Chapter 103: Who Are They?
Han Lei returned to the brewery, and the first thing she did was go to the workshop to find Tao Qing and handed Prince Jingzhou’s contract to Tao Qing.
"Tao Qing, find a way to buy the house next door! Now that we have Prince Jingzhou’s order, we must increase production," Han Lei said cheerfully to Tao Qing.
Tao Qing took the contract, and his eyes lit up when he saw the bright red seal, his joy was beyond words.
"Oh my! Miss, you really are amazing! You went out once and managed to secure Prince Jingzhou. Now, our brothers really have work to do."
"This is just the beginning!" Han Lei stood on tiptoe and briskly patted Tao Qing on the shoulder. "In the future, all Drunken Immortal Brew orders from various states, including the Capital City, must be ours. Follow me, and prepare to enjoy endless good food and drink!"
"Yes, yes, yes. Following the Miss, we’re getting from chaff to rice baskets."
"Exactly, that’s how it is. Haha..."
"Hahaha..."
Tao Qing spoke with eyes glowing, nodding repeatedly, while several brothers beside him also laughed.
Having work, and endless work, meant they had stable employment. Compared to wielding swords on the battlefield with constant fear, this was countless times better.
Furthermore, during this period, brothers from the Jingzhou squad followed Tao Qing, practicing the brewing method repeatedly. Even those with less aptitude in the team had learned the Drunken Immortal Brew brewing process.
Once Han Lei decided to expand, these brothers were all capable of handling things independently.
"Buy the house next door, and I’ll provide additional equipment for you. Recruit more people, divide into three shifts, and select three captains. People rest, equipment doesn’t, and start working in shifts."
Han Lei arranged the work, reminding them, "Remember, key points in the process must be handled by our own people. Delegate other miscellaneous tasks to newly recruited hands, and make sure to maintain confidentiality of the formula."
"Yes!"
The brothers all replied enthusiastically in unison.
"Ding!"
At this moment, a ’ding’ sounded in Han Lei’s mind, followed by a system broadcast.
"Congratulations to the host for receiving a system reward of five hundred taels of gold."
Han Lei did not speak, she just smiled at the eager and happy expressions on the brothers’ faces.
She didn’t ask the system why she was rewarded because she knew that expanding the brewery meant recruiting more people, creating more employment opportunities.
The system had said, doing good deeds would lead to rewards, and this was certainly a good deed.
While Han Lei was talking with the brothers, Yang Haibo’s mother, Ms Yang, came over with Yang Xiaomei supporting her.
The brewery brothers lived well, having pork every couple of days. Han Lei had specifically instructed that Ms Yang’s meals must include meat soup every time.
After treatment and care during this period, Ms Yang’s health had improved significantly compared to when she first arrived, with a rosy complexion. Even without Yang Xiaomei’s support, she could walk steadily, though Yang Xiaomei was just being cautious.
"Miss Han," Ms Yang smiled as she approached Han Lei. "I just heard from Haibo that we’re departing for the Capital City tomorrow, so I’ve come specifically to bid you farewell."
"Yes, Aunt. Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong have learned quite a bit with me. Tomorrow, you’ll follow him to live in the Capital City," Han Lei held Ms Yang’s hand, smiling sweetly.
Upon hearing this, Ms Yang’s eyes brimmed with tears.
Han Lei treated her illness, saved her life, and yet did not charge her a fee, treating their family as honored guests.
Over these days, listening to the brothers’ praise for Han Lei, Ms Yang not only appreciated Han Lei’s life-saving grace but also grew to like this charming and kind-hearted girl more and more.
Ms Yang was just a village woman, working in the fields for her family’s livelihood, her knowledge limited to the sky above the land.
Hence, she truly admired Han Lei’s generous and straightforward conduct, hoping Yang Xiaomei could learn a bit from Han Lei, doing things she liked just like Han Lei.
Ms Yang reached out and pushed Yang Xiaomei to Han Lei, looking at Han Lei with sincere eyes.
"Miss, thank you for treating and taking care of me these days, and even more for mentoring Haibo and Tong. Now we’re moving to the Capital City with my son, I want to leave my daughter with you as a maidservant, to serve you tea and water. That way you’ll have someone to call on when needed."
Just after Ms Yang finished speaking, Yang Xiaomei knelt on the ground with a thud, bowing her head repeatedly.
"Please, Miss, keep Xiaomei here! Xiaomei can do everything."
Han Lei was startled, "Oh, what are you doing? Get up, get up."
Han Lei quickly reached out to help Yang Xiaomei, initially not understanding Ms Yang’s intention. She thought Ms Yang was just grateful.
"Miss, please keep her!" Tears glistened in Ms Yang’s eyes. "Having Yang Xiaomei by your side will give you someone to command."
"Aunt, I already have two maids, they’re currently in Canzhou," Han Lei said, stretching a bit, continuing to decline, "Besides, you see I’m fully capable myself, really don’t need a maid. And Aunt, your health isn’t good, so you’ll actually need care upon reaching the Capital City."
"This..."
Ms Yang showed a difficult expression.
How should she speak?
She wanted Yang Xiaomei to stay with Han Lei to learn some skills. But it’s said that principles are not lightly taught, and methods not cheaply sold. She was too poor to afford apprenticeship, fearing to ask Han Lei lightly to mentor Yang Xiaomei.
Saving her life without expecting anything in return, and asking to take her daughter as a student would surely make Miss Han think she’s being too greedy.
While Ms Yang was at a loss on how to let Yang Xiaomei apprentice under Han Lei, a brother from the brewery rushed in from outside.
"Miss, Miss, there are two dirty people outside asking to see you."
Dirty people?
Han Lei was perplexed, not knowing who it was, but still instructed the brother to bring them in.
The two dirty people knelt on the ground from afar as soon as they saw Han Lei, bowing their heads continuously, shouting loudly for help.
"Miss Han, save us, Miss Han, save us!"
"We failed to recognize greatness, begging Miss Han to forgive us!"
Both sounded muffled, as if they had a cold with congested noses.
Who are they?
The two before her were disheveled, covered in mud, indeed dirty, almost looking like beggars. Han Lei searched her memory, feeling that she didn’t recognize these two people.
With a look of astonishment, Han Lei slowly walked over and crouched down. Once she saw their faces clearly, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.