Changing So Quickly

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were just about to leave when they overheard an aunt who had finished filling out her application form asking the recruiter, "Miss, is it true that the benefits at the Textile Works are really that good?"

The recruiter smiled and replied, "That's right! It's all written here: five hours of work per day, a three-month probation period with a monthly wage of five hundred copper coins; after passing the assessment, you become a regular employee and earn one tael of silver a month. Plus, you get four paid days off each month, and we provide three meals and work uniforms."

"What! That much money!" Before the aunt who signed up could say anything, the stern mother-in-law who was about to leave with her daughter-in-law turned right back around. Her eyes were as wide as copper bells as she stared at the recruiter, utterly incredulous. "Are you kidding me? My son can't even earn one tael of silver a month farming, and you're saying you pay that much, plus meals and clothes? Is this for real, or are you just pulling our leg!?"

The aunt, annoyed at being cut off by the stern mother-in-law, pushed her aside and scoffed, "Why are you asking? You won't let your daughter-in-law come anyway, so what's the point? No matter how much the factory pays, it has nothing to do with you."

The women waiting in line nearby burst into laughter, joining in the teasing.

"Exactly! Weren't you just looking down on us for coming out to work? Hurry and take your daughter-in-law home and keep her locked up so no one else can see her!"

The stern mother-in-law's face turned pale, then green with embarrassment. Normally, she'd never let herself be humiliated like this, but hearing about those wages—oh dear, she'd call someone grandpa if it meant getting that kind of money.

"Shoo, shoo! Stop making a fuss, I'm asking a serious question here!" the stern mother-in-law said.

The recruiter pointed to the recruitment notice beside her and said, "Granny, this is our official notice. Can you read it?"

Although the stern mother-in-law was old-fashioned, she had attended the Clearwater Literacy Program for the food back in the day, so she could read the notice just fine.

She quickly checked the notice, and sure enough, the benefits were real!

The recruiter said, "The Textile Works was personally established by Chancellor Evans. Of course the benefits are real. You may not trust me, but you can't doubt Chancellor Evans!"

Nowadays in the Kingdom of Qin, if you mention Chancellor Evans, everyone believes it.

Since Chancellor Evans arrived, all sorts of reforms have made people's lives better and better. No one is dissatisfied.

Even the old-fashioned stern mother-in-law was convinced. After hearing that the factory was run by Chancellor Evans, she said, "If it's Chancellor Evans, I believe it. She would never shortchange the common folk. I ate plenty of buns and dumplings at the Clearwater Literacy Program back in the day!"

Everyone laughed again at her words.

Unexpectedly, the stern mother-in-law turned around, pulled her daughter-in-law over, and patted her chest, saying, "Look at my daughter-in-law, isn't she great? She can read and her weaving skills are the best in our village. You should hire her right away!"

The young daughter-in-law was shy and bashful, and suddenly being pushed forward by her mother-in-law made her face turn red.

The others teased the stern mother-in-law, "Didn't you just say women should stay home and take care of the family? How come you changed your mind so quickly?"

Exactly, you changed your tune so fast! How can you bear to let your daughter-in-law come out and show herself?

Embarrassed, the stern mother-in-law spat a few times, "Pah, pah, I just didn't know the Textile Works had such good benefits! She can't earn much cooking and feeding chickens at home, but here she can make a tael of silver a month—more than my son! If my eyes weren't so bad, I'd want to come myself!"