Zhao Baihui and the four maids sat gathered around the table.
"The meeting is called to order! The second family assembly is now in session!"
The maids immediately began to clap. The master had said so himself — meetings must be solemn and dignified, conducted with a proper sense of ceremony.
"First item on the agenda: I am founding a village. From now on, this place will no longer be called Zhao Family Estate — it shall be renamed Peach Garden Village. Any objections?"
"None whatsoever."
"Not from me either."
"Whatever makes the master happy."
Zhao Baihui was at a loss. Come on, ladies — could you at least show a little engagement? You could at least ask why we're calling it Peach Garden Village when we don't have a single peach tree. That's all I needed.
He had been all ready to show off, reciting the *Peach Blossom Spring* by heart and then musing on how this place was a hidden paradise nestled within the bustling world.
But they hadn't given him the chance.
They were strangling his joy in its cradle.
"Fine. First item passes."
"Second item: now that we have a proper village, we need a village head. I nominate Jinyi for the position."
"Since the master has nominated her, I nominate the eldest sister as well."
"Master, you should be the village head yourself. What would it look like with me in charge?"
"I'm just a salted fish lying flat — I'm not cut out for it. Besides, you've been doing a remarkable job lately, far better than I ever could. So from here on out, I'll be taking my orders from you. That's settled, no more discussion."
"Eldest sister, you're the village head now? An official? It feels like a dream."
"It does to me too…"
Jinyi gave a slow nod. "I never imagined it either."
"Right, on to the third item. Now that we've established a village, we need the appropriate administrative bodies — starting with a village committee office, where you will all report for work each day."
"You are all village heads now. Jinyi is the head village head, and you three are deputy heads."
"Wow! We're officials too? Master, is a deputy village head an official? What rank does it hold?"
"Don't interrupt me! Village heads have no imperial rank! You're all officials, and you'll need to recruit some clerks to handle errands and run about."
"The village will also need several functional departments: household registration, public order…"
"Actually, let's take it one step at a time. The three most urgent things right now are the village committee office, the security post, and the bank!"
…
At the entrance to Peach Garden Village — the mouth of the ravine — a group of people were piling earth and stones into a mound.
"Heave-ho — one, two, three, lift!"
More than a dozen men together hoisted a great stone slab the height of a man upright. On the smooth face turned outward toward the world, three characters were carved: *Peach Garden Village*.
At the same time, the village committee office was completed — situated at the far end of the commercial street, beside a small lake, with the Zhao family estate visible on the opposite shore.
The village committee office opened with little fanfare. A signboard was hung, and a notice board was erected beside the entrance.
Next to it stood the newly built village security post.
At the corner of the compound's entrance was a small gatehouse, with windows on two sides — allowing one to see outside and also letting visitors come up under the eaves to conduct their business.
Jinxiu's elder brother, Sun Dazhu, sat in the gatehouse now, eyes sharp and watchful, scanning his surroundings — even though there was not a soul in sight.
It couldn't be helped. He had just taken up the post and was eager to make a good impression.
The security post had just been established, with three team leaders appointed: the fathers of Jinxiu, Jinwen, and Jinyuan respectively.
Sun Dazhu, fourteen years old, had used his family connections to join the security post as a proud and official patrol member.
The security team numbered about a dozen for the time being — aside from a handful of half-grown boys, the rest were elderly grandmothers and aunties, or people with disabilities who were still mobile enough to get around.
Beyond maintaining the peace and cleanliness of Peach Garden Village, they were also responsible for guarding the village committee compound and the bank.
The village committee compound was much like the Zhao family estate. In the main hall of the central courtyard, a conference room was hosting its first official meeting.
In attendance were the four maids, along with several of their family members, and just two outsiders: Wang Changjiang, head of the construction team, and Steward Fang, the proprietor who had been poached from the wine shop in town.
Jinyi sat at the head of the table with composed formality, consulting the notebook in her hands.
"Let us assign everyone's responsibilities."
"Jinxiu, you will oversee financial affairs. The commercial street will fall under your management going forward — focus on attracting businesses and getting the street lively as quickly as possible."
"Handle the bank according to the plan the master provided. There's no need to rush; proceed in an orderly fashion."
"The estate's enterprises also need looking after, including the Celestial Brew and the distillery — don't neglect them. Steward Fang will be there to help, but there is no shortage of work, and it is varied. If it becomes too much, bring on a few people — train them on the job."
"Understood, eldest sister."
"In the village committee, you will address me as Village Head."
"Understood, Village Head."
"Jinwen, you will oversee the village's construction work. For planning matters, consult the master; for construction matters, coordinate closely with Steward Wang. Steward Wang, I'm afraid we'll have to ask much of you."
"Understood, Village Head."
"Not at all, not at all — I'm far more at ease now than I used to be."
"Jinyuan, you will take charge of the village's public order and security. Report any problems promptly and don't let anything slip through the cracks."
Jinyuan was the youngest, so this post — the one with the most direct contact with people — would give her good practice.
Besides, the village population was still small, so there was unlikely to be anything serious or alarming. The work would be manageable.
And there were the older family members around to lend a hand.
"Last of all, wages."
"Most of the security team members are casual staff. The work is not demanding, so their daily pay will be provisionally set at five wen."
Five wen a day was enough to keep a person fed — particularly for these casual workers, most of whom were elderly and did not eat very much.
"Someone like Sun Dazhu, as a full member of staff, will receive a provisional daily wage of ten wen."
Within the village's current pay structure, ordinary workers doing the heaviest labor earned no more than ten wen a day.
"The three team leaders — the uncles — will be placed on Grade Three wages, provisionally set at fifteen wen."
Sun, Wang, and Li all broke into delighted expressions. Another raise! Wonderful!
"Steward Wang and Steward Fang will also be placed at this grade — fifteen wen a day."
These two received the news with calm composure.
When Steward Wang had handed the construction team over to Zhao Baihui, he had already received ten taels of silver as compensation.
Steward Fang's former earnings had been roughly the same; to persuade him to make the move, Jinwen had also given him ten taels up front.
"As village head, I will draw Grade Five wages — twenty-four wen. Jinxiu and the other two will draw Grade Four wages at nineteen wen."
Jinwen and the others had long since lost any strong feeling about their wages. After all, their food and lodging were all provided by the master. There was nothing of note on the commercial street, and nowhere in particular to spend money.
"This wage structure was set by the master himself. Any objections?"
"If there are none, let us go ahead and distribute everyone's pay for the past ten days. Jinxiu, if you please."
Jinxiu nodded, rose from her seat, and drew a small pouch from the folds of her robe. From it she produced a sheaf of papers, counted out several sheets, placed them before Jinyi, and then proceeded around the table one by one.
The moment Steward Fang caught sight of the paper Jinxiu was holding, his expression shifted. He called out in alarm:
"Treasure notes?"