Chapter 43: The Words I Said Back Then

Chen Geng looked at the group of young people in front of him, feeling quite spirited.

Compared to a month ago, their mental state had completely changed. More than a month ago, they were temporary workers earning only 20 yuan a month, with no hope for the future, their eyes dull. The temporary workers in the state-owned enterprise's tertiary industry office could still look forward to taking over their parents' jobs, but they couldn't, because the Third Armament Repair Factory was a military unit, and they were not soldiers. But now, they were full of energy and enthusiasm, as if they had completely transformed.

And all of this was related to him, which gave Chen Geng a great sense of achievement.

Looking at the expectant eyes in front of him, Chen Geng took a deep breath and said loudly, "Comrades, I have a question for everyone: Who still remembers what I said to you more than a month ago? Now, I can proudly tell you that I have fulfilled my promise to you!"

A month ago? Chen Geng's words brought everyone back to the day he first took office.

What kind of attitude did they have towards this young man who had just arrived? Complete distrust. Everyone had already decided in secret that they would not listen to the young Chen's misguided commands. A student who had just graduated from school and had never been tested by society—how could he not ruin everyone?

If it weren't for the 212 jeep he borrowed from the military district, and his clear statement that only those who listened to him could use the jeep to learn how to drive, no one would have listened to him. But who would have thought that in just one month, everyone would see the business of the tertiary industry office—no, Huacheng Industry—become increasingly prosperous? Not only were there units coming to have their old cars modified, but they had also taken on several office renovation contracts.

Right, some well-informed people had already found out that everyone would receive their full salary this month, and at least 10 yuan in bonuses.

Good heavens, the bonus alone was equivalent to half a month's salary before!

Thinking about their aimless lives in the past and the busy and fulfilling days of the past month, many people were moved to tears, and some emotional girls were already sobbing.

While the emotional girls were still immersed in their feelings, the young men with thick skins couldn't wait any longer. Sun Weihong shouted loudly, "Manager Lin, we all know what you're saying. Just tell us, how much salary will we get this month? Everyone is thinking about it."

Such a spoilsport must be warned. Chen Geng glared at Sun Weihong, who had interrupted him, and said angrily, "Sun Weihong, can't you wait for me to finish? If you dare to interrupt me, I'll deduct 5 yuan from your bonus!"

"Don't, Manager Lin," Sun Weihong immediately called out. This guy, who had once led the opposition against Chen Geng, was now a staunch supporter. Hearing Chen Geng threaten him with the bonus, he immediately cowered and said, "I mean, aren't you planning to adjust the salary system? I support you first, and I'll help you deal with anyone who opposes you!"

Chen Geng was amused by Sun Weihong's laziness. He crossed his arms and said loudly, "I know what everyone is thinking. Alright, no more talk. We'll start distributing the salaries now. Sun Weihong, since you were the first to speak, you'll be the first to receive your salary: Sun Weihong, basic salary 20 yuan, performance salary 35 yuan, bonus 25 yuan, total 80 yuan. Please come and sign."

Sun Weihong pointed at himself in disbelief, his mouth trembling with surprise and excitement. "80 yuan? Mine?"

The basic and performance salaries were correct, but in Sun Weihong's mind, getting 10 or 20 yuan in bonus would be good enough. After all, just the basic and performance salaries added up to 55 yuan, which was a number he had only dared to dream about. But now, he was getting 80 yuan a month?

"That's right, it's yours," Chen Geng's expression became more serious, and he said loudly, "I'm giving Sun Weihong 25 yuan in bonus not only because he worked hard and diligently, but also because he made two management suggestions to the factory, which proved to be effective after practical testing. Therefore, I decided to give him an additional 15 yuan in bonus."

This matter dated back to half a month ago. At that time, the 212 jeep modification business of Huacheng Industry had just started to get on track. For management purposes, Chen Geng solicited reasonable management suggestions from the entire company. However, at the time, many people didn't take it seriously, and Sun Weihong was even mocked when he made suggestions to the factory.

No one could have imagined that just because Sun Weihong made two suggestions, the company would give him 15 yuan in bonus?! Those who had mocked Sun Weihong were now regretting it: If I had made suggestions at the time, wouldn't I have gotten a share too?

Confirming that he would really get 80 yuan this month, Sun Weihong couldn't stop smiling. His hand trembled as he signed the company's documents. With 80 yuan a month, he could stand a little straighter than others.

Stopping Sun Weihong, who was about to go down and show off to his colleagues after receiving his salary, Chen Geng said, "Sun Weihong, wait a moment."

"What? Is there something else?" Sun Weihong looked surprised.

"There is something else," Chen Geng nodded and, in Sun Weihong's confused gaze, raised his hand and announced loudly, "You've been promoted."

"I've been promoted?" Sun Weihong was even more confused.

"In this month, Comrade Sun Weihong has been diligent and responsible in his work, with outstanding technical skills. Additionally, he has been enthusiastic in helping his colleagues. I hereby announce that starting today, Comrade Sun Weihong will be promoted from the team leader of the 212 jeep modification workshop to the workshop director, with a two-level salary increase."

"Wow!"

The crowd, who had just been regretting, was suddenly in an uproar: Damn it, not only did he get an extra 15 yuan in bonus, but he was also promoted to workshop director. Why did all the good things fall on Sun Weihong, that bastard?!

Why not me?

Why him?

"Who still remembers what I said on my first day in office?" Facing the excited crowd, Chen Geng's one sentence made everyone shut up. "And who can confidently tell me, 'Chen Geng, I think Sun Weihong is not qualified to be the workshop director, I am more qualified!'? If you think you are more qualified than Sun Weihong and can convince me, you can also be the workshop director."

No one spoke. The crowd, which had just been in an uproar, fell silent. Chen Geng's words on his first day in office echoed in their minds: This month is a time for you to observe whether I am qualified, but it is also a time for me to observe you. Remember, the future leaders of the tertiary industry office will all be selected from among you...

No one had taken Chen Geng's words seriously at the time. No one believed that Chen Geng could lead them to make money, and they thought he would leave sooner or later. If they took his words seriously, wouldn't they be foolish?

But now, everyone felt as if they had been slapped in the face, especially those who had advised Sun Weihong not to take his work too seriously and not to take Chen Geng's words too seriously. Their faces were burning.

As for Sun Weihong, he was so excited that he was shaking. He never thought he would become a workshop director, a company leader.

"Since no one objects..." Chen Geng turned to Sun Weihong and asked loudly, "Comrade Sun Weihong, are you willing?"

Sun Weihong's face was flushed red, and he nodded heavily, "I... am willing!"

"Very good. I hope you will not disappoint the company's expectations and do a good job in managing the workshop. I also wish you to achieve even better results in your new position." Chen Geng encouraged him warmly.

"Yes, from now on, I will treat the factory as my home... I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly... until my last breath..."

Sun Weihong was so excited that his words were incoherent, even saying "dedicate myself wholeheartedly until my last breath."

"You don't need to go that far. Just work diligently," Chen Geng smiled and waved his hand. "Next, we will announce the second person, Comrade Zhang Xiangyang. Basic salary: 0, performance salary: 245 yuan, bonus: 10 yuan, total 255 yuan. Comrade Zhang Xiangyang, please come up to receive your salary."

255 yuan?!

If Sun Weihong's 80 yuan salary was just shocking, then Zhang Xiangyang's 255 yuan salary and bonus were like a bolt of lightning.

Almost instinctively, someone wanted to question Chen Geng, "Why does Zhang Xiangyang deserve such a high salary?" But the words died in their throat: 40% of the 212 jeep modification business and 55% of the furniture business were brought in by Zhang Xiangyang. To put it bluntly, the rapid development of the tertiary industry office in just one month was largely due to Zhang Xiangyang's efforts!

Think Zhang Xiangyang is getting too much money? The company's salary calculation method is posted at the entrance. Anyone who is dissatisfied can check the formula to see if Zhang Xiangyang has taken a single extra cent.

Everyone knew that Chen Geng wouldn't dare to distribute this money in public if Zhang Xiangyang's salary couldn't stand up to scrutiny.

Zhang Xiangyang, who had been looking forward to it, was also stunned. 255 yuan in salary! Although he had calculated his salary based on the formula, he never dared to think that he would actually get all 255 yuan. He thought 100 yuan would be good enough, and...

How will Lao San explain this to the factory?

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