"Wei Yang, it's good that you have your own ideas, but when it comes to a big matter like acquiring a state-owned factory, you should at least discuss it with me."
"I see you're getting bolder. Do you know what merging with a state-owned factory entails? It's fundamentally different from opening a branch store or even building a new factory!"
Chen Yang looked at Zhang Wei Yang. He intended to give Zhang Wei Yang a stern warning. Having ideas and insights was certainly a good thing.
However, unlike in his past life where he had to learn through hard knocks, here he had been guided by Zhang Wei Yang, and thus ultimately lacked his own contemplation and experience.
If he were to be targeted by some backward-thinking stubborn individuals and get himself into trouble, it wasn't impossible.
In this era, many who dared to be bold reaped rewards, but just as many were arrested and had years of their lives wasted.
"Brother, what's the difference? Isn't it just a factory? We're not going to withhold wages, and we wouldn't dare exploit the workers."
"I've already discussed it with the leadership. We'll pay the same wages as before. If things go well, we'll even increase salaries and issue bonuses."
Zhang Wei Yang looked at Chen Yang, not understanding where he had gone wrong, but feeling a sense of defiance.
If they could acquire such a large factory and then secure a production line, with experienced state-owned enterprise workers, they could immediately start manufacturing televisions.
Televisions were in high demand nowadays. As long as their products had no quality issues, their existing radio stores in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces alone could quickly sell them.
Once they had money, they could continue to expand their scale, conquer Shanghai, and the market in Zhejiang province would soon be within reach.
"You, you only see the immediate benefits but not the risks that come with them."
"Your shops are rented, and your employees are hired on a temporary basis. We haven't encroached on any state assets."
"Even if you build a new factory, it's with our own money. We buy the land and construct the buildings, and we still don't encroach on any state assets."
"But you're now talking about merging with a state-owned enterprise. State-owned enterprises don't belong to any individual; they belong to the state, and the workers are state workers."
"This matter hasn't been clearly defined yet. Even if we invest our money, any leader can decide to target us with a single word."
"They can simply tell you, 'This factory belongs to the state, and we're taking it back.' What can you do then?"
Chen Yang looked at him. He knew of private entrepreneurs who had been fleeced in this way in later generations.
After they had painstakingly revitalized a factory, some individuals with ulterior motives would not only interfere with the factory's operations but even have the original owners imprisoned and repossess the factory.
This happened even in the 1990s when public-private partnerships and state-owned enterprise mergers were becoming common. There were still risks then.
It was even more so now. There were no precedents. Forget about the development after acquisition, even just the act of discussing acquisition could give them a reason to arrest you.
"That's the mildest outcome. Don't think that because things have loosened up a bit in the past few years, you can do anything you want."
"If they truly accuse you of embezzling state assets, do you believe you wouldn't get out even if you were locked up until you die?"
Chen Yang deliberately exaggerated to scare Zhang Wei Yang. Dying in prison wasn't likely. By 1983, the political climate would shift, and most of those who had been imprisoned would be released.
Did they really think there were that many sewing machines in prison for them to operate?
However, if he didn't emphasize the severity, Zhang Wei Yang wouldn't grasp the gravity of the situation. This young man's business was booming, and his boldness was increasing. Chen Yang feared he lacked risk assessment.
Business was like that; one wrong step could lead to total ruin.
The shrewder the businessman, the bolder and more cautious they were. A businessman without risk awareness, no matter how much wealth they stumbled upon, was destined not to go far.
"Brother, is it, is it really that serious?"
"I thought the leaders at the Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce were quite amiable."
Zhang Wei Yang looked at Chen Yang, almost terrified.
If this fellow were truly arrested, what would happen to his wife and children? His wife was newly pregnant!
"Do you think I would lie to you?"
"You silly boy, can state property be coveted by us?"
"Not yet, at least. We have to wait for policy. When there's a policy and the higher-ups say it's permissible, then we can act. Even if someone wants to target us, we'll have grounds."
"Without policy, anyone can step on us, and we'll have to accept it meekly."
"If things go wrong, we could be wiped out completely, and it wouldn't be a big deal."
"Also, even if we were willing, do you think those workers would have no objections?"
"This is their decades-old factory. They've been proud state-owned enterprise workers for half their lives. Suddenly working for a private owner, I ask you, if it were you before you knew me, would you be willing?"
Chen Yang glanced at Zhang Wei Yang, who was immediately rendered speechless by his barrage of questions.
"I, I..."
Zhang Wei Yang thought about his previous decision. If his father hadn't been critically ill and in need of money, he would never have resigned from Red Star Machinery Factory, no matter what.
After all, in Qinghe City, if you said you were from Red Star Machinery Factory, people would look up to you. Wearing the blue worker's uniform, you walked with your head held high on the street.
"You have nothing to say now, right?"
"What if these workers cause trouble? They go to the leaders to complain. Do you think the leaders will ignore it? Will they deal with you, the greedy landlord who embezzled state assets, or the troublemaking worker comrades?"
Chen Yang added fuel to the fire, and Zhang Wei Yang was so scared that cold sweat drenched his back.
Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu, watching Chen Yang render a businessman about to acquire a state-owned factory speechless with just a few words, were utterly astonished.
At this moment, a huge question formed in their minds: who was this junior fellow student, to know so much and possess such imposing presence?
"Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong! I don't want to be arrested, please save me!"
Zhang Wei Yang was so terrified his legs felt weak. The thought of being imprisoned, his wife and children uncared for, and his elderly father sighing day after day, his soul almost left him.
Seeing Zhang Wei Yang's current state, Chen Yang knew he had made his point and that the young man now had some reverence for the era.
"Alright, it's good that you're scared now."
"Later, take me to meet the factory director and the leaders of the Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce. I'll handle the detailed negotiations."
"And in the future, for major decisions, don't act on your own. At least let me know, and we can discuss it together."
Chen Yang patted Zhang Wei Yang on the shoulder. Hearing Chen Yang say he would take care of it, Zhang Wei Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
In his heart, Chen Yang was omnipotent, and with him around, he was sure nothing would go wrong!