The morning sunlight filters through the carved wooden Windows and falls upon the newly expanded workshop in the backyard of the Splendid Pavilion. This place is nearly twice as large as the original embroidery room. It was transformed by Shen Ruoxin taking over an idle grocery store next door, breaking through the walls.
At this moment, the workshop was bustling with people. Besides the few old masters from the Jinxiu Pavilion, there were more than twenty new faces from Zhang Jiguo. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of silk threads, along with a complex atmosphere interwoven with hope, unease and observation.
Most of these embroiderers were dressed simply, with a hint of fatigue from long-term hard work on their faces. But when they looked at the abundant light in the workshop, the neatly arranged embroidery racks and the brand-new fabrics piled up in the corner, a touch of stability and anticipation couldn't help but show in their eyes. The "high-salary poaching" and the advance payment of monthly silver at Jinxiu Pavilion are no different from a timely rain after a long drought to them.
Shen Ruoxin was standing at the entrance of the workshop, with Uncle Wang and A Xing beside her. She quietly gazed at the slightly noisy yet vibrant scene before her, knowing in her heart that the arrival of a person was just the first step. The real test lies in how to unite this force into one and bring out its maximum efficiency.
"Second Miss, everyone is here." Uncle Wang said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and his brows slightly furrowed imperceptibly. A large number of people is a good thing, but it also means a sharp increase in management difficulty.
Shen Ruoxin nodded slightly, indicating that Uncle Wang needn't worry. She walked to the center of the workshop and cleared her throat. The embroiderers, who had been chatting in low voices, immediately fell silent and all their eyes turned to the young employer.
"Sisters," Shen Ruoxin's voice was clear and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable penetrating power, "Welcome to the Splendid Pavilion." From today on, this is the place where we strive together.
She looked around candidly and said, "I know that everyone chose Jinxiu Pavilion because they trusted me, Shen Ruoxin, and also to seek a stable and better life." Shen Ruoxin, I assure everyone that as long as you do your work with dedication, Jinxiu Pavilion will never treat anyone unfairly.
The simple opening remarks, however, relaxed the tense nerves of many embroiderers a little.
"To enable everyone to better display their talents and to ensure that the Jinxiu Pavilion can produce more and better embroidery works," Shen Ruoxin changed the subject and got to the point, "I have decided to officially establish the 'Jinxiu Workshop'." This is not only a place where everyone works, but also a venue where we learn together and improve our skills.
"Workshop?" Someone muttered in a low voice. This word is somewhat new to them.
"Exactly, workshop." Shen Ruoxin affirmed, "I will invite Master Wang Xiuniang, the former head of Zhangji Embroidery House and an expert in Suzhou embroidery." She looked at Wang Xiuniang in the crowd and nodded slightly to indicate.
Together with Master Li Molan from our Jinxiu Pavilion, they serve as the chief instructors of the workshop, responsible for guiding everyone's skills and ensuring the quality of the embroidery.
Wang Xiuniang and Li Molan, who were called out, were both taken aback for a moment, and then a complex light appeared in their eyes. Wang Xiuniang is the new "surrendered general", and Li Molan is a senior member of the Splendid Pavilion. Having them share the responsibility is both a balance and a test.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of prudence in each other's eyes, but also a solemn sense of being entrusted with an important task. They all stepped forward in unison and bowed to Shen Ruoxin and the other embroiderers.
There was a small commotion among the crowd. This arrangement not only shows the respect for the newcomer but also soothes the old man's heart, allowing everyone to faintly sense the fairness and resourcefulness of this young employer in handling affairs.
With a good master and a good place, the next step is how we can do the job well and how to ensure that everyone's efforts are rewarded and that the more they work, the more they earn.
Shen Ruoxin brought out the most crucial point of the day, "For this reason, I have decided to implement a new wage calculation method in the Jinxiu Workshop - piece-rate wage system."
"Piece-rate wage?" This word was even more unfamiliar. The embroiderers looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.
"Simply put," Shen Ruoxin explained, "it means no longer getting a fixed daily or monthly wage as before."
From now on, for each embroidery completed by everyone, there will be a clear wage based on the difficulty, size and quality of the embroidery. The more you do and the better you do, the more wages you will get. If less work is done or the quality is not up to standard, the wages will naturally be lower.
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately went wild.
"Charged by the piece?" This... How is this calculated?
"Does the one who does it quickly get an advantage?" "
"Then if the assigned work is difficult, wouldn't that be a huge loss?" "
Who decides the quality? What if the person in charge is biased and deliberately cuts?
That sounds good. The more you work, the more you get paid. But could it be that the employer has come up with a new way to deduct our wages?
Doubts and discussions rose and fell one after another. Excitement flashed in the eyes of some dexterous and highly skilled embroiderers, as if they saw the hope of making more money by their abilities. While some older embroiderers, those with slower hands and feet or mediocre skills, looked worried, fearing that they would be eliminated or have their income reduced.
Wang Bo watched from the side, also holding a breath in his heart. This piece-rate system sounds novel and seems to make sense, but the fixed wages have been passed down from generation to generation. A sudden change like this will inevitably cause instability among people.
Shen Ruoxin had expected everyone's reaction. She raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and her tone remained calm: "I'll answer each of your questions one by one."
First, how to calculate? The workshop will formulate a detailed "price list" based on the standard working hours, materials and technical difficulty of each embroidery piece. This list will be posted in the most prominent place of the workshop, visible to everyone and transparent. It is very clear how much each embroidery is worth.
Second, what if the difficulty of the work varies? The workshop will initially grade everyone based on their skill levels. Complex and delicate tasks will be given priority to highly skilled masters, and the corresponding wages will naturally be higher. Ordinary jobs can be taken on by everyone. Meanwhile, we will try our best to ensure that the tasks each person receives are well-matched in terms of difficulty and relatively fair.
Thirdly, and most importantly, how is the quality judged? Shen Ruoxin intensified her tone, "The two chief instructors, Wang Xiuniang and Li Molan, will be responsible for formulating detailed quality standards and inspecting and grading each completed embroidery piece." Those who are qualified will be paid the full amount of wages. Those who are excellent will receive additional rewards. Those who are unqualified will need to rework and their wages will be deducted as appropriate. Before standards, everyone is equal and there is no favoritism!
"As for the fear of withholding wages," Shen Ruoxin looked around at everyone, her eyes sharp, "I, Shen Ruoxin, guarantee with the century-old brand of the Splendid Pavilion!" The purpose of the piece-rate system is to encourage people to earn more for more work and better pay for better work. It is by no means to deduct everyone's hard-earned money! As long as you have excellent skills and are willing to put in the effort, your income will only be higher than before!
Her words were resounding with an unquestionable determination, gradually quieting down the originally noisy workshop. The embroiderers exchanged glances with each other. Although they still had doubts, Shen Ruoxin's clear and logical explanation and resolute guarantee made them start to seriously consider the possibility of this new system.
At this moment, a slightly shrill voice rang out from the crowd: "Second Miss sounds nice, but this rule can be changed so easily. Who knows if it will change its mind again in the future?" Besides, if the person conducting the live test is too lenient, who can we go to reason with?
The one speaking was precisely the Liu surnamed embroiderer, who was not only skilled but also quick-witted. Her words seemed to be raising concerns for everyone, but in fact, they carried a hint of provocation.
A Xing's gaze swept over Liu Xiuniang imperceptibly, but she said nothing.
Shen Ruoxin looked at Liu Xiuniang, her face showing no sign of joy or anger: "Master Liu, your question is very good." Once the rules are set, they naturally need to be followed. To ensure fairness, in addition to the two chief instructors, Mr. Wang also regularly spot-checks the accounts and live inspection records. If you have any objections to the judgment results, you can appeal to Uncle Wang or come to me directly. The door of the Splendid Pavilion is always open to everyone.
She paused for a moment and added, "As for changing her mind?" My words, Shen Ruoxin, are as valuable as gold! As long as the Splendid Pavilion exists, the rule of piece-rate work and living by one's ability will never change!
These words were spoken straightforwardly and straightforwardly. They not only provided a channel for supervision but also once again emphasized determination, blocking Liu Xiuniang's attempt to continue sowing discord. Liu Xiuniang lowered her head sheepishly and said no more, but a barely perceptible cold light flashed deep in her eyes.
"To help everyone adapt as soon as possible," Shen Ruoxin continued, "this month, we will first offer a few handkerchiefs and sachets as pilot projects. Everyone can sign up voluntarily."
One month later, we will make adjustments and improvements based on the pilot situation, and then fully implement it throughout the entire workshop.
This buffer period and pilot program have completely relieved the embroiderers who were still somewhat worried. It's much more acceptable to give it a try first than to change everything at the very beginning.
"All right, I've said everything I needed to." Shen Ruoxin clapped her hands and said, "Next, please ask Master Wang Xiuniang and Master Li Molan to assign today's tasks to everyone." Remember, from today on, our Jinxiu Workshop will not support idle people, nor will it bury any diligent and talented individuals! Let's all work together to make the brand of Jinxiu Pavilion shine even brighter in our hands!
Having said that, she turned and left with Wang Bo and A Xing, leaving the space for the embroiderer and the two newly appointed chief instructors.
In the workshop, after a brief silence, low voices of conversation rang out again. But this time, there was more curiosity, anticipation and eagerness to give it a try. Wang Xiuniang and Li Molan exchanged a glance and began to organize themselves in an orderly manner.
Stepping out of the workshop, a hint of admiration appeared on Uncle Wang's face: "Second Miss, if this piece-rate system can really be implemented, it's likely to greatly improve our work efficiency and quality!" Just... People's hearts are complex. It's not easy to manage these more than twenty people well.
"I know." Shen Ruoxin looked at the busy figures in the workshop, her eyes deep and profound. "Therefore, the rules must be strict, supervision clear, and rewards and punishments fair." More importantly, it is necessary to let them see the tangible benefits and feel fairness and hope.
"That Liu Xiuniang..." A Xing spoke in a low voice, "What she said just now was obviously sharp. I'm afraid she's not a well-behaved person."
"I know." Shen Ruoxin's lips pursed slightly as she stared at her. Let's see what she will do next. When the workshop is just established and the rules are just set, there will always be someone who wants to test the bottom line, or... "Taking advantage of the confusion." "
Establishing workshops and implementing piece-rate systems are just one part of her plan to revitalize the Splendid Pavilion. This is not only to enhance efficiency, but also to lay the foundation for standardized production and talent cultivation, laying the groundwork for her bolder "business examination" plan in mind.