Chapter 652 - 650: Isn’t That Too Polite?
Jinrong had just nodded when he heard the Emperor continue, "But we cannot just take Qi family and the Ye family girl’s word as truth either. Have the Ministry of Works dispatch two officials to discuss the wages with the Qi family, and incidentally, let them work alongside the people from the Qi Family Construction Business."
The Emperor hadn’t given it much thought; he simply wanted the officials from the Ministry of Works to follow along and familiarize themselves with the railway project early, to facilitate future imperial initiations and oversight.
Upon hearing this, Jinrong’s face hinted at subtle complications, and he did not immediately respond.
To the Emperor’s surprise, he asked, "What’s the matter? Can’t the wages be negotiated? Or is it that they can’t oversee the details of their work?"
"Negotiating silver can be done, but as for the details of the work..."
Jinrong thought back to the two minor officials sent in the past to work with Wong Qiao and Ye Xinyan at the Qi family. At that time, Ye Xinyan was at an absolute disadvantage, and for various reasons, she herself was in a rush to complete the work and needed extra hands, which is why she allowed those two to work with them. If officials from the Ministry of Works were sent over now, for Ye Xinyan, it would purely mean taking on apprentices.
Ye Xinyan has never opposed taking on apprentices, but she did object to working without earning silver.
Based on his experience, such a lucrative opportunity to make money would not be missed by that woman. He was not capable of dealing with Ye Xinyan, so naturally, he dared not agree on her behalf. If he casually agreed to it, then the silver for teaching the apprentices would have to come out of his own pocket.