Chapter 337 - 331_1
Although it was Zhao Zhiguang who had instigated the trouble, and his idea set things in motion, he wasn’t the only one consumed by greed. There had been those enviously eyeing Zhao Erhu’s wealth all along, and now, with someone leading the charge, they could hardly contain themselves. They thought to take advantage of this opportunity to squeeze more benefits out of Zhao Erhu’s family, preferably by making a big fuss about it. With everyone involved, the blame couldn’t be pinned on just one person.
The people Zhao Erhu picked were specifically chosen; most of them were actually of good character. Aside from a small number who sided with Zhao Zhiguang, the majority, though anxious about their wages, adopted a wait-and-see attitude, feeling that to do as Zhao Zhiguang suggested would be going too far.
There were also a few who knew Zhao Erhu well or had worked for his family before, who trusted in Zhao Erhu’s character and integrity. Seeing Zhao Zhiguang stirring up the crowd, they stepped forward to speak up for Zhao Erhu.
"Zhao Zhiguang, you’re harboring ill intentions and deliberately causing trouble! I know Dongjia better than you do; I’ve worked in his home before. Dongjia and the mistress treat people kindly and pay well. Don’t let a few rumors lead you to wild speculation."
"Zhao Dexing, everyone knows you’re close with Zhao Erhu. You’ve probably taken his favors, and that’s why you’d speak for him like this. We’ve worked for Zhao Erhu for so long; what’s wrong with asking for our wages? If it’s really just a rumor, Dongjia should just pay us, and no one would say another word. Otherwise, we’ll take their belongings to settle the debts. In any case, we can’t have worked all this time for nothing."
"Zhao Zhiguang, it’s too much to behave this way. Everyone falls on hard times now and then. Dongjia kindly let us work here, and he pays more than others do. Even if business is down and he can’t pay right away, can’t we show some understanding? After all, we’re all from the same village. Some of us are even related to Dongjia; we should be helping each other out, not kicking them while they’re down—it’s chilling to the heart."
Lin Yue stood at the door, taking silent note of everyone’s behavior. Human nature is such that when you are doing well, everyone flatters you, but when you’re down, they can’t wait to trample you and scrape some benefit for themselves. Those who are willing to be lenient and lend a hand at such times are truly worth befriending.
As for Zhao Zhiguang, who had instigated the trouble, he was likely to have been put up to it by someone else.
The rumor spreading in the village and the fact that they were terminating contracts with several mansions were known, besides Wu Qiang and his wife, only to themselves. Zhao Erhu had expressly told Wu Qiang and his wife not to speak of it, and they would definitely not say a word, nor would they themselves. Yet rumors had spread, growing more exaggerated, and now the turmoil had even reached their workshop—if Lin Yue couldn’t see the truth in that, she would be a fool.
Lin Yue snorted coldly. The person scheming behind the scenes was underestimating her far too much if they thought they could destroy her family’s business. Not to mention that she had twenty thousand taels of silver from selling embroidery, the savings from the family’s income over the past few months alone were enough to deal with this situation.