The Fox of France - Chapter 335: Guarding Against Our Own

“Mr. Rayne,” Fekin smiled in response, “our demands aren’t just being conveyed now; they were laid out in our strike declaration two days ago. The formal documents we’ve brought today haven’t changed from that declaration. If you need us to repeat these contents, it’s either a waste of time or a lack of sincerity.”

“We… of course, we’ve seen them… but, but, dear Nield brothers, you must understand, we’re facing external pressures. Making money is hard now with those cursed Dutch, Americans, Spaniards, and Italians snatching our business. If we can’t compete, our factories will go under, leaving us with nothing to eat.”

Nield brothers, we factory owners, and you workers are interdependent. We’re not enemies but comrades. We need understanding and unity to overcome these temporary difficulties. Together, we can triumph over these challenges and have better days ahead.”

Rayne rambled on, trying to persuade, while Fekin looked on, unmoved, as if watching a play.

After a lengthy talk, Rayne earnestly asked, “What do you think of what I’ve said?”

“Hehe… Hehe…” Fekin and the other representatives burst into laughter.

“Mr. Rayne, did you know? Before I came to the city, I worked in the countryside, tilling the land. We had a horse for plowing. One day, the horse said to me, ‘Nield, you haven’t fed me, how can I work?’ I replied, ‘Wait until the harvest when the oats are ready, then you’ll eat oats. What grass can you eat now?’ The horse angrily retorted, ‘By the time your oats grow, I’ll starve! You’ll skin me for leather, stew my meat!’ Do you think we’re dumber than that horse?”

The representatives laughed along. Rayne, taken aback, chuckled, “Nield brothers, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not trying to make the horse run without food. We’re facing a small difficulty, and we need to support each other. Let’s negotiate, compromise for a solution.”

He paused, looked at them, and continued, “You’ve traveled far from the factories. It’s lunchtime. Why not dine together and talk slowly?”

Fekin replied, “No need to trouble, sir. Your fare doesn’t sit well with us. Adjust the contract, that’s what we need. Right, everyone?”

“Absolutely!”

“Absolutely!”

They laughed, mocking, “Inviting a hen for dinner, what’s the intention? Unsure of what to feed her!”

Despite the mockery, Rayne suggested, “Your journey was long. We’ve booked rooms nearby, facilitating discussions. We’ll cover the expenses. What do you think?”

Fekin smiled inwardly, knowing Rayne’s intentions. He aimed to divide and conquer. Could these representatives resist temptation when presented with money and allurements?

To prevent this, Fekin set a strict rule: Representatives couldn’t separate at any time. Any breach meant disqualification, requiring a new election.

Initially questioned, this rule was eventually accepted. Fekin made them consider the scenario: faced with a tempting offer, could they resist? Their admission signaled their agreement.

Fekin concluded, “We’re hard workers, not accustomed to leisure. We prefer our own space, sir.”

The negotiation unfolded, a delicate dance between mistrust and solidarity.