Chapter Sixty-Three: The Great Dog Has Killed a Man

Lin Miaomiao watched as the number of orders steadily increased, and at the end of the second quarter, she decided to hold a general assembly to announce a new system for her factory. That morning, all the workers gathered on an open ground. Lin Miaomiao arrived with Lin Qi, Lin Jiwang, Ruoyu, Lanzhi, and the various foremen of the factory.

Seated on the dais with the other supervisors, Lin Miaomiao took up a makeshift loudspeaker and said, “Good morning, everyone. I’ll be taking up a bit of your time today. If your work isn’t finished by the end of the day, you’ll get double pay for overtime tonight.”

Then she turned to the accountant and said, “Keep the books straight. Tonight’s overtime will be paid at double rates for all workers.”

In Lin Miaomiao’s factory, overtime was calculated by the hour, with ten copper coins paid for each hour worked. Double pay meant twenty coins—enough to support an ordinary family for a month—so the workers were delighted.

After her announcement, Lin Miaomiao addressed the workers, “We’ve done exceptionally well these past two quarters. Orders are pouring in, and that’s all thanks to your hard work.”

The workers grew even more excited at her words. Lin Miaomiao smiled warmly at them and continued, “Now, because of your outstanding performance, I have decided to implement a new rule at the factory.”

“From now on, every employee at Lin’s Factory will have one day off each month, to be chosen at your own discretion.”

She then addressed the workshop supervisors, “All of you must arrange the shifts accordingly when someone takes their day off. Keep proper records, and report them to the accounting office as well.”

The workshop supervisors agreed, and the workers below were visibly pleased. One of them raised his hand and asked, “Miss, will we be paid for our day off?”

Lin Miaomiao nodded, replying, “Your day off will not be deducted from your wages. This is an added benefit for everyone, so rest assured and enjoy your break.”

She went on, “During holidays and festivals, we haven’t been able to give you time off. For occasions like the Mid-Autumn Festival, you haven’t been able to return home to celebrate with your families. Now, our factory is introducing a new policy.”

As she finished, the workers broke into lively discussion. Their boss’s care for their wellbeing brought them genuine happiness.

Lin Miaomiao raised her hand for silence and continued, “If a holiday falls within the month, the regular day off will be canceled.”

She went on, “Each of you must use your one day off each month. You can’t save up your days and take ten off at once.”

She added playfully, “If you took ten days off, I’d have to wait outside your door with a group of people every day, because without you, the factory wouldn’t be able to operate!”

The workers burst out laughing at her joke. Lin Miaomiao resumed, “If there is a festival, everyone will have that day off. This means that once our orders are completed, everyone can return home and enjoy the holiday with their families, without worrying about unfinished work.”

She concluded, “So, what do you all think of this policy? If you’re happy with one day off each month, we’ll proceed as such. If you’d rather rotate days off around the holidays, we can do that as well.”

The workers all agreed they preferred to rest on the holiday itself, and if a festival fell within the month, they would forgo their usual day off. Hearing their consensus, Lin Miaomiao confirmed the new policy with the secretary, “This will be our factory’s new policy. All future employees will enjoy the same benefits.”

Lin Miaomiao then sent the workers back to their posts and kept the four supervisors behind.

In the office, she addressed them, “I’m holding a quick meeting. If the workers get time off, so should the management team.”

She continued, “But during these breaks, your production lines would be left unsupervised, which isn’t ideal.”

“So, you may each select an assistant to handle your responsibilities in your absence. Choose two assistants, not just those you’re close with, but those you trust to handle the work.”

She instructed, “Submit the names of your chosen assistants. After a period of assessment, we’ll keep the most capable one.”

“Who you choose to promote is up to you, but be sure they are competent.”

She added, “You must also ensure the workers’ rest days are well organized. Even with flexible days off, you must keep track of time and order quantities.”

After the meeting, the supervisors felt the weight of their responsibilities and returned to their lines to select deputies.

A week later, every line had two temporary deputy supervisors. After further evaluation, one was retained—the more capable one. Lin Miaomiao’s factory thus began its new work schedule.

With an abundance of orders, some foremen initially worried about insufficient manpower. Lin Miaomiao told Lin Qi, “We can hire some new workers. Their starting wages will be lower, and after two months, they’ll earn the same as the regular staff.”

Lin Qi immediately understood. He asked, “Will these new workers receive the same benefits?”

Lin Miaomiao answered, “All workers get equal benefits. But if you don’t know the job yet, how can I pay you the same as the experienced staff? That wouldn’t be fair.”

Lin Qi nodded, and the factory began recruiting new workers. Those from the neighboring factory could only look on with envy.

At Liu Qiang’s factory, the work was grueling, and the supervisors berated and sometimes even beat the workers.

When word spread that Lin Miaomiao’s factory was hiring, some quit Liu Qiang’s factory to join hers. Timid workers stayed behind, enduring hardship, while the bolder ones left for better prospects.

The new hires enjoyed improved conditions and new uniforms, and the supervisors treated them well—unlike those at Liu Qiang’s factory.

Lin Miaomiao’s products were of high quality and reasonably priced, making them popular despite slight market competition. Her factory readily absorbed the new recruits from Liu Qiang’s company, and they enjoyed better pay and treatment.

Though Liu Qiang’s factory was still profitable, it was clearly no match for Lin Miaomiao’s earnings.

Li Yanhua soon heard of Lin Miaomiao’s management style and couldn’t help but regard her with newfound respect.

Lin Miaomiao enjoyed a period of peace. Liu Qiang, trying to cause trouble, was thwarted when Lin Miaomiao learned about the new factory next door and began keeping dogs at her own.

In modern times, she’d seen factories keep fierce dogs—she remembered one that kept a Tibetan mastiff, and she’d nearly been bitten once. Her father had told her, “They keep fierce dogs to guard against troublemakers at night.”

The dogs were chained during the day and let loose at night to deter intruders.

Lin Miaomiao shared her idea with Li Yanhua, who the next day brought her several large, fierce wolfhounds.

She was quite taken with the dogs, stroking them fondly.

Each of her four factories was assigned four dogs, and she made sure they were well fed. During working hours, the dogs were chained, and after the workers left and the factory was locked up, the dogs were set free.

She believed this would frighten off any would-be troublemakers.

But unexpectedly, one morning she found a man lying in her factory, bitten by the dogs. Lin Qi recognized him at once as a supervisor from Liu Qiang’s factory.

Lin Miaomiao brought the injured man back to Liu Qiang’s factory. It was the first time Liu Qiang had seen Lin Miaomiao in person. Others called her “Miss Lin,” and at first he’d assumed she was Lin Qi’s daughter. But seeing Lin Qi respectfully address her as “Miss,” he realized that Lin Miaomiao was the true owner of the factory.