In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, Li Jue, who transmigrated and became the son of the废太子 (cancelled crown prince) Li Chengqian, secretly returned to the longed-for Chang'an from Qianzho...
Wang Shanbao quickly adapted to the work rhythm in Xishan and successfully became the head of an assembly line.
Through increased contact, he gradually developed his own understanding of the Xishan Salt Workshop.
As long as you work hard here, no one will deduct your wages or treat you differently.
Everything here is perfectly fair!
You reap what you sow!
Of course, it's not absolute. If you have a good relationship with the person in charge, you can still get some benefits.
For example, it can provide more opportunities to work overtime!
At the Xishan Salt Industry Workshop, every production line is vying to work overtime.
The reason is simple: working one hour overtime pays the same as two hours on a regular day.
If you can get double the pay for the same amount of work, of course everyone will fight tooth and nail for it!
Therefore, whoever has a close relationship with the person in charge will get the opportunity to work overtime.
In this way, not only can the person in charge of the assembly line earn more bonuses, but the artisans on the assembly line under their supervision can also earn more.
"Wang Shanbao, this is the Crown Prince's latest edict. You should lead the craftsmen to read it carefully and hold a study session during the free time this afternoon!"
"Oh oh oh..."
If Wang Shanbao had to point out a problem, the biggest issue with the Xishan Saltworks workshop would probably be that it held too many meetings.
It's not a seminar, it's an experience sharing session, or a seminar like today's.
Wang Shanbao glanced at the Crown Prince's edict, which contained more than a dozen articles. The vast majority of them were production regulations and safety guidelines, which they had always strictly followed even if the Crown Prince hadn't said so. However, one article stated that they should no longer call craftsmen "craftsmen" but "workers," which puzzled him greatly.
Is there any difference between a craftsman and a worker?
Wang Shanbao could not grasp the profound meaning behind the Crown Prince's words, but out of blind obedience to the Crown Prince, he instinctively felt that the Crown Prince had a deeper meaning.
Therefore, during the afternoon break, Wang Shanbao gathered all the workers together and read out the imperial edict from the Crown Prince, emphasizing the matter of changing the name of craftsmen to workers.
"Gentlemen, we don't understand the difference between craftsmen and workers, but since the Crown Prince has said so, we can only call ourselves workers from now on, and we can no longer call ourselves craftsmen!"
"Chief Wang, let's not worry about all that. We just need to know one thing: only the Crown Prince treats us like human beings!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shanbao had a sudden inspiration. That's right, the only difference between craftsman and worker is that the "craftsman" is replaced with the "person".
This shows that the Crown Prince treats them as human beings!
Wang Shanbao's eyes suddenly welled up with tears as he thought of this, and he shouted to the workers below the stage.
"What these brothers said is right. The reason why the Crown Prince changed our names is because he treats us like human beings. Waaah!"
"The difference between craftsman and worker is only one word, but their meanings are worlds apart."
"From now on, we are no longer lowly craftsmen, but upright workers!"
The workers in the audience were all moved by these words. They had never imagined that one day they could become human beings!
"Worker!"
"Worker!"
"From today onwards, we are all workers!"
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
Just as the workers were shouting "Long live the Emperor!", Li Jue walked past the stage.
He really wanted to go up on the stage and shout "Long live the workers!" to the workers below.
But reason told him that it wouldn't work; at least, given the Tang Dynasty's current weak industrial base, it was far from sufficient.
However, he was very satisfied that the workers in the salt workshops could appreciate his good intentions.
Yes, that is exactly what he meant: to elevate artisans, to raise them from their historically lowly status to the political heights they deserve.
Although Datang's industry is still in a very poor state, he believes that in the near future, Datang will surely achieve glory under his leadership!
"Xue Yong, what's the name of that manager on the stage?"
"Reporting to the Crown Prince, this man is named Wang Shanbao. He is very proactive in his work and often volunteers to work overtime!"
Li Jue nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.
"Um!"
"Add his name to the study list!"
"ah?"
"Crown Prince, do you mean to add him to the list of the Qin Prince's Engineering Training Class, which only has thirty members?"
"What else could it be but this?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll take care of it right away!"
"But the list seems to be full..."
"Then let's just call it expanding enrollment!"
Li Jue made the final decision, adding one more person to the already full 30-person assault squad.
"Xue Yong, how's it going with processing these 100,000-plus people?"
"Reporting to the Crown Prince, only half has been digested so far; the other half cannot be arranged..."
Why?
"Your Highness, the expansion of the workshops will take time; it will be at least three months before we can absorb them all..."
Li Jue sighed upon hearing this.
"Then let them switch to the construction sequence first, and recruit them into the workshop after we finish the expansion!"
"promise!"
"Any problems now?"
"Just so you know, I'm really busy lately. If you have any questions, just let me know, because after today you might not see me again for a long time!"
"Your Highness, the wages are manageable right now, the main problem is the food..."
"Grain prices in Guanzhong are rising too fast, and the funds you originally allocated for grain purchases are quickly becoming insufficient..."
"Grain prices..."
Li Jue also looked troubled upon hearing this.
After all, he could overtake others in industry by taking shortcuts, but he really had no way to succeed in traditional agriculture.
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