I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 718 The welfare factory needs a loan to pay wages

Gentamicin-induced deafness in children was relatively common in rural areas during the 1980s and 90s. Later, the government began to strictly prohibit its use on children, and this phenomenon decreased significantly.

As the Spring Festival draws closer, the festive atmosphere on the streets is growing stronger. Red lanterns are hung on both sides of the streets, and Andy Lau's "Gong Xi Fa Cai" is playing in supermarkets.

However, Fang Qingye still had to go to work on time. Today was Monday, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Northern Little New Year in the lunar calendar. As soon as Fang Qingye arrived at work, she saw Deng Hui knock on the door and come in, holding a stack of documents in her hand.

"Fang Xing, what do you think about whether to approve this loan? It was submitted by the Chang Le branch, and I'm still undecided."

"Ha, there's something you, President Deng, can't decide?" Fang Qingye joked as he took the documents. It turned out to be a loan application from a company, Nanxin Qiangsheng Model Factory!
Fang Qingye looked at it carefully.

The loan application materials were very standardized and the content was very simple. Nanxin Qiangsheng Model Making Factory applied for a loan of 80 yuan, using the factory's equipment as collateral. The loan term was one and a half years, and the purpose of the loan was to purchase equipment to expand production.

Fang Qingye carefully examined the mortgage documents again. It was an appraisal report issued by Jinghai Yuanda Equipment Appraisal Company, and the equipment was valued at 150 million yuan.

Fang Qingye looked up at Deng Hui: "What are you worried about?"

"The materials were fine, but when Section Chief Liu from the Credit Department of Changle Branch led a team to conduct an on-site assessment, they discovered a fact: Qiangsheng Model Factory was experiencing operational difficulties and had not paid wages for two months, meaning it was likely to go bankrupt and had no ability to repay! Moreover, this money was not intended for purchasing equipment but for paying wages!"

“Indeed, I also heard that their factory hasn’t paid wages for two months.” Fang Qingye nodded: “A few days ago, the bank was recruiting disabled people, and quite a few people from their factory applied.”

“Yes, this situation doesn’t meet our loan requirements at all. But their factory is a welfare factory, and their situation is special. 70% of the employees are disabled. It’s really pitiful that they can’t pay their wages before the Chinese New Year. Their deputy factory director, Wu Xuejun, led a group of people to plead with Director Song of the Changle branch. Director Song was in a dilemma, so he passed the buck to headquarters and asked me to make the decision,” Deng Hui explained.

"And yet you've passed the buck back to me again," Fang Qingye joked.

“Fang Xing, that’s different. If this loan is issued, it’s very likely to become a bad debt or dead debt, which will affect the branch’s year-end performance evaluation.” A sly glint appeared in Deng Hui’s eyes: “You’re the head, the final decision is in your hands.”

"How about this?" Fang Qingye pondered for a moment, "After the meeting, we can go and take a look at the factory in person, and talk to the person in charge, okay?"

"Ok."

"Call the Changle branch and tell them to go there together."

After the morning meeting, Fang Qingye took Hu Lingling and Deng Hui to Qiangsheng Model Factory by car.

The location was on Wenhui Road in the old city, less than a 20-minute drive away. When Fang Qingye and the others arrived, Director Song of the Changle branch also arrived, along with Section Chief Liu of their credit department.

Fang Qingye got out of the car, greeted everyone, and then stood at the factory gate and looked around.

The building dates back to the 1980s and 90s, with ivy climbing all over the red brick exterior walls. The newly installed barrier-free ramps contrast with the mottled steps.

Next to the rusted factory sign at the entrance hangs a bright bronze plaque: "Jiangsu Provincial Demonstration Base for Employment of Disabled Persons" and "Nanxin County Qiangsheng Model Making Factory". A camphor tree stands by the street near the factory entrance, with birdcages hanging from its branches.

An old man dressed as a security guard was feeding sparrows breadcrumbs. When he saw the group arrive, he looked surprised but did not go up to ask any questions.

"He's deaf and mute," Section Chief Liu from the credit department quickly explained to Fang Qingye in a low voice. He then gestured a couple more times, and the old man immediately smiled and went to open the door.

Upon entering the factory area, you are greeted by a building about six meters high, which appears to be a factory building. The surrounding area is quite open, but many places are not paved.

"This place is nearly ten acres, right? The location is pretty good." Fang Qingye looked it over and said, "It would be great to develop it into a residential community."

"Yes, I reckon the most valuable part of this factory is the land," Bank Manager Song said with a smile.

There was a two-story red brick building against the wall on the west side of the factory. It looked like an office building. Soon, three people came down and hurried towards them. The one in the lead was a man in his fifties, wearing a blue work uniform. He had a dark complexion and looked somewhat tired.

"He is Wu Xuejun, the deputy director of Qiangsheng Model Manufacturing Factory," President Song introduced from the side.

"This is Fang Qingye, the president of our Jinghai Bank." "President Fang, hello, I've heard so much about you." Wu Xuejun warmly shook Fang Qingye's right hand with both of his, his hands rough but strong.

President Song then introduced Deng Hui and Hu Lingling, and Wu Xuejun invited everyone to sit in the office building.

As Fang Qingye walked, she remembered something and asked, "Director Wu, where is your Director Duan? Isn't he here?"

"He's not here. Nobody knows what he's doing, and he won't tell us," Director Wu replied casually.

"Director Duan basically doesn't handle anything; Director Wu is in charge of all the factory affairs," said Director Song, who was standing nearby.

The group went up to the second floor and came to an office. Director Wu asked a female employee to pour tea for everyone. Fang Qingye also noticed that the employee's left leg was a little awkward when she walked, so she seemed to be disabled as well.

Wu Xuejun looked at Fang Qingye: "President Fang, I heard President Song make a phone call, was it about a loan for our factory?"

"Yes, I want to come and see for myself."

"I'm worried about the factory's current state. After I was demobilized in 1988, I was assigned to the model factory. I started as an ordinary worker and worked there for more than 20 years. I never expected it to end like this." Wu Xuejun sighed at the end.

"Are you disabled too?" Fang Qingye asked tentatively.

"Director Wu lost his left leg; he was injured while participating in the self-defense counterattack war," Bank Manager Song quickly added.

At this moment, Wu Xuejun also rolled up his left trouser leg, revealing his black prosthetic leg.

Fang Qingye was filled with awe.

"Can I come and take a look at the workshop?" Fang Qingye asked another question.

“Okay, I’ll take you there.” Wu Xuejun stood up.

The group then went downstairs and headed towards the largest factory building.

"This is our model-making workshop," Wu Xuejun said, leading everyone into the factory.

The old factory building, 6 meters high, has twenty woodworking tables arranged radially, each with an adjustable-height fill light hanging above it. The air is filled with the fresh scent of pine shavings mixed with the slightly sweet smell of acrylic glue, and a high-powered exhaust fan hums in the corner.

Fang Qingye saw a middle-aged man who had lost his right arm, with a ruler fixed to his left knee, and a utility knife in his left hand precisely cutting foam board. The scars at the amputation site gleamed in the sunlight.

A girl wearing headphones was intently assembling a model. Fang Qingye noticed a sticky note on the corner of her table: "Order number 17 requires a matte gold window frame."

"Is she deaf and mute?" Fang Qingye asked.

“Yes, she’s wearing noise-canceling headphones. Many hearing-impaired people have a more acute sense of touch and vibration than others. External sound waves can travel through the air and the tabletop, which may interfere with the stability of her fingers and her ability to grasp the subtle tactile sensations of the model parts,” Wu Xuejun explained from the side.

"Noise-canceling headphones can physically isolate some vibrations, providing a more stable tactile working platform."

As he spoke, Wu Xuejun picked up a model that had already been completed on the platform and handed it to Fang Qingye.

"President Fang, isn't this house exquisitely crafted?"

Fang Qingye looked at it carefully and nodded: "It's really good, very exquisite, and the size and proportions are also very appropriate."

"Unfortunately, they can't be sold, and I can't even afford to pay their salaries." Wu Xuejun suddenly sighed deeply.

(End of this chapter)