Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

After the third batch of production was increased to 1,000 units, the atmosphere at Yingchuang's factory changed.

In the past, everyone was busy because they had to develop the first generation of products; now, everyone is busy because once the products are released, customers are urging them, distributors are urging them by phone, and overseas faxes are also urging them.

When Liu Yang walked into the office with the equipment list, his face clearly said: I need more money.

Lin Ying looked up at him: "That expression of yours, is the bill too expensive, or are you thinking of quitting your job?"

Liu Yang put the documents on the table: "Boss, I'm not resigning. I just feel that my current salary is not enough to cover the psychological pressure I'm under."

Lin Ying opened the list: "Get to the point."

"We need to set up a second production line, and we need to buy debugging equipment, testing equipment, and spare tooling. Also, we don't have enough manpower right now. When the equipment arrives, there will be no one to supervise it. I don't know if the machines will yell at us, but I definitely will."

After reading the first page, Lin Ying signed her name immediately: "Buy what you need."

Liu Yang was stunned: "You're not going to bargain?"

"Did you already cut things down when you made this list?"

Liu Yang immediately became serious: "I've cut prices, cut them so much that suppliers want to close down as soon as they see me."

"Then let's do it this way." Lin Ying handed the documents back. "After the equipment arrives, you sign the acceptance form. Even if the yield rate doesn't improve, you still sign it."

Liu Yang paused as he collected the documents: "Boss, your signature carries a lot of weight."

Lin Ying: "A person who earns 200,000 a year needs to learn to bear the weight."

Liu Yang: "Capitalist."

He had barely left when HR manager He Fangqin arrived.

He Fangqin was recruited by Chen Guodong in March. She was around thirty-five years old and had worked in human resources at a Hong Kong-funded factory. She had also managed the recruitment and dormitory of thousands of people. She spoke quickly and was very efficient.

She showed the recruitment plan to Lin Ying: "The boss has scheduled the third batch of production to 1,000 units, and the second production line also needs to be launched. We can't recruit general workers slowly according to the original plan."

Lin Ying: "How much are you short?"

"We need to hire another 1,200 for production line, 200 for quality inspection, 100 for warehousing, and at least 150 for maintenance and equipment repair; we also need to add security guards, canteen staff, dormitory managers, and cleaners."

Lin Ying looked at the spreadsheet: "How's the first batch of training going?"

"The retention rate is very high, and few people have left; salaries are paid on time, the dormitories are clean, and although some people complain that the soup in the cafeteria is bland, no one is currently accusing us of cheating people."

"The soup is bland, so the cafeteria should be renovated."

He Fangqin nodded: "I've already had them add two flavors, one light and one strong; the workers come from different places, so we can't use one pot of soup to unify the whole factory."

Lin Ying nodded: "Your efficiency is impressive."

He Fangqin handed over another sheet of paper: "There's also the issue of overtime. Orders are piling up, and many people in the workshop are voluntarily working overtime. Paying overtime according to the rules is fine, but I suggest adding another clause."

"explain."

"Employees who work overtime continuously to meet key production deadlines will receive an extra three days' pay this month; however, this will not be given to everyone, only to those who actually participate in working overtime during the production schedule."

Lin Ying looked at her: "Aren't you afraid of increasing costs?"

"Costs will definitely go up, but morale will also be stable," He Fangqin said. "Right now, neighboring factories are eyeing our recruitment efforts and there's a lot of grumbling behind our backs; our clear paychecks are spreading good word among our employees, which will make it easier for us to recruit more workers in the future."

Lin Ying picked up the pen and signed the document: "Do as you say."

He Fangqin was taken aback: "So fast?"

"Your suggestion is correct."

"Then I'll say one more thing."

"How many did you bring today?"

He Fangqin smiled: "Not many, just three."

"Speak."

"There aren't enough dormitories; four-person rooms can last for a while, but technicians, team leaders, and key quality control personnel will all need stable accommodations later. That open space behind the factory can't just be left to sunbathe."

Lin Ying pulled out the factory site plan: "I originally planned to start the second phase."

"Phase II has been started ahead of schedule." He Fangqin pointed to the order list. "Orders are being chased, production lines are being added, and we need to add more staff. Where will the staff live when they arrive? If we let them live outside, the management costs will be high, and their commutes will be chaotic."

Lin Ying stared at the planning map for a while: "What's your suggestion for how to build it?"

"Build taller, don't build ordinary dormitory buildings anymore; seventeen stories, elevator building; all rooms on the thirteenth floor and above are single rooms; each room has a private bathroom, and beds and wardrobes should be provided first."

Lin Ying looked up: "So there are single rooms on the fifth floor?"

He Fangqin: "Yes, entry-level employees can have four-person rooms, while key personnel should have one-person rooms; when people reach this level, salary is one part, but so is dignity."

Chen Guodong knocked and entered just then, and overheard the rest of the sentence: "What kind of house are you researching?"

Lin Ying handed him the planning map: "You've come at the right time. Continue building dormitories on the vacant land behind, seventeen stories high, with elevators. You can discuss the specifics with HR."

Upon seeing the picture, Chen Guodong's first reaction was, "Where's the money?"

Lin Ying: "I'll pay."

Chen Guodong: "I know you're paying, I'm asking about the budget."

He Fangqin: "I am only responsible for making requests, not for budgeting or fund allocation."

Chen Guodong looked at her and said, "Manager He, you have a very fortunate job."

He Fangqin: "President Chen could also try working in HR. The employees will talk to you about life every day."

Chen Guodong immediately steered the conversation back on track: "The seventeenth floor needs to be re-approved for construction, and the elevators, fire protection, water supply, electricity... the construction period won't be short."

Lin Ying: "Then let's start now, continue building the factory, and not waste the empty space; the third batch of 1,000 units is just the beginning, and we will definitely expand further."

Chen Guodong rolled up the drawings: "I'll contact the construction company and design institute this afternoon; should we reserve space for two factory buildings?"

"Report two buildings first, and proceed with them simultaneously if possible."

Chen Guodong nodded, then remembered something else: "There's one more thing. Mr. Luo from Hongfa Electric called and said he wants to take some people on a tour of our factory."

Lin Ying vaguely remembered: "The guy who said at the meeting that our 500 units were very secure? What did they say?"

"They were very polite, saying that we were all in the same industry and wanted to exchange and learn from each other; they even asked what equipment we used in our production line and where the display modules were supplied from."

Lin Ying picked up the phone book and glanced at Boss Luo's number: "No need to call back."

Chen Guodong: "Not a single one?"

"I'm too busy producing TVs to find the time."

He Fangqin said, "I don't have time to refuse."

Lin Ying looked at him and said, "That's a valid point."

Chen Guodong laughed: "So, I'll just go back like this?"

"Please be polite. Tell them that production capacity is tight right now, and the factory is in a critical period of equipment debugging and order delivery, so it's not convenient to arrange a visit; we can consider it again when an industry association organizes a formal event later."

In the afternoon, calls from colleagues wanting to visit came one after another.

It wasn't just Hongfa; there were also several companies that had jokingly said at the previous tea party that television production was difficult. Some people contacted the investment promotion agency, some sought help from distributors, and some even called the gatekeeper's office, saying that they had met Ms. Lin at the meeting.

After receiving three phone calls, the security guard, Lao Liang, ran straight to the administration building: "Manager He, could I write down a set script and stick it next to the phone? I'm too old to memorize it."

He Fangqin wrote a few lines on a piece of paper: "We are currently busy with production and cannot receive visitors; please leave your company and contact information, and the administration will reply later."

After reading it, Lao Liang said, "That's a good point. It's polite, and it also keeps people out."

He Fangqin: "Add one more sentence: No one can enter the factory without an appointment."

Old Liang nodded: "I know how to explain that. Just now, someone said he was the boss's friend. I asked him which boss, and he said everyone is a boss."

Liu Yang, who was passing by, overheard this and laughed, "That's a good answer. I suggest sending it to the sales department."

In the evening, Chen Guodong returned with the new building permit application list: "Boss, the dormitory building and the new factory can be applied for, but the funding plan needs to be very detailed. The Investment Promotion Agency is happy to hear that we are continuing to expand, but they are also a little worried that we are expanding too fast."

Lin Ying was looking at the overtime pay list: "It's normal for them to be worried; we've made a complete plan, not just empty promises. The factory will expand according to production capacity, the dormitories will expand according to the number of employees, and the source of funding will be clearly stated."

Chen Guodong: "There's also the issue of power capacity expansion, which needs to be done in advance; otherwise, once the second line is up and more equipment is added, the power supply will be disrupted."

"manage."

"Sewage, fire protection, and hazardous chemical storage management plans also need to be supplemented."

"If experts are needed, then we should hire them; we shouldn't skimp on the consultation fee."

Chen Guodong closed the document: "The money signed today is more than the entire annual budget of my previous factory."

Lin Ying: "Are you heartbroken?"

"It hurts, but it's also reassuring," Chen Guodong said. "At least it's not like they're just trying to make a quick buck and run."