Ting Guigu walked out and saw the two dogs Yin Minghong and Linhai Army officer Wan Xisha.

In just a week, Yin Minghong's nickname spread quickly. Initially, everyone called him 'Second-in-command,' because Jing Zhengwei called him that to subtly provoke their relationship, making Jing Zhengwei aware that this subordinate held a position below only one person.

Later, Yin Minghong started committing acts unbecoming of a human, slaughtering righteous men and women, robbing family assets, and even inciting Jing Zhengwei to attack the Wanghai Public Office. People secretly cursed him as a running dog.

Sometimes 'Second-in-command' and 'running dog' were shouted too quickly, and it evolved into 'two dogs,' which quickly spread within Silver Blood.

What, you ask why it was Yin Minghong who incited Jing Zhengwei to attack the Wanghai Public Office?

What else could it be?

Jing Zhengwei is the Patriarch of the Jing family, the President of the Silver Blood Association, how could he be so disrespectful to Wanghai Public Office?

He is one of our own!

It must be Yin Minghong, this heartless two dogs who incited it!

In the Imperial Court, Yin Minghong would be the kind of disaster that wreaks havoc on the court...no, a traitor!

Wanghai Gong must know that Jing Zhengwei internally stands on the side of justice and Silver Blood; that's why he generously sent military funds and even allied Jing Zhengwei through marriage, sending his youngest daughter, indicating that Wanghai Gong also acknowledges Jing Zhengwei!

But everyone understands Jing Zhengwei, he was forced by Linhai Army's threat to gather military funds, thereby compelled to employ Yin Minghong, this disrespectful wolf.

Once Linhai Army leaves, everyone will request the execution of Yin Minghong, giving Jing Zhengwei a chance to wash clean and confess his mistakes, allowing Dongyang Xuanzhu to return to a peaceful and prosperous era, as everyone rallies under Jing Zhengwei's banner, ushering in the era of merchants once again.

No matter how one thinks of it, there is a common consensus: Yin Minghong must die.

A subordinate like this, who commits all sorts of evil, holds great power, and acts recklessly, is meant to cleanse oneself and console people's hearts, isn't he?

From this angle, one can see Jing Zhengwei has calculated everything long ago—otherwise, why would he not use his family's personnel for these important tasks, and instead emphasize employing an outsider like Yin Minghong? Isn't it to make it easy to slaughter the pig later!

Since Wanghai Gong sent his daughter over, everyone is no longer obsessed with overthrowing Jing Zhengwei.

Even Wanghai Gong is hiding at home waiting for the wind to die down, how could they possibly continue to charge ahead?

Therefore, everyone hopes for the future, allowing the Jing family to freely invade and insult during this period, to see what extent Jing Zhengwei wants to achieve.

When Linhai Army leaves, if Jing Zhengwei really has the willingness, ability, and prestige to lead everyone to profit, and during this period he skillfully triumphs over various chambers of commerce, then people will naturally become his followers.

If Jing Zhengwei fails to triumph over them, then once Linhai Army, this bandit, leaves, it will be their turn to wear down the Jing family.

"Factory Director Ting Guigu," Yin Minghong said, holding a document, "you should know our intent, right? To better collaborate with the Silver Blood Association, Linhai Army needs to temporarily take over this factory, investigate the detailed production situation, please hand over the accounting books and important factory keys."

"Okay." Ting Guigu looked at Yin Minghong, showing a hint of pity on his face, as if 'this dog barking loudly now will soon become spicy dog meat stew': "The accounting books and keys are all in the factory director's office. Do you need me to explain to the army master?"

"No need, you leave."

Seeing Ting Guigu so cooperative, Yin Minghong raised his eyebrows.

He chose the Ting family's factory first, naturally intending to tackle the hard bone before the easy one.

If he started with smaller factory associations, it would give larger factory associations ample time to react, adding many risks.

Yin Minghong had prepared to act, and since Ting Guigu was so accommodating, he was happily relaxed: "No need, you leave, there's no more you to handle next."

"Wait." Ting Guigu waved his hand, three workers came forward, he said, "Second-in-command, army master, these three are leaders in our factory, familiar with all production steps, can alleviate army master's worries, whatever the army master doesn't understand, ask them."

Among the three workers, Laicai was surprisingly present.

This was Ting Guigu's wisdom as an old slave—directly pointing out one candidate to Linhai Army would surely arouse the other's suspicion.

If you don't give others options, others will certainly be unwilling to choose.

But by recommending three people, allowing for a choice, the other side won't resist as strongly.

Among the three workers Ting Guigu chose, one was a middle-aged man in his thirties, who loved smoking, drinking, not bathing, and was foul-smelling; and because he never touched a woman, he'd often scratch below, looking disgusting; another was also a man in his thirties, with a bit of a mental handicap, stuttering while speaking could drive people insane.

Laicai, although average in appearance, had served as a slave for many years in the Ting family, his eloquence was naturally not lacking, or he would have eaten bullets long ago; he cleaned himself up, even counted as a handsome young man.

Compared to the other two, Laicai was practically a perfect assistant, and Ting Guigu was confident Linhai Army's officer would choose Laicai as his assistant.

Laicai, once he has this achievement, as long as nothing goes wrong, can mix into a managerial position in the lock factory, securing his future.

"No need for that."

Ting Guigu was stunned, seeing Yin Minghong shouting into the factory: "Qi Bajiu, is Qi Bajiu here?"

The workers exchanged glances and then a robust young worker was pushed out, timidly saying: "I, I'm Qi Bajiu."

"From now on, you'll be the factory manager, help the Linhai Army manage the production and operation of this lock factory." Yin Minghong said, "Let you manage people, manage production, do you have confidence?"

"I, I..." Qi Bajiu subconsciously looked towards Ting Guigu, Ting Guigu viciously glared at him, he immediately retreated: "Master, please choose someone else, I really can't, I can't!"

These workers, having been investigated and screened by White Night Walker, possessing ability and prestige, refused these duties for various reasons, which didn't surprise Yin Minghong.

This was entirely normal, because right now, they don't know that once they become 'worker representatives,' it means they will become factory directors in the future. To them, the worker representative position is all harm and no benefit—now answering to Linhai Army, in the future bearing the anger of commerce associations, no matter how you think about it, it's not worth it.

They are just ordinary people, not White Night Walkers, they are shortsighted, they fear responsibility, they abandon chances, they are content with mediocrity.

But this is not their fault.

The world is dim, how can you blame a mortal for missteps?

Guiding them properly is precisely White Night's duty.

This was actually a loophole in the plan, but Jing Zhengwei didn't mention this point from the start, as if confident all workers would willingly be worker representatives.

However, Yin Minghong didn't disturb him over this trivial matter.

If White Night needed Jing Zhengwei to personally handle everything, then what dignity would they have?

"Except for material costs and workers' salaries, the manager's monthly salary will be ten percent of the factory's monthly profit," he said flatly.

Qi Bajiu, who was retreating, immediately halted.

Ting Guigu was also stunned, quickly said: "This won't do!"

"Why not?"

"This factory belongs to the Ting family, how can an outsider draw a share from the profit? No, no!"

"All workers' salaries are drawn from the profit, it's just others' are fixed, while the manager's salary is flexible...aren't you worried that once Linhai Army takes charge, the factory production and sales will have issues? Now that the manager's salary is closely tied to the factory profit, doesn't it encourage him to manage the factory diligently?"

"This..." Ting Guigu wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, momentarily unable to rebut: "But there's no precedent for this..."

Yin Minghong's words made sense, yet Ting Guigu felt something intuitively off.

Furthermore, Yin Minghong, this two dogs, actually choosing people himself, already exceeded Ting Guigu's expectations.

Did he choose randomly, or had he investigated seriously?

Now Ting Guigu isn't solely thinking about paving the way for his son, more importantly, it's the old patriarch who instructed him that even during Linhai Army's takeover period, he must control the factory.

The matter concerning his son could be figured out later, but the old patriarch's orders must be fulfilled properly!

However, things haven't reached an irreversible point yet. A mere worker—just send someone like Ting Guigu to intimidate him with a few words, then give him some money, and he'll be obedient.

As for wages being ten percent of the profits... Hmph, what a joke, does he dare take that much money from the Ting Family?

Some money can be taken, but you might not live to spend it!

I can't even get that much!

"While the Linhai Army is stationed here, no one should be so insensible to cause trouble for the supervisor's assistants," Yin Minghong said leisurely. "And to ensure the supervisor can assist the Linhai Army in managing the factory with peace of mind, the Jing Family is willing to accept and even promote any supervisor who has served over a month and made achievements."

"The Jing Family employs talent regardless of surname. Even if you're not a Jing, you can still make a name for yourself—I'm an example."

Coming from Yin Minghong, this statement was indeed very persuasive.

And the subtext of this statement couldn't be more obvious—if you fear getting caught by your old employer after making money, the Jing Family is willing to protect you!

Jing Zhengwei never actually said such a thing, but Yin Minghong felt he could take the liberty—firstly, the Jing Family was in dire need of managers; secondly, even if all the worker supervisors flocked to the Jing Family afterward, it would only be a little over a hundred people, which the Jing Family could easily support.

If Jing Zhengwei did indeed blame him, Yin Minghong was willing to take full responsibility.

However, if the plan went smoothly, the Jing Family wouldn't need to uphold this promise at all.

Because by that time, instead of the old employer settling accounts with the workers, it would be the workers settling accounts with the old employer.

Qi Baji's expression was shifting. He glanced at Ting Guigu's sinister, vicious eyes and suddenly made up his mind: "Alright, I'll do it!"

It wasn't the Jing Family's promise that supported his decision, but the ten percent profit from the factory.

Even if it's just for one month, it would be equivalent to ten years of wages!

Though the risk was high, the return was even higher!

Qi Baji came from a very typical worker's family: all people, no home; one person does not eat, the whole family does not starve.

In Xuanzhu County, most people were gamblers, and even those who weren't had a gambler's nature in their bones.

Under the nurturing of a materialistic, hedonistic, and opportunistic atmosphere, the Silver Blood Association churned out batches of grassroots people for them to exploit like leeks. They were gambling addicts, loved smoking, and were willing to sell their children for money.

Jing Zhengwei may not have taught White Night how to motivate workers.

But over the years, White Night did not learn nothing.

They were already well aware of how to make the Dongyang people take responsibility.

A lucrative pie, even if just drawn;

A lifeline, even if blocked;

As long as these two are present, they can motivate countless grassroots individuals to fight to the death.

The worker revolts in Xiaojiu Mountain, the Xiaoshen plantation uprising... In many past attempts, White Night has become adept at quickly inciting others.

As long as the method is proper, even blindly hedonistic citizens can transform into warriors fighting for freedom.

However, this incitement is temporary.

Once the grassroots individuals realize they can't fulfill their promises, those who came for profit will also betray for profit.

White Night may have few people, and even fewer are loyal idealists.

But if White Night wishes, they can still stir up a storm!

In recent years, White Night rarely did such things because the hope was dim, and even uprisings just led to sending people to their deaths; but now, with Jing Zhengwei and Yin Yin's as guiding lights, White Night is willing to do everything possible to assist him in reforming Dongyang!

Yin Minghong: "Can you find someone to manage the accounts and liaise with traders?"

"Yes!" said Qi Baji. "Brother Hei is originally in charge of the accounts. The factory manager only occasionally checks them, but as for traders... the other associations might not necessarily trade with us..."

"Don't worry, other factory stores will soon accept temporary management from the Linhai Army, and those you'll be dealing with will only be workers from other factories."

"That's no problem. Uncle Chen knows a lot of people and can go negotiate business."

"Good." Yin Minghong clapped his hands, turning to the workers behind him: "Are you willing to let Qi Baji be the supervisor? If you have any objections, feel free to say so; otherwise, from now on, he'll be the one managing your work and paying you. If he embezzles money or oppresses you in the future, you can come directly to the Linhai Army's base to find me, and we will stand up for you."

The workers looked at each other, and suddenly a voice broke out: "I think Brother Qi is a good choice."

"I agree, Brother Qi is very loyal."

"He usually works very efficiently."

"If Brother Qi is in charge, I have no objections."

"Let's have Brother Qi, no matter what, it's better than..."

Everyone quickly reached a consensus—let Qi Baji be the supervisor!

Even Lai Cai nodded in agreement.

He used to work in the factory and naturally knew Qi Baji held the highest respect among the workers and had the greatest ability.

Witnessing this unfold, Ting Guigu suddenly felt that something was very wrong.

Very wrong.

The workers were nominating their own manager;

The supervisor gained a share directly from the profits;

The Linhai Army was willing to be their backing and stand up for them;

The accumulation of these factors made Ting Guigu realize something seemed to have changed, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

He felt both fearful and expectant about this.

"Factory Manager Ting Guigu, aren't you leaving?" Yin Minghong asked.

Ting Guigu forced a smile: "Second-In-Command, recruiting our people like this doesn't seem right, does it? Meddling in our factory's internal affairs..."

"If you're dissatisfied, you can complain to the president," Yin Minghong said. "I'm just following the rules."

"Second-In-Command," Ting Guigu took a step closer and whispered, "Isn't this turning things upside down? Your Jing Family took all the prestige, and you didn't even leave us any substance?"

Yin Minghong looked at him in surprise, "Do you really think these workers are your substance?"

Of course, Ting Guigu didn't think that, but he vaguely realized that if Yin Minghong continued this operation with the Ting Family... no, with all the factories under the Silver Blood Association, then the sky might indeed change.

"The president once said, 'Send high-quality talent to society.' You probably don't want these former supervisors, so why not give them to us?"

"Moreover..."

Yin Minghong glanced at the crowd of workers laughing and chatting around Qi Baji and said calmly:

"They are free."