The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

"You all know that the family business includes our own shops and some small workshops. The workshops have been in stable cooperation with the Mu Family and don’t require too much of my attention, and I’ve been reassured with the way you have managed the shops. However, this time I’m going to Mianyang, I need to bring someone with me, so there will be some changes in the assignments you are currently handling."

"This is one point I wanted to mention. Another is that the businesses you are in charge of are actually co-owned by the Ye and Yang families, except for the furniture shop, which is a special case and needs to allocate a portion elsewhere."

That portion belongs to Yang Dayong and Mu Shaoling.

"Now, let’s discuss the personnel allocation. Fugui will accompany me to Mianyang. The responsibility for the workshops’ collaboration with the Mu Family will fall to Qingyou, and Tieshu will take over the supervision of the shops. As for how you manage the subordinates, I won’t intervene. But I must emphasize, not a single recipe from our family is allowed to leak, or you will atone with your lives. In addition, both the workshops and the shops must involve Uncle Niu during the mid-year and year-end account settlement, and all account books must be produced in triplicate, as it is currently the case—one copy for the managers, one for the Yang Family, and one for the Ye Family. Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"

All of them shook their heads.

Since Yang Qingrui and Yang Qingtong were studying, Yang Chuxia was still looking after the business, thinking that it would probably not be until both of them were married off that she could let go. By then, the shops and workshops would likely require another division.

Yang Chuxia thought for a moment and then said, "The sugar workshop will still be managed by Master Tang himself; I will speak to him about this later."

So far, there had been nothing for Brother Li to do.

As for Brother Li, who had been with the family for a year or two, he had performed quite well in his duties, more perceptive than Sister-in-law Li and similar in temperament to Mother Li.

She was willing to delegate some matters to him, just hoping he would not betray her trust.

"Brother Li!" He and Li were both much older than Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an. Originally, Zi’an had called him Brother Li, which probably should have been changed according to propriety, but she never did—it was, after all, a subtle way to win hearts. Not just any servant could be called "Brother" by the master’s family, even though it came with many qualifications.

"Madam!"

"What you’ll be in charge of is our own Ye Family business—the several estates and the additional land acquired in Yangshu Village over the past few years will be under your management. Of the estates, one must be dedicated to growing sugarcane each year. As for the other lands, you can decide what crops to plant. However, we must have broad beans, sweet potatoes, peanuts, etc.—make sure each category is accounted for."

"As you wish, Madam. I will take care of it properly."

After discussing everything, the group took their leave one by one. Yang Chuxia then took Brother Li aside for a few more words.

Then, she called over Xiu’er and Sister-in-law Li, telling them that Xiu’er would be in charge of the entire inner courtyard, while Sister-in-law Li would handle social interactions. Both Mother Lis, as well as sisters Mingcui, would be accompanying them to Mianyang.

She assured Sister-in-law Li that the trip to Mianyang was not about leaving her behind, but that someone truly had to stay at home. Even Xiu’er, who grew up with her, was being left behind, wasn’t she?

By putting it this way and giving her responsibilities, Sister-in-law Li felt somewhat ashamed.