Thinking of this, Master Li hurriedly went back to the shop to help.
While ostensibly helping, he was actually supervising the workers, making sure they were a little quicker.
"Hey, you better watch out, I had these tables custom-made."
If you were to accidentally bump or scratch me, even your dog's life wouldn't be enough to compensate for it.
The guy who was being scolded quickly nodded and bowed. He had no choice; he had to support his family and finding a job was already a blessing.
Although it was only a day's work, it required a lot of effort to move things from morning till night, and after that, they had to be put away neatly.
But it's still more than 20 copper coins, enough to buy some meat and candy for the children when we get back.
Several people from the same village came all the way to the capital to look for work.
Finally, I found a job that paid more than 20 copper coins a day and also provided a meal.
As evening approached, everyone's hands moved even faster.
Even though the agreed time had passed, Mr. Li insisted that everything be arranged and cleaned before he could leave.
Finally, everything was done just before dark.
The group found Mr. Li, who was already asleep at the bar.
"Master Li, we've finished here. You can see it's getting late, we should head back now."
Master Li glanced at the things they had arranged, then touched them with his hand, and nodded after finding them fairly clean.
"You were all a bit clumsy today and bumped into my table. I can only give you half of the money today."
As soon as Master Li finished speaking, the men who were working stared wide-eyed.
They were more than an hour late for the agreed time and thought they should give them more.
Now, not only are they not giving us much, but they're also taking half of our money.
They had already inquired about the prices in the capital; for a day's work like this, they should earn at least 600 coins.
I was unfamiliar with the area and didn't know where to look, but I happened to come here and saw someone asking for help to move things.
Without saying a word, several people followed, and now that they heard this, everyone was furious.
Upon hearing this, Wang the Cripple, who was in charge, immediately roared, "Do you really think we country bumpkins don't know anything? Where else in the capital can you find a place with this price?"
"Now they're going to deduct money from our pay? That's outrageous!"
Upon hearing this, Master Li immediately became angry: "Didn't we tell you how much this amount of money was beforehand?"
Besides, you're a cripple and you're making the same money as them? You should be grateful!
Before Wang the Cripple's face turned red from the reprimand, he was indeed relieved that he, a cripple, could earn the same wages as several other people in the village.
I originally thought that they would get more than 20 coins, and I would be lucky to get 20 coins at most. I thought the boss was a decent person.
I heard from others that even a woman working from morning till night earns more than 20 coins!
But the group were all honest people, and they felt that since they had already agreed on the price and were already there, they couldn't just change their minds at the last minute.
Wang the Cripple's second brother was also furious when he heard this.
I was just about to swear when I suddenly remembered something and burst out laughing.
Master Li looked at this person and was somewhat puzzled that he could still laugh out loud.
They've already given them half the money, how can they still be laughing?
Then the man said, "We're all barefoot, so we're not afraid of those wearing shoes."
Besides, we're not from this area near the capital.
"Given that you're in the food business, if someone sneaks in tonight and puts something in your food, do you think your family will go bankrupt?"
Upon hearing this, Master Li's eyes widened in surprise.
He considered giving these people less money, but in the end, even though they argued and made a scene, they didn't dare to report it to the authorities.
These people in the countryside are most afraid of reporting this to the authorities.
It is precisely because they have grasped this point that they dare to cheat them in this way.
"You, you dare?"
Wang Lao Er chuckled, his face displaying a roguish charm.
"I'm a notorious troublemaker in the village."
I finally thought I could turn over a new leaf and earn some money, but I ran into a shrewish boss like you.
Since you're being unreasonable, you can't blame us!
After thinking it over, Master Li decided to give them the full amount of silver.
If we really anger these people, they might actually do something like that.
"I've given you every penny of the money, but if this kind of situation happens in my shop in the future, I will definitely report you to the authorities and have you arrested."
I can't say I'm dark-skinned; I just had no choice.
"Opening a shop requires so much money, I have to be careful with my budget."
Wang the Cripple snorted coldly: "Hmph, this is truly laughable."
What does it have to do with us that you need to be frugal with all the money you need to spend to open a shop?
We're busy from morning till night; once we agree on a price, that's the price we should pay.
We helped you for over an hour, so logically, you should pay us for that extra hour.
After all, it has nothing to do with us what you earn in the future; we only want what we deserve.”
In the end, Master Li not only gave them the wages they were owed, but also converted the money for the hour or so into silver and gave it to them.
Some onlookers gathered around and started pointing and whispering.
One of the old men couldn't stand it and said directly, "You guys don't look like you're from around Beijing, do you?"
These days, you can't work from morning till night for just over 20 copper coins!
Besides, these are all physically demanding jobs.
Oh dear, you guys got scammed.
An older woman next to her chimed in, "Yes, even women like us who wash clothes for others from morning till night can earn about 30 copper coins."
This family must think you're from somewhere else, so they're deliberately trying to lower the price and cheat you.
Next time I come, I'll go to the labor market run by the young princess to find work.
That labor market, whatever it's called, is full of people like you.
There are also daily-paid jobs, and some of the heavy work can pay more than one tael of silver a day, as long as you can endure hardship.
The men's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this, as they might not be able to save even two taels of silver a year.
I've heard before that the young princess gets a lot of money when she opens a factory.
"Then, where is that old lady? Do you know where she is?"
"Oh my, it's so late, they've been closed for ages."
If you come to the capital to look for work again tomorrow morning, just ask around on the street.
Anyone can know the answer, and the people here are very hospitable and will definitely tell you.
The men nodded repeatedly: "Thank you so much, ma'am, you're such a kind person."
If you hadn't told us, we really wouldn't have dared to come again next time.
"Yes, it will cost us a lot of money for the round trip. After deducting the travel expenses, we won't have much left of these 20 copper coins."
It's better to stay home and continue farming. Thank you for telling me, Auntie.
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