Road to Revival

Li Luo listened to Liu Shulin's report with a grim face. He didn't offer any comfort to the startled Liu Shulin, simply waving him away. He smoked three cigarettes in a row, trying to organize his thoughts. He hadn't expected Tao Tang to use him as a scapegoat… He sneered inwardly, thinking, "You've miscalculated. I'm not clay!"

He had originally planned to meet with Tao Tang, but because of what had just happened, he changed his mind. He couldn't show weakness now; the head is the most noble thing, and once it's lowered, it's hard to raise it again.

At 4 PM, the first general manager's office meeting, chaired by Tao Tang, was held in the small conference room on the third floor. If last week's team meeting was more like a brainstorming session, today's meeting atmosphere was much more serious.

Tao Tang sat at the head of the oval conference table, presiding over the meeting. To his left was Zhao Qingmin, the Party Secretary, and to his right was Guo Tao, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Company leaders were seated in their respective positions according to their ranking. In addition to the company leaders, as per regulations, the General Manager's Assistant, Deputy Chief Engineer, Director and Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office and General Manager's Office, and relevant secretaries were also present.

Seeing that it was already four o'clock, Tao Tang began, "Comrades, let's have a meeting. Today's General Manager's Office meeting has three agenda items: first, the implementation of the safety measures plan; second, some logistical matters to be discussed; and third, this year's performance targets. Finally, we'll discuss a few minor issues. Let's proceed with the first item: the implementation of this year's safety measures plan. Vice President Zhou, who would like to introduce the contents of the safety measures plan?"

Li Zhibin, who was engrossed in taking notes, noticed that Tao Tang had not consulted Secretary Zhao Qingmin as usual.

"Let's have the Development and Planning Department report on the safety measures in next year's plan first. Assistant Liu, you'll speak." Zhou Bing nodded to Liu Xinjun.

Liu Xinjun is the assistant general manager and director of the development planning department, making him a senior executive of the company.

"General Manager Tao, this year the company has included 19 sub-projects related to safety and environmental protection in its major technical improvement and overhaul plan, with a total estimated budget of 31.7 million yuan. This plan was reviewed and approved at the end of last year..." He began to report on each item, including the dust removal upgrade of the polishing workshop in the Ninth Factory. The annual plan stipulated that nine items should be started in the first quarter. Now, four months have passed, and only two have actually been started: the major overhauls of the overhead cranes in the Fourth and Fourteenth Factories. The remaining seven have not been started due to funding issues. Five items were supposed to be started in the second quarter, but none have been started to date, all due to funding problems.

"Doesn't headquarters assess the completion rate of the plan?" Tao Tang asked.

"These are not included in the strategic department's assessment..." Liu Xinjun replied.

"President Tao, the reason is exactly as Assistant Liu reported; it's entirely due to funding issues." Zhao Qingmin lit a cigarette, then stubbed it out. "The funding situation is driving the company crazy. Although I don't manage operations, I know the basics."

Tao Tang nodded. "I understand. Assistant Liu, the higher-ups don't evaluate our small projects, but what about internally? How are they evaluated internally?"

"At the end of the year, a final accounting is done, and there are relevant regulations regarding the accountability system..."

"Deduct points? Whose points? The Safety and Technology Department? The Mobility Department? Or the Finance Department? What's the point of having your performance reviewed at the end of the year?" Tao Tang's voice was calm, but it put immense pressure on Liu Xinjun. "Comrades, I visited several workshops the day before yesterday and saw some safety and environmental issues. For example, in the polishing workshop of Factory Nine, not only are the operators at risk of occupational diseases, but there are also significant safety hazards. Director Mu, have you taken any measures?" He turned his gaze to Mu Qingyun, the Safety and Technology Department Director, who was sitting behind Zhou Bing.

Mu Qingyun was prepared. She had done her homework after receiving Tao Tang's inquiry yesterday. "President Tao, we have submitted reports to the Development and Planning Department, more than once. March 24th this year was the last time. But arranging rectification is not our authority. Without the Development and Planning Department's plan, everything is meaningless..."

Tao Tang's eyes sharpened. "You're just shirking responsibility! I'm asking you, isn't the Technical Safety Department the department responsible for safety and environmental protection? Is it enough to just find a hazard, submit a few reports, and the problem is solved? Do you have the authority to issue rectification orders? Can you issue orders to halt production for rectification? Besides a thorough rectification, are there any expedient measures? Are you aware of the company's current financial difficulties? Given that the company cannot raise funds for a thorough rectification, what work have you done? I asked the branch factory, and the answer is no!"

The atmosphere became tense. Neither Mu Qingyun nor Zhou Bing expected that Tao Tang would target them.

"Comrades, I believe your understanding of occupational safety is no less profound than mine. Safety first is not just a slogan; it's a matter of feeling for grassroots workers and their status in state-owned enterprises. We always say that the working class is the master of the country, but do people working in that environment truly feel like masters? Even with tight funds, surely we can squeeze out this little bit of money? My suggestion is to first implement the most crucial safety measures, including addressing the dust problem in the polishing workshop of Plant Nine. What are your opinions?"

"I completely agree with that," Zhao Qingmin immediately stated. "President Tao has elevated the implementation of the Ancuo Plan to the level of the actual status of the working class, which is absolutely correct and makes me feel ashamed. This is a true example of the mass line, and it truly points out the problems we have."

After Zhao Qingmin made his statement, naturally no one objected, nor was there any need to object, including Han Zhiyong, the chief accountant who was troubled by funds. After all, spending money is the prerogative of the top leader; if it's used here, it can't be used elsewhere.

"Since everyone agrees, let the Development and Planning Department take the lead, with the cooperation of the Safety, Mechanical, Technical, Power and related branch factories, and start this work immediately. Can you come up with a concrete plan in three days?" Tao Tang looked at Liu Xinjun, and then his gaze fell on Luo Chong, who was in charge of the Development and Planning Department.

"Yes," Luo Chong and Liu Xinjun said simultaneously.

"A special meeting is scheduled for Thursday to hear reports. Please, Mr. Luo, quickly study and address the issues regarding internal plan implementation and performance evaluation. Everyone says the market economy is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and I believe that to cope with fierce market competition, we must emphasize the seriousness of internal planning. We need a high degree of planning to deal with the complex and ever-changing market… Okay, that concludes the first item on the agenda. Now, let's move on to the second item. I'll briefly share my observations. I admit that what I've seen and discovered is somewhat one-sided; I have absolutely no intention of completely negating the property management company's work, but the problems do exist, and rectification is necessary…"

Tao Tang discussed the problems with the single-person dormitory and canteen, saying, "It would be irresponsible to attribute all these problems to funding issues. I think they are more management problems. It's also a matter of employee well-being. If the children of any of you lived in the single-person dormitory and ate in the canteen, the situation might be very different. My suggestion is that Vice President Zhou should organize several seminars as soon as possible, mainly inviting single employees to participate, to hear their opinions on the management of the canteen and single-person dormitory. Then, a rectification plan should be formulated. We will act according to our capabilities, gradually changing the current situation and providing single employees with a comfortable living environment."

Regarding the second task, Tao Tang did not consult with company leaders or conduct any research; instead, he directly assigned it. Zhao Qingmin noticed this, as did the other leaders.

"Yes. I'll get things organized right away." Zhou Bing nodded.

"The Human Resources Department needs to attend this meeting." Tao Tang looked at Pan Chenggui, the Human Resources Director, who was sitting at the other end of the conference table facing him. "Director Pan, right? Now I'll talk about personnel management. The polishing workshop in Factory Nine employs a large number of temporary workers, including retired employees, unemployed children, and migrant workers recruited from nearby rural areas. What are the company's regulations for managing temporary workers?"

"Mr. Tao, because the company can't find enough people for some of the dirty, strenuous, and dangerous jobs, we have to hire temporary workers..."

"I'm asking about the rules!" Tao Tang's tone became stern.

"There are no such regulations..."

"What you just said about not hiring for special positions is absurd! Does that mean we have to use migrant workers and temporary workers for dirty, dangerous, and exhausting jobs? Let me ask you a few questions: How do you control the total number of employees? How do you control the total wages? Are social security and medical insurance contributions paid for temporary workers? Have they signed formal labor contracts with the company? Are there any legal risks related to personnel matters? Finally, I ask you, how many temporary workers are currently employed?"

"Approximately 1200 people..."

"Around? Do you have accurate figures from the end of last month? Have you been paying attention to this issue?"

Pan Chenggui immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He never expected to be speechless on his first formal meeting with the new leader. He was a member of Song Yue's inner circle; otherwise, he wouldn't be sitting in the chair of the Human Resources Director. But he truly didn't have these figures in hand.

"Mr. Tao, I'm very sorry. I haven't done my job well. I've been busy coordinating and resolving social security issues with the Municipal Labor Bureau lately, and I haven't had time to focus on managing temporary workers..."

"Personnel management is one of the main tasks of the Human Resources Department. As the head of the department, you should have these figures memorized. Even if you don't have any good suggestions or opinions to offer to the company's leadership, having a grasp of basic figures is the minimum requirement for a leader. Director Pan, I think you are not very proficient in your duties. Do you have any objections to this conclusion?"

"I..." Pan Chenggui was both angry and scared. It is said that a new broom sweeps clean, and that a new emperor brings a new court. He had considered that Tao Tang would "purge" Song Yue's old subordinates after taking office, but he did not expect to become one of the first targets.

"No need for explanations. This isn't the topic of today's meeting. Now let's move on to the third item on the agenda: this year's targets." Tao Tang took a sip of tea. "I've reviewed some materials and requested some data from the Development and Planning Department, the Finance Department, and the Production Department. The overall feeling is very pessimistic, especially regarding the sales revenue target. Last week, during the team meeting, I asked the Marketing Department for an analysis. This morning, I received the analysis from them, and to be honest, I'm very disappointed. The report from the Marketing Department simply concluded that the sales revenue target cannot be met. Comrades, this target is a fundamental indicator; without scale, profits, cost-to-revenue ratios, labor productivity, EVA, etc., will all fall short. What should we do? Vice President Li Luo, what are your thoughts?" Tao Tang's gaze fell on Li Luo, who was to Zhao Qingmin's left.