I have already unarmed them and tried both putting food and not putting food in their inventory but the dialogue always ends the same way.

1) I pay them 5K cats and they just scam me by taking my money without joining
2) I ask them to join but they just laugh and say that they were “already a free man before” and getting them to do work for me isn’t technically being “free”

Anyone got some help or solution to offer? Like maybe I’m supposed to put something in their inventory or have something specific in my inventory? Much thanks!