Chapter 62

It's just a name, after all. In Chen Geng's view, it would be absolutely foolish to offend a large state-owned enterprise just because of a name. He would never do such a thing. Of course, Ding Yuemei's good intentions must be appreciated.

"There's no need to thank me. If you really want to thank someone, thank your old leader in the capital," Ding Yuemei said with a smile.

Old leader in the capital?

The only person who could be called an old leader was Li Jianguo, the director of the National Defense Department. So, it was Li Jianguo who asked Ding Yuemei to remind him? But it made sense. He and Ding Yuemei were strangers, and she had no reason to warn him. But now it all made sense.

Chen Geng really didn't expect Director Li to value him so much, even after he had left the National Defense Department. He was deeply moved, his eyes welling up, and he sniffed, saying, "The old leader's kindness... If I can't achieve something, I will truly be unworthy of his concern."

...

The next morning, the draft proposal for the share adjustment of China Resources Industry Co., Ltd. was posted at the company's entrance. If anyone was dissatisfied with the proposal, they could voice their opinions to the military enterprise reform team on the spot. There were indeed people who were dissatisfied, but the reasons for their dissatisfaction were quite surprising...

"How can Manager Chen's shares be only 45%?" Someone immediately complained after seeing the share distribution plan for China Resources Industry Co., Ltd.: "It should be at least 50%!"

"Why should it be more than half?" Someone nearby immediately disagreed: "If Manager Chen's shares exceed half, will China Resources Industry still be a state-owned enterprise or a private one? I say it absolutely cannot exceed half."

"You don't know anything!"

The person speaking spat on the ground: "You ignorant fool, Manager Chen's shares are only 45%, while the Sanxiu Factory's shares are 55%. Do you know what that means? The largest shareholder is still our military region! What if the higher-ups send a new leader who knows nothing and likes to meddle? What will we do then? After such a good life, who will you cry to?"

"Really? But didn't the higher-ups give Manager Chen 45% of the shares?"

"Of course it could happen. The higher-ups' leaders know nothing, and they often make decisions on a whim. If they want to replace Manager Chen, it's just a matter of a word. What can you do if they really do it? Can you guarantee that the new leader will be as capable as Manager Chen?"

"What can we do then?" The person who was just upset about Manager Chen getting 45% of the shares was now dumbfounded, hesitating: "But everyone's life is much better now. If we get a new leader, things will definitely not be as good."

It had only been a little over a month, and everyone still remembered clearly what life was like a month ago.

"What else can we do? Vote to support Manager Chen." The person speaking said resentfully: "Didn't you see the draft? Manager Chen said that salaries will increase by 10% this year and 8% every year starting next year. Have you ever seen a leader do that before?"

"That's true. No question, we must support Manager Chen..."

Amidst the chaos, the voting results came out, and everyone was shocked: the support rate for the proposal was as high as 95%!

When this support rate came out, even Guo Haijun shook his head repeatedly, saying to the comrades from the East China Military Region: "See that? This is the people's own choice."

The accompanying comrade from the East China Military Region smiled bitterly, not knowing what to say. He had even prepared to do some ideological work with the workers of China Resources Industry if the proposal didn't pass. Now, not only did it pass, but it passed with a high vote, making him feel a bit sour.

Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming, on the other hand, were very happy.

Next, there were speeches by the leaders and a renaming ceremony. There was nothing much to say about this, except that the name changed from "China Resources Industry Development Co., Ltd." to "Runhua Industry Development Co., Ltd."

After returning home last night, Chen Geng specifically found someone to learn about the situation of China Resources. He was almost scared out of his wits when he found out: China Resources was not only a state-owned and central enterprise but also the eldest brother among state-owned enterprises!

The "Run" in China Resources even had a deep connection with the founding father!

After the shock, Chen Geng felt extremely fortunate: Fortunately, the current China Resources Industry is still a small shrimp that no one cares about. Otherwise, when it grows into a big fish, it will be a real headache!

There was nothing to say; it was time to change the name!

But what name should he choose? After thinking for a long time and failing to come up with a catchy name, Chen Geng decided to be lazy and simply reversed the two characters: Runhua!

He didn't believe that after China Resources, there could be another state-owned elder brother called Runhua.

By the time all the procedures were completed, it was already past 10 a.m. After seeing off the leaders from the military region and the military enterprise reform team, Chen Geng smiled at his colleagues from the Third Armament Repair Factory: "Shall we all go to the meeting room?"

"We should, indeed," Cao Jun said, rubbing his lower back dramatically: "It's not easy to welcome and see off guests. These two days have really worn out my old back."

Everyone burst into laughter!

Everyone knew that Cao Jun had a problem with his lumbar muscles, but knowing this didn't stop them from teasing him. Liu Qianjin laughed and scolded, "Old Cao, come on! I remember you're only in your forties. If your back is already giving out, what will your wife do?"

They were all old friends, so such jokes were harmless.

Cao Jun wasn't angry either, and he laughed and scolded back: "Get lost! A dog can't give birth to an elephant. My back can still last for another 30 years."

Everyone laughed and chatted as they walked to the meeting room. Once everyone was seated, Peng Guangming cleared his throat: "Xiao Chen, speak your mind. We're all family here. Whatever you have to say, just say it. We'll discuss everything. What do you think, Old Liu?"

Liu Qianjin nodded: "I agree."

Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin's statements represented the stance of the entire Third Armament Repair Factory. Although the words were not explicit, everyone understood: Although Runhua Industry was no longer the third industry office of the Third Armament Repair Factory and the factory only held 55% of the shares, the employees of Runhua Industry were still the children of the Third Armament Repair Factory. They didn't consider him an outsider. Xiao Chen, you can speak your mind and make any requests. These people in front of you have watched you grow up, so don't have any reservations.

This was indeed true. Although they were now two separate companies, Chen Geng's position as deputy factory manager of the Third Armament Repair Factory had not been revoked, and he was still part of the same interest group. Everyone was not an outsider, except for Shen Jianhua.

Of course, now that Chen Geng had become a shareholder of Runhua Industry, some things needed to be clarified.

"Your words put me at ease," Chen Geng nodded: "Alright, I'll talk about my plans for the future development of Runhua Industry and some ideas about profit distribution:

"First, I want to ask if the factory has any plans to start the passenger car shock absorber project I mentioned earlier. If not, I plan to establish an automotive parts project department within Runhua Industry and start this shock absorber project when the opportunity arises."

Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming exchanged glances and then waved his hand: "Forget it. Our factory's focus will be on the carburetor project. We don't have the money or the energy for other projects. Since you proposed this project, you can go ahead with it."

Peng Guangming lit a cigarette and took a few puffs, then said slowly: "Of course, everyone is free to speak their minds."

Since the factory manager and the party secretary had spoken, who would dare to speak out of turn? Moreover, everyone understood that the factory's financial situation and technical conditions did not allow for starting this project. This point was naturally passed without any doubt.

Chen Geng: "Second, I want to confirm that I still have full management authority over Runhua Industry in terms of production, sales, and operations, just like before the reform, right?"

"That's right. It's the same as before. Runhua Industry is still under your control," Peng Guangming said. He and Liu Qianjin had already discussed this issue.

"Thank you all for your trust," Chen Geng thanked everyone and then continued: "However, for financial and regulatory reasons, I hope the factory can send at least one person to the finance department of Runhua Industry. It would be even better if a vice president could be sent..."

Before Chen Geng could finish, Liu Qianjin's brows furrowed, and he said unhappily: "Xiao Chen, there's no need for that, really no need. We trust you."

Chen Hongjun, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Chen Geng is right. It is indeed necessary to send someone."

No one expected Chen Hongjun to speak up at this moment, and even more surprisingly, he was requesting that the Third Armament Repair Factory send a financial officer to Runhua Industry. Everyone was momentarily stunned: Old Chen, although everyone knows your personality, Chen Geng is your son.