Chapter 67: New Business

The paper pulp factory and the paper factory had been shut down for months, and the workers had long since lost hope. The factories had been unable to pay wages, and two months ago, they had used the factory's stock of burning paper to cover for the shortage, turning the two factories into a laughingstock of the entire Forestry Bureau.

But despite the ridicule, life had to go on.

The workers, many of whom had families to feed, had to sell the burning paper door to door to make ends meet. Some took their paper to nearby counties and cities, traveling with bicycles or tricycles loaded with paper, and some went as far as two days' journey back and forth, sleeping in bridge tunnels and alleys until all the paper was sold.

Li Xian was already aware of these circumstances. Seeing the dissatisfaction among the workers, he didn't say much. Under the organization of the former managers of the paper pulp and paper factories, he briefly announced that the loan had been approved and that wages would be partially paid in a few days, urging the workers to resume production.

Hearing that money was soon to be available, the workers were highly motivated. However, some of those who had been deceived by the old factory managers were skeptical and insisted on seeing the wages before they would start working.

Li Xian did not insist. He announced that to help the workers gather their strength and tidy up the factory equipment, he had bought a pig, and there would be a pig stew in the cafeteria at noon. Those willing to start work could stay, and those who didn't trust him were free to leave.

The outcome was predictable. After not receiving wages for more than half a year, most workers had long since been without meat. The temptation of the pig stew quickly silenced all dissent and skepticism.

The situation at the paper pulp and paper factories was different from the tile factory. Due to the severe condition of the factories, the workers' needs were easily met. Almost everyone's current goal was to get enough wages to fill their stomachs; how they worked was secondary.

So the decision to resume work was sealed under the lure of a fat pig.

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After the mobilization meeting, the former factory managers and others left.

The scene when Li Xian sent them off was unforgettable. More than two hundred workers did not see them off. Instead, wherever these former managers went, they were met with spitting and curses.

With cries of "Get lost" and "Son of a bitch," the former managers left the factory where they had worked for seven years, their faces covered in dirt and shame.

At the factory gate, Wang Hongjun, the former manager of the paper factory, grabbed Li Xian's hand, tears of bitterness in his eyes. Ni Deguang, the former manager of the paper pulp factory, warned Li Xian in a solemn tone to do well, or the scene of today would be the future.

The sighs and tears of the former managers seemed genuine, but to Li Xian, they were neither deserving of sympathy nor did they provide any useful insight.

While at the Commercial Bureau, Li Xian had learned that these former factory leaders had lived quite comfortably during the period when the workers were out selling burning paper. Although the workers had not been paid, these leaders had become quite plump and rosy.

If Li Xian were a factory worker, he would have spat at these leaders too. If not for having to consult them about some factory matters in the future, he wouldn't have bothered with them.

After sending them away, he returned to the factory.

Due to the prolonged shutdown and possibly poor management before, the large factory was a mess, with equipment covered in stains and dust.

Although the workers were busy cleaning up, Li Xian noticed that some were already salivating at the sounds of the pig being slaughtered in the cafeteria.

It was indeed a mess for someone who had just taken over the factory.

While Li Xian was in a daze looking at the factory, three senior employees carrying brooms and rags came over. Li Xian had already met these three at the meeting: the factory's technician, workshop director, and sales department head.

"Factory… Factory Manager," Workshop Director Zhang Dagong stuttered as he addressed Li Xian, clearly surprised by his youth. "I see you're planning to start work soon, but there are some things I'd like to discuss with you."

Li Xian led the three to the empty pulp tank area and smiled, "What would you like to say?"

Perhaps because Li Xian was different from the previous leaders in his kindness and respect, Zhang Dagong felt more at ease. He rubbed his cracked palms and said, "The factory owes the workers over seventy thousand yuan in wages. The workers want to know if you can pay off this debt first before dealing with other debts."

The other two nodded in agreement, clearly bringing the workers' concerns.

Well, before even starting production, Li Xian was being pressured for repayment.

Li Xian chuckled, "Old Zhang, don't worry. I will make sure every penny of the wages you're owed is paid. But at this stage, you need to get the factory running so I can make money, and then I'll have the capital to pay you. Doesn't that make sense?"

"That's just nonsense!" 

Hearing this, Chen Shulin, the head of the sales department, became upset. During this period, he had been organizing the workers to sell burning paper, and he was very familiar with the surrounding market!

"Now that it's the fire prevention period and burning paper isn't allowed in the bureau, we've sold it to every county around here. Even if production resumes, how will you make money? The factory's revenue has been minimal the past two years. I think you're just another fraud!"

Seeing the hot-tempered department head, Li Xian wasn't angry.

He maintained his smile and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Who told you I'm going to produce burning paper? The factory's already gone to waste making burning paper. How big of a hole do you think I'd dig to continue making burning paper?"

The technician, Xu Dequan, widened his eyes, "If we're not making burning paper, what are we going to produce?"

Li Xian smiled slightly and answered, "Toilet paper."

Upon hearing this, the three were stunned.

After a while, Chen Shulin, unable to believe it, said, "You mean the kind used for wiping?"

Seeing Li Xian nod, he slapped his thigh.

"I'd better go back to studying how to sell burning paper!"