Chapter 66 This woman is really cunning!
Twenty men in uniform filed in, and even just walking in was impressive enough. But what they did next was even more jaw-dropping.
They can do every single step of the process!
And the dyed fabric is quite good!
Luo San's face turned deathly pale.
No wonder this woman was so confident; she had already prepared a backup plan!
The other fifteen people who followed Luo San also looked grim. Luo San had said that the dyeing workshop would not actually let them leave, because if they left, the dyeing workshop would not be able to start operations.
But now!
Zhou Mujiao glanced around, taking in everyone's expressions, and said calmly, "See? No one is irreplaceable. If you want me to value you and pay you more, you have to see if you can bring me value that others can't."
Liang An can build a team for me and expand into markets outside my local area, so I'm willing to pay him a high salary and share profits. I also hope we can continue to cooperate and grow together. Most of you, on the other hand, are just ordinary people with a skill, and that skill isn't unique. What does that mean? It means you can be replaced at any time.
Everyone gasped. Zhou Mujiao continued, "Of course, I'm not saying this to threaten you, nor do I mean to replace you at any time. What I mean is, if you want to negotiate with me, you need to have enough bargaining chips. Of course, even if you are not irreplaceable, as long as you work diligently, I will not shortchange you on what is due to you."
"Since everyone's here today, I'd like to take this opportunity to reassure everyone and offer some benefits beyond wages. Mr. Luo, since you're an outsider, you can also serve as my witness."
There are also benefits?
"Anyone who works at the dyehouse for a full year will receive an extra half-month's wages every Lunar New Year; after two years, an extra month; after three years, an extra month and a half, and so on. Those who have worked for more than three years, or those who have worked for less than three years but have outstanding performance, will be listed as reserve cadres by the dyehouse, and corresponding career plans will be made according to their individual strengths."
Someone shouted, "Boss, what's a reserve cadre?"
"The dyehouse will grow bigger and stronger in the future, and will also open branch factories in other places. At that time, the heads of these branch factories will be selected from these reserve departments. For those who are particularly outstanding, I will give them additional rewards, such as shares or houses, which will be discussed later."
Furthermore, for families with children attending school or already in school, the dyehouse would send a generous gift at the start of each school year. If someone in the family passed the imperial examinations (xiucai or juren), the dyehouse would cover all expenses for their journey to the capital for the examinations, as well as their lodging and food in the capital. Folks, working at the dyehouse and receiving wages was merely for survival; to change one's family's fortunes, one still needed to study!
Of course, it's alright if I don't become a scholar or a graduate; as long as I can read and do arithmetic, I'll make arrangements accordingly!
They could manage affairs, and the dye house also took care of their children's schooling and helped arrange jobs for them!
Everyone was shocked.
Zhou Mujiao looked around and said, "I, Zhou Mujiao, always keep my word and never make empty promises. If you believe me, then study harder and improve your skills. If you can innovate, I will encourage you even more. An innovation award will be established starting today, with rewards ranging from ten to one thousand taels depending on the amount of revenue generated. If you don't believe me, that's okay too. Just do your job well, and your monthly wages will be steadily deposited into your pockets, not a penny less. During holidays, the dye house will give everyone holiday gift packages. These benefits are the same for the employees of the weaving workshop and Zhou Yun Logistics."
If someone else had stood here and said these things to them, no one would have believed it. But strangely, although Zhou Mujiao was a woman, and a delicate young girl at that, they all felt that what she said was true and that she would definitely keep her word.
Zhou Mujiao looked around again and added one last time: "Liang An, register all the people who left today and send the list to all units. From now on, no unit under my command, Zhou Mujiao, shall hire them!"
"Well said!"
After listening outside for a while, Boss Tang couldn't help but come in. He nodded to Zhou Mujiao and said, "Miss Zhou, could you please give me a copy of the list? I wouldn't dare use someone who threatens and forces their employer like this!"
Zhou Mujiao was somewhat surprised by Boss Tang's appearance, but not particularly astonished. She said calmly, "The people are right here. Boss Tang can make up the list himself if he wants. I am only saying that I will never hire them, not that I am cutting off their livelihood."
"Of course, of course," Boss Tang smiled. "Manager Su, you are in charge of registering this list. You need to get the list distributed to all the departments by tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Boss Tang owns two restaurants in Taohua County alone, and has many other businesses as well. His connections are much wider than Zhou Mujiao's. If that list is in his hands today, it will definitely be in the hands of all the owners in Taohua County tomorrow. If Luo San's dye house doesn't open, these people on the list won't be able to find work in Taohua County at all, and they'll be doomed!
What a ruthless move!
Those who chose to follow Luo San were filled with regret upon hearing this. Even Luo San was terrified, never expecting that Zhou Mujiao knew Boss Tang!
If Boss Tang were to give a message to all the fabric shops, who would dare to buy from his dye shop?! If no one buys from him, what would he do with the fabric he dyes?
Luo San opened his mouth: "Mr. Tang, I—"
A worker from the dye shop shouted, "Don't worry, boss! We will definitely work hard and will never be misled by others again! If there are still people like Luo San, don't worry about us, we will kick them out first!"
"Brothers, let's not wait until later, let's kick Luo San out now!"
With fifteen people from the dye shop, twenty from Zhou Yun Logistics, plus Boss Tang's entourage, what chance did Luo San have of winning?
Afraid of being beaten, he ran outside first, shouting as he ran, "Zhou Mujiao, you've ruined our lives today, and we won't let you off easy tomorrow! Be careful when you go out in the future, or I'll make you pay—ah!"
Zhao Yun Jing, the background character, has arrived. He knocked out Luo San's front teeth with a stone in his hand and moved over so fast that he left afterimages.
With a knife to Luo San's neck, Zhao Yunjing smiled slightly: "What did you say? I didn't hear you. Say it again."
Luo San dared not move or shout; his legs were weak, but his eyes were filled with hatred.
Zhou Mujiao walked over, looked him up and down, and said, "Luo San, you have ability and ambition, but unfortunately your heart can't support your ambition. However, if you compete with me fairly and squarely in the future, I will respect you as a hero. But if you want to use some underhanded methods, then I might as well tell you, if I have the ability to kill you, I will never leave you with a breath!"
Zhao Yunjing sheathed his knife and kicked out, yelling, "Get lost!"
Luo San and his men slunk away. The dye shop resumed operations, and the missing positions were temporarily filled by the deliverymen from Zhou Yun Logistics. Li Tie noted down the positions and the number of people needed, and then went out to recruit workers. Ma Dalang also left with the rest of the logistics deliverymen.
The dyeing workshop fell silent, with only the occasional sound of workers talking.
Zhou Mujiao walked around and returned to the courtyard. She nodded to Boss Tang and said, "I haven't thanked Boss Tang for speaking up for me earlier. I'll invite Boss Tang for tea again when there's a chance."
"I dare not accept such praise. Even if I hadn't come, Miss Zhou would have handled the situation perfectly."
Mr. Tang said, “Speaking of tea, Miss Zhou, there’s no time like the present. Why don’t we go to the teahouse at the street corner now for a cup? I have something important to discuss with you, Miss Zhou. Don’t worry, it won’t take up too much of your time.”
Zhou Mujiao thought for a moment and said, "Then let's go to Sister Hu's milk tea shop."
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