Chapter 60

"Since Huaren Industrial... let's still call it the Third Industry Office..." Guo Haijun finally decided to revert to the name "Third Industry Office" as he found "Huaren Industrial" less catchy: "Since the majority of the Third Industry Office's employees are temporary workers, and considering the changes in the office before and after Comrade Chen Geng took office, I suggest we appropriately increase the workers' wages as compensation... What do you think, Comrade Chen Geng?"

"I have no objections," Chen Geng immediately responded: "If the joint venture is ultimately successful, the workers' wages this year can be increased by 10% based on the current level, and the annual increase in the future will not be less than 8%."

As soon as Chen Geng spoke, the leaders of the Third Armament Repair Factory beamed with joy: raising wages was certainly a good thing, especially when it was their own children's wages being raised.

"10% increase this year, and an annual increase of no less than 8%?" Guo Haijun was also very satisfied with Chen Geng's response: "Comrade Chen Geng is very confident in the enterprise!"

Chen Geng modestly replied: "Mainly because of the country's policy of focusing on economic construction, everyone's enthusiasm for work is very high, which allows our enterprise to develop."

Guo Haijun nodded with a smile, paused for a moment, and, after confirming there were no objections, announced: "Since everyone has no objections, let's proceed according to this principle."

Then, he gave Shen Jianjun another deep look.

With the principle established, the matter became simpler, and the entire military enterprise reform team breathed a sigh of relief. However, calculating the value of the production resources currently used by Huaren Industrial, such as equipment, land, and buildings, was a very complicated task. Chen Geng casually glanced at the wall clock and was immediately startled: "Damn! It's almost 3 o'clock?!"

He found an excuse to go to the bathroom and slipped out. Outside, he grabbed someone at random and instructed: "Go, bring Comrades Zhang Xiangyang and Yang Lei over here."

The person Chen Geng grabbed didn't say a word and ran off.

The news that a high-ranking military leader had come to the company had already spread throughout Huaren Industrial and the Third Armament Repair Factory. With such a big event, how could anyone focus on work? Everyone was on tenterhooks, waiting for news from Manager Chen. Chen Geng's order was executed at the fastest speed possible. In a few minutes, Zhang Xiangyang and Yang Lei ran over: "Old Three, what's up?"

"It's not bad news. There's no time to explain now; I'll tell you later," Chen Geng waved his hand. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes widened: "There's something I need to do first... Why hasn't Qian Mo gone home yet?"

Chen Geng thought Qian Mo had already gone home, but unexpectedly, the little girl was peeking from around the corner. Seeing that Chen Geng had noticed her, she stuck out her tongue and ran over.

Never mind, if she hasn't gone home, so be it. Looking at the somewhat embarrassed Qian Mo, Chen Geng knew the little girl was concerned about him. Perhaps it was her who had tipped off the others.

Suddenly, he remembered something and asked: "By the way, I remember you said your uncle has a good relationship with the leaders of the reservoir management office?"

"My third uncle works at the reservoir management office!" the little girl said, pausing for a moment, then added: "That fathead fish came from their reservoir."

"I remember you mentioned that there were some big fish in the reservoir management office, right?"

Chen Geng remembered that Qian Mo had once mentioned that the reservoir management office had caught some large fish recently. They were kept in a small pond separated by wire mesh near the reservoir, which was actually quite large, about 100 to 200 square meters. The fish were all large ones caught by the reservoir management office, the smallest being about 20 pounds. They were kept there for a specific purpose, not fed with feed, but with water plants for herbivorous fish and small fish for carnivorous fish, all lively and vigorous.

"Yes," Qian Mo nodded.

"Great!" Chen Geng was delighted, rubbing his hands together. "Qian Mo, can I go talk to your uncle and ask him to sell us a large fathead fish for our unit? I'll definitely come over to thank him later."

Qian Mo looked a bit hesitant: "I can't guarantee it will work. You know, those fish are meant for gifts."

"That's fine. If it works, great; if not, no big deal. Let's have Second Brother go with you. Whatever conditions the reservoir has, we'll agree to them... Second Brother, tell them that a high-ranking military leader has come down and ask them to help us. I think they will give us the face."

"Okay," Zhang Xiangyang said without hesitation.

"Be quick!" Chen Geng said. "There are two cars waiting to be modified at the company. Take them."

Huaren Industrial had plenty of cars. There were four or five cars waiting to be modified in the workshop, so they could temporarily "borrow" one.

"Third Brother, what about me?" Yang Lei was anxious, seeing that Qian Mo and Second Brother had tasks but he didn't: "What should I do?"

"You have plenty to do, Fifth Brother. Go find First Brother and have him take you to buy more pork ribs and some alcohol. The alcohol doesn't have to be too good; no Wuliangye or Maotai, just Xifeng or Fenjiu. And there's one more important thing: ask First Brother to help you ask Director Sun from the administrative office if we can invite Chef Ma from the administrative canteen to help us cook. I remember he's very good at Hunan cuisine. Ask him nicely, and don't skimp on the hard work fee."

Zhang Xiangyang frowned and advised: "Third Brother, from what you're saying, you're just going to treat the leaders to fish and pork ribs? Isn't that a bit too simple?"

The leaders from above had come, and although their rank was unknown, it was definitely high. According to Qian Mo, whether Third Brother could join Huaren Industrial depended on these leaders. If the leaders felt the hospitality was inadequate, a hopeful matter might fall through. On the other hand, even if the hospitality was a bit excessive, it would still be a sign of respect, and no one could criticize him for it.

"Yes, yes, Third Brother, to be honest, I also think it's a bit too simple," Yang Lei nodded, having seen how the factory treated leaders before, and he also thought Chen Geng's arrangement was too frugal.

"I have it under control," Chen Geng shook his head, politely declining the good intentions of Second Brother and Fifth Brother.

To be honest, many leaders of this era were still very upright, like Comrade Guo Haijun. Chen Geng was confident in his judgment. But in another five or six years, no, even in three or four years, he wouldn't dare to do this.

"Fine, as long as you have it under control," Zhang Xiangyang didn't say anything more. Chen Geng had earned his unconditional trust with his miraculous performance over the past month. He trusted Third Brother's judgment more than his own. Since Third Brother said so, he didn't hesitate, took Qian Mo, and turned to leave.

"By the way, let me know as soon as you get a response," Chen Geng said.

Zhang Xiangyang didn't turn around but waved his hand to indicate he understood.

When Chen Geng returned to the meeting room, Liu Qianjin gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered: "Everything arranged?"

These were all smart people. As soon as Chen Geng left, these seasoned revolutionaries knew he was arranging dinner.

Chen Geng nodded, feeling a bit moved: "Everything is arranged."

Liu Qianjin was still a bit worried and whispered: "How did you arrange it?"

Even though Chen Geng's performance over the past month could be described as "miraculous," he was still young, and Liu Qianjin was still skeptical about his skills in social graces and hospitality.

"I heard that Team Leader Guo has a bit of a Hunan accent, so I arranged for Hunan cuisine."

"Hunan cuisine?" Liu Qianjin frowned: "Old Qi in the canteen can't cook Hunan cuisine, right?"

"Right, so I invited the head chef from the regional administrative canteen. He's very good at Hunan cuisine."

"Old Ma from the regional administration?" Liu Qianjin nodded, remembering the chef: "He is very good at Hunan cuisine, but are you sure you can get him to help? That guy is very proud, and it's not easy to get him to help."

"I asked Director Sun from the administrative office to help me talk to him. Chef Ma should give me the face. Plus, the hard work fee isn't small, and it's for a high-ranking military leader, so he won't feel disrespected," Chen Geng whispered.

"Then there should be no problem." Liu Qianjin breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing Old Ma, this arrangement was likely to work.

As for the others, they ignored the conversation between Chen Geng and Liu Qianjin: it was 3 o'clock, and it was time to arrange dinner for the leaders.

...

More than 40 minutes later, Chen Geng casually looked up and suddenly saw Fifth Brother Yang Lei waving at him from the courtyard. He quickly found an excuse to go out.

Before Chen Geng could speak, Zhang Xiangyang excitedly whispered: "Third Brother, we got it! The reservoir gave us a lot of face!"

Chen Geng's heart immediately relaxed, and he quickly asked: "How big?"

"42 pounds! We got a great deal. Qian Mo's uncle said it was caught just yesterday," Zhang Xiangyang said, using his hands to indicate a length of about half a meter: "It's even longer than me!"

"42 pounds? Really?"

After a brief moment of shock, Chen Geng became excited: a 42-pound fathead fish, with a head weighing about 17 to 18 pounds, was a big catch! The larger the head, the better the fathead fish, but a 25-pound fathead fish was already rare. A 40-pound fathead fish could be called a fish king. Even now, it was rare, let alone 20 years later.