Chapter 52: Distributing Wages Fairly with Clear Rewards and Punishments

Upon hearing Chu Chen's consent, Zhou Heng was beside himself with joy.

He immediately instructed Fang Shuzhen to bring in the luggage and smoothly moved into a room on the third floor that Chu Chen had arranged for him.

Looking at Zhou Heng's numerous bags and bundles, Chu Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Damn it, this guy came fully prepared.

However, he didn't mind it in the least. Having an extra person around the house, especially one who was very likely an extraordinarily powerful individual, had only benefits and no drawbacks.

With these matters settled, the banquet downstairs was about to begin.

Consequently, everyone in Mashan Village gathered on the open space in front of the villa, waiting for Chu Chen's command to start the feast.

Wang Defa, Zhou Shicai, and the third person were seated at the same table as Chu Chen.

The rest of the escort guards had been sent off earlier by Zhou Shicai, leaving only Fang Shuzhen behind.

"Uncle Wang, please announce the start, otherwise no one will dare to touch their chopsticks."

Chu Chen looked at Wang Defa with a smile, showing no airs of being the boss just because he was footing the bill for the meal.

"Boy Chu, this really ought to be announced by you..."

Wang Defa rubbed his hands together and said to Chu Chen.

"What are you saying, Uncle Wang? No matter how wealthy I, boy Chu, might become in the future, I will still be under your administration. Please don't be so formal, Uncle Wang."

This remark arguably elevated Wang Defa to a considerable standing.

At this table, there were wealthy salt merchants and high-ranking military officers; this boy Chu certainly knew how to handle social situations.

Delighted, Wang Defa stood up and delivered a conventional speech of encouragement and gratitude to the crowd.

He expressed appreciation for Chu Chen's generosity and affirmed the hard work and dedication of the elders and fellow villagers of Mashan Village.

Hearing this from the side, Chu Chen gave a silent thumbs-up: Damn it, a village chief's eloquence is truly no simple matter.

Meanwhile, Zhou Heng observed Chu Chen's modesty. Even with a personage as extraordinary as an immortal, he still treated a humble village chief with the utmost courtesy.

This made him wonder if he, a member of the nobility and royalty, should perhaps alter his own haughty and condescending perspective.

Otherwise, how could the subjects under his rule ever form a favorable impression of him?

Following Wang Defa's final declaration of "Let the feast begin," the crowd heartily dug into the meat and wine, immediately diving into the meal.

The banquet continued until the sun dipped below the horizon.

Although everyone drank quite a bit, they maintained good control, and no one ended up dead drunk.

This was because the most exciting moment of all was about to arrive shortly: the distribution of wages.

After a whole month of hard work, the end of the month was the most exhilarating moment.

"Alright, dear villagers, please come over here and queue up. We will now begin distributing the wages."

Chu Dazhuang's soaring, resonant voice instantly drew everyone's attention.

Outside Chu Chen's front door, an extra-large table had been set up.

Atop the table, piles of broken silver pieces and copper coins exuded a mesmerizing, captivating glow.

"Brother Chu, here in the Great Xia Dynasty, wages are typically paid at the end of the year. Why do you choose to be so unconventional?" Zhou Heng asked impatiently.

"Paying wages at the end of the year? Look at Mashan Village—with natural disasters year after year, families can't even put food on the table. If you drag it out until the end of the year to pay them, you're essentially letting these people starve for a whole year."

"Starving them to death does me not an ounce of good."

Hearing this, Zhou Heng nodded, feeling it made complete sense, but then asked, "Then why doesn't Brother Chu pay them on a daily basis?"

"Uh, daily settlements are not only exhausting, but if someone is fond of good wine and prone to indulgence, would they ever be able to save any money?"

Having answered, Chu Chen paid him no further mind, turned around, and walked over to the table.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work over the past month. During this month, several individuals have performed exceptionally well, so I have decided to reward them."

Having assumed it was merely time to collect their wages, the crowd was taken aback to learn there would be bonuses as well.

Exclamations of surprise rippled through the gathering.

"Feng Wu contributed to the construction of the workshop and its subsequent maintenance. Awarded 500 copper cash and one catty of refined salt."

"Feng Er was conscientious and responsible during his tenure, leading his team to exceed their assigned tasks. Awarded 500 copper cash and one catty of refined salt. Furthermore, each member of his team is awarded 200 copper cash and two taels of refined salt."

"Zhang Youcai led his team to complete their tasks ahead of schedule and went out of his way to assist other teams. Awarded 500 copper cash and one catty of refined salt. Furthermore, each member of his team is awarded 200 copper cash and two taels of refined salt."

The individuals whose names were called stepped forward happily to collect the rewards for themselves and their respective team members.

Having finished this, Chu Chen spoke up once again: "Where there are rewards, there are punishments. Now that we have spoken of rewards, we must address punishments."

"Wang Dayou slacked off during work hours. Fined 200 copper cash, and given a one-month probationary period. If he remains lazy and remiss, he will be dismissed next month and never employed again."

Chu Chen said sternly, glaring at a slovenly young man before him.

Upon hearing this, the young man's expression twisted into one of remorse and terror.

He regretted why on earth he had allowed himself to slack off. Originally earning 15 cash a day, which totaled 450 cash for the month, his earnings had now plummeted to 250 cash.

What terrified him even more was the bone-chilling intensity in Chu Chen's gaze.

"If you are willing to work diligently, I will certainly ensure you lead a good life. But if you wish to loaf around and fish in troubled waters under my watch, then no matter who you are, I will show no mercy."

"I also hope everyone will keep an eye on one another; reports shall be rewarded. Next, please come to Secretary Luo Yi to collect your wages."

"By the way, tomorrow is a day off. Everyone should take the opportunity to go into town to do some shopping and rest up."

With that, Chu Chen stepped away from the crowd. Having addressed both the rewards and the punishments, he would no longer concern himself with the day-to-day operations of the workshop, leaving those in the capable hands of Luo Yi and his Second Uncle.

Clutching the 250 copper cash in his hand, Wang Dayou endured the mocking glances of the surrounding crowd.

He thought to himself in secret: It's just hard work, isn't it? I swear I'll become a team leader next month!

Zhou Shicai and Fang Shuzhen departed after the meal, needing to hurry back to Qingyun City.

Zhou Heng, however, chose to remain behind in Mashan Village.

The scene of today's wage distribution seemed to have given him fresh insights, so upon returning to the villa, he retreated straight to his room.

Armed with a writing brush, he meticulously recorded everything he had witnessed that day.

In his heart, he felt immensely pleased; it seemed his decision to stay behind was an exceptionally correct choice.

Downstairs, Chu Dazhuang held a gel pen and a notebook, reporting the month's revenues to Chu Chen, who sat opposite him.

"Big Nephew, workers' wages plus bonuses total 121 taels, materials for workshop additions and repairs cost 5 taels, and the workers' food for the month came to 27 taels of silver. All expenses are accounted for right here."

This expenditure was rather cheap, Chu Chen thought happily upon hearing the figures.

Even though this batch of refined salt had only been sold for 8,080 taels, he had managed to shed tears of joy while pocketing over 7,000 taels of profit.

Generously, he retrieved ten silver ingots of ten taels each and handed them directly to Chu Dazhuang.

"Second Uncle, you, Second Aunt, and Huzi have all worked hard over this past period."

"We originally agreed on a monthly wage of 5 taels of silver per person, but these 100 taels can be considered as the wages and bonuses for the three of you for your busy efforts during this time."

Before Chu Dazhuang even had a chance to speak, Second Aunt sprang up from the side, overwhelmed with excitement.