Lu Shuzhang is a straight man, and he was a little deflated when he heard the big man say this, "Representative Mao, why are you so ambitious for others." If they really dare to play hard, we will fight with them. ”

Wu Fen is a few years older and more calm. He said worriedly, "Representative Mao, what do you think we should do?" The workers have not been paid for several days, and if they continue to consume like this, it will inevitably be untouchable. ”

Deputy Mao took out a piece of paper, "This is the workers' appeal I drafted, let's see if there is anything wrong with it?" ”

Wu Fen took the paper and looked at it carefully, "First, according to the law, workers have the right to set up their own organizations, and Beijing must recognize the legal status of the Kawaguchi Railway Trade Union. Second, the protection of laborers is one of Wu Peifu's four major propositions, and the current cruel exploitation of laborers is that the Hankow side has not implemented Beijing's instructions and demanded that the Hankow officials be severely punished. Third, workers are required to take one day off per week, and work no more than eight hours per day, and pay twice the overtime wages if they exceed it. Fourth, workers are required to have the right to take a one-week holiday during the Lunar New Year. ”

"Good, good." Wu Fenlian said three good things, "These propositions of Representative Mao really express the aspirations of our workers. ”

Lu Shu was a little unhappy on his face, "In the end, our workers are being bullied, it is his problem with Wang Dujun, we should demand that Wang Dujun be shot directly, so that the worker brothers can relieve the hatred in their hearts." ”

Deputy Mao collected the piece of paper, flicked the cigarette ash and said, "The military is Wu Peifu's bottom line, and if there is a clear political proposition in our demand, it is very likely to anger Beijing and be self-defeating." The main purpose of this request is to test Beijing's sincerity. Secondly, I will contact a few leaders of our workers, and ask them to do the ideological work of the workers, and they must be calm when starting the enlarged meeting of the workers, so as to avoid a head-on conflict with the Hankow side, so as not to settle down in the truth. You must know that the struggle is taking place step by step, and we cannot rush it now. ”

Lu Shu and Wu Fen nodded.

The train stopped at the station, and they did not wait for Wu's envoy, who got out of the car and met with them accompanied by the staff.

"A few delegates were embarrassed that our special envoy wanted to inspect the people's situation, so I got off the train at the previous stop, and he specially ordered me to come and meet with them." The secretary said gently.

Representative Mao looked along the platform towards the rear of the train, and several attendants were walking outside the station with a middle-aged man in their arms. Deputy Mao glanced at the two of them, and the three of them ran forward to block the way of the engraver, ignoring the secretary's obstruction.

"Don't be in a hurry to leave, envoy." Representative Mao stretched out his hand and held his hand tightly. Kuang Eun Chong was taken aback by the young man in front of him. He looked at the secretary angrily, and the secretary lowered his head helplessly.

"Let me introduce you to you, these two people next to me are the chairman of the Kawaguchi Railway Union and the workers' representatives." Deputy Mao said, "The contemptible surname is Mao, and he is also one of the workers' representatives. ”

Seeing that he couldn't escape, he could only respond with a smile on his face. "Oh, thank you guys. In addition, he came to Wuhan this time for the things on the railway. What is the mood of the workers right now? ”

Lu Shu said angrily, "What can we do if we give so much money a day and call us like animals?" Many workers can't take leave when they are sick, and when they take leave, they lose all their wages for a month. ”

Guo Enzhong's face was a little embarrassed, "I also have a general understanding of the situation of the workers, don't worry, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer this time." ”

Representative Mao took out the piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Guo Enzhong, "This is the appeal of our workers, and we hope that the special envoy will allow it." ”

He was an experienced politician with no hint of joy or sorrow in his eyes. "This appeal is very specific, and I must study it carefully. However, at present, there are also two requirements: First, once the enlarged meeting of the trade union starts, the Sichuan-Hankou Railway will face paralysis on the whole line, which will affect the people's livelihood in the entire Hankou and even Hubei. Is it possible to terminate the meeting, or to change the enlarged meeting to a concentrated meeting of workers' representatives? Second, workers also have to eat, if workers return to normal working hours, everyone's pressure will be less, the original ten hours of work is indeed too heavy, but the current working hours are really short, we can not compromise, ten hours, wages will be paid according to the previous day's wages. As long as you can cooperate in these two aspects, then the weight of this appeal in my hands will be heavier on Wu Dashuai's side, do you think it is feasible? Kuang En said gently.

Wu Fen was very interested in this proposal, he bowed his head and said to Lu Shuzhang, "The salary is the same as before after a few hours of loss." ”

Lu Shu also nodded excitedly.

Deputy Mao smiled, "Special Envoy, we will carefully consider your request." Second, we can talk to the workers about the appropriate extension of working hours, but we must hold an enlarged meeting of the Kawaguchi Railway Union as scheduled. At the moment all the conditions are not on paper, and they have not been approved by everyone, and if the envoy can promise us our demands before the meeting, we can put an end to the enlarged meeting, and if not, we will not be able to help. ”

Guo Enzhong was stunned for a moment and then said with a smile, "Where is this little brother from, your accent doesn't sound like a local." ”

Deputy Mao said with a smile, "I am from Hunan and work in Hubei, and we have brothers from all over the world on this railway. ”

Guo En nodded again, "I will carefully consider your request, but I still advise you, if your meeting affects the normal life of the people and the normal development of the economy, you ask yourself, is it right to do this?" He put down this sentence and left the station with his entourage.

Lu Shu said excitedly, "This situation is okay, otherwise our meeting will be slow?" ”

Wu Fen felt that Lu Shu's words were reasonable, and he also persuaded Deputy Mao, "I also think what he said has some truth, if we really hold a conference, the railway will be paralyzed for at least two days." Eating, drinking, and Lazar along the railway line will be affected, which is not good for us. ”

Deputy Mao lit a third cigarette and took a heavy puff, saying, "No, the enlarged meeting must not be postponed." ”

"Why?" Lu Wu and Wu asked in unison.

"It's hard to get people together. If we fail to take advantage of the fact that the workers are at their most united, these politicians will then use all sorts of methods to encroach on us step by step, to the point of completely eroding all the fighting spirit of our workers. At that time, the demands we made on paper were worthless. You must remember that progress in the negotiations depends entirely on our strength, and if they see that we are so easy to compromise, the good situation in Hankow will be completely ruined. Representative Mao said earnestly.