1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Chapter 142 Bread Will Be Available

Faced with Zou Menglong's classic questions about "young talents" and "secrets to success," Dong Jianguo did not rush to boast. Instead, he looked through the gatehouse window at the female workers who were busily dividing pork in the courtyard.

A slight smile played on his lips as he calmly said, "Editor Zou, you're using the word 'success' too heavily."

Dong Jianguo picked up the tea that Tian Lina had just brewed, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said in a steady voice, "My past experiences are actually the same as most of my peers."

"After graduating, I went to work in the factory, treating it as my home, thinking that this would be my life forever."

"Nobody expected the factory to suddenly put me on unpaid leave, and I was just kicked out like that. I'm not afraid to tell you, reporter Zou, but my wife and I only had about ten yuan left in our pockets at the time. You could say we were penniless."

"Later, I had to swallow my pride and go to the factory manager to get back the wages that the factory hadn't paid my husband and me. That's how we got some start-up capital."

Dong Jianguo vividly recounted his early business history to the reporter, occasionally sharing anecdotes from when he first started his business, which captivated the audience.

When the three reporters learned that most of the signature products of Crane Flavor were made by Yu Xiuyun, they all looked at her with respect.

Not only were the reporters listening attentively, but Zhang Cunyi was also listening quietly, frantically memorizing everything.

However, Dong Jianguo deliberately omitted the fact that he obtained the loan through his second uncle and contacted Director Wan of Harbin for assistance.

This is normal for many successful people.

When they publish their books and biographies, they never mention the advantages their family background provided; instead, they focus on describing their unique perspective.

Dong Jianguo used to think that hiding things like this was not very kind.

When it came to his own turn, Dong Jianguo realized that his actions might simply have been to avoid dragging the other party into an unnecessary media storm.

"If we only consider survival, our Hezhiwei Food Factory is undoubtedly a success."

"But this is still a long way from true success —"

"Director Dong, would you mind sharing your opinion on what constitutes true success?"

"I'm afraid that if I told you, you'd think I'm talking nonsense."

"No, please tell me—"

After taking a sip of tea, Dong Jianguo spoke again: "Our Northeast was once glorious too."

"These three old brothers from the three northeastern provinces have always been called the eldest sons of the Republic."

"But now the big brother is no longer effective, and its development cannot keep up with the south. This is an objective fact."

"I was thinking that if our hometown could produce something decent, then the Northeastern kids who are drifting in the south might not be criticized so much —"

When reporter Zou frowned, he could hear the sincerity in Dong Jianguo's tone.

Seeing is believing, hearing is not.

As a journalist, he has traveled extensively throughout China and visited many places.

In recent years, he has clearly felt that there is prejudice against people from Northeast China in some parts of the country.

The reasons are varied; some dislike the loud voices of northerners, while others dislike the boisterous nature of northeasterners.

This situation is even showing signs of worsening.

However—he did not think the future would be as pessimistic as Dong Jianguo had described.

"Director Dong, it seems you're not very optimistic about the future of our factory."

T

Dong Jianguo smiled and said, "I won't comment on this, and it's best not to say too much in the reports either, to avoid giving people too much to think about."

Despite saying that, Dong Jianguo knew exactly what was going on.

The future of Northeast China is indeed not optimistic.

First of all, I didn't get any good neighbors.

Russia's Far East population will continue to decline in the future, with a clear trend of westward migration.

Later, the total population of the Far East was even equivalent to the population of a single district in Harbin—how much demand could there be for this export trade?

As for the neighbors in the other direction, they haven't developed much either, and they're dirt poor.

And Japan and South Korea are clearly not on the same page as the University of Tokyo.

Given this environment, it's extremely difficult to develop.

The severe cold also makes it difficult for the Northeast to compete with the South.

While both involve setting up a factory, the long winters in Northeast China can add an extra layer of heating costs.

Moreover, the construction period for the factory will be greatly extended due to the cold weather.

The same 20-story office building can be completed in a year in the south.

It will take two years in the north.

Most importantly, in the past, the climate was harsh, and with a large population, there was great strength, requiring everyone to work together.

But as mechanization increased, the need for human labor decreased.

With all these factors combined, no one can provide a solution to the predicament of Northeast China.

Even Dong Jianguo, a reborn individual, shares this trait.

But sometimes, if you have to say it out loud, it becomes offensive.

Zhou Menglong nodded and then asked the next question: "Director Dong, I just noticed that the employees in the factory have a good relationship with you. Sometimes it feels like you're not even like superiors and subordinates, but more like family. Do you think maintaining a good relationship with the workers will help you run the factory well?"

"The employees in our factory are basically laid-off employees from the fine knitting factory. Although they are now my subordinates, back in the fine knitting factory, I used to have to call them 'big sister' whenever I met them."

"As for whether it will help with running the factory, I think it will definitely have a positive impact."

"To be honest, didn't our Red Army emphasize collective wisdom and effort in pre-battle discussions? If subordinates don't even dare to speak up, what's the point of talking about collective wisdom and effort?"

"In the past—well, let's not talk about which factory—some factory leaders treated their employees like thieves. I think that kind of management style is really unacceptable."

"We're all human. We eat pretty much the same things when we're alive, and when we die, we're just a handful of ashes after we're cremated. If there's anything, it's better to discuss it as long as it doesn't break the rules."

"Okay, Director Dong, you just mentioned that the current economic climate isn't good, and many companies are facing serious problems, which is even more pronounced for the workers in those companies. I believe many people are feeling as lost as you were when you first started your business. Is there anything you'd like to say to them?"

Upon hearing this question, Dong Jianguo straightened his back and nodded solemnly: "Although the economy is sluggish right now, I think it is also an opportunity for every individual."

"Large factories are failing because their equipment is outdated, their production models are fixed, and their product concepts are backward, making it impossible for them to keep up with the times. But small, privately owned factories are different. They can do what they want, change what they want, and are more agile! If they have ideas, they can quickly validate them in the market, get feedback quickly, and update their products quickly."

"Once it's actually made, the efficiency is often more than ten times that of those big factories in the past."

"Therefore, I believe that as long as we seize the opportunity, the probability of success is much higher than before!"

"The difficulties are temporary; there will be bread, and there will be milk!"