Zhong Wu and his guards soon left, scattering to various towns to find retired Tie Lin Army soldiers.
Practice is the best training. After over two months at the Wei Zhou military camp, Man Cang had become very skilled in the basics of blacksmithing.
Jin Feng watched for a while, saw no issues, and left.
He first visited the newly built courtyard, then went to the brick kiln.
After two months, the open ground by the river was piled high with bricks, and two large pits had appeared at the foot of the hill.
These were dug out for making brick clay.
The pits were bustling with bare-backed men working hard.
The village chief, overseeing from the edge of the pit, hurried to greet Jin Feng.
“Two months away, and Uncle Liu looks even more spirited!” Jin Feng said with a smile.
“All thanks to you,” the chief replied, his eyes crinkling with joy. “Before, we could only eat two meals a day, never full. Now, Tie Zi and I work at the brick kiln, and the three women at home spin thread at your place. We eat three full meals a day, sometimes even meat. Of course, I’m more spirited.
It’s not just me. Haven’t you noticed everyone’s stronger than before?”
“That’s good,” Jin Feng nodded, satisfied, then pointed to the piles of bricks by the river. “Looks like no one’s been idle these two months. You’ve made so many.”
Before coming, he worried the men might have slacked off while he was away, but the brick count far exceeded his expectations.
“Thanks to your Dong Dong,” the chief said. “After you left, she announced that the workshop and brick kiln would pay based on output, not days worked. Dong Dong and Liang Zi count the bricks daily and keep records.
This made everyone work harder, much faster than before. I heard at the workshop, some even fought over spinning wheels to work more.”
Jin Feng’s lips curled into a smile.
Tang Dong Dong, from a merchant family, clearly had a knack for management.
Piece-rate pay was indeed the best way to boost workers’ enthusiasm.
“By the way, you probably saw on your way here, many villagers’ yards are stacked with bricks,” the chief said. “I need to mention, those were traded for firewood their kids collected from the back hills. Dong Dong has the records.”
“Uncle Liu, no need to explain. Don’t I trust you?” Jin Feng said with a smile.
“I’m glad you trust me, but since you left the kiln in my care, I have to be clear,” the chief said. “Things unsaid can cause misunderstandings. If this led to bad feelings, it wouldn’t be good, would it?”
“You’re right,” Jin Feng nodded slightly.
Many misunderstandings could be resolved by talking, but if neither side speaks, they fester into grudges.
This was the wisdom the chief had gained over half a lifetime: simple, honest, yet effective.
“Chief, we’ve got plenty of bricks now. There’s no more space to store them,” Jin Feng said. “Tell everyone to stop making brick clay after today.”
“Alright, I’ll let them know. No one comes tomorrow,” the chief said.
He had anticipated this, but still felt a pang of disappointment.
Many families relied on the kiln to improve their lives.
Once it stopped, the men would be idle, the few daily coppers gone, and life would revert to how it was.
But the chief knew Jin Feng was right. They’d made enough bricks; more would have nowhere to go.
“Chief, the kiln workers still need to come to fire the remaining bricks. Otherwise, rain will ruin them,” Jin Feng said with a smile. “If others are willing, they can help build my house, two coppers a day.”
“Isn’t your house almost done? Why need so many people?” the chief asked, puzzled.
“I’ve thought of another business and plan to build another workshop,” Jin Feng said. “Once it’s built, those not firing bricks can work there.”
Since he’d sent Zhong Wu to recruit veterans, they couldn’t sit idle. When Jin Feng made that decision, he planned to expand beyond the textile workshop.
“What are you planning to do?” the chief asked curiously.
“It’s a secret for now,” Jin Feng said, shaking his head with a smile.
“Alright, I won’t ask,” the chief laughed.
He didn’t care what Jin Feng did, as long as the village men had work and wages.
“By the way, Uncle Liu, my new workshop might need Third Aunt’s vegetable plot. Ask her if I can buy it,” Jin Feng said.
“Leave it to me,” the chief said, patting his chest.
Jin Feng chatted with the chief a bit longer before heading back.
Guan Xiao Rou and Run Niang were preparing lunch. When Jin Feng entered the kitchen, Run Niang glanced at Guan Xiao Rou, then giggled behind her hand.
“Run Niang, are you asking for trouble? What’s so funny?” Guan Xiao Rou’s face flushed, and she pinched Run Niang in embarrassment.
“Sister, spare me! I won’t laugh!” Run Niang pleaded.
She said she’d stop, but her laughter grew louder.
“Darling…” Guan Xiao Rou whined, turning to Jin Feng for help.
With his wife seeking aid, Jin Feng couldn’t ignore her. He lightly tapped Run Niang’s head, teasing, “Laugh at my wife again, and I’ll deal with you!”
Though Run Niang was married to Xie Guang, she was still an innocent maiden. How could she handle this?
Her face turned as red as Guan Xiao Rou’s, and she grabbed Guan Xiao Rou’s arm. “Xiao Rou Jie, control your Feng Ge!”
“Alright,” Guan Xiao Rou rolled up her sleeves. “Darling, come on, let’s carry Run Niang back and sort her out.”
She reached to grab Run Niang, who squealed and hid behind the firewood stack.
Jin Feng was speechless.
He realised Guan Xiao Rou’s obsession with finding him a concubine was deep-rooted.
After failing with Tang Dong Dong, she set her sights on Run Niang.
Moments ago, she was too shy to face anyone, but on this topic, she turned into a bold tease.
Jin Feng was sure that if he agreed, Guan Xiao Rou might actually carry Run Niang to the bedroom.
“Enough, stop messing around,” Jin Feng said, gently pulling Guan Xiao Rou back, feeling a bit sorry for her.
He knew her eagerness to find him a concubine stemmed from insecurity and low self-esteem.
This was common in feudal society.
In wealthy households, some wives or concubines, fading with age and losing their husband’s affection, sought new partners for him to regain favour.
Jin Feng knew this was an unhealthy mindset, but it was the norm in Da Kang.
Both men and women believed a proper wife should arrange concubines to show her grace; otherwise, she’d be seen as a jealous shrew.
Raised with these ideas, Guan Xiao Rou couldn’t change overnight.
