Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Otti/Mr. White also jumped down...
The snow in Haddonfield had stopped at some point, but the atmosphere in the carriage was as solemn as an ice cellar.
"It's bizarre that chaos erupted right after Brousson left," Charles said, hinting. "Even if a labor movement was going to break out, would it happen so suddenly, and right here in our factory?"
Hermann opened the car curtain and looked out the window.
A cold glint flashed across his dark grey eyes. "It's a simple calculation. Old Brousson is trying to force me to agree."
At the end of the street, the White Factory was built along the river. Beyond the railings lay the river, its flow slowing in winter. Inside, workers huddled outside the factory, their spirits high. The snow was muddy from the trampling of their feet.
A tall, thin, red-haired man, leading the group, was shouting, "Guys! We must unite and raise wages! Implement an eight-hour workday! Down with the unscrupulous factory owners!"
"Increase wages! Implement the eight-hour work day! Down with the black-hearted factory owners!" Two bearded men, whose faces could not be seen clearly due to their hats, mixed in the crowd, raised their arms and shouted.
Instigated by them, the ragged workers also began to shout slogans, but most of them were not in high spirits.
Inspired by the newspapers, people on Chenxi Street are following Heslan's example in planning a demonstration movement, but they are still in the exploratory stage and have not yet reached a large scale.
Some workers who were exploited to the extreme rebelled violently in anger, rushed into the factory and smashed the machines. The unlucky guy who deserved his punishment was Bruson's lackey, Mr. Beach.
But the workers did not get the desired result. Bi Qi killed the chicken to scare the monkey, put the ringleader in jail, and took advantage of public opinion to portray the rebels as greedy scoundrels.
This incident reminds everyone to be more vigilant and not to resort to irrational violence, otherwise it will backfire.
Seeing the lack of reaction from the crowd, the tall red-haired man continued shouting, "Hey! Now rush in with me! Smash the machines and grab the raw materials! Show that silver-haired bastard a lesson!"
"Wait, I think we should wait until Mr. White comes!"
In the crowd, the workers at White's factory were hesitant. Since Pete was fired, the new manager not only gave them medical allowances but also increased their wages.
To some extent, Herman can be considered to have a conscience compared to other black-hearted bosses, so the workers prefer to raise their demands rationally rather than resort to violence.
But the red-haired man's expression changed when he heard this. He pointed at the person who had spoken and said, "Are you trying to sabotage the Workers' Alliance? I came here from Heslan specifically to guide your movement. If you don't even dare to offer basic resistance, then get out of here as soon as possible. Don't even think about following us around and taking advantage of the fruits of our labor!"
The worker who was pointed at blushed, "I...I didn't!"
"You're still saying no! You scab! Herman White is the largest factory owner in Haddonfield. This black-hearted devil from Elmi holds the most wealth! Have you forgotten our goal just because we gave you a little sweet treat?" The red-haired man shouted angrily, "Guys! Drive out the scabs!"
The two bearded men immediately followed suit, shouting, "Drive out the scabs! Drive out the scabs! Drive out the scabs!"
The emotions of the chaotic crowd were ignited again. Even if some individuals had other ideas, they did not dare to speak out for fear of becoming a minority.
The worker was pushed to the ground, his worn hat trampled into the mud, accompanied by bursts of scolding.
He raised his hands in vain, hugged his head, and let the fists and kicks fall on his body.
In his sight, he saw a pitch-black carriage slowly approaching, a silver cane tapping the ground, followed by a pair of leather shoes and a well-tailored black coat.
"Mr. White..."
I don't know who was the first to call out the person's name.
Everyone subconsciously stopped what they were doing, and the emotions that had just been ignited seemed to be extinguished by cold water.
Not far away, Herman walked over alone. Charles behind him wanted to stop him but failed.
"Are you looking for me?"
He strolled leisurely through the muddy snow.
The workers automatically made way for the figure as he slowly walked up the stairs, like Moses parting the sea.
The red-haired man didn't expect him to actually come. Surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly said in a fierce tone: "Herman, you dare to show up, you are quite brave!"
"Listen, from today on, you must meet all our demands. Otherwise, the White Factory will be shut down indefinitely, and you can't use us to make a penny for you anymore!"
The red-haired man was very emotional. As he spoke, he threw the letter of request signed by the workers at Hermann.
One hand caught it steadily and then unfolded it.
His dark grey eyes scanned the letter, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face. "Eight-hour workday, medical insurance, establishing industry salary standards... I understand all of that, but what does this last one mean? Replacing the current management?"
The redhead sneered, "Of course we're afraid you'll change your mind. We have to supervise them with our own people! What? You're reluctant to replace your subordinates? Don't want to agree? If you don't agree, we'll just charge in!"
Herman's face gradually turned cold.
He stared at the redhead expressionlessly, as if not taking the threat seriously at all. "Is this your decision alone, or... all of you?"
The crowd was silent, each with their own thoughts.
Some people do not want to offend their employers for fear of actually losing their jobs; some people want to wait and see and follow the crowd to gain benefits; some people think rationally and judge the situation.
Suddenly, a freckled young man stood out from the crowd, with a young girl supporting him.
"Mr. White, most of the decisions in the petition are ours, but... cough cough cough..." The young man coughed, his cheeks flushed with the sickly redness of byssinus. "But we don't want to resort to violence."
Herman looked at the familiar young man in front of him—Kevin, who had come despite his illness, and his fiancée Rose.
"Compared to other factory owners, you're already very kind. We all appreciate the medical allowances and extra pay. But these short-lived and scarce subsidies can't change the current situation of the entire industry." Kevin coughed violently again, and Rose wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with tears in her eyes. "So...so we have to unite and fight for our rights."
Herman's eyes were emotionless. "How is your illness?"
"Thank you for your concern. Unfortunately, the doctor told me I probably won't make it through the winter." Kevin forced a smile. "There are many workers like me. I'm lucky enough. At least the help you've given me will allow Rose to live the rest of her life smoothly. This way, I can leave with peace of mind."
Rose cried softly, her tears falling like beads from a broken string.
"Mr. White, I say this to ask for your understanding... We're not ungrateful, ahem... " Kevin looked at Herman and spoke each word with emphasis, "We just... hope that the next generation won't have to walk the same path and suffer the same hardships, ahem!"
Before he could finish his words, they were drowned out by a series of piercing coughs.
Rose burst into tears. The little beggar emerged from the crowd, hugged Kevin's legs, and wiped his tears. "No, you won't die, Kevin. I will make money to treat your illness. The Beech factory next door will recruit child laborers. Just wait for me..."
"Poly, I don't want you to continue my fate." The shy boy took on the responsibility of an older brother at this moment, protecting his non-blood-related brother under his wings, his eyes firm, "You are still young, and you have a long way to go."
Little beggar Polly also has no parents and depends on Kevin for everything. They hugged each other sadly, tears dripping into the snow, mourning for their inevitable fate. Such stories are not uncommon in Haddonfield.
The snow began to fall again, as white as the cotton wool in the factory, which did not make people happy, but instead reminded people of illness and death.
Everyone fell silent, feeling grief-stricken.
Outside the railings, the calm river surface is filled with filth and dirt, rushing forward with the filth and blood of the industrial city.
Noticing that the situation seemed to have calmed down, the red-haired man and the two bearded men exchanged a glance and suddenly shouted, "Why are you crying?! Is this going to help? Using tears to beg for sympathy from that Elmi demon?! Don't you think it's ridiculous?!"
The red-haired man pushed Kevin aside, took the middle position, and shouted to the crowd: "Pick up your weapons! Pick up your bravery! Only fists can make those arrogant bastards surrender!"
"No! Don't act rashly! If we take action first, we will break the law! This will not be conducive to negotiations!" Kevin turned around hurriedly.
"Get out of here! Stop pretending!" The red-haired man said fiercely, "Don't be fooled by this guy! He's a hireling hired by Herman! Didn't you hear? Herman gave his family enough money to last the rest of their lives! What he has, do you have? Will your children have it?!"
"This guy has been bribed. He's an undercover agent planted within us, trying to sabotage the Workers' Alliance!"
Kevin: "No! The new regulations have already stated that those diagnosed with serious illnesses can receive subsidies. That's not bribery..."
"Shut up! Stop quibbling! You scab! The three of you are all residents of Ryan Town! You and Herman are in cahoots!"
"Yes, I heard that they also attended the wedding at Winston Manor!" someone suddenly shouted.
For a moment, the crowd's expressions changed when they looked at Kevin. They did sympathize with him, but in their hearts they couldn't help but wonder if the other party had received more benefits!
It's obvious that all the illness and suffering are caused by these high-ranking capitalists! Why do the devils want to dismantle their alliance just by throwing a few dollars?
Red, with his big beard, raised his arms and shouted, "Down with the scabs! Down with the Whites!"
"Down with the scabs! Down with White!"
Hatred welled up, and everyone rushed forward: "Down with the scab! Down with White!"
Kevin stepped forward to stop them, but was pushed to the river bank by the crowd.
Through the surging crowd, he looked at the man on the steps and couldn't help but shudder in his heart - Herman's face was completely cold, he stood there fearlessly, with no intention of dodging at all.
Yes, at this moment, Herman felt only disgust.
He hated the brainless mob! He hated the idiots with ulterior motives even more! If he had been planning to sit down and talk just a moment ago, he had now completely given up on the idea.
Ants who only know how to use force and have no opinions of their own deserve to be trampled underfoot. They don't deserve his respect, let alone his wasting words!
On the opposite side, Charles arrived with the sheriff, waving and shouting, his voice drowned out by the noisy crowd.
The red-haired man and the two bearded men finished calling on the workers and quietly slipped away, unaware that the dark grey eyes were staring at them.
Herman slowly reached for his waist, loaded the cold firearm, and just as he was about to take it out, something strange suddenly happened!
On the riverbank, angry workers pushed through the railings. With a loud "plop," a thrashing figure emerged from the waves.
"No! Kevin!"
Polly suddenly yelled.
Rose screamed miserably, "Kevin fell! Please save him!"
The workers were still in shock, as no one had expected such a sudden turn of events to happen. They stood there in a daze for a moment.
“Who did it?!”
"It wasn't me! I didn't push him!"
"It's not me either!"
"Stop arguing! Saving lives is more important!"
…
Seeing the river carrying Kevin farther and farther away, Rose cried heartbreakingly!
The next moment, a figure ran over from not far away, quickly jumped into the river, and swam towards Kevin agilely!
No one noticed that Hermann's face suddenly turned ugly.
“Get out of the way!”
Almost at the same time, he threw away his coat, rushed into the crowd without looking back, and suddenly jumped into the river!
"Mr. White has also jumped! Quick! Save him!"
“Oh my God!”
…
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