Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 55 Yan Ruohai i (2/2)
The larger the household, the stricter the rules.
For example, during meals, servants and female family members cannot join the table. The women typically have servants deliver their meals to their rooms to eat, keeping out of sight.
It goes without saying for the servants; they have no status whatsoever.
The masters feast on exotic delicacies while the servants are left to eat the poorest quality food. Having fine grains to eat every day is considered a very good treatment for them.
“Let him in!”
The elder spoke indifferently.
His voice was extremely steady, naturally exuding depth and authority.
Being in a position of power doesn’t mean you have to keep a stern face and glare to be authoritative, but rather it’s the confidence and solidity in every move that makes one as immovable as a mountain, causing those before him to feel insignificant and awe-inspired.
Those who always wear a fierce expression can only turn out like Wang Haikun; that’s the look of evil spirits, a manifestation of insecurity.
Inner brutality, acting without the wisdom and steadiness expected of someone in power.
And even less likely to earn the respect of others.
In Shuangfeng Village, nine out of ten villagers hate Wang Haikun to the point of gritting their teeth, but it is just that they dare not speak their anger.
Where could such a person find any dignity?
If something were to happen to the brother behind him, you can be sure he’ll be pushed over by the crowd.
Steward Yan Qi quickly walked through the arch of the back garden.
The back garden, a private space for the master to stroll and sit quietly, is not a place servants can enter at will.
“Master, please forgive Yan Qi’s incompetence; I did not get the fertilizer formula!”
“Come in and talk!”
“Thank you, Master!”
Yan Qi slightly drooped his shoulders as he entered the pavilion, his hands hanging limply, showing extreme respect.
“You may go now!”
The elder waved his hand, and two maids obeyed and left swiftly.
When the master discusses important matters, to prevent leakage of information, it’s usual for others to be asked to leave.
This matter, although minor for the Yan Family, still caused the elder to dismiss the two maids attending him in person, showing how cautious and careful he was in his affairs.
The elder, in control of the vast Yan Family assets, held a distinguished status with immense wealth. To him, women were but commodities for enjoyment.
Indulging in female company is what a profligate scion does.
At his level, women and the tea in his cup might as well be no different.
“Sit!”
“Thank you, Master, for allowing me to sit!”
Yan Qi sat down on the edge of the chair.
“Among the many stewards, you are the one I am most optimistic about. Bear in mind that you could very well become the chief steward of the Yan Family.”
The elder’s promise-making matched his snow-white beard.
He gave Yan Qi hope, without committing his word.
He didn’t say Yan Qi would succeed as chief steward, but left it vague, mentioning only a high probability.
If Yan Qi wouldn’t become the chief steward, he wouldn’t harbor any resentment but blame his lack of capability.
“Explain the matter of the fertilizer in detail!”
After dangling the carrot, the elder instructed Yan Qi to get to the main point.
“I have visited Qin Niu’s field, and the corn seedlings grown on that poor acre are doing better by a third than those on good land. Moreover, there are no empty stalks, dead seedlings, or weaklings; each plant is strong and thriving, which is incredibly unbelievable. It shows that Qin Niu’s farming techniques must be extremely advanced.”
“My Yan Family supports a number of competent farmers as well. Are you telling me they’re not as good as a sixteen-year-old boy?”
The elder retorted.
A landlord relies on the land; a bountiful harvest of grains and economic crops is needed to guarantee the family’s income.
“Forgive my frankness, but if we combine all the top farmers of my Yan Family, using quality manure and planting on first-rate fields, we might just barely meet the growth of that acre of corn.”
Yan Qi answered after a moment of thought.
“Ridiculous, the Yan Family has more than a dozen long-term workers rated as excellent farmers, earning a generous salary of over ten silver taels a year. Are you saying all of these people together can’t match a youth from Shuangfeng Village?”
The elder’s tone grew a bit heavier, his anger barely veiling.
Yan Qi panicked and immediately stood up and knelt on the ground.
As if a heavier tone from the elder was the fury of thunder..