Chapter 36: Is the Boss Out of His Mind?

Although a salary increase is justified, such a significant raise is terrifying.

As the Executive Vice President, Li Meiqin essentially manages the entire Dasheng Group, while Lu Chengwen is only responsible for overall decision-making.

In any case, when the boss says to spend money, she must step up to be the bad guy.

When the boss says to raise salaries, she must oppose it!

This is Li Meiqin's management philosophy and personal strategy developed over the years.

Firstly, she must always make her stance clear: she is on the boss's side and must save money for him.

Secondly, if the boss insists on raising salaries, her opposition serves to highlight the boss's noble character and his great love for his employees.

Therefore, Li Meiqin's reputation within the group is not good; all employees criticize her for being in cahoots with the boss.

Nonsense, my annual salary of over ten million is given by the boss. If I don't side with him, always demanding benefits and salary increases for the employees... why would he keep me?

She is the boss's dirty glove; the boss gets to be the good guy, while she handles the bad deeds.

But today, Lu Chengwen did not discuss this with her beforehand and directly announced it during the meeting, catching her completely off guard.

Li Meiqin stood up, adjusted her glasses: "Mr. Lu, as the group's vice president, such matters should be discussed with me before being announced. It's very difficult for me to handle this. Perhaps you could give me some time to discuss with the finance department's actuarial and cost accounting teams to come up with a specific plan before..."

"You do need to have a meeting," Lu Chengwen said, "to discuss how to implement my decision as soon as possible. Notify the publicity department to inform all employees of the group about this news. It must be implemented by the end of this month."

Everyone looked at Li Meiqin.

Here, besides you, she is the highest-ranking. Go on, let's see how long you'll keep playing the lackey.

"But, the specific salary increase can't just be announced like this, it needs to go through..."

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Meiqin, you've worked too hard these past two years."

"For Mr. Lu, for Dasheng Group, it's no hardship."

"Good." Lu Chengwen said, "Then, your annual salary will double. Keep up the good work."

Li Meiqin's eyes widened in shock, unable to believe her boss could be so generous.

Lu Chengwen continued: "As for how much to raise the salaries of other senior management, you decide."

Lu Chengwen walked up to her, gently patted her shoulder: "Don't save money for me."

Li Meiqin was completely bewildered by Lu Chengwen's series of moves: "Mr. Lu, such a significant matter, perhaps we should reconsider..."

A senior executive immediately stood up and started clapping: "Let's all thank Mr. Lu with a round of applause!"

The conference room erupted with thunderous applause, praises coming one after another.

"Mr. Lu is so bold and mighty!"

"We pledge to share glory and disgrace with Dasheng Group!"

"We will be absolutely loyal, without any second thoughts!"

"Mr. Lu is truly a benevolent boss, a righteous leader!"

Li Meiqin frowned, realizing that these people didn't want her to speak, immediately using applause and praise to solidify the matter.

She narrowed her eyes, watching Lu Chengwen basking in the adoration of the crowd, her mind racing.

What is this man trying to do!?

This is too abnormal!

Have I overlooked something? Is he planning a major reshuffle?

First, he wins over the people, then uses a high salary to stabilize me, and then chooses a new vice president?

I was planning to take a team and start my own venture, but with this move, my plan is completely ruined.

I've been so careful! He couldn't have gotten wind of it!

He wouldn't just throw out so much money for no reason; there must be a problem!

Li Meiqin inwardly wailed.

She had already approached several vice presidents and senior managers, and over the years, she had built her own excellent team.

She had planned to take them all and start her own venture.

But now, with this move, she was instantly left isolated.

All those who had agreed to leave with her now avoided her gaze. Clearly, staying at Dasheng with a high salary, why would they follow her to start some peasant uprising? Are they out of their minds?

But... Lu Chengwen had given her the authority to decide the salary increases for all senior management.

What does this mean!?

Li Meiqin, with a guilty conscience, was now juggling over a hundred thoughts in her mind.

Her palms were sweaty, and she vaguely sensed a major storm brewing within Dasheng Group, no, it had already begun!

Lu Chengwen accepted handshakes, hugs, and thanks from various executives...

He smiled on the outside but was extremely annoyed inside:

[Are you all this excited over a bit of money?]

[Damn it, is this never going to end? Guys, don't come over anymore, you're almost bald, why not just shave it all off?]

[Damn, always shaking hands and hugging men, so unpleasant, I prefer beautiful women!]

Jiang Shihan beside him couldn't help but laugh.

Lu Chengwen glanced at her: "What are you laughing at? No salary increase for you."

Jiang Shihan pouted coquettishly: "Mr. Lu is bullying me."

Li Meiqin was even more shocked.

Jiang Shihan was actually flirting with Lu Chengwen!? Normally, she would avoid him at all costs. What's wrong with everyone today?

Could it be that Jiang Shihan has always been Lu Chengwen's confidant? If so, this girl is terrifying, enduring such workplace rumors, she was the one actually in cahoots with Lu Chengwen.

Have we all been played?

Lu Chengwen walked up to Li Meiqin, who immediately smiled.

"Not going to hug?"

Li Meiqin immediately opened her arms, smiling broadly as she hugged her boss, inwardly pleading: Please don't grope me in front of all these people, I beg you!

But Lu Chengwen was very proper, a respectful and appropriate hug, merely expressing collegial affection.

This made Li Meiqin even more panicked.

Oh no! He's no longer interested in me? He didn't even take the chance to grope me!

This is a bad sign!

It means he's already tired of me, knows I'm a traitor, so he's just being superficially friendly!

Li Meiqin awkwardly smiled and clapped along with everyone.

Lu Chengwen returned to his seat, sitting in his boss's chair, feeling like a triumphant emperor: "Alright, everyone back to your seats, I have another major announcement to make."

Everyone returned to their seats, still unable to contain their excitement.

Lu Chengwen signaled Jiang Shihan, who started a slideshow.

"The images here are of our Nanshi District slum redevelopment project. The progress is less than thirty percent, and previous financial groups have all pulled out. I plan to continue with this project."

Li Meiqin turned her head, looking at Lu Chengwen as if he were a ghost.

She was completely baffled.

This man... what's wrong with him today!?

The slum redevelopment project!? The government has approached us multiple times, and we've always politely received them, lamenting our difficulties, but absolutely refusing to get involved.

But today, our boss wants to take on this project!?

This is a money-burning project, extremely complex, and the slightest misstep could lead to total ruin.

Li Meiqin quickly said: "Mr. Lu, this project is a minefield, the risks are too great. It's time-consuming, costly, involves many stakeholders, and is essentially a failed project. Even without a detailed assessment, no one would touch it. The four major families in Xuecheng have repeatedly refused the government's proposals to take over, we..."

"I know, I know all that."

Lu Chengwen drawled, still reveling in his vanity as an "emperor," very suavely saying: "Fortune favors the bold! You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child, can't catch a scoundrel without sacrificing a wife, can't... right?"

The executives looked at each other, all confused.

From a professional standpoint, this is almost a no-brainer. Any rational, intelligent person wouldn't touch this project; it's like throwing money into a pit, with no way out.

But Lu Chengwen seemed very determined.

Seeing everyone silent, Lu Chengwen slammed the table: "It's decided! Don't worry, this time it's my sole decision, you just need to execute. If there's a problem, I'll take full responsibility. Shihan!"

"Mr. Lu."

"Record today's meeting and archive it. If there's an issue in the future and I blame anyone, everyone can use today's record to confront me."

"Yes."

Lu Chengwen smiled slightly: "Now, is everyone reassured?"

"Mr. Lu's decisive leadership has the bearing of an emperor!"

"Mr. Lu's vision is sharp, seeing business opportunities we can't, we will definitely execute with full force, giving it our all!"

"Mr. Lu is far-sighted and decisive, our wisdom is shallow, we can only look up to Mr. Lu!"

"Mr. Lu is awesome!"

"Mr. Lu is awesome!"

Lu Chengwen sat in his chair, spinning around smugly, noticing Li Meiqin's silence.

"Meiqin, why aren't you saying anything?"

Li Meiqin felt like she was being roasted over a fire.

"Mr. Lu, have I done something wrong? You... if you have something to say, please say it directly."

Li Meiqin was certain that Lu Chengwen already knew about her plans; this project was clearly meant to torment her.

But exactly how he planned to torment her, given Lu Chengwen's character, she didn't know and didn't dare to imagine.

Lu Chengwen, unaware of her inner turmoil, looked around and could see that everyone was supporting him because he had just raised their salaries and told them they weren't responsible.

Lu Chengwen smiled: "I know, I haven't left a good impression on you before."

"No, no, Mr. Lu is very good, we are all very grateful."

"Yes, yes."

"Don't lie to me." Lu Chengwen stood up:

"I have a few hobbies."

Lu Chengwen began his speech: "First, I love shiny silver coins, I can never have enough money, I wish I could stuff all the money in the world into my pockets."

Everyone laughed together; this was the honest truth.

"Second, I love beautiful women. Hey, whether they're young or mature, sexy or cute, I love them all!"

Everyone laughed knowingly, feeling that Lu Chengwen's words today were particularly amusing.

Lu Chengwen continued: "Third, I love my family."

Lu Chengwen slapped the table: "So, putting myself in your shoes, I want you all to make money, to be able to afford to date beautiful women, to take care of your families! So, raise salaries, do big things! Any problems?"

Everyone roared in unison: "We follow Mr. Lu's lead! We will resolutely execute Mr. Lu's great decisions!"

Lu Chengwen pointed at Li Meiqin with a smile: "Meiqin, you will personally oversee this matter. I have only one requirement: within a week, we must sign the contract!"

Li Meiqin clenched her fists under the table, looking at Lu Chengwen, now completely baffled.