Di Ming

Chapter 170 Eight Hundred Employees
August 12.

The autumn imperial examinations have already begun with the second round of tests, including policy essays, historical essays, regulated verse, and classical texts. The final round will test candidates' knowledge of official documents such as imperial edicts, memorials, proclamations, and decrees.

In reality, the second and third rounds of the provincial examination were not very important. One could perform only moderately, but could not make any significant mistakes. In Zhu Yin's view, simply passing was sufficient.

With so much exam content, even passing is by no means easy, and one still cannot be careless.

While the second and third rounds may not have a significant impact on winning, they can greatly affect the ranking.

Whether one passes the imperial examination depends on the first round. But after passing, one's ranking depends mainly on the second and third rounds.

Of course, if you do poorly in the last two exams, it will be difficult to be admitted even if you do well in the first one.

While Zhu Yin was taking the second exam, Ning Caiwei was doing something very important at home.

……

These past few days, Ning Caiwei hasn't been sleeping well at night. She dreams of Zhu Yin suffering in the cell exam.

Ning Qingchen also couldn't sleep soundly, worried about the little tiger's health.

The two sisters had heard that in the few days since the exams began, several candidates had died in the examination hall, dozens of people had suddenly fallen seriously ill and had to be carried out of the examination hall, and more than a hundred people had fallen ill and given up the exam.

Although Zhu Yin was better than his peers, he was still young. How could the two not be worried?
Ning Caiwei was worried about Zhu Yin's condition, but she still had many important matters to deal with.

The Liu family, driven to the brink of despair by Ning Caiwei, is still stubbornly refusing to sell off its assets at a bargain price, but it won't be able to hold on for much longer.

The Liu family was robbed by refugees, lost money to the merchant, had their loan agreement stolen by the Zhu family, were fined by the garrison, and had to spend a lot of money to bribe officials to get Liu Yuanchu out of prison.

After Ning Caiwei's antics, the Liu family's cash reserves were depleted, and they were in dire need of funds everywhere.

The tenants who boarded the Zhu family's boat were incited by Ning Caiwei to constantly demand that the Liu family return the land. Since the IOUs were gone, they naturally wanted to get back the mortgaged land.

Ning Caiwei stopped pretending. She spread the word that outsiders were not allowed to interfere in matters at Qingqiao.

It's clear they want to take over the Liu family's businesses.

Unless someone is incredibly stupid or doesn't have enough power, no one would dare to oppose the mysterious Zhu family.

As for the Zhang family, they kept a very low profile at this time. After Zhang Yixian was dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown, he first paid the fine imposed by the garrison commander without hesitation, and then did not spend money to get his son out of prison.

He simply spent his days playing chess, reading, fishing, and making rubbings of inscriptions with a group of scholars, adopting the demeanor of a retired scholar-official enjoying a leisurely life in the countryside.

The Zhang family quickly regained their footing. Although they were severely weakened, with Zhang Yixian, a powerful figure, around, Ning Caiwei was hesitant to attack them again.

Even if Zhang Yixian was no longer the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and held no official position, he still possessed the prestigious title of a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) from two separate examinations. Without any evidence of his own wrongdoing, what could Ning Caiwei do?
In Qingqiao Village today, the Zhu family of Beili has risen to power and become the most powerful family in the village. The Wang family of Xili has been wiped out, the Liu family of Nanli is struggling to survive, and the Zhang family of Dongli has been severely weakened.

Kitari Zhu, however, became increasingly prosperous.

Even in the market of Chunhua Town, there is a saying that goes like this:

"The Zhu family prodigy is highly talented, and his child bride is Ning Dajiao. He has no father, no mother, and no brothers, but he will have a benefactor to protect him after his death."

Everyone knows that the Zhu family has powerful backers and a mysterious background, so they shouldn't be offended lightly.

Furthermore, the young patriarch of the Zhu family is currently taking the provincial examination. If he passes and becomes a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination), the Zhu family will become even more powerful.

More importantly, the Zhu family's reputation for being charitable and generous has gradually spread.

It is said that Master Zhu would reward the farmers in his manor and herb garden on festival days, thus easing their burden.

They also offer low-interest loans with a five-year repayment period, and the annual interest rate is only 10%. This is far better than the current usurious loans that typically have a 90% payout ratio and 130% return, plus compounding interest.

That's truly benevolent and righteous.

Here, Ning Xiaoniangzi is still recruiting young men and women to work, saying that the basic salary will be one tael, with bonuses up to two taels, and even three taels in the future!

Previously, the Zhang and Liu families had blocked their way, so few people dared to go.

But now, people from all around are flocking to him. However, when the young lady of the Zhu family is recruiting, she prefers men from her own village.

……

"Crackling and popping..." At the entrance of the Zhu Family Sugar Factory compound, nine hundred firecrackers went off in a row, filling the air with the smell of gunpowder, creating a lively atmosphere.

At this time, the Zhu family was overjoyed, and their house was bustling with activity, with a constant stream of people.

Many children of poor villagers in the vicinity, as long as they were young, came to the Zhu family to apply for the job.

With so many people gathered at the Zhu family's residence, if Zhu Yin didn't have a "mysterious" backer, someone would definitely report him for gathering a crowd to commit illegal acts.

The Zhu family's guards, led by Lan Cha, Ding Hongying, and others, maintained order with a relaxed exterior but a tight interior to prevent troublemakers.

Ning Caiwei already has over a hundred relatively skilled workers, but she is still short seven hundred.

However, in the past few days, more than a thousand young men and women have applied for the job.

The vast majority are locals, but a very small number are from other places.

So Ning Caiwei decided to hire locals for 90% of the positions and reserve 10% for people from other places.

Ning Caiwei prioritized hiring healthy, literate teenagers aged fourteen to eighteen. After one round of screening, half of them were eliminated, leaving seven hundred.

Those who remain will all have three-year contracts. These contracts can be renewed after three years.

Ning Caiwei also gave ten milk candies to each of the eliminated people so they could try them out.

From today onwards, Ningyin Sugar Factory will have 800 workers and more human resources at its disposal.

Having finished the important task of recruitment, Ning Caiwei could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It was nearly noon, and seven hundred new workers were practicing marching under the guidance of one hundred "veterans" who had been working there for two months.

Ning Caiwei's drill training was certainly not military training; it was merely a way to cultivate discipline, facilitate management, and increase work efficiency.

Therefore, the new employees' formation training only includes the simplest marching, running, lining up, and assembling. This training lasts only ten days.

The factory compound covers an area of ​​over 100 acres. The most eye-catching building is a small, independent courtyard in the center, which contains a three-story building that occupies more than half an acre and is over 40 feet high.

It was named Vermilion Bird Terrace because a Vermilion Bird was depicted on the main gate and carved on the pillars.

Zhuquetai is Ning Caiwei's president's office building.

Logically speaking, the Vermilion Bird pattern and this kind of pavilion architecture would have been considered illegal and presumptuous in the early Ming Dynasty. But now, during the Wanli era, who cared about such things? Nobody cared anymore.

The Vermilion Bird Terrace was the last building completed in the factory compound, taking a full six months to construct, and Ning Caiwei put a lot of thought and effort into its design. It not only conformed to ancient Chinese aesthetics but also had strong office functions.

From the outside, Zhuquetai looks more like a Tang Dynasty pavilion, with a cool color scheme and a grand layout.

However, each floor has floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides, allowing for ample natural light. Furthermore, all floors feature a U-shaped design, accommodating both indoor and outdoor offices.

The Zhuquetai can accommodate two to three hundred people working at the same time. It is not only the management department of the sugar factory, but also the management department of the entire Ningyin Trading Company.

Standing on the terrace of Zhuquetai, Ning Caiwei looked at the eight hundred employees awkwardly queuing in the square and couldn't help but feel a bit of the feeling she had back then.

These 800 energetic young men and women were the earliest workers of Ningyin Group.

In the future, Ningyin Group may become a super behemoth with thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of employees, and many of them will grow into key personnel.

Students have become managers. One hundred "veteran employees" have been appointed foremen. The framework is in place. In the future, the behemoth of capital will be in my hands, devouring the old dynasty! Building a new world!

"President." A familiar voice interrupted Ning Caiwei's reverie, "This is the roster of new employees. Please take a look."

Ning Caiwei turned around, took the roster from Gu Hongxiu, and carefully flipped through it.

Gu Hongxiu said, "As instructed by the president, I selected twenty of the best candidates, and I marked them all."

The best conditions are those who are most literate, have the most organized speech, and are also good-looking.

These are key individuals under observation; if they perform well in their work, they will be among the first to be promoted.

Gu Hongxiu simply couldn't imagine why Ning Caiwei was so smart at such a young age.

But if you say that her sugar-making methods and business practices are her family's ancestral skills, then that's plausible.

Ning Caiwei flipped through the papers, then suddenly pointed to two names and said, "These two, one named Hao Yunzai and the other Hao Yunji, a man and a woman, are they siblings?"

The name was unique, reminding her of Hao Yunlai, whom Zhu Yin had mentioned.

Hao Yunlai was an opportunist. He applied to join the Chrysanthemum Society twice, but was rejected because of his poverty. Later, seeing that the Chrysanthemum Society had collapsed, he applied to join the Propaganda Society twice, but was rejected again because of his insincerity and duplicitousness.

Could it be that Hao Yunzai and Hao Yunji are Hao Yunlai's younger brother and sister-in-law?

"President, what's the problem with these two people?" Gu Hongxiu asked. "They are brother and sister. I've spoken with them personally. Not only are they literate and eloquent, but the brother is also a student of the Imperial Academy and is participating in the provincial examination this time."

Ning Caiwei hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's not a problem. Bring the two of you to see me in person."

Before long, a boy and a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old followed Gu Hongxiu to the Vermilion Bird Terrace with nervous expressions.

The brother and sister were good-looking and had a good temperament. Although their clothes were patched, they were washed very clean.

"This is the president of our trading company. Please greet him quickly," said Gu Hongxiu, who acted like a secretary.

The brother and sister immediately realized that this stunningly beautiful young woman was none other than Ning Dajiao, the famous woman from Qingqiao Village.

A quick glance revealed a pair of "big feet".

"This humble servant (this maid) greets the president..." The two dared not be negligent and quickly bowed together.

"No need for formalities." Ning Caiwei nodded and smiled. "Why did you and your brother both come to work for Ningyin Trading Company?"

Unbeknownst to them, their next answer would determine their fate.

Hao Yun, who was only fifteen years old, cupped his hands and said, "Replying to the head of the association, my family is poor and has no property. We are raised by my elder brother studying in Nanyong with the help of government subsidies and by writing and selling calligraphy and paintings."

“Now that my sister-in-law is disabled, my siblings and I have grown up and want to help my brother share his burdens and ease the family’s burden.”

“Brother is currently taking the provincial examination, but passing it is not easy. If he fails, the family’s situation will be even more worrying, so he came to work for our company.”

Ning Caiwei's impression of him improved somewhat after hearing his very proper manner, and she smiled and said, "What if your brother really passes the exam?"

Hao Yun solemnly replied, "Even if my brother passes the exam, we siblings must work for at least three years. The contract is here; how can we break our promise?"

Ning Caiwei then asked, "Is your sister-in-law disabled?"

"Yes," Hao Yunji continued, "Three years ago, my brother had just gotten married when my sister-in-law was being assaulted by a bully while picking mulberry leaves. Although she fought back fiercely and prevented the bully from succeeding, he blinded her in one eye..."

Hao Yunji's eyes reddened and his voice choked as he spoke.

“My brother swore that he would do anything to make a name for himself and get justice for his sister-in-law.”

"I see." Ning Caiwei nodded. "If you need it, you can borrow from the trading company. The interest rate is only ten percent."

Hao Yun, looking embarrassed, bowed again and said, "Then thank you, sir. To be honest, my family is in dire need of money. I would like to borrow five taels of silver."

Ning Caiwei nodded. "Hongxiu, take them to Ningyin Bank to get a loan."

Ningyin Bank has just been established, and its address is in this factory compound, not even in Nanjing city.

The Ming Dynasty also had banks, which were another name for money shops. They only lent money and exchanged currency, and did not accept deposits.

Ning Caiwei's bank also did not accept deposits, just like banks in the Ming Dynasty.

It was certainly the right thing for banks in the Ming Dynasty not to accept deposits. Accepting deposits would have been foolish. Even if depositors were willing to give you their money, you wouldn't dare to accept deposits.

How high are the storage costs? How high are the security costs? What are the storage risks? How is the purity of the silver determined? Can you afford to compensate for it if it's lost?

Therefore, Ning Caiwei is very obedient. She couldn't possibly run a modern bank under such an outdated monetary system; that would definitely be a losing proposition.

After the brother and sister left, Ning Caiwei immediately summoned Emperor Kangxi.

"Kangxi, send a servant to Moling Township to investigate the Hao family..."

"Yes!"

Moling was not far away, and Kangxi brought back the news that afternoon.

“Young lady, your family reports that there are three siblings in the Hao family. Hao’s parents have been dead for many years, and Hao Yunlai has raised his younger siblings with great difficulty. He is the eldest brother and is like a father to them.”

"Hao Yunlai was poor and originally unable to go to school. However, he was appreciated by his father-in-law, who arranged for him to be betrothed to his daughter Meng Yuniang from a young age and sponsored his education."

"Hao Yunlai was well-versed in the I Ching. He consulted the oracle for himself and said that although his name was Hao Yunlai, he was not lucky. Only after meeting a great benefactor would his luck change due to the influence of that benefactor's destiny."

"Three years ago, Hao Yunlai turned twenty and got engaged to Meng Yuniang. It's quite pitiful, really, because of Yuniang's beauty, she was coveted by Dai Kun, the son of a wealthy merchant in the village... In the end, that scoundrel failed to rape her, but instead blinded Meng in one eye..."

“Dai Kun bullies the Hao family because they have no power or influence, and he doesn’t believe Hao Yunlai can pass the imperial examination. Hao’s younger sister came to work in the factory this time for another purpose: to escape Dai Kun’s harassment.”

"Because Dai Kun has set his sights on Hao's younger sister again."

After Kangxi finished speaking, he asked, "Please advise, young lady, should we continue to send family members to keep an eye on the Hao family?"

Ning Caiwei shook her head and said, "No need for now. Go ahead and get busy. You need to work on the intelligence on those big shots in Su Song. Also, increase the number of spies in the brothels."

"Yes!" Kangxi accepted the order and left.

After thinking it over, Ning Caiwei decided to keep the Hao siblings and give them a chance.

Sugar factory employees work only four hours a day and rest for two days every ten days.

In addition, there are holidays. There are a total of ninety days off each year.

I am definitely a capitalist with a conscience.

Having successfully recruited all the employees, Ning Caiwei decided to treat herself and get some rest early tonight.

But at dusk, an important message reached the Vermilion Bird Terrace:
"At Hai Rui's suggestion, the court reinstated Shen Yiguan. The imperial edict has arrived in Nanjing, and the official gazette has been issued. Shen Yiguan is hereby reinstated as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and ordered to come to the capital immediately upon receipt of the decree!"

With news like this, how could Ning Caiwei possibly get any rest?

Of course she had to prepare a gift to send Shen Yiguan off on his journey north.

P.S.: I wasn't feeling well today, but I managed to write a few thousand words... and I still need to take medicine. Thank you, goodnight.

(End of this chapter)