Chapter 12: Clear Rewards and Punishments
Chapter 12: Clear Rewards and Punishments
“Actually, getting Spirit Fruit in the future will be quite easy for everyone. More work brings more rewards. I promise you’ll receive several fruits each month, and they’ll all be the excellent Spirit Fruit that we grow ourselves.”
As soon as Lu Hangzhi spoke, all the maids grew restless and became extremely excited. They eagerly questioned if it was true.
“Of course it’s true. However, if you want Spirit Fruit, you must work harder. So the Spirit Fruit is more like a reward… If anyone’s work isn’t as good as before, the lighter punishment will be a deduction in their wages. Harsher punishments will involve expulsion or being handed over to the Madam.”
The group of maids immediately composed themselves, holding their breath to listen carefully!
Even the five elderly Matrons sensed the underlying threat hidden within this “gift” and the rewards and punishments system…
They were seasoned Matrons. Yet, with thousands of servants having attended the Zhu Residence over the years, those who remained by now best understood the temper of practitioners. So, they too adopted expressions of intense focus and seriousness.
Lu Hangzhi was very satisfied with the atmosphere he had created. Only then did he lay out, step-by-step, the plan he had formulated in his mind.
The content was very simple!
Previously, the Zhu Residence only required the maids to cast the “Water Control Art” on the Spirit Fruit Trees twice a day to be considered satisfactory. But under his new rules, they could cast the “Water Control Art” more frequently – once every four hours. Each additional casting qualified them to receive one excellent Spirit Fruit, provided it met the required standards.
The Spirit Grain Paddy Fields were treated the same way. Each extra casting of the “Rainfall Art” to accelerate the ripening would also earn one Spirit Fruit.
Next, without avoiding showing favoritism to those close to him, Lu Hangzhi appointed Lü’e and Cong Fang as supervisors and record keepers. Whenever a maid wished to cast the “Water Control Art” a third time, they would oversee and record it. He himself would then step in to award the Spirit Fruit.
Finally!
Lu Hangzhi also announced a bonus scheme:
Anyone who could persist for three consecutive days, casting the “Water Control Art” or “Rainfall Art” more than three times per day, would receive an extra, excellent Spirit Fruit as a reward.
Not only were the maids greatly tempted, even the five elderly Matrons couldn’t stay seated any longer. They all moved closer to the front, asking for details, especially whether the Madam supported this move.
“Over the next month, the Madam has granted me the highest authority here. What I say governs everything in this courtyard. If you cooperate, this rewards system will continue. But if you don’t cooperate,” Lu Hangzhi paused for effect, “in one month, I’ll simply leave. And everything will go back to how it was before.”
Lu Hangzhi dared not slight these elderly Matrons.
Having served the Zhu Residence for decades, they were all highly intelligent and shrewd. Though they only knew the “Water Control Art” and “Rainfall Art” and weren’t regarded as true Cultivators, the magical power they possessed was hardly inferior to that of Second-rank Cultivators.
“That’s good then.”
The group of Matrons felt reassured. They huddled together, seemingly discussing something, and then elected a Matron named Qi to speak.
“Head Steward Lu, we plan to cast the ‘Rainfall Art’ twice more each day from now on. Will we really receive Spirit Fruit for it?”
“Of course.”
Lu Hangzhi nodded, then pointed towards Lü’e and Cong Fang. “However, they must be present to supervise. And the intensity of the ‘Rainfall Art’ cannot be weaker than before. As long as they deem it satisfactory, they will come to me to collect the Spirit Fruit…” He paused here, his gaze sweeping over the gathered maids, his tone turning stern. “But let me make this clear. If any sister here tries to fool me by relying on sisterly bonds, I believe you are well aware of Madam’s incredible reach and the potency of her ‘Truth Detection Spell’. I need not elaborate on the consequences, do I?”
The five Matrons collectively shivered.
Any maids nursing hidden schemes were instantly roused from their thoughts, breaking into a cold sweat.
Indeed.
Lü’e and Cong Fang might be approachable, but the Madam herself resided right there in the courtyard, observing everything. Just suppose…
Recalling images of past maids and servants from the Zhu Residence who had been taken away for punishment, those harboring improper thoughts quickly dispelled them.
The rules took effect immediately upon announcement.
That very evening, coinciding with the first batch of Spirit Fruit ripening, the maids suddenly became exceptionally energetic and enthusiastic about their work. Each maid harvested and sealed the Spirit Fruit from the trees under her care and delivered them to Lu Hangzhi.
Lu Hangzhi also breathed a sigh of relief.
With this batch of Spirit Fruit, he now had the foundation to implement his new rules.
However…
The quantity was more substantial than anticipated.
Twenty-seven maids delivered a total of nine hundred and forty Spirit Fruits. Most of the Spirit Fruit Trees bore thirty-five fruits, with five trees yielding thirty-four fruits each.
Yao San, oh Yao San.
No wonder the eldest Miss so resolutely stripped you of your position as chief steward. Siphoning off over a hundred Spirit Fruits each month alone was no small matter.
Lu Hangzhi didn’t rush to report it yet.
He believed the eldest Miss was subtly monitoring his every move. She likely already had an inkling about such things.
That night, Lü’e and Cong Fang were kept running around all night by their junior sisters, pulled here and there. In the end, they had no chance to cast the Water Control Art themselves; they could only watch their other sisters and the Matrons perform, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
“It’s all Hangzhi’s fault, making us these supervisors and record keepers. We toiled and wore ourselves out all day, ending up with nothing,” Cong Fang lamented, slumping onto the table the moment she entered, her voice filled with complaint. “Meanwhile, our sisters were having fun, just enjoying themselves so much!”
Lü’e also kept rubbing her neck, her expression practically twisting into a vivid picture of the word “tired!”
The day had achieved remarkable results – thirty Spirit Fruits had been given out that evening.
Lü’e voiced her worry, “Our exhaustion is bearable. Once we arrange our schedule properly and observe everyone together, we can still find time to tend to our own two Spirit Trees. The worry is you. Giving out so many Spirit Fruits so suddenly… if Madam finds out you’ve been this reckless with the household’s treasure, who knows how she might punish you.”
“Heh, you’ll find out when the time comes.”
Lu Hangzhi smiled, pulled out a Jade Box, and took out several Spirit Fruits. Handing them to the two girls, he said, “Sisters, you helped me manage everything today. I certainly wouldn’t treat you unfairly. Two Spirit Fruits for each of you. And I hope you can forgive me for not letting you know this beforehand.”
“Hmph, this is at least better.”
Cong Fang held the two Spirit Fruits, giggling like a mouse that had stolen some prize, radiating happiness.
“Spirit Fruits not only restore some of one’s Magic Power but are also excellent for relieving fatigue and weariness. Seeing you both so exhausted, I couldn’t bear it.”
“We’ll let it slide this time, then. Mmm, mmm, so fragrant!”
Cong Fang ate her Spirit fruit, utterly satisfied. Her face lit up with bliss as she cupped her hands over her small mouth, eager not to waste even a drop of juice.
“Lü’e, you eat too.”
“Alright, alright, I’m eating.”
Lü’e remained cautious, still worried about Lu Hangzhi squandering the Spirit Fruits.
Lu Hangzhi reminded her with a gentle smile:
“Once you organize your time properly in the future, your daily reward for serving as a supervisor will be one Spirit Fruit. This is separate from the Spirit Fruit you would earn by casting the ‘Water Control Art’ yourself.”
“Really?”
Hearing she could have an extra Spirit Fruit every single day, Cong Fang’s eyes curved into crescent moons, filled with immense joy.
Of course it was true.
Lu Hangzhi smiled inwardly. Though he hadn’t been in the Primordial Wildlands long, he understood the gap that separated mortals from Cultivators. The cultivation of magical items by mortals was a completely different concept from Cultivators doing the same, with results as vastly apart as heaven and earth.
Ordinary Cultivators wouldn’t dream of employing other Cultivators to tend magical items, let alone training a group of Cultivators specifically for it…
The Zhu Residence didn’t have that kind of power either.
Seeking maximum profit while ensuring stability resulted in the employment of maids and elderly Matrons who knew only “Water Control Art” or “Rainfall Art”. Only by limiting their skills could the household maintain complete control over them.
Lu Hangzhi had calculated the accounts!
Following the rewards and penalties system he proposed, at most, around thirty Spirit Fruits would be paid out daily. Yet, the yield from all the magical items could increase by fifty percent.
A fifty percent gain in efficiency? Back in his previous world, any CEO would jump at the chance to implement such a system with their staff.
But in the Primordial Wildlands, Cultivators generally looked down on mortals. They often felt mortals consuming Spirit Fruit was a waste, stealing resources rightfully theirs. Cultivator families in Violet Cloud Town simply hadn’t considered going against this mindset…
Lu Hangzhi intended to use this exact point as his leverage to increase the income of the Third Courtyard, rather than getting sucked into family businesses he knew nothing about.
After the two girls left, Lu Hangzhi made a special report to the eldest Miss.
Zhu Fuqin’s reaction was nonchalant.
As a female Cultivator ambitiously striving to replace the leader of Violet Cloud Town, the minor instability this new rule might cause within the Third Courtyard barely registered.
She cared far more about the fifty percent efficiency increase Lu Hangzhi mentioned!
That translated to two hundred fifty extra Low-grade Spirit Stones each month! It meant her monthly income would surpass Zhu Cheng’s entirely, significantly boosting her cultivation speed.
“Go ahead and implement it. I care only for the results,” she stated flatly.
Lu Hangzhi nodded and left.
Another day passed.
The maids and Matrons of the entire Third Courtyard of the Zhu Residence went practically wild.
The simple-minded ones were driven by the promise of tasting Immortal Realm delicacies – after all, excellent Spirit Fruit was typically reserved for Cultivators alone.
But most maids and all five Matrons had deeper ambitions.
Between being a mortal or a Cultivator, anyone with a clear head would choose the latter without hesitation, even if the chance seemed minuscule!
Mortals ordinarily had no access to cultivation resources.
Yet Lu Hangzhi’s new rules offered these five Matrons and ambitious maids a glimmer of opportunity.
Although Spirit Fruit was scarce, and with their current abilities, they could earn only one Spirit Fruit per day at most, over time – a month – that amounted to thirty. By utilizing the Magic Power within the Spirit Fruit consistently, accumulating it over time would make becoming a First-grade Cultivator feasible. Some Matrons might even break through to pseudo-second-rank Cultivators.
While distributing thirty Spirit Fruits daily, Lu Hangzhi also began to reap the rewards.
After the third nurturing cycle of the first day, Lü’e delivered the second harvest of nine hundred forty fruits from the heavily laden Spirit Fruit Trees the very next morning.
Seeing Lü’e approach cheerfully, her steps light, Lu Hangzhi smiled, “Does this put your mind at ease now?”
“Mmm!” Lü’e nodded vigorously.
The trees that previously needed two days to ripen fruit were now fully laden again after just one day and four hours. Even the slowest maid or Matron understood that not only would the Miss not punish this, she would likely give heavy rewards. Lu Hangzhi’s position as head steward was firmly established.
“The Spirit Fruit yield has increased by fifty percent,” Lu Hangzhi considered internally, “Plus the extra Spirit Fruits Yao San failed to report, our profit per month should be close to sixty thousand Spirit Coins.”
“That’s twenty-four thousand more Spirit Coins compared to the previous thirty-six thousand. That’s nearly a two-thirds increase! Just this one item nets us back one hundred twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones. Now let’s see how the Spirit Grain Paddy Fields do.”
With the rewards and penalties system running smoothly, Lu Hangzhi finally felt confident. He popped a Spirit Fruit into his mouth. Then, turning to his own damaged Spirit Tree, he began an intensive cultivation session, pressing it hard.