Chapter 202 Poaching

Master Song was holding a wooden handle in his hand, which he had polished until it gleamed.

After hearing what Lao Zhu said, he lowered his eyelids, seemingly lost in thought.

The reason why everyone silently tied white mourning clothes around Xie San Niang's waist was because on the day Xie San Niang passed away, Master Song wore one around his waist.

Within half a day, everyone in the textile and dyeing workshop spontaneously began to observe mourning for Xie San Niang.

I've heard that Master Song has spent his entire life in the Xie family and is extremely loyal to Xie San Niang.

Hearing this, they will surely take action.

Sure enough, after Old Zhu finished speaking, Master Song nodded and turned to leave, presumably to inquire about the news.

Old Zhu didn't care and said, "To be honest, although I, Old Zhu, have only been in Xie Family Garden for a few years, I have truly shared joys and sorrows with you all."

"I feel so choked up inside, and it's really hard to keep quiet about it."

The outspoken embroiderer, Man Sui, said, "Brother Zhu, you've always been quiet and reserved. We all know you're steady and reliable, so you must have been unable to hold back your words."

"Feel free to share your thoughts..."

Old Zhu said, "Our former employer has treated us well. Now that the Xie family is in trouble, we should help each other and get through this difficult time together."

“I would have no objection to the eldest master of the Xie family being in charge, but now…”

A hint of sarcasm appeared in Old Zhu's eyes: "I, Old Zhu, can't stay in the Xie family any longer. It's really hard for me to work for such a disloyal and unfilial wretch and let him make a fortune."

"You mean you want to leave?"

Old Zhu nodded: "Now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you all. I had other options before, but because my former employer was so demanding of us, I stayed with the Xie family."

"But now..."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the four lonely food boxes placed under the eaves.

The food box was placed in front of about a hundred people, showing absolutely no respect for the craftsman.

What they saw was Xie Chengzhi's utter arrogance.

As the largest textile and dyeing garden in the former Suzhou Prefecture, anyone who could work here had exceptional skills.

The Xie family's monthly allowance wasn't low; they certainly weren't short of a snack, five coins, or a meat meal.

Xie Chengzhi is here today to show off his power, isn't he?

Man Sui, who had been thoroughly berating Xie Chengzhi, sighed slightly upon hearing this.

“Brother Zhu, don’t feel guilty. We understand the principle that people should strive for better things, but I want to see how things go again.”

Man Sui said, "I do not like Xie Lao Er, but to be fair, most of my skills were learned from the Xie family."

"My former employer treated us well when he was alive and never mistreated us, so I can't leave now."

“Brother Zhu, you haven’t been at the dyeing workshop for long, so you are different from us.”

"At least at this time, I cannot do anything that betrays my promise."

After Man Sui finished speaking, the relaxation on some people's faces gradually disappeared.

Old Zhu said, "Sister, you are a person of great loyalty and righteousness. These words are like a wake-up call, and they have also made me look ridiculous."

"I was blinded by greed, and I forgot my conscience when I saw other people's high salaries and generous benefits."

“You’re right. Now is not the time to leave the Xie family, even if the monthly salary they offer is double that of the Xie family.”

"I was blinded by greed. I heard they were short-staffed over there, and if you went early you could get a managerial position with a higher monthly salary..."

More than double?

Someone stuck their head out and asked Old Zhu, "Whose family is this? So generous? Are they trying to scam us?"

Old Zhu said, "I actually went to that family in the suburbs of Xinmaotou with the intention of learning a new skill. After all, their business is booming right now, and their future prospects are bound to be good."

"That's why I started thinking, girl. You've given us a wake-up call."

After saying that, Old Zhu said, "Alright, alright, let's get to work first. Master Xie hasn't left yet, so let's not give him any leverage."

Old Zhu was very decisive in his actions and words. He would throw out a few words, turn around and leave, without saying much or trying to persuade him further.

But he knew that someone would secretly come looking for him today.

Sure enough, after Old Zhu left, many people looked embarrassed and made an excuse to leave.

Man Sui, on the other hand, is open and honest. He will criticize when he should, but he would never betray his employer at this time.

Xie Chengzhi swaggered around the textile and dyeing workshop, finding many faults before heading back home.

Old Zhu made no further moves and quietly continued working alone.

Sure enough, during lunch break, someone sneaked over to his place.

"Brother Zhu."

The visitor was a dyeing craftsman from the Xie family, who had been working for them for a long time.

Each member of the Xie family is responsible for a different process, and designated people only perform designated processes to ensure that the secret recipe is not passed on to outsiders.

Old Zhu's mission this time was to bring all of Xie's important craftsmen to Jixia Manor; none of them could be missing.

If he pulls off this job well, he'll be set for life in front of his master.

Thinking of this, Old Zhu composed himself, got up, and welcomed the person to his side.

The man rubbed his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Brother Zhu, is it true that Xiecui Workshop is offering double the monthly salary to recruit craftsmen?"

Old Zhu nodded: "Yes, that weaving and dyeing workshop is in the suburbs. I heard that they make sure to sign a long-term contract in black and white, so they won't cheat."

Upon hearing this, the dyer sighed and said, "You know my family's situation. My youngest son is in poor health. He coughs incessantly every spring and autumn, and we still haven't found the cause of his illness."

"He spent a lot of his earnings on medicine throughout the year, so..."

Old Zhu said, "I understand your predicament. If I were you, I would also choose a place with a higher monthly salary. Let's not talk about loyalty and righteousness. The most important thing for a man is to support his family and keep them healthy."

"Yes, yes, that makes sense."

The man sighed. Seeing that he was interested, Old Zhu patiently persuaded him: "The manager in charge of recruiting people said that those who go first might be able to get a leadership position."

"If that's the case, this month's allowance will be even more substantial."

"real?"

Old Zhu nodded: "Brother, I remember you have two apprentices under you, right?"

"yes."

"Let's take them together."

Old Zhu looked honest and spoke very sincerely: "We're a group of newcomers to a new place. If we fight alone, we're afraid of being ostracized. If we persuade more people, we won't be afraid of being bullied."

"Only those with troops under their command can become generals."

"Yes, Brother Zhu, that makes sense."

After a few words, the man was already tempted. Not to mention the Xie family's impending decline, even without the death of the old master, the burning of the warehouse, the failure of the Prince's Mansion in the cloth sample competition, and the unfilial son Xie Chengzhi taking power, the double monthly salary alone would be enough to win people's hearts.

The dyer's eyes grew even more determined, and he thought that he would not only take his apprentice with him, but also try to persuade those he was close to.

Old Zhu is right. Only with support from others, and by working together as a cohesive unit, can the newcomers gain a foothold in their new place.