Chapter 47: The Order for Military Reduction

The order for military reduction has come down.

The decision for a large-scale military reduction was made by the old leader last year, but making the decision is one thing; how to reduce, who to reduce, and how to define the scope are another. There are many intricacies and struggles for interests involved. The attitude has been expressed, but there is still a distance to the final decision.

Moreover, this large-scale military reduction is not just about the military; it also includes the military industry, which is even a focus of the reorganization. From this large-scale military reduction, military enterprises will truly become just enterprises, not like now, where a large repair factory is also a fully organized military unit.

When Chen Geng rushed to the meeting room, the atmosphere was so heavy it could suffocate, and everyone's face was extremely gloomy.

He quickly scanned the meeting room and found an empty seat next to his father. He sat down and asked in a low voice, "Dad, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure," Chen Hongjun shook his head and said in a low voice, "But it seems to be similar to the rumors from a while ago."

Chen Geng nodded.

Although the decision on how to handle military enterprises in this large-scale military reduction has not yet been announced, rumors and unofficial news have been flying around, with details being spread with great specificity. For example, the transition of military enterprises to civilian enterprises, the reassignment of middle-level leaders, the自负盈亏 (自负盈亏 means "自负" self-responsibility and "盈亏" profit and loss, which can be translated as "自负盈亏" self-responsibility for profit and loss) of military enterprises starting from the date of the decision, and the allowance for enterprise leaders to contract the enterprises...

However, almost all military enterprises are shrouded in pessimism. These enterprises almost entirely rely on military financial allocations and orders to sustain themselves. If they are required to be self-sufficient, it would only be a matter of time before they close down.

Don't think that the Third Armament Repair Factory is relatively stable. If it weren't for the carburetor project, the 212 Jeep modification project, and the office furniture project brought by Chen Geng, the morale of the Third Armament Repair Factory would be in chaos.

After Chen Geng, several other factory leaders arrived one after another. Perhaps everyone understood the impact of this meeting on themselves. As more people arrived, the atmosphere in the meeting room became increasingly heavy.

Chen Hongjun's eyes became increasingly red. Once the order was issued, the Third Armament Repair Factory of the East China Military Region would no longer be a military unit but an enterprise under the East China Military Region's logistics department. This is equivalent to the disbandment of a fully organized military unit, meaning that this unit would no longer exist in the world. For any military unit, especially those with a glorious history, there is nothing more difficult to accept than this. However, this is the last military order they must obey as soldiers.

When the factory leaders were all present, Liu Qianjin slowly stood up, his face pale but his expression resolute: "Comrades, according to the instructions from the central government, starting from next month, the Third Armament Repair Factory of the East China Military Region will officially be disbanded as a military unit and become an enterprise under the East China Military Region's logistics department. The leadership of the enterprise will retain their active military and officer status, middle-level and lower leaders will be reassigned, and soldiers will be discharged. In principle, soldiers will be arranged to work in the enterprise, but if they wish to return home, their personal wishes must be respected..."

Liu Qianjin's voice trembled slightly, but no one spoke. Although everyone was deeply affected, they had already mentally prepared for this. Everyone understood that the related news had been spreading for a while, which was actually a deliberate leak from above to help everyone adapt. After such a long period of adaptation, even though they were still upset, they could accept the reality.

Liu Qianjin continued, "To ensure the smooth and stable implementation of this military reduction, starting from next month, the military region will continue to cover 50% of the enterprise's labor costs for six months. During this period, all business income will not be submitted to the higher authorities but will be retained for the enterprise's development and operations. After six months, 50% of the enterprise's profits will be submitted to the higher authorities, and the remaining part will be retained for the enterprise's development..."

Without warning, Cao Jun suddenly stood up and slammed the table, cursing, "50%? That means we can only pay the workers half their wages? This is just letting us fend for ourselves after six months!"

"Cao Jun, you're the one who talks too much!" Peng Guangming, who had been silent and smoking, slammed the table and shouted, "Remember, you are a soldier. You must obey the orders of your superiors, whether you understand them or not! Do you understand what it means for military orders to be as firm as a mountain?!"

After cursing, Peng Guangming, who was also holding back his frustration, paused and changed his tone, "Besides, who told you that the military region is letting us fend for ourselves? We have the carburetor project and the 212 Jeep modification project, both of which are big money-makers. Stop being so negative!"

After being scolded by Peng Guangming, Cao Jun remained silent, his face dark. Although the carburetor project and the 212 Jeep modification project were brought by Chen Geng and had nothing to do with the military region, Peng Guangming was right. For the orders of superiors, one can be confused, but they must be executed without any discount.

As for the reason? It's an order! It's a military order!

And he is a soldier.

A soldier's duty is to obey orders!

This is the mission of a soldier!

And the fate of a soldier!

Among all the factory leaders, Chen Geng's reaction was the calmest. On one hand, he had served in the Third Armament Repair Factory of the East China Military Region for only a little over a month, which was too short to form a deep bond with the unit. On the other hand, Chen Geng, who knew the course of history, had long known this day would come. Since he was mentally prepared, how could he be expected to have a significant emotional reaction?

Moreover, in Chen Geng's view, the Third Armament Repair Factory should not have existed as a military unit in the first place. Just like the nearby military unit whose task was to raise pigs and grow vegetables, the military's task is to train hard and defend the country. What does raising pigs have to do with that?

Okay, even if the conditions are tough and it's difficult for the military to purchase finished pigs from society, the kitchen staff can raise some pigs themselves. At most, they can set up a pig farm and hire a few farmers to help, with the quartermaster regularly checking the work. But to assign a whole battalion to raise pigs?

Seeing that Cao Jun was silent, Peng Guangming nodded at Liu Qianjin, "Old Liu, continue."

"Alright," Liu Qianjin shook the document in his hand and said, "To ensure the development of the enterprise, the central government supports and encourages enterprise leaders to contract production and business activities. The types of enterprises that can be contracted are detailed in the appendix..."

Before he finished speaking, everyone's eyes were fixed on the Chen family. Even Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming glanced at Chen Geng a few times: The rumor about allowing enterprise leaders to contract the enterprise is true?

Although everyone was not yet clear about the types of enterprises that the central government would allow to be contracted, it seemed that an enterprise like the Third Armament Repair Factory would not be a problem. Others might worry about whether they could make money by contracting the enterprise, but under Chen Geng's leadership, the Third Industry Office... oh, now renamed Huacheng Industrial Development Co., Ltd., was reportedly doing very well. Would the Chen family proactively request to contract the Third Armament Repair Factory?

If the Chen family contracts the Third Armament Repair Factory, what about us? Would we become their subordinates? But if the Chen family does not plan to contract the factory, we really have no confidence in making the factory profitable...

Everyone was deeply conflicted, and their gazes towards the Chen family became strange. They were unwilling to let the Chen family benefit, but they also understood that no one else seemed to have the ability to lead everyone to profitability.

Not only the deputy factory managers and deputy secretaries felt this way, but even Chen Hongjun quickly glanced at his son. His son was a very principled person, and he was unsure if Chen Geng had the intention to contract the factory. Recalling that his son did not seem to oppose when Shen Jianhua encouraged him to contract the Third Industry Office, Chen Hongjun was even more uncertain.

Facing everyone's gazes, Chen Geng remained calm and indifferent: Think whatever you want.

...

After the document was read, it meant that the Third Armament Repair Factory of the East China Military Region was entering the countdown to becoming an enterprise. As soon as the meeting ended, Chen Geng took his notebook and walked out.

Seeing the Chen family walking out, Cao Jun quickly followed and handed a cigarette to Chen Hongjun, "Old Chen, what do you think of this?"

"What else can we think? We will follow the decision of the superiors," Chen Hongjun exhaled a long puff of smoke, not in high spirits, "Old Cao, I heard you plan to transfer back to the military region's headquarters?"

"No such thing," Cao Jun denied.

Recently, many people were trying to transfer back to the military region, but everyone kept it a secret. The military region and the combat units not being disbanded were limited, and it was a typical case of too many wolves and too little meat. So everyone kept their mouths shut: What if someone gets jealous and causes trouble?

After denying, Cao Jun mysteriously asked Chen Hongjun, "Old Chen, your son has only been at the Third Industry Office for a little over a month, but he has made it very successful. Why not just contract the Third Industry Office?"

"Ha ha..." Chen Hongjun laughed, "This kid doesn't have that intention now."

Cao Jun was unwilling to believe Chen Hongjun: Your son has such great ability, and you don't want to contract the factory? You're kidding!

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Chen Geng exclaim in surprise, "Dad, why is there an armored vehicle over there?"