NFBE Chapter 198 The Xiao Family’s Wages
Chapter 198 The Xiao Family’s Wages
"But there's no need to do this..."
Song Anning was so upset when he saw this. Whenever he encountered something like this, his ability to organize language was so poor that his tongue was almost tied.
She hurried forward to help the man up. It is said that men don't shed tears easily. The fact that two grown men, Xiao Ming and Xiao Yuanbao, could cry like this was because this era was too harsh on slaves.
In the Nanyue Dynasty, servants who signed death contracts could actually receive monthly wages, but the amount was very little.
Most of the time, the master would reward the servants with some silver coins when he was in a good mood. A few dozen copper coins would make the servants feel grateful, and they would also earn a good reputation for being kind.
The laws of the Nanyue Dynasty stipulated that masters must ensure their servants were well fed and clothed, and that they were not to be treated harshly or killed without cause. However, for those who signed a death contract, there was only one sentence: they could not be killed at will. Beyond that, there was no other stipulation.
I don’t know what dirty tricks the Wang family used to change their contract. This is undoubtedly the most cruel revenge, the kind that will cause them eternal damnation.
Song An Ning could feel their initial despair, so after observing them for a while, he felt that this was a good family and brought up the issue of wages.
After comforting him a few more times, she didn't ask about the wages anymore and talked to Xiao Ming about the pepper seedlings in the old house.
"Uncle Ming, I have to go out tomorrow. Sister Qiuyue is busy pickling preserved eggs, so I'll leave this to you.
Later, Brother Yuanbao will go and pull the pepper seedlings from the old house back with an ox cart and put them in the woodshed. Water them once a day."
The Xiao family agreed solemnly. Xiao Yuanbao was an impatient person. His parents were talking to him at home, but he couldn't say anything. He immediately harnessed the ox cart and went to the old house.
When it comes to diverting attention, Song Anning is first-rate.
After saying this, the Xiao family members' mood really eased a lot, and Song An Ning said:
"Uncle Ming, Aunt Yuanying, you can see that I am just a country girl. Although my family does some business, it is definitely not comparable to those wealthy families.
So don't complain about the low wages. As your business grows, your wages will increase."
"Don't worry, young lady. We won't think it's too little. Since we came to Banyue Village, you have given us so much. Not to mention the food. We didn't eat such good food before at the Wang family.
Just talking about clothes and fabrics, you gave a lot. We can make three sets for each of the five people in our family, and there will still be a lot left over.
And the ointment you bought for Yingchun, I know how expensive it is to get one from a doctor in the city. The girl is so kind to us, and we even get paid. This is something we couldn't even dream of, so how could we refuse it?"
Xiao Ming and Qin Yuanying spoke very sincerely. When they came to Banyue Village, Song Anning gave them enough face. Until now, the villagers still respectfully call Xiao Ming "Manager Xiao".
Moreover, life in the village was free from the intrigues of the big houses, and they lived very comfortably. So when Song Anning mentioned paying them wages, they only asked for a few dozen coins a month, nothing more.
"As long as you don't mind..."
Just now, she used her mind reading to know that when the Xiao family members worked for the Wang family, Xiao Ming was the manager and received three taels of silver a month, while the other three received one tael each.
In addition, Xiao Ming could get five to ten taels of silver during the autumn harvest, which was considered a share of the profits.
However, when they were sold, Mrs. Wang falsely accused them of having a bad reputation and stealing, so they didn't take out a penny of the silver. The old woman used it all to bribe the government in exchange for the death contract of the whole family.
Women are the most vicious people. The money they earned with great effort ended up pushing their family into the abyss.
After Song An Ning learned this, a chill rose from the soles of her feet and reached her heart. This world is about to be in chaos...
"Here's my plan. Uncle Ming and Brother Yuanbao work in the fields all year round, and it's not easy under the wind and sun. Uncle Ming has experience, and Brother Yuanbao is strong. You two will both get one and a half taels of silver per month."
"What? One ounce... and a half?"
Song An Ning smiled and nodded, then continued, "Aunt Yuanying has to cook three meals a day, clean and wash clothes, and help with farm work when she has nothing to do. It's very hard work, and she also gets paid one and a half taels a month.
The kitchen is full of smoke. Sister Yingchun can't be exposed to smoke because of the scars on her body. It's better to go in less often. Just help wash the vegetables. I'll leave the needlework at home to you. It will cost you one or two months' salary.
There is also our little Yuanyuan. Sister Qiuyue said that this child has washed a lot of duck eggs and his hands are soaked white. From now on, he only needs to work for two hours. I will also give him 500 copper coins. I will also give the same amount to Asheng from Sister Qiuyue's family. All the children are the same.
So, that makes a total of six taels of silver. Today happens to be the first day of the new year, so I'll make up the three taels for the previous half month, and on the first day of next month I'll give you the six taels for this month, and so on from now on."
"..."
"Girl, you don't need to give so much...
Yuanyuan is just a child and can't do anything, so why does he need wages?"
When Xiao Ming said this, his lips were shaking. He had earned six taels of silver from the Wang family before, and now they could also earn six taels, and Song An Ning said that the profit would increase further in the future.
He pinched himself secretly just now. Hiss, it hurts... It seems he is not dreaming.
"Aning, it's not easy for you to earn money. Our family only needs a few hundred coins, enough for medicine."
Qin Yuanying felt sorry for Song Anning and changed her address from "girl" to "Aning." The Song family depended entirely on this girl, who earned ten or twenty wen each selling chili peppers and preserved eggs. Six taels of silver a month was not something they could rest easy with.
"Hahaha, don't worry, Auntie, my business with Zuixianju is not just about preserved eggs and vegetables, there are other things too.
As you can see, I often go out because I have some business in Linhai Town.
So just accept it and work hard. I can still afford this monthly salary."
After hearing what Song An Ning said, Qin Yuanying also remembered that she had brought back a lot of fine seafood before. It was rare to see such fresh seafood in Ping'an Town. Moreover, her family bought land and built a house, so they had good food and clothing. It turned out that it was because of this.
"Okay, Uncle Ming, take the money quickly.
It’s quite interesting to say that when most people hear about the wages for long-term workers, they hope that the employer will give them more and more.
Sister Qiuyue doesn't want any of these people in our family, and neither do you. I guess I'm lucky to have met a group of people who treat me sincerely."
"But we only came here for a few days last month. How could we ask for three taels of silver?"
Xiao Ming pushed the three taels of silver back, not wanting to take advantage of Song An Ning.
"Don't push it around. The extra money is a welcome gift. I just arrived in Banyue Village, so there must be a lot of things I need to buy at home.
There’s no need to refuse, I’ll reply now…”
After Song An Ning finished speaking, she stood up and was about to leave. Qin Yuanying and Xiao Yingchun hurriedly followed. It was time to make lunch. Along the way, the mother and daughter expressed many words of thanks before stopping.
When the three of them arrived at the door of the Song family, they saw a circle of people gathered at the gate. Xiangxiang had just told them about the family affairs, so Song Anning was anxious to go back.
When I got closer, I saw He Lian'er wearing mourning clothes and kneeling at the main gate of the Song family.
As she said, it came true. She knew that this girl would do something weird sooner or later, and here she is...