Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 548 Everything is Ready

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, I'll have them prepare an extra set once the drawings are ready. There's no time limit, right?"

Chen Hui said, "No, I told you the design institute was revising the draft. They called the design institute to confirm, do you think they didn't check?"

In fact, the qualification review of banks in that era was extremely lenient. Planning and design schemes could be regarded as actual assets. It wasn't until 93, after Zhu Rongji became the governor of the People's Bank of China, that this kind of review, which was not like a review, was stopped.

Chen Hui said, "Okay, let's stick to the plan now, shall we? Let's start buying! How much should we borrow for the first installment?"

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "There are still two things to resolve. First, we need to contact the property owners of the places we want to buy and estimate the cost, including subsequent repairs, renovations, and equipment. Second, there's the Longcheng area. If we rebuild, what will happen to the factory? It will take a year."

Chen Hui turned to Xia Maosheng and asked, "Old Xia, do you have a solution for this?"

Xia Maosheng said, "I'll go back and ask if I can rent a place for a year. It's hard to say in Longcheng, but there are places available in Chuanzhou."

Xiao Wei said, "It's not that simple. We also have to consider student internships and things like the cafeteria."

Aunt Wang said, "You guys are just too hasty. What's the rush? Buy what needs to be bought and build what needs to be built here first, and don't leave Longcheng untouched. Once everything is in place in Fengtian, we can move the factories and schools over here, which will bring some life to this place. After the area is emptied, we can build over there, and then add new equipment to set up the schools and factories."

Chen Hui asked, "Then, if we do it this way, will the cake shop in Longcheng still be able to open a branch? Will they be delivering from Fengtian next year?"

Xiao Wei said, "That's easy. If we only produce cake bases, we don't need much space. We can also move the production of noodles to the old grain station. Anyway, we only have about half a year. Other things like biscuits can be sent from Fengtian."

Chen Hui asked, "Is there any space left around the old grain depot?"

Xiao Wei said, "Isn't there a small dam over by the boiler? Let's seal it up and use it. We don't have offices there anymore. The room where Li Gengsheng and the others used to work can be converted into a workshop. It'll only last for a few months anyway."

Xia Maosheng said, "That house isn't suitable; in winter, you'll have to carry coal there."

Xiao Wei said, "We'll see when the time comes. Anyway, it's next year, so let's listen to Auntie. Let's leave the Longcheng courtyard as is for now. But the cake shop still needs to operate. Should we rent or buy it?"

Chen Hui said, "Let's talk it over. If we can buy it, we will. Most of the houses there are single-story or two-story, so they're not worth much."

Xia Maosheng said, "Longcheng's economy is indeed lagging behind. I feel that opening two more stores there would be enough. We should focus on developing Fengtian, and also move Beixi, Anshan, Andong, and Dalian to the forefront."

Xiao Wei said, "How about this, let's check the data and draw a line based on last year's urban economic output, using Andong as the benchmark. We'll work on those above the line, and wait until those below. Once we've laid a solid foundation within the province, we can develop Jibei and Heilongjiang. It'll be the same; we'll establish a foothold in a few cities first, and then gradually expand. Is that okay?"

Chen Hui said, "I agree. We should first secure the economically developed areas in Northeast China, and then gradually develop other areas."

Xia Maosheng said, "Okay."

Xiao Wei said, "Then Xiao Hui will have to work hard these next few days. Please ask Uncle Chen to help us figure out a way to negotiate these deals. Let Li Na hand over that project to Wei Yun. We also need to hurry up with the general affairs department, so that there won't be anyone to use it after it's all set up."

Geng Hui said, "We need to hire a few people here too. We need a few to run errands, right?"

Xiao Wei said, "Old Xia, you'll have to help us figure this out; it seems we don't have enough cars."

Xia Maosheng said, "Okay, Geng Hui and Aunt Wang will handle the finances, Li Na will handle the general affairs, Xiao Hui will deal with the property rights and such, and I'll plan the equipment and vehicles and such during this time. What's this? Shouldn't it be the general affairs department's job? Then I'll be Li Na's assistant."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment, picked up the phone and dialed, saying, "Xiao Wang and Li Weibing, please arrange the demolition. This is a big project. I don't know if the original residents of the building have moved out yet."

When the call connected, Xiaowei said, "Brother?"

The person on the other end said, "Looking for Zhang Jun? Wait a moment."

After a while, Zhang Jun's voice came through: "Xiao Wei, what's up?"

Xiao Wei said, "Brother, I've made up my mind. You can have Wang Gang and Li Weibing arrange for people to demolish that courtyard and rebuild it."

Zhang Jun said, "You've decided? Okay, I'll talk to them in a bit. By the way, about that partnership thing you talked to them about last time, they've been working on it these past few days, it should be done soon. Are things going well on your end?"

Xiao Wei said, "No problem, just call them when the time comes. Brother, you can tell them that we can give them the building permits, but the quality must be guaranteed. It's a building with more than 20 floors, an elevator building. Ask them if it's feasible."

Zhang Jun said, "Just let them demolish it. Didn't you say you'd find someone to build it for you? We have construction companies too, the quality is definitely not a problem, as long as the money is right."

Xiao Wei said, "Money is definitely not a problem. Okay, let's settle it then. Let them dismantle it quickly, and I'll bring the blueprints over afterward."

After hanging up the phone, Xiaowei smacked his lips and said, "It feels like a dream. I suddenly feel completely uncertain and a bit lost."

Chen Hui slapped the table and said, "What are you hesitating for? Come on, everyone sit down. Auntie, you sit here. Let's discuss the setup of headquarters, which departments we need. Li Na will be here in the next couple of days to get all the departments set up."

Aunt Wang said, "Do you need finance, logistics, purchasing, general affairs, office, and personnel? That's how I was assigned before I started working. I don't know if it's still the same now."

Xiao Wei said, "We don't have to be like government agencies. We definitely need an office, to look up information, contact departments to send and receive documents, arrange meetings, and handle meeting minutes and archives. I won't go into the finance department, but we also need a general affairs department, property management, vehicle management, logistics, employee food, accommodation and welfare distribution, and the use and maintenance of materials and equipment."

Let's list HR separately. This includes recruitment, training, supervision, management, performance evaluation, and organizing group activities. I reckon there'll be a lot of work to do with the initial workforce. Geng Hui will handle finances; the employees are like my aunt, haha. Let Li Na manage HR, and Chen Xiao will handle general affairs. If Chen Xiao can't come, Xiao Hui will fill in temporarily.

"Old Xia, you'll help Li Na and Xiao Hui for now. Help out on both sides if needed. Once your transfer order comes through, you can focus on your work. Each of the companies below will be treated as an independent department with its own office. Human resources, finance, and general affairs don't need to be set up separately; we'll discuss that if needed. That's all I can think of for now. Please share your suggestions."

Chen Hui said, "Should we set up a separate department for things like store location selection, negotiation, building purchase, and renovation? I feel like this is something we'll be dealing with a lot of in the next few years."

(End of this chapter)