HCB Chapter 287 Core Technology
Chapter 287 Core Technology
After Xiuying carefully discussed all the matters with Yang's mother, Shiliu and Guihua, they stood up and prepared to make the next arrangements.
Then she called the fifteen servants who had signed death contracts to the backyard.
At this time, Xiuying had already asked Yang's father to prepare the tools for grinding sweet potato flour in advance. The grinding disc, filter and other tools were neatly placed in a corner of the yard.
The servants stood in the yard with different expressions, some were nervous, some were expectant, and they didn't know why their master had called them.
Xiuying stood in the middle of the yard, her expression serious and methodical as she instructed her servants, "Listen up! Everyone, get yourselves together. A few of you, go get the sweet potatoes out of the warehouse. Be careful not to bump or bump them. Then, the rest of you, get buckets and brushes ready to wash the sweet potatoes."
"Remember, you must wash away all the dirt and impurities on the sweet potatoes. Don't leave any part behind. Be careful. If anyone makes a mistake, don't blame me for being rude." Xiuying raised her voice, her tone full of majesty, making people dare not slack off.
The servants responded in unison: "Yes, ma'am."
They all took action and started to work according to Xiuying's instructions.
After washing and peeling the sweet potatoes, Xiuying distributed the special grinding discs and strainers to everyone, and then taught them step by step.
"Look, first put the sweet potato into the hole of this millstone, then hold the handle and turn it at a constant speed." Xiuying said as she demonstrated herself. Her hands were strong and steady, and the millstone made a "crunching" sound under her operation. The sweet potato was quickly ground into a fine pulp.
"Come on, try it." Xiuying pulled a servant over and had him put his hand on the handle. "Yes, that's it. Go slower and keep a steady speed."
The servants gathered around, their eyes fixed on Xiuying's movements, learning attentively.
Yang's mother also came over, eager to try. Xiuying smiled and said to Yang's mother, "Mom, you try it." Yang's mother nervously grasped the handle, and Xiuying patiently instructed her, "Mom, don't worry, you're using the right strength. Just turn it a little faster."
With Xiuying's encouragement, Yang's mother gradually mastered the key points and a happy smile appeared on her face.
"Next, pour the ground sweet potato pulp onto this strainer." Xiuying picked up a strainer and demonstrated how to filter out the residue. "Be gentle so the pulp doesn't spill."
Everyone followed Xiuying's instructions, and for a moment, the yard was filled with busy figures and whispered conversations.
"Xiuying, this filter does a really good job." Mother Yang was delighted as she watched the increasing amount of sweet potato pulp.
"Mom, this is just the beginning. There are still steps to come. Everyone, work harder." Xiuying wiped the sweat from her forehead and continued to guide everyone.
After grinding the sweet potatoes into a paste, Xiuying then directed everyone to proceed to the next step.
"Come, collect all the ground slurry into these big buckets. Be gentle and don't spill it and waste it." Xiuying said as she personally picked up the tools to demonstrate how to pour it carefully.
Everyone followed Xiuying's instructions. For a moment, the sounds of buckets colliding and slurry flowing were intertwined.
After all the slurry was collected, Xiuying said, "Now, cover these buckets and let them sit overnight to let the starch settle."
After doing all this, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and their tense nerves finally got a moment of relief.
Some people wiped the sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves, while others straightened their backs and stretched their sore bodies.
Xiuying sternly glanced at the fifteen servants who had signed the death contract and solemnly told them, "Listen up, everyone! Our family is going to start a sweet potato flour business. And you fifteen people are the key to mastering the core technology."
"This craft is the foundation of our family's income. If anyone dares to pass this craft on, don't blame me for being ruthless. I will sell him directly to human traffickers!" Xiuying's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness, which made everyone present tremble in their hearts.
When they thought about the fate of being sold to human traffickers, everyone shuddered and their hearts were filled with fear.
Being sold to human traffickers means losing all dignity and freedom, being manipulated like merchandise. They may be trafficked to various unknown places and subjected to inhumane treatment.
They might be sold to a place with extremely harsh conditions as slaves, where they would not have enough food or warm clothes, and would have to endure heavy labor every day. If they were not careful, they would be severely beaten.
What’s even more terrifying is that they may be sold to some shady places, suffer endless humiliation and torture, and fall into an abyss from which there is no escape.
And once they are sold, they will never see their families again, and will be alone and helpless in this world.
Such an end is even more terrifying than death. It is a dark road with no end.
Xiuying's tone softened slightly, giving them some hope and encouragement. "But if you all work hard and serve the family loyally, each of you will receive 20 wen per month. As long as you do your best, our family will not treat you unfairly."
Hearing this, the fifteen people who had signed the death contract looked nervous yet determined, and said in unison: "Don't worry, ma'am, even if someone put a knife to my neck, I won't tell anyone!"
One of them stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Madam, I understand the gravity of this matter. My life was given to me by the mansion, and I will never betray it. Even in the face of life-threatening situations, I will remain silent."
Another person continued, "Madam, your kindness to us is as great as a mountain. If we dare to reveal even a little bit, we would be worse than pigs and dogs, and Heaven will not tolerate it! Forget holding a knife to our necks, even if you cut us into pieces, don't even think of making us utter a single word!"
Others also echoed: "Madam, we swear to keep this secret strictly. If we break it, we will be struck by lightning!"
Xiuying was busy in the backyard, concentrating on teaching everyone how to make sweet potato noodles.
At the same time, Taohua was busy in the front yard, exchanging rice for the villagers who came to buy it in an orderly manner.
Near noon, the villagers who had picked bamboo shoots in the mountains in the morning returned.
Some people walked in a hurry, thinking about going home to cook for their families; others walked in groups of three or five, talking about their experience of picking bamboo shoots today.
"I picked a lot today, which will bring in some extra income for my family!"
"That's right, these bamboo shoots are growing really well."
An elderly villager wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the basket full of bamboo shoots, and said with a pleased smile, "This year's harvest is good, thanks to Xiuying for providing us with this way to make money."