Chapter 220: Inspecting the Workshop

"Please go outside and close the door from the outside?"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Yan Fuping's expression darkened immediately. "Boss Zhou, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't you understand? I'm saying that you are not welcome here. Please leave immediately. I thought you were a smart businessman, so I wanted to be polite. Why do I have to be so blunt?" Zhou Ming sighed.

Yan Fuping's face turned green with anger. He stood up and said, "Boss Zhou, is this how you treat someone who came to discuss business with you during the New Year?"

"Business should be based on equality. But you, Mr. Yan, want to change the agreed terms as soon as you enter the door, and you act all high and mighty, as if helping us sell Eight-Treasure Porridge is a huge favor that we should beg for. This isn't how business is done," Zhou Ming said.

"Isn't it?" Yan Fuping said. "Don't you remember how your dinner party was ruined by other supply and marketing cooperative directors? If I hadn't helped you sell, you wouldn't have sold a single can of Eight-Treasure Porridge in Linyang. Now that the sales are good, you've become arrogant. Are you really that superficial?"

Zhou Ming chuckled. "Mr. Yan, don't flatter yourself. If I hadn't offered a kickback, you wouldn't have sold it, would you?"

Yan Fuping shouted loudly, as if his tail had been stepped on, "What kickback? I was just helping you out because I felt sorry for you!"

Zhou Ming waved his hand calmly. "Mr. Yan, don't get so worked up. We're both businessmen. Talking about pity is nonsense. If you want to continue selling, let's stick to the original terms. If you don't want to, then please leave. Don't act like a mad dog barking here."

Yan Fuping stood up, gritted his teeth, and said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, you're something. Do you really think your Eight-Treasure Porridge is selling that well? I'm telling you, without my help, you won't sell a single can in Linyang. Other supply and marketing cooperatives won't help you at all! Just wait and see. When your Eight-Treasure Porridge accumulates in the factory and can't be sold, don't come begging me!"

With that, Yan Fuping turned and left, slamming the office door behind him. Watching him leave, Su Han complained, "What kind of person is this? He doesn't follow the rules and now he blames us, saying we're the ones breaking the rules."

Zhou Ming shrugged. "That's just how people are. They always shift the blame onto others and never consider their own actions."

"So what about the sales in Linyang? From his reaction, it's clear we can't rely on him to sell. Are we just going to give up on the local market?" Su Han asked.

If this were twenty years later, Zhou Ming would have readily given up, thinking that with sales in the four major first-tier cities, a small prefecture-level city didn't matter. But now, it wasn't feasible. The main reason was logistics. The logistics networks, whether by road or rail, were far inferior to those of the future, making goods transportation a constant issue. For example, the initial batches of goods in Yanjing and Binhai had sold out, but they couldn't be replenished here yet.

Additionally, information transmission was slow, and building a nationwide sales network was far less convenient than local sales. Therefore, local markets were crucial.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and then said to Yuan Zhigang, "When you go to the city to talk to Secretary Zhao about railway transportation, also mention the local sales issue. See if he can help contact the supply and marketing cooperative."

Hearing this, Su Han's eyes lit up. "Yes! He's the mayor's secretary; he should be able to help!"

Zhou Ming smiled but didn't say anything. At that moment, they hadn't realized that changes were already happening before Yuan Zhigang could even approach Secretary Zhao.

"Director Yuan, I'm leaving this matter to you," Zhou Ming said, shifting the topic. "Alright, Xiaohan, since you're here during the New Year, how about we go to the Eight-Treasure Porridge workshop and visit the workers who came in to work on the second day of the New Year and are still working hard on the production line?"

Su Han nodded in agreement, and together they left the office and went to the Eight-Treasure Porridge production workshop.

Zhou Ming and Su Han first arrived at the administrative office. Zhou Ming greeted the former West Ridge Canning Factory director, Wang Chen, with New Year wishes. Wang Chen immediately stood up and said, "Boss Zhou, Manager Su, Happy New Year! What brings you to our workshop during the New Year?"

"It's not right to have you working here during the New Year. I feel bad about it. If I didn't check in, it would be even worse," Zhou Ming said.

Wang Chen quickly shook his head. "Boss Zhou, you're being too serious. You rescued us from poverty and provided us with work. We're grateful to you, and seeing our canned goods sell well nationwide makes us even more motivated!"

"Is there anything uncomfortable about coming back to work during the New Year?" Zhou Ming asked.

"No," Wang Chen replied. "To be honest, the hardships we faced in the past made us realize how important it is to have work. Now that we have such a kind boss, there's nothing to complain about."

"I disagree with you, Director Wang. You're now working in my factory, and you're employees here. You shouldn't compare it to your past," Zhou Ming said disapprovingly.

Wang Chen replied, "That's just reflecting on past hardships and cherishing the present. Rest assured, all the employees from the West Ridge Canning Factory who came back to work here did so willingly."

"That's good."

Zhou Ming nodded and then Wang Chen accompanied him and Su Han to the workshop. Upon entering the Eight-Treasure Porridge production area, the workers greeted Zhou Ming warmly, wishing him a Happy New Year.

Facing the workers, Zhou Ming said, "Happy New Year, everyone! On behalf of the factory and myself, I want to thank you all for coming back to work during these days of the Spring Festival."

The workers responded, "Boss Zhou, you're too kind. It's thanks to you that we have a good life now. It's only right for us to repay the factory! We didn't celebrate the Spring Festival much at the canning factory before, so it doesn't matter now. We should be the ones thanking you."

Zhou Ming gestured for everyone to be quiet and said, "Regardless, the Spring Festival is our traditional holiday and should be celebrated. Since we have work, when everyone has some free time, I'll make sure to organize a proper celebration. What do you all think?"

All the workers answered in unison, "Great!"

After the speech, Zhou Ming let everyone return to their posts and smiled at Wang Chen, saying, "It seems everyone is very enthusiastic. Your leadership and motivational work must be excellent."

"Boss Zhou, you flatter me. It's not my doing but your excellent leadership," Wang Chen said. "And honestly, compared to our old home in West Ridge, everyone prefers staying at the factory because it's warmer here."

Zhou Ming laughed. He hadn't expected that to be a reason, but it was true. Due to the high-temperature and high-pressure production equipment, the workshop was warm and spring-like despite the snowflakes outside. If one wore a down jacket inside, they might even sweat.

But jokes aside, Zhou Ming's visit wasn't just for fun. He glanced at the steaming equipment and said to Wang Chen, "Director Wang, these are old machines from the canning factory. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial. Don't take shortcuts. If there are any issues, report them immediately. Safety should be the top priority."

Wang Chen was very touched by Zhou Ming's words. "Thank you, Boss Zhou. Rest assured, I will pay attention to it."

Sometimes, a few words are enough. Zhou Ming then asked Wang Chen how well he had mastered the production methods.

Wang Chen replied, "After more than a month of exploration, we've fully grasped the production process of Eight-Treasure Porridge. As you can see, the equipment is steaming because it adjusts the internal pressure. We've found that cooking the porridge at this pressure yields the best taste."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "While ensuring taste, also pay attention to sterilization."

"Don't worry, Boss Zhou. Under pressure, the cooking temperature exceeds 100 degrees Celsius, which kills almost all bacteria. We eat this porridge ourselves, so it's definitely safe," Wang Chen replied.

Zhou Ming then followed Wang Chen to the back yard of the workshop. According to Wang Chen, this was the material preparation area for Eight-Treasure Porridge, essentially a cleaning and sorting area where ingredients like rice, longan, and lotus seeds were washed, peeled, and prepared in specific proportions before being sent to the processing workshop.

Initially, this material preparation area was created to accommodate the families of the canning factory workers. But as production expanded, it became clear that such a specialized space was needed. It was later separated,

 and initially, only the families of the canning factory workers were involved. Later, more workers were recruited.

In the back yard, Zhou Ming saw many containers and dozens of women in uniforms washing rice and peeling longan, working methodically.

Seeing this, Zhou Ming was very pleased. He turned to Wang Chen and said, "Director Wang, you truly live up to your reputation as the former director of the canning factory. Your leadership is excellent. If things continue like this, our Eight-Treasure Porridge factory will definitely become one of the most renowned enterprises in the country!"

Wang Chen was inspired by Zhou Ming's vision. "Thank you, Boss Zhou. I believe it will be!"