"Going to the East? That doesn't make sense, does it?" Li Lue said in surprise, "Didn't the steward use us as a propaganda tool to open up the Eastern trade route?"
"No... it's not impossible." Olina pondered for a moment, "First of all, we don't know the composition of Pagoda. In the Holy Wing Islands, a business group is likely to involve multiple investors. Philip is just a factory manager and doesn't know about his own family. The shipping arrangements are also normal, especially since this voyage has nothing to do with the trade in eucalyptus."
Baiguoyuan has sea ships and is capable of ocean navigation, so someone arranged this trip to the East. The matter itself is not complicated.
"Then which kingdom did it go to?" Li asked.
"It's not Qi Guo anyway." Xia Fan shrugged, "Let's split up tomorrow. Olina and I will go investigate the details of these business groups, and leave the employees to Li and Qian Yan. What do you think?"
"You wouldn't blame Baiguoyuan for the church robbery because of this, right?" Qian Yan pointed out bluntly, "No matter how harsh they treat their employees, it cannot be used as evidence in the case."
"You're right." Xia Fan said calmly, "But since the merchant groups on the list are all suspects, let's investigate them first. Another ship that has never conducted Eastern trade has secretly traveled this route. According to the route, there is no drunken jam on the ship, which is a doubt in itself, and it will not be wrong to check."
…
At noon the next day, Pagoda Factory.
The half hour after noon is also a short break for the employees. This is not because the stewards are considerate, but because they also need to eat. Lunch for employees is usually bread and expired jam provided by the factory. Their prices are basically the same as the market prices outside, and are deducted from their salaries in advance every month. This is why everyone is afraid of going out of business. Once there are not enough working days, you may have to go hungry for a few days next month, which can easily form a vicious cycle.
Those employees who were whipped for stealing intoxicating fruits were nothing new in the factory area.
"Brother, the other party is waiting for you behind the yard."
One of the porters pointed to a pile of wooden boxes at the corner of the clearing.
Horns looked back at the factory and said, "Keep an eye on Gore for me."
Steward Phillip didn't want too many conversations between employees, especially cross-group conversations. If the supervisors saw it, they would be beaten. Although they may not be able to beat the half-beast's horns together, he can only choose to bear it because of the limitations of salary and food.
"Don't worry, we will block this land."
Horns nodded and walked towards the pile of wooden boxes.
After turning a corner, he saw a woman with cat ears.
"I heard that you came to see me for something...why don't you wait until work is over to talk?"
Horns remembered her name—it should have been Momola. He had heard that the other party was well-known in the production team. Recently, she openly stood up against the manager, which made her name spread throughout the factory in an instant. To be honest, he didn't like this kind of behavior. The people above had a thousand ways to deal with the employees. Even if she could gain the upper hand for a while, she would only suffer harsher revenge in the end.
The fact that those few people have been fired from the factory is proof of this.
He came to see her because he was a half-beast and wanted to give her a reminder.
No matter what, her courage to stand up for her co-workers is still very appreciated by the horns.
"Because time is tight, I must seize every minute." Momola was also looking at the horns. He had a strong build and was three heads taller than Catwoman, so much so that she had to lift her chin to look directly into Horns' eyes. As his name suggests, he has two curved horns on his head, which looks very heroic, but in the eyes of ordinary people, this is undoubtedly a symbol of ugliness.
"Time is running out?" Horns frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I want to organize a strike for Lars and Mollier in two days." Momola said straight to the point, "The more people who participate, the better. It would be best if all the employees in Pagoda Gardens join. I heard that you are very prestigious in the transportation team, I hope you can help me."
After listening to Catwoman's story, Horns doubted his ears for a moment.
If he understood correctly, the factory's subsequent retaliation not only failed to make Momola learn a lesson, but she also wanted to go one step further and turn all employees in the factory against those in charge!
This is no longer just a protest.
Philip and Gower may tolerate the dissatisfaction of one or two people, but they will never accept the loss of Pagoda's interests, because that will alarm the people at the higher level, and it will also be a big trouble for them.
He couldn't imagine what methods the manager would use to deal with the employees.
"Then do you think the current situation is acceptable?" Momola seemed to have seen his thoughts, "It's just a low salary, but it will also be deducted by the other party for various reasons, or even directly fired. This is good. Where have you gone?"
"But at least we can get bread—"
"The premise is that you can always be their slave!" Catwoman interrupted, "I want to ask you two questions. Who is the oldest person in the transportation team? How much savings do you have?"
Horns suddenly fell silent.
Moving is a manual job, and no one is over thirty years old, and most of them are half-animals. Years of carrying heavy loads can easily accumulate back and leg injuries, and once efficiency declines, the factory will replace them. He often heard that these people either ended up in the underworld or died of illness and hunger.
As for savings, it is extremely rare to save ten silver coins in a year, but without income, ten silver coins cannot cover a year's expenses.
Because he is strong and tall, he does more work than others and his salary is relatively high. But there are family members to take care of in the shack, and there is hardly any money left a year.
This is exactly the crux of the problem - he can't keep working in the factory, and sooner or later this income will be interrupted.
"Can't fill their stomachs and feed themselves, this is not a problem unique to Lars and the others! This is the case for every employee in Baiguoyuan. Don't you think this is unfair at all!" Momola raised her voice and said, "Look at the stewards, look at us... Why are we being treated like this? I already understand that if we can't unite to say no to them, this situation will never change!"
"Resistance may also lead to greater revenge." Horns warned.
"Then we have to resist even more until they compromise." Momola dropped another news, "The Ambassador of the East will also help us to ensure that everyone has food to eat during the strike. Thanks to Miss Fox Demon Fu, it’s hard to get this kind of good opportunity again!”
"..." Huajiao was silent for a moment and then shook his head, "Sorry, I can't promise you. I still have people to take care of."
After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the pile of wooden boxes.
"We all have families, and this is a fight for everyone!" Momola shouted towards his back, "At eight o'clock tonight, I will discuss the action plan for the strike, in the shack to the north. Then help Our people will also be there, and I will wait for you until then—"
Huajiao left the yard without looking back.