1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Should I give this money?

Dong Jianguo was genuinely hesitant.

Logically speaking, smoothing things over certainly requires spending real money.

It's not like he's never given them before.

The Little Tyrant game console I bought for my second uncle's family, and the cigarettes and alcohol I gave to the farm secretaries.

It can be said that his business was able to succeed because of the social etiquette and reciprocity he cultivated.

But for someone like Director Jiang to ask for such an exorbitant amount, 10,000 yuan is most likely just an appetizer.

With more orders coming in later, who knows how they'll end up profiting from their own business.

I'm afraid that I won't be able to help many of my laid-off colleagues, and I'll end up being tortured to death by Director Jiang.

"Thank you for reminding me, Secretary Zhang. I'll go back and think about it."

"Well, think it over carefully before making a decision..." Secretary Zhang wanted to give Dong Jianguo another piece of advice, to help him have a broader perspective.

But the words stuck in his throat.

Some things, if said aloud, only make you seem like you're talking without understanding the situation.

Take, for example, those workers who were forced to go home and wait for work, as mentioned by Dong Jianguo. If they have a sense of the bigger picture, wouldn't they just be asking to be slapped in the face?

Looking at Dong Jianguo's somewhat dejected figure, Secretary Zhang shook his head.

As Director Jiang's secretary, I've seen all sorts of businessmen.

Some are pot-bellied and shrewd, while others are glib, cunning, and worldly.

There aren't many businessmen like Dong Jianguo who are so young yet so passionate.

He probably knew something about what was happening outside.

The major factories in Hecheng are all in dire need of resources and can barely survive.

As for those workers...

Who would really care?

But this Factory Director Dong is really different.

At least he was the first person to witness someone trying to help a former coworker.

A good person opened a factory and produced a good product.

Are we just going to stand by and watch him go down?

In the vast city of Hecheng, how many good things have been ruined by their own people?

Thinking of this, Secretary Zhang gritted his teeth:

"Director Dong, please wait!"

"Hmm? Is there anything else?"

Secretary Zhang quickly caught up with Dong Jianguo: "There might be other solutions to this, but it's a bit troublesome."

"What method?"

"When you signed the contract with the people from Harbin, did you have their contact information?"

"have."

"Okay, call them back and have them call me to verify the sales figures. I'll report the sales data to them accurately. Then have them order from Harbin, not through us!"

"Huh? How am I supposed to deliver the goods?"

"Just follow the train! There are plenty of freight trains running between Hefei and Harbin, many with empty carriages. Just give them a heads-up in Harbin, and you can use any empty carriage you want—you won't have to pay a cent!"

Dong Jianguo's eyes lit up; this method was indeed a good one.

But he was a little worried: "What if they ask why I didn't sell them at the Hecheng Passenger Transport Section... what should I say?"

Secretary Zhang glanced at Dong Jianguo and uttered five words:

"Let them ask me."

Dong Jianguo's thoughts raced: "Won't this affect you?"

Secretary Zhang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll choose what to say..."

Seeing Secretary Zhang's smile, Dong Jianguo reached out and shook his hand:

"Secretary Zhang, I..."

"Stop calling me Secretary Zhang. My name is Zhang Zhiyi. I'm a few years older than you. Just call me Brother Zhang."

Dong Jianguo knew that Zhang Zhiyi had essentially accepted him as a friend:

"Brother Zhang, thank you so much! I'll treat you to dinner after I'm done with things at the factory!"

"No problem!"

Two warm, large hands clasped together for the first time...

……

After much deliberation, Dong Jianguo did not contact Director Zhang in Harbin directly, but instead made a phone call to Secretary Wang, who was under Deputy Director Wan's command.

Talking to smart people is so easy. I just briefly explained the situation here, and they told me not to worry.

Fifteen minutes later, Dong Jianguo, who was guarding the convenience store, received a call from Secretary Wang.

We've received the second batch of orders!

Braised eggs in gravy, 300 boxes.

Five-spice braised eggs, 100 boxes.

Not only that, even the exact time the goods were to be delivered to which truck the following afternoon, and who to contact for coordination, were all meticulously arranged.

"We don't know how well the previous batch of goods from the Hecheng Passenger Transport Section sold, so this order also has an experimental element."

"Don't feel guilty. Just focus on quality. If it sells well, you'll get plenty of follow-up orders."

"Also, feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions in the future."

After hanging up the phone, Dong Jianguo's anxiety finally subsided.

At least now that I'm back in the food factory, facing everyone's gaze, I feel somewhat more confident.

400 boxes of goods, priced at 10,000.

Although the amount of money was not much, it solved the distribution problem.

In this way, the factory has finally survived!

With a sigh of relief, Dong Jianguo immediately contacted Zhong Zhengtao at the meat processing plant and ordered five manual sealing machines from him.

"So many?"

Upon hearing this number, Zhong Zhengtao pushed up his glasses and couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.

"There might be more to come. Before National Day, half of the employees at the textile factory went home and were laid off. Some of my colleagues came to me. I should help them as much as I can..."

Dong Jianguo didn't hide anything and told the truth.

As someone who personally experienced that period, he knows how much sudden change affects those who are used to living a routine life.

Some people broke their own legs in an attempt to avoid losing their jobs.

Some men, just to earn a living, ride their bicycles to take their wives to karaoke bars and dance halls to sing, dance, and provide companionship...

That's not the worst part. The worst people lose their lives and can only remain silent.

After listening to his words, Zhong Zhengtao nodded, and a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes as he looked at Dong Jianguo.

"Mr. Zhong, you'd better hurry up, otherwise people who come to work at my factory won't be given any jobs, and they'll feel embarrassed."

"Wait a minute."

Zhong Zhengtao went back into his office, and a moment later came out carrying a travel bag:

"Take it and use it first."

"What is this?"

Dong Jianguo opened the zipper and was stunned for a moment. Inside were two vacuum sealing machines.

"I was bored at home during the three-day National Day holiday, so I made two of them to play with. You can take them to tide you over for now."

Are you building machines at home just for fun?

Dong Jianguo glanced at Zhong Zhengguo with a complicated expression.

Dong Jianguo is truly lacking in all-round talents who understand machinery and are very familiar with the details of food production safety.

Talented people are as numerous as carp crossing a river.

Why can't they be used by me?

But... just like most guys, they can't bring themselves to speak to their crush.

Dong Jianguo can no longer say to Zhong Zhengguo, "You should work with me."

After all, the factory is just starting out and there is still a long way to go before it is on the right track.

If you can't offer a price that's truly competitive, it's better not to say anything at all.

Orders, orders, orders!

Money, money, money!

Dong Jianguo made up his mind that after sending the packaging machine back to the factory, he would take the store's inventory and go door-to-door in the city to sell it!