Last year, Dongze Construction Firm leveraged Four Seasons Scenery as a gimmick and took on a project. But this year, apart from the work received at the start of spring, all they’ve had since are small projects for building houses for individual families, bringing little work and even less profit, not enough to sustain a construction firm.
The main workshop head at Dongze Construction Firm, Liu Changsheng, has been extrely anxious these days. They can barely maintain operations this month, and next month, forget about paying wages, it’s hard to even et the firm’s basic expenditures.
Yet Fourth Grandma Ji and a steward sent by so unknown partner not only are complete outsiders but also won’t intervene and have stopped advancing any funds, instead cursing the workers every day.
Liu Changsheng admits that Fourth Grandma Ji spent so silver to buy this construction firm. He also agrees that an excellent workshop head should have both skills and connections.
But such workshop heads have long since started their own businesses; why would they work for a master with no backing?
Usually, firms like theirs, without much networking, rely on the master’s connections; they just need to work according to rules, ensuring construction quality.
The previous owner didn’t have his own connections, and since none of the craftsn under his hand excelled particularly, he was forced to the point of having to sell the business at a loss.
Since Fourth Grandma Ji dared to spend silver buying this firm, she should have the confidence to change the original circumstances. If she has no ability to change the original situation, and even lacks the connections the previous owner had, failure is inevitable; could they bla the craftsn for this?
The problem is, the two stewards representing the owner don’t care about this; when business fails, they just vent their anger on them. They, who earn wages from others, really have no other way but to endure being scolded.
Guangsha Construction recruited eighteen craftsn before announcing they were temporarily not lacking manpower. But two days later, under the blazing sun, Yuan Shang rushed over, asking if Ye Xinyan still wanted to recruit workers.
Four craftsn from Dongze Construction Firm, two masons, a painter, and a carpenter, secretly approached Yuan Shang asking if Guangsha Construction was still recruiting skilled workers.
Yuan Shang looked quite eager and excited.
He had already seen those masters’ skills, which although not top-notch, were above average.
In Yuan Shang’s view, since these people have solid skills and are from Dongze Construction Firm, Guangsha Construction recruiting them could help vent their own frustrations.
Wiping his sweat, Yuan Shang said, "Nowadays, Dongze Construction Firm is having a tough ti; it’s said that this month’s wages have nowhere to co from. These craftsn want to resign early and find another way to make a living."
Previously, Ye Xinyi caused Ye Xinyan trouble, poaching Guangsha Construction’s manpower, which had nothing to do with Dongze Construction’s craftsn. However, Ye Xinyan didn’t want to get involved in this ss.
Facing such a Yuan Shang, Ye Xinyan was sowhat speechless. She didn’t intend to retaliate against Ye Xinyi, yet these people couldn’t let it go.
Sighing she said, "If they were craftsn from another construction firm, we could just hire them, no worries. But for Dongze Construction, I think we should forget it. Originally, people comnted on us because of the two gardens. Now if we recruit craftsn as usual, people would say we’re deliberately poaching from Dongze Construction. It’s not worth it when we’re doing honest business."
Yuan Shang paused and then awkwardly laughed. This matter... is indeed not worth it. Though Dongze Construction has acted improperly, they ultimately suffered more, while they won splendidly. There’s no need to bear the petty reputation.
He said sowhat regretfully, "It’s a pity for those craftsn’s skills, having to linger at Dongze Construction. If they really can’t hold on, they’ll have to do odd jobs to make a living."
It’s difficult for construction firms to recruit workers in July; craftsn wanting to attach themselves to a construction firm at this ti also face challenges. Freelance craftsn only earn a day’s wage for a day’s work to get by. Attaching to a construction firm for stable work will likely have to wait until the coming spring.
Ye Xinyan said, "Let’s wait; if these people indeed have excellent skills, after Dongze Construction closes down, and they still want to work with us, we’ll take them in."
It seems Dongze Construction’s closure isn’t far off. However, according to Jinrong, Ye Xinyi must owe the workers their wages before closing.
By then, soone could rightfully cause trouble at Ji Mansion, making people understand it’s not possible to always hide behind the scenes when crossing soone under Prince Yu’s protection.
......
As Ge Wenjie’s book is written day by day, it gradually reaches the the, entering the phase of hanging up one’s sword.
Ye Xinyan asured that in a few days, by expressing through the mouth of the little nun in the book, fully exhibiting the protagonist’s aura in front of everyone, the first climax of the story would arrive.
Then, she would go see Zheng Pengfei to confront him.
Judging by Zheng Pengfei’s appearance these past few days, he seed quite restrained, not in a very rushed manner. But Shi Shu remarked that when delivering the books, he noticed the booklets on Master Zheng’s table showed clear signs of having been flipped through countless tis.
The originally neat, thin stack of booklets now looked thicker from being flipped.
This indicates that soon, the cal will be overwheld by the straw that breaks its back, reaching the point where Zheng Pengfei will unhesitatingly agree to go to the Grand Tutor’s Mansion to steal won’s undergarnts.
Whenever she thinks of this, Ye Xinyan can’t hold back her delight. Imagining the scene of a brigand with principles truly spiraling due to a love for martial arts fiction, easily mistaken as a pervert...
The scene... does indeed hurt the eyes!
Just as Ye Xinyan planned to use the book to conspire against Zheng Pengfei, in late July, the court received an urgent report from Yuanzhou that the first rain had fallen in the region.
Relief officials on-site reported back to the capital imdiately upon the rainfall.
In the letter, they said although the rain wasn’t heavy, the sky hadn’t cleared. According to experienced locals, if the clouds didn’t disperse, more rain could follow in one or two days.
The emperor, joyed upon receiving the report, promptly summoned officials from the Cabinet, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of War, inquiring about the allocation of buckwheat seeds. After confirming that all states and counties had a certain reserve of buckwheat seeds, the emperor, following Liu Chengzhi’s suggestion, summoned Jinrong to an audience.
Jinrong knew his father well; summoning him at this ti was undoubtedly no good. The previous incidents made Jinrong keenly aware that the imperial father was increasingly relentless in the path of scheming against his son, with no sign of turning back.
Upon entering the Imperial Study Room, Jinrong saw the emperor refreshed, smiling invitingly at him: "Xiao Liu, co, sit. I recently acquired so good tea; it tastes nice. Co, have a taste too."
Saying this, he instructed the little eunuch standing by: "Brew a pot of Silver Needle Tea for Prince Yu."
Jinrong’s heart skipped again, as the emperor’s tone was unusually cordial, beyond normal conventions. He could almost see the hidden glint of knives amidst the emperor’s warm smile.
"Imperial Father, please, say what you have in mind. If it’s within my power to decide and do, I won’t fail to et your expectations. Being addressed so courteously by you makes quite uneasy."
He could offer so silver, if there was a legitimate reason or suitable terms. As for other matters, mostly they were in collaboration with Jiang Yifan’s wife. That woman was too difficult to deal with, and he wasn’t in charge.
The emperor laughed softly: "My dear son, what are you saying? I’ve always thought of you as open-minded. Just seeing you brightens my mood," abruptly, the chilling sense in Jinrong’s words turned, "and thus, you’re the child who can help ease the burden for ."
And with that, the large taphorical knives began to swirl in the air.
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