Chapter 140: Get the Work Done

Nestled deep within the mountains, Lotus Flower Village was a place where every household had amassed a goodly pile of timber.

It was not that the villagers made a habit of going into the mountains to fell trees on a whim, but rather that timber often blocked the paths for various reasons.

"Chengjin's wife, you are in need of plenty of timber? I have quite a bit at home. If you want it, you can take it and use it first."

"My house has a whole room stacked with logs, too. I can't even remember why I bothered to pile up so much wood back then."

At the time, seeing others stack it up, she hadn't given it much thought. But upon reflection later, building a new house in their village was no easy task.

If anyone truly had that kind of money, they would usually build their house outside of Lotus Flower Village. Who would ever dream of constructing a new dwelling right here?

"Yes, I do need a large amount of wood right now. You can let me know how much each log costs, or I can take them for now and return them to you later."

Gu Xiaoyao stepped into the dilapidated storage room to take a look, only to find that there was virtually no wood to be spoken of. She had to admit that Chu Qingbai and his brother truly were lazy to the extreme.

"Ha ha, what money could possibly be needed for a few scraps of wood like this? They are of no use sitting around here anyway. Just take them and use them."

Hearing Gu Xiaoyao's words, the villagers felt she was being far too polite. In their village, if any family lacked wood, a single shout would bring others rushing over with supplies.

The main reason was that timber was hardly a precious commodity here; if one wanted it, one simply went into the mountains and chopped it down.

"Very well, I won't say any more. Thank you, uncles and aunts."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoyao did not waste any more breath. She hoisted the timber onto her shoulders and carried it straight into her own courtyard.

Having piled all the necessary wood in the yard, Gu Xiaoyao urged Chu Qingbai and his brother to cut all the logs into shorter sections.

"Sister-in-law, do we really need this much wood? Do you genuinely believe that mung bean sprouts can make money?"

Though Chu Qingbai asked with a hint of trepidation, he summoned the courage to voice his doubt. He always had a lingering suspicion that this endeavor was an exercise in futility.

"Mung bean sprouts can indeed make money. Once I turn a profit, I will pay you wages. Aren't you two always complaining about not wanting to go down the mountain to labor?"

Gu Xiaoyao stared at them for a moment. Seeing that they obediently set to work, she turned her attention away.

The moment the two brothers heard they could earn wages once the venture turned a profit, their enthusiasm surged. How could a man get by without money in his pockets? They desperately wanted cash.

"I'm helping you out, too—do I get no money? Wasn't I the one helping you gather the mung beans? If we make a profit, I want wages as well."

Squatting off to one side and doing nothing, Mrs. Liu caught wind of Gu Xiaoyao's words and looked over with eyes gleaming brightly.

Seeing that all of them held a keen interest in money, Gu Xiaoyao finally set her mind at ease. Her only fear had been that they might prove indifferent to profit.

"Fine. If we make money when all is said and done, I will calculate wages for all of you. But for now, get to work and behave."

Since there was no saw available at home, Gu Xiaoshu ran out to borrow one, and soon the group set to work sawing the wood into planks.

The design of the troughs was by no means complex; a single glance was enough to understand how to craft them. With swift and dexterous movements, Gu Xiaoyao fashioned the very first one out of wooden boards.

"Chu Chengjin, come take a look. Is this trough I made acceptable? It should be fully functional, right?"

Having completed the first one, Gu Xiaoyao called out to Chu Chengjin, asking him to help smooth and refine the edges of the trough.

"Since we are merely sprouting beans, there is no need for excessive refinement. A trough like this is already sufficient. If you wish to build an even better one, I can teach you."

Chu Chengjin gently took her hand, then used a twig to trace the structural design of the trough in the dirt.