"Oh, Mr. Arthur, I presume your visit this time means the factory has been fully constructed?" Ms. Dorothea, as the main introducer for both parties, naturally began conversing with Dutch.
"Of course, ladies, I'm here this time to recruit female workers and to take back the machinery and raw materials you helped us order.
Oh, and of course, dear Ms. Dorothea, but the more capable one is, the more work they do. This recruitment still needs you to arrange it, under your name," Dutch said with a smile, taking a sip of coffee from the table.
Ms. Dorothea's face was almost splitting from smiling so much. Her gaze swept over the other three ladies, then she spoke, "Oh, Mr. Arthur, alright, sir. This recruitment will be handled by us, but not in Dorothea's name, but in the names of Dorothea, Alice, and Ann. I wonder…"
"Oh, that's wonderful, ladies! All the work can be organized by yourselves. You know, I am a businessman; I only focus on doing business.
Of course, not only is our factory ready to begin operations, but our clothing store has also started renovation work. I think when we truly open for business, perhaps the three dear ladies can come and cut the ribbon with me, right in the women's gathering place specifically reserved in our clothing store. I believe that whether in Strawberry, Rhodes, or Valentine, those ladies should all be happy about your arrival."
Dutch smiled, picking up her words.
As expected, since these three were called over, it was naturally to share the profits, or rather, to share the reputation, to draw women into their camp, and in doing so, to increase the value of their own families and also to enhance the strength of women's rights.
The supporters behind the women's rights association must be certain families; there's no doubt about that, because ordinary lower-class women wouldn't think so much; just living each day is their biggest challenge.
Moreover, the women's rights associations emerging in various countries around the world currently have a very strange point: they do not emphasize the right to equal work, but rather primarily demand the right to equal voting. This alone reveals whose benefit is greatest once women gain the right to vote.
And listening to Ms. Dorothea speak was actually very interesting. She didn't speak with the Wicklow Family, Heidi Family, and Lemieux Family as the main body, but rather with the three of them as the main body. This clearly takes them out of the family; if something goes wrong, it's a personal act, but if it succeeds, it's a family directive.
Very good, I didn't expect that this trick is also masterfully played abroad.
Dutch didn't care what game they were playing or who benefited the most; his main goal right now was to make money and gain favors.
So, upon hearing Dutch casually release all the rights to fame to them, the smiles on the faces of Ms. Dorothea, Ann, and Alice all grew even wider.
Dutch's smile was even more unstoppable.
What if it's done in their name? The true implementer is Dutch, and even if Dutch doesn't actively demand any name for himself, his name will not be diminished in the slightest.
In addition, all of his shops and even his factory will be associated with women's rights, so the ladies' clothing is bound to sell like hotcakes.
Especially the noble young ladies and women of Saint Denis, with a dedicated place for gathering and shopping, he could hardly imagine how hot his business would be.
"Oh, Mr. Arthur, you are truly our benefactor!"
"Thank you, Mr. Arthur, you have a very kind heart."
"Oh, Mr. Arthur, thank you so much!"
The three ladies sincerely expressed their gratitude to Dutch. Miss Camille sat silently to the side, watching the scene with interest, even appearing somewhat thoughtful.
It was clear that she likely had some ideas, and with the power of the Morgan Family, she might even directly copy Dutch's approach.
Of course, all of this would need to be based on whether profitability could be guaranteed.
Ms. Dorothea said impatiently, "In that case, Mr. Arthur, let us go now to see the equipment that has already arrived. Oh, and the recruitment, after we released the news during this period, the ladies have long been impatiently waiting!"
"Of course, Ms. Dorothea." Dutch smiled and nodded.
The group exited the cafe, following Ms. Dorothea towards the recruitment and equipment storage area.
"Mr. Arthur, this time, according to your request, we purchased one hundred sewing machines at an extremely low price of 75 dollars each, totaling 7,500 dollars. However, the sewing machines can be purchased on loan with installment payments. I have already paid the 500-dollar down payment for 100 sewing machines, and you only need to repay 300 dollars each month thereafter.
I have also purchased various scissors, dressmaking rulers, and all sorts of sewing tools, totaling 300 dollars.
As for raw materials, I only purchased a sample batch. Depending on which style you prefer, I can continue to purchase for you or directly introduce you to relevant industry personnel so you can purchase them yourself."
"Oh, Ms. Dorothea, I am truly grateful for your help." Dutch walked beside Ms. Dorothea and the other ladies, constantly initiating conversations, using his eloquence to make the atmosphere exceptionally comfortable, and continuously eliciting giggles from the four ladies.
Arthur and John, among others, followed closely behind, occasionally chiming in with a few words, looking like a bunch of dazed geese, completely unable to blend into the atmosphere.
There was no helping it; Arthur's mind was still somewhat flexible, but John now was purely like half his brain had been gnawed off by wolves. He was silent in the camp, let alone outside.
Dutch was truly very satisfied with these arrangements. Thanks to the connections of these ladies, he was now purchasing raw materials at low prices, sewing machines at low prices, and shops at low prices—these were all benefits brought by connections.
The original price of these sewing machines is roughly 100 dollars each, and being cut to 75 dollars is already good enough. Subsequent raw materials can be further cut based on the connections of these ladies. Accumulating small amounts into large ones, over time, tens of thousands of dollars in reductions are normal.
"Oh, Ms. Dorothea, the subsequent raw material purchases will still require your effort. Compared to giving these dollars to those black-hearted capitalists, I think it might be better to use them as surplus funds for women's rights gatherings, don't you agree, dear ladies?"
Dutch chuckled as he joked with Ms. Dorothea and the other ladies. His words perfectly portrayed a stingy capitalist, yet they didn't cause any offense, instead making them giggle. This further enriched their impression of Dutch.
People came and went on the street. Dutch's gaze swept over the figures in the surrounding alleys, then he looked at Arthur, John, and Charles, who had already become vigilant.
"Oh, sh*t! These damn things, they're still after us!"
Dutch thought for a moment, not directly sending Arthur, John, and Charles out, but instead looking directly at the figures in the corners of the alleys, shouting angrily.
"What's wrong, Mr. Arthur?" Seeing Dutch's angry expression, Ms. Dorothea immediately asked anxiously.
Now Dutch was the main person at risk for her family; nothing could go wrong.
Looking at the anxious expressions of Ms. Dorothea and the two other ladies, Dutch spoke with a face full of apology, "I am truly very sorry, Ms. Dorothea, perhaps we can discuss our issues another time, because we were being watched by two gentlemen when we arrived, seemingly subordinates of a certain Mr. Bronte. Now they have gathered over there, and I don't want to put the ladies in danger. Oh, dear ladies, my conversation with you today made me very happy, but we may have to temporarily postpone our plans."
Dutch, with a face full of apology, expressed his desire to postpone the progress.
Upon hearing Dutch's words, Ms. Dorothea, Ann, and Miss Alice immediately exploded.
"Sh*t! Damn Bronte! How dare he be so bold! Sh*t sh*t sh*t! Oh, Mr. Arthur, please don't worry. Oh, Mr. Hosea, could I ask you to go over there? Please tell Bronte's subordinates that if this underground scumbag dares to lift a single finger, perhaps his business in Saint Denis can be forgotten!"
"Oh, of course, my dear lady!" Arthur also awkwardly tried to be a gentleman like Dutch
Miss Alice beside him kept chuckling as she watched Arthur, her eyes full of amusement at his strong physique and somewhat clumsy gentlemanly gestures.
(In 1860, sewing machines were already available on installment plans, also with a five-dollar down payment and three-dollar monthly repayments.)