Chapter Eighteen: The Family Takes Shape

Steward Su stepped forward and said, “Young master, I’ve selected four women and two men to work in the kitchen. For the rest, I await your instructions.”

Yang Cheng nodded. No wonder the kitchen had been up and running this morning without needing his direction, providing meals for over a hundred people.

Having a steward for household affairs certainly made things much easier for him. Facing the assembled crowd, he addressed them, “Everyone, allow me to state the rules of Yang Manor. They are simple: rewards and punishments are clear. The more capable you are, the better the treatment you’ll receive here. Your future well-being depends on your own efforts. As for the detailed house rules, Steward Yang and Steward Su will draw them up.”

“All of you who have served here before and passed the recent assessment are now considered qualified. Your monthly wage is uniformly increased by ten silver coins. Those who arrived yesterday will receive a monthly wage of fifty silver coins.”

There was a collective gasp of excitement. On the journey here, most people were anxious, unsure of what sort of master awaited them. They had heard reassuring rumors from Daniu and others, who said the master was generous and paid the highest wages in town, but they hadn’t dared hope for so much themselves.

Yang Cheng paused and continued, “However, if anyone proves unqualified after some time, I won’t resort to beatings or scoldings as others might. There is only one option: dismissal.”

“Steward Su will register everyone’s name. If anyone accomplishes extraordinary feats in the future, these will be recorded in the Book of Merits. Not only will there be rewards, but monthly wages may also be increased without limit, depending on the circumstances.”

Steward Su was rather surprised. She had checked the storehouse just last night—her young master was not wealthy, merely possessed of modest savings. To suddenly offer so many people such high wages defied common sense regarding thrift. She was clever enough not to mention this in front of everyone, for to do so would undermine the young master’s authority.

What she didn’t know was that in just a couple of days, at least three hundred and eighteen spirit coins would be entering the accounts daily. After deducting expenses, nearly two hundred and ninety would remain, making for a monthly income of over eight thousand seven hundred. The total wage expenditure for all new hires was only fifty or sixty spirit coins; even with everyone else included, the total barely reached a hundred. As the market expanded, more vendors who had not previously been invited would soon join, bringing additional revenue.

“We have several important matters before us,” Yang Cheng continued. “First, we must prepare for the supply of ingredients two days from now. Five days hence, there will be a product launch here. I also need to find some experienced carpenters—if you have such skills, please step forward so that I may select a team.”

Eight people immediately stepped forward, Mo among them. Yang Cheng glanced over them—they were all honest, reliable folk. “Good. Mo, you will lead this group. Stay behind for further instructions.”

“As for the rest,” he said, “Aunt Bai and Aunt Li will serve as the first and second group leaders. Each of you choose ten members to prepare for the first batch of supplies in two days. There’s no need for everyone to work day and night; just work mornings and afternoons and rest at night as you please. You may also arrange two shifts. We can adjust depending on demand—if you are short-handed, inform Steward Yang. We will add more people as necessary to maintain an uninterrupted supply.”

Su Yunxue had previously hired many helpers herself and was surprised by Yang Cheng’s arrangements. In any other household, workers would be kept busy day and night, deprived of sleep to produce more. She thought to herself, the young master’s heart is too kind—he’s not cut out for business.

“Aunt Zhang and Aunt Zhu will lead the third and fourth groups,” Yang Cheng continued. “Each of you choose ten people to prepare buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk. I need these ready to supply immediately after the product launch in five days.”

“Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao will lead the fifth and sixth groups. Each of you select ten people. According to my instructions and recipes, experiment with new products—bread, rice dumplings, mooncakes, cakes, biscuits, spicy strips, instant noodles… Do your best to have new products ready for the second product launch. You have plenty of time; ensure both taste and appearance are up to standard.”

“For many of these items, I’ve only outlined the general process. You’ll need to work out the details yourselves. As long as the samples meet my standards, you’ll have succeeded. Anyone who manages to create one of these products will receive no less than fifty spirit coins as a reward.”

The crowd was amazed. For just one type of food, the young master was offering such a generous reward; many were eager to join the fifth or sixth group.

Yang Cheng added, “Evenings are usually for rest, but if anyone from other groups has spare time, you are welcome to join the research teams for new products in groups five and six.” Only then did everyone feel at ease.

Yang Cheng intentionally relaxed the work schedule, influenced by his ingrained beliefs in more humane treatment. In addition, well-rested workers are more efficient, and the reward system would inspire them to be more creative and develop new products quickly, increasing profits.

Many of these things he alone had seen, but he didn’t know the exact production methods. If he waited to figure them out himself before teaching everyone, it would waste a lot of time. It was better to let them experiment and simply supervise the results himself. Even if they couldn’t replicate the original, they could create similar items—or perhaps even invent something entirely new to this world, something that wouldn’t be possible if people were worn down and working mechanically.

Yang Cheng emphasized again, “If any group is short-handed or supply is tight, you have the right to immediately ask Chief Steward Yang for more help. Always ensure our partner merchants receive their supplies, and always maintain quality.”

“Steward Su, please select ten people to handle miscellaneous tasks. Assign work areas for each team as you see fit. For supplies procurement, report to Steward Yang. The remaining thirty or so people will be coordinated by Steward Yang, with Daniu as his deputy. Their main duties will be procurement, transportation, merchant outreach, and managing supply points.”

“Is that clear to everyone?”

“Yes, young master!” came the chorus.

“Please make sure you all carry out your responsibilities well.”

“Yes, young master,” everyone replied in unison.

“One more thing: if anyone has family members with special skills—such as calligraphy and drawing, leatherworking, or blacksmithing—recommend them to me. If suitable, they will be put to good use, and you’ll be rewarded for your recommendation. That’s all for now. Wait for your group leaders to organize you, then follow them to prepare. Steward Su and Steward Yang, please stay behind.”

When the rest had dispersed, Su Yunxue and Old Yang approached. Yang Cheng said, “The rear courtyard is vast, yet only myself, Brother Lu, Steward Su, and Uncle Yang live there. It’s too empty. Uncle Yang, please take some time to visit the labor market and pick a few clever and capable maidservants to help with your daily tasks. You’ll all have more and more work soon, so don’t wear yourselves out.”

“There’s no need for daily attendants,” Su Yunxue responded. “Just someone to run errands and deliver messages. The estate is so large, going from one end to the other wastes a lot of time.” She had grown up in comfort, but after eloping with her husband and rebuilding their fortunes from scratch, she was no stranger to hardship and didn’t feel the need to be waited on. But as the staff increased, management was getting harder, and she did need someone to carry messages.

Old Yang nodded in agreement.

“Then arrange it as you like,” Yang Cheng said. “Whatever kind of help you need, just tell Uncle Yang. I have Xiaolan to attend me, and Xiao Wu for errands—that’s enough for me.”

“I don’t need anyone,” Lu Baichuan said.

“Brother Lu, you could take one as an apprentice,” Yang Cheng suggested with a smile. “They could help with daily chores and you could teach them cultivation techniques at the same time.”

“You think just anyone is worthy of being taught?” Lu Baichuan shot him a look, then sighed. “Anyone who’s made any progress in cultivation dreams of finding a disciple of exceptional talent—not only to pass down their legacy, but because when that disciple’s name is renowned, the master is honored as well. I’ve traveled far and wide, and rarely met anyone who met my standards. The few who did were long ago claimed by major sects. To have an adopted son of outstanding talent is already a stroke of great fortune for me. I doubt I’ll ever find another such disciple.”

Seeing Lu Baichuan’s wistful expression, the others—many of whom were from ordinary backgrounds—couldn’t fully relate, but Old Yang said, “Young master, now that we’re starting to look like a small clan, people shouldn’t call you ‘young master’ anymore. It should be ‘master’ or ‘patriarch’—that would command more respect.”

Yang Cheng laughed. “What’s so good about being called ‘master’? It sounds so old! I prefer ‘young master’—it feels more familiar. As for respect, it should come from genuine regard, not from fear.”

Since Yang Cheng had a point, Old Yang did not press the issue further.