Chapter 174 - 174 Everything is Voluntary
174 Everything is Voluntary
Xie Yunjin looked towards Lu Jiao, indicating to her that she should speak. After all, this whole idea was hers and she should be in charge of it.
Lu Jiao didn’t decline. She asked for a meeting today mainly to get them to sign a contract and to help out the women in the village.
“I’m sure everyone knows why I asked you all to come. That’s right, I want from everyone their thumbprint. I’m sure the leaders had already spoken to you about the promises you must make if you wish to participate in leech keeping. You cannot use the money you earn to get concubines; the women in the family must be in charge of the money; additionally, the money you earn will be proportionate to how many people from your family is doing the work; finally, two third of the money you earn should be put towards the entire family’s fund and one third of the money can be kept by yourself.”
The room instantly became filled with chatters.
Though the leaders had told everyone these conditions, everyone still felt that Lu Jiao was sticking her nose too much into everyone else’s business.
Someone commented, “Yunjin’s wife, it’s up to the family whether or not they want concubines. Don’t you think you are overstepping here?”
“Yeah, why must the women manage the money? Why can’t the men?”
“If the whole family is living together, how can the younger generation keep a third of the money? The entire amount should be given to the parents.”
Lu Jiao coldly glanced around the room and said calmly, “I am simply discussing the terms with you. If you don’t agree with them, you don’t have to participate. I also don’t need to teach.”
The leaders’ expressions changed. By now, they were aware of Yunjin’s wife’s personality. She wasn’t the most patient person and they shouldn’t anger her.
They had already signed a contract with Baohe Tang and even took a deposit from the owner.
The leaders tried to scold those who spoke out of line.
Lu Jiao however, didn’t let them, “I taught you all herb harvesting and leech keeping because I want your lives to improve. I hope the money you earn can go to your children’s education so that more people can get out of this village. I want the children here to become useful scholars or businessmen who can make money. I am not doing this so you can get wealthy and screw around.
Did the Village and Clan Leader not tell you the details? If you are able to do so, get yourself a concubine now. If you are so capable, of course you can earn your own money and manage it yourself. If you do all that yourself, of course I wouldn’t comment on it. But don’t you dare think about doing all those things by using the money I help you earn.”
Lu Jiao’s face had dropped at this point and her expression was cold.
Everyone in the room was stunned. The leaders quickly tried to smooth this out, “Yunjin’s wife, don’t waste energy on those with an unclear mind.”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Of course, if you don’t agree with the way I want to do things, you can simply not participate. If you do participate, make your money, and still fail to meet the conditions listed, you can leave the village.”
Lu Jiao then smiled with her eyes, “Okay, to reiterate, this is completely voluntary. I am not forcing any one of you to do this.”
Inside the east bedroom, a lot of people commented, “Yunjin’s wife is doing this to ensure our families are harmonious. She’s doing it all for our village. We have no objections.”
“We are also willing to listen to you.”
“Yes, she’s doing everything for the family.”
Someone whispered, “Yunjin’s wife, what if Yunjin ends up getting a concubine?”
Though it was a whisper, his voice was crisp enough that everyone heard. The room fell into silence.
Lu Jiao turned to Xie Yunjin. She found this so funny she wanted to laugh.
Him getting a concubine or not was none of her business.
Xie Yunjin, however, glanced around the room and looked everyone in the eyes, “I am never going to get concubines. Perhaps you doubt my statement today, but I will provide proof.”
He then looked back at Lu Jiao, as if waiting for praise.
Lu Jiao stared at him in awe. Did she misunderstand him? Weren’t they going to separate? Why was he looking at her like this then?
Just then, the Clan Leader reached the peak of annoyance and stood up, “If you want to be a part of leech keeping, leave a thumbprint. If you don’t want to, don’t. Nobody is making you do anything. Why do you have so much to say?”
The Village Leader raised his hand, “Yunjin’s wife, I’ll be the first to leave my thumbprint.”
Many others stood up, “Me too.”
“Me too.”
“And me.”
Lu Jiao had no time to think about Xie Yunjin’s strange behavior. She asked, “Can you help us write out the conditions?”
Xie Yunjin agreed, “Yes. You speak, I write.”
Lu Jiao went to get the brush, ink, and paper. She noticed it would be hard for him to write while in bed so she fetched the old small table they had and put it on the bed.
Since the table was short, he was able to use it to write while sitting in bed.
After Lu Jiao organized this, she said, “There are two conditions to write down. One, the money earned from leech keeping is managed by the women of the house. Men are not allowed to get concubines. Two, the money earned by those who participate in the leech-keeping business must give two-thirds to the family and keep one-third for his own family.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes lit up. He knew the second condition was to help out his second brother. She truly did everything in her power to help his second brother.
He couldn’t help but feel her sweetness and the look on his face softened.
“Okay.”
There weren’t many words needed for the contract and it didn’t take Xie Yunjin long to write out. Afterward, people started to leave their thumbprints.
Though lots of people came, only one print was needed per family so it didn’t take too long.
As for Xie Yunjin’s family, it was Xie Laogen who came today. He knew that Lu Jiao was going to teach leech-keeping to Xie Erzhu.
The thought of Xie Erzhu being able to keep one-third of the money earned made Xie Laogen very unhappy.
One third… that was a lot of money. If Xie Erzhu earned 10 taels of silver, he would get to keep more than 3 taels of that.
Xie Erzhu only had daughters, why would he need the money? The money should go to his first son.
Xie Laogen couldn’t keep his mouth shut, “My third son, isn’t it not right for the worker to be able to keep a third of the money earned? The entire family lives together and we all need to eat and sleep.”
Xie Yunjin’s face cooled down right away and he gaped at Xie Laogen frigidly.
Xie Laogen shuddered. The contract he signed with the leaders before was still with his third son.
If he provoked his third son too much, he would need to move out of the village.
Xie Laogen quickly said, “Ah, no, no, pretend I didn’t say anything.”
He left his thumbprint, then carefully added, “Your first brother will be able to keep leeches as well, right?”
That meant his first son would be able to keep a third of the money. That would be pretty good.
Xie Laogen was still dreaming when Lu Jiao called out, “Next. Hurry up. It’s late.”
She was going to take her four children into the mountains still and she had no time to waste with this old man.