20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 743 Means
As soon as the officers from the yamen arrived, the spectators immediately stepped back half a step, and the steps in front of the Chamber of Commerce building became much brighter.

In fact, Mr. Jiang and others had been waiting not far away. They had been in a daze for a long time and had not taken any action, just waiting for Zhang Lianfu to take the first action.

As soon as the conflict broke out, he sent people to the scene immediately. How could it be just a coincidence?
Zhang Lianfu also saw the collusion between officials and businessmen, and knew that he was in danger, so he turned around and shouted: "Did you see that? This is the government office. They are helping those black-hearted factory owners to deliberately frame me and disrupt the resumption of work negotiations!"

The spectators blinked and listened quietly, but did not respond.

Zhang Lianfu still refused to give up, and continued to shout: "They bullied me today, and they can bully you tomorrow. If it weren't for Xijiahang, those bosses would have settled the score in a while..."

However, no matter how hard he shouted, because of his personal moral problems, everyone looked at him with hesitation and no longer believed him.

"Zhang Lianfu, stop talking nonsense here!"

Mr. Jiang came over with his men and asked righteously, "Who disrupted the negotiations for resumption of work? I ask you, did you hit anyone just now?"

"They framed me!"

"False accusation?"

Mr. Jiang snorted coldly, "You said it was a false accusation? Do you have evidence? Can you prove that what they said was all false? Why didn't he falsely accuse anyone else, but you?"

Zhang Lianfu felt like there was something stuck in his throat and was speechless for a moment.

Prove your innocence?

Is there anything more difficult in this world than proving one's innocence?

Mr. Jiang was very aggressive, and then he added: "At most, he said a few words to your face, and that's 'a gentleman should use words instead of fists'. But you came up and slapped him in the face. Aren't you bullying an honest man?"

"I……"

"What do you mean by 'you'?" Jiang Erye glared and cursed, "Even if they framed you, the government will deal with it. How can you resort to private actions? If everyone does the same as you, what is the use of the court? You are fighting in public, and we, the officials, don't arrest you. Do we have to protect you?"

Zhang Lianfu staggered back a few steps in response.

It was not until this moment that he finally understood what verbal sparring was all about.

But Mr. Jiang refused to let him off easily. He narrowed his eyes and uttered something heart-piercing.

"Does it mean that just because you are participating in the negotiations as a labor representative today, you can act recklessly, unrestrained, and superior to others?"

As soon as the words fell, everyone exclaimed.

No one knows whether Lao Taohong framed Zhang Lianfu or not, and no one wants to jump to conclusion. However, Zhang Lianfu beat Lao Taohe in public, which is an obvious fact. The onlookers are all witnesses and there is no room for denial.

Thinking about it this way, all kinds of discussions quickly spread.

"Oh, I'm afraid this is not fair?"

"Yes, no matter what, it was Zhang Lianfu who started it. If you hit someone, you have to go to court. You can't show mercy just because he came to negotiate!"

"No matter how you look at it, he's not in the right. Who made him anxious first?"

"We are all laborers, why should he be treated specially? He is not a foreigner. This is unacceptable. I don't agree!"

"I don't agree either. I was the one who chose him in the first place. If I had known he was such a person in private, I would have chosen a dog instead of him!"

There is nothing more heart-breaking than killing someone.

The bosses at the scene didn't say a word, but the onlookers were already indignant.

However, what is truly chilling is that among all the criticisms, the lower-class workers are the most indignant group.

They accept the special treatment given by government officials, because that is fate; they also accept the special treatment given by wealthy people, because that is luck; but they cannot tolerate the special treatment given to their own people, because they are all workers, so why should Zhang Lianfu be treated specially? Isn’t this unfair!

The onlookers disagreed and clamored for a fair and impartial handling of the matter.

"It seems that justice lies in the hearts of the people!"

Jiang Erye was delighted, and then his face changed. He ordered his men, "Come here, torture Zhang Lianfu!"

"Yes!"

The old men immediately rushed forward. Zhang Lianfu tried to break free, but his two fists were no match for four hands. In the blink of an eye, he was captured on the spot by the government office.

When the few good friends saw that it was the police arresting people, they didn't dare to step forward to help.

What's more, half of the dozen or so laborers around him had already been bribed by the Jiang family, and now they were unwilling to lend a helping hand.

At this moment, only Lao Meng dared to step forward and persuade him, begging softly, "Captain Jiang, this is a trivial matter that we see many times. Can you please show some mercy and not just release him, but also handcuff him?"

Jiang Erye glanced at him and said coldly, "Whether it's a big or small matter, the government will make the final decision. Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have the right to interfere? I don't care if you come to the meeting to negotiate, but if you dare to interfere with official business, don't blame me for torturing you too!"

When Lao Meng heard this, he was immediately a little scared.

Fortunately, Zhang Lianfu did not embarrass him and quickly advised: "Brother, you have a wife and children at home, so don't get involved with me here. Go back now and explain clearly to the brothers that you must insist on the last requirement for resuming work, otherwise..."

Before he could finish his words, two old men pushed Zhang Lianfu's shoulders down and scolded him harshly, "Why are you talking so much nonsense? Shut up!"

Immediately, Master Jiang pointed at the peach pit and ordered, "And him, also torture this old man and the woman on the ground. Take both parties involved away. The elders and villagers are watching us. We must be fair and strict, so as not to disappoint the people!"

"Don't listen to their farts!"

Zhang Lianfu suddenly stood up and shouted: "They are colluding with officials and businessmen to bully us workers. Don't be fooled!"

"Ah, he's already handcuffed, but he still won't behave himself?" Mr. Jiang winked at him, "What are you guys still standing there for? Hurry up and shut up his big mouth!"

"Down with the black-hearted factory owners, protect the workers!"

Zhang Lianfu shouted hurriedly, but his voice soon became unclear.

Mr. Jiang walked to the door of the building, raised his chin to the bosses, and said, "Zhang Lianfu just committed a crime. I have to take him back for questioning. He can't participate in the negotiations anymore. Go back and let them elect someone else!"

General Manager Zhu and others nodded, of course without any objection.

Needless to say, Jiang Lianheng had already made his position clear in the meeting just now - Jiang hates lustful people the most in his life!
This is not a lie, it refers to people like Zhang Lianfu.

Seeing that there was nothing else going on at the scene, Mr. Jiang waved his hand, took a team of old men, and took the three people involved back to the yamen for interrogation.

"Defeat...maintain..."

Before leaving, Zhang Lianfu was still shouting desperately, but unfortunately there were few responses, almost no one.

The onlookers just watched for a moment, and the scene gradually returned to calm.

The Jiang family’s evil plan worked, and the effect was even beyond expectations.

In fact, Jiang Lianheng did not expect Zhang Lianfu to be criticized by everyone immediately, nor did he expect Zhang Lianfu to lose everyone's trust in an instant. He just wanted everyone to doubt Zhang Lianfu's character.

Many times, doubt means collapse. Zhang Lianfu's character is suspicious, and so are his words.

At least, that's what most people tend to think.

Once doubts arise, people will calm down quickly and avoid fanaticism.

Not just workers, but anyone who calms down will habitually weigh the pros and cons, calculate gains and losses, and become cautious in their thoughts and ideas.

Many years ago, Sea Owl once warned Jiang Lianheng: Think twice before acting, and make plans before taking action. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you think too much, you will inevitably worry about gains and losses, and be hesitant, and in the end you will often accomplish nothing.

How can you be passionate without being reckless?

Not everyone is as carefree as Zhang Lianfu. Everyone takes a break in order to live better, not to die more easily.

Not long after the officials left, everyone gradually turned their attention to the results of the negotiations on resuming work.

A worker took the lead and asked, "What did the discussion just now go like?"

As a mediator, Jiang Lianheng should respond, so he stood on the stone steps and said seriously: "Although the negotiation process between the two sides has had some twists and turns, it is not without progress. At least the Fengtian Machinery Factory has reached an agreement first and is ready..."

At this point, he suddenly turned around and said with a smile, "Manager Huang, why don't you announce this good news?"

Manager Huang nodded, then stepped forward and announced loudly: "In the negotiation just now, under the mediation of Boss Jiang, and after the joint efforts of both parties, Fengtian Machinery Factory has now reached an agreement on resuming work. Everyone go back and rest for half a day, and resume work on time tomorrow morning!"

Immediately afterwards, the final conditions for resuming work were announced one by one.

After he finished speaking, there was thunderous applause from the audience.

The workers at the Fengtian Machinery Factory did not pay much attention to the last demand. After all, what everyone cared about most was their wages.

When they heard that the monthly wage had increased by 2.5 yuan, which was beyond their expectations, and that working hours had been shortened and holidays had been extended, everyone felt quite content, and even felt that this break could be considered a victory.

"And the printing house?"

Another worker in the crowd asked a question.

Jiang Lianheng stood up and said: "The situation at the printing factory is quite complicated. We have not yet reached an agreement, but I believe this situation will not last long."

Someone opened a notebook and asked with a pen in hand: "Mr. Jiang, I am a reporter from Shengjing Times. What are the specific differences between the two sides?"

Jiang Lianheng waved his hand and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just the mediator of this negotiation. Before the results come out, it's not convenient for me to reveal too much. As for the specific details, you can ask the parties involved."

Upon hearing this, the reporters rushed to General Manager Zhu again.

General Manager Zhu frowned and pretended to sigh, "I don't want to reveal the specific details, but I can say that during the negotiation just now, we have made the greatest concessions and demonstrated great sincerity. I personally feel very sorry that we have not been able to reach an agreement for the time being."

When the reporter found that he could not get any answer, he went to ask the workers.

However, since Zhang Lianfu left, the workers in the printing factory seemed to have suddenly become mute.

It's not that they have nothing to say, but many people are already very satisfied with the existing conditions for resuming work. As for whether Xijia Bank can be established, they are not particularly concerned. So they are a little at a loss, and feel as if they have been kidnapped and accidentally got on a pirate ship.

The other opponents, who had just seen Zhang Lianfu being taken away by the police, also calmed down and restrained their attacks.

After all, Lao Meng is not single. He has a wife and children to support at home. His words and deeds are particularly cautious, and he is unwilling to reveal the details of the disagreement.

Seeing this, the reporters had no choice but to ask Jiang Lianheng again.

"Mr. Jiang, reporter from the Three Eastern Provinces Gazette, when will the next negotiation be held?"

"In order to get the printing factory back to work as soon as possible, our original plan at the venue was to hold another round of consultations and negotiations this afternoon. However, as you all saw just now, there is one less person on the labor side. In order to ensure that the rights and interests of the labor side are not harmed, I personally propose that we change the discussion to the same time tomorrow."

After saying that, Jiang Lianheng immediately turned around and asked, "General Manager Zhu, what do you think?"

General Manager Zhu did not dare to raise any objection, but in front of outsiders, he had to pretend to be hesitant. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Okay, since Boss Jiang has spoken, I will be more considerate of the workers!"

Before he had even finished speaking, the onlookers burst into praise.

"Oh, Boss Jiang is indeed a man of this kind. He really speaks for the workers!"

"Of course not. For people in the martial arts world, righteousness comes first!"

"What you're saying is that he's the honorary chairman of the United Xi Family Bank. If he's not fair, how could the workers agree to him mediating?"

The reporters quickly recorded the questions and answers, and then went to ask the representatives of the Commercial Port Bureau.

"Mr. Liu, you are representing the Office to listen to the labor-management negotiations this time. What are your specific thoughts?"

Assistant Director Liu was very good at making pretentious remarks, so he immediately brought out the speech he had prepared in advance, saying: "In my opinion, between merchants and civilians, we all prosper together and suffer together. In fact, there is no real contradiction. The reason why the situation has deteriorated again and again is probably because of the instigation of certain people, which led to this farce..."

The reporters' questions seemed endless, and Assistant Director Liu's answers were always the same old things.

Jiang Lianheng didn't want to stay any longer, so he made a few casual excuses and left the Chamber of Commerce building by car, escorted by his bodyguards.

On the other hand, Lao Meng did not want to waste Zhang Lianfu's advice, so he led everyone back to Fengtian Printing Factory and summoned his fellow workers to continue Zhang Lianfu's proposal to set up Xijia Bank in the factory.

Unfortunately, it backfired.

Without Zhang Lianfu's encouragement, the morale of the crowd immediately declined. No matter how much Lao Meng stated the pros and cons, he could only barely get half of the support.

At first glance, it seems like there are quite a lot of people, but in fact most of them are just giving verbal support out of past friendship.

If the resumption of work continues to be delayed, these people will immediately change their minds without any hesitation.

After all, the most important thing is salary increase.

This requirement was met, the others were secondary objectives.

Moreover, now that the machinery factory is about to resume work, the printing factory has become isolated. After hearing the news, everyone has lost the enthusiasm to continue the struggle.

Old Meng shook his head and sighed. Only then did he realize that no one could replace Zhang Lianfu's role in the printing factory.

Having said that, at least I have gained the verbal support of half of the people. I should try to gain it during the next negotiation to live up to my brother's trust.

It can be foreseen that the next negotiation will be the last chance.

Lao Meng stayed in the factory and discussed the matter with several staunch supporters for a long time. He did not return home until it was getting dark - he had to cook for his paralyzed mother!

It was a small brick house in Daxiguan, with no yard in front or behind and desolate on both sides. Before he got closer, he saw his wife squatting on the doorstep, stretching her neck and looking out, looking a little anxious.

"Hey, why are you back?" Lao Meng hurried over and asked with a frown, "Aren't you working the night shift today? If I had known you were at home, I wouldn't have come back. They're waiting to discuss calling you to rest!"

When the wife heard this, she jumped up and cried, "Why didn't you die in the factory? You were still talking about taking a break. We can't even find our children!"

(End of this chapter)