Chapter 171: Are You Kidding Me?

"Wow? It's been such a long time since the notice went out, yet no one has shown up?"

Cai Zhongxian walked in and saw the empty conference room, deliberately expressing surprise loudly. Upon hearing Cai Zhongxian's words, Zhou Ming immediately realized what was going on and looked up to ask, "Director Cai, what do you mean by that?"

Cai Zhongxian looked at Zhou Ming and said, "It's nothing much. It's just that there are some situations in the factory that you might not be aware of. You've been away for quite some time, and since your parents and Manager Su haven't been keen on managing the factory, over time, the comrades have developed significant grievances towards you. So today, when they heard that you were back for a meeting, they've been dragging their feet. They usually aren't like this."

Zhou Ming smiled and nodded, saying, "I understand. It seems that Director Cai wants to give me a little lesson, doesn't he?"

"Boss Zhou, how can you say that? I'm just speaking honestly and straightforwardly," Cai Zhongxian replied.

"Well then, it doesn't matter. Can Director Cai help me call all the department leaders here for the meeting?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Boss Zhou, you're too kind. I'll make the call right away," Cai Zhongxian said, and then went to make the call.

Watching Cai Zhongxian's back as he made the call, Su Han whispered to Zhou Ming, "It's definitely this guy. He's deliberately preventing people from coming to the meeting. He wants to give you a hard time. Right now, the factory's cadres all listen to him. He has the final say on everything."

"Is that so? Then it seems Director Cai does have some skills. It's just a pity that his intelligence is used in the wrong place. Today, I'll show him that the 760 Factory is no longer the same as before," Zhou Ming said.

Seeing Zhou Ming's nonchalant attitude towards Cai Zhongxian, Su Han anxiously said, "You must not underestimate him. He holds all the power in the factory now. Everyone only listens to him. If he doesn't approve, no matter what you want to do in the factory, it won't work!"

"Don't worry, it will be fine," Zhou Ming reassured Su Han.

Su Han wanted to say more, but at this moment, after Cai Zhongxian's call, the department leaders from the factory gradually arrived at the conference room, so she couldn't continue.

When everyone had mostly arrived, Cai Zhongxian finally walked into the conference room. He came to Zhou Ming and pointed at Zhang Lei, saying, "Boss Zhou, it seems your friend is sitting in the wrong place."

"Exactly, he's sitting here. The one who should move is you," Zhou Ming said.

Cai Zhongxian smiled and said, "I thought you'd be smarter, Boss Zhou. I didn't expect you to be so clueless! It seems you haven't understood the current situation. In our factory's tradition, every person's position is very important and represents their status. I could let you sit in the highest leadership position, but if I can't sit here, I'm afraid that none of the department heads here would agree."

As soon as Cai Zhongxian finished speaking, someone below immediately shouted, "We only recognize Director Cai. Director Cai is the real leader of our 760 Factory!"

Zhou Ming glanced at the crowd and said to Cai Zhongxian, "It seems that Director Cai has been quite active recently!"

"Shame on me, Boss Zhou. You're still young, so you don't understand. This is the voice of the masses. If I truly can't sit in this position, many things in the factory would be impossible to handle," Cai Zhongxian said.

"Director Cai, are you threatening me?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Feel free to understand it however you want," Cai Zhongxian said casually, lighting a cigarette. "I know you've made a lot of money outside. You think that having money makes you powerful. But the situation in our 760 Factory is different. Our cadres have strong convictions. They don't care how much money you have. If you don't have the capability, they'll spit on you just the same."

Cai Zhongxian then deliberately turned around and asked, "Don't you agree?"

Immediately, someone responded, "That's right! Director Cai is the leader of our 760 Factory. We only follow Director Cai's commands. Zhou Ming, get out!"

With the first person leading, others followed, shouting, "Zhou Ming, get out! Get out!"

Faced with the excited crowd, Zhou Ming narrowed his eyes. Su Han and Zhang Lei beside him became nervous. Su Han said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, why don't we think of another way next time? His influence in the factory is too strong now. All the department heads support him. We can't even speak, let alone counter him!"

Zhou Ming, however, seemed indifferent and said, "Are you scared now? Xiao Han, let me tell you, there's no need to be afraid. Today, I'm going to crush his arrogance while he's at his peak."

Cai Zhongxian made a gesture for everyone to be quiet and then said to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, did you hear that? This is the voice of the masses. Doesn't it make you recognize the situation? Of course, I don't want to sit in your position, but you should face reality. If you continue to be stubborn, don't blame me if I call a workers' meeting and expel you."

"Director Cai, I think it's you who hasn't understood the situation," Zhou Ming said. "If you had just done your job as the deputy factory director and worked honestly in the factory, I would have treated you well. However, you chose to take this irreversible path."

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, Cai Zhongxian and the other factory cadres burst into laughter. Cai Zhongxian pointed at Zhou Ming and said, "Boss Zhou, are you out of your mind? How can you still have such naive thoughts? Do you know how childish your words sound?"

Su Han and Zhang Lei felt unfair for Zhou Ming, but Zhou Ming remained unmoved, only saying calmly, "Director Cai, starting today, you are fired. I am officially announcing the revocation of your position as deputy factory director and all other roles. You are immediately expelled from the factory!"

Cai Zhongxian and the others were stunned at first, then laughed even harder. Cai Zhongxian said, "Oh, I'm laughing so hard it hurts. Zhou Ming, you really are naive. You think you can just fire me by saying so? Do you think you're the county party secretary? Let me tell you, even when Director Wang was here, his great reputation couldn't get rid of me. And you, this wet-behind-the-ears kid? Don't make me laugh!"

Others chimed in, saying, "Young Boss Zhou's joke is really something. How can there be such a stupid person? Without any power, you think you can fire Director Cai just by talking? How childish can you be? Are you still in short pants, thinking you can play factory politics like a game?"

Faced with the mocking laughter, Zhou Ming remained indifferent. When their laughter subsided, he asked, "Do you think my announcement was inappropriate?"

The office director immediately said, "Inappropriate? I think young Boss Zhou, you're just dreaming and making an international joke!"

The factory's financial officer said, "I think young Boss Zhou should go to the city hospital and see a neurologist to check if there's something wrong with your brain. If you have meningitis, don't make a fool of yourself here."

Zhou Ming waited for them to finish and then addressed the people who had spoken: "You are all fired too."

The office director shouted, "Oh no! What should I do if young Boss Zhou fires me? I'm so scared. What if your mother...?"

Cai Zhongxian said, "It seems our Boss Zhou is seriously ill, talking nonsense here. For the sake of the 760 Factory's healthy development and future, I propose we hold a workers' meeting immediately to remove Zhou Ming. What does everyone think?"

As soon as Cai Zhongxian finished speaking, someone immediately agreed, "I agree! People like young Boss Zhou have no ability to lead our 760 Factory. Not only does he know nothing, but he's also a bit neurotic. Such a person is a huge disaster for our factory and should be kicked out as soon as possible!"

Hearing the condemnation from the department heads, Zhou Ming slowly stood up and said, "It seems you don't want to leave on your own. In that case, there's no choice."

Zhou Ming turned to Su Han and said, "Xiao Han, call the police immediately and report that there's a disturbance in the factory."

Su Han didn't understand Zhou Ming's intentions but still went to the side room to call the police.

This situation initially stunned Cai Zhongxian and the others, but then there was a burst of hissing sounds. "Young Boss Zhou is calling the police? What are we going to do if the police come? Director Cai, we'll also call the police and report that Zhou Ming is causing trouble here. Let the police arrest him!"

Soon, Su Han returned after calling the police, standing tightly beside Zhou Ming, holding his hand.

Su Han was not very brave. Facing the condemnation of more than a dozen factory cadres in the conference room,

 even the tall Zhang Lei was sweating profusely. Let alone Su Han, who was terrified. Over the past month, Su Han knew very well that Cai Zhongxian had become the dominant figure in the factory. All the cadres only listened to him, and Cai Zhongxian had the power to do as he pleased.

Just like now, although Zhou Ming was the boss, everyone in the conference room was rallying around Cai Zhongxian and even fervently demanding Zhou Ming's removal.

In such a situation, Su Han couldn't imagine how Zhou Ming would take back the power from Cai Zhongxian. Would calling the police really help? Or did Zhou Ming have some backup plan?

Su Han didn't know, but deep down, she had great confidence in Zhou Ming, knowing that since he was doing this, he must have a plan!

With this persistence, Su Han stayed with Zhou Ming. After a while, the factory's security director's pager went off. He looked at his pager, his face changed immediately, and he said to Cai Zhongxian, "Director Cai, it's bad. The message from the reception room says that several police cars have just arrived, and they're on their way here!"

Cai Zhongxian's face also changed. He immediately turned to Zhou Ming and asked, "Is this your doing?"

Zhou Ming sneered disdainfully and said, "Director Cai, are you blind or deaf? Didn't I tell Xiao Han to call the police?"