1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Chapter 152 The Railway Bureau's Recommendation (Combined)

Unlike the more common seven-day holidays that followed, the Spring Festival in 1995 only had a three-day holiday.

However, it happened to fall on a Sunday, making it a four-day consecutive holiday.

Two strings of large red firecrackers, each with a capacity of 10,000, hang on either side of the entrance to the Hezhiwei Food Factory, resembling two coiled red dragons.

Dong Jianguo and Erzhuzi, like children who hadn't grown up, each held a cigarette in their hands as they stood in front of Honglong.

The two checked their watches, ready to open the door and make auspicious beginnings.

"point!"

At Dong Jianguo's command, the two men brought their cigarettes close to the fuses, lit them, and ran away.

The fuse hissed and emitted wisps of smoke, soon followed by a series of crackling sounds behind the two.

The deafening sound of firecrackers exploded instantly, filling the air with smoke and sparks.

The sound was particularly loud in the morning in Hecheng, as if announcing to the entire city:

Crane's Flavor, may your business start with great success!

Outside the factory gate, the female workers who hadn't yet started work were all dressed in their new clothes for the New Year.

They covered their ears tightly with both hands, their faces flushed red from the loud noise, but they couldn't suppress their smiles.

They laughed and jumped, their eyes sparkling with anticipation for the new year.

This year, everyone in the factory had an exceptionally good year.

Dong Jianguo was a very capable factory director.

Not only did they give out generous year-end bonuses before the new year, but they also provided a lot of employee benefits.

Not only were there eggs and pork, but one family even donated a bucket of soybean oil.

These benefits are comparable to those of slightly less desirable government agencies in the city!

Today, as the first day of resuming work, Dong Jianguo made a promise to give each person a "lucky gift" upon entering the door.

This habit was something Dong Jianguo learned in his previous life when he lived in Shenzhen.

In that place brimming with opportunities, the boss would give his employees a "lucky money" gift every time the business reopened after the Lunar New Year.

It symbolizes prosperous business and abundant wealth.

Dong Jianguo thought this approach was good; it not only didn't cost much money but also helped win people's hearts, so he started using it at Hezhiwei as well.

Although there wasn't much money in the red envelope, it was a novel and auspicious gift.

After all, considering the age of the female workers, they all have to give away money during holidays and festivals, and rarely have the opportunity to receive money.

As soon as the firecrackers stopped, the employees rushed forward, vying to congratulate Dong Jianguo.

Clutching the red envelopes Dong Jianguo had just given them, they offered heartfelt blessings: "Director Dong, congratulations on your fortune!"

"Director Dong, our factory is sure to have a booming year!"

"Jianguo, congratulations on becoming a father!"

Congratulations! May everyone prosper!

Dong Jianguo, his face flushed, shook hands and responded.

Looking at the familiar faces before him, he felt a great sense of accomplishment.

In less than six months, he had amassed this fortune.

Although it wasn't a groundbreaking achievement, it genuinely solved many people's life problems in this area.

To say that I don't feel a sense of accomplishment would be too hypocritical.

"Alright, it's awfully cold outside, everyone hurry up and get inside the factory! Many distributors are still waiting for our goods! Let's try to get them out in two days!"

"good!"

Erzhuzi raised his arm and waved, and everyone responded, stepping on the firecracker debris scattered on the ground, and went into the changing room to change into their work clothes.

Dong Jianguo went back to the factory gatehouse as usual.

Looking at this small room, I couldn't help but be speechless.

Once spring arrives, construction can begin, and I should get myself a decent office.

Otherwise, if he and Erzhuzi's father take turns using the same gatehouse every day, who would believe that he is a millionaire?

He was accompanied into the gatehouse by a middle-level manager from the factory.

Wu Qianzhu (right-hand man), Tian Lina (financer), Zhao Hongmei (production manager), Zhong Zhengtao (technical expert), and Pan Yan (who seems to have ulterior motives towards her and has an ambiguous relationship with Erzhuzi) —

"Huh? Pan Yan, what brings you in?!"

"Ah, Brother Jianguo, I'd like to sit in on this and learn some management experience—"

Pan Yan smiled at Dong Jianguo with her big eyes, without blushing or skipping a beat.

"Yeah, Brother Jianguo, if you ask me, I'd say let Pan Yan learn from him—" Erzhuzi chimed in, urging him to do the same.

But his words caused Tian Lina to roll her eyes.

Zhao Hongmei and Zhong Zhengtao both lowered their heads and chose to remain silent.

"Xiao Pan, you're still young, you have a long road ahead of you, no need to rush. Focus on doing your job well first. The pass rate on the production line you're in charge of was a bit low last year; if it's still at the bottom this year, I'll have to deduct your salary!"

"Also, from now on, don't call me 'Brother Jianguo.' In the factory, use my title; call me Director Dong, understand?!"

Dong Jianguo adopted the dignified air of a factory director and spoke calmly.

Pan Yan was still somewhat unconvinced and wanted to say something.

Tian Lina suddenly stood up: "Oh dear, everyone's time is precious, why don't we go out first and give you some space?"

Seeing everyone in the room staring blankly at her, and with no intention of stopping her, Dong Jianguo awkwardly refused to speak, and Erzhuzi, who had been pestering her, stomped his foot and angrily turned and walked out of the room.

"Accountant Tian, ​​aren't you going a bit too far? We're all from the same factory, is it really necessary?"

Erzhuzi frowned, somewhat displeased.

"As for those who haven't even done their jobs well, they shouldn't think too much; that will only make them do worse."

Dong Jianguo picked up the conversation and answered for Tian Lina.

As soon as the factory manager spoke, Erzhuzi immediately lost his temper.

Tian Lina snorted, looking smug.

After everyone who shouldn't be in the factory left, the meeting to resume work continued.

Dong Jianguo first asked about the factory's output.

Currently, the daily production of braised eggs can reach thousands of boxes, most of which are braised pork flavored eggs.

The production of pickled chicken feet is even higher, with about 1400 boxes produced per day.

"If the equipment can be upgraded, I feel that the production capacity can double."

Zhong Zhengtao pushed up his glasses and said.

Dong Jianguo had no doubt about his speculation.

"Mr. Zhong, could you make a list of which equipment needs updating? Buy used if possible, but if not—we'll grit our teeth and buy it for the factory!"

When it comes to doing business, you should make as much money as possible when you're making money.

Nowadays, Hezhiwei's products are selling well, supported not only by large orders from the railway bureau and Northern Airlines.

Distributors in neighboring provinces are also showing great enthusiasm for purchasing.

This is especially true for Liaoning Province, a major industrial province.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. As a major old industrial base, the people there are much wealthier than those in Heilongjiang Province, which is mainly an agricultural province.

Therefore, increasing production capacity is an urgent matter.

However, Dong Jianguo still planned to set aside the money for acquiring the farm first.

After all, the farm is selling at a low price, which is compliant with regulations and laws.

This is an opportunity that comes along only once in a lifetime.

After asking Zhong Gong's opinion, Dong Jianguo then asked the others.

Everything else was fine, but Tian Lina raised her hand and asked to hire another accountant as a cashier.

"It was easier when the factory was small, and Xiuyun was willing to learn, but now that Xiuyun has given birth, I can't handle everything by myself."

"Furthermore, it's not compliant for one person in the factory to act as both accountant and cashier —"

Dong Jianguo nodded in agreement with Tian Lina's statement and told her to go and recruit people herself.

After the meeting ended, Dong Jianguo called out to Erzhuzi, who was walking at the very back.

"What's wrong, Director Dong?"

Erzhuzi's voice was muffled, clearly indicating some displeasure.

Dong Jianguo didn't say anything, but handed him a cigarette and lit it for him with a lighter.

"How far have things progressed between you and Pan Yan?"

"Nothing much, still the same—" Erzhuzi took a deep drag, the embers of his cigarette flickering.

This made Erzhuzi even more depressed.

This is really fucking weird; he's spent a lot of money on Pan Yan lately.

She bought high-end women's clothing in the department store, delicious restaurants nearby, and even a Little Tyrant (a popular Chinese mobile game console) for her younger brother.

Despite the fact that every time she gave gifts, went out to eat, or played games, Pan Yan always looked very happy, laughing heartily.

The problem is that he couldn't even hold Pan Yan's hand. Every time he touched her fingertips, Pan Yan would shrink back like a startled rabbit, saying "I hate you" and then laughingly dodging away.

This made Erzhuzi feel like a fool, having spent money and getting nothing in return.

"Brother Jianguo, what do you think is the difference between us?"

After holding it in for a long time, Erzhuzi finally let out his anger.

Dong Jianguo patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Erzhuzi, listen to my advice. Pan Yan is too proud for you."

"What's wrong with me? I'm willing to change for her!"

Dong Jianguo was taken aback, then slapped him on the head: "Are you crazy?! It's her who's not right for you, not you who's not right for her!"

"Let me put it this way," Dong Jianguo pointed to Erzhuzi's shoes, "Your shoes are size 42, Pan Yan's are size 38. Did you cut off a piece of your heel to match her?"

After hearing this, Erzhuzi silently smoked without saying a word.

"Beep beep!"

A loudspeaker suddenly blared outside the gatehouse.

Dong Jianguo pressed the plastic sheeting over the window to seal it, and only then did he see two black Crown sedans parked outside.

"Think about what I'm saying. It's not that I don't want you to date at the factory, but if you really want to find someone, you have to find someone you can get along with."

.

As Dong Jianguo spoke, he straightened his clothes and walked out of the gatehouse.

As soon as the Crown sedan door opened, Director Wan and Director Zhang stepped out.

"Director Wan! Director Zhang! I was planning to visit you in Harbin after the New Year, but I never expected you to come see me! How rude of me!"

Dong Jianguo greeted them with a smile and shook hands with the two men.

"You're such a busy man, how come you have time to come see us?! Becoming a father must have put a lot more pressure on your shoulders than before!"

Director Wan patted Dong Jianguo on the shoulder, showing no airs whatsoever, speaking as if he were chatting with a young neighbor.

"Yes, the little one is so fussy, he cries twice every night—"

Director Zhang nodded: "Haha, good, good, good. If you young people don't experience some challenges, how will you understand the hardships of being a parent?!"

With a wave of his hand, Secretary Wang, who had just gotten out of the passenger seat, hurriedly ran to the trunk, took out a gift box, and handed it to Dong Jianguo.

Dong Jianguo waved his hands repeatedly: "Director Wan, please don't joke with me. You even gave me a gift? I—"

Director Wan chuckled: "Take it. Your sister Wang has been thinking about it—she was just busy this time, otherwise she would have insisted on coming to see the child!"

"Open it and take a look—"

Upon hearing this, Dong Jianguo did not refuse any longer. He opened the gift box and found a can of imported baby formula and a set of exquisite silver bracelets inside.

"This...this is too valuable!"

"Take this! It's a small token of our appreciation from your sister Wang. By her standards, you should call me brother-in-law!"

"Oh—thank you, brother-in-law—"

Seeing Dong Jianguo accept Lao Wan's gift, Director Zhang took out a red envelope from his pocket: "I'm not very good at picking things out, and I was afraid you young people wouldn't be satisfied if I did, so I just gave the kid a red envelope. Please don't be offended, Xiao Dong!"

After another tug-of-war, Dong Jianguo had no choice but to accept it for Xiao Juzi.

Dong Jianguo smiled and invited the two into the gatehouse.

Director Wan and Director Zhang exchanged a glance, then couldn't help but ask in surprise, "You work right here?"

"I'm so sorry, Director Wan, Director Zhang, there used to be an office, but I converted it into a workers' changing room—the gatekeeper's office is temporarily my office. My conditions are simple, I hope you two distinguished guests don't mind—"

Director Wan shook his head: "Don't mention it. When we were building the railway, we just built a tin shed and slept in it. The conditions were much more rudimentary than yours!"

'

Director Zhang was somewhat surprised: "Jianguo, our railway bureau must have placed quite a few orders with you recently, right? And the payments shouldn't have been delayed too long either, so why are you—"

"Director Zhang, I've made some money lately, but if the factory wants to grow and thrive, everything requires money!"

"We were just talking about it in the meeting. We want to expand production capacity and purchase a batch of equipment. Also, there's a lot of talk about restructuring lately. The state-owned farms in Angxi District of Hecheng are going to be privatized. I'm thinking of saving up some more money to secure the supply of goods."

Upon hearing Dong Jianguo's words, Director Zhang and Director Wan couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

This kid is really good—calm, steady, and pragmatic.

"Honestly, at your age, we're far less capable than you are —"

"Not at all, times have changed."

Director Wan thought for a moment: "Jianguo, haven't you considered getting a bank loan?!"

"I've already looked, but they won't lend to me—"

Dong Jianguo smiled somewhat helplessly.

State-owned enterprises are currently burdened with huge debts and cannot obtain loans from banks.

For a small, helpless food factory like ours, there's no way we can even think about getting money deducted from the bank.

and----

The current environment is nothing like the good times that Dong Jianguo personally experienced.

It would be no exaggeration to describe it as a chaotic mess.

If you're not careful, a bank can bankrupt you.

Therefore, he preferred to rely on the goods he had on hand to slowly accumulate initial capital.

"But there's no need to worry. If things continue to develop as they are, these problems will soon cease to be problems."

Dong Jianguo poured tea for the two leaders and said with a smile.

"Yes, as long as you know it."

"However, we're here on a mission."

"In another month, various state-owned enterprises in Heilongjiang Province will recommend young entrepreneurs to attend a seminar for young entrepreneurs in Beijing."

"We would like to recommend you to the Heilongjiang Provincial Railway Bureau—"