Chapter 45: The Uninvited Appearance

"Nothing to worry about," Chen Geng waved his hands at Yang Lei and Zhang Xiangyang, signaling them to relax, assuring them that he could handle the situation. Staring at Liu San and his group, Chen Geng suddenly smiled: "Liu San, you don't need to use reverse psychology on me. Do you really think I need to find someone to deal with you? You're overestimating yourself... By the way, I heard that someone introduced a girl to you last month, but she didn't like you and broke it off after less than a week. How many times has this happened now?"

The topic suddenly shifted, and Chen Geng mercilessly rubbed salt into Liu San's wounds.

The carefree expression on Liu San's face disappeared.

What Chen Geng said was the biggest pain in Liu San's heart. No one respected him as a street thug, and no good girl was willing to be with him. He had been introduced to many girls, but each one ended up breaking it off. This became the biggest pain and the most nagging thorn in Liu San's heart. Anyone who mentioned this to Liu San would face his wrath, even his own brothers.

With a dark face, Liu San's eyes flashed with a dangerous light: "Kid, are you looking for a beating..."

"A grown man in his twenties, with no physical or mental disabilities, spends his days hanging out with a bunch of little hooligans on the streets instead of working hard to support his family! You think you're so cool, strolling around with your hands in your pockets, but do you know that Uncle Liu is always cleaning up after you? At just over 40, he's already hunched over like he's 60. Do you think it's fun for your father to beg people to clean up after you? Do you think your father's dignity is so worthless that it can be trampled on by anyone? You, Liu San, are a man, but tell me, have you been living like a dog for the past 20 years?!"

Without any warning, Chen Geng suddenly burst out, pointing at Liu San's nose and shouting: "No, you're not even as good as a dog. A dog at least wags its tail and protects its owner. What can you do besides causing trouble for your father every day?"

Liu San was stunned by Chen Geng's tirade. He stood there for a moment, then pointed at his own nose, incredulous: "You... you're cursing me?"

"Cursing you? Ha... I curse you because I think you can still be saved!" Chen Geng said bluntly: "Liu San, to put it bluntly, why have you been spared during the recent crackdowns? Isn't it because you're the son of a military man, and the police can't just come and arrest you? But let me make this clear: the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory is about to be transferred to a military enterprise. When the local police come to arrest people, do you think anyone will still protect you? You or your brothers?"

Want to fight me? Let me tell you, if you dare to make a move, I can have the police arrest you and your brothers immediately. The police are short of people for the year-end crackdown. Do you want me to send you in to help them meet their quota? Fist fighting? What era is this? Are you stupid?"

Chen Geng's tone was calm, and his eyes were cold, but Liu San was stunned. He couldn't understand how the situation had suddenly turned this way. It was supposed to be that if Chen Geng didn't apologize, he would take action, but now Chen Geng was cursing him, and he didn't even have the courage to raise his fist.

As for the others around, they were all dumbfounded: Liu San was known as a troublemaker in the factory, but this troublemaker was now being cursed by Chen Geng without even daring to say a word?

When everyone's gaze turned back to Chen Geng, their eyes held a new respect.

"What are you standing there for?" Chen Geng said irritably: "Aren't you going to report to the vocational training center?!"

Report to the vocational training center? Liu San's face turned pale.

Not only did Liu San's face turn pale, but the faces of the few brothers behind him turned even paler.

Hu Run Industrial Development Co., Ltd. was a large collective enterprise. This level of mistake wasn't enough for dismissal, but according to the company's new regulations, repeated offenses required training at the "Vocational Training Center." Inside Hu Run, people referred to it as the "Reform Center." Not only did they have to study and learn skills every day, but they only received a basic salary of 20 yuan per month, making life extremely difficult.

Although it was jokingly called the "Reform Center," the instructors were actually the experienced masters from the factory. Those who could learn well during the two-month "reform" period could return to their original positions and even get a salary increase. The purpose of the "reform" was to learn skills, not to beat people up.

Of course, you could choose not to go, but if you didn't? Sorry, you'd be fired!

"What? You don't want to?" Seeing the pale faces of the few in front of him, Chen Geng's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Liu San's face was grim, and he didn't know what to say. Should he say he didn't want to? That would be nonsense. If he didn't go, he'd be fired. Who would dare not to go? But if he said he wanted to, who would want to go to such a place?

But Liu San didn't dare to say he didn't want to. Chen Geng's unconventional approach made him nervous: everyone solved problems with their fists, but why did this guy start using his authority?

Even Liu San himself didn't realize that he was feeling intimidated by Chen Geng.

Fortunately, Chen Geng didn't press his advantage. Seeing Liu San's submission, he didn't push further. He raised two fingers and said slowly: "I'm not denying you a chance. You're good at talking, right? If you can successfully complete the training in two months, you can join the business department. Let's see if you really are as good at talking as you claim."

Chen Geng's words caused a stir in the crowd!

But upon careful consideration, it seemed to be the best arrangement. Liu San and his group, though troublemakers, were indeed good at talking and had flexible minds. Such people seemed naturally suited for business. Putting them in the workshop would be like a rat spoiling a pot of soup.

Liu San and his group never expected that Chen Geng would allow them to join the business department. They were stunned: what was this? A slap followed by a sweet date?

If it were a month ago, he would have refused to join the business department, but now, the people in the business department earned at least 200 yuan a month, which was more than he had earned in a year. His group was good at talking and dealing with people, but he never thought Chen Geng would arrange for them to join the business department. Wasn't that giving them a chance to succeed?

He opened his mouth to say something defiant, but Chen Geng ignored them and turned to Zhang Xiangyang: "Comrade Zhang Xiangyang, I'm handing Liu San and his group over to you. From today on, they are your department's reserve personnel. You are responsible for supervising their training. Whether they can join the business department is up to you."

"Sure thing!" Zhang Xiangyang laughed heartily, feeling a sense of satisfaction: "You can rest assured, I'll keep an eye on these brats."

Indeed, Chen Geng was establishing his authority.

Chen Geng's abilities had already been recognized by all the workers at Hu Run Industrial. Everyone admired his business acumen and believed that following Chen Geng would lead to success.

However, there was still a problem: while everyone respected Chen Geng, they lacked a sense of fear. A leader who couldn't command both respect and fear would struggle to lead a company effectively. Chen Geng didn't want this to continue and was looking for an opportunity to address it. Unexpectedly, Liu San had delivered himself right to the doorstep.

It was like getting a pillow when you were sleepy!

Such a good opportunity couldn't be wasted.

As for the effect, just look at how everyone now looked at Chen Geng. It was completely different from before: with such a capable, skilled, and ruthless person as their leader, who wouldn't be convinced? After this incident, Chen Geng had truly won the hearts of the people at Hu Run Industrial.

However, managing a company required more than just this. It also required building team spirit. For this, Chen Geng, who lacked management experience, took a simple and direct approach: "Also, I have something to announce. To unify our image, the company will provide work uniforms and regular clothes for the employees: production workers will get a set of work clothes and a suit, plus a pair of leather shoes. For the business personnel, considering their actual work needs, they will get two suits. The company will hire tailors to take measurements, so everyone should be prepared."

"Wow!" As soon as Chen Geng finished speaking, the crowd erupted.

Thirty years later, seeing people in suits and leather shoes on the street usually meant they were insurance salespeople or marketers, and even decent hotels wouldn't let them in. But in 1985, a suit was a symbol of success. A young man in a suit and leather shoes walking down the street would immediately become the envy of many, with a 300% higher chance of turning heads and a higher success rate in matchmaking.

As long as it was a suit, regardless of the material, it was a symbol of status and position. Hearing that Manager Chen was going to provide suits and leather shoes, everyone immediately forgot about how Chen Geng had dealt with Liu San and his group. No one cared if Chen Geng was using the "slap and sweet date" tactic. Besides, even if he was, they were still getting the sweet date.

PS: Sorry, my wife went out to eat today. We didn't get a reservation for Valentine's Day on February 14th, so today is a make-up. I didn't expect to have so much fun that I forgot to post the chapter. I apologize deeply and hope you can forgive me... If anyone doesn't forgive me, I'll roll on the ground for you...

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