Chapter 338 - 332_1
Once Lin Yue spoke, everyone fell silent. Those who had previously worked for Zhao Erhu mostly believed Lin Yue’s words and thus were no longer in a hurry to demand their wages. There were also some who speculated whether Lin Yue was trying to delay time, so they hesitated about what to do.
It was because Zhao Erhu was not at home that Zhao Zhiguang dared to stir up trouble intentionally. He hadn’t expected that the arrival of Zhao Erhu’s wife would quell the situation. Seeing that no one was following his lead to continue the disturbance, he felt anxious and frustrated. It seemed that the task entrusted to him by that person might not be accomplished, and the promised silver would likely be lost. He was so close, yet now any further disruption would not benefit him, so he could only remain silent, waiting for the next opportunity.
"Weren’t you causing quite the scene just now? Why is nobody speaking up anymore?" Lin Yue glanced over the group, and the few who were previously the most rowdy looked at each other before finally pushing a troublemaker forward.
"Madam Dongjia, why are you being so unyielding? We were just worried about not receiving our wages for all the work we’ve done these days, wanting to get some clarity isn’t wrong. Besides, despite all that you’ve said, not even a copper coin has been seen from you. Your words could still be either true or false."
"Yes, Madam Dongjia, even if the wages are to be given later, you should at least show us the silver to ease our minds. Don’t just talk without proof, deceiving us and treating us all like fools!"
Lin Yue let out a cold laugh, "So you think you were justified in causing trouble today, and neglecting the workshop’s work is acceptable. And now, you’re still so righteous. We cannot employ such people in our household."
With Lin Yue’s words out, everyone understood her stance, and even the most confrontational among them couldn’t brag about their behavior any longer, shutting their mouths. After all, those who came here to work did so for the wages, and they were only encouraged by Zhao Zhiguang’s instigation out of greed. But if they truly lost this job, such a salary would not be found elsewhere.
After speaking, Lin Yue didn’t concern herself with their reactions. She was determined to clear out those who were causing trouble; otherwise, even if she resolved this issue now, other problems could arise in the future. She told Mrs. Liu to help Zhao Dahuo first to dress his wounds, Wu Qiang and his wife to watch over the workshop, and she herself returned home to retrieve fifty taels of silver, along with twenty taels in smaller denominations and twenty strings of copper coins, all placed on a large tray.
Lin Yue didn’t necessarily need this much money to pay the workers who had caused the disturbance. This act was to reassure the diligent workers that their wages were secure and to let the workers know that their household had sufficient funds, so there was no need to worry about the wages not being paid.
Lin Yue had a chair brought outside and placed the silver and coins on the table before sitting down. She opened the ledger and addressed the assembled crowd, "Just now, so many were clamoring for their wages. Now that the silver is here, those who want to collect their wages should come forward."