NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1606: Trust Oneself More (6)
"Hmm." Yang Ruxin nodded, then turned to Miao Jian, "I know all of you are heroes who protect the country, but we need to address this matter pragmatically. I'm a businesswoman; I need manpower to get work done, but I can't put myself or my family in danger. So, if you intend to stay, I need absolute loyalty. No matter who you were affiliated with before, from now on, you will only follow my orders."
"We are all rootless people. As long as we can have enough to eat and avoid doing anything that goes against morality, we're willing to sign a Selling Covenant." Miao Jian had evidently already discussed this with everyone, so he agreed quite readily.
"No." Yang Ruxin shook her head. "A Selling Covenant is useless to me. I trust myself more." As she spoke, she gestured.
Chunchun carried over a tray. On it was a small dish containing several medicine pills.
"My master, Dao Xuzi, was most skilled at concocting strange pills. This is one of them," Yang Ruxin gestured to the tray. "You must take the antidote each month, or you'll experience unbearable itchiness, so severe that you'll scratch your skin raw, bleed out, and die."
Miao Jian glanced back at his group.
A slightly taller woman stepped forward first, grabbed one pill, and tossed it into her mouth. "As long as there's food to eat and work to do, if I don't betray anyone, I won't die."
The rest of the group heard her words and burst into laughter. Exactly – if they wouldn't commit treachery, what was there to fear? Without hesitation, they all swallowed the pills.
Chunchun, however, looked on in alarm. When her group came in, they also swallowed the pills. At that time, she thought it was just a bluff. But back when they were learning the rules of the Fang Family, the eldest miss either forgot or deliberately delayed giving the antidote by two hours. The suffering of that delay was something Chunchun still shuddered at when she remembered.
Yang Ruxin naturally noticed Chunchun's expression but chose not to call it out. Fear was exactly what she aimed to instill. As long as they were fearful, they'd be easier to manage.
Yang Ruxin then handed the group over to Du Chengxiu. After three days of intensive training, the group was divided up accordingly.
Each of the three small buildings had its own courtyard and gate. Thus, two people were assigned as Protectors—or Gatekeepers—per courtyard. The two women proficient in martial arts were assigned to Xuexue and Xiaofeng, assisting with managing miscellaneous tasks around the courtyards. The remaining people were placed where they were needed.
As for the leader, Miao Jian, Yang Ruxin appointed him as her dedicated Coachman.
Life passed calmly. By mid-November, the school had been completed. All the buildings were made of green bricks and red tiles. The front row consisted of classrooms, while the back featured a garden. Beside the garden was a kitchen and a large dining hall. Beyond them were several small, private courtyards, which were reportedly intended as dormitories for the teachers.
Meanwhile, the furniture shop had delivered matching desks and chairs to the school.
"Xinxin, look, the school is ready. When will classes begin?" Yang Mancang gazed at the imposing structure with sheer joy.
"Once the teachers are in place, classes can start." Yang Ruxin smiled. "Village chief, don't worry."
Back when the school was under construction, Yang Ruxin had spread the word that Budong School was recruiting teachers. No matter what you knew, as long as you felt you could teach children, you were welcome to apply. If hired, the benefits would be excellent.