While waiting for the other clan leaders to arrive, Lin Lizheng said to Song Anxin, "These old foxes are getting more and more cunning as they get older. Fengnian's mother, what do you think they're after by pulling this stunt?" Lin Lizheng only knew that they were the ones causing trouble, but he still couldn't figure out exactly what they were up to.
Song Anxin said gently, "Uncle, don't get too angry. Take care of your health. These people just want the little bit of power you have."
Lin Lizheng then realized: "Hmph, it's true what they say, 'When it comes to poverty, we can be poor together, but when it comes to wealth, we can't share the burden.'"
“Uncle, this might not be a bad thing. This persimmon workshop belongs to everyone in Linjia Village, including them. Besides, most of the people inside and outside the workshop are from the Lin family, so it's normal for them to have their own ideas.” Song Anxin comforted him and then continued to analyze, “A village's collective industry certainly can't be controlled by one family. Everyone knows you're a fair person, Uncle, but you can't possibly take care of everyone. Even if you let your most trusted Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang do it, can you guarantee that Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang won't be as soft-hearted as Auntie and that something like Tianma Sangong will happen again?”
Lin Lizheng was startled when he heard this. Song Anxin continued, "I know that you are doing your best for the village, hoping that the village can get better and better and that you can lead the villagers to a better life. But it is not only hard work for you, but also because there are many things that the villagers do not understand. Naturally, it is easy for you to do a lot of work but not get any thanks. They do not understand your hard work and considerations, so they will come to cause trouble at the slightest sign of trouble."
Lin Lizheng felt a pang of sadness as he listened. Indeed, the villagers didn't understand many things and were easily swayed by rumors. He was truly exhausted.
Song Anxin changed the subject: "But if the major families in the village can manage together, check and balance each other, supervise each other, and compete with each other, Uncle, you will be much more relaxed. They will also know that managing this business is not easy. In order to do this business well and not be replaced, they will focus on the construction they are doing and will not have time to think about other things. This workshop may become better and better."
Lin Lizheng suddenly realized what he meant and said, "Fengnian's mother, you are really amazing. Those who study really do have a faster mind than us."
Once all the clan heads in the village had arrived, the group began formal discussions. Song Anxin, being a woman, felt it inappropriate to participate and didn't want to get involved. She only focused on the technical aspects and gave the village head her suggestions before returning home.
Linjia Village has six major families, totaling more than 200 households. The Lin family has the largest population, accounting for about 100 households in the village. Next are the Liu family with more than 30 households, the Fang family with more than 20 households, the Zhao family with more than 10 households, and other smaller families with about 10 households each.
The Liu family patriarch spoke first, saying, "Brother, you know Ma San Gong from the Ma family. He's a notorious lazybones in the village. Even if he's your wife's maternal uncle, you can't just hire him into the workshop like this. Isn't this ruining our village's livelihood?"
The Ma family patriarch's expression darkened upon hearing this, as this person was from his clan. This Third Master Ma was truly unworthy; he couldn't even gain such a small advantage, what a waste that the clan had such a capable son-in-law.
Lin Li, sitting at the top, said, "Brother Liu, stop being sarcastic. I know what you're thinking. This persimmon cake workshop is indeed a collective business of the village. It's exhausting for me to manage it alone, and you're making unfounded assumptions. I know what you're thinking. So tell me, what are your ideas about managing the workshop? Which part are you planning to take over?"
When some clan chiefs heard that the village head had been so generous and open in relinquishing authority, they felt even more embarrassed and began apologizing and praising him. Some clan chiefs who hadn't been involved were initially confused, but after understanding the situation, they all said they trusted the village head and wouldn't interfere in the workshop's affairs.
Chief Liu was furious and cursed these opportunistic cowards and bastards, but what could he do but swallow his pride and apologize along with them?
Lin Lizheng said, "Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's get down to business. I don't care whether you want it or not."
Fengnian's mother was right. Instead of working for free and exhausting themselves for no reward, it was better to delegate authority openly so that they could honestly hold a position and receive wages.
A heated argument ensued. Each clan chief wanted to manage the workshop in their own way, and each wanted to reserve a position for someone from their own clan in every post. They also disliked each other's members. The village head remained silent, letting them argue. The clan chiefs argued for a long time without reaching a conclusion, their faces flushed and necks red.
Chief Liu grew anxious: "Brother, say something! I really don't know what these senile old folks are thinking."
"Hey, Brother Liu, you're older than me! You're the one who's getting senile! You're so smart, why haven't you come up with any good ideas?"
"Hey bro, say something! Otherwise we'll get nothing out of this."
Lin Lizheng thought it was about time. When Fengnian's mother left, she specifically told him that these old folks would definitely have their own ideas. At first, they wouldn't listen to their nonsense. Just let them argue. When they couldn't argue anymore, they would naturally come to him for advice. After all, wanting power and actually having power are two different things. Fengnian's mother said this was called "throwing a brick to attract jade".
He spoke slowly and deliberately, "I do have a plan here."
"Hey, brother, if you have a plan, you should have just said so earlier. Why are we arguing here for so long?" said the Fang family patriarch.
"That's right, bro, hurry up and tell us. We still need you. They're all useless, they have no skills but they're always making a fuss."
"Hey, who are you talking about? You think you're so great?! All you do is stuff your Zhao family members in there..."
"Hey, all of you stop arguing and let the village head speak."
Lin Li glanced at them, then straightened his clothes and said seriously, "The workshop can be divided into a general affairs department, a personnel department, a finance department, a procurement department... The general affairs department is where we few are responsible for making decisions on the overall matters of the workshop... We discuss any major decisions in the workshop together... We hold a meeting every five days... The personnel department is... Each department is headed by a clan elder... There will be people from different clans in each department... This way, we supervise each other."
In addition, the operating status of the persimmon cake workshop should be written down and regularly posted on the village bulletin board. The bulletin board is just a board that stands in the village. I will have someone make it. That's the general outline. We'll refine it as we go. If you don't think it's acceptable, then you can argue about it some more.
After hearing this, the clan chiefs were completely convinced of the village head's abilities. How could they think it was no good? Look at what the village head said; no matter how much they argued, it was just a bunch of trivial matters.
Lin Lizheng thought to himself, "Luckily, there's Fengnian Niang. Only she could come up with such a method. Giving her 20% of the profits is a good deal."
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