Xie Sui's mind was filled with a thousand curses he wanted to unleash on the old man, who was clearly overstepping his bounds.
Vice President Ren felt a pang of regret for bringing Xie Sui along. Secretary Tang remained silent, and ultimately, he sided with the government. It was good to have someone negotiate with Xie Sui.
Xie Sui let out a chuckle and said, "Respecting the old and cherishing the young is a virtue, taught even in primary school textbooks. I've always remembered it and practiced it, always being polite to the elderly.
However, I dislike those who flaunt their age without restraint and without boundaries. Therefore, Director Hu, I have no desire to converse with you. You are not my guest, so please keep silent. If you cannot, then please leave."
"You private enterprises only care about profits, with no regard for the bigger picture or the spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the nation. People like you don't deserve to run businesses."
Xie Sui was so amused he almost laughed. Was this man standing on a moral high ground to accuse him?
"Fine, I won't sacrifice or dedicate myself to the nation. What about you? You enjoy the benefits provided by the nation, but how much have you contributed? Secretary Tang, what is the annual tax revenue from the pickled vegetable factory?"
Secretary Tang replied awkwardly, "The pickled vegetable factory has been operating at a loss for years, sustained by government subsidies. Where is there any tax revenue? The workers' wages have been owed for half a year."
Xie Sui had expected this. Secretary Tang wanted Xie Sui to take over this mess.
"Is this what you call dedication? I'd say you're more like a parasite. You don't contribute to the nation yourself, yet you prevent others from making changes. Who is it that doesn't deserve anything?"
Director Hu was furious but dared not act out, with Secretary Tang present. "Can you guarantee that the workers will receive their wages? The limitations of the pickled vegetable factory are obvious. It's not that I haven't tried, but these are the facts!"
"Shifting blame. Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean others can't. The wages are a small matter. Sign the contract according to my requirements, and I will pay up all their back wages, ensuring all workers keep their jobs and live a moderately prosperous life."
Secretary Tang smiled, "Alright then, according to your requirements. You must pay up the wages."
Director Hu scoffed. He was saying all the right things now, but he was sure Xie Sui would regret it once he saw the accounts.
Still, it was good to have such a generous fool willing to take over the pickled vegetable factory. As long as he remained factory director, he could watch what kind of show Xie Sui could put on.
Two major issues were resolved over a meal. Xie Sui personally saw them out, feeling a bit drunk himself. He washed his face and went back to his room to sleep. Su Dan Novel Network.
Secretary Tang was efficient. The next day, he came to find Xie Sui, and together they went to inspect the pickled vegetable factory and sign the contract. Secretary Liu was very concerned about this matter, as the workers at the pickled vegetable factory had already caused trouble several times. They couldn't pay wages, and with families to support, their lives were difficult.
As the two entered the factory, a group of people surrounded them, bombarding them with questions, "Secretary Tang, can we really get our wages? All of them, paid in full? When will they be paid?"
"Secretary Tang, my family has no rice left to cook. Can we get paid today?"
Xie Sui quickly retreated, thinking it wasn't easy to be an official, being surrounded by so many people who looked like they could eat him alive.
The pickled vegetable factory had quite a few people. The factory wasn't large but had all the necessary departments. With management and workers, there were over fifty people. The factory area was not small, spanning five mu of land. Rows of large vats stored pickled vegetables, and the factory had ceased operations.
Secretary Tang raised his hands, "Everyone, please don't be anxious. Let me explain slowly."
"How can we not be anxious? My mother is sick, and I have no money for treatment. This is a matter of life and death, how can we not be anxious?"
The crowd wouldn't listen. Secretary Tang was sweating profusely, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people!
Xie Sui saw Director Hu standing far away at the factory entrance, a sinister smile on his face. That old scoundrel was asking for trouble.
Secretary Tang was an ally, and he had to help. Xie Sui picked up a stone and smashed it forcefully against a large vat. The loud sound made everyone stop.
"Who are you? How dare you damage our pickles, you're looking for death!"
The workers surrounded him. Xie Sui calmly said, "Pickles like these, even pigs wouldn't eat them, yet you treasure them? You want to fight? Come at my face. But let me warn you, I am your new factory director. If you hit me, you won't get a single cent of your wages."
The crowd immediately fell silent. They knew a new factory director was coming and had gathered to pressure him into paying their wages, a kind of intimidation.
Unfortunately for them, they encountered Xie Sui. This tactic backfired.
Xie Sui continued, "Disperse now. Who is in charge? Come for a meeting. Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be immediately dismissed."
A woman stepped forward; she was the union director. Beside her was a middle-aged man with glasses; he was the factory accountant. And then there was Director Hu.
He finally deigned to appear, apologizing, "Secretary Tang, Vice President Xie, I'm truly sorry. Everyone got too excited. Is everyone alright?"
"Director Hu, one must be honest. I can understand you targeting me, but to target Secretary Tang is truly heartless. Secretary Tang is fighting for your interests, and you treat him like this. It's truly disheartening."
Secretary Tang's face was grim, and he didn't want to engage with Director Hu. "Let's go to the office for a meeting. Everyone, disperse."
Director Hu quickly apologized, "Secretary Tang, it's my dereliction of duty, but it's truly not my fault. The workers were just too agitated. I apologize to you, Secretary Tang."
Xie Sui added, "It seems you're quite useless as a director. You weren't even aware of such a large gathering. This isn't just negligence; it's a severe lack of competence.
Secretary Tang still wants you to remain in your position, but I won't agree to it. If you continue to be the director, I will not take over this factory."
Director Hu's face turned dark. "You're going back on your word. I've apologized. Young man, don't be unforgiving when you have the upper hand!"
Xie Sui shrugged. "The contract hasn't been signed, so anything can change. It's not that I'm unforgiving; it's that you're not acting like a decent person. If an apology were useful, I'd slap you, then apologize, and you'd forgive me, wouldn't you?"
Secretary Tang said, "We should discuss this further. I'll report it to the secretary."
"Alright then, Secretary Tang will report to the secretary. There's no rush. Let's go for now."
Secretary Tang was stunned. They were leaving already?
Xie Sui pulled him along and they left. The workers were dumbfounded, "Don't go! Who will pay our wages? Secretary Tang, you can't go back on your word?"
Xie Sui sternly shouted, "What's going on? Do you want to control Secretary Tang's freedom? Does Secretary Tang owe you money? Why are you demanding it from him!
Move aside. Try anyone who dares to block us!"
The workers dared not step forward, watching them leave. Director Hu's face turned as black as a pot. He had underestimated Xie Sui's capabilities.
If Xie Sui refused to take over the pickled vegetable factory, he would be helpless. The workers were already approaching him, "Director, what should we do now? You're the director, you can't just do nothing!"
"Exactly! That young man just said if he wasn't the director, he'd pay us our wages. Director Hu, it's all your fault. You provoked someone and now we have no wages. You have to take responsibility for this."