Chapter 124: Institute Meeting Vote

Zhuzi brother, the family money hasn't been overspent again this month.

During this period, she bought novels and spent a bit too much.

Although she earns money selling matchboxes, that income is limited, and she still has to support the family.

So she can only spend He Yuzhu's money.

He Yuzhu truly doesn't mind spending money on his wife.

Isn't all the family money with you?

If it's not enough, just take it.

Liu Shumin frowned and said.

That won't do; that's our family's foundation.

Think about it, where else can we earn some money?

He Yuzhu thought for a moment: 'Otherwise, tonight I'll learn from Yang Qing to catch cicada monkeys.'

Liu Shumin shook her head.

You still have to work; that won't do. Afterwards she thought of something.

Didn't you say Yang Qing often goes to your place to fill in for shifts?

What about me also filling in for shifts?

He Yuzhu shook his head.

That won't do; what do you think Yang Qing goes there to do?

Hard and heavy work are all his, and he also has to help in the kitchen.

He does two or three times the work of others, but only gets the shift-substitute wage.

That shift-substitute work is just an apprentice job, paying fifteen a month; if you work a day to exhaustion, you only earn five mao.

Besides the noon meal, he gets nothing else.

Those lunch boxes I bring back already cover his day's wage.

He can't bear to let his wife do that work, and Liu Shumin also can't do it.

Liu Shumin's eyes shifted, and she thought of another method.

I've heard that when people take on apprentices, the apprentices give monthly tribute; otherwise, why don't you take on a few apprentices?

He Yuzhu replied impatiently.

Are you stupid?

Don't you know that teaching apprentices can starve the master?

Moreover, jobs are now lifetime positions.

If I teach them, I won't even be able to keep my position as group leader, bring lunch boxes, or occasionally enjoy the improved side dishes.

Liu Shumin gave him a white-eye look.

Just not teaching would be fine.

He Yuzhu also gave her a white-eye look.

You, a proper married woman, what do you know?

In any trade, you must follow its rules; after taking on apprentices, you can command them for three years, but after three years you must teach them something; once they've completed their training, they can work for you for three years, after which you may no longer suppress the apprentices.

If you don't teach, others will stab you in the back.

Liu Shumin didn't know this trade had so many rules.

Then you won't take on apprentices?

He Yuzhu shook his head.

Not taking them won't work; without them you can't hold down the cafeteria.

Apprentices are our own people, our eyes and ears, and sometimes our enforcers.

If you don't take on apprentices, you alone are easily sidelined.

So, will you take on apprentices or not?

He Yuzhu said seriously.

Take them, but not now; I'm still in my prime and can still suppress others.

When the situation becomes unstable or I'm around forty, I'll start taking them.

First observe Ma Hua the fatty for a few years, then take them when ready.

That way: command for three years, teach for five, and they'll serve for three, totaling eleven years.

By then I'll be over fifty, with no chance of further promotion, and soon to retire.

Then there won't be so many taboos.

Moreover, at that time my secret skills will still be in my hands; they'll still have to respect me, and even if they surpass me, they'll have to watch my expression.

If everything goes smoothly, after I retire I'll teach them some secret skills.

But the secret manual cannot be taught; only when my children don't want to learn my craft, and I'm about to die, will I pass on the secret manual for the sake of inheritance.

He Yuzhu spoke seriously, and Liu Shumin listened seriously; she never expected a cook to have so many particulars.

How could she know that among those who inherit, only a few are simple; this is wisdom passed down for thousands of years.

It's not comparable to the little she learned from books.

Although she still looks down on He Yuzhu a bit, after hearing this she has changed her view somewhat.

Before this wisdom of inheritance, He Yuzhu indeed appears much taller.

But why can't this guy just study properly?

A cook without knowledge is still just a fireman.

She bit her lip.

"This won't work, that won't work—are we just going to sit and eat away our savings?"

"No, I'll go follow Yang Qing to earn money."

"He runs out to the suburbs every day; I heard what he's doing there is quite good at Earning Money."

He Yuzhu didn't even think about it and refused.

He had long noticed that, ever since Yang Qing grew up, the young daughters-in-law of this big courtyard all like to flock to him.

Just a pretty boy—what's there to be smug about?

"No, a man and a woman alone—do we still want our reputation?"

"You've certainly heard the rumors about Lou Xiao'e and Qin Huairu."

"We can't afford to lose that person."

Qin sister, I once valued you so highly, never expecting you to be such a person.

Thinking of this, he wanted to go beat Yang Qing up.

DuangDuangDuang…………

"The meeting has started……"

Someone's loud voice shattered the peace of every household.

One after another, people slowly came to the central courtyard.

By now, the central courtyard was no longer the spacious yard that could hold a hundred people and still feel loose.

All kinds of junk were piled up.

In front of He Yuzhu's door was a heap of garbage left over from his repairing the stove, which he hadn't had time to do the Household Chores.

Elsewhere, various containers were piled up, used for growing vegetables.

Same old, Liu Hai Zhong went duang, duang, tapping the tea jar.

"Quiet."

"Today's matter, I believe everyone has heard about it."

"The matter, although Director Wang has already decided on it, but, after all, we are democratic."

"We still need to solicit everyone's opinions."

"Eldest Uncle, you're right, aren't you?"

Yi Zhonghai smiled, looking upright and reliable.

"Er Da Ye is right; regarding the Jiedao's decision, we should also listen to everyone's opinions."

"San Da Ye can't sit on the fence anymore; ever since Chen Hong became a Jiedao official, he can only support Chen Hong, with no other option."

"San Da Ye can be replaced at will, but Jiedao officials are forever Jiedao officials."

"This matter fully demonstrates our fine tradition of self-reliance and hard struggle."

"It's only good for us, with no downsides."

"So? I think, since it's something the Jiedao has already decided, we don't need to complicate things."

"I firmly support the Jiedao's decision."

"San Da Ye's sudden betrayal was somewhat beyond Yi Zhonghai's expectation; clearly they had just agreed, but thinking about Chen Hong's status, he can also understand it."

"Then let's vote: those in favor raise their hands, those against don't need to."

"He played a little trick; many people actually lack their own judgment, so they often just follow the crowd."

"Meanwhile, raising one's hand is actually a pressured choice."

"For example, raising hands now would offend the First Uncle and Er Da Ye."

"They would then hesitate; the more they hesitate, those lacking judgment will be even less likely to raise their hands."

"But Yi Zhonghai made another mistake: women are more sensitive about food."

"In these times, getting a bite to eat is no easy feat, yet you're still fussing around here."

"I agree—if we don't grow vegetables, who will support the old lady?"

"Exactly, a bunch of idiots, still hesitating over such a good thing."

"Exactly, exactly……"

"A group of women first raised their hands, regardless of what the First Uncle is, what happened to the First Uncle, my husband fears you, but the old lady doesn't fear you."

"Anger the old lady, and she'll scratch your face."