Chapter 386: Our Goal is to Dominate the Nation

"Let me go, I really didn't know that the policy has changed. No one informed me, and no one informed Linchu Machinery Company... Ignorance is no excuse, and the people tearing down the buildings are theirs, not me... Zhou Ming, my boss, my big boss, I beg you, please forgive me. Just let me go like a fart and don't hold it against me..." 

Amidst the wailing and pleading, Liang An was taken away by the police. Watching Liang An being forcibly put into the police car, Zhou Ming couldn't help but shake his head. This young manager of Linchu Machinery Company had no backbone and his intelligence was worrying.

At this point, anyone with a bit of sense could see that he was trapped in a deadlock; there was no way he would be released unless he was mentally impaired.

Of course, the most important point was that this situation was caused by a lack of proper communication from government agencies. It was unreasonable to place all the blame on him. With his family connections, a little maneuvering would get him out. Given the current situation in the country and Jingchu Province, the priority was to maintain stability. It was unlikely that he would be truly imprisoned or sued; it was just a scare tactic for the children.

But Liang An, unfortunately, believed it. Perhaps this was a result of his life of pampering as the younger son of the Linchu Machinery Company chairman. Despite his usual arrogance, when faced with real trouble, his inner weakness was exposed, much like those officials who tremble when caught by the disciplinary committee.

Liang An wasn't truly convinced but lost his basic judgment when he saw the glaring handcuffs on him.

After Liang An was taken away, Zhou Ming said to Secretary Zhao, "Director Zhao, I really appreciate your help. If you hadn't arrived in time, my Baobao Congee Factory would have been in danger."

"You flatter me, Mr. Zhou. I was originally here to deliver documents for the leaders this morning. It was your foresight that made me bring the county police along," Secretary Zhao replied.

From Secretary Zhao's gaze, Zhou Ming knew that this Secretary of the Municipal Committee had seen through his deliberate trap for Liang An. However, it wasn't surprising that he saw through it. After all, when Baobao Congee Factory's manager Wang Chen reported Liang An's demolition actions to him in the morning, Zhou Ming had called Secretary Zhao and asked him to bring the police.

Shrugging with an indifferent expression, Zhou Ming said, "I had no other choice! You didn't see the situation earlier, Director Zhao. Liang An's arrogance was overwhelming. Without the police, we couldn't have stopped him. I have evidence of that."

Secretary Zhao shook his head, saying it wasn't necessary. On one hand, he trusted Zhou Ming; on the other hand, the evidence was irrelevant as Liang An was already doomed.

"I'll report today's events to the leaders and believe that you'll receive a satisfactory response," Secretary Zhao said. "To prevent such incidents from happening again, I will also notify Linchu Machinery Company promptly."

"Furthermore," Secretary Zhao continued, "the leaders instructed me to convey to you that all issues regarding the 760 Factory and the township industrial park have been clarified. Relevant responsible persons have been punished, and all previously decided policies and projects have been reinstated. I hope you can promptly resume the work at the industrial park."

Zhou Ming nodded, "Please rest assured, Director Zhao. I promise to fulfill the party and government's trust and support the modernization of Linyang with my actions."

After some formalities, Secretary Zhao left for the city. When Zhou Ming turned around, he saw Wang Chen and other Baobao Congee Factory staff looking at him with excitement, their enthusiasm reminiscent of religious fanatics seen on TV.

In this atmosphere, Zhou Ming couldn't help but say, "Comrades, I've received the Municipal Committee's official document. This means that from now on, the Baobao Congee Factory is back in our hands!"

Zhou Ming's simple statement, though ordinary, ignited the enthusiasm of everyone like a spark in gasoline. They cheered and waved their arms, celebrating like they had won a revolution.

"Boss Zhou, you are amazing! You are the fire and light, the greatest hero in our factory!"

Someone shouted passionately, and their words were just a small part of the collective excitement. Even Factory Director Wang Chen was ecstatic, dancing with joy.

Their excitement stemmed from the fact that the Baobao Congee Factory, which they viewed as their lifeline, was returned to them. More importantly, Zhou Ming had created another miracle.

Previously, when they saw Liang An's people demolishing the factory, their hearts were shattered, especially knowing they had no power to stop it. They felt desperate as their resistance would be illegal. But then Zhou Ming stood up, not with threats or begging, but simply advising Liang An not to destroy property and pointing out that such actions were criminal.

This approach seemed naive. At that moment, everyone present wondered why Zhou Ming would do this, believing it was merely giving Liang An a chance to mock him.

Indeed, Liang An did take advantage of it. But who knew that later, Secretary Zhao and the police arrived not only with proof that the Baobao Congee Factory still belonged to Zhou Ming but also arrested Liang An for property damage. This turnaround was beyond imagination, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

What was truly shocking was that although Zhou Ming had already informed Liang An that his actions were illegal and advised against it, Liang An still insisted on proceeding.

This situation was like Zhou Ming setting a trap, clearly warning Liang An but he jumped in regardless, resulting in his own downfall. This type of scheme, where someone jumps into a trap despite being warned, has always been the most challenging and exciting, now happening right before their eyes.

However, Zhou Ming never considered himself a super idol. Although fan culture might become a successful sales tactic in the future, he believed that regardless of commercial methods, the quality of the product was the first principle. To make his employees admire him, he had to create miracles.

Zhou Ming raised his hands to signal everyone to be quiet. Once they saw his gesture, they quickly calmed down. Zhou Ming said, "Saving the Baobao Congee Factory today is everyone's achievement!"

As he spoke, someone immediately responded, "No, Boss Zhou, it's all your achievement. Without you, we would have just watched them tear down our factory!"

Others joined in, "Yes, Boss Zhou, thanks to you, we saved the factory!"

Hearing these words, Zhou Ming still insisted, "No, it's everyone's achievement! If it were just me, not only would we not have defended the factory from Linchu Machinery Company, but they would have driven away anyone who came here. I don't have the power to control everything."

The remark was met with good-natured laughter. Zhou Ming then posed a question, "But we've only saved the factory. Is it enough just to continue working and producing Baobao Congee here?"

This question hit everyone's heart, but Zhou Ming didn't intend to let them ponder. He quickly answered, "Of course not. Our Baobao Congee is famous nationwide. During the Spring Festival, we don't accept gifts, only Baobao Congee. So our goal from the beginning has been to dominate the nation and become the strongest in the country!"

Everyone had the heart of a champion. Even if they couldn't achieve it themselves, they hoped their company would succeed. Today, their aspiration was to build the best Baobao Congee Factory, akin to savoring the taste of West Ridge Canned Goods just once.

This aspiration inspired them. Upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, they all raised their fists high and shouted along with him, embracing the slogan of national dominance, which became ingrained in every staff member's heart.

Fired up by this passion, Zhou Ming continued, "I'm sure everyone has heard Director Zhao's words. He said that our factory project and the entire township industrial park have been restored to normal, and all policies have been reinstated."

"Director Zhao is Secretary Chen Da's secretary, and his words represent Secretary Chen to some extent, so his words are completely reliable," Zhou Ming said. "This indicates that the party and government still have high expectations for us, and we must not disappoint them."

Zhou Ming concluded, "I believe in all of you. Although some words may be redundant, I want to emphasize that everyone must work hard, rebuild our factory, develop our industrial park, and welcome a great moment that belongs to us!"

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers once more, though no one realized exactly what Zhou Ming's final great moment referred to.