After much thought, Lin He finally settled on what she felt was a sound plan: to construct the dwelling in the style of a siheyuan (courtyard house), enclosing the area so that buildings could be erected on all four sides. Each residence would be quite small. They still possessed a considerable stretch of riverside field, enough to accommodate a reasonably sized courtyard. She reckoned she could manage to build at least a dozen small houses.

The side facing the main gate would feature two standalone structures, plus an additional two rooms connected together, with a side door. Given the number of future hired laborers, someone would eventually need to be promoted to manage them, and this manager’s terms would necessarily differ from those of the regular hands. In the front, a small yard would be reserved. As for the rear, a latrine would be built there; no courtyard needed, as their own plot of land was sufficient.

Lin He spent a long time drawing on paper, and feeling quite satisfied with her design, she showed it to Er Niu. To her surprise, Er Niu couldn't make head nor tail of it, utterly failing to grasp what she intended to build. Lin He had no choice but to verbally reiterate her ideas to him. Er Niu thought Lin He’s plan was far too extravagant. Other households housed their laborers in communal barracks; even Landlord Xia’s estate did so. Yet, Lin He intended to give each person their own room, and even without considering other furnishings, each room would require at least a bed and a stool—a considerable expense. He felt it wasn't necessary to be so lavish.

Lin He offered the same retort: "If you want the horse to run well, you must feed it plenty of grass." This money had to be spent. How others managed their affairs was their business; her household would operate according to her own rules. Seeing Lin He’s firm stance, Er Niu did not object further. They were, after all, simple and kind-hearted folk, and ensuring the workers lived reasonably well was hardly a bad thing.

Next came determining how many people to hire. For over a hundred mu of land, about ten long-term laborers should suffice. Lin He instructed Er Niu to drop a word with the broker (yakui), stating that they needed to hire laborers. The annual wage would be eight liang of silver, paid out with a bonus packet at the year's end, with extra rewards for truly outstanding performance.

Landlord Xia’s laborers earned six liang a year, which was already considered a decent wage. Lin He offered a rate two liang higher, instructing the broker to select honest and capable men for her family to choose from.

Er Niu deferred to Lin He’s judgment on these matters. Since his daughter had instructed him to visit the broker, he went. The broker had recently received a good deal of reward money from Er Niu’s family. Though Er Niu claimed he was handling matters for someone else, the broker treated him with great deference. Upon hearing Er Niu’s family intended to hire staff, he immediately promised to have suitable candidates ready for selection the very next day.

True to his word, the broker arrived the following day with over a dozen prospective workers. Knowing these men were being hired as field laborers, the broker had pre-selected them; every one was a seasoned farmhand. Lin He stood beside Er Niu, observing them. Because Lin He was still young, she stood toward the back, hidden from view by the men in front, which allowed her a clearer perspective of them all.

Seven or eight of the men the broker brought were quite good candidates. Upon arriving at Lin He’s house, they did not look around idly but remained quietly in place, clearly accustomed to agricultural work. Lin He felt these few were worth keeping. As for the rest, Lin He observed them closely. A couple were noticeably younger, their skin not as deeply tanned as the others, and their fingers long and clean. Though they were also quiet, Lin He judged that people like this were not suited to be field laborers; they should be dismissed.

Two others were notably stout and broad-shouldered, but their eyes darted around nervously. Lin He suspected these men might have devious thoughts and could prove difficult to manage, so they were probably unsuitable as well.

Lin He quietly told Huang Shi to send Er Niu into the room. Lin He then informed her father that she decided to tentatively select eight men for now, asking the broker to bring more candidates the next day. Er Niu looked puzzled and asked, "Daughter, aren't all these men quite good? The two who are fairer skinned, perhaps we can pass on them, but the other two look like they know farm work—why not keep them?"

Lin He knew why her father asked, but she offered no detailed explanation, merely stating, "I didn't like the look in their eyes. Ask the broker to send others."

Er Niu found that reasoning hard to accept, but he had no recourse. If his daughter disliked them, then new men would have to be sent. Lin He discussed the rules the laborers would need to adhere to, and the speech she wanted her father to give them. Since these were matters that only her father could present officially, they would finalize the details once all the laborers had started work.

Er Niu went out and laid down the household rules for hiring laborers. He stated that he paid no mind to the regulations of other households; their employment contract would be for a fixed term of ten years, including room and board, for eight liang of silver annually. Only the employer could terminate the agreement; the laborer could not quit. If the employer dismissed the laborer, they could be sent away without a single coin. If the laborer broke the contract, they would forfeit a year's wages as compensation.

Hearing they could earn eight liang a year, the laborers were overjoyed. They knew how little they earned working elsewhere for a year; this eight liang was equivalent to two years' income for them. Their wives and children could live comfortably. Although the term was long, with such good pay, even longer wouldn't be an issue, as they had to work somewhere regardless.

Er Niu continued, "The work here is about the same as at any ordinary household—agricultural tasks covering over a hundred mu of land. We need about ten people, mostly for the fields for now. Future needs are uncertain, but if the workload increases, I will hire more staff. As for housing, we will build a small courtyard for you near the riverbank; it won't be substandard. You can rest assured about that. My only requirement is that since you have come to work, you must work diligently. If I catch anyone being sly or lazy, I will send them away immediately."

As Er Niu spoke, his tone grew serious. Lin He watched her father, noting that he indeed carried a certain stern authority, like the employers in legends, his gaze sharp. The laborers listened obediently, their expressions unchanging—perhaps that was simply how hired hands behaved in those days.

Seeing their demeanor, Er Niu softened his tone slightly. "That's about it. If you agree, sign this contract. You can start working after the New Year celebrations. If you prefer not to, that’s fine too." He then presented the contracts placed beside him. The laborers signed them without hesitation.

One particularly tall man asked, "Master, precisely when in the first lunar month should we report for duty, and is there anything we need to do in the interim?"

Er Niu was momentarily stunned. After a pause, realizing everyone was looking at him, he understood the title "Master" (Dongjia) was directed at him. He was still not entirely accustomed to the address. Recovering, he said, "The New Year is not far off. Go home and celebrate it well. Report for duty on the sixteenth day of the first month, after the Lantern Festival. It's cold in the first month anyway, and there isn't much to do."

The group agreed. The contracts were finalized, and Er Niu had said all he needed to; they just had to wait for them to return after the New Year. As soon as these laborers departed, the broker brought several more men for Lin He’s family to choose from. Lin He selected two who appeared honest, and Er Niu repeated the same speech, after which the contracts were signed.