The rest of day was spent felling trees and stacked in the camp house. Lu Dan made wooden plates out of the wood while Lu Tui made wooden tokens as identification for those who would be recruited. It was a clever idea Mu Wei had come up with while they discussed. After a tiring day, Bai Ling prepared some spicy rabbit which was devoured before the went back to the abandoned building to rest.
They hadn't washed for days, all felt sticky. There was no hidden place to bathe as outside was freezing. They could only boil water and wipe down. Listening to the howling of the wind outside and the warm room, they'll slept peacefully. The next morning, Mu Wei was the first to arrive at the camping ground to clear off snow. The atmosphere was freezing as he surveyed the hundred of people dressed in tattered, patched robes.
They were pulling and pushing as they tried to make themselves visible. Su Xiao arrived after him with the kids and Bai Ling trailing after her. The brothers and Shi Dong immediately ran to help. The use logs to set a barrier making it look like a temporary office. The sun was out making the cold more bearable. As they people watched them orderly arrange things, they couldn't help asking.
"Is it true you're hiring labor?"
"Do you really pay five wen pay day?"
"Is their meal for us?"
Their questions rang one after the other making the noise chaotic. With no change in expression, Mu Wei took out the ledger Su Xiao had pieced together last night to arrange things. It was comprehensively made and was understandable. He looked at everyone and laid down the rules,
"Listen closely! This is a work for people who earned it. Five wen a day and a full belly is guaranteed. No chaos will be tolerated and if anyone tries it, you will be kicked out immediately. Form a single file here and introduce yourself"
With that, everyone quieted down. The obediently joined the file behind the logs. He calmly assessed everyone's weakness and strength before determining where they should be assembled. Those who didn't match the requirements were rejected. He wasn't just blindly assessing them, or choosing only burly men. Each person was chosen to belong to a particular crew depending on their capabilities. Some were to fell trees which was supervised by Lu Dan, others for hauling logs and supervised by Lu Tui.
The rest was assigned to thawing the ice and digging the ground while being watched by Mu Wei. He was aware of the importance of a foundation so he choose to watch it himself. Anyone accepted was given a wooden token and assigned tools depending on their crew. Shi Dong was in charge of giving the tools and collecting them to avoid it being misplaced or stolen. Work immediately began. Each crew was led to their site to begin working.
As the trees were felled and kept in the camp house to dry by the logging team, the already dry ones were lined out on the already mapped out foundation lines and set ablaze. Thick black smoke rose as the ice crackled. The used long sticks to push the burning embers along the trenches as the thick ice hissed and melted into a watery mud. The digging team was right behind shoveling out the mud and hitting the earth's crust before it froze over again. Mu Wei stepped into the mud and dug with them while his voice boomed amidst the noise giving steady orders.
In the kitchen, massive clay stones and iron pots lined up in a neat row roaring with fire fed by yesterday's felled timber. Each pot cooked a particular dish at the same time. Su Xiao stood ensuring each dish was tended at the right time to avoid overwhelming Bai Ling. The kids who insisted of being part of something were assigned to wash the plates. Mu Yu washed while Mu Chen dried the plates. Everything was in perfect arrangement which made the workers amazed.
The mouth watering scent of boiling grain and hot broth filled the air motivating the workers to work harder. After three hours of intense work, Mu Wei called for a halt of the first team. They were directed to the kitchen line by Lu Dan where they were asked to join a single file. They enter expecting the usual harsh treatment of wealthy people instead, they're given wooden bowls and scooped a calculated amount of food enough to make sure there is no waste. The other batch continue working making the work faster and things still orderly.
After the first batch are done eating, they rest for ten minutes before getting back to work. The second crew follow behind to eat and the work is rotated fairly among everyone. Near the wash station, an old man dressed in patched tunic stood frozen. His eyes dart nervously between the steaming pots and he looks almost hesitant. Bai Ling who was in charge of serving the food noticed the man lingering past his rotation time. She stepped forward with a stern look,
"You there! Old Han, isn't it? If you're done with your meal, return the bowl to the tubs and report to the thawing crew"
Old Han didn't flinch. He took a hesitant step forward and lowered his head. With a trembling voice he asked,
"Miss... forgive this old man. I.. I only wanted to ask... Will there truly be five wen at sundown? And... and another bowl like this tomorrow?"
Bai Ling's face softened as she took in his hollow cheeks before she replied,
"My Mistress never speaks empty words. Work honestly today and your pockets will have five wen before night"
Tears welled in his eyes as he bowed wiping his face with his clothes as he bowed and nodded. His grandchildren wouldn't have to go to sleep hungry anymore. With renewed vigour, he walked back steadily to his crew. Bai Ling watched him leave before turning to face Su Xiao. Su Xiao nodded at her in approval.
"You did well"
Bai Ling smiled happily at her approval before focusing back on the food. Su Xiao walked to the kids who were methodically wiping the plates and stacking them neatly. She grabbed their hands which was looking frostbitten feeling distressed.
"Enough. You might catch a cold"
They obediently followed her as she left them to the fire pit to warm up. After that she made them eat their food before allowing them rest.