The servants set up round chairs and helped their masters to sit down. Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master sat next to old madam at the head of the table. Second Old Madam and Third Old Madam also led their servants to stand or sit behind old madam. It seemed that they simply wanted to let go and let Qin Yining handle this matter alone.
The servants gathered in the open space all lined up according to their positions. There were so many people, but no one dared to make a sound. The scene was so quiet that it didn't seem like the inner residence of a large family's servant girls. It was more like a well-trained military camp.
Qin Yining held a begonia-shaped silk fan in her hand and stood in front of the crowd while gently waving it. Her beautiful eyes swept over all the stewards, mamas, and daughters-in-law, as well as the people they brought.
"In our inner residence, there are a total of two hundred and forty-three people, from the Return Office of the Second Gate to the Rear Corner Gate's gatekeeper, regardless of rank or age. Are they all here now? Steward mamas and sisters-in-law, first take a look and see if the people under your command are all here. "
When Qin Yining said "two hundred and forty-three," the expressions of old madam and Sun Clan's people behind her changed.
They had been in charge of the household for so many years, but they actually didn't pay attention to how many servants there were in the residence. They actually didn't know this exact number!
Old madam wasn't very happy at first. After all, Qin Huaiyuan had already returned. If it was to let Qin Yining control the situation in the residence, she wouldn't take a detour. But now that Qin Huaiyuan was at home, she didn't need to be in charge of the household, right?
However, Qin Huaiyuan didn't say anything, Qin Yining didn't ask to resign, and old madam couldn't put down her face to compete with her granddaughter. Therefore, she could only continue to tacitly accept Qin Yining's identity as the young miss of the household.
Now, seeing that Qin Yining was still not afraid to talk to all the servants in the inner residence, and that the servants didn't even dare to say a word of nonsense when they saw her. In addition, Qin Yining also confirmed it. Old madam knew that Qin Yining wasn't just bluffing. She really had the ability to be a housekeeper.
At this point, old madam really had some thoughts of enjoying life in peace in the future.
In just a moment, the steward mamas and daughters-in-law each counted their people and told Qin Yining. Qin Yining nodded and said, "Four people are missing. Go back and tell them what I said today..."
"Yes, please give your orders, Miss." Mama smiled.
Then, Qin Family will not treat you all. You all, Family................................. to the Family Family........................ and you all. Family Family.............
... and daughter-in-law.... to. to. Early this morning, a few of you came to me to resign, so I might as well gather all of you here today to make things clear. "
............... to.............. .... Now that we're all here, it's fate to be master and servant. There's no need to quarrel over the issue of leaving or staying. Today, I'll tell everyone the truth. If you follow the Family Qin, then you must follow the path of the Family Qin. If the Family Qin eats sweets, then everyone eats sweets. If the Family Qin suffers hardships, then everyone also suffers hardships. If you all want to leave, or if you have arrangements outside, or if you have relatives in the south to seek refuge with, then you can step forward now. "
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene was silent. No one stood out.
Qin Yining smiled and said, "Everyone, there's no need to be embarrassed. We're not trying to settle accounts with anyone. If you want to leave, I won't ask for your ransom. Instead, I'll give each person two taels of silver as travel expenses. If you step forward now and register, then you can receive your money. "
Seeing Qin Yining's gentle expression and serious attitude, and thinking about the chaos outside, there were already people who couldn't take it anymore. They stepped forward hesitantly and silently stood in the empty space to the side.
In the face of a disaster, it was a matter of life and death. Once someone took the lead, there were others who followed. One, two, three … more and more people left the group and stood in the empty space to the side. Not only were there people who returned to the administrative office and the small kitchen, but there were also the head maidservants of the various branches and courtyards. For example, the head maidservant of the Sixth Young Miss and the wet nurse of the Eighth Young Miss.
Qin Yining watched quietly. He saw that the original group was becoming thinner and thinner, and the people standing in the empty space to the side were gradually unable to stand. The original group shrank. After careful counting, there were less than forty people who were willing to stay.
When the masters of the Family Qin behind Qin Yining saw this, they couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions and a chill in their hearts.
Especially those personal attendants who actually chose to leave.
For example, the Sixth Young Miss and the Eighth Young Miss were already silently shedding tears.
Even the servants who chose to leave lowered their heads and blushed when they saw their masters like this. There were also some who quietly wiped away their tears.
When Qin Yining saw that everyone had already stood still, he said, "Is there anyone else who wants to leave? If you take advantage of this moment to leave, you will be able to earn traveling expenses. If you choose to stay, then you will have to advance and retreat together with the Family Qin. "
As soon as he finished speaking, another maidservant hesitated and went to the other side of the group.
Qin Yining waited for a while. When he saw that no one else made a choice, he nodded and said with a smile, "During this period of time, I'll have to trouble everyone to take care of me. Ji Yun. "
After Qin Yining gave the order, Ji Yun led a few manservants out with a basket.
Qin Yining said, "Now, stand in line. Come to the front and each of you will receive two taels of silver for your traveling expenses. After you return your indenture agreement or document of seeking refuge, you can go back and tidy up your clothes before leaving."
When the basket was opened, the silver light inside was so dazzling that people couldn't look directly at it.
Qin Yining stood beside the box and watched the steward register. She would often remind him, "Master,
He often said, "After you leave, try to head south.
"If you have relatives in the South Sea, that would be the best place to go.
"Xi Hua City is currently in chaos. If you can avoid going north, try not to go north.
"If you really can't, find a place in the suburbs of the capital to ensure your safety."
… …
They had never seen a master like this. When faced with people who wanted to seek refuge, it was fine if they could calmly send them away. However, when those who had sold themselves to the Family Qin wanted to leave, it was a bloody betrayal. The master was actually so benevolent. Not only did he not pursue the matter, he even gave them traveling expenses and told them where was the safest place to go.
For example, Mrs. Fang and Mrs. Li, who had lied and said they wanted to leave at the beginning, when they heard Qin Yi's tireless reminders, they felt as if they had been slapped in the face a few times. They felt ashamed and touched.
In this way, a large number of people were dismissed, but no one had any complaints about the Family Qin. When the silver was distributed, everyone knelt down and kowtowed to Qin Yining and the Family Qin master behind Qin Yining.
Qin Yining waved his hand and said, "After today's farewell, we will be separated from each other. Everyone, please take care of yourselves. We will all be safe."
"Thank you, Fourth Miss. Thank you, Marquis!"
Everyone kowtowed again and again, expressing their thanks in a lively manner.
After a while, these people finally left.
Qin Yining then turned to face the 39 people who were willing to stay. "If you are willing to stay and advance together with the Family Qin, the Family Qin will not doubt your loyalty and will not forget your intentions! Everyone, don't worry. As long as the Family Qin still exists, we will protect you. As long as the Family Qin has food to eat, we will never let you starve! From now on, we are one family. We will prosper together and suffer together! "
These words caused everyone's emotions to surge.
Upon seeing this, Qin Yining also smiled. "Alright, everyone, come to the front and register. Everyone will receive ten taels of silver. Afterwards, I will rearrange your tasks. With such a large family, there are still many things that we need to rely on you for."
Among the people who were willing to stay, there were elderly women, young maidservants who didn't have hair, and also maidservants and mamas who served the madams and young misses.
When they saw how Qin Yining treated those people, they were already moved. They felt that a master like the Family Qin was so humane and worthy of their trust. Now that they heard Qin Yining's words and saw that he was so generous to reward them with ten taels of silver each, they were even more delighted and felt that their decision was correct.
Qin Yining rearranged these 39 people's tasks.
For example, Mammy Qin was still serving the old madam. Ji Xiang and Ru Yi weren't willing to leave. In addition to serving the old madam, they also had to do some needlework and prepare a small kitchen to serve the old madam's meals.
There was already so much work to begin with. Even if it was simplified, the work that everyone had to share would increase.
However, Qin Yining's words had entered their hearts. He gave them more rewards and increased their monthly salaries. Therefore, everyone was full of energy.
After this matter was settled, Qin Yining sent people to do their own tasks. Only then did he return to the old madam and Qin Huaiyuan.
"Father, you won't blame me for acting on my own, right?"
Qin Huaiyuan raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Why would I blame you? I feel that we have a tacit understanding. Just now, your second uncle, third uncle, and I were outside discussing how to simplify the staff in the residence. You, on the other hand, were swift and decisive. We haven't decided yet, but you had already finished the work in a short time. This saved us a lot of trouble. "
"Isn't that so? We have to leave those men who are also working in the residence. In a while, I will go to the outer courtyard and release a group of people according to Sister Yi's method." Third Old Master said.
The old madam looked at her sons and then looked at Qin Yining. She said, "Such a big family. Can it still be supported if so many people are missing all of a sudden?"
Qin Huaiyuan held the old madam's hand and said with a smile, "Mother, times have changed. Now, our family is no longer the same as before. Son's next step is to think about how to arrange for the residence of the family to be more concentrated. This way, it will be easier to guard the courtyard. "
Upon hearing this, Second Old Master agreed and said, "Each branch doesn't need to be particular about which courtyard to live in. It's better for everyone to squeeze together and live in the courtyard near Ci Xiao Garden."
Third Madam smiled and said, "I have my eyes on the large building in the back of the old madam's courtyard. I want to live there soon. Old madam, don't be reluctant to part with it."
The old madam couldn't help but laugh.
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