After my divorce at thirty, I developed an intelligence network.

Many labor teams of any size were eyeing the opportunity.

Although this job is tiring, it's large-scale, has a tight schedule, and the unit price is relatively negotiable.

More importantly, if you do a good job, you'll gain recognition as a benchmark project registered in the city, which will make things easier for you in the sports center and even the entire new city area.

Those with connections start their activities early on.

People were taking Project Manager Wang to dinner, asking acquaintances at the client's command center to pass on messages, and sending cigarettes and alcohol to Production Manager Zhao, who was in charge of the actual work.

There are even those who try to indirectly connect with higher-ups.

The competition they were secretly vying for was even deeper than the excavation of the foundation pit.

A few days later, news came out: the job was done, given to a man named Gong Yuelong, who was said to be recruiting a group of fellow villagers from Nanshan County.

The labor market was initially eerily silent, then suddenly erupted into a cacophony of activity.

"Gong Yuelong? Which Gong Yuelong? I've never heard of him!"

"The Nanshan Gang? Aren't they mainly involved in bricklaying and plastering? When did they get involved in such a large concrete job?"

"Damn it, I've spent almost ten thousand yuan on favors and entertainment, and I haven't even heard a peep from them. Is this it?"

"I heard that guy surnamed Gong used to own a company and was a boss, but he went bankrupt and was heavily in debt. He spent a long time struggling in the labor market, looking disheveled... Could he really have that kind of ability?"

Doubt, resentment, and jealousy fermented in the drab corner of the labor market.

People whispered among themselves, desperately trying to uncover every bit of information.

"I heard he skipped the project manager's route and went straight to Fatty Zhao in production!"

"Is Fatty Zhao that difficult to deal with? He's completely stubborn! Can you possibly persuade him?"

"It's more than just persuasion... Someone saw Fatty Zhao smoking with him in the office, and they were chatting quite happily!"

"This is weird... Could it be that this guy surnamed Gong really has connections? Connections he made when he was a boss?"

"Not necessarily, he doesn't seem like it. Could it be... that he has some weakness against Fatty Zhao?"

"Hiss... Don't talk nonsense!"

The various speculations became increasingly outlandish.

But there is one consensus: this Gong Yuelong who suddenly appeared is by no means simple.

He was able to overcome so much open and covert competition and secure this lucrative opportunity; it was definitely not just pure luck.

"I really underestimated those guys from Nanshan before..."

"Be more polite when you meet in the future; she's climbed the social ladder now."

"What high-ranking position are you trying to climb? I bet you've used some shady methods..."

Amidst the discussions, there was confusion, sour grapes, and also a subtle reassessment and re-evaluation.

In this industry that's pragmatic to the core, results are everything.

Gong Yuelong got the job, and no matter what method he used, in other people's eyes, he was no longer the down-and-out former boss.

"Hey, Lao Cao, busy? I heard you got a big job at the sports center with General Manager Gong? That's impressive!"

"If you ever become successful, don't forget to give your brothers a hand!"

As Cao Dayong listened to these words, which were tinged with probing and flattery, he unconsciously straightened his back a little.

He recalled the way Gong Yuelong distributed money to order beer, and listening to the true and false discussions outside, he suddenly felt that this fellow villager he was following was probably... even more unfathomable than he had thought.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Gong Yuelong didn't go directly to the project office; instead, he went to the edge of the foundation pit first.

Cao Dayong saw him coming and was about to greet him when Gong Yuelong waved his hand and said:

"Dayong, invite our own people and Engineer Liu from the project department over for a short meeting."

Cao Dayong was taken aback. On a construction site, especially in a labor team like theirs, what kind of serious meetings are there?

Usually, the foreman would give a shout or the shift leader would give a few simple instructions before they started working. But he didn't ask any more questions and turned to call people.

Soon, everyone was present. Xiao Liu looked at Gong Yuelong with some suspicion, wondering what he was up to now.

Gong Yuelong didn't waste any words. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he said directly, "I'll take a few minutes of your time to go over today's key points again."

He first looked at Xiao Liu: "Engineer Liu, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong."

Xiao Liu nodded without saying anything, but felt a sense of novelty.

"First and foremost, safety is paramount..."

"Secondly, quality depends on the details..."

"Third, the connection between work processes..."

Although it was just a reiteration of the usual requirements, as Xiao Liu listened, his surprise gradually built up.

She had seen too many work teams where, before starting work, all they did was tell each other to be energetic and work hard.

Very few people can analyze things like Gong Yuelong, breaking down everything from safety and quality to processes, and clearly identifying potential problems and solutions for specific people and tasks before starting work.

Moreover, he arranged things in such detail that it felt like he wasn't managing a group of temporarily assembled workers, but rather operating a small project team with a clear division of labor.

She suddenly understood why Gong Yuelong had time to drink tea and chat in the office and order beer yesterday.

They put all their effort into those ten minutes or so before work started.

Anticipate problems in advance, clarify responsibilities in advance, and arrange personnel in advance.

When he gets down to work, things will go smoothly, and he can naturally take time to deal with things at higher levels, maintain relationships, and consider the next steps.

"No wonder..." the beautiful construction worker, Xiao Liu, muttered to herself, her gaze towards Gong Yuelong carrying a different meaning.

Just how many unseen yet truly effective methods does this person possess?

Gong Yuelong finally looked at everyone and said, "Is everyone clear? If not, ask now. Once we start, I want strict execution. Meeting adjourned, everyone back to your positions."

After the brief meeting ended, everyone quickly dispersed to prepare their own tasks in an orderly manner.

Xiao Liu walked up to Gong Yuelong, a smile in his eyes, "Master Gong, do you... always go through this process before starting work?"

Gong Yuelong smiled and said, "I've learned my lesson before. The problem lies in the disputes and rework afterward, which are too costly."

Now I'd rather spend an extra ten minutes at the beginning to explain everything that needs to be said and to make sure everything is settled.

It may seem troublesome, but it's actually the easiest and cheapest option.

Let the brothers know why they're doing it this way, so they'll be more confident and less likely to make mistakes.

Xiao Liu nodded thoughtfully.

This principle is not hard to understand, but very few people on construction sites can actually do it and persist in doing it.

She suddenly realized that the 5,000 cubic meters of concrete she was working on today might be even more worry-free than she had expected.

As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell on Xiao Liu's healthy and upright face, noticing that she seemed more relaxed.

"Engineer Liu must be exhausted these past few days. Five thousand cubic meters of foundation slab, and it's a project commemorating a gift, so the pressure is all on you managers."

We just need to focus on our work; you have to coordinate with everyone, deal with all sorts of inspections, which is much more stressful.

These words struck a chord with Xiao Liu.