Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 459 My Dad is Zhou Fengnian
"Director Fan, I really want to help the country and I'm willing to make sacrifices. I can confidently say that no one has donated more money than me over the years; I've donated a total of 300 million yuan."
But I'm not asking for special attention or any special privileges. At least treat me fairly, okay?

Zhou Xianyang spoke very frankly. He had not made any mistakes and had a powerful background, so he didn't need to lower his status to others.

In Dongshan Province, he treated provincial-level officials equally.

His father is Zhou Fengnian, and he himself has not made any mistakes. There is no need for him to lower his status just because he is a high-ranking official. Besides, in this era of development, entrepreneurs like him who can drive economic development are the ones who are sought after.

"Director Fan, I don't know if it's just my feeling, but I have a general sense that this reorganization of Shenzhou Computer Factory is somewhat hostile towards me, in every way."

Zhou Xianyang paused for a few seconds, watching Fan Wenhao's expression closely, but after noticing anything amiss, he continued, "I sensed something was wrong, which is why I decided to withdraw Feiyang Group from this restructuring plan."

"It's not difficult for our group to establish its own computer brand; it just requires a few years of R&D investment, which I can afford to wait for."

Fan Wenhao smiled calmly and said, "President Zhou, that must be a misperception. Our initial principle is fairness and impartiality, and we will not do anything that violates the principle of fairness."

"Perhaps the execution below wasn't quite right, causing this misunderstanding; I invited you here today, Mr. Zhou, to clear things up."

After speaking, Fan Wenhao opened a drawer in the cabinet beside him, revealing two documents. He then smiled and handed the second document to Zhou Xianyang, saying...
"President Zhou, take a look at this plan. The reform team has come up with a new plan; the previous one has been scrapped."

Zhou Xianyang took it and carefully examined it, looking at each item with great attention. If there were any more problems, he would turn around and leave.

However, after reading it twice, Zhou Xianyang nodded to himself. If that was the case, then he could accept it.

He funded the employment of all workers in Beijing, bought out the seniority of workers nearing retirement, and also provided jobs for workers under the age of 55.

Of all the private enterprises in the country, Zhou Xianyang is probably the only one who can do this.

The advantage is that Zhou Xianyang will occupy a relatively dominant position in the subsequent mixed ownership reform.

He and the original state-owned enterprise each held 49% and 40% respectively, and the remaining 11% was used to form a labor union, with profits distributed among all the factory workers.

The administrative and operational control is in Zhou Xianyang's hands, while state-owned capital only has the power to supervise asset loss and report to fiscal regulators.

At the same time, the Shenzhou Computer brand can be retained, and a new joint venture brand can be formed using the original Shenzhou Computer brand.

Factories, technological achievements, and equipment from Beijing were also invested in the new joint venture.

These conditions are indeed quite good. At least Zhou Xianyang has no objections. Compared to the previous proposal that treated him like a sucker, this proposal makes him more willing to cooperate.

Zhou Xianyang will have to spend a lot of money, and there will be pressure on future operations, only the cost of reducing some workers will be reduced.

The resettlement alone would cost several hundred million yuan, and the reform team only contributed a symbolic ten or twenty million yuan, which was taken from the original factory's finances, the only ten or twenty million yuan left.

This resettlement fee is quite a large sum, but Shenzhou Computer Factory was previously known for its high welfare and good treatment of workers.

At that time, even the best government units in Beijing did not have the same level of benefits as the Shenzhou Computer Factory. This was a rule set by Zhou Fengnian in the early days of the factory, and subsequent factory directors also implemented it very well.

If the reorganization is done unfairly to the workers and causes their dissatisfaction, then only one-tenth of the workers will need to take to the streets, not half.

Then their State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission reform team will be criticized and punished from top to bottom. In serious cases, several people may be made sacrifices.

We can't be stingy with the workers, which requires a lot of money, but who will pay for it?

No department is willing!

Logically, the Ministry of Electronics Industry should have paid for it, but they refused, arguing that the factory had a lot of money in its accounts and that the factory's money should not be distributed to the separated departments but should be used to appease the workers.

Therefore, the Ministry of Electronics Industry was unwilling to take on the task, and other departments were also unwilling to take it on. The reorganization could not be delayed for too long, as the longer it took, the greater their responsibility would be.

This is Shenzhou Computer, the world's number one computer brand. If their restructuring fails, Fan Wenhao, the director of the Enterprise Reform Bureau, will be in serious trouble.

"It's good, much better than the previous plan."

After reading it, Zhou Xianyang also put away his aggressive demeanor and asked Fan Wenhao, "Director Fan, I'm a little curious, do you know the reform team's plan for General Manager Liu and General Manager Dong?"

Shenzhou Computer Factory had several important factories, including one of the largest export processing factories in Guangdong Province, and also had its own technology research department.

There is also a branch factory in Hubei Province. It seems that General Manager Dong started his business in Hubei Province. He specializes in electronic components and supplies many companies at home and abroad. His company has a scale of over one billion yuan.

He hadn't seen the disposal plan for the two branch factories at all, so he guessed they were assigned to them; moreover, Liu Chuanzhi and Dong Jianping didn't seem to be able to come up with that much money, so it was highly likely that the government guaranteed the deal and banks helped with the cleanup.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Fan Wenhao's face, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "I'm sorry, President Zhou, we have principles, and it's not convenient to talk about this kind of thing."

However, given Mr. Zhou's capabilities, finding out about this shouldn't be difficult for him, but it can't be leaked from my lips, or I'll be disciplined.

Who would dare to discipline a bureau chief from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission? This excuse is extremely perfunctory.

You're so lucky!
Even though Zhou Xianyang was generous enough not to care about a few hundred million, he was still somewhat unhappy.

They were all busy with the reorganization, but he had to pay a considerable price, while Liu Chuanzhi and Dong Jianping could just reap the benefits.

So you're just taking advantage of his noble character and his refusal to cause trouble for the country?
Zhou Xianyang also thought of another possibility: many workers in the Shenzhou Computer Factory in Beijing were his father's old subordinates, who had worked together in the same factory and even shared meals with his father.

If he really thinks it's too much money and refuses to care, who knows what kind of rumors will spread.

Although Zhou Xianyang could completely ignore these rumors, he didn't want them to smear his father, Zhou Fengnian.

After pondering for a while, Zhou Xianyang said, "Okay, I agree. But Director Fan, could the reform team select twenty worker representatives from among the workers? I'd like to talk to them."

Even other workers can come and listen in, as long as there is room for them.

Fan Wenhao was taken aback, then asked, "President Zhou, are you dissatisfied with the resettlement fee? Perhaps we could have our people handle it; if you go in person, it might be possible..."

With so many people gathered together, if something unexpected happens and Zhou Xianyang gets injured, he'll be in big trouble.

"No, Director Fan, you've misunderstood. I'm very satisfied."

Zhou Xianyang waved his hand and said, "Many of the old workers worked with my dad back then and experienced the time when the factory was being set up. It's a pity to just buy them out like this. I'll give them some benefits."

"Giving away freebies."

Fan Wenhao was somewhat confused about what Zhou Xianyang was planning, but it seemed unlikely he would tell him. After thinking for a moment, Fan Wenhao agreed, saying, "Alright, Mr. Zhou, I'll have Team Leader Qian help you select worker representatives. It'll be held in the factory's conference room; it can hold over a thousand people."

Shenzhou Computer Factory had its glorious past. Zhou Xianyang visited the main factory several times and found it to have all kinds of facilities.

The branch factory outside the Fourth Ring Road also has a small football field and basketball court. If the factory holds an event, we go there.

Zhou Xianyang didn't feel cheated because he saw all this, but things can't be compared. Compared to Liu Chuanzhi and Dong Jianping, he felt like he was being raised by a stepmother.

After agreeing on the reorganization plan, Fan Wenhao got up with a smile and saw Zhou Xianyang off. Only after Zhou left did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Back in his office, Fan Wenhao poured himself a cup of tea. After taking a sip, he shook his head and muttered, "Truly father and son, cut from the same mold."

He disliked people who could refuse without hesitation and turn their backs on others just like Zhou Fengnian.

However, Fan Wenhao had to admit that he didn't like useless people, and he still had to rely on Zhou Xianyang when it mattered most. He couldn't find anyone else in the country besides him.

As for finding foreign companies, they could most likely meet the conditions for solving the workers problem, but the resistance would be too great. If they force their way through, Zhou Fengnian might just expose them.

Is the restructuring of a factory such a big fuss? They should be given a demerit and reassigned. If they can't even handle this simple task, continuing to stay in their positions is irresponsible to the people.

Moreover, if that time really comes, it will be their responsibility whether they are in the right or not.

"It's really generous and decisive to increase benefits for workers."

After thinking for a moment, Fan Wenhao quickly understood Zhou Xianyang's plan. Although he didn't know exactly how much money Zhou Xianyang could make, his generosity was unlike that of other entrepreneurs in China.

It can only be said that he has a broad vision, doesn't care about temporary gains or losses, and has strong support behind him. Fan Wenhao believes that Zhou Xianyang's current achievements are not the end, and he will definitely reach even greater heights in the future.

Even if you don't befriend such a person, you shouldn't make enemies with them, especially since it's impossible for his department not to deal with private entrepreneurs.

It seems he'll need to interact with Zhou Xianyang more often in the future.

After making his decision, Fan Wenhao quickly notified the reform team of Shenzhou Computer Factory to convey Zhou Xianyang's requirements.

They were instructed to organize the workers to elect their own representatives as soon as possible, and then choose a date to prepare at the Shenzhou Computer Factory's main venue.

Upon hearing this, Team Leader Qian quickly took action.

Within three days, everything was arranged.

The twenty worker representatives were all veterans of the computer factory; there were worker representatives, factory model workers, and two retirees who were also invited.

Without exception, these people were all workers who frequently appeared on the factory's honor roll, and most workers agreed with their selection.

In addition, more than two thousand senior workers also came to the conference hall, filling it to capacity. There were also many people outside. Hearing that the new factory director, or now the new boss, was going to take over the Shenzhou Computer Factory, many workers were very worried.

Being a worker at the Shenzhou Computer Factory was once the identity they felt most proud of.

Moreover, in the past ten years or so, many factories have been reorganized, but most workers have suffered losses. They were also worried that they would suffer losses this time, so they came to watch on their own initiative.

Even if they couldn't get into the main venue, they could still hear firsthand news from the factory through the loudspeakers.

"Why are there so many people?"

When Fan Wenhao arrived at the factory's main hall, he was truly taken aback by the number of people in front of him. He then quickly called over Team Leader Qian and sternly reprimanded him, "What are you doing? So many people have come. If anything goes wrong, you'll be the first one punished!"

Team Leader Qian quickly explained, "Director Fan, it's not that I didn't try to stop them, but I simply couldn't. Besides, they are factory workers. If they want to enter the factory, who can stop them?"

"If my dozen or so team members blocked the factory gate and wouldn't let them in, they would have stomped us flat with one foot each."

These people are the owners of the factory; who would dare to stop them, especially since there are several thousand of them?

"You can't even handle this simple thing, you're completely useless!"

Fan Wenhao angrily pointed at Team Leader Qian and said, suppressing his anger, "Go and call the security department to maintain order at the scene. If anything goes wrong, you can't let President Zhou get hurt."

"I understand, sir. I'll get on it right away."

Upon hearing this, Team Leader Qian wiped his sweat and went to call for reinforcements.

A short while later, Zhou Xianyang arrived. After entering the hall, he went up to shake hands with Fan Wenhao and said, "Director Fan, there are quite a few people here today. It seems everyone is looking forward to it."

According to the previous plan, I have no problems; it just depends on when the reform team is available.

Upon hearing this, Fan Wenhao was overjoyed. Then, remembering the scene today, he quickly instructed, "President Zhou, if you like, you can sign the agreement in a bit, and then both parties will form an audit team. If all goes well, it can be completed in half a month."

But you have to be careful today, don't let anything go wrong, there are just too many people here today.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianyang smiled and said, "Director Fan, I'm not worried at all. I'm actually 'in cahoots' with them, so there won't be any surprises."

He's here to offer benefits, not to exploit people. If the workers are dissatisfied with the person offering benefits, then it's not Zhou Xianyang's fault.

Soon, people entered the venue one after another. After Zhou Xianyang greeted the factory director and deputy factory director, he quickly took his seat.

The more than two thousand people sitting and standing below, with the twenty people wearing red flowers at the very front of them, were the workers' representatives.

Fan Wenhao originally wanted to introduce Zhou Xianyang to the workers, but he interrupted and stopped him, wanting to introduce him himself.

After a moment's thought, Fan Wenhao stopped stopping him and handed the microphone to Zhou Xianyang; he was just a little worried.

This microphone is connected to the factory's loudspeakers, so not only people in the meeting room, but anyone in the factory can hear it.

"Everyone, I am Zhou Xianyang, and I am also the person who is in contact with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission's reform team and preparing to take over the Shenzhou Computer Factory."

Actually, I'm not exactly an outsider. I've been a child of factory workers since I was a kid. My dad is Zhou Fengnian. People who joined the factory later might not know him, but people in their forties or fifties should all know him, right?

(End of this chapter)