Chapter 75: If It Doesn’t Work, It’s Fine

The news that Mayor Chen and county leaders had arrived caused a stir at the scene. The old factory employee representatives, who had been gathered at the entrance, quickly moved toward the front to welcome the leaders. A cheer erupted soon after, and it was clear from the enthusiastic shouts that Mayor Chen had arrived.

The old employee representatives then parted to make way for Mayor Chen, who was followed by Gu Ping, the Secretary of the Nanhui County Committee. The factory's auditorium doors were opened as well, likely after a final round of sanitation.

Factory logistics staff were at the door to greet them. Mayor Chen waved to them while leading the way into the auditorium.

Once Mayor Chen entered, the old employee representatives followed suit. Huang Zheng, passing by Zhou Ming and his family, deliberately stopped and gave Zhou Ming a disdainful smile, "Mayor Chen is here, but he doesn't seem to know you, this famous Hong Kong businessman!"

Zhou Ming replied, "I never said I knew Mayor Chen. I'm just here to buy the 760 Factory. That shouldn't be related, should it?"

Huang Zheng sneered, "It seems you're still not giving up, and now you're being stubborn. I'm not afraid to tell you that I've already had my uncle look into it. You've just made some money in Nanjing and think you can come back pretending to be a Hong Kong businessman? You're really bold. I advise you to run away while you still can before you're discovered."

"Didn't your uncle find out any insider information about this factory's restructuring?" Zhou Ming asked meaningfully.

Huang Zheng was momentarily stunned by this question before he replied, "Insider information? What are you talking about? The restructuring of our factory is fair, just, and open…"

Zhou Ming coldly interrupted, "Alright, using your own words, you'd better run away while you can, or you might end up crying later."

"Run away? Are you telling me a story?" Huang Zheng laughed loudly.

Zhou Ming didn't want to waste more time with him and went with his parents and Su Han into the auditorium. As they walked, his mother, Wang Fengqin, anxiously said, "Zhou Ming, Huang Zheng's father used to be a deputy county head, and he has a lot of power. Will there be any issues with your friends?"

"Mom, don't worry. Even if his father was a deputy county head before, or even now, it won't matter," Zhou Ming thought for a moment and continued, "However, his father's connections probably won't help him this time. From what Huang Zheng said earlier, it's clear that the county officials are just pretending to be polite and have no intention of helping them."

Entering the auditorium, Chen Da and other county leaders were still in the lounge. The old employee representatives were finding their seats. Seeing the disorganized scene, Su Han asked, "Zhou Ming, where should we sit?"

Just as Zhou Ming was about to respond, Huang Zheng followed them in. Seeing Zhou Ming searching for a seat, he exaggeratedly called out to the old employee representatives, "Everyone, our Hong Kong City boss Zhou Ming is here. Should we give him a seat at the front?"

This shout stirred up a commotion. The old employee representatives, realizing that Zhou Ming and his family had entered the auditorium, were wondering what they were up to. Were they planning to cause trouble?

They pointed at Zhou Ming and shouted, "Old Zhou, what are you doing here? This is the leaders' meeting place. Are you allowed to just walk in? Are you really planning to cause trouble and go against all the factory workers and their families? Want to sit in the front? Hurry up and get out of here. Don't delay the factory's restructuring process. You're not welcome here!"

Hearing these aggressive shouts and seeing Huang Zheng's smug expression, Zhou Ming turned to his parents and said, "Mom, Dad, Su Han, it seems we're not welcome. Let's sit in the back."

His parents and Su Han agreed, so they moved to a corner of the auditorium.

The old employee representatives, seeing that Zhou Ming and his family hadn't left but had instead taken seats in the back, were even more annoyed. However, considering the presence of the mayor, they didn't want to cause a scene. They swallowed their anger and cursed a few times. Some of them even informed the factory's security to keep an eye on Zhou Ming and his family to prevent any trouble. If anything did happen, they were to control the situation quickly.

A few minutes later, as the meeting time approached, the old employee representatives settled down in their seats.

When everything was ready, with the entrance music playing, Mayor Chen Da and the county and factory officials walked into the auditorium from the side and took their seats at the central dais.

The proceedings began as expected: everyone stood up to welcome the city and county leaders, and then Mayor Chen Da started his speech.

Chen Da took the microphone and said, "The 760 Factory is an old factory with a long history, growing alongside Nanhui County. It has created great economic benefits in the past and made an indelible contribution to the development of Nanhui County and the entire Linyang City. However, with the advent of the reform and opening up strategy and the impact of emerging economies at home and abroad, many old factories are facing significant challenges. In order to help the 760 Factory adapt to the new environment of reform and opening up more quickly and to ensure a better future, the city and county government have decided to restructure the 760 Factory."

Chen Da's speech was met with warm applause. Once the applause died down, Chen Da continued, "The restructuring of the 760 Factory is the first step in the reform of the old factories in Linyang City and a pilot attempt. Since so many factory officials and old employee representatives are here today, I would like to hear your views on this restructuring."

As soon as Chen Da finished speaking, Ma Jianjun, the factory's deputy director, immediately raised his hand.

After receiving Chen Da's acknowledgment, Ma Jianjun said, "Thank you, Mayor Chen and all the leaders. I am Ma Jianjun, the deputy director of the 760 Factory. I have worked here for over twenty years and have deep feelings for the factory. Seeing the factory's poor performance recently, I am anxious as the deputy director. Now that we hear the city is going to restructure the factory, I am very happy because I believe that after the restructuring, the 760 Factory will surely regain its former glory!"

Seeing Ma Jianjun speak first was a bit strange to Zhou Ming. As a deputy director, it seemed unusual for him to speak first at such an important occasion with so many city and county officials present.

Zhou Ming glanced at the factory's director, who sat quietly like a sage, showing no reaction to Ma Jianjun's actions. Zhou Ming smiled, realizing that there might be discord among the factory's leadership.

Ma Jianjun continued, "I know today's meeting is about restructuring. As the deputy director, I propose that our factory's sales director, Huang Zheng, take over as the factory director. Huang Zheng is at the forefront of the market and understands it best. I believe that with him as the director, the 760 Factory will surely achieve new heights in the future reform and opening up!"

Ma Jianjun's proposal was met with applause, and Mayor Chen Da nodded with a smile, "It seems that Deputy Director Ma has given it some thought. Let's hear what the other old employee representatives have to say."

Another old employee representative stood up and said, "Hearing Deputy Director Ma's words, I am deeply touched. I have been an old employee of the 760 Factory for my whole life, and I am pained to see the factory's poor performance. Now that the city is restructuring the factory, it is a hope for the factory to stand up again, so I fully support Deputy Director Ma's speech and agree with Huang Zheng taking over the 760 Factory."

Hearing Ma Jianjun and the old employee representative's words, Wang Fengqin became anxious, "It's over, it seems like everyone in this auditorium is on their side. They're all supporting Huang Zheng. Is there still hope?"

Zhou Ming reassured his mother, "Mom, don't worry. The restructuring meeting has just started, and the 760 Factory's restructuring is a major matter for the entire Linyang City. Mayor Chen Da wouldn't just listen to these people and change a decision that has been made."

"But Mayor Chen Da and the county leaders haven't made any statements yet, and all the factory representatives are supporting Huang Zheng. Is there really any chance left?" Su Han asked, seeming to see Zhou Ming's answer as her last hope.

Zhou Ming nodded firmly, "Of course, some things can't be changed by just a few people making noise here!"

As Zhou Ming and his family spoke, another old employee representative finished speaking, and Mayor Chen Da said, "It seems that everyone at the 760 Factory has a lot of confidence in Huang Zheng. So, let's hear Huang Zheng's thoughts on this."

Called upon by the mayor, Huang Zheng immediately stood up and said, "Thank you, Mayor Chen, for mentioning me. I also appreciate the trust and support from my factory colleagues. However, I believe I am still too young and my views on many issues are not mature enough. I might not handle the details well. Given the importance of the 760 Factory, if I were to take over as the director now, I would face great pressure and might not be competent."

Hearing Huang Zheng's words,

Chen Da nodded and said, "Huang Zheng has made a good point. As he mentioned, the restructuring of the 760 Factory is a major matter concerning the entire Linyang City's reform efforts and must be handled with utmost care. Since Huang Zheng feels he is not yet ready to take on the role of director, we will respect his opinion. Therefore, after careful consideration, the city government has decided to sell the 760 Factory to the Hong Kong businessman Zhou Ming."

The announcement caused a wave of astonished murmurs and surprised looks among the old employee representatives and factory staff. Zhou Ming's parents and Su Han exchanged relieved glances. The tension in the room seemed to dissipate, replaced by an air of uncertain curiosity about what would come next.

Chen Da continued, "We will work with Zhou Ming to ensure a smooth transition and effective restructuring of the 760 Factory. We hope this move will bring new opportunities and revitalization to the factory."

With that, the meeting proceeded as planned, with officials discussing the next steps for the factory's transition and restructuring. The old employee representatives, who had initially shown strong support for Huang Zheng, now had to accept the new reality and adjust to the changes ahead.

As the meeting concluded, Zhou Ming and his family prepared to leave. Despite the challenges and opposition they faced, Zhou Ming felt a sense of accomplishment. His plan had succeeded, and now he needed to focus on ensuring that the factory's restructuring would bring positive outcomes for all involved.

Zhou Ming turned to his parents and Su Han, who were all smiles now. "We did it. The factory will be ours, and we can start working on the next steps to ensure its success."

His mother, with a mix of relief and pride, said, "I'm so glad it worked out. Now we just need to make sure everything goes smoothly from here."

Su Han added, "Yes, this is just the beginning. There's a lot of work ahead, but we're ready for it."

Zhou Ming nodded, looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead as he prepared to take charge of the 760 Factory and lead it into a new era.