193: Increase to 50%, Zhao Dashan's wish

There was nothing they could do; these workers couldn't find jobs on their own and could only work through these small foremen.

So, they weren't afraid of Manager Zhang, but they didn't dare offend these small foremen, because they were the ones who held their lifelines.

If these foremen didn't take them to work in the future, they would have no jobs.

Moreover, these small foremen were, to put it plainly, their fellow villagers and held status in their hometown.

If things got too out of hand, their families back home would say they were ignorant, and they might even be dragged to apologize in person.

Seeing everyone's voices quiet down, Manager Zhang's expression finally improved a bit.

At this moment, a slightly older foreman stood up and shouted to Manager Zhang, "Manager, we've worked for a year, and this is everyone's hard-earned money.

We understand the government's difficulties, but it can't be too little.

30% isn't enough for everyone to go home and explain; can you add a bit more?"

"That's right, Manager, 30% is too little," several small foremen chimed in.

When the workers below saw a foreman step forward, they immediately felt a warmth in their hearts.

The feeling of being oppressed just now instantly lessened; their own people were reliable and willing to stand up for everyone.

Manager Zhang above showed a troubled expression, though inwardly he was overjoyed.

This whole act was actually pre-arranged with a few foremen: first, suppress the wages, then have the foremen stand up to fight for everyone, and then he would raise it a bit.

This way, everyone would feel an extra sense of gain, as if they had gotten some benefit, and they wouldn't cause trouble anymore.

After a long period of contemplation, Manager Zhang once again raised the megaphone and said with a difficult expression, "Brothers, fellow workers, I also sympathize with your feelings after working for a year and not getting all your money.

But I also can't do anything; the company above went bankrupt, and I don't have money either."

"How about this, I'll put in a little more myself, and squeeze a little more out of the project funds, 50%!"

"I can only manage to give everyone 50% of their wages."

Manager Zhang's pained expression made everyone feel a little sorry for him.

Suddenly, from 30% to 50%, the voices below became surprised.

Everyone was thinking about the extra 20%, and no one paid attention to the 50% that should have been theirs in the first place.

"Brothers, Manager Zhang is generous!" The leading foreman shouted to the workers behind him, "Thank you, Manager Zhang."

With that, he and several foremen led the applause.

They had already reached an agreement with Manager Zhang: as long as they could stabilize these people with 50% of their wages first, then their own wages would be 100%, and Manager Zhang would even give them a little extra.

The crowd behind began to stir, and suddenly a few voices popped up from within the crowd, "I'm willing, give us 50% first, and the IOU must be written well."

"I'm willing too, we should help each other in times of difficulty."

"I'm willing too."

Several workers shouted first; these were trusted confidants arranged by the foremen, and they would receive 80% of their wages.

With someone taking the lead, everyone else also agreed.

Zhao Dashan actually didn't want to agree; 50% was a bit too little, but he didn't dare to speak up because his foreman was a relative of the village head in his own village, and he dared not offend him.

So he could only silently swallow his anger, go to the office to sign, and received 30,000 yuan and an IOU for 30,000.

The next day, Zhao Dashan boarded the train home.

The New Year was approaching, and with this money, building a three-story house was far from enough, so he would just build a one-story mud house on his own homestead.

At least he would finally have his own home.

Zhao Dashan's home was in Yuexi Province, next to Yue Province.

Yuexi Province is mainly mountainous, and transportation is not very convenient, so the economy has never been very good, several levels below that of Yuezhou.

Zhao Dashan's home was in a village in Yuexi Province, not too far from the town.

He spent a day and a half to return home.

A mud house, not big, but it was his place of survival.

After tidying up simply, he went directly to the village head's place.

"Oh, Dashan is back," the village head greeted him warmly as soon as he entered the door.

The village head's sudden enthusiasm made Zhao Dashan a little unaccustomed.

"Yes, the construction site finished, so I came back," Zhao Dashan said dully.

Village Head Zhao Haiquan was the absolute authority in the village, and Zhao Dashan was a little afraid of him.

"That's good, the New Year is coming soon, so just stay home now that you're back, no need to keep running to my place," Zhao Haiquan said with a smile, starting to shoo him away.

"Uncle, I still have something I want to ask," Zhao Dashan said awkwardly.

"Dashan has become more talkative since he went out, go ahead and say it," Zhao Haiquan said sarcastically.

"Uncle, did the village distribute homesteads? I wanted to ask where my homestead is?" Zhao Dashan asked timidly.

Although it should belong to him, he always felt like he was begging the village head.

Zhao Haiquan glanced at Zhao Dashan indifferently and slowly said, "You're just one person, what do you need a homestead for?"

"Huh?" Zhao Dashan was stunned, not expecting the village head to say that.

"No, Village Head, isn't this something everyone in the village gets? I should have one too!" Zhao Dashan became a little anxious, and his voice grew a few decibels louder.

"What are you yelling about? A child without a father truly lacks upbringing," Zhao Haiquan reprimanded sternly.

Zhao Dashan's father died young, and his mother raised him alone.

Because there was no man, he was always bullied in the village and often called a child without a father.

Zhao Dashan always got angry when he heard this, but he didn't dare to argue with the village head; he was afraid.

"Uncle, I didn't mean to.

I just heard that everyone else has one."

After being reprimanded by Zhao Haiquan, his momentum immediately weakened.

"Other people are other people, you are you," Zhao Haiquan said coldly.

"Your father died young, and we should have driven you out long ago.

It's because I took pity on you two, mother and son, that I let you stay in the village.

And you still want a homestead? Dream on."

Zhao Dashan was stunned; he was clearly from here, but suddenly it was as if he had become an outsider.

"Uncle, my father was from the village, so I am from the village.

How can I not have a homestead?" Zhao Dashan quickly argued.

"Nonsense, how old were you when your father died? Who can guarantee you're his seed?" Zhao Haiquan said unceremoniously.

What Zhao Dashan couldn't stand the most was when someone spoke ill of his mother.

His old mother suffered a lot to raise him, and she died of illness before she could enjoy life.

Now Zhao Haiquan first refused him a homestead, and then implicitly accused his mother of having an affair.

How could he tolerate this? He immediately exploded.

"Zhao Haiquan, how dare you insult my mother! I'll curse your ancestors!"

Zhao Dashan rushed over and punched Zhao Haiquan to the ground.

Years of working on construction sites had made his body exceptionally strong; he didn't need lavish meals, just steamed buns with pickles, and he could still possess enough strength.