Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 939 It's none of my business!

How many vehicles would a transportation company that can cover all regions of the country need?
Later large logistics and express delivery companies told you that at least tens of thousands of vehicles were needed to cover most towns and villages across the country.

Of course, there isn't as much freight volume now as in later generations, nor is there the transportation condition of a cement road leading to the end of the village.

So, break a bone, then chop it in the heel.

We'll need at least two or three thousand vehicles, right?
After doing a quick mental calculation, Chen Fan said to Wang Jianguo, "Let's set a small goal first: at least five hundred large trucks, one thousand light trucks, two thousand vans, and one thousand motorcycles and one thousand tricycles each."

Wang Jianguo was immediately dumbfounded. "Advisor Chen, do we need so many cars?"

And with so many cars, where can we buy them?

In his mind, if he purchased another hundred trucks and then brought back the trucks that were running towards Hong Kong, he could make a total of two hundred large trucks, which would give him three or four times the current transport capacity, enough to sustain him for a while.

As for the short-distance transport vehicles needed for the transit warehouses, one light truck and two vans for each location should be sufficient.

I never expected Consultant Chen to have such a big appetite. He just opened his mouth and said he wanted 500 large trucks, 1,000 light trucks, and 2,000 vans. And that's not enough. He also wants to buy motorcycles and tricycles. What is he planning to do?

Chen Fan waved his hand and laughed, "I'm just setting a small goal for you. It's not like I'm asking you to collect so many cars in a year or two. I'd like to, but which car factory has that many cars to sell to you?"

And what about drivers? Drivers aren't easy to find..."

At this point, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and waved to Wan Jianguo.

Wang Jianguo immediately leaned forward, appearing ready to listen attentively.

Chen Fan asked in a low voice, "Didn't you just say that the division headquarters of your unit sent someone to contact you? Why don't you call him later and ask if it's possible to conduct pre-job training directly in the unit?"

Wang Jianguo blinked. "Pre-job training? What kind of training?"

The words had barely left his mouth when he realized what he meant and exclaimed with sudden understanding, "Oh, you mean, please have the military teach retired veterans how to drive?"

"Yes, that's it."

Chen Fan grinned and nodded, saying with a smile, "The standards for soldiers in motor transport are not as high as they are. They have to learn to repair cars for a year before they even learn to drive. We don't need that here. As long as you can drive and troubleshoot simple problems, that's enough."

There are simple driving lessons available in many places now. The tuition is 350 yuan in total. You bring your bedding and luggage to the school and study for three months. The main focus is on driving. You only need to learn some simple troubleshooting for car repair.

If possible, we'd be willing to pay for their training; otherwise, if we train them ourselves, it'll be ages before we can do it.

Then they'll charge the training fees to the new employees, not by making them pay, but by requiring them to work for a certain number of years for the training fees to be waived; otherwise, they'll have to return the money to the company.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Jianguo quickly said, "Don't worry about that. The people I found are either dismissed, retired due to injury or illness, or have sacrificed their lives. Absolutely no one dares to resign, or their legs will be broken."

Chen Fan wiped away a bead of cold sweat and said to him, "That's not necessarily true..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Jianguo said with a serious face, "It's absolutely necessary, and it has to be necessary. Without rules, there can be no order. Don't they see what the situation is like outside? Rural soldiers can only go back to farm after being discharged. Those in the city will be given jobs, but there are unemployed young people everywhere waiting for jobs. Even if they are given jobs, what kind of good jobs can they get?"

Looking at our company, apprentices receive a 50 yuan allowance, and regular employees' wages, subsidies, and bonuses are all no less than 200 yuan.

With such good conditions, why would they want to quit? What could they do after quitting? Aren't they just jealous of others making money through reselling? If they didn't come to work for the company, how would they know these connections? Without the company's trucks to transport the goods, how many bags of goods could they possibly take back?
Oh, so you've broadened your horizons and improved your skills using the company's resources, and now you want to break away and go solo? There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Wang Jianguo grew increasingly angry as he spoke, and immediately rolled up his sleeves, saying fiercely, "If there really were people like that, old man..."

He was about to say "I," but after glancing at Chen Fan, he swallowed the words back, changed his wording, and continued viciously, "I'll shoot him dead, and see who else dares to do it!"

Seeing his agitated state, Chen Fan chuckled and waved his hand, "It's not that serious, really not. Everyone has their own ambitions. We can unite the forces that can be united. People's hearts have flown away. Forcing them to stay is just a matter of being physically present but not mentally engaged. You should have learned about the situation outside this year. The roads are not safe. If you are not careful enough, something bad will happen sooner or later."

Rather than forcing those whose hearts have strayed to stay and become a safety hazard, it's better to let them go and allow the company to become more focused. This is actually a good thing for the company.

When Wang Jianguo heard Chen Fan say this, although he was still unhappy, he was no longer as agitated as before. He shook his head and muttered, "Then let's ignore him and let him cut himself off from the people."

Chen Fan picked up a cigarette, took one out, and handed it to him, chuckling, "You're wrong again. Have you forgotten Mr. Li's teachings?"

When we do our work, we aim to reduce our opponents and increase our friends. When we look around and see friends everywhere and no opponents in sight, we will be an invincible force.

Do you understand?

Wang Jianguo, a cigarette between his fingers, stared blankly at Chen Fan. "So, there's no punishment whatsoever for the traitor?"

Chen Fan waved his hand and said patiently, "First of all, we are not a government agency. Even if we were, people would resign for various reasons. This little thing is really not a traitorous act."

Seeing Wang Jianguo frowning in thought, he continued, "Secondly, you treat every employee like a brother. Even brothers sometimes split up. As long as a person doesn't do anything detrimental to the company, he's still our brother. If a brother wants a better life, can you stop him?"

He paused for a moment, then gave an example: "If your younger brother Jianjun gets married and can live better by separating from the family, should you separate or not?"

Wang Jianguo looked up, blinked, and asked, "How can these be the same?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "How is it different? He's your brother. He's separated from the company. If he becomes successful in the future, does he not recognize you as his older brother? It's the same with employees. As I said before, as long as they don't do anything detrimental to the company, if they want to soar, let them soar. Maybe they'll become successful in the future and turn into your close customers."

If you cut ties with him when he wants to leave, won't that client become someone else's? In the end, won't you be the one who suffers?

Wang Jianguo wiped his face, shook his head, and after a long while, said, "I still can't figure it out."

Chen Fan lit a cigarette and said with a smile, "If you can't figure it out, then think about it slowly. You are now the general manager of the company, and the entire company is under your management. You not only have to manage things, but also manage people well."

Most of SF Express's employees are veterans. Treating them as comrades-in-arms and brothers is the right thing to do, but we can't just treat them as comrades-in-arms and brothers; what else is there to be considered?...

Chen Fan looked at him and smiled meaningfully, "I won't tell you now. Think about it slowly yourself. When you figure it out, or when you still can't figure it out, you can go and talk to President Ye or President Fang."

They all have extensive management experience. Although their understanding of the situation in mainland China is currently limited, and some of their decisions may not be timely, they are more than capable of providing guidance.

Wang Jianguo blinked, thought for a moment, and then nodded slightly, "Okay, then I'll learn more from them."

Chen Fan took a drag of his cigarette, looked at him and smiled, "You can learn, but don't completely believe them. You need to consider what they say in conjunction with your own thoughts. Only in this way can you form your own management ideas and methods and truly become a qualified general manager."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianguo felt dizzy and gasped, "Why can't we listen to everything? Management is so difficult."

Chen Fan laughed and said, "It's difficult, isn't it? That's what makes it difficult. Otherwise, anyone could be a leader?" Wang Jianguo smiled sheepishly and said, "Actually, I never wanted to be a leader. Back then, I was the highest-ranking person and had been a squad leader, so they all listened to me. Later, I thought about whether I should step down and let someone more capable take over. But after looking around, I realized that although the people who came in later were also squad leaders, they weren't as good as me, so I just stayed."

Among the veterans who can come here, the highest-ranking one is only a squad leader. Those who reach the platoon level are basically officers. If they are discharged and demobilized, they will be assigned to resettlement positions.

They have secure jobs, so naturally they wouldn't come here.

So, among the five or six hundred veterans at Shunfeng Company, not a single one was at a higher level than Wang Jianguo.

Chen Fan looked at him and smiled, "It's good that you have this understanding. This is the attitude of 'taking responsibility without hesitation.' As a general manager, you must have this attitude to manage a company. You're doing very well now."

He paused for a moment, flicked off his cigarette ash, and asked, "Are there any other problems with the company? If so, please let me know, and I'll help you analyze them."

Wang Jianguo snapped out of his daze, looked up and smiled, "That's all, that's all."

Chen Fan nodded, then suddenly smiled casually, "You just said that there are quite a few comrades-in-arms in Hong Kong who can't turn back?"

Wang Jianguo didn't understand why he said that, and was stunned for a moment before nodding slightly, "Ah."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I'll say it again: as long as you haven't done anything immoral or heinous, there's no such thing as being unable to turn back."

He turned to look at Wang Jianguo and said meaningfully, "That place will be taken back sooner or later. Tell your comrades to keep their bottom line. They must not do anything like selling flour or harming ordinary people, or they will really have no way to turn back."

As for the rest, ..."

He shook his head and laughed, "Even Ji Gong said, 'Killing evil people is a good thought.' It's understandable if it's something you have to do to make a living."

He then stretched and yawned, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and said in a joking tone, "After all, we're comrades-in-arms, so I'll lend a hand if I can."

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, Wang Jianguo was stunned, blinking blankly. "How...how can I help?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "You're asking me? Shouldn't you be asking them? Besides, even animals know to huddle together for warmth, but from what you're saying, those people on the other side are a disorganized mess."

On the one hand, there's strength in numbers, and unity is power. On the other hand, veterans know that scattered, disorganized soldiers can be more destructive than organized bandits; if they can be organized and properly disciplined, it's a good thing.

Wang Jianguo continued blinking rapidly. From what Consultant Chen was saying, it seemed like he wanted to recruit his old comrades-in-arms.
Thinking about this, and recalling what Advisor Chen had just said, "That place will be taken back sooner or later," a sudden realization dawned on him.

Then, looking at Chen Fan, he asked in a low voice, "Then, should I meet with them first and talk to them?"

Chen Fan immediately waved his hand, "Don't ask me. Mr. Li said that you have no right to speak without investigation. I don't know anything about the situation, so what can I say? Anyway, you handle this yourself."

Worried that Wang Jianguo might not be able to grasp the situation, he added, "In short, remember this: the other side will definitely take it back. Once you remember that, you'll know what to do."

Wang Jianguo suddenly realized what Chen meant and nodded vigorously, saying, "I understand."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "If we need to use the funds, should I talk to President Ye directly, or what?"

Chen Fan looked at him, his expression somewhat conflicted.

Is such a stupid brain even capable?
Looking at Chen Fan's expression, Wang Jianguo was a little confused. Had he said something wrong again?
After a long while, and after finishing a cigarette, Chen Fan sighed and said, "Why would we need to use company funds?"
You're going to buy goods, so do you have to buy them only from Yifa Commercial Street? Why can't you buy directly from the suppliers at the wholesale market? Wouldn't that be cheaper?
They need weapons to protect themselves, but they're hard to get from the other side. You have so many firewood sticks you can't use them all, why don't you trade them for some cheap digital watches, folding umbrellas, or nice clothes...?

Wang Jianguo felt a chill rush in from the top of his head, instantly reaching the soles of his feet, making him feel completely refreshed. He immediately nodded vigorously and said, "I understand, I understand, I really understand now."

Chen Fan looked at him, "You really understand?"

Wang Jianguo slapped his thigh and said, "I understand it perfectly, I understand it more than I could."

He paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "How about I tell you about it?"

Chen Fan waved his hand and said, "Don't tell me it's none of my business, it has nothing to do with me."

Wang Jianguo grinned and said, "I understand, I understand. It has nothing to do with you. It's just a little bit of friendship and cooperation between us comrades-in-arms. There's nothing else. I understand."

Chen Fan hummed twice, looked at him without saying anything, and after a while, he couldn't help but chuckle, "Not bad, you've improved."

Wang Jianguo wiped the sweat from his forehead, wiped it on his pants, let out a long breath, and said with emotion, "My brain is still a bit slow to react, I still have a lot to learn."

Chen Fan laughed and said, "It's okay, take your time. Nobody grows up in a day. As long as you make progress, that's fine."

Wang Jianguo nodded, "There must be progress."

He shook his head and muttered to himself, "If this doesn't improve, people will really die."

The pot of tea was finished, and no more water was added.

Chen Fan put the cigarette in his pocket, stood up and said, "If we sit any longer, it'll be lunchtime. Let's go, let's look around somewhere else."

Wang Jianguo immediately pulled out a chair, stood up, and quickly walked to the door to wait for it to open.

As soon as the two stepped out of the tea room, they saw a girl dressed as a clerk running towards them, calling out loudly, "Consultant Chen, Consultant Chen."

Chen Fan stood still and watched her run closer, then said, "Slow down. What's the rush?"

The man slowed his pace, took a couple of breaths, and said, "President Ye asked me to find you. Go to her office. She said your aunt has arrived and is waiting in her office."

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. Wasn't his aunt preparing for the Qianfan branch in Hong Kong? Why was she here?

Even if I were to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pengcheng Hotel, it wouldn't be now; there are still several days to go.

If he couldn't think of anything, he simply gestured, "Old Wang, go ahead and do your thing. I'll contact you if I need anything."

Wang Jianguo nodded in agreement. “Okay, but I might not be in the office. If you need anything, just call the front desk at Shunfeng Company. They have walkie-talkies, so they can contact me.”

Chen Fan grunted in agreement and turned to walk towards the office building.

(End of this chapter)