Chapter 470: Chapter 357: ’Eight-Nine Sun’ Children’s Clothing Workshop (2)

"Is it starting?" Lira asked, momentarily stunned.

"Why do you think the Count sent me packing to Yangjiao Town?" Yu Le said with a small smile.

"Wasn’t it to take his anger out on you? To banish you?"

"Then you underestimate these old nobles. There’s an element of that, of course," Uncle Yu Le tapped the documents on the table, "but more importantly, he needs someone he can trust to watch his back. Black Lion City has a garrison. Yangjiao Town, on the other hand, borders the Nightmare Forest. Strange things are much more likely to happen here."

"So, that’s why the taxes were raised?" Lira glanced at the documents on the table.

"Alas," Yu Le sighed at the young woman’s words. He and her father had both clawed their way up from nothing; they’d met long ago when they were both Adventurers. He knew firsthand how difficult life was for the common folk. "The taxes really are excessive. They’ve been raised several times now, and I know many people are full of resentment."

Seeing her uncle’s worried expression, Lira pursed her lips. A thought suddenly occurred to her. "I heard that even with taxes this high, someone’s opened a new workshop."

"The ’Eight-Nine Sun’ Children’s Clothing Workshop, you mean?" Yu Le chuckled. "I’m aware. I signed the paperwork myself."

"I heard they’re still hiring seamstresses and that hundreds of people are working there now." Lira’s voice was filled with astonishment. Women from all the villages around Yangjiao Town were rushing over, eager for a chance to earn money.

"The White Shell Trading Company is behind them," Yu Le tapped his fingers on the desk, "and that company is one of the Church’s enterprises, so their tax rate won’t be as high."

"The Church? I heard that workshop can produce over a dozen children’s outfits a day."

"That’s right. A while back, a group from the War God Church’s Holy Order Army was staying at the Moonlight Inn. There was some kind of problem with their bill, and the White Shell Trading Company paid it for them. In fact, they paid more than what was owed." Uncle Yu Le rubbed his temples. "What’s more, I heard this same company managed to secure a loan for 300,000 Gold Coins from the bank."

"Three hundred thousand?"

"Correct," Yu Le nodded. "The people behind the company couldn’t have secured such a massive loan without deep ties to the Church. The banks aren’t fools, after all."

"No wonder they’re still hiring so many people." Lira stuck her tongue out playfully. She was only now realizing just how much influence this White Shell Trading Company had. She had originally assumed it was just some ordinary company.

"White Shell? What’s White Shell?" The door was thrust open with a BANG, and a young girl walked in, cradling a cloth bag.

"Luna, where have you been?" Lira asked, a hint of reproach in her voice as she saw who it was.

"Sister, fried cassava sticks! You have to try some." Luna bounced over to her and held up the bag. "I don’t know how they do it, but there’s none of that nasty greasy smell. They’re just crispy and delicious."

"No thanks," Lira waved her hand away, but the bag was already right in front of her. She had no choice but to reach out, pick up a stick, and pop it into her mouth. "Mm, you know, this is actually pretty good."

"Uncle," Luna then presented the bag to Yu Le. Beaming, he picked out a slender stick. "This is excellent. I’d say it’s even better than the ones I’ve had in Black Lion City."

"I wonder how they do it. The White Shell Trading Company must have some special technique," Luna said, staring at the thick stick in her hand.

"They make these, too?" Lira finished her stick, rolled her fingertips together, and walked over to grab another one.

"Yep. They’re selling them right outside their headquarters, right next to where they’re hiring." Luna’s eyes were glued to her sister’s fingers. Only when she saw Lira pick one that wasn’t too thick did she relax and go back to eating her own.

"It seems their business is quite diversified." Yu Le picked up a nearby handkerchief and wiped his fingers. "If that’s the case, then I can rest easy."

When Lira shot him a questioning look, Uncle Yu Le explained with a smile, "It means the Church places great importance on this region. If something nasty really were to happen in the forest and threaten Yangjiao Town, the War God Church wouldn’t just stand by and watch. The Holy Order Army would return to handle the danger."

"Danger? What danger?" Luna asked, her voice muffled as her cheeks were stuffed with food.

"Nothing, just goblins charging into Yangjiao Town. Now keep eating," her sister Lira said sarcastically.

...

"Is it really 7 Silver Coins a day?" a plainly dressed village woman asked cautiously.

"Yes, yes, 7 Silver Coins," an old man across the table snapped. He was dressed respectably, but his hair was a total mess.

The top of his head was completely bald, and his scalp gleamed with the light of "wisdom."

"What... what do I have to do?" the woman asked in a low voice, forcing a smile.

"Sign here, then go inside." The old man impatiently shoved a piece of paper toward her. His hand was an iron prosthetic limb. "If you can’t write your name, a thumbprint will do."

"Hello, if you would like to work here, you can take a look inside first." A young woman in a long dress walked over and politely guided the village woman toward the back warehouse to see the informational displays.

Seeing another potential recruit walk into the warehouse, Mary said calmly, "Mr. Marshall, you’re going to scare them all away acting like that."

"Miss Mary, I must reiterate: I am a Magic Artisan. I should be busy at my workbench, not out here dealing with... them," the old man said, his brow furrowed stubbornly.

"I know, Mr. Marshall," Mary sighed. "We had no choice. I had to ask you for help."

"But I’m already working on it. I should be able to find someone to take your place soon. When I do, I’ll be sure to have the best wine in Yangjiao Town waiting for you."

"You mean that ale?"

"No, the tavern’s special-brew red fruit wine. It’s quite rare. Very few people ever get a chance to try it," Mary replied with a smile.

"Well, in that case," old Marshall raised a hand and stroked his chin, "I suppose I can manage."

"Hello, excuse me, is this where you’re hiring?" Another plainly dressed village woman approached. She was in a similar state to the last one; her clothes were old, with frayed hems and loose threads. She was covered in dust, clearly having traveled a long way to get here.

"Yes, this is the place," Mary said, walking up to greet her with a smile.

"Is it really... 7 Silver Coins a day?" the woman asked tentatively.

"It is."

"But... that’s more than the men make at the docks." The woman’s hands twisted the fabric of her dress, her expression filled with disbelief.

"It’s a different kind of work," Mary explained with a smile.

"I heard about it from people in my village. You know, the taxes are so heavy right now... If this is real, it would... help my family so much..." The woman’s back was bent, her demeanor deeply deferential.

Mary pursed her lips. She had seen that expression many times before. Back in her village, whenever the tax collector came to make his rounds, everyone wore this very same expression.

"Don’t worry. As long as you’re willing to learn and work hard, the workshop will treat you well," Mary said with a gentle, reassuring smile.

"I know. I heard you’re part of the Church, that you’re a big company. The tax collectors don’t dare cause trouble for you," the woman said, clutching her dress and looking up at Mary.

"You’re worrying too much," Mary said with a smile as she led the woman over to the desk and began explaining the details of the Clothing Workshop.

This happened dozens of times a day, forcing Mary to dragoon both Little John and old Marshall into helping. But even with the extra hands, the line of people seeking information never seemed to end.

"Boss, what’s the purpose of all this?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.