Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 109.2

Meanwhile, Song Sancheng hesitated a little, “Tan Tan, didn’t you agree with your Grandpa Li that he would look after the rice fields without pay?”

“Now, you’re giving your Uncle Zhang here two thousand yuan. Should you remind him to keep it to himself and not spread it around?”

Song Tan laughed, “No need, Dad.”

Zhang Wang’s purpose was to vent his frustration. If he kept quiet about his job, what was the point? He might as well have gone out for work.

“We have so much work to do; we need to find reliable people. If we set the wage in advance, it avoids people asking for too much, which could hurt feelings.”

In the village, day laborers might earn one or two hundred yuan a day, but for long-term, steady work, two thousand yuan a month was about right.

After all, farm work was irregular; if there was work, they did it, and if not, they waited. That’s why, over the years, apart from large-scale agricultural projects, no one had hired long-term workers for farm work.

This also meant that those willing to work hard felt the pay was low, while those who didn’t mind the low pay weren’t always eager to work. And offering high wages was not feasible for most farming families.

Song Sancheng took a drag on his cigarette, “I get it, just worried Grandpa Li might feel slighted…”

Not worried about scarcity, but about inequality!

Song Tan shook her head, “Grandpa Li has children and grandchildren who care for him. Besides, he isn’t doing any heavy lifting; he just keeps an eye on things and takes a stroll around occasionally.”

“If I said the job paid two thousand yuan, wouldn’t the other elderly in the village scramble for it? So we already agreed: if he’s happy, we won’t mention money—just give him rice, flour, and oil, which is more convenient than buying it himself.”

“And at the end of the year, we’ll give him twenty pounds of pork, and that’ll be enough.”

“If he’s not happy, he can just say so.”

Song Sancheng felt relieved, “Got it… as long as you’ve made things clear.”

Then, he added proudly, “Look at my daughter, so methodical in everything she does! No wonder she’s my daughter!”

Song Tan: …

This is a true father. Your daughter went from a university ivory tower to society in less than two years, and her head is so clear now. Don’t you wonder why?

Still, she was happy to see her father reassured, so she asked again, “Dad, after tomorrow, I think the fields near the entrance should be fully tilled. Then we’ll fill the pond, and the two lower rice paddies will be ready.”

“Then, we need to plant the seeds that need planting and transplant the seedlings that need moving. The back mountain will be entirely in your care.”

Song Sancheng glanced at her, “You think I can’t handle it? I’ve been managing this place all by myself anyway.”

“Besides, your Uncle Zhang will definitely come by tomorrow!”

“Oh, by the way,” he remembered something.

“Your uncle called to say everyone would be back to visit the ancestral tomb tomorrow. We have a big family, so don’t forget to tell your grandmother tonight not to pick tea in the morning and help out with lunch instead.”