That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1306 Is it reasonable to have a heavy burden?
Two weeks later, the First Branch Factory and Director Kong's Eighth Machinery Factory reached a preliminary agreement on merger.

Both parties plan to integrate their respective strengths to establish a new company primarily engaged in the production of automotive chassis components. This company will take over most of the original Eighth Machinery Plant's workforce and assume a small portion of its debt.

After the merger plan was reported, it received the approval and support of several senior officials in the ministry, and even a very significant commendation.

This is what a responsible company looks like, and these are what leaders with real vision and courage look like.

These days, which state-owned enterprise doesn't have a mountain of debts? They're clearly planning to renege on their debts. At worst, when you come to collect, I'll treat you to a pot of wine. Anyway, there's no way you'll get your money back.

However, when the two companies merge, this debt will definitely become a major obstacle that causes disputes among all parties.

The fact that the first branch factory was willing to take over a portion of the outstanding debts in the details of the merger, although it was to resolve various obstacles in the merger process, did not prevent them from gaining a reputation for being "very generous".

Of course, this reputation might sometimes be seen as that of a fool, but Li Ye doesn't think so.

As the era of mass layoffs gradually arrives, many high-quality enterprises will fall into difficulties. When that happens, there will be many more people wanting to take advantage of the situation. Even if you claim to have credibility, why should others believe you?

Why should those in power support you?

Don't talk about your connections. The pond will be full of crocodiles, all ruthless characters with sharp teeth. If someone wants to support you, they need to have a solid reason, right?

Being frugal is a business matter, but you're a state-owned enterprise, so you need to have a broader perspective.

. . . . . . . .

As soon as the news of the impending merger broke, some people couldn't sit still.

First, Li Gang from Miyun Forging Factory rushed over, specifically asking for Li Ye, the deputy factory director.

Li Ye naturally refused to see him. He wasn't the only one in charge of the factory; Lu Zhizhang could handle it.

Lu Zhizhang asked Li Ye with a smile, "Director Li, they've come all this way to our door, aren't you going to go and receive them?"

Li Ye said somewhat shamelessly, "I haven't even gone to Mi Yun for an on-site inspection, so why should I receive him? Without a detailed investigation, you have no right to speak! Just give me a perfunctory answer."

Lu Zhizhang joked, "Then people might say you're petty. When I went to Miyun for an inspection, they repeatedly said there was a misunderstanding between you."

"Go ahead and say it! In some people's eyes, I've never been a good person, nor do I intend to be one. Good people don't live long anyway!"

Li Ye didn't care at all. He didn't like Li Gang, and he disliked Niu Hongzhang even more. For the sake of the bigger picture, wasn't it enough to give them a soft rebuff instead of making things difficult for them in person?
What, are you trying to force me to forgive and forget?
"Alright, then I'll take care of them!"

Seeing that Li Ye had made up his mind, Lu Zhizhang smiled and got up to greet the guests.
However, as he reached the door, he turned back to Li Ye and said, "Li Ye, when I went to Miyun that day, I found that their situation was worse than that of the Eighth Machinery Factory and the Red Star Manufacturing Plant."

Li Ye looked up at Lu Zhizhang, really wanting to ask, "Are you a soft-hearted person? Confess honestly, did you accept gifts?"

Don't look at me like that!

Lu Zhizhang chuckled and said, "Actually, I didn't want to pay any attention to him, but maybe it was because I had no other choice! When Li Changzi met me that day, he was very humble."
He also suggested, "Regardless of whether we merge or not, could we give them some outsourcing work first? I've seen their forging products, and they're not bad."

"Are they looking for work?"

Li Ye paused for a moment, then said frankly, "Then you decide! When we run a business, national interests come first, and company interests come second. As long as it's a deal that benefits the company, we'll definitely take it!"

"Okay, I'll go talk to him."

Lu Zhizhang and Li Ye reached an agreement, and then Lu went to the small reception room to entertain Li Gang.

When Li Gang saw that only Lu Zhizhang had come forward and he did not see Li Ye, he was immediately very disappointed.

He had inquired about Li Ye from various sources, and apart from positive praise, he received negative comments about him being "young and impetuous, and vindictive." So now, thinking back to that encounter in Shanghai, he felt extremely regretful.

After initially identifying three potential employers, Li Gang still harbored a glimmer of hope.

The Red Star Manufacturing Plant has the largest workforce, exceeding three thousand people, but its discipline is lax, and Director Han is petty and unwilling to be subordinate to others, so cooperation is unlikely to be pleasant. As for the nearly insolvent Eighth Machinery Plant, it's a different story altogether; Director Kong is a laughingstock in everyone's eyes, making cooperation impossible.

But Li Gang never expected that the most unlikely candidate, the Eighth Machinery Factory, would gain the upper hand.

Moreover, according to the information revealed so far, after the Eighth Machinery Factory cooperated with the First Branch Factory, the debt was completely resolved and production was guaranteed. It was about to reverse its previous decline and show the vitality of a young girl.

How can anyone not be envious?

So even though Li Gang knew that Li Ye didn't like him, he still humbled himself and came to him, hoping to try again.

He was fighting not only for the livelihood of more than a thousand people in the factory, but also for his own future.

"Oh dear, Director Li, you didn't even give me a heads-up before you came. I didn't even greet you at the door. I'm so sorry for the poor hospitality."

Lu Zhizhang was a very tactful person. Upon meeting Li Gang, he warmly shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, just like old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

But Li Gang's smile was tinged with bitterness.

"Director Lu, I know my visit was a bit abrupt, but as you know, our factory is in a rather urgent situation. So when I heard you had chosen the Eighth Machinery Factory, I couldn't sit still any longer."
You said our factory has less burden and less debt than theirs, and we've already agreed that you can arrange things however you want, even sending us managers to work in the workshop. So why were Old Han and his group chosen?

Li Gang's words were very straightforward and frank, disregarding any linguistic finesse or social etiquette.

"Ah~"

Lu Zhizhang sighed, then said helplessly, "I've thoroughly understood your situation. You do indeed have fewer burdens and less debt, but this merger requires us to address some of the burdens. The Eighth Machinery Factory has a relatively heavy burden, so we'll try to make it a model case."

"What? You think it's reasonable to have a heavy burden? What kind of logic is that?!"

Li Gang couldn't sit still any longer. He never expected that he would lose because he was "not extravagant enough".

Lu Zhizhang waved his hand, stopping Li Gang from continuing to complain, and then said, "Nothing is certain yet, and even if we merge with the Eighth Machinery Factory, we're not without opportunities to merge again in the future."

"Also, Factory Director Li isn't home today. I spoke with him on the phone, and he agreed to give you a portion of the outsourced production contracts first, as a way to test your production capabilities. See if you're willing to accept that."

"Yes, we are willing."

Li Gang immediately seized this "straw".

However, after agreeing, he awkwardly asked, "Director Lu, how much deposit can you pay for this outsourcing contract, and what is the payment deadline?"

Lu Zhizhang said frankly, "This is under the management of Director Li, but we will specify it in the contract. Generally, it is 20% to 30% prepayment, and the payment period is two to three months. As long as the contract is signed, it will definitely be executed in accordance with the contract."

Li Gang pursed his lips and nodded vigorously, saying, "Okay, we'll do it."

When Li Gang heard that he was under Li Ye's jurisdiction, he hesitated. He was afraid that Li Ye would play tricks and dig a pit to bury him.

After all, many contracts these days are practically worthless.

But if this deal goes through, wouldn't that also establish a connection with Factory No. 1?

Since a misunderstanding was caused in the first place, you can't expect to resolve it with a simple apology; you have to take some concrete actions.

Li Gang thought and thought, but couldn't come up with a suitable way to apologize.

After discussing the basic framework of the contract with Lu Zhizhang, Li Gang took his leave and was then invited over by someone sent by Niu Hongzhang.

Li Gang originally didn't want to see Niu Hongzhang again, as he knew that Li Ye and Niu Hongzhang didn't get along.

But after he was forcibly invited over, he had a good idea.

(End of this chapter)