A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Wang Jinzhu opened her eyes.

She needs to arrange things at the workshop today. She really wants to provide some opportunities for the women in the village, and even wants to build a school in the village next year. Unfortunately, these are turbulent times!

She got up and dressed. Chen Yuxiang and Chen Shi had also gotten up and were quietly packing their things in the yard. Their faces were expressionless, but everyone could see their disappointment and confusion.

"Mother, Father," Wang Jinzhu called out.

Chen Yuxiang looked up, her eyes red: "Jinzhu, are you really leaving? Can't you stay?"

"Mother, no." Wang Jinzhu's answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. "We must leave, and we must leave quickly. You and Father should first pack up all the valuables and valuables that you can take with you. Also, gather a few thick bedding and tie them up. Don't worry about anything else."

Seeing her mother-in-law's reluctance, Wang Jinzhu sighed inwardly, but now was not the time to soften her heart. She steeled herself, turned around, and walked towards the workshop.

Inside the workshop, the workers had already arrived and were processing the materials.

Wang Jinzhu's gaze swept across everyone's faces. Most of them were women from Wangjia Village and Chenjia Village (along with two men). They were quick and hardworking, and their families had become much better off by working in the workshops. Now that she was leaving, their work would be gone.

"Everyone come over here for a moment, I have something to say," Wang Jinzhu said loudly.

The workers immediately gathered around, all looking at her, wondering what she was going to say.

Wang Jinzhu cleared her throat and said, "As you all know, things haven't been peaceful lately. I've discussed it with the boss, and we're planning to go to the prefectural city to see if we can do some other business. So, starting today, our workshop will be temporarily closed."

These words immediately sparked a buzz of discussion among the crowd.

"It's shut down? How could it just shut down like that?"

"Yes, this job is done very well, and the pay is excellent."

"Sister-in-law Jinzhu, is it because we didn't do a good job?" a bolder woman couldn't help but ask.

"It's not your fault." Wang Jinzhu waved her hand to quiet them down. "You've all done a great job, and I'm very satisfied. It's just that the family business needs to be adjusted, and there's really no other way. I know this is sudden, and it's hard for everyone to accept right now. So, I've prepared some compensation for everyone."

As she spoke, she took out a cloth bag from her bosom, opened it, and inside were the loose silver coins she had prepared beforehand.

"Everyone has worked hard since the workshop started. Each of you should come to me for a tael of silver as a small token of my appreciation. If the workshop continues to operate, I will ask someone to come to the village to call you back."

One tael of silver!

The workers were stunned. They might not even earn a tael of silver a month even if they worked themselves to the bone! They thought that if the employer quit, they would lose their jobs for nothing, but who would have thought they would receive such compensation.

Only Chen Xinghua's eyes reddened. Jinzhu had spent eight taels of silver to buy her and her daughter, and she hadn't saved enough money to redeem them yet. Why was she leaving?

Zhao Xiulan, standing beside her, also changed her expression. Zhao Xiulan was the daughter-in-law of the village chief, Chen Defu. She was very clever and an excellent worker, and Wang Jinzhu valued her highly. She felt that this matter wasn't so simple; the talk of going to the prefectural city to do business sounded like an excuse. Why would anyone abandon such a large, profitable workshop?

Although the workers were reluctant to give up their jobs, the thought of receiving a silver tael or two eased most of their displeasure. They lined up to collect their money, thanking the workers profusely.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Jinzhu!"

"The boss is such a kind person!"

Wang Jinzhu handed out the silver to them one by one, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

Soon, the money was all distributed, and most of the workers took their money and dispersed in twos and threes, preparing to go home. Only a few people remained where they were.

Chen Xinghua, holding Cao'er's hand, timidly walked up to Wang Jinzhu. "Sister Jinzhu! I'll be wherever you are. I haven't paid back the money you gave me yet. I'm still yours."

Grass cried too, "Master, please don't abandon us..."

Just then, the village chief's daughter-in-law, Zhao Xiulan, came over, followed by her husband, Chen Wangda.

Zhao Xiulan neither cried nor made a scene. She simply stared intently at Wang Jinzhu, then asked very seriously, "Boss, tell us the truth, are you... not coming back?"

Wang Jinzhu's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Zhao Xiulan to be so perceptive.

She looked into Zhao Xiulan's clear eyes, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Most likely, she won't be coming back."

Zhao Xiulan pulled her husband Chen Wangda aside, and the couple looked at each other as if they had made up their minds.

"Master!" Zhao Xiulan took a step forward, her tone earnest, "Could my husband and I, and my son Huzi... come with you?"

Zhao Xiulan's words stunned not only Wang Jinzhu, but also her husband Chen Wangda, who pulled her aside, saying, "Xiulan, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Leaving the village for a completely unfamiliar prefectural city? This is no joke.

Zhao Xiulan shook off her husband's hand and looked at Wang Jinzhu with a determined expression: "Boss, I'm not talking nonsense. Wanda and I have thought it through. We don't have any great skills, but we are hardworking and good at our jobs. As you know, I learn things quickly, and I'm the best at making lip rouge in the whole workshop."

Wanda is strong and quick-witted; she can do anything. If you're going to the capital to do business, you'll definitely need manpower. Take us with you; it's always easier and more reassuring to use your own people!

As she spoke, her eyes reddened: "Boss, you have no idea what kind of life my family had before we came to your workshop. Wanda's father was the village chief, which sounds prestigious, but the village is only so big. How much could we possibly harvest from the fields? I've been married into this family for several years, and I've never even had a new dress made."

"It was only after I came here that I received several hundred coins each month, which made things easier for my family. My son, Tiger, could eat more meat and wear new clothes. My husband and I are very grateful to you. Now that you're leaving and the workshop is closing, we'll be back to our old lives. I'm not willing to accept that!"

These words were spoken with such sincerity that Wang Jinzhu was moved.

She knew Zhao Xiulan was telling the truth. She was a woman with her own ideas, unwilling to accept the status quo. She certainly wouldn't want to go back to that life of toiling in the fields.

Listening to his wife's words, Chen Wangda's initial hesitation vanished. He was a man, and of course he wanted his wife and children to have a better life. Working for Wang Jinzhu was tiring, but he felt at ease and earned more—far better than farming the few acres of meager land back home.

He chimed in, "Boss, what my wife said is exactly what I was thinking. Please take us with you; we definitely won't be a burden, we'll do anything for you!"

Looking at the couple's earnest faces, Wang Jinzhu felt a little awkward.

It wasn't that she didn't want to bring it, but rather that she was afraid to. No one could predict what might happen along the way.