Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 606 Triangular Debt

Chang'an Factory is a vice-ministerial level unit, and Fengtian Municipal CPPCC is also a vice-ministerial level unit. They are evenly matched, but Chang'an is a military enterprise, and its superior is the China Ordnance Industry Corporation of the Ministry of Machinery and Electronics Industry, which makes it seem much more prestigious.

Xiao Hong said, "Your Chang'an factory is too big for us ordinary folks. A mere section chief is this arrogant, wanting to see commercial contracts whenever he wants, and constantly talking about how we're just small businesses. You think a single car costs tens of thousands of yuan? That's incredible! So what if we're small businesses? We can buy a few cars and earn four hundred thousand US dollars. Will you ever see that much money in your lifetime?"

The director said, "Xiao Yang was indeed wrong today, but he was also thinking about the factory. He's in charge of sales and cash collection, so being strict is understandable, isn't it? Come on, let's go to my office and sit for a while."

Xiao Wei said, "No, we'll head back now. You guys keep going."

The section chief said, "Why won't you listen to advice? You just said a few harsh words; it's not a big deal."

Xiao Wei said, "That's probably what you think. You're used to being leaders, so you think that whatever you do doesn't matter as long as you don't care. Sorry, I'm not a worker in your factory, so you can't tell me what to do."

Director Jing glanced back at Director Fu and said, "Xiao Yang is scared. You know our payments aren't going smoothly, and we always have a lot of money tied up outside. He's under a lot of pressure, right? It's understandable that he's worried about your lack of strength."

Xiao Wei gave Director Jing a careful look, then remained silent, pulling Xiao Hong towards the door. Xiao Liu and Ga Zi followed behind. Director Jing said, "Hey, why are you like this?"

Xiao Wei and the other three went downstairs and left Chang'an Factory. They waited at the factory gate for a long time before taking a bus back to Guanyinqiao, and then took a taxi back to Xiaoshizi.

Back in her room, Xiao Hong angrily went to make a phone call. Xiao Liu said, "What kind of people are these in this factory? Damn it, they've really made me angry." Xiao Wei tossed a cigarette to Xiao Liu and Ga Zi, then sat down on the sofa and said, "Fine, we won't sell it then."

Xiao Hong answered the phone: "Who is it? Chen Hui? Chen Hui, we've called Xiong."

Chen Hui asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Hong recounted everything that had happened that day from the beginning. Chen Hui said, "Damn it, is he trying to show off like that? Is he Section Chief Yang from the sales department? Alright, leave it to me."

Xiao Hong said, "What can you do? It's not like we're in the Northeast, it's thousands of kilometers away. Forget it, I'm just angry."

Chen Hui said, "Didn't Xiao Liu say he'd send a letter of assistance? I'll send this to you first. I'll ask my dad about the others. Are we just going to put up with this? Fine, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Just tell Xiao Wei not to do anything over there. It's not worth it if he gets hurt."

……

Chang'an Factory.

After the section chief returned to the room, he said, "I couldn't stop him, he left. He certainly has a temper. And you, Yang, what are you doing today?"

Section Chief Yang said, "I just felt they were liars. I suspected there was something wrong with what he asked me to prove. He said there was a contract with Xiali, so what? I need to see the proof to see if there's anything wrong with it."

Factory Director Fu said, "Alright, stop arguing. Let's just leave it at that. You can't even produce a contract, what kind of strength are you talking about? A bunch of greenhorns! Do you think anyone can just take over our cars? They need to have some qualifications, right?"

The section chief said, "Director Fu, we have a huge amount of outstanding payments stuck outside, and we can't collect them. Do you know how much financial pressure we're under? Do you think someone with real power would come knocking on our door? He's a liar! Xiao Yang, tell me how he's swindling you. Tell me! They're paying cash for the cars, what are they trying to scam you out of?"

Section Chief Yang said, "They just talk the talk. When it comes time to actually pick up the car, do you think they'll be able to come up with the money? It's hundreds of thousands or millions. Do they look like that? You won't be able to find them later."

The section chief said, "You said you'd pay cash for the goods, but if you can't come up with the money, you won't let them take them. How can you cheat people like that? Section Chief Yang, everyone's keeping track of everything. Aren't you just afraid that if you really let him sell the truck, it will affect you? The payments are piling up and we can't get them back. Anyway, it's not like you, Section Chief Yang, have to take responsibility for it. In the end, you can even do him a favor, right?"

Section Chief Yang said, "Director Jing, what are you talking about? How could I not want to be responsible for doing favors?"

Factory Director Fu said, "Xiao Fu, don't talk about things that aren't true. Triangular debt isn't just happening in our village; this is the situation all over the country right now."

The department head said, "How much payment have we collected this season? Will we pay wages? Will we pay bonuses? Will we pay benefits? Will we pay our suppliers? Are you going to replace me and have people blocking my door every day demanding money? My doorstep is about to be worn down. I don't care, I'll just quit and find another place to earn a salary."

Factory Director Fu said, "Don't talk nonsense. Xiao Yang is strict and vigilant; that's his way of being responsible for the factory. Who doesn't have difficulties in their work? Are we all going to give up just because there are some difficulties? Did the country train us just so we would give up when faced with difficulties? Besides, he's just a small business owner; the factory's development still depends on the country."

The section chief said, "Private enterprises are now a vital force in economic development. What's wrong with individual businesses? Individual businesses are efficient, flexible, and have large cash flow. As long as they don't default on payments, they are much more reliable than any large enterprise. Section Chief Yang, if you still can't meet this month's payment collection target, don't blame me for being ruthless. I will report the situation truthfully to my superiors."

Section Chief Yang said, "It's not that they refuse to give it to us, they just have some difficulties. To be honest, they have more experience and resources than us, so they can't just refuse to give it to us. It just takes a little time."

Director Jing stood up, looked at Section Chief Yang, and said, "You're the section chief of the sales department at Chang'an Factory, not an employee of some big company. You're not sitting on the right side, are you? Those little benefits aren't so easy to get."

Section Chief Yang said, "Director Jing, where did you get this idea? What benefits did I receive, and from whom? You need to explain yourself clearly today. Director Fu, you have to stand up for me."

The department head turned and walked out, saying, "Everyone knows what's going on. It's pointless to spell it out. I'll apply to the higher-ups to transfer the collection work to the finance department. Your sales department just needs to focus on selling cars." He then slammed the door and left.

Section Chief Yang looked at Deputy Factory Director: "Factory Director."

The deputy factory director waved his hand and said, "Just do your job well. Organizational issues aren't that easy to resolve. The factory belongs to the collective, not to any one individual."

Triangular debt was a nationwide corporate problem in the 90s. It didn't necessarily mean that companies were short of money. Everyone was doing it, and they did it with a clear conscience. Many companies were dragged down like this, and no one took responsibility because it wasn't happening to them.

I only owe you some money, I never said I wouldn't pay you back. What does your financial ruin have to do with me?

"It's collapsed? Oh dear, what a pity, their products were still pretty good."

"Factory manager, what about the money we owe them?"

"What money? Even if the factory goes bankrupt, the government will still be there. Just go back to what you were doing."

(End of this chapter)