Chapter 15

Hong Tao and the three families had agreed that the Bo family and the Huang family could not hold more than 30% of the shares, and he and the Chen family would also only take 30%. The remaining 10% would go to the women of the families, as they would need to help with a lot of logistical work in the future. If they were not given any benefits, Hong Tao felt it would severely dampen their enthusiasm for work. Although women in this era were basically just appendages of men, with no social status and had to work without pay, Hong Tao would not conform to this local custom. He firmly believed that most of the work men could do, women could also do. By improving their social status, he was doing a good deed, and there would eventually be a day when he would be rewarded. With so many benefits and no harm, why not do it?

The Bo, Huang, and Chen families did not know what this wolf in sheep's clothing, who carried a thousand years of advanced memory, was thinking. They just instinctively felt that Hong Tao handled things in a very ancient and fair manner, which suited them well. Thus, the cooperative gradually became led by Hong Tao, with the Bo, Huang, and Chen families as assistants. It was somewhat like a board of directors, with Hong Tao as the chairman and CEO, and the Bo, Huang, and Chen families as directors. They could discuss matters together, with Hong Tao having slightly more power but not being able to act arbitrarily.

Balance! This word is very important. For anything to last, it must achieve a relative balance; otherwise, it cannot continue. Regardless of how many years the Southern Song Dynasty had left, Hong Tao was preparing to live here for most of his life, not just to play and run away. Therefore, a sustainable and controllable grassroots organization was very necessary. This would be the seed for his future growth, and whether he could build a high-rise from the ground would depend on whether this foundation was solid.

"Kid, Grandpa is going to the city. Don't you want to come with us and take a look?" When Hong Tao was still squatting by the boat, using a small stick to stir coarse salt in his mouth, Chen Ming'en had already packed the fish to be traded in Yacheng Town and was standing on the small boat, looking at his peculiar godson with a kind expression.

"Go ahead, Grandpa. I'll go when I have time. Be careful on the way, and come back early. Oh, by the way, did you take the blueprint for the iron hooks? Use the best steel, no matter the cost." Hong Tao found it really hard to call Chen Ming'en "Grandpa." He had already privately communicated with Chen Ming'en, saying he would gradually adapt and not to be upset that he didn't often use the term "Grandpa." It wasn't that he was distant, but rather that he wasn't used to it yet.

"Don't worry, Grandpa isn't your Uncle Fu, he's neither stingy nor confused!" Chen Ming'en was not annoyed by Hong Tao's reminder; instead, he felt proud to have a young relative who cared about him, and he took the opportunity to tease his old partner who always opposed Hong Tao.

"I'll go with you. There's so much wealth, I can't be at ease!" Bo Fu was not angry. His conservatism and stubbornness had been evident for a long time. Even before Hong Tao appeared, he was like this. Hearing Chen Ming'en's words, he jumped onto the small boat, indicating that he was not at ease with Chen Ming'en going to the city alone.

"You, you're just destined to worry all your life. The kids are already grown up, you don't need to keep an eye on them all the time..." Chen Ming'en didn't mind his old partner going with him; having an extra person would mean more company. He rowed the wooden oars, slowly steering the small boat towards the river mouth to the west, while still trying to persuade Bo Fu.

"I don't mind the iron hooks, but what's the use of the Li cloth? You agree to everything your kid says, aren't you afraid he'll squander your wealth!" Bo Fu was not to be outdone, loudly arguing with Chen Ming'en. The sea people spoke in loud voices; if they spoke softly, the sea wind and waves would drown out their words. Moreover, these Tanka people did not gossip behind others' backs; they would say everything to their faces, regardless of whether it was good or bad, without fear of being overheard.

"Kid, don't listen to that old man. He's saving dowry for Aizhu, it will all be yours eventually, hahaha! You guys, get a move on, are you going to sharpen your knives until the sun comes up!" Watching Chen Ming'en and Bo Fu's small boat slowly sail away, with the two old men's arguments still floating in the wind, Hong Tao stopped brushing his teeth, feeling a bit pressured. Just then, another person came to add to his pressure—Huang Hai also jumped onto the small boat, joking about Hong Tao and Aizhu, and calling out to the sons of the Huang, Bo, and Chen families to hurry up and set off. They were going to the mountain to cut bamboo for Hong Tao. The Tanka people could not produce cloth, iron hooks, or hemp ropes, so they had to trade fish for these items with the Li and Han people, but bamboo was different; they had plenty of strength and could cut it themselves.

"Hehehe..." The few men, hearing Huang Hai's call, picked up their machetes and jumped onto the boat, occasionally turning back to grin foolishly at Hong Tao. These sons of the three families, though the oldest were in their thirties, had personalities like children. Apart from working and eating, they were all quiet, not saying much. When they were happy, they laughed, and when they were unhappy, they kept their heads down and remained silent.

"Aizhu! Let's get started!" Even with his thick skin, Hong Tao felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at by a group of men and hearing their occasional chuckles. He stopped brushing his teeth; the hemp rope was too rough, rubbing his gums raw. Brushing his teeth had become his most challenging task, and he could only gently and slowly scrub.

The best fishing nets of the three families had already been requisitioned by the cooperative and would soon be turned into traps. The few remaining broken nets were no longer suitable for fishing. So, during the dinner and drinking last night, Hong Tao, as the chairman, held a small meeting with the directors and arranged the work priorities for the day.

Chen Ming'en and his son Chen Qihong were responsible for trading and selling the fish in town. This task could only be done by Chen Ming'en because he could read and speak both Han and Li languages, and he had always handled this job before, making it less likely for him to be cheated. The fish would be traded for a small amount of rice, and the rest would be used to exchange for iron hooks and Li cloth. Hong Tao had already drawn the blueprint for the iron hooks on a wooden board with charcoal, specifying the sizes. He could take the board to the blacksmith to have them made. Chen Ming'en also had a sample of the Li cloth, a thick cotton and hemp blend originally used for the sleeves and collars of Tanka women's clothing. Hong Tao thought it would be suitable for sails, though not as good as the synthetic fabrics of the future, it was better than nothing. With the original broken cloth sails and hand-rowed wooden oars, the small boats could not travel far or fast. He planned to create triangular sails like those on modern OP boats, giving the Tanka people's small wooden boats a pair of small wings. He didn't expect them to fly, but at least they would be able to move more effectively.