Signing the contract and affixing fingerprints was Tong Huaqiong's idea.
Of course, this wasn't the first time such a thing was done. Anyone working at Tong Huaqiong's, whether short-term field laborers or long-term shop workers, had to sign a contract.
Only by signing a contract would everyone respect the job and minimize the chances of taking shortcuts.
For instance, if the verbal rule is to impose a tenfold penalty and a permanent ban for cutting corners on sewing cotton-padded clothes, someone might still try their luck. But if it's written in a contract, with clear black and white confirmation, it becomes more intimidating.
Initially, everyone was rather reserved, but they relaxed once they received their cotton and cloth.
Su Qing continually emphasized that payment was calculated per item, and submissions were due every five days— the more one worked, the more one earned.
