Chapter 213: No Matter How Poor, Don’t Cut Wages

Yuan Zhigang and Zhou Ming drove back to Factory 760, and after parking their cars and getting out, Yuan Zhigang followed Zhou Ming dejectedly. Zhou Ming understood his mood. Not only had only one supply and marketing cooperative boss shown up, but Zhou Ming also had to offer high rebates to secure the sales. Although giving rebates wasn't new, having the boss personally involved in this was quite disheartening for Yuan Zhigang, the head of the sales department.

Zhou Ming patted his shoulder and said, "Boss Yuan, don't blame yourself. After all, I decided to venture into food products on a whim, and it's quite different from our previous products. The sales department wasn't prepared for this, so it's understandable that it's challenging for you to break into various supply and marketing cooperatives."

"Thank you for understanding, Boss Zhou," Yuan Zhigang said. "But I'll do my best. I'll work harder to approach these cooperatives. I promise to explore every possible avenue to open up more sales channels!"

"It's good to have that confidence, but whether we open up those cooperatives or not doesn't matter much. As long as we have a sales channel in the entire Linyang area, that's what's important. Our goal isn't here," Zhou Ming said.

Yuan Zhigang was stunned. He didn't understand how it could be acceptable to have no sales channels. Could it really be that Zhou Ming, the so-called big capitalist, wasn't concerned with this level of sales?

Zhou Ming noticed Yuan Zhigang's confusion and explained, "You haven't grasped my point. Although I do have money, I'm very frugal and greedy. Since we're investing in Eight Treasure Porridge, we need to make a profit. To make a profit, we must ensure sales channels. But Linyang, even though it's developed, has its limitations. If our Eight Treasure Porridge is only sold locally, it won't work."

Yuan Zhigang seemed to understand but still asked uncertainly, "So, Boss Zhou, what do you mean?"

Zhou Ming smiled. "Of course, we aim to sell it nationwide, especially in major cities like Yanjing, Binhai, Nanjing, and Baiyun. These are the big markets with dense populations and high consumption!"

"Boss Zhou, are you saying that our Eight Treasure Porridge should be sold nationwide?" Yuan Zhigang gasped. Although he had guessed that Zhou Ming wanted to expand the market when he heard that local sales alone wouldn't suffice, he thought it would only be for nearby cities and regions, never expecting a nationwide plan.

In contrast to Yuan Zhigang's surprise, Zhou Ming seemed quite natural. "That's for sure. Otherwise, why would I advertise on CCTV? Director Yuan, don't you agree?"

"Boss Zhou, you certainly have great ambitions!" Yuan Zhigang admired. "However, our sales department has never been to those big cities and doesn't have any connections with their supply and marketing cooperatives. Considering how difficult it is with the local cooperatives, I'm a bit worried…"

"Director Yuan, you don't need to worry," Zhou Ming said. "Compared to here, those places have a much different sales model. They don't rely solely on supply and marketing cooperatives; they have their own sales systems. You'll understand once we visit those cities together."

Yuan Zhigang nodded in agreement. As they walked towards the administrative building, they saw the office director, Sun Jie, rushing out and saying to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, you should check on the people from Xiling Canning Factory."

"Has something gone wrong there? Did they have a conflict with the factory?" Zhou Ming asked, taken aback. He felt that the people from Xiling Canning Factory owed him a big favor and respected him deeply. They had even knelt before him in the cafeteria, so it shouldn't be an issue.

"No, Boss Zhou. They just don't want their wages. You should go see for yourself," Sun Jie said.

Zhou Ming followed Sun Jie to a nearby workshop, which had been set aside for the canning factory's food production. Upon arrival, he saw Wang Chen, the former head of Xiling Canning Factory and now the production director for Eight Treasure Porridge, along with some of his colleagues, waiting at the door.

Zhou Ming approached and asked, "Director Wang, what's going on? Why don't you want your wages? Is there a mistake in the calculations or are you dissatisfied with the pay?"

Wang Chen quickly shook his head. "No, Boss Zhou, you misunderstand. The wages are fine, and the benefits are much better than when we were at the canning factory! We're just feeling that we can't accept the wages right now."

"Why is that?" Zhou Ming asked curiously.

"Well, we heard that the new Eight Treasure Porridge isn't selling well, right?" Wang Chen asked cautiously.

"The current situation isn't very optimistic. After all, this is a new product, and Factory 760 hasn't had previous dealings with the supply and marketing cooperatives," Zhou Ming replied.

At this point, Zhou Ming realized what Wang Chen was implying. He continued, "Director Wang, you're not thinking that because the product isn't selling well, you're choosing to forgo your wages to help the factory save money, are you?"

Wang Chen nodded. "Yes, we voluntarily applied to delay the payment of our wages. We don't mind if it's postponed for a couple of months. We have meals in the cafeteria and accommodation, so delaying wages a few months would help the factory's finances. This decision was made collectively by everyone at Xiling Canning Factory, and we all support it!"

Wang Chen's words stunned everyone. No one expected that they voluntarily chose not to take their wages to help the factory's cash flow. This was a kind of selfless spirit that was truly moving!

While Factory 760 had had exemplary individuals before, this was a whole collective making such a decision. What kind of charm did Zhou Ming possess to inspire such actions?

Seeing everyone look at him with respect, Zhou Ming was deeply touched. He firmly shook Wang Chen's hand and said, "Director Wang, I'm really grateful for your dedication. However, you should still receive the wages you're entitled to."

"Boss Zhou, don't you believe in us? We're all determined to do this. Even if we have to forgo these months' wages, we're willing. Boss Zhou, you're the benefactor of Xiling Canning Factory. Without you, we wouldn't know how to get through this winter. Now that the factory is in trouble, if we can't even do this, we'd be ungrateful!" Wang Chen said.

Zhou Ming waved his hand. "Director Wang, that's not what I mean. I trust your determination and am moved by your dedication to the factory, but there's no need for you to do this."

"First and foremost, you're workers of Factory 760. Working here and receiving your wages on time is a basic right. No one should question that."

Wang Chen tried to speak, but Zhou Ming continued, "I understand your intention. The Eight Treasure Porridge is facing some issues with sales now, but the factory's cash flow is completely fine. Even if there are problems, we shouldn't sacrifice workers' wages to solve them! If I did that, how would I be any different from those greedy capitalists of the past?"

"I also understand that when a collective sticks together, the strength it can show is immense," Zhou Ming said. "I've heard a story about ants forming a ball to escape a fire. It's a way for the collective to overcome a crisis, but it inevitably means some ants on the outer edges will be sacrificed. I don't want to see that happen."

"Director Wang, you may see the factory as your home, but for me, every worker and leader at Factory 760 is like family. How could I bear to sacrifice the interests of my own family? No matter how tough it gets, we can't cut wages. Everyone works hard for a month just for that wage. If I even cut your wages, how could I still call myself a human being?" Zhou Ming said.

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Wang Chen and the others had tears in their eyes, deeply moved by his words.

"Boss Zhou, you're truly a leader who thinks about all the staff. The happiest thing in my life is meeting a leader like you!" Wang Chen said emotionally.

Zhou Ming was also moved, thinking that the people were so sincere that even a decision to pay wages on time could have such an impact.

Zhou Ming added, "The most important thing is that our factory isn't in dire straits. Although we're facing some sales issues locally, it's not a big problem. We need to look at the long term. Our Eight Treasure Porridge will be the exclusive sponsor for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala and will continue to be advertised on CCTV after the Spring Festival. I believe it will sell well. Do you have confidence in it?"

"Yes!" Wang Chen shouted, excited not just to have such a leader but also thrilled that Eight Treasure Porridge would be on CCTV, a platform they never dared to dream of. Zhou Ming truly had the ability.

"So," Zhou Ming concluded, "if Director Wang, you want to thank me, please channel all your enthusiasm into production and make more and better Eight Treasure Porr

idge."

Wang Chen immediately stood upright and vowed, "Rest assured, Boss Zhou. To repay your kindness, we will put all our effort into production."