Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 252 Faith and Loyalty
Miao Shun walked among the crowd, listening to their discussions, feeling extremely uneasy.

He subconsciously trusted Madam Xie, but he had been suppressed by his employer over the years, and everyone's concerns were not unfounded. Wasn't Madam Miao being used by the Xie family?

You can't see into someone's heart; no one knows what the future holds.

He led this group out of the Xie family's porcelain kiln, but if they were really used, he didn't know how he would face them in the future.

"Brother Shunzi, it seems there are quite a few people in the Yang family."

Miao Dong, who was standing next to him, pointed to the horses not far away.

Miao Shun was lost in thought and didn't notice any of this.

"This horse has traveled quite a distance."

The horses' hooves were covered in mud and water, and several servants were being led inside by the Yang family to rest.

"It's true, there are other people coming to the Yang family!"

I don't know if these things have anything to do with them.

The people in front gradually slowed down, letting Miao Shun go first.

With Madam Xie away from Daming Prefecture and the Xie family's kiln in turmoil, everyone was in a state of panic. It was Miao Shun and a few others who calmed everyone down, and Miao Shun became the leading craftsman.

Miao Shun was about to find out what was going on when he saw someone coming to greet him; it was Cheng Qi and Yang Xiaoshan.

When Madam Xie and Xie Zishao were not around, Cheng Qi and Yang Xiaoshan would meet with Miao Shun in private.

"Manager Yang, Manager Cheng."

Miao Shun was about to bow when Yang Xiaoshan helped him up: "Brother Shun, what are you doing? Why don't you recognize us now that we're at the Yang family's?"

Miao Shun smiled awkwardly. He used to work for the Xie family, but now that he was coming to the Yang family, things were different. From now on, he would have to listen to Yang Xiaoshan and the others.

Cheng Qi also said, "We're all the same; you'll find out in a moment."

Miao Shundao: "Seventh Master is here too?"

“Yes, Madam, Seventh Master is inside,” Cheng Qi said, leading Miao Shun inside. “We all have a lot to do today, let’s take it one step at a time.”

Miao Shun was a little confused. Wasn't he supposed to go directly to Madam Xie and Master Xie? Thinking about it this way, he felt even more uncertain. But before he could ask again, he heard Cheng Qi say, "Everyone, go to the accounting office to collect your money. The wages that Xie's porcelain kiln hasn't paid out for the past few days will be settled today."

Miao Shun stood there, stunned: "The Xie family didn't pay our wages? Madam Xie is going to give them to us?"

Yang Xiaoshan smiled and said, "Do you still remember what Madam said back then? Hire a worker for at least one hundred coins a day. If the Xie family can't do that, come and find Madam. She didn't just say that casually."

"Of course, the craftsman's salary is not one hundred coins. We will pay him according to the agreement between the Xie family and you."

A stake-holding master like Miao Shun earns at least 300 coins a day, while other craftsmen earn between 150 and 200 coins.

Miao Shun looked at the boxes of copper coins laid out on the floor of the accounting office and couldn't help but purse his lips.

Miao Shundao said, "But we haven't done anything these days."

“But since Madam has already said so, we have to do it this way,” Yang Xiaoshan patted Miao Shun on the shoulder. “Madam said that doing business requires integrity.”

Yang Xiaoshan tried hard to recall exactly what the sentence was. In fact, Yang Qin had taught him many times, and he thought he knew it very well. But when he used it, he inevitably had to think back.

"Prioritize righteousness over profit, and balance both righteousness and profit..."

He couldn't remember anything after that, so Yang Xiaoshan had no choice but to give up: "Just take it."

After Yang Xiaoshan finished speaking, the Yang family arranged for the craftsmen to enter the accounting room one after another.

Seeing that everyone had actually received their money, Miao Shun finally felt a little relieved.

"After we take it, should we leave? The pottery kiln won't need us anymore."

Someone asked the accountant. Miao Shun immediately looked at Yang Xiaoshan.

“Of course not,” Yang Xiaoshan said. “There aren’t enough clay kilns in the city. Everyone has to go back to fire kilns tomorrow. There’s a lot to do. However… our rules for doing things are different from the Xie family’s. You’ll understand in a moment.”

Hearing that there was work to do, everyone's faces lit up with joy. It wasn't spring planting season yet, so they couldn't just go back and sit idle; every day they were idle meant one less day of money.

"The craftsmen who have received their money, go to the room next door," Cheng Qi pointed forward.

The group looked at each other, wondering what was going to happen over there.

Miao Shun hurriedly took the wages and led his men over. Inside, there were several members of the Yang clan, and paper and pens were laid out on the table, as if they were going to write something.

Miao Shunxian spoke first, asking, "This is..."

"Everyone should truthfully disclose what they are good at and how long they have been doing it."

Master Wei, Master Geng, and Master Yao entered the room. The three nodded to everyone, and then Master Wei said, "We are all craftsmen. Don't we know what we are good at?"

"Once it's written down, the employer can assign tasks more easily, right?"

"The Xie family, in their attempt to cleverly make clay stoves, searched everywhere for craftsmen. But does having more craftsmen guarantee a better result?"

"That's not how you use people."

“Those who are good at making porcelain should not be allowed to make pottery.”

Upon hearing this, Miao Shun's heart stirred. He looked at Old Wei and asked, "Master, does the Yang family's porcelain kiln still need manpower?"

Master Geng stroked his beard: "Of course, haven't you heard that the Yang family has produced new porcelain again?"

Miao Shun and the others naturally heard about this.

but……

"That's the Yang family's porcelain kiln, so naturally we need their people. We..."

Old Geng looked at Miao Shun and the others with disdain for their lack of worldly experience.

"Two large kilns, seven small kilns, and a huge porcelain stone mine in Liuzhou—could the Yang family possibly manage all of that?"

Everyone stared in surprise.

Old Geng was very satisfied; in fact, he had thought so too when he first heard it. He never imagined that Madam Xie had bought so many porcelain kilns in Luozhou.

"Don't even mention seven small kilns, just how many people would it take to support two large kilns?" If someone suddenly set up so many porcelain kilns, they would definitely have to worry about manpower. Now that the Xie family has fallen, Madam Xie is just able to take over these people.

Miao Shun's home was in Luozhou, so he naturally wanted to go back. He asked eagerly, "How can I get to Luozhou Kiln?"

Old Geng asked, "How would I know?"

Miao Shun couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

“That’s a question for you yourselves,” Old Geng said, looking at the Yang clan members who were waiting to write down their names. “What are you good at? What have you made? What are you familiar with? Where do you want to go next? Will you be an apprentice or continue working as a craftsman? How much do you want to earn each day?”

"Perhaps you don't want to go to the pottery kiln, nor do you want to go to Luozhou."

These words surprised everyone even more.

"Is there anywhere else to go?"

Old Yao, who had been silent until now, chimed in: "The clay kilns aren't just fired in Daming Prefecture. In the future, there will be other places where pottery kilns will be opened. If you do a good job, you might be invited to work as master craftsmen at the new pottery kilns."

“If you gain a reputation in this craftsman's register in the future, you might not want to stay with Madam Xie and could go elsewhere.”

“Really?” Miao Shun said, “It can be like this?”

It's always the employers who choose them. If they don't do a good job, they get beaten and kicked, and their wages aren't paid. This kind of thing is common. How can they be allowed to choose?