The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 562: Names Posted on the List Like the Imperial Examination

After witnessing Gu Fengnian and Gu Xiaoxue’s division of the family, Tong Huaqiong immediately threw herself into the preparations for the Weaving Workshop.

Liu Tong worked with high efficiency, leading his construction team to quickly renovate Mr. Gu’s old residence.

After repairing the roof, it no longer leaked, and the interior was cleaned thoroughly, distinguishing between the warehouse and the area for placing weaving machines.

After Gu Daqiao assembled the first loom and cotton machine, Tong Huaqiong recruited some skilled craftsmen, who under Gu Daqiao’s leadership and guidance, made twelve looms and cotton machines.

To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools.

The twelve machines were placed in a row inside the house, giving Tong Huaqiong a hazy feeling of an impending industrial revolution.

Gu Daqiao absolutely had the talent of an engineer; while assembling the cotton looms, he further improved the loom.

This batch of looms was even more efficient than those in Hua Ting County.

With the production tools ready, the production materials were naturally fully prepared.

The cotton pickers employed by Tong Huaqiong were extremely capable, quickly harvesting thirty acres of cotton.

Snowy white cotton was piled up in the warehouse.

Added to the two hundred thousand tons of cotton stored by Gu Dashu in Ning City as ordered by Tong Huaqiong, the white cotton was like white Silver in Tong Huaqiong’s eyes.

At first, the villagers didn’t know Tong Huaqiong was opening a Weaving Workshop; they just thought Tong Huaqiong was growing so much cotton to sell.

The female cotton pickers from miles around were very reluctant to leave after the harvest, as Tong Huaqiong paid them the same wages as men, without delay, settling accounts on the same day. Furthermore, they were provided with meals at noon, with meat and vegetables.

For the majority of the cotton pickers, it was the first time in their lives they earned Silver Coin.

During these two months of picking cotton at Tong Huaqiong’s house, they didn’t have to cook or do housework, their mother-in-law treated them better, and their husband learned to care for them.

Although picking cotton was hard work, everyone was full of vigor, not feeling tired at all, but rather hopeful for the future, as the numerous young women and wives joked and laughed, making the day fly by.

They really wished such good days could continue.

However, cotton picking was only available for two months in autumn each year and couldn’t be done every day.

Originally, they thought they could only wait until next autumn to work and earn money again at Tong Huaqiong’s place, but unexpectedly, Tong Huaqiong was planting cotton to open a Weaving Workshop.

Not to mention Qinghe Bay, there were only a few Weaving Workshops in all of Pingchuan County; those that existed were family workshops with just one loom, where the whole family worked together, not needing to employ outsiders.

Therefore, when the news of Tong Huaqiong’s Weaving Workshop recruiting workers spread, there was an uproar miles around, especially among the female cotton pickers who spread the word excitedly.

The Weaving Workshop, unlike cotton picking, didn’t rely on seasons; since Tong Huaqiong opened a Weaving Workshop, it was certain that there would be daily cotton teasing, spinning, and weaving. As long as there was work, they could earn money.

Tong Huaqiong’s Weaving Workshop was soon surrounded by a crowd.

Not only Qinghe Bay’s young women and wives came to apply, but even those from neighboring villages also came.

When Tong Huaqiong’s Jufula Supermarket opened, she recruited female clerks in the village, but most families were reluctant to let their daughters and wives apply.

They thought clerks had to greet customers, which was improper for young women to be so visible; if a rogue were to abduct them, it would be disgraceful.

But the Weaving Workshop was different; women in the Weaving Workshop just sat inside and worked with looms, needing no interaction with male customers or personal business dealings, just focused hard work.

Moreover, the Weaving Workshop clearly required female workers only, so among women, no gossip would spread.

Plus, it was in Qinghe Bay Village, and if anything happened, family members could arrive immediately. In other words, they believed their daughters and wives couldn’t escape their grasp in Qinghe Bay while still earning to support the family.

Only a fool wouldn’t let them apply.

From the beginning, Tong Huaqiong stated that the applications would be fair and public; a clever hand was needed first, and laziness was not tolerated.

Song Qiaoniang and Gu Xiaoxue served as "interviewers," fully committed to not betraying Tong Huaqiong’s trust, determined to select the best female workers for her.

The official lady assigned to Man Er, Su Qing, was put to use by Tong Huaqiong, assisting Song Qiaoniang and Gu Xiaoxue in keeping records.

Su Qing showcased her abilities, not only keeping records but also collaborating with the skilled Song Qiaoniang to set assessment criteria, assigning scores to each item.

"Boss, with this setup, it will be obvious who suits the job and who doesn’t, saving us from having to explain and argue with those who aren’t selected," Su Qing said, handing the evaluation form to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong nodded, "It was right to have you on board."

Encouraged, Su Qing continued, "Then, just like the results of an imperial exam, we’ll post the names of the selected female workers on the wall by the door and the trees. It doesn’t matter if they can’t read; we’ll have someone who can read announce the names publicly. Boss, think about it, when have they ever had the chance for their names to appear openly on a list in their whole life? By formally recognizing the selected female workers, they will feel more excited and proud, surely motivating them even more when working."

Tong Huaqiong glanced at Su Qing, overwhelmed with admiration.

No wonder she was an official’s daughter; her knowledge and thinking were different from others.

Tong Huaqiong patted Su Qing on the shoulder, "Let’s do as Miss Su suggests. You will assist Gu Taohua at the Weaving Workshop from now on. Oh, and take Man Er with you, let her learn alongside you; she will also have to get involved in the family business in the future."

Having been well-trained at Taohua Dessert and spending two months at Jufu Supermarket, Tong Huaqiong decided to let Gu Taohua gain experience at the Weaving Workshop.

After all, the Weaving Workshop was staffed with female workers, making it exactly where Gu Taohua should be.

Su Qing’s eyes turned red with excitement.

Initially, she thought with her background, she would be sold into the Red-Light District to serve people with her looks but instead met a wise leader.

"Master Su, come check if I’m scoring this correctly," Gu Xiaoxue beckoned to Su Qing.

Su Qing wiped her eyes, ran to Gu Xiaoxue, and leaned over to discuss with her.

"Jingzhe, what do you think of that Miss Su’s abilities?" Tong Huaqiong asked Gu Jingzhe who stood beside her.

Gu Jingzhe had an extended autumn break this time, staying at home a few more days, helping Tong Huaqiong with the Weaving Workshop preparations.

Gu Jingzhe commented with a smile, "Not inferior to any man."

Tong Huaqiong sighed, "Miss Su comes from an official family; both her father and brother held official positions. Because her brother got into trouble, the men were executed, and the female relatives were demoted to servitude."

This was also what Tong Huaqiong found unreasonable; Su Qing was now officially labeled as a servant class, unable to be freed to become a commoner even if she wanted to.

Seeing Gu Jingzhe’s eyes pause, Tong Huaqiong continued self-assuredly, "So you see, Miss Su didn’t commit any wrongdoing, yet she can’t take the imperial exams or pursue a career. Maybe before the family incident, her marriage would have paved the way for her brother, how much of her brother’s glory could she enjoy? Her brother got into trouble, and she was implicated just the same, from a commoner to a servant class. If I didn’t buy her, she might have ended up in the Red-Light District or becoming a concubine in a wealthy family. Do you think this is fair to her?"

Gu Jingzhe’s face turned pale.