“What they claim is very inflammatory to craftsmen.”
Aurelio looked helplessly at the parade outside the window and sighed.
"They claim that they will use all means to provide equal opportunities for all members and avoid exploitation by businessmen."
"But there is no such thing as such a good thing. They distinguish between master craftsmen and helpers internally, and there are strict economic conditions for a helper to be promoted to a master craftsman. In fact, many guilds have fixed the number of guild members. , restricting helpers from becoming master craftsmen. But unfortunately, most of the craftsmen who have not joined the guild do not know this. They are only attracted by what the guild claims."
"Are the wealthy craftsmen loyal supporters of the guild system?" Agnes said, looking at the team outside.
Aurelio was stunned for a moment, shook his head, and said: "As far as I know, it's not entirely true. In fact, most of the wealthy people who are not in power in the guild are dissatisfied with some of the guild's regulations, such as strict restrictions on goods. Quantity, it is prohibited to sell these at reduced prices. But dissatisfaction with some regulations does not mean dissatisfaction with the guild system. Most of them still believe that the guild system is the protection of their interests."
The procession passed and the carriage started again.
Agnes lowered the curtains, looked at Aurelio and said, "It sounds like this is actually a fragile and rigid alliance."
Aurelio smiled and shook his head: "Fragile? They are not fragile."
Agnes continued: "Perhaps I don't know enough about these things and underestimate the strength of the guild. Based on what you just said, I feel that this system can be easily disintegrated without the need for coercion."
Aurelio looked at Agnes with a smile and said, "What idea has our little Agnes come up with?"
Agnes shook her head slightly and said: "It's not really an idea, I just think there are some places where I can start."
"First of all, their foundation is not solid enough. You mentioned that there are great restrictions on the promotion of helpers to master craftsmen, and the master craftsmen are their members. It is difficult for helpers to get enough benefits from the guild, and they will not be interested in the guild. If you are too loyal, you will easily become resentful towards the guild. Although most of the members of the guild are craftsmen, their main workforce will only be helpers."
"When helpers reject the guild's organization and instead establish their own organization, the guild will lose its main source of labor. As long as this organization treats them better than the guild, the helpers will have the desire to leave the guild. As long as they can If we ensure that there are no obstacles for the helpers to leave the guild, it will easily break the guild's muscles and bones."
"However, it is difficult for the helpers themselves to think of establishing their own organization. This requires some guidance."
Aurelio looked at Agnes with some surprise and said, "I didn't expect this."
Agnes glanced at Aurelio, smiled and said: "You are too arrogant."
Aurelio reached out and flicked Agnes's forehead and said with a smile: "What are you talking about! My father didn't think of this either. I'm not the only one who was mocked by your words. My mother is still watching."
My mother couldn't help laughing, waved her hand and said, "I won't tell Lorenzo."
Agnes looked at Aurelio provocatively: "Look, mother won't tell."
Aurelio shook his head helplessly and asked: "This is the first point you mentioned before, what else is there?"
Agnes nodded and said: "Well, yes. The method mentioned before is more suitable for large cities with weak guild power, but in small cities with strong guild power, it is difficult for helpers to become independent. So Some other approaches are needed in some smaller cities."
"So the second point is, start with wealthy members."
"Wealthy members? I've tried, but it's a bit difficult to win over them." Aurelio shook his head.
Agnes smiled and said, "Why are you suddenly anxious? Listen to me first."
"You mentioned before that many wealthy craftsmen are actually somewhat dissatisfied with some of the guild's regulations, but they still believe that the guild system is the protection of their interests. But this is probably because they have not found an alternative to the guild, let alone An organization that satisfies them. We can establish a new organization based on their dissatisfaction with the guild charter, such as allowing them to use tools and methods they think are better, and providing them with channels to sell to other places so that they can sell more We provide multiple products and even help them contact the help organizations established.”
"You don't need to give them too much preferential treatment. As long as they find it more profitable than the guild, they will naturally choose to leave the guild and support a new organization. After all, for a loose alliance like the guild, Loyalty is often linked to the benefits given to them. Of course, the wealthy craftsmen who have been transformed in this way are probably no longer craftsmen, but maybe they will become factory owners?"
"These two points are internal problems. There are also some external measures. I think you and your father should be taking them?" Agnes smiled mysteriously. She looked at Aurelio and winked mischievously. .
Aurelio thought for a moment and said, "Political to make them illegal, and economically to restrict their development?"
Agnes nodded and said, "Yes, but there should be one more thing. I remember that my father should have done it before."
"Creating momentum for the abolition of the guild system in the newspaper?" Aurelio thought for a moment and asked.
Agnes nodded and added: "Yes, the power of public opinion. It can be used more fully. Before, my father only published it in newspapers. In fact, he can also use rumors and other things to influence the guild system in all aspects." Losing support. For example, revealing the true working form of the guild system will make the craftsmen who are ready to join them think carefully about their future; telling the citizens that the guild limits the number of goods and prohibiting members from cutting prices, so that the citizens will not sympathize with them."
"A lot of these fathers were published in newspapers," Aurelio said.
"Yes, it is in newspapers. But people who can read newspapers must at least have a certain social status, and most of these people have various considerations. Many of the trivial things mentioned have already damaged them. It’s not in their interests anymore. Therefore, we need to win over the people who are really angry about the guild’s practices – ordinary citizens.”
"Ordinary citizens? What can they do?"
"Don't underestimate them. When they can be organized, the king cannot ignore them." Agnes looked at Aurelio with a smile.
It's just a pity that this world has extraordinary power, otherwise maybe the king can be guillotined? Agnes thought.
"Do you want to try it?" Agnes said looking at Aurelio.
"Don't scare me." Aurelio caught Agnes's gaze and couldn't help but shuddered. He reached out and patted Agnes on the head and said, "I always feel like you are thinking about something bad. matter."
