Farmer's Wife Has Magic Skills

Shen Ruyue continued reading the names on the list, and one by one, they were announced amidst everyone’s anxious anticipation.

There were a total of fourteen junior managers and four senior managers.

After the selection of the managers, Chu Qingzhi distributed the uniforms to each one. The workers, now holding their uniforms, left for their homes, while the managers stayed behind.

The office area now consisted of six rooms: one for Shen Ruyue’s office, one for Chu Xuhua, one for the senior managers, one for the junior managers, one as a meeting room, and one for storage.

Chu Qingzhi asked everyone to enter the meeting room and take a seat around the table.

The room was arranged like a standard conference room. Once everyone was seated, Chu Qingzhi took the main seat, with Shen Ruyue sitting to her left, and the meeting began.

The main focus of the meeting was to clarify the responsibilities, obligations, rewards, and penalties of the managers, how to manage their subordinates, how to complete tasks efficiently, and how to handle unforeseen incidents.

In short, it was a kind of on-the-job training.

All the managers were literate, which was not unusual for a village near the capital. Many villagers had studied in their youth to prepare for the imperial examinations, but for various reasons, they had ended up working the land instead.

Skills learned are not easily forgotten, only becoming rusty with time. After a bit of refreshing, everyone quickly recalled their forgotten literacy skills.

Chu Qingzhi noted that they were all taking notes, as no one wanted to lose their newly appointed position right after getting it.

However, these people had all been carefully observed by Shen Ruyue for a long time and were outstanding in various aspects, so there wasn’t much to worry about regarding their capabilities.

The meeting lasted for about an hour.

Chu Qingzhi addressed everyone, “We’ll soon be paying out wages. Your first task is to compile a written report of the days worked by everyone under you this month, including any absences, lateness, early departures, or missed days. If you don’t understand something, ask Ruyue.”

“Yes.”

“That’s all for today. You can all go home and have dinner.”

The managers gradually left the meeting room and the factory area. Chu Qingzhi, Shen Ruyue, and Hong Yujun were the last to leave.

Shen Ruyue let out a sigh of relief. “It’ll be much easier for me from now on.” From now on, she would mainly manage the four senior managers, which was much less work compared to before.

Chu Qingzhi said, “Thank you for your hard work up until now.”

Shen Ruyue turned to Chu Qingzhi with a smile, “It was hard work, but I’m also happy. This is much better than my previous life.”

Hong Yujun joked, “Once you have a few more kids, your life will be complete.”

Shen Ruyue gave Hong Yujun a knowing look, “That depends on fate.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Ultimately, life is in your own hands. It’s your abilities that count. Otherwise, even if I had rescued you, it would not mean much.”

Shen Ruyue shook her head. “It’s all thanks to you.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “We’re family. No need for formalities.”

Shen Ruyue replied with a smile, “Still, it needs to be said…”

At the village elder’s house.

In the main room, nine-year-old Chu Yanfeng said admiringly, “Mom, you’re incredible.”

Zhao Qiu was quite proud but remained modest, “It’s nothing much.”

The village elder said happily, “Go and bring a jar of wine out to celebrate.” He was happy that his eldest granddaughter-in-law had brought honor to the family.

The old lady agreed happily. “Okay.”

“Grandma, I’ll go.” Zhao Qiu stopped the old lady and walked into the house.

The village elder had three sons and ten grandsons, eight of whom were married. All eight granddaughters-in-law worked at Chu Qingzhi’s house, though in different roles. However, now only Zhao Qiu had been promoted, causing some discontent among the other seven granddaughters-in-law.

The village elder had always favored the eldest grandson’s family, and with Zhao Qiu bringing honor to the family, it seemed unlikely that the others would have much of a place in the family in the future.

Seeing the village elder celebrating Zhao Qiu with wine only heightened their sense of imbalance.

They were extremely frustrated.

The old lady, following Zhao Qiu to fetch the wine, said with a smile, “Qiu, do well in your new role. The support Chu Qingzhi’s family has given us is significant; make sure you put in your best effort.”

Zhao Qiu earnestly responded, “Grandma, I understand.”

The old lady felt a wave of satisfaction, knowing her eldest granddaughter-in-law was sensible and didn’t need much guidance.

Under the ink-black night sky, studded with stars, a figure in black intercepted a secret letter and delivered it to his master.

“Master, this is a secret letter just sent out by Tang Jinghong.”

Standing by the window, a short, stout man pondered in silence. Hearing this, he extended his hand, and the figure in black respectfully placed the letter in his palm.

The stout man opened the letter, only to be baffled by its contents.

What was this drawing?

The letter was filled with round, flat, and square shapes, drawn cutely but utterly indecipherable.

Realizing he’d been played, the stout man crumpled the letter in anger, his frustration evident in the crunching sound of the paper. “Damn that Tang Jinghong, is he mocking me?”

Meanwhile, Tang Jinghong sat in his study, continuing to write and draw on another secret letter.

Suddenly, a secret guard flew in through the window and kneeled, reporting, “General, the secret letter has been intercepted.”

Tang Jinghong paused, a heavy aura filling the room. “Who intercepted it?”

The secret guard, feeling as if his throat was being constricted, struggled to speak. “It’s unclear who’s behind it, but it’s confirmed to be someone from the eastern border.”

Tang Jinghong’s face darkened, his voice cold as ice. “The people from the eastern border have already been planted around me?”

The secret guard lowered their heads and did not dare to speak. It was his fault that the letter was intercepted.

The room grew quieter, the tension palpable. The guard swallowed hard, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Finally, Tang Jinghong spoke again. “The ink on the letter was specially formulated by me. It has a unique scent. Bring the eagles immediately, track the scent, and capture them.”

The guard nodded, “Yes, General.”

Tang Jinghong continued writing his secret letters in his invented code, which was utterly indecipherable to outsiders.

He wasn’t overly concerned about the letter being intercepted. In fact, he saw it as an opportunity to capture those hiding in the dark. He had been worried that his enemies were too cautious to intercept his letters. Now, everything was unfolding just as he wanted.

Half an hour later, the guard returned. “General, we have captured the person.”

Tang Jinghong stood up and handed a secret letter to another secret guard, asking him to send it. Then, he left with the secret guard who came to report.

In a secluded forest.

The stout man faced Tang Jinghong, his heart pounding with fear.

He was still puzzled about how Tang Jinghong’s men had located his hideout.

Tang Jinghong, exuding an aura of authority, gazed at the stout man and his two subordinates. “Confess, and I’ll grant you a quick end..”