amaotonovel Chapter 107 Paying wages
Chapter 107 Paying wages
Lin Jingce and Xiaoshu finished preparing the milk tea, and Shen Wanning went to the kitchen to bring out some double-skin milk. She carried a round plate and brought up Magistrate He's food.
Just as she put everything on the table and was about to leave, County Magistrate He called her.
"Miss Shen, the prefect has already reported the cassava digging incident to the court. The emperor should be rewarding us in the next few days."
Wan Ning turned around in surprise, "Reward? Did you just find out that cassava also has a reward?"
"Of course, your discovery of cassava saved a large number of people and reduced the number of refugees. Agriculture is the foundation of the country. The emperor will reward anyone who contributes to the people and the country." County Magistrate He explained.
Speaking of this, Shen Wanning was really curious. After all, a modern person who had traveled to ancient times suddenly received a reward from the emperor. "Then, Lord He, do you know what the emperor's reward is?"
It was rare to see Shen Wanning so curious, and County Magistrate He was somewhat surprised. He shook his head and said, "I don't know about that. I just heard from the prefect that the imperial edict is on the way. Generally speaking, for commoners, it's just a reward of silver. Since you have made contributions to agriculture, I guess you will also be rewarded with some land."
Shen Wanning nodded and said, "So that's how it is. Thank you, County Magistrate He." After saying that, Shen Wanning bowed and saluted.
"You're welcome. You are smart, kind, and willing to help the people. This is what you deserve. I am just reporting it truthfully." County Magistrate He raised his hand.
As she left the private room, Shen Wanning thought that County Magistrate He must have received the news long ago and had come to tell her about it. The fact that she was rewarded could also be considered an achievement for County Magistrate He.
Before the sun set in the afternoon, they had already sold out all the milk tea and closed the shop. She had already asked Lin Jingce to pick up Mrs. Xu and her husband and gather everyone else together.
"Today is the last day of July, and it is also the day when we pay wages. According to the wages we agreed on, except for Manager Yang who gets six taels of silver a month, the others get three taels of silver a month." Shen Wanning said directly in front of everyone, and the wages were open and transparent.
Shopkeeper Yang was the bookkeeper, and generally speaking, bookkeepers were paid more. Furthermore, since he was the shopkeeper, when Shen Wanning was away, all matters, big and small, fell under the purview of Shopkeeper Yang. While his cooking wasn't great, he was quite good at managing the restaurant and interacting with others.
Everyone lined up, nervously and excitedly standing before her. Shopkeeper Yang and Shen Wanning stood together. They took out the box containing the silver and placed it on the table.
"First of all, here's Manager Yang's wages. Thank you for your hard work in managing the milk tea shop." After saying that, Shen Wanning took out six taels of silver and handed it to Manager Yang with a smile.
Shopkeeper Yang held out his hands and took the six taels of silver, "Thank you, boss."
Then, Shen Wanning called out names one by one, and each time she called out a name, she would come forward to receive her wages, "Grandma Qin, Sister Xu and Brother Shunzi, Brother Tiema and Sister Meihua, Xiaoshu..."
Then he read, "Serving the zither, serving the chess, serving the calligraphy, serving the painting."
The four of them took a step forward, looking at each other, confused.
"You have all worked hard this month. In addition to the work at the milk tea shop, you also have to clean the yard when you get home at night. These wages are for you." After saying that, Shen Wanning took out three taels of silver and handed it to Shiqin.
"I...we also get wages? Aren't we bought to work?" Shi Qin looked at Shen Wanning in disbelief.
Shen Wanning smiled and said, "Of course you should be paid for your work. As servants, you have already done your work and cleaned the yard. But as workers, you should be paid for your work in the milk tea shop."
Shiqin took the money and looked at it, and asked in surprise, "Three taels of silver? We get the same wages as everyone else?"
"Of course, you'll get the same pay for doing the same work as everyone else. Keep this money and use it as your dowry. Of course, if you don't do your job well, your pay will be deducted." Shen Wanning said jokingly, implying that if they did a good job, she would be willing to let them go in the future. However, if they didn't, she would also punish them accordingly, a combination of kindness and severity.
"Thank you, miss. Thank you, miss."
Shiqin bowed and thanked him, and Shen Wanning helped her up. "As long as you work hard, I will treat you well. But if you have other intentions, I will not show mercy. As I said before, the milk tea recipe is unique to me. If I find out that someone has spread it, I will not let you off easily. Do you understand?"
The four of them, Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua, knelt on the ground and kowtowed simultaneously, saying, "This servant will never betray the young lady. The milk tea recipe will remain a secret."
Shen Wanning softened her tone, "Everyone, get up. Just remember this."
Several people helped each other to stand up. Shen Wanning took out three portions of three taels of silver and handed them to Shiqi, Shishu, and Shihua respectively.
Finally, she gave three taels of silver to each of the four people in the east, south, west and north. These four people were waiters. As long as they worked diligently and didn't cheat, they would be fine.
Everyone took the silver and danced with joy. Especially the eight people from the east, south, west and north who were good at music, chess, calligraphy and painting, had never thought that they would actually get paid.
"Okay, okay, don't just be happy. Today is the first time we get paid, so I'll treat you all. You can order whatever you want." Shen Wanning said generously.
As soon as she said this, the others cheered loudly, "Boss is so kind, thank you Boss."
After the decision was made, everyone went to the restaurant and ordered two tables of food to celebrate together. One table was for the four masters of music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and the other table was for the rest of the group.
"Today is the first time we pay wages, and not only you, but I am also very happy. From now on, everyone's wages will be paid by Manager Yang, and the wages will be the same as today. However, if everyone's work is remarkable in the future, I will give a certain bonus at my discretion." Shen Wanning raised his glass and said happily.
In order not to delay tomorrow's work, they chose to drink rice wine today. It can satisfy their cravings without getting drunk and delaying their work.
In the evening, Shen Wanning and others returned to the courtyard in the county town. A plaque with the two big words "Lin's House" had already been hung on the courtyard.
When they parted, Shen Wanning said to Lin Jingce beside her, "Brother, I'm going to Fuzhou tomorrow, and the business in the county will be handed over to you. By the way, don't tell Mom about my trip to Fuzhou for the time being, so as not to worry her."
"Going to Fuzhou? Wan Ning, why are you going to Fuzhou? To see your third brother? I'll take you there, otherwise we won't be at ease." Lin Jingce reacted and asked quickly.
Shen Wanning shook her head. "That's not the case. I'm going to see if Fuzhou is suitable for opening another milk tea shop."