Chapter 460: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 460: Disrupting Cooperation (3)
Exiting the small room, Mo Yan saw Li Zhong counting several pieces of silver from a drawer and handing them to a stranger. After the person left, she approached and asked, "Who was that? Does the shop owe him money?"
Li Zhong locked the drawer and chuckled, "He's from the mill. The grain in the shop is processed by the same mill. Every 5th of the month, we settle the silver for the previous month's processing. Today being the 5th, the mill's owner sent someone to settle accounts."
Mo Yan nodded at this information without saying much. Such expenditures were noted in the accounts, though not substantial—just three or four taels of silver per month. Compared to the shop's monthly profits, she didn't pay much attention to this small sum.
However, Li Zhong felt it was a missed opportunity and couldn't help but say, "The amount of grain processed in the shop each month is quite substantial. Over time, it adds up to a significant expense. If we had our own mill and a couple more hands to help, it wouldn't just be convenient but could also save us a lot of silver over the year!"
Mo Yan considered the idea but found it inconvenient. While she could easily store the grain in her space and transfer it to the warehouse, processing it at the mill and then transporting it back and forth between the shop and the warehouse would be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, the mill serviced more than just their business; it couldn't be idle waiting for their occasional needs.
Seeing her silence, Li Zhong continued, "The fields in the mountain hollow are going to be planted with rice this year. The harvested grain will surely be supplied to the shop. Why not build a mill in the village? Processed grain can be stored at home, and when the shop needs it, it can be brought over directly. This way, we won't need to rent the warehouse anymore. The money saved would be enough to pay wages. Besides, there's no mill in the village, so villagers have to travel far to the city or another village for milling. This could also earn us some extra money."
Mo Yan found the idea intriguing. Building a mill wasn't difficult or expensive, and it was practical. Without much hesitation, she agreed, planning to establish the mill before starting the winery.
Since it was still early, estimating that Wu shi and her daughter hadn't returned from the southern market stall yet, she drove the carriage over to fetch them, intending to bring them back to Liuyang Village together.
Arriving at the street where they were selling, Mo Yan noticed a large crowd gathered around Wu shi and her daughter's stall. Unable to see clearly from a distance, occasional sharp cries made Mo Yan's expression change. She urged to hurry up.
“Today, with everyone here, I need your help to judge this matter!” Hong shi, crying with snot and tears, pointed at the silent Wu shi in front of the gathered crowd. “Wu shi is my eldest daughter-in-law. Our family is so poor we can't barely keep food on the table. I was glad when she found a way to make money, thinking at least the family could finally have some porridge. But instead, she keeps all the money she earns to herself. I haven't seen a single coin. Even so, I don't blame her because it's her hard-earned money. But she shouldn't neglect her own child. Despite earning so much, she doesn't even feed her own kid, who cries out of hunger every day, calling for her mother. It breaks my heart to see and hear it. Oh, the suffering, it's unbearable!”
Niu shi, supporting Hong shi, pretended to wipe away tears and scolded, “Sister-in-law, you might ignore the rest of the family, but how can you neglect your own flesh and blood? My poor nephews and nieces, having a mother like you is worse than having none!”
Their act convinced most of the initially skeptical onlookers, who started criticizing Wu shi: “To think I bought food from you every day. If I had known you were this unfilial and unkind, I wouldn't have. I won't buy from you again.”
“Exactly. She doesn't care for her parents-in-law or children. Is she using the money for some secret lover? We should all avoid her stall from now on. It's disgusting!”
“Oh, how the morals of society have declined!”
The accusations grew harsher. Wu shi, pale-faced, looked at the two women pretending to be pitiful and cried bitterly, “Mother, second sister-in-law, how can you slander me like this for money? I've said before, the stall belongs to Yan girl. She asked us to help because she's busy, and we only earn a little from it. Why don't you believe me? It's not enough to make trouble at home; now you want to ruin my reputation. Are you forcing me to die?”
“Mother! Mother! Please don’t do this. It’s all lies from grandma and second aunt. Don’t think like that!” Mo Dani clung to Wu shi, crying in fear, obviously traumatized by a previous incident where Hong shi nearly forced Wu shi to jump into the river.
Hong shi, remembering this, raised her voice to cover her guilt, “Wu shi, stop lying. The girl taught you the craft because you're close. That's why you have the stall. It has nothing to do with her! I’ve said, the family doesn’t need your money. Just take care of your own child. But you’re too heartless, neglecting even your own child. I had no choice but to reveal the truth and ask everyone to judge. If you have any conscience, either use your money to support your child or let your sister-in-law help you. We're family; there’s no need to divide. When money is earned, you can share a bit with her.”
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