Chapter Sixteen: The Yang Family Shoe Factory

  Time flew by in the conversation between Yang Meng and Cen Yu Ying, Yang Meng had a general idea of his career, and Zhang Pijiang also made a pair of sample shoes that looked good.

  Yang Meng put it on and tried it out, feeling that it was still okay, although the appearance was a bit ugly, but wearing it was still relatively comfortable.

  "Zhang the leather artisan, how much money can you and the copper artisan make in a month?"

  Since Zhang Pijiang and his men have skills, why not make use of them? Opening a shoe factory is also a good idea. With such military boots made, there's no need to worry about sales channels, and it's a good way to earn some extra pocket money.

  "It's hard to say, when there's a lot of work, I can earn three to five taels in a month. When there's not much work, I can still make enough for half a month's worth of food for my family. Sometimes even the copper workers are not as good off as me, and there are many people doing this kind of work in Kunming City."

  Old Master Yang was delighted, and Zhang the leather craftsman also relaxed a bit, answering Yang Meng's questions in a low voice.

  "Follow me and work, I'll give you five taels a month, are you willing?"

  Whether this shoe factory is open or not, it doesn't matter to Yang Meng. His focus is on his own profession, and opening this shoe factory is just to make himself more comfortable.

  Yang Meng thought it was good, but Zhang the leather artisan was somewhat unwilling. The notorious name of Yang's third grandfather was too frightening, and following him would not guarantee that he wouldn't be beaten to death one day. However, five taels of silver per month was also a great temptation, and Zhang the leather artisan was indecisive.

  "Working for Yang's family in Kunming, don't you want to either?"

  I didn't expect that I couldn't even spend money in Kunming, nobody dared to take my money, this is not a good thing, just in time to use the opening of the shoe factory to clear my notorious reputation in Kunming.

  "I'd work for Master Yang even if I weren't paid!"

  This leather worker is a bit infuriating, what kind of thing doesn't give money and still does it, his own reputation is so stinky?

  Zhang Piniang didn't have any tricks up his sleeve either. Yang Foye was a big shot in Kunming, and his family did big business, so how could he be stingy with himself? Following Yang Foye, even the ordinary thugs of Kunming wouldn't dare to mess with him, and the silver he earned would all be his own.

  "Money will not be a problem, gather a few more leather workers and coppersmiths, one or two is not too few, ten or eight is not too many, once you have assembled the people, go to Yang's Martial Arts Hall to find Old Ding, he will arrange for you."

  Ding Baojun, who was also present, nodded in agreement. Although Zhang Pilei was intimidating, the Yang family's Master Ding was a man of his word and a prominent figure in Kunming. With such a great benefit, Zhang Pilei couldn't help but smile with joy.

  "Don't be happy yet, make San Ye's shoes a bit better. When you go to the Yang family martial arts hall, bring them to San Ye. If they're not done well, don't think about anything good happening."

  Yang Meng hired a group of leather workers and coppersmiths for five taels per month, which made Ding Baozhen feel somewhat taken advantage of. However, since this was the first time Master Yang was doing something proper, he decided to just take the loss!

  "Ying, you record the process of making shoes, hand over the technical work to these masters, and hire some apprentice workers to do the rough work. This way, the speed of making shoes will also be faster."

  Cen Yu Ying, the bookkeeper of Yi Liang, temporarily became Yang Meng's steward. Whether this little brat should be killed or not would have to wait until after seeing the old bookkeeper of Yi Liang; only then could Yang Meng make a decision. Being overly suspicious wasn't a good thing either.

  If Qian Yu Ying really wanted to follow him, it would be a pity to kill him with one knife. The most important thing is that he doesn't have much foundation now, and as a native, Qian Yu Ying still has some use, but if he wants to kill him, he should wait until he has squeezed out all his usefulness.

  As for Yang Meng's orders, Cen Yu'e didn't have much of a reaction. A pair of strange boots, and this Third Master could whip them up in just a few words. This was somewhat at odds with the reputation of the Stupid Overlord.

  Cen Yu Ying also heard about Yang Meng's enlightenment, and he wanted to see what made this enlightened person so formidable. Although following Yang Meng had delayed his own examination this year, Cen Yu Ying thought that relying on the powerful Yang family was definitely a shortcut.

  Yang Meng thought for a moment in the yard, shoe factories also need tailors, so he simply recruited several of the best tailors in Kunming City and brought them into the shoe factory together, so that he didn't have to bother himself.

  Everyone is ready, let Old Ding handle the raw materials, next is to choose a factory location. This site selection is a big deal, and the purpose of building this shoe factory is also to cover up one's own drug laboratory. Wu Village is not a good place at all. As for where to build it, Yang Meng needs to go and inspect personally.

  "Uncle Ding, first arrange for these people to stay in Wu Village. If they don't want to live in Wu Village, they can stay at home. Give them two months' wages as a settlement fee. Once the shoe factory is built, they must report to work on time."

  Yang Meng's words confused Ding Baojun, who was talking about the shoe factory and going to work, but he didn't understand what "San Ye" meant in his own family.

  "Third Master, are you going to make them work?"

  Two months' wages are not a small sum for these workers. Taking money without working is unacceptable wherever they go.

  "No need to work hard, having money while idle is also good. Do you know anyone familiar with the terrain of Kunming? Find them for me, it's useful!"

  The location of the drug den must be secretive and conducive to defense, it will definitely take a lot of time to find flowers on your own, if you can find someone familiar with Kunming's geography, then this problem is much simpler.

  "This is easy, let the county government's clerk come and help, as for Kunming's geography, there is no one more familiar with it than them."

  Ding Baojun thought this was no big deal and that finding a few bookkeepers would easily resolve the matter.

  "Those who can't be found by the authorities are best among our own kind. I'm going to set up a secret shoe factory."

  As soon as he heard this, Yang Meng's head got big, and he found a place for his own drug factory with the imperial court. Isn't this looking for trouble? The matter of making drugs with opium can't be known to the old master at home, and his own team can't be used in a big way. It's easy to talk about things, but it's hard to do!

  "Third Master, in Kunming there is an idle old clerk who used to serve under the former Governor Wu Qijun. At that time, Governor Wu was compiling the 'Brief Atlas of Yunnan Mines' and traveled to many places in Yunnan. This old clerk made great contributions to it, this person should be usable."

  What's with this kid Cen Yu Ying, can't seem to part ways with Old Book Officer? With one on the left and one on the right, what they say is actually quite useful, but what does this kid really want to do?

  "Yu Ying! How did you end up offending this old official? Didn't you come to Yunnan to study?"

  This question really needs to be clarified, otherwise it's hard to determine Qian Yu Ying's purpose.

  "Students study to become officials, wanting to be good Qing dynasty officials. Having poetry and books at hand is only one aspect, the most important thing is still the means of governance. The old bookkeepers in various places are the best teachers. When students have free time, they usually spend it with these old bookkeepers."

  There was no need to hide these things, so Shen Yueting answered truthfully.

  "Not bad! Yu Ying, you're not bad. What's this old bookworm's surname and given name? What's his family background like? Is he usable?"

  If it's really like what Cen Yu'ying said, then this kid is somewhat useful after all. It seems that what he said was mostly true. If it's really like that, then this kid can't be killed easily.

  "This old bookkeeper's name is Jiang Shuxian, who has not been very successful. He is over 50 years old this year, and his family situation is not good. They barely make ends meet by relying on the dozens of mu of thin land at home. If Third Master's price is suitable, there should be no problem with Jiang Shuxian."

  Xie Yunying not only learned from these old officials, but also understood their family backgrounds clearly. If he becomes an official in Yunnan Province in the future, this kid will be unstoppable!

  "Uncle Ding, give me 500 silver dollars! Yu Ying, these silver dollars are for you, do whatever you want with them, this 500 silver dollars is at your disposal, spend more or less and the remaining amount is yours. All I need is one thing: Jiang Shu has worked hard for the Yang family all his life, of course, this is just a deposit, and I will pay his salary later."

  Yang Meng's words had come out, and Cen Yu Ying was also somewhat puzzled. Five hundred silver dollars to let Jiang Shu sell his life first, wasn't it a bit too little?

  "Third Master, what does 'salary' mean? The student doesn't quite understand."

  "How much money is it for a month? What's your pricing method?"

  "Salary!"

  Xia Xiurong finally understood that the 500 silver coins were just her own expenses to invite Jiang Shuxian out of the mountain, and the monthly salary would still be paid by the Yang family. In that case, the 500 silver coins were basically hers.

  "His monthly salary will be paid by the Yang family from now on, and so will yours. You can set your own price, as long as it's not outrageous."

  The Yang family's income is unclear to Yang Meng, but his father Yang Shiqin donates tens of millions of silver coins every year. Their income must be several times or even dozens of times that amount, so money shouldn't be a problem for the Yangs.

  "That student will go and settle it now! Third Master, rest assured, this matter is 90% certain."

  With Yang Meng's promise, Cen Yu'e also gained momentum. As long as she can mix with the Yang family for a few years, her future foundation for being an official will be established. Whether or not the Yang family supports her, it won't be a big problem.

  Zou le Cen Yu Ying, Ding Bao Jun que an nai bu zhu le, xing Cen de zhe ge xiao zi, hen you xin ji, bu shi shen me liang shan wan yi, zi ji hai yao quan yi ci san ye de, zhe yang de wan yi duo shi bai yan lang, bu de bu fang a!

  "Third Master, this Xun Yuqing is too cunning and has a sharp tongue. He's not someone to be trusted with important tasks. It's better not to use him if possible, lest he betray his lord in the future!"

  Lao Ding's worries are not unfounded, and it is true that Xun Yu Ying is a good tool. In just two days, he can make himself useful again, which is no small feat. However, the more capable someone is, the harder they are to control, and Yang Meng also understands this very well.

  "No harm done! This little guy still has some oil left in him. Once he's squeezed dry, if he doesn't work out, it won't be too late to kill him."

  After hearing Yang Meng's words, Ding Baojun also felt at ease, this master's approach is indeed good.

  The shoes have taken shape, the choice of factory location has also become clear, and staying in Kunming City is meaningless. The whole city of Kunming seems to be unwelcoming, Yang Meng doesn't want to stay any longer either. Moreover, his injury at the back of his head hasn't healed yet. It's better to return to Wu Zhuang first and think about the poison production workshop again.

  The three who went out for a stroll have also returned. They left and came back in the same way, with a full bag of silver coins, not spending even half of it.

  "Weren't you guys supposed to go shopping? Not a single cent was spent, what did you buy? Take it out and let me see."

  What kind of people are these? They won't spend money even if you give it to them, it's really frustrating.

  "Third Master, Miss Tang doesn't have anything she wants to buy, and neither do we siblings. We just took a walk around and will be heading back."

  "Useless thing, you'll do whatever I tell you to do, won't even spend a penny, and still dare to kill someone, come back with me to Wu Manor!"

  His own team, Ma Qinghu is too honest, and Cen Yueting is too agile. If they can strike a balance, things will be perfect.

  If you don't want to buy something, then just don't! Your own affairs are already taking shape, your own career is the foundation of everything. Going back to prepare for building a factory is the most important thing.