Chapter Eighty-Two: Management Matters

Chu Yun looked at the three chief household leaders and said, “You were all chosen to be chief household leaders because you are capable. I trust you to carry out my instructions well. From now on, I will speak only with the three of you, and should any issues arise, you will be the ones held responsible. Do you have confidence in accomplishing the tasks I assign?”

“We are confident!”

“I will devote myself fully to every task you assign, my lord Earl.”

“I can do it—I'm confident as well!”

Chu Wencai, Chu Lefu, and Chu Cuihua responded loudly and in unison.

Chu Yun nodded and continued, “Of course, as our territory grows and we have more people, we will need more managers. I will select team leaders who will be a level above you, and when that happens, you chief household leaders must follow the team leaders’ orders. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” The three replied together.

Chu Yun then looked at the other twenty managers. “Middle household leaders, step forward!”

Five men immediately stepped out.

Seeing this, Chu Yun frowned slightly. “I’ve always felt that the numbers are off—sixty-nine households, yet only twenty-three managers. It turns out some people are serving as minor household leaders, middle household leaders, and chief household leaders all at once.”

Having said this, he turned to Bai Hao. “Captain Bai, select eight more people to serve as minor household leaders and bring them here.”

Bai Hao replied apologetically, “Forgive me, my lord Earl. Earlier, I only thought of choosing middle household leaders from the minor household leaders, and chief household leaders from the middle household leaders, forgetting that this left us short of minor and middle household leaders.”

With that, he took his cavalry team to make new selections.

Chu Yun looked at the remaining fifteen minor household leaders and said, “Since you are the first to be chosen, the three vacant middle household leader positions should be filled from among you. If anyone wishes to become a middle household leader, step forward.”

He allowed them to volunteer because those who recommend themselves usually possess confidence and are willing to take on responsibility.

After Chu Yun finished speaking, five minor household leaders stepped forward, all hoping to be promoted.

Seeing their confidence, Chu Yun was delighted.

He had the five introduce themselves, asking them to share what they were most confident and proud of.

After hearing them, Chu Yun chose three as middle household leaders, and spoke to the remaining two minor household leaders, “Although you have not become middle household leaders this time, I have remembered your names. When my territory grows and the population increases, you will be the first to be promoted.”

The two minor household leaders responded, “My lord Earl, we will work hard. Next time, we will surely become middle household leaders.”

Chu Yun smiled and addressed the three newly chosen, “Those two are also very capable, but I have chosen you. I hope you will not let me down. Otherwise, I can replace you at any time and let them take your place.”

“Rest assured, my lord Earl, we will fulfill our duties as middle household leaders,” the three answered in unison.

At that moment, Bai Hao returned with the eight new minor household leaders.

Chu Yun had them stand together and announced loudly, “My rules are simple: minor household leaders follow the instructions of middle household leaders, middle household leaders follow chief household leaders, and when there are team leaders, chief household leaders will follow their orders. For now, chief household leaders follow my instructions.”

“If I have a question, I will ask the chief household leaders, not the middle or minor household leaders. Chief household leaders may only consult middle household leaders, not minor household leaders. Middle household leaders likewise may only consult minor household leaders, not individual households.”

“If a minor household leader cannot resolve an issue, they must first seek out the middle household leader, not the chief household leader. It is up to the middle household leader to bring matters to the chief household leader. No one should report directly to future team leaders or to me, except in extremely urgent situations, when you may bypass the chain of command.”

“Does everyone understand?”

The principle was simple, and as these people had been chosen for their managerial abilities, they were not foolish. Hearing it once, they all understood and responded that they did.

Chu Yun nodded with a smile. “Good. Since you understand, the three chief household leaders, follow me.”

He turned and strode away, and the three chief household leaders followed.

Once they were out of earshot from the others, Chu Yun said, “Assign your people to collect grain at the rate of one pound for every three people. Build fires for cooking, but be careful—do not set the forest ablaze. Remember, you must call your three middle household leaders aside and speak to them directly. Understood? This is the first time, and I worry the message may not be passed on properly.”

“We understand, my lord Earl!” the three responded, then hurried off to gather their middle household leaders and issue instructions.

The middle household leaders then summoned their respective minor household leaders and passed on their orders.

Finally, the minor household leaders led the three families under their care to collect grain.

Chu Yun watched quietly from the side, seeing everyone line up to receive grain under the direction of the managers. This was his first directive, and though it was simple, he was pleased that everyone carried it out smoothly.

At that moment, Huang Daniu came to Chu Yun’s side. “My lord Earl, now that you’ve chosen so many managers, you only need to speak to three people and have them pass the message down. Does this mean you no longer need me to hold up the jar?”

Chu Yun nodded. “That’s right.”

Huang Daniu said, “Then I suppose I have nothing to do.”

Seeing the cavalry team helping distribute grain, Chu Yun replied, “Go help with the grain distribution.”

“Understood, my lord Earl!” Huang Daniu responded and ran off to assist.

Once everyone had received their grain, they began gathering firewood and water to prepare meals.

Chu Yun noticed that the three families helped by each minor household leader were slow in cooking. Their division of labor was unclear; sometimes everyone went to gather firewood, sometimes everyone fetched water, or built the stove together.

In contrast, the groups under minor household leaders who did not participate in the cooking but instead directed and assigned tasks were the fastest at preparing meals.

“This is the importance of managers,” Chu Yun sighed softly.

He then saw Chu Cuihua, one of the chief household leaders, helping out as well. He walked over and stopped her. “What are you doing?”

Chu Cuihua smiled, “My lord Earl, I’m helping gather firewood.”

Chu Yun snorted, “Is this the job of a chief household leader? Look at Chu Wencai—he’s constantly calling his middle household leaders, assigning tasks to minor household leaders, and organizing personnel. They have clear divisions of labor; everyone has their own task, and their cooking is the fastest. But you’re busying yourself here, and your group is the slowest at preparing meals.”