You were sent to participate in a transformation program, not to participate in poverty alleviation.

As night deepened, only a few embers remained of the campfire on the threshing ground.

Watching the boy named Zhao Xiaowu leave, Qin Hao's heart remained unsettled for a long time.

A plan quietly took shape in his mind.

Then, he stood up, walked towards the old village chief who was not far away, and asked:

"Grandpa Village Chief, I have something I'd like to ask you."

In our Shiwa Village, how many children are like Xiao Wu, so poor they can't even afford to eat and therefore can't afford to go to school?

The old village chief sighed and stretched out his fingers, which looked like withered tree bark, to count:

"Besides Xiao Wu, there's also Er Ni who lives in the west end. Her parents are gone, and she lives with her blind grandmother."

And then there's Dazhu, whose family is so poor they can't even afford to eat...

All told, there are probably five or six other children this age who are unable to attend school and are suffering at home.

Qin Hao nodded, understanding the situation.

"Grandpa Village Chief, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Qin Hao said seriously.

"As you can see, Lin Feng, Su Wan, and I still need to sell matsutake mushrooms."

"The three of us definitely can't handle this mushroom sauce business on our own."

"I want to recruit these children from disadvantaged families to be my employees and apprentices."

"Employees?" The old village chief was taken aback.

"Yes, employees."

Qin Hao explained.

"Instead of giving them money directly, we should give them a job."

They were instructed to learn from their second uncle how to make mushroom sauce, as well as chores like washing and chopping.

I pay them a salary every day and provide them with meals.

This not only solves our manpower shortage problem, but also allows them to support themselves and their families through their own labor.

Is this alright with you?

Upon hearing this, tears welled up in the old village chief's cloudy eyes.

He excitedly grasped Qin Hao's hand and said, his voice trembling:

"Great! Absolutely! Young Master Qin! You're saving their lives!"

Money can only save you temporarily, but a skill can last a lifetime!

Thank you on behalf of those dolls!

As he spoke, the old village chief was about to bend his knees.

Qin Hao reacted quickly and caught the old man.

"Grandpa Village Chief, you're making me feel so bad."

It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement; I'm also trying to make money.

The village chief shook his head helplessly, but his eyes held a hint of gratitude.

He knew perfectly well that these words were just an excuse.

If it were really about money, Qin Hao wouldn't have needed to pay wages, let alone specifically target these poor children.

At this point, the feast at the threshing ground was completely over.

However, these villagers, who usually seem carefree, didn't just wipe their mouths and leave after the meal.

"Everyone lend a hand! Don't let Young Master Qin and Miss Su suffer!"

Someone shouted, and the villagers sprang into action.

The women conscientiously cleared away the dishes and took them to the well to wash.

The men helped move tables and chairs and dismantle the stove, while even the children picked up fallen bones and trash from the ground.

Under the moonlight, hundreds of people were busy but orderly, and everyone's face was filled with a satisfied smile.

In less than half an hour, the previously messy threshing ground was cleaned up.

Seeing this, Qin Hao and the other two couldn't help but smile at each other.

Although this village is poor, its inherent simplicity is priceless.

..........................................

When I got back to Old Li's house, it was already late at night.

After washing up, Qin Hao threw himself heavily onto the Simmons mattress that had just been brought back from the city that day.

The perfect balance of softness and firmness instantly enveloped my tired body.

It was no longer the hard, uncomfortable wooden board that hurt my back, nor did it have the prickly, itchy feeling of the straw.

"call……"

Qin Hao let out a comfortable sigh, looking at the moonlight streaming in through the window, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

"That's life."

Qin Hao slept exceptionally well that night.

......................................................

The next morning, the mountain mist had not yet dissipated, and the roosters had just crowed.

Hesitant footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.

Qin Hao came out wearing his clothes and found Zhao Xiaowu standing nervously at the gate with five other boys and girls of similar age.

They were wearing old clothes that clearly didn't fit properly; some of their trousers were too short, and some had frayed cuffs.

But everyone's face was clean, and their eyes shone with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Good morning, Young Master Qin."

Zhao Xiaowu, being one of the older ones, mustered his courage and took the lead in shouting.

"Grandpa Village Chief sent us to report to you."

Qin Hao looked at these youthful yet weathered faces and nodded.

He abandoned his usual easygoing demeanor and adopted the air of a "boss".

"Come in and talk, everyone."

Qin Hao made them stand in a row in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over them one by one, and said sternly:

"Since you're here, I have to say some rules beforehand."

From today onwards, put down your farm work.

For the next period of time, your only task is to learn how to make mushroom sauce from your second uncle!

"I don't care if you knew how to cook before, you have to learn from scratch!"

How to choose mushrooms, how to wash them properly, how to judge the cooking time – every step must be taken seriously!

Anyone who tries to slack off or cheat will be fired immediately!

The children were so frightened they didn't dare breathe, nodding their heads like they were pounding garlic.

Seeing that he had given enough of a warning, Qin Hao softened his tone and dropped the real bombshell:

"Of course, I won't treat everyone unfairly."

During my apprenticeship, I was provided with three meals a day, and every meal included meat!

In addition, each person will receive a daily wage of 50 yuan! Daily payment!

"50 yuan?!"

The children looked up abruptly, their faces filled with shock, as if they had heard something unbelievable.

You should know that in 2010, in the Liangshan Mountains, a strong adult laborer would only earn thirty or forty yuan a day to carry cement in town, even if he worked himself to the bone.

These teenagers used to do farm work for others, and they were lucky if they could get five or ten yuan a day.

Now, apprentices not only get meals and meat, but also 50 yuan?

"What? You think it's not enough?"

Qin Hao raised an eyebrow.

"No, no, no! Too much! Too much!"

Zhao Xiaowu waved his hands repeatedly, his face turning red with excitement.

"Young Master Qin, as long as we provide meals, we don't need that much money!"

"Here you go, take it."

Qin Hao waved his hand, his expression becoming solemn.

"But this money isn't free; this is just the beginning."

Remember this: what you are learning now is not just how to make sauce, but the future hope of our Shiwa Village!

"Whether our village can escape poverty and become prosperous in the future, whether we can build new houses and roads, and whether the elderly in the village can afford medical treatment all depend on this bottle of mushroom sauce!"

Qin Hao's voice was incredibly captivating, painting a rosy picture for these innocent children.

"As long as you learn well, you will become the technical backbone of the factory and master craftsmen!"

At that time, I can earn not just 50 yuan, but even 500 yuan a day!

So, can you endure hardship? Can you learn it?

The children were thrilled by Qin Hao's grand vision, their eyes shining with an unprecedented light.

"able!!"

The group shouted in unison, their voices young yet firm, startling the sparrows in the tree.

"Great! Very energetic!"

Qin Hao nodded in satisfaction, then led the "Boy Scouts" straight to his second uncle's house.

Uncle Li was sharpening his knife in the yard when he saw Qin Hao leading the children in, and he was taken aback at first.

Upon realizing that the children were from the poorest families in the village, a relieved smile appeared on his face.

In his eyes, looking at Qin Hao, there was not only admiration but also a great deal of gratitude.

He knew that Qin Hao was indirectly helping these unfortunate children.

"Second Uncle, I've brought the person to you," Qin Hao said with a smile.

"They are all promising talents, and they can endure hardship."

From now on, they will obey your orders.

"Also, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"Tell me, why are you being so polite with your second uncle?"

"Besides teaching them how to make the sauce, could you also teach them the technique for 'mushroom fried rice' step by step?"

Uncle Li was somewhat puzzled:

"Making the sauce is the important thing. As for the fried rice... what's so difficult about it? As long as you have oil, you can just mix it up, right?"

"No, that's also the key point."

Qin Hao smiled mysteriously, his eyes gleaming with business acumen.

"When we open a shop in the future, this fried rice will be the best 'sample' and 'signature dish'."

The sauce is for takeaway, but the rice is for fresh serving. This is called industry collaboration, and it's all about keeping customers coming back for more.

Although he didn't quite understand what "industrial linkage" meant, Uncle Li nodded nonetheless:

"Okay, it's the same whether you're herding one sheep or a flock of sheep."

Fried rice is easy, I'll teach you!