Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 151 Eyeliner
Grandma Li said that there are many people who want to join the village association, and there really are many.

Since they opened a market on Yuyingqian Street, everyone has known the name of Yong'an Township Association.

“The small vendors who set up stalls with our village association always come to me to ask for information, wanting to join the village association and wear our clothes.”

"They also said there were rules, and they listened to them all."

Grandma Li sighed and said, "In a place like Daming Prefecture, it's really not easy to do any small business. There will always be idlers coming to your door."

“Our stall was also targeted, but since there were more of us, we didn’t suffer any losses. In the end, we even filed a lawsuit with the authorities.”

Xie Yuyan had heard about these things from Madam Yang, but she had been too busy lately and, knowing she hadn't suffered any loss, hadn't inquired further. She had hired lawyer Liu to write legal documents in Yong'an Ward to encourage the residents to resort to court for their grievances. Now, with the village association and familiar lawyers to help, everyone could handle these matters themselves, and she didn't need to interfere.

Xie Yuyan nodded.

Grandma Li continued, "As a result, our village association became more famous. In addition, when everyone learned that the lotus root charcoal that the eldest daughter-in-law was selling was actually Buddhist charcoal guided by a high-ranking monk, our village association became different from those wealthy gentry and merchants. We were not afraid of families like the Xie family. Those who had been oppressed in the past all wanted to come and join us."

“My wife once said that if we get together, we can help each other. I was thinking, could these people be included too?”

Xie Yuyan nodded: "The purpose of establishing village associations is for these reasons. Anyone who can abide by the rules can join a village association."

Xie Yuyan paused here, looking at Granny Li: "In the past, everyone in Yong'anfang knew each other, and joining the village association was as simple as having someone recommend you. Now it's different. We have to be more careful with outsiders."

Grandma Li and Madam Xu nodded.

There are now six people in Yong'anfang who have been elected to manage things. In addition to Granny Li and Madam Xu, there is Yang Xiaoshan from a branch of the Yang family, carpenter Zhou Da, old scholar Han Yongzhang, and butcher Cao, who sells pork. They are mainly vendors from the market.

Xie Yuyan will also get people from Chenyao Village and Sanhe Village to join the Yong'an Township Association.

These villagers, who had been doing business with Xie Yuyan from the very beginning, valued the village association highly. Besides taking care of their own affairs, they would gather together to manage the association.

In less than a month, the village association had already accumulated fifty strings of cash. This was quite a sum; they had used a considerable amount of money from the village association to clear stones and set up stalls at the foot of Baode Temple. Han Yongzhang managed the accounts, which Xie Yuyan had reviewed and remembered very clearly.

The old scholar failed to pass the imperial examinations, but he had excellent handwriting and was skilled in calculations. Now he no longer needed to set up a stall outside; he could earn money simply by helping the village association organize its accounts.

Grandma Li knew: "So, it's up to you, Madam, to make a decision about this..."

“Actually, it’s not difficult to find out about these people,” Xie Yuyan said. “Write down the details of the people who are planning to join and give them to me.”

Grandma Li's face lit up with joy.

Xie Yuyan needed people to go door-to-door to gather information for her tabloid. She had been planning this for a long time, and now that it was almost done, it was time to give it a try.

Xie Yuyan looked at Yang Xiaoshan: "You stay and help."

Yang Xiaoshan's face had long shown an eager expression. He hadn't spoken until now, waiting for his wife's instructions. His wife had made him watch the market for so long and inquire about news from various places. Not to mention, he knew all the merchants around the market very well.

He didn't say much at the village meeting, knowing that the old lady must have some plans.

Grandma Li and the others smiled and said, "Then we'll go back and wait for news."

Xie Yuyan dismissed everyone and then looked at Yang Xiaoshan: "Are you familiar with the people selling water near the water stalls now?"

Yang Xiaoshan nodded: "I'm familiar with them now, and even the people who sold the face wash soup later. I wouldn't say I know them all, but I've got a pretty good idea of ​​who they are." "Can you pick out a few reliable people?" Xie Yuyan then asked.

Yang Xiaoshan had already thought about these things: "Yes, they also want to join the village association and work with Madam."

Xie Yuyan asked, "Are there suitable personnel in all four sections?"

Yang Xiaoshan replied, "We're not very familiar with the north and east sides, so we asked a few more people to come."

“Let’s test the accuracy of the information they’ve gathered,” Xie Yuyan said. “Among those who want to join the village association, there must be spies planted inside. If we can find them…”

“Yes,” Yang Xiaoshan said, “definitely.”

He was the most idle person in the entire village. He would sit at the head of the market with the money given to him by his wife. As his face-washing soup sales increased, Zheng's side even found him a helper.

Watching everyone busy, he always hoped he could do something. Even his appointment as the head of the village association was only because of his status as a member of a collateral branch of the Yang family.

He wasn't in a hurry; he would wait for the right opportunity to make his move. In any case, he couldn't let his wife lose face.

Xie Yuyan said, "If you find out anything interesting, you can send it to Liu the lawyer's bookstore. If the tabloid can use it, you will also receive an additional sum of money."

Yang Xiaoshan's eyes lit up: "I understand."

Xie Yuyan had this in mind when he opened the water shop. People who do business near the water shop can easily gather all sorts of information by walking around the streets and alleys all day.

Don't underestimate the power of tabloids; they can be a great help when you need them.

After Yang Xiaoshan left, Zhang was already waiting on the side. She stepped forward and pulled Xie Yuyan: "I just bought a good piece of fabric. I'll make you another set of clothes."

Several new outfits had been made, but Xie Yuyan said, "Don't rush, let's wait until after New Year's Day."

“No rush, no rush,” Madam Yang said as she came in. “There’s nothing much going on in the clan. We’ll all help out and it’ll be finished in a few days. Madam is always out and about, she should have a cloak.”

“You also need knee pads,” Zhang said. “Don’t underestimate them just because they’re young now. If you don’t take good care of them, they’ll suffer later.”

As they spoke, several women took Xie Yuyan's measurements together.

Zhang's eyes were full of smiles: "This material is beautiful."

Unfortunately, with a funeral in the family, she couldn't dress too brightly. Thinking of this, Zhang felt a lump in her throat. If her eldest son were still alive, how wonderful their family would be.

But then again, if that's really the case, Xie Yuyan probably won't be able to stay, and the situation will be completely different.

She restrained herself from dwelling on the past; what's past is past, and now she needed to look forward.

After taking the measurements, the group discussed in the room what style would look better. Xie Yuyan was about to return to the inner room to check the accounts when Yang Xiaoshan returned.

“Madam,” Yang Xiaoshan said breathlessly, “the news that just came back is that the Xie family has bought two pottery kilns, and they are preparing to start firing the clay kilns.”

A look of surprise crossed Zhang's face as she murmured, "How...so fast?"