Chapter 44 of 100
Chapter 44: Discordant Voices
17 min read4,153 words
Ignoring Zhang Xiangyang's worried gaze, Chen Geng's voice rang out again: "Envious of Zhang Xiangyang's high salary? Jealous? Itching inside? Do you still remember what I said before? Those who want to make big money should all go to the sales department! In the sales department, I don't mind if you have skills; the more capable you are, the more money you can earn."
No one had any complaints after Chen Geng said this. After all, at the beginning of his term, Chen Geng had clearly explained these things to everyone. If you didn't want to go to the sales department, who could you blame? Envious of others making big money? If you have the ability, go and run sales yourself!
"Manager Chen, does the sales department still need people?" someone couldn't help but ask loudly.
"Of course," Chen Geng nodded. "Our company's business is growing rapidly, which everyone can see. The sales department is expanding, and we welcome anyone who is confident and wants to earn more money to join and show their skills."
"I'll join."
"I'll go too!"
"Can I join?"
"..."
Unexpectedly, Manager Chen agreed so readily, and the crowd immediately became excited. This showed that Chen Geng didn't treat the sales department as a private domain for his cronies. The slight resentment in everyone's hearts vanished without a trace. Seeing that Zhang Xiangyang could earn in a month what they used to earn in a year, who wouldn't be envious? Who wouldn't be jealous? Thinking that they could also earn so much money through hard work, some people couldn't sit still. In a short time, more than ten people, including two active girls, requested to join the sales department.
Zhang Xiangyang finally felt relieved.
Continuing to distribute salaries, in the entire Huacheng Industry, four people earned over 200 yuan, and twelve earned over 100 yuan. Everyone who received their salary was extremely happy, planning how to spend the money:
Before, they would give 10 yuan to their families as living expenses. Now that they had money, should they give 20 yuan?
After giving the living expenses, there would still be a lot left. Should they buy a few meters of polyester to make shirts for their parents? Right, they shouldn't forget their little sister...
Also, they must buy 2 pounds of meat and have their mother make a good red-braised pork. The family hadn't had a proper meal of meat before, as the income was insufficient. Now, with a salary of 80 to 90 yuan, what's a few meals of red-braised pork? Right, they should also buy a good pack of cigarettes...
Just as everyone was happily planning how to spend their salaries, a discordant voice rang out...
"Manager Chen, why do we only get 20 yuan?"
The festive atmosphere at the scene suddenly became strange.
Indeed! Finally, they couldn't hold back anymore?
Chen Geng raised an eyebrow, looking at the few who dared to challenge him, and said in surprise: "Liu San, why do you only get 20 yuan? Don't you know?"
"What do I know?" Under Chen Geng's gaze, Liu San suddenly felt uneasy and slightly lowered his head to avoid Chen Geng's eyes, but he raised his voice: "I only know that others get 70 to 80 yuan. Why do I only get 20?"
With his hands behind his back, Chen Geng said bluntly: "Liu San, tell me how many times you were late, left early, or skipped work without reason this month? With your lazy attitude, you still have the nerve to complain about your low salary? Do you dare to stand in front of all 120 people in the company and loudly tell me how much salary you think you should get? Or ask the people here why the company should give you so much salary? Would they be happy if you got 70 to 80 yuan?"
What, Liu San? Do you think others have to work hard to earn their salary, but you can just lie in bed and get paid? Do you think you are better than everyone else? Or do you think you have more face than everyone else?
Everyone burst into laughter!
Chen Geng's words struck a chord with everyone.
When Huacheng Industry was still the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory's Third Industry Office, Liu San and a few others were the biggest problems. They often did petty theft, were frequently late, left early, and skipped work. But when it came to salary distribution, they couldn't be shortchanged, or they would cause trouble for the leadership, even breaking windows at night.
In the past, the Third Industry Office was half-dead, with no work and no future, so no one cared much. Why bother with a few hooligans over 10 to 20 yuan?
But since Chen Geng took office, things changed. He implemented strict attendance rules and adjusted the salary system. Everyone no longer shared a common pot but earned performance-based salaries. The more they worked, the more they earned, and the more they worked, the more bonuses they got. Now everyone was motivated to work hard and earn more, and no one cared about the basic salary.
Everyone was focused on performance-based salaries and bonuses.
But Liu San and his group were always slacking off and often absent. With such poor performance, why should they get a salary?
If Liu San could get the same salary as others, no one would be happy!
"I... I..."
Liu San stammered, unable to speak. He might be a hooligan, but he still had to be reasonable. The attendance rules and the new performance-based salary system were posted at the entrance. Could he really say he didn't know? That would be a complete loss of face.
But seeing others get at least 70 to 80 yuan while he only got 20 yuan was even more embarrassing!
Most importantly, he was a well-known figure on the street. Now, being humiliated in front of so many people, where would he put his face?
Stiffening his neck, Liu San glared at Chen Geng and said rudely: "Chen, I don't care about all this. If my salary is less, it's unacceptable!"
Seeing Liu San deliberately acting tough, Chen Geng's smile vanished, and his eyes narrowed: "What? Liu San, are you planning to act tough with me?"
Chen Geng's gaze wasn't particularly sharp, but Liu San felt uncomfortable, as if Chen Geng could see right through him. He shifted uncomfortably, thinking that he was still respected as "Liu San" on the street. He felt more confident: How much skill and courage could a student just entering society have? A few threats would make him back down.
His legs trembled, and he glanced at Chen Geng, adopting a typical hooligan stance and snorted: "I'm not acting tough. It's you, Chen, who doesn't handle things properly. I'm putting it on the line today. Don't cause trouble for yourself. Give me my salary honestly, and there won't be any problems. Otherwise... hmm..."
"Hmm..." The few hooligans behind Liu San, also with a tough attitude, crossed their arms and echoed, staring at Chen Geng with ill intent, clearly saying: "Don't be unreasonable, or you'll regret it."
The crowd fell silent.
Everyone remembered that Liu San and his group were very tough, known as the "Eight Great Diamonds" in the area, feared by many for their martial arts skills and physical strength learned from the military.
Someone mentioned that since they were so tough, why hadn't they been caught in the recent crackdowns? One reason was that although they were hooligans, they grew up in the military and didn't commit serious crimes or extort protection fees. They only bullied local hooligans and didn't cause trouble for the area.
Another reason was that they were children of military personnel, considered "internal contradictions" rather than "class contradictions." No one wanted to see them arrested by the local police, even if the factory leadership didn't like them. They still had to protect them.
With the military's protection and no major trouble, Liu San and his group managed to avoid the crackdowns.
But Liu San and his group were still tough hooligans. Facing the risk of a beating, what would Chen Geng do?
Although Chen Geng had only been there for a month, the changes in the Third Industry Office were evident to everyone. They believed Chen Geng could lead them to make big money and live a good life. No one wanted Chen Geng to lose face in front of Liu San and his group, fearing that he might leave in anger. If Chen Geng left, they would return to the previous state of earning only 20 yuan a month and living a life of idleness.
But the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory was also a military unit, and when a troublemaker challenged an officer, the officer could have him dealt with. However, to gain respect, the officer had to face the challenge directly. The Third Military Equipment Repair Factory inherited this "fine tradition." So, although many wanted to help, they could only wait for Chen Geng to make the first move.
While everyone held back, Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang wouldn't. They had a special relationship with Chen Geng. Although they were sworn brothers, their bond was often stronger than blood. Seeing Liu San dare to bully their brother, Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang immediately stepped forward, their faces dark: "Liu San, what, do you want to fight?"
"Hey, bullying with numbers, huh?" Liu San sneered, "I know you three are sworn brothers. Come on, all three of you, let's see what you've got."
As he spoke, he made a gesture with his right hand, mimicking a turtle crawling.
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