Chapter 28: Taking Office and Being Questioned

Yang Lei automatically ignored the Audi and said with excitement, "Really? You've even driven a Santana? Our city's Party Secretary only rides in a Santana. That car looks so impressive... If I could just ride in a Santana once, my life would be worth it."

Chen Geng looked at Yang Lei with a face full of disappointment, "Is this all you aspire to in life?" He said, "Fifth Brother, can't you aim a little higher?"

"A little higher? You make it sound so easy. That's a Santana! Do you know what a Santana is?"

"..." Chen Geng looked at Yang Lei speechlessly and gritted his teeth, "Six months! I promise you, within six months, I'll definitely get you to ride in a Santana, and I'll make you drive it until you're sick of it."

Yang Lei's eyes lit up instantly, "Third Brother, as long as you can get me to ride in a Santana, I'll do whatever you say!"

If anyone else had said this, Yang Lei might have doubted it, but now, with the clean 212 Jeep right in front of him, nothing could be more convincing.

As for Chen Geng's promise to make him drive until he was sick of it, Yang Lei ignored that part.

...

The Third Industry Office and Labor Service Company of the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory of the East China Military Region... Anyone who didn't understand the ins and outs of this long name would likely be confused... A group of young people, or rather, temporary workers of the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory, stood in the playground, looking at Chen Geng with impatience.

Behind Chen Geng were a 212 Jeep and a Changjiang 750 sidecar motorcycle as a backdrop.

But unlike all new leaders, Chen Geng, on his first day, not only didn't have the chance to set three fires, but was instead faced with the awkward situation of being questioned by his subordinates.

Sun Weihong pointed at Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang, looking不服气 (unconvinced), and said, "Why can they work at the Labor Service Company? Isn't it because he's your sworn brother? Chen Geng, on your first day, you're already placing your cronies and engaging in corruption? I'll tell you, if you can't give us a satisfactory explanation, I'll complain to the Party Branch!"

Although Sun Weihong was just a temporary worker in the Third Industry Office, he had been there for almost four years, making him one of the "old-timers" despite his young age. He had the right to represent the "broad masses" of the Third Industry Office.

As soon as Sun Weihong finished speaking, the people behind him echoed, "Right! You need to give us an explanation!"

Faced with Sun Weihong's accusations, Zhang Xiangyang was still calm, but Yang Lei was a bit nervous. However, Chen Geng remained composed and asked, "Who said they are coming to work at the Labor Service Company?"

Sun Weihong was momentarily confused by Chen Geng's question and subconsciously replied, "Aren't they?"

"Both, and not."

Sun Weihong was thoroughly confused: "If they are, they are. If they aren't, they aren't. What do you mean by both and not? Chen, speak clearly!"

"Of course, I will. If I don't, I doubt anyone will be convinced," Chen Geng said, not minding Sun Weihong's lack of respect. "They are, because starting today, Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang will indeed be working at our Labor Service Company..."

"See, I knew it," Sun Weihong sneered, looking as if he had expected this.

Ignoring him, Chen Geng continued, "But they are not, because they won't be paid."

Not being paid? The crowd, who had been waiting for a chance to make Chen Geng look bad, was suddenly in an uproar. Not being paid meant working for free. Were Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang that stupid?

Sun Weihong was also taken aback, but having been in society for a few years and considering himself well-informed, he quickly recovered and sneered, "Chen, you're dreaming. But let me tell you, I know what you're up to."

Zhang Xiangyang was still calm, though his face showed anger. After a year in society, he had become more composed and could control his temper. Yang Lei, who had been out of the military for a short time and was still young, couldn't take the provocation. His face turned red, and he stepped forward, pointing at Sun Weihong, "Sun, you tell me, what are my Third Brother's plans?"

"Fifth Brother, didn't we agree that you would let me handle everything?" Chen Geng stopped Yang Lei, turned to Sun Weihong, who had a challenging look on his face, and asked, "Oh? Then tell me, what are my plans?"

"That's easy. You say your two brothers won't be paid, but your goal is one of two things: one, to get them in and then find an opportunity to fire them, so your two brothers can take their places," Sun Weihong said with a look of "I've seen through you," and added, "Let me tell you, your tricks won't fool even a child, so don't embarrass yourself..."

Before Sun Weihong could finish, the faces of the people around him changed.

Although the average worker's salary was about 50 yuan, they only received 20 yuan a month as a basic living allowance. But with 20 yuan, they at least had a job and a unit, and could contribute to their families. They could also look down on the aimless returnees and street loafers. But if Chen Geng used his tricks to kick them out, they would lose even the 20 yuan that represented their dignity...

Before everyone could think more deeply, Chen Geng sneered, "Sun Weihong, are you joking? I have a job at the National Defense Department where my salary and bonuses alone are no less than 120 yuan a month, not counting benefits. Would I give that up just to have my three brothers work here for 60 yuan a month? Am I crazy?"

Huh?

Hmm?!

That's right!

Just a moment ago, they had thought Sun Weihong's words made sense, believing Chen Geng was bringing his brothers to take their jobs. But now they realized: Chen Geng was a student at Tsinghua University. What kind of job couldn't he find? Why would he compete with them for 20 yuan?

Even if he said he was competing, who would believe it?

Sun Weihong's face turned red. He realized his mistake, but since the words were out, he had to save face. "Fine, I was wrong about that, but there's another possibility..."

He paused, quickly glanced around, and saw that everyone was paying attention. He felt relieved and raised his voice, "Just because you say you won't pay them, doesn't mean you won't use them for procurement. Everyone knows how much profit there is in procurement."

Sun Weihong was proud of his quick thinking, but he was shocked to see that the crowd looked at him with disdain, ridicule, and shame, but no admiration.

What's going on?

"Ha... Procurement? Would procurement ever be assigned to us in the Third Industry Office?" someone muttered sarcastically.

Sun Weihong's head buzzed, and he wished he could find a hole to hide in. The Third Industry Office's main job was to help clean the factory when leaders visited, or to sell ice cream in summer and plant trees in spring. Procurement? That was a high-level job, not for the Third Industry Office.

Who are you kidding?

Just as Sun Weihong wanted to find a hole to hide in, he heard Chen Geng laugh, "Comrade Sun Weihong's concerns are not without reason. Although we don't have a dedicated procurement team now, we will in the future. But as men, we must stand by our words. I will say this in front of all 126 of us: anyone with a special relationship to me will never be involved in procurement. Everyone is welcome to supervise. If I violate this rule, anyone can spit in my face."

"Good!"

"Well said!"

"Great!"

Chen Geng's words were strong and manly. Unconsciously, everyone had started to respect him.

As the applause began to die down, Chen Geng raised his hands and smiled, "Of course, I know you might think, 'Doesn't Chen Geng have his own motives for bringing his brothers here?' I won't hide it. I admit I have my own motives. I and Zhang Xiangyang, Yang Lei are sworn brothers. At least two-thirds of you know our relationship. Given our relationship, and the fact that we are all here, it's hard to believe I have no ulterior motives, right?"

The crowd burst into laughter: More than two-thirds, almost everyone knew.

Chen Geng laughed too, and then continued, "Who doesn't want their brothers to do well? But everyone knows the situation in our factory. Zhang Xiangyang and Yang Lei are both veterans. Although they haven't been placed yet, the state will eventually give them jobs, at least as police officers. For them to come here to help me, they are making a significant sacrifice, a sacrifice that many would be unwilling to make. Do you agree?"

No one spoke, but everyone silently acknowledged it. Indeed, although Zhang Xiangyang and Yang Lei didn't have jobs yet, the state would eventually give them jobs, at least as police officers. Coming to the Labor Service Company with Chen Geng was a significant sacrifice.

Thinking about this, everyone's hearts calmed down, and they even felt a bit sorry for Zhang Xiangyang and Yang Lei. They also became more curious: How did Chen Geng convince Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang to come with him? Since Chen Geng had publicly said he wouldn't pay them, he wouldn't. So, what was his plan?