so why bother coming?"

Hua Sanduo paused upon hearing this, turning his head to cast a disdainful glance with his almond-shaped eyes, enraging the group considerably. "A bunch of fools," he scoffed.

With those words, the person departed gracefully.

A few idle young men from the neighboring villages joined in, linking arms with them as they strolled along, further fueling the villagers' disdain and whispers behind their backs.

...

Uncle Two and Grandma Two lingered in the Hua family courtyard, engaging in casual conversation. Yu Lian also exchanged a few words with Uncle Two, mainly to inquire about the suitable crops for the riverbank land.

Uncle Two replied, "Rice and wheat could be cultivated there, but it would require diligent care, heavily reliant on the weather conditions."

Looking up at the sky, he advised, "If it's just for your family's consumption, you wouldn't need such a vast plot. Perhaps it's better to lease part of it to others and collect a third of the profits as rent."

To avoid displeasing Hua Zhan and Yu Lian, he explained, "Farming isn't an easy business these days. The government taxes are high, and during poor harvests, farmers might even have to cover tax losses. With a large piece of land like yours, a bad crop could lead to significant financial strain."

"Take my advice, having enough food for the family is sufficient. Don't take on such great risks. If you lease it, you'll still receive rental income."

Hua Zhan was unfamiliar with agricultural matters, while Yu Lian had some thoughts but chose not to speak until she had sorted them out. She merely thanked Uncle Two for his guidance.

Following that, Uncle Two warned about the unreliable villagers and those who were hardworking and diligent. Most of the villagers were industrious, but Uncle Two had a particular disdain for people like Hua Sanduo.

"He's been idle since childhood, never showing any diligence. His mother passed away from his behavior, and now, with his wife having a child, there's no one to look after them or help with the farm work. He has delayed his tasks to this day. His elder brothers ignore him, and he's always seeking quick money, likely to shirk responsibilities. Don't hire him."

He then mentioned a few more troublemakers: alcoholics, gamblers, and those with ill intentions who were always seeking shortcuts. In short, even in the best of villages, there would be a few rotten apples.

After finishing his tale, he returned home with his wife.

Yu Lian went out to see them off. She watched until they had walked more than ten steps away before coming back. At the entrance, she caught the twins trying to sneak out quietly and dragged them back, causing them to wail about their wicked elder sister.

On their way back, Second Grandpa was still talking to his wife, "That daughter-in-law of Woodenhead's is quite a capable one."

Second Grandma replied, "What do you mean? I think she's a decent girl. A lady from a prominent family, loyal and caring, looking after her family with great attention. What's wrong with that? She's a good child."

Second Grandpa puffed up his cheeks and glared, "Who said anything's wrong? She's good, but she's also formidable. When I went to the capital for the exams in my youth, I heard stories about how ladies and misses from wealthy families carried themselves with rules and strategies, able to manage things well. I think Woodenhead's wife is no slouch. Despite her young age, she has remarkable abilities."

Second Grandma still didn't quite get it.

So, Second Grandpa spelled it out clearly, "Didn't you catch any hint from what she just said?"

"What hint? Didn't she speak quite straightforwardly? I think this girl is genuine."

Second Grandpa: "…That's called wielding both carrot and stick. First, she let us know that there's candy at her place, but then she made it clear about the consequences. This serves as a warning, so that if chosen, one wouldn't dare do anything wrong or slack off but work diligently. If not chosen, one shouldn't bear grudges. Tomorrow, she'll still have tasks for them. A stick and two sweet dates – wouldn't that make them obedient? Come tomorrow morning, they'll surely store up their energy, ready to put on a good show."

"Until you mentioned it, I didn't realize it... Now that you've said so, I do sense a remarkable potential."

"From small signs come great changes. Just wait and see, I believe the Mu family might indeed turn their fortunes around."

He looked up at the sky, contemplating the cycles of fortune. A century ago, his ancestors had succeeded, but today, their descendants stumbled. However, if the family members could gather their strength and persevere, how could they not rise again? Ultimately, it all depended on the people.

As the two elders chatted and strolled back, in the Hua family courtyard, Yu Lian took the twins for a walk before returning to her room. She retrieved the paper and ink she had bought in town and began grinding the ink, carefully drafting a detailed job recruitment notice. Thoughts that had been forming in her mind but not yet fully fleshed out were now put into writing. She worked on this until late into the night, barely having time for a hurried dinner.

The elder lady, seeing this, did not disturb Yu Lian by sending the children to her. The twins, eager to confront their eldest sister, and Little Guo'er, who wanted to talk to her, were both discouraged from entering the room.

She then called her son aside for a conversation. "As a father, you're being too irresponsible. Handing over all household matters to your wife and leaving everything to Lian is not right. How can she manage so many people in the village?"

As a son, he knew better than to argue with his mother. He simply nodded in agreement and, after a pause, added, "Lian is doing a great job."

"It's us, the sons, who don't understand. If we interfere, we would only add to Lian's burden."

After a while, the elder lady seemed to come to a realization. Staring at her son's face for some time, she let out a long, silent sigh and said no more.

Though her son's health appeared marginally improved, it was only through sheer determination that he had managed to keep going. She could tell that Hua Zhan had not fully recovered from the loss of his eldest son, nor from the collapse of the family's century-old foundation. Both incidents had deeply affected him, causing a certain disillusionment and waning enthusiasm.

On the surface, it seemed like he was indifferent, but it was only because he didn't want his family to worry. He was also aware that he was the only adult male in the household now, and he feared that these vulnerable women and children would have no one to protect them. That was why he was putting on a strong front; otherwise, if it were just him, he might have already fallen into despair.

The son was giving the old lady a headache. She waved her hand and said, "It's late, go rest."

This chapter was actually written over ten days ago. I apologized for not posting it despite taking a leave in the author's note. Recently, I've been occupied with real-world matters, traveling alone to a distant place, so I had to make ample preparations. Now, I've finally settled in a new location. Updates will gradually resume. If you have concerns, there's no need to rush and follow the story; wait until it's completed and read it then.