That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1456 Borrowing Your East Wind

When Li Ye was almost at Jingnan Group, he called Dong Shan and asked him to come down and meet him.

"Hey, Director Dong, I'm almost at the company building. If you have nothing else to do, shall we go?"

"Okay, okay, I'll arrange a car."

"Don't make any more arrangements, just ride in my car! It'll save the company some fuel costs."

"Okay, okay."

Two minutes later, Dong Shan got out of Li Ye's car, and Li Ye then chatted with him with a smile.

"I had just stepped out this morning when I encountered the neighborhood committee ladies going door-to-door reminding us that there have been more and more thefts and other crimes on the streets lately, so they are collecting data on the migrant population."

I was unaware of these circumstances, and because my grandparents live in Beijing, the registration process took some time, causing Director Dong to wait.

"It's nothing, I just finished up with some small things. Actually, I've heard about the rising crime rate."

Dong Shan said with a grave expression, "The number of migrant workers in Beijing has been increasing in the past two years, and many businesses are in dire straits this year, with cases of not paying wages for several months occurring frequently."

Just last month, my brother-in-law's neighbor's house was burgled. They took the TV, sewing machine, tape recorder—everything of value was gone. The house was a complete mess. The investigators said it was obviously done by a novice."

Li Ye asked, "Why do you call him a complete novice?"

Dong Shan sighed and said, "They said that seasoned thieves only steal cash, jewelry, and things that are easy to carry and convert into cash. How much do you think he could sell a sewing machine for? It would also leave clues. This thief might just be a Jean Valjean."

“冉阿让？”

Li Ye was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Jean Valjean's case is rather special. I once heard someone say that if stealing bread is a crime, then society is the one that is guilty."

Jean Valjean, the protagonist of *Les Misérables*, was sentenced to five years in prison simply for stealing a loaf of bread because he was starving.

More importantly, after his release from prison, Jean Valjean was labeled a criminal and faced discrimination wherever he went.

This kind of spiritual punishment is more cruel, more inhumane, and more likely to turn a kind person into a follower of evil.

When Jean Valjean was in despair, he was only one step away from the abyss. If it weren't for the bishop's leniency that moved him, with his excellent marksmanship, superhuman strength, and indelible criminal label, he would have inevitably become a vicious and ruthless devil.

"If stealing bread is a crime, then is society the one that is guilty?"

Dong Shan's eyes lit up, and then he said with admiration, "President Li truly deserves to be called an excellent writer. What you said is so true! A few years ago, those unemployed youths who were just drifting around in society, at least they still had food to eat at home."

But if the parents at home also can't get paid, who knows what kind of trouble will ensue, and who knows who to blame?

Li Ye looked at Dong Shan with some surprise, feeling that this guy was too sentimental and didn't seem like an experienced manager.

A person like Dong Shan should be sweet-talking but ruthless, and hypocritical.

So Li Ye smiled and said, "We're not in Europe, where stealing a loaf of bread isn't a crime. That's why I said Jean Valjean's situation was special. Besides, our country is based on the masses. If the masses can't afford bread, someone will eventually take responsibility."

“Yes, that’s right,” Dong Shan immediately followed up on Li Ye’s words, “Actually, before I came to our Jingnan Group last year, several leaders in the department had already noticed this problem.”
Many businesses have reached the point of having no rice to cook, and everyone has devised a series of solutions.
"But the situation deteriorated too quickly. Successful examples like Light Vehicle Company absorbing other sister units are far too few. Just a few days ago, my former leader called me, asking me to try my best to find a way to solve the ministry's problems." Li Ye narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Director Dong, did you pay attention to Light Vehicle Company when you were in the ministry?"

Dong Shan said frankly, "How could we not pay attention? Light Vehicle Company has absorbed tens of thousands of unemployed people in three years. It is a benchmark in our system!"
If all the companies in the ministry were like the light truck company, then everyone wouldn't have to worry so much. Solving the problem of one unemployed laborer could solve the problem of a family's basic needs.

"Yes! One person can support a family."

Li Ye seemed to have guessed Dong Shan's meaning.

The other party was sent down from the ministry. He may seem to be from no particular faction, but he actually has connections at higher levels, and he is very eager to make some achievements.

However, Southwest Heavy Truck and Light Truck Company each have their own factions, and he doesn't yet have the ability to make a difference in industrial operations.

Therefore, the simplest and easiest shortcut to "solve the problem" becomes the above.

Many small and medium-sized enterprises in the same industry are currently struggling, but the light vehicle company is in a very good situation. Moreover, it has experience in absorbing workers from other units, so it can be said that it has a perfect foundation and conditions.
Therefore, as long as he can easily recruit some more workers, Dong Shan will have achieved results in his work.

However, Li Ye is the best at this kind of thing, so Dong Shan cannot get results without Li Ye's help.

Ma Zhaoxian's suggestion that Dong Shan accompany Li Ye on a "grassroots" trip was actually a way of indirectly discussing with Li Ye whether Li Ye could mentor Dong Shan and give him some credit for his achievements.

Dong Shan swallowed hard and said sincerely to Li Ye, "President Li, do you think that Light Vehicle Company can still absorb some workers from other units?"

Li Ye smiled and said, "Whether it's possible or not, you can just ask later. Since General Manager Ma assigned you to come down and conduct research, you should take on this task."
Of course, you must also act within your capabilities. You can't drag the light vehicle company down by helping others solve their problems.

Dong Shan paused for a moment, then smiled gratefully: "President Li, don't worry. After I make the plan, I'll need to get your approval. You're the expert in this kind of thing, so you'll have to check it out for me."

"Okay, let's work together."

Li Ye nodded, which was taken as an agreement.

He knew, of course, that Dong Shan wanted to take advantage of his "tailwind," but during the upcoming mass layoffs, there would be countless people like Jean Valjean, and having one more companion would be a great help.

Li Ye's car quickly arrived at the light vehicle company, and he could see a large crowd gathered at the entrance from afar.

"What happened?"

Li Ye thought something had happened, but when he got closer, he found that Lu Zhizhang was leading a group of managers from the light vehicle company, posing as if to welcome an inspection from higher-ups.

Li Ye chuckled and said, "Is this some kind of welcome for us?"

Dong Shan smiled and said, "I think so! They just called to ask me, saying that you're a leader in the group now, things are different from before."

"That's utter nonsense."

Li Ye chuckled and cursed before opening the door and getting out of the car.

Dong Shan also got out of the car and stood humbly behind Li Ye, acting like a low-key and sensible follower.

(End of this chapter)