Chapter 177: The Grief of an Era

"Manager Wang, are these people really your workers from the West Ridge Canned Food Factory?" Zhou Ming asked, astonished.

In front of Zhou Ming stood a group of people in tattered gray clothes, all looking worn out and dirty. They varied in height but were all gaunt, with vacant, lifeless expressions.

The sight was almost unbelievable to Zhou Ming. After talking with Manager Wang Chen at the factory gate for a while, Wang Chen had invited Zhou Ming to his place and brought the factory workers for him to see. Zhou Ming had thought it would be good to meet the workers since they might be needed to operate machinery in the future. However, he didn't expect to see such a scene.

Zhou Ming was certain that if he encountered such a group on the street, he would assume they were beggars, never imagining they were factory workers.

Before the restructuring, workers were always considered the masters of the party and the country, an advanced group with stable jobs. Although Zhou Ming knew West Ridge Canned Food Factory had struggled in recent years, he didn't expect it to deteriorate to this extent.

Seeing Zhou Ming and Su Han's shock, Wang Chen felt deeply ashamed and pained, nodding and saying, "Yes, they are indeed my factory's workers. I'm truly sorry, Mr. Zhou and Manager Su. It's my incompetence as the factory manager that has led to this situation. I haven't been able to guide the workers to prosperity, and they've had to work in the neighboring production team, resulting in this state. I am guilty. I am a sinner of the West Ridge Canned Food Factory!"

Zhou Ming had previously explained his and Su Han's identities, so Wang Chen had adjusted his address.

Seeing Wang Chen's distress, Su Han, who had a compassionate nature, comforted him, "Uncle Wang, don't be like this. It's not just that the factory has no benefits, but the town and county haven't given you any production tasks either. It's not entirely your fault. Besides, Mr. Zhou and I are here to discuss cooperation, aren't we?"

Wang Chen then raised his head and said to Zhou Ming and Su Han, "Yes, that's right. Thankfully, Mr. Zhou and Manager Su have come. I beg you to help us save the West Ridge Canned Food Factory. You are our only hope!"

Zhou Ming patted Wang Chen's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Manager Wang. Since we're here, we will definitely do something. Let's go see your workers."

Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Wang Chen approached the group. Up close, the situation was even more shocking. The workers were dressed in rags with visible patches and cotton stuffing coming out. Their mental state was even more alarming—they stood there expressionless, covered in grime, looking as though they had lost their souls.

"Huzi? Isn't that you, Little Huzi? Shouldn't you be in school? Why are you working in the production team too?"

Su Han suddenly recognized a familiar face in the crowd and exclaimed. The person was a small, frail boy, looking no older than twelve or thirteen, but his face was as vacant as the others.

"Zhou Ming, this is Huzi, my third aunt's child," Su Han explained. "But I don't see my third uncle here."

Wang Chen approached Su Han and said, "Manager Su, Huzi's father was working in the fields this summer. He collapsed while resting and never woke up. Originally, the factory should have supported Huzi, but given our situation, we couldn't help. Huzi had to go work in the production team with others."

Su Han was outraged. "But he should still be in school!"

Wang Chen bowed his head, unable to speak. Su Han pulled Huzi out of the crowd and wiped his face with a handkerchief, saying, "Huzi, don't be afraid. Your cousin is here. I'll make sure you get good food and can go to school."

Just then, Huzi's stomach growled, and he looked at his cousin with teary eyes, saying, "Cousin, I'm hungry."

Zhou Ming frowned and asked Wang Chen, "Manager Wang, what's going on? Didn't you say they were working in the neighboring production team, which should cover their food?"

Wang Chen sighed and explained, "The production team does provide food, but since we're not regular members, we're considered temporary workers. The production team knows our situation and takes advantage of it. They make them do the hardest work but only give them plain rice porridge and pickles, which isn't enough to fill them."

"This is unacceptable! The production team is being unreasonable!" Su Han exclaimed angrily.

Zhou Ming took out five hundred yuan and handed it to Wang Chen, saying, "Manager Wang, take this money and make sure everyone has a good meal."

Wang Chen hesitated, not wanting to accept such a large amount. "Mr. Zhou, you don't need to give so much. One hundred yuan is enough."

Zhou Ming insisted, "Manager Wang, this money isn't just for today's meals. It's to ensure that you won't have to worry about food for the next few days and to help everyone regain their strength and dignity."

Hearing this, Wang Chen was stunned. The others were also shocked, and then Wang Chen and the others suddenly knelt down and cried, thanking Zhou Ming. "Thank you, Mr. Zhou! You're truly a great savior sent by heaven!"

"Manager Wang, everyone, please get up. This isn't necessary!" Zhou Ming said, trying to help them up. However, they continued to kneel firmly. Zhou Ming was concerned about their weak condition and didn't want to pull too hard.

"Mr. Zhou and Manager Su, you're our great benefactors. I can't think of any other way to thank you except for bowing," Wang Chen said tearfully. "You don't know how we've suffered these past few years. The factory hasn't paid wages normally for five years, and we've sold everything that could be sold. We've been bullied by farmers while working in the production team. We've been living worse than pigs and dogs. It's been a long time since anyone treated us like human beings!"

"Only Mr. Zhou and Manager Su! Only you!" Wang Chen continued. "Only you came to see us today and are willing to give us money to eat. You are like the Guanyin Bodhisattva saving people from suffering. You are our salvation!"

Seeing the people kneeling in front of him, Zhou Ming felt a lump in his throat, and Su Han was already crying uncontrollably. Zhou Ming said, "Manager Wang, I understand your feelings. But no matter how grateful you are, it's better to fill your stomach first."

Reminded by Zhou Ming, Wang Chen quickly got up and handed the money to someone, instructing them to buy meat and cook a meal.

As Wang Chen made arrangements, the others began to take action. Some cleaned the large kitchen, washing pots and utensils that had not been used for a long time, while others collected firewood and straw for cooking.

Thus, Zhou Ming and Su Han had a hearty lunch with them. Zhou Ming discussed the factory equipment transfer with Wang Chen, and in the afternoon, Zhou Ming and Su Han drove back.

On the way, Su Han, reflecting on the factory's situation, expressed her concern. "Huzi and the West Ridge Canned Food Factory workers—you'll help them, won't you, Zhou Ming?"

"Of course. Don't forget that our visit to this factory was to help them," Zhou Ming reassured her with a smile. "Once we complete the equipment transfer, we'll bring these workers to our 760 Factory, where they'll eat our cafeteria food. They should recover quickly."

"Just," Su Han hesitated before firmly saying, "I asked during lunch, and the factory owes over three hundred thousand yuan in wages over the past five years."

Zhou Ming responded, "That's a small amount. Not to mention three hundred thousand, even three million is within my means. It's money that the workers rightfully deserve."

"Thank you, Zhou Ming. Thank you," Su Han said, choking on her words.

"Don't be silly. Why are you thanking me?" Zhou Ming said.

Though he spoke lightly, Zhou Ming understood Su Han's feelings. Seeing those people's plight was heart-wrenching. He couldn't help but think about what might have happened if he hadn't visited the West Ridge Canned Food Factory today. They might have met the same fate as Su Han's third uncle—dying from neglect while working.

In this era, West Ridge Canned Food Factory might be just an example, but it represents the grief of a whole era. Even if other factories weren't in such dire straits, they weren't doing much better. For example, the 760 Factory also struggled with wage payments before Zhou Ming took over.

Zhou Ming pushed these thoughts aside and said to Su Han, "Alright, Su Han, let's head to your county. Manager Wang mentioned that the equipment transfer needs county approval, right? So you need to adjust your mood. It wouldn't look good if you keep crying when we get there."

Su Han wiped her tears with a handkerchief and nodded firmly, "Yes! I will adjust my mood."