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His roar set off the workers he had conspired with, and the courtyard erupted into noise again. One man shoved over a bamboo pole still hung with cloth and stomped on it in a frenzy. Swept up in the commotion, the others began smashing things too.

Seeing the situation turn, Shen Lantang snapped, "In broad daylight? You think you can do whatever you please? Men, seize them all!"

Shen Lantang had brought several household guards, who rushed forward and grappled with the workers. But they were outnumbered and soon began to lose. Inside the room, Manager Qian gave a cold laugh and sipped his tea at leisure. Let's see how that arrogant little girl gets out of this.

Shen Lantang swept her gaze over the crowd, including the workers standing to one side, eager to join in yet shrinking back out of habit. She had anticipated this. Before coming, she had told her guards to let themselves be beaten back. Victory by force was not always the best kind. Winning people over was the wiser move.

Shen Lantang stepped forward, raised an arm, and called out:

"Anyone who helps subdue these troublemakers will get five taels of silver. If a lot of you help, you'll each get two!"

The people standing on the sidelines began to stir. Shen Lantang raised the stakes:

"Since I became head manager, have I ever broken a promise? Quite a few of those causing trouble are estate supervisors. Once they're removed, you'll have first consideration for the vacancies."

At that, no one could hold back. Afraid someone else would beat them to it, they charged in like wolves. Some pinned the troublemakers' arms, others their legs, and in moments they had subdued them all.

"Head Manager! Head Manager! We've got them!"

They shouted over one