Yang Ming was not old and was highly malleable. Bai Sheng planned to cultivate him in the area of planting and also recruit some long-term laborers to train a group of outstanding planters, such as Xiao Shibao and Xiao Goudan from Hongliu Village, Deng Sanwa, and Qian Chengchou, as well as Wang Xiaoma, Wang Zhugan, and Wang Guizi from Caomiao Village.
Through observation during the well-digging period, these children exhibited good character. Bai Sheng intended to employ them long-term. Moreover, with her pregnancy, she couldn't personally handle many tasks and needed to train a trustworthy group of people.
Lu Hua would continue to serve as the teacher, responsible for educating the people of Hongshupo in reading and writing.
Lu Yun would remain the "General of Manure," leading his subordinates in their continued efforts for the rice cultivation business of Hongshupo.
Households who lived and ate at home would receive a monthly salary of 200 wen, while recruited long-term laborers would earn 400 wen per month.
Since the people of Hongshupo were essentially household servants, their master could technically forgo paying them salaries. However, the eldest madam still provided them with 200 wen monthly, which filled them with both surprise and gratitude.
Finally, Du Min sternly addressed everyone, stating, "I hope everyone will be diligent in their duties, perform their jobs well, and love Hongshupo as if it were their own home. As long as you all work hard, the master and madam will not mistreat you. However, anyone found slacking off or with malicious intent will be immediately expelled from Hongshupo."
Everyone present pledged their loyalty, vowing not to betray the master and madam, even invoking divine retribution if they did.
Given such a good life, provided by the master and madam, would they really be so foolish as to anger them?
After Du Min finished arranging matters, people were still reluctant to leave. They gathered, enjoying pastries and chatting, creating a joyful atmosphere.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye quietly invited Grandma Wu into the house and closed the door.
Bai Sheng giggled and extended her hand to Grandma Wu, saying, "Master, please feel my pulse."
Grandma Wu looked at the smile on Bai Sheng's face and then at Lu Ye's expectant expression, instantly understanding what her disciple wanted her to check.
"Not bad, my disciples. So soon?" she chuckled, placing her hand on Bai Sheng's pulse. Her eyes then narrowed slightly, gazing in a particular direction.
Lu Ye sat on the side, anxiously watching Grandma Wu's mouth.
The smile on Grandma Wu's face never wavered. As time passed, her smile deepened. After withdrawing her hand, she announced, "Sheng'er is indeed pregnant, with quadruplets."
Lu Ye clenched his fists, stamped his feet, and uncontrollably let out a joyous "Aaaah!"
Bai Sheng supported her forehead, thinking that her man was sometimes like a simpleton. Although he was handsome, it didn't prevent him from being a bit goofy.
Those outside, hearing the master's strange cries, involuntarily stopped their chatter and stared blankly in the direction of the door.
Just as they were about to knock and inquire about what was happening inside, the master suddenly rushed out, shouting to everyone with a laugh, "I'm going to be a father! The father of four children!"
Becoming a father? Four children? These two bombshells instantly sent Hongshupo into a frenzy.
Everyone cheered and jumped. Their Hongshupo suddenly had four little masters. The master and madam were both formidable individuals, and their four little masters were surely destined for greatness. Their Hongshupo would undoubtedly become even more prosperous.
Yang Shi was both happy and envious. She also wished for a few children. In the past, as refugees, they suffered from daily hunger and thirst, lacked water for bathing, and their bodies were not only unclean but also severely depleted.
Now, with sufficient food and drink, access to bathing, and diligent personal hygiene, coupled with the help of the madam and Grandma Wu in improving her health, she believed she would also conceive soon.
Hu Dan Yu, seeing his wife's expression, knew what she was thinking. He was now well-fed and had more strength. From now on, he would work even harder to ensure his wife conceived as soon as possible.
Liu Shi also had some thoughts. She felt she didn't have much desire for a man but greatly wanted a child. Her child had died during the famine. If she could have another one in the future, she felt her life would be complete.
Should she also seek the help of the madam and Grandma Wu to regulate her body?
However, having a child required a man's cooperation. She looked around. The single men were Zhao Dazhuang, Huang Gousheng, Ma San, and Yang Ming.
Huang Gousheng and Yang Ming were too young and unsuitable for her. Zhao Dazhuang had Tie Zhu and his mother. She liked Tie Zhu and Grandma Zhong very much but wouldn't be able to manage the mother-in-law relationship. Only Ma San and she herself were the most suitable.
Ma San was an old bachelor. She had been married and had a child. She wondered if he would mind.
However, she had a dignified appearance, while Ma San was rather unattractive. She didn't need him to be responsible; she just needed him to help her conceive.
She wasn't afraid of gossip, as she hadn't done anything wicked. Having lived through so much, the chatter of others meant nothing to her. She wanted to live well. Furthermore, the master and madam were very open-minded people and would surely support her.
Liu Shi looked at Ma San, her idea becoming increasingly appealing.
For some reason, Ma San felt a slight itch on his face, as if something were gently tickling him.
He looked around and immediately caught Liu Shi's gaze. After being discovered, Liu Shi even smiled at him, a smile that was different from usual.
Ma San couldn't explain why, but it felt... different. He scratched his head, unable to comprehend it.
Lu Hua's heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten candy. Her sister-in-law was finally pregnant, and with quadruplets! Their family would soon have four intelligent and adorable little bundles of joy. Moreover, she would be promoted to aunt!
The thought of four little babies vying to call her "aunt" warmed her heart, making her feel as if she might melt.
Lu Yun also eagerly anticipated the future. Before long, he would have four more little soldiers, and these four soldiers would call him "Uncle" and obey his commands completely.
Lu Yu deliberated for a while in his heart but ultimately decided that he should save the delicious food for his four nephews (and nieces). After all, he was an uncle now and shouldn't compete with the younger generation for food.
For several consecutive days, Lu Ye was in a state of ecstatic delirium.
He smiled while walking, eating, sleeping, and even while spacing out. That signature smile seemed fixed on his face, impossible to erase.
Among the road workers were some young girls who blushed when they saw him smiling.
They were surprised that the master, the employer, was smiling at them. This handsome employer, whose smile alone made life feel worthwhile, was actually smiling at them.
The older women nearby understood the situation and immediately admonished their daughters in low voices.
"Stop having foolish fantasies. The master is going to be a father, which is why he can't stop smiling. He would smile like this even at a sow."
"To keep your jobs, work diligently and honestly. Don't let your minds wander, because the people of Hongshupo say that this household is managed by the mistress, and the master is extremely obedient to her. If you anger the madam, you'll lose your jobs, and your families will have to beg for scraps."