Jin Feng could hold back, not only due to psychological reasons, but also because he had other options.
If Guanjia Bay didn’t work out, he could still go to Tianjia Bay or Chenjia Bay.
His mother-in-law was already cooking, so she wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, so he could just bide his time.
So Jin Feng picked up the coarse bowl and took another sip.
In contrast to Jin Feng’s calmness, Guanjia Bay had no choice but to speak nicely to him, or they wouldn’t earn any wages and would continue living in poverty.
So the standoff didn’t last long. The village head soon couldn’t hold out, frequently winking at Guan Zhuzi.
The clan mentality of the ancients was generally strong. With Guan Xiaorou’s support, Guan Zhuzi’s family now lived without worrying about food or clothing, but seeing the village head’s signal, Guan Zhuzi still spoke up, “Brother-in-law, now that you’re back, what are your plans?”
“No plans for now.”
Jin Feng smiled and shook his head.
“I heard from Xiaorou that the textile workshop is quite profitable. Have you thought about making more spinning wheels and setting up another workshop?”
Guan Zhuzi said, “If you’re willing, just send the spinning wheels over. You don’t need to worry about anything else. I’ll find the people, I’ll build the workshop, and you can just sit back and collect the money.”
“It seems the workshop will have to rely on Dongdong in the future.”
Jin Feng sighed silently in his heart.
Guan Xiaorou was diligent, kind, considerate, and gentle, but her mind was too simple, always speaking openly about everything.
As a wife, Guan Xiaorou was nearly perfect, but she couldn’t be a business partner.
For now, with just a small workshop, it wasn’t a big deal, but if the business grew in the future, Guan Xiaorou’s personality could easily leak commercial secrets.
But now wasn’t the time to think about this. Jin Feng smiled, shook his head, and rejected Guan Zhuzi’s proposal, “No need. The workshop I built in Xihe Bay is already done, so no need to trouble you.”
The structure of the new spinning wheel wasn’t particularly complex. If it got out, it could easily be copied, and Jin Feng’s workshop would lose its edge.
This was also why Tang Dongdong guarded it so fiercely.
Though Jin Feng only said one sentence, the clan head, having lived most of his life, immediately caught the underlying meaning.
“Zhuzi, let me speak.”
The clan head sighed and said, “You’re a smart man, son-in-law. I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll speak plainly. If I say something wrong, please don’t take offence.”
“Please speak, Third Grandpa.”
Jin Feng sat up straight.
“You’ve seen it, son-in-law. Everyone’s having a hard time. Every winter, many in the village starve or freeze to death. As clan head, I’m begging you, for Xiaorou’s sake, to find a way for everyone to make a living.”
The clan head said, “If you open a workshop in Guanjia Bay, so everyone can eat their fill every day like the people in Xihe Bay, we’ll only ask for half the wages. What do you think?”
“This…”
Jin Feng hadn’t expected the clan head to make such a big concession right away.
It showed great sincerity.
“Since Third Grandpa has spoken so frankly, I’ll be straightforward too.”
Jin Feng said, “I’ve already built a brick and tile workshop in Xihe Bay, so I won’t be building another in Guanjia Bay for now.”
Disappointment flashed across the clan head’s face, but he didn’t give up and continued, “If you won’t build a workshop in Guanjia Bay, that’s fine. I can arrange for the village girls to work in Xihe Bay.”
“There are still many women in Xihe Bay who are idle at home. I promised Uncle Liu that once the workshop is built, we’d hire them first.”
Jin Feng shook his head again.
This wasn’t an excuse. The textile workshop only had thirty spinning wheels. Even with two shifts, it only needed sixty workers.
Even including miscellaneous tasks, seventy people would be enough.
Many women in Xihe Bay hadn’t yet secured work and were idle at home.
“If that’s the case, then so be it…”
The clan head sighed, preparing to stand and leave.
“Third Grandpa, don’t rush off. Let me finish.”
Jin Feng smiled, stopping the clan head, and said, “Though the workshop can’t hire the women from our village for now, I can find work for the brothers and uncles in the village.”
“What kind of work?”
The clan head quickly paused.
“I’m building houses over there. Our village men were enough, but since Third Grandpa has asked, let the brothers and uncles come help out.”
Jin Feng said, “The pay and benefits will be the same as for our village: two copper coins a day, with two meals of wheat porridge provided.”
“Thank you, son-in-law, thank you!”
The clan head, excited, clasped his hands, ready to bow to Jin Feng.
“No need for that!”
Jin Feng quickly supported the old clan head, “But I’ll say this upfront: after the brothers and uncles go over, they must work hard and not cause conflicts with our village people.”
This was why Jin Feng had held back and didn’t take the initiative to speak.
Guanjia Bay and Xihe Bay were neighbours, clashing almost every year over water or land, with deep historical grudges, and many people didn’t get along.
Guanjia Bay was a clan village, naturally united. If Jin Feng invited them over himself, it could easily foster arrogance among them.
“Don’t worry, son-in-law. If anyone causes trouble, I’ll break their legs.”
The clan head quickly promised.
“With Third Grandpa’s word, I’m at ease.”
Having given the warning, it was time to offer some hope.
Jin Feng continued, “Please also tell everyone that if they perform well this time, I’ll consider building a few more brick and tile houses, so the aunts, sisters-in-law, and sisters in our village can have work too.”
Hearing this, the clan head was so moved that tears nearly fell, repeatedly promising they would perform well.
People are like that: they don’t cherish what comes easily.
Like buying something, if the boss says it’s a hundred yuan and Xiao Ming haggles to fifty, and the boss agrees instantly, Xiao Ming will feel shortchanged.
But if the boss reluctantly haggles for a long time and finally sells it for sixty, Xiao Ming feels he got a bargain.
When the clan head told Guanjia Bay’s men that he and Guan Zhuzi had pleaded for a long time before Jin Feng relented and let them work, urging them to perform well, the men immediately valued the job, vowing not to cause trouble.
Early the next morning, the clan head led Guan Zhuzi and forty to fifty men to Xihe Bay.
Fearing Jin Feng’s anger, they didn’t bring anyone lazy or unfit, only the strongest young men from Guanjia Bay.
With many hands, the work progressed much faster with the addition of dozens from Guanjia Bay.
Those carrying bricks carried bricks, those digging foundations dug foundations, those chopping trees chopped trees, and the entire Xihe Bay village buzzed with activity.
With the old clan head personally overseeing, none of Guanjia Bay’s men dared to slack off or cause trouble. They all worked tirelessly, striving to leave a good impression on Jin Feng.
With dozens of men rushing the job, it took only ten days for the thirty dormitories for the veterans’ families to be completed.
Jin Feng had arranged for carpenters to make a batch of wooden beds and tables, delivering a set to each room.
The veterans set off excitedly to fetch their families.
