Free Web NovelChapter 373: Chapter 147: The Solution (Part 2)
People strive to better themselves, just as water flows downhill. It’s a simple truth.
Chen Wanqing handed a cup of warm tea to Mrs. Zhao. "Mom, please drink this."
Mrs. Zhao wanted to protest. ’At a time like this, how could I possibly drink anything?’
But Chen Wanqing’s expression was calm and her gaze was serene. Her composure was so reassuring that Mrs. Zhao took the teacup without realizing it.
"Aunts, is it just a few of you who want to quit, or do all of your relatives who help me make incense want to quit as well?"
The women exchanged glances, finally choosing to tell the truth. "We all want to quit. Every family is short-handed these days, after all. Wanqing, we know it’s wrong of us to walk out on you like this, but we have our own problems to deal with."
"I understand. In that case, I won’t try to make any of you stay. Please wait a moment. I’ll go to my room and settle your wages for the past half-month."
Initially, the workers were paid daily, but as their numbers grew, settling the accounts each day became too time-consuming.
Besides, taking home ten or twenty copper coins a day wasn’t nearly as satisfying as receiving a lump sum of broken silver, so after some discussion, they had agreed to be paid monthly. It wasn’t time for payment yet, but since the women were quitting, there was no need to use their wages to pressure them.
"Oh, no, no, there’s no rush. Don’t worry about the money. You can pay us whenever it’s convenient."
"That’s right, that’s right. We’re so ashamed of ourselves for doing this. The fact that you agreed so easily, Wanqing, just makes us feel even worse. The pay really isn’t urgent. Just give it to us whenever you can."
"Well, now that that’s all been said, we’ll be leaving. Wanqing, we’ll work one more day for you tomorrow. You can use that time to find some new people, so the work doesn’t get delayed."
Now that it had come to this, the women actually started worrying about Chen Wanqing again.
See, this is just how common folk are.
They don’t have complex motives and are, for the most part, kind-hearted. When you are at a disadvantage, they will try to consider your needs. But if Chen Wanqing had refused to let them quit, or even tried to use their wages to control them, one would have seen a completely different side of them.
The next morning, Second Aunt also came to see Chen Wanqing.
She looked utterly dejected. "I tried to stop them, but I couldn’t. It’s not like I could be too forceful about it, either."
When people have a better opportunity, you can’t just block them from earning more money. That would just make an enemy of them, wouldn’t it?
Besides, they’re all part of the same extended family. It wouldn’t be right to make things difficult for them.
But for them to just cast Chen Wanqing aside like this... it was truly a heartless thing to do.
"But I’m definitely not leaving. Even if everyone else goes, I will stay and help you keep things running."
"Aunt, isn’t your family about to start reclaiming ten mu of wasteland? You’re getting on in years, so you won’t be doing the heavy labor, but when my cousins and their wives are out clearing the land, you’ll have to be at home washing and cooking. And there are still small children to look after. How will you be able to manage? If I caused discord in your family because of this, I would be to blame."
Second Aunt understood what Chen Wanqing was implying, but how could she possibly agree?
’If even I wash my hands of this and quit, who else can Wanqing possibly rely on?’
’I was the one who pulled this whole operation together. Even when we had enough people, if I casually mentioned that "so-and-so’s family is having a hard time," Wanqing would tell me to bring them in to work without a second thought.’
’She entrusted me with so much responsibility and never shortchanged me. If I leave too, how could I ever face Wanqing?’
’But if I don’t leave, all those chores at home...’
Chen Wanqing could see Second Aunt’s dilemma and continued trying to persuade her.
"If you neglect your duties at home, it will only make my cousins and their wives resent me. Wouldn’t that put me in an even more difficult position?"
"And if one of the children were to get hurt because you were too busy, that’s something we would regret forever."
"If you really feel you owe me, then how about this? Once I’ve found new people, you can help me by checking in on them when you have a spare moment, or maybe giving them a few pointers. What do you think?"
In the end, Chen Wanqing’s silver tongue successfully persuaded Second Aunt.
Perhaps, deep down, Second Aunt had wanted to quit all along.
So, when Chen Wanqing had systematically taken away all her reasons to stay, Second Aunt’s expression revealed a faint hint of relief.
Chen Wanqing took it all in but said nothing.
As she saw Second Aunt to the door, Chen Wanqing handed her a cloth bag she had prepared in advance.
"Could I trouble you to give these copper coins to the other aunts and sisters-in-law? I’d rather not go myself."
"Of course you don’t need to go. They’re too ashamed to see you right now. SIGH, I’ll make the trip. We’ve really let you down, Wanqing. This whole business... it’s just... SIGH..."
