Chapter 529: Epoch (1)

Although there was no grand publicity and Yan Liqiang did not purposely make a big scene, the official grand opening of the Great Han Empire’s first woolen mill still created a huge stir in Pingxi Prefecture. Perhaps it shouldn’t be referred to as a stir but a spark or an eruption instead.

On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, around sixty-four wheeled cargo carriages manufactured by the manufacturing bureau in Huanglong County arrived at the Yan Fortress like a long snake. They were transporting the first batch of spinning frames, looms, and tools for cleaning sheep wool. Since then, more spinning frames, looms, and the like were delivered to the Yan Fortress from the manufacturing bureau over the next two days and stored inside the workshops.

By this time, everything was ready. Yan Liqiang no longer made the manufacturing bureau or Yan Fortress deliberately keep any secrets. Countless people saw the entire process, starting from the carriages coming out from the manufacturing bureau until they unloaded the goods in the Yan Fortress.

Due to the massive commotion caused by the Yan and Lu Clans purchasing wool, countless sharp-witted individuals in Pingxi Prefecture were already keeping an eye on the activities within the manufacturing bureau and Yan Fortress. By nighttime on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, most of those people were already aware of the large number of strange tools and devices produced by the manufacturing bureau being delivered to the Yan Fortress.

On the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, news of the Yan Clan recruiting spinners from the Yan Fortress and Qinghe County once again caused a stir — it was not unusual for influential clans or workshops to recruit spinners, however, there were two factors that were shocking to others. Firstly, Yan Fortress was recruiting 680 female spinners between sixteen to fifty years of age. Women from Qinghe County who could spin and weave at home were welcome to try. It was notable that up until today, even the largest weaving workshop in Pingxi Prefecture had only less than a hundred spinners. If the Yan Clan was recruiting nearly seven hundred spinners, then just how big was the workshop they intended to run?

The more puzzling thing was, there wasn’t a lot of cotton or ramies growing in Qinghe County. Not only that, but the Yan Clan was also never involved in any textile business. So then, why did the Yan Clan suddenly spend such a large fortune on it this time?

Aside from that, the privileges that the Yan Clan provided to the spinners were jaw-dropping. The recruited spinners were guaranteed four taels of silver as monthly wage. The amount was considered to be an extremely high wage in all of Pingxi Prefecture. It was worth noting that in other workshops, even a highly-skilled spinner was only paid less than two taels of silver per month. Hence, it was considered quite good for an ordinary spinner to be getting even two taels of silver per month.

There were never many opportunities for women to make a living in this world. A law enforcer in Qinghe County’s Law Enforcement Office was paid less than three taels of silver a month, and it was enough to feed a family. Hence, this was definitely the first legal job that could offer four taels of silver a month to women. If such news didn’t come from the renowned Yan Clan of Yan Fortress, anyone who heard the news would have thought someone was making a joke.

Yet, it wasn’t a joke. In the early morning on the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, a few stewards and aunties from the Yan Clan set up a stall in a plaza within the Yan Fortress to start recruiting spinners. The job requirements and privileges offered were clearly written down and posted up — a monthly wage of four taels of silver, lunch provided, and workers would be given a day off every seven days.

Aside from that, more than ten spinning frames and looms lined the plaza along with piles of wool. Those who wished to apply for the job were required to publicly demonstrate their abilities by doing the entire process from wool cleaning to weaving.

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Those who were qualified would be hired on the spot and be paid starting tomorrow.

The entire weaving process was definitely a head scratcher for most men. Yet for many women, especially those who lived in rural areas, crafts like weaving fabric were something they grew up with since the men farmed while the women weaved. Many households had a spinning frame and loom, and many knew the craft.

In the beginning, many girls were too shy to come forward because the plaza was too crowded. They merely stood at the side and watched, as the crowd chattered noisily. Demonstrating one’s abilities in a noisy situation like this was no different than putting on a stage performance. It was a challenge for many women.

Steward Zhou, who was in charge of this recruitment, felt anxious by the turn of events. Young Lord Yan had assigned this task to him. The Yan Clan was very different from before, and there were more and more people relying on the Yan Clan to put food on their tables. Many guards and stewards working under him were slowly starting to stand out. As a head steward, if he couldn’t even perform a task well, how was he going to continue serving the Yan Clan? What would Young Lord Yan think of him?

“Everyone, the Yan Clan is now recruiting spinners. We have clearly listed the benefits you will receive upon being employed! With Old Master Yan and Young Lord Yan’s reputation, we assure you that this is not a scam. I shall now read the benefits out aloud for the illiterates — We are hiring ladies who are obedient and skilled with their hands, regardless of their family backgrounds. You will receive at least four taels of silver a month, and lunch will be provided every day. Those who perform well will be promoted and will receive salary adjustments! We are talking about four taels of dazzling silver here! You won’t be able to find another job as good as this in the world outside of the Yan Fortress!”

Steward Zhou’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he continued shouting into a large metal horn, “We are only hiring a limited number of spinners this time. We won’t be taking any more in once the spots are all filled up! First come first serve! If you miss out on the chance, you may regret it for life! To all the married men here, ask your wives and daughters to come and try it out too! They may just earn more than you can now in the future…!”

After Steward Zhou was done speaking, a slightly chubby woman in her thirties wearing a long red dress finally squeezed her way through the packed crowd. “Steward Zhou, is this for real? I heard the news yesterday about them offering four taels of silver a month! Let me warn you now that I’ve met Old Master and Young Lord Yan when I went to the Yan Residence to help in their kitchen before. If you dare to talk nonsense here, I will complain about you to Young Lord Yan!”

It took Steward Zhou only a single glance to recognize her as Wang Laoshi’s wife. Although Wang Laoshi was a humble man, his wife was a feisty woman. She was a capable housekeeper, and was also rumored to be a very skilled weaver and embroideress. Wang Laoshi’s two daughters were always beautifully dressed thanks to his wife’s skillful hands.

“You will know if I’m telling the truth by the time you receive your money!” Steward Zhou replied.

“Fine! I’ll give it a try! It’s just weaving in public, I can even do it with my eyes closed! It’s nothing to be ashamed of…!” Wang Laoshi’s wife came over and proceeded to swiftly clean the wool, showing everyone her skills.

Needless to say, Wang Laoshi’s wife immediately became the first successful candidate with her excellent skills.

With a role model, the older and young ladies who were gathered around the plaza no longer felt nervous. Many started coming out from the crowd to show their skills and try their luck.

At a time like this, those who dared to come up were naturally the capable ones. After a few people were hired in succession, the plaza grew lively. More and more women came to try it out. By afternoon, women from other villages who wanted to give it a try managed to rush their way over and line up at the plaza.