Chapter 50

Dahu and Laowan looked at Chutianshu pitifully.

The high-ranking leaders, who were out of touch with the hardships of laid-off workers and deaf to their voices, what good methods could Chutianshu, who had little influence, have?

"The reform plan for the instrument factory has already been submitted to the SASAC. Once it is approved, it will be difficult to change." Chutianshu thought for a moment and continued, "Zhang Wei, this matter not only concerns the dozen families in the courtyard but also the interests of thousands of workers at the instrument factory. I think you should go and discuss with General Wu and find a way to reflect everyone's opinions."

What other way is there for laid-off workers to voice their opinions besides petitioning?

Zhang Wei, Dahu, and Laowan exchanged a glance, as if they understood something, and suddenly stood up, saying, "Let's go find General Wu."

After Zhang Wei and the others left, Chutianshu returned to his room, gathered all his money, and came up with over 3,000 yuan. He then took out his salary card and calculated that together they amounted to about 20,000 yuan. He dressed and said goodbye to Tan Yufen, then went directly to the First People's Hospital of the city.

On the way, Chutianshu sent a message to Zheng Xiaomin, who was taking care of her mother in the ward, and asked her to wait at the billing counter.

At the hospital, Zheng Xiaomin was waiting at the billing counter. Chutianshu took the overdue bill from her, went to the window, and transferred all the money from his salary card into the hospital's account. After completing the procedures, Chutianshu handed 3,000 yuan in cash to Zheng Xiaomin and said softly, "The overdue payment has been made. Take this money for now. I won't visit your mother in the ward. I'll think of a way to cover the second surgery costs."

Zheng Xiaomin was at a loss, her eyes brimming with tears. She quickly pushed the money back, saying, "Brother Chu, I'm already very grateful that you helped pay the overdue bill. How can I take your money?"

Chutianshu said sternly, "Xiaomin, listen to me and take it. Your mother's life is the most important."

Zheng Xiaomin, tears in her eyes, finally accepted the money. Chutianshu comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, there will always be a way. Xiaomin, don't cry. No matter what, you need to be strong. Otherwise, your parents will be even more heartbroken."

Zheng Xiaomin wiped away her tears and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you. Brother Chu, I will never forget your kindness. I will repay you in the future."

Chutianshu shook his head and said, "Xiaomin, don't do anything foolish in the future. That would be the best way to repay me."

Zheng Xiaomin's face turned pale and then red. She lowered her head, her lips moving for a long time, but she said nothing.

Chutianshu said, "Alright, go back to the ward. I'm leaving."

"Brother Chu, wait." Zheng Xiaomin called out to Chutianshu, pulled a piece of paper from her pocket, and quickly slipped it into his hand, then turned away, not daring to look at him.

Chutianshu opened the note and saw it read, "Brother Chu, my body is pure. Whenever you want, it's yours."

"Xiaomin, you misunderstood. I really didn't mean it that way," Chutianshu explained.

Zheng Xiaomin, her face flushed, turned and ran away.

After leaving the hospital, Chutianshu planned to find Weishijie and have him treat him to a good meal. However, thinking about the few words he had said to Zhang Wei and the others at lunch, he felt a bit stuck.

Although Chutianshu didn't say it outright, Zhang Wei and the others fully understood the implications. To reflect their opinions, it was no longer practical to go through the instrument factory's leadership. The only option left was to petition the SASAC, the higher authority of the instrument factory.

They would likely take action after work on Monday.

The SASAC's petition reception is handled by the office. Although theoretically, the responsibilities do not fall under the Comprehensive Affairs Department, with the current vacancy in the office director position, it is hard to say that the department head would not be involved.

Moreover, Chutianshu deeply understood the difficulties of the laid-off workers at the instrument factory, especially seeing Zheng Xiaomin's family on the brink of despair. He always hoped to help them seek some fairness during the factory's restructuring, even though his current position might make it difficult to achieve much. However, if there was an opportunity, he could at least offer some suggestions.

Preparation is key; without it, one is bound to fail.

Chutianshu went to the SASAC office building and quietly found Zhao Pingyuan from the Secretarial Department. He was with Huang Li from the Document Management Office, so he asked them to help copy the relevant documents about the instrument factory's restructuring. He then collected more information online and began to study it in the office.

The documents showed that the instrument factory was one of the large state-owned enterprises in Qingyuan City, with a glorious past. Its production equipment and technology were among the best in the domestic manufacturing industry. At its peak, it had nearly 10,000 employees and was a major tax contributor to Qingyuan City.

However, in recent years, the factory changed its leadership and spent a huge amount of money to introduce an advanced production line from Germany. Unfortunately, it coincided with the global financial crisis, and the domestic manufacturing industry was in a downturn. Coupled with chaotic internal management and heavy burdens, the factory's performance declined year after year, and more and more workers were laid off.

According to the factory's own liquidation, it was nearly insolvent and on the brink of bankruptcy. Therefore, the municipal government required the SASAC to lead the restructuring of the instrument factory.

The initial restructuring plan was for the Linjiang Machinery Group to take over the factory, but for some reason, the two parties failed to reach an agreement. The Linjiang Machinery Group cited the heavy burden as a reason to abandon the takeover.

As a result, the factory's leadership proposed a complete sale, which involved auctioning all the land. The proceeds from the auction would first be used to repay bank loans and overdue social security and medical insurance fees, with the remainder being used to buy out the workers based on their years of service.

The instrument factory is located in the heart of Qingyuan City. When it was built, it occupied over 200 acres of land along the Qinglian River to facilitate the transportation of raw materials. This prime land in the bustling city center is a valuable asset. Even before the official announcement of the complete sale plan, it had attracted the attention of major real estate developers from within and outside the province.

However, the provincial and municipal leaders had a preference for keeping the benefits within the region. Therefore, the most favored bidders currently include the Lingyun Group from Linjiang City, Kunpeng Industries, and Qinyuan City's Qintian Real Estate.

Among them, the Lingyun Group is the strongest in terms of overall strength. It is involved in real estate development, trade and logistics, equipment manufacturing, and electronic technology, with substantial financial resources and is one of the earliest listed companies in the southeastern province. However, Kunpeng Industries has risen rapidly and is said to have significant influence in the provincial leadership. Qintian Real Estate, the leader in the real estate industry in Qinyuan City, has the support of the municipal government and is also a formidable competitor.

Chutianshu studied for over two hours, but the complex bidding situation remained unclear from the documents alone. He had a vague feeling that the rights of the laid-off workers would depend entirely on the price offered by the bidders.

However, the profit-driven nature of businessmen means that hoping they would engage in a fierce bidding war to achieve a good price seems like wishful thinking and is not very reliable.

Chutianshu thought and thought, but still had no idea how to help the laid-off workers. He realized that even if a good price was achieved, the additional 10,000 to 20,000 yuan for each worker would not be enough to buy a house, pay for medical treatment, or education. The laid-off workers would still not be able to live a dignified life in the future.

Thinking about this, Chutianshu suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table: "No, the previous thinking was misplaced. The core issue is not how much the land can be auctioned for, but that the complete sale plan itself is not a good solution to protect the rights of the workers."

However, the plan is about to enter the approval process. Can it be overturned? Is there a better plan to replace the complete sale? Would the bidders accept a plan that benefits the workers?

A series of questions left Chutianshu at a loss. He was extremely frustrated and pushed open the office window, taking deep breaths of fresh air. At this moment, he truly felt how powerless he was to help the thousands of workers at the instrument factory.

Chutianshu took a deep breath, looked at the clock on the wall, and saw it was already 5:30 PM. He put away the documents, but his mind was still restless, alternating between the worried face of Tan Yufen and the pained expression of Zheng Xiaomin.

"Warm spring breeze blows, peach blossoms bloom..."

The phone on the desk rang, and Chutianshu walked over to see an unfamiliar number.

"Hello! Is this Mr. Chutianshu?" It was a woman's voice.

Chutianshu thought it was a sales call and said, "I'm busy."

"Mr. Chu, please wait a moment."

The phone then transmitted a clear voice, "Uncle Chu, hello. I'm Ling Rui, whom you saved at the Dreamy Cafe yesterday afternoon. Do you remember me?"

"Rui Rui, it's you?" Although he had only seen her a few times, the round face with tear marks was memorable. "Are you okay? Is there something you need, Uncle?"

Ling Rui said, "Uncle Chu, my mother wants to invite you for dinner. Are you available?"

"Rui Rui, thank your mother for me." Chutianshu immediately thought of the woman who was crying outside the cafe.

"Mr. Chu, we just want to express our gratitude. It's at our home, so please don't be formal." It was the woman's voice again, and it seemed the phone was on speaker, with both mother and son talking to Chutianshu.

It was a sincere invitation, and it would be impolite to refuse.

"Alright. Where are you?" Chutianshu felt that further refusal would be pretentious, so he agreed.

"Building 2, A座, Dan Gui Piao Xiang. Mr. Chu, do you need me to send a car to pick you up?"

Dan Gui Piao Xiang? It was very famous, almost everyone in Qingyuan City knew about it.

This residential area is located by the North Lake in the heart of Qingyuan City, a quiet and prestigious neighborhood, a typical rich area.

"No need, it's not too far. I'll take a taxi."

Chutianshu left the office and took a taxi to Dan Gui Piao Xiang.