Chapter 79

"Sure, as you say." Zhang Xiangyang smiled broadly and bowed again... Another bow would make it three bows.

"Since you both think there's no problem with signing annually, then there's no problem," Deputy Factory Manager Wang took over a stack of contracts from the side, not showing any impatience. "Take a look. If there's no problem, sign it."

"Sign now?" Chen Geng was taken aback: Isn't this a bit too hasty?

"What? Manager Chen thinks it's inappropriate?" Deputy Factory Manager Wang asked in return.

"No, no, no, it's not inappropriate. I didn't expect our factory to be so efficient." While saying this, Chen Geng muttered to himself: I've never seen a state-owned enterprise with such high efficiency!

Is this normal? Definitely not! But where is the abnormality?

Before Chen Geng could figure it out, Deputy Factory Manager Wang slowly asked, "By the way, Manager Cheng, did you bring your company's seal?"

This was purely making things difficult. Who would carry their company's seal on a business trip? Even if it were a company manager, it wouldn't be carried around, as it doesn't comply with regulations.

Chen Geng immediately understood: The root of the problem lies here!

Deputy Factory Manager Wang had miscalculated. Considering various possible situations, Chen Geng had indeed violated the rules and brought the seal with him. Hearing Deputy Factory Manager Wang's words, he nodded with relief, "Fortunately, I brought it."

He really brought it? Deputy Factory Manager Wang was stunned for a moment. His expression was like someone who had just swallowed a hot pepper and met a colleague, feeling nauseous but afraid of being seen eating the pepper. It was as complicated as it could be.

But this way, he had nothing to say: He had said he would let them sign on the spot. Originally, he thought he could fool the German foreigner with this and then squeeze some benefits from this young man surnamed Chen. Who would have thought that the guy would actually bring the seal in violation of the rules?

In the 1980s, "foreign affairs discipline" and "diplomacy is no small matter" were not just empty words. Whoever disgraced the country, regardless of their status, would be dealt with without hesitation! If it weren't in front of the German friend, Deputy Factory Manager Wang could have asked for benefits without any problem, but now, in front of the "German friend," he wouldn't dare even if he had ten lives! He could only reluctantly hand over the contract to Chen Geng.

After quickly browsing through the contract, Chen Geng sighed in relief: There was nothing wrong with this contract. The payment method was the standard settlement method used between state-owned enterprises, where payment is made after delivery. Chen Geng seriously doubted that they had taken this contract directly from a standard template, too lazy to modify the payment method, only changing the price.

But it was understandable. Regardless of Deputy Factory Manager Wang's character, Zhengtai Rubber Factory was a genuine large state-owned enterprise, extremely proud. It would be beneath them to play tricks in the contract.

After signing his name and stamping the company's seal on the contract, this procurement contract for 50,000 tires per year was officially agreed upon and became legally binding. Although the process seemed like a farce, it was not a farce.

...

As soon as they left Zhengtai Rubber Factory, Zhang Xiangyang couldn't hold back any longer and said angrily, "Old Three, it's a good thing you can endure it. I really wanted to beat that bastard up just now!"

"You wanted to beat him up? I wanted to beat him up four times a day, morning, noon, afternoon, and a late-night snack. But it's not possible," Chen Geng sighed. "They can be so arrogant because they are the only ones in China who can produce passenger car tires. They are the only ones, and they're not afraid of us going elsewhere. As for us, apart from cooperating with them, we really have no other choice."

"I understand, but I just can't figure it out," Zhang Xiangyang said after a moment of silence.

"What can't you figure out?" Chen Geng asked.

"Why can't they sign a long-term contract? Why must it be signed annually? Don't they find it troublesome?"

As soon as Zhang Xiangyang said this, Chen Geng burst out laughing.

As for Kindler, he looked puzzled. Although he understood some Chinese, he was completely lost with Zhang Xiangyang's local dialect.

Zhang Xiangyang blushed, "Is my question that funny?"

"It's not funny, it's just... well, you lack social experience," Chen Geng waved his hand. "They want the trouble!"

Facing Zhang Xiangyang's puzzled look, Chen Geng explained, "Unlike truck tires and agricultural tires, where there are many manufacturers to choose from, there is only one factory in the country that can produce passenger car tires, and that's Zhengtai Rubber. Who else can we sign a contract with if not them?"

"So they have us in their grip?"

"What do you think?" Chen Geng asked in return.

It seemed there was no other way but to submit, but Zhang Xiangyang felt uncomfortable and said angrily, "But, but Old Three, I can't bear this."

"Endure?" Chen Geng laughed coldly. "Old Three, just wait and see. In at most half a year, I'll make you see him eat his own shit."

"Huh?" Zhang Xiangyang's eyes lit up. "Do you have a plan?"

"Besides Zhengtai Tire Factory, another company also plans to enter the passenger car tire market," Chen Geng said calmly.

Zhang Xiangyang's eyes lit up even more.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Then why did you still invite that guy to dinner tonight before leaving?"

"Because I need to give him some benefits."

"Why? Why should I?"

Chen Geng rolled his eyes irritably, "If you're not afraid of him holding us back on the tires, you don't have to give him anything."

After a few days of coordination, the number of retired master craftsmen from SAIC Engine Factory willing to provide technical guidance to Runhua Industry as consultants exceeded Chen Geng's expectations: a total of more than 30 people.

These 30 people were all highly skilled master craftsmen, and their family situations were similar: either their children were old enough to take over their jobs, or they needed a formal job to find a partner. In short, they all wanted to make room for their children.

When Chen Geng learned this number from Teacher Xia, he was surprised, "Teacher, if I take so many people at once, won't the factory leadership have any objections?"

"Who dares to object?" The old man spat on the ground, completely ignoring Aunt Ren who had just mopped the floor. "They are all retired old men who want to earn some money to buy notebooks and candies for their grandchildren. Who would object? Who dares to object? When did we retired old men have to look at others' faces?"

This arrogance was overwhelming.

But Chen Geng understood the real reasons:

The first and most important reason: Housing!

After confirming that Runhua Industry would really build a research institute and housing in Shanghai within two years, the group of old men and women, who had been troubled by the lack of housing space, were instantly excited: Working for a few years to get a two-bedroom apartment for the family was a great deal!

Work!

Must work!

Whoever doesn't work is a fool!

In this era, housing is everything. With a big house, the son can marry a beautiful wife, and the family can live comfortably. Whoever dares to stop me from getting a new house for my family is my mortal enemy. I'll smash their house with a wrench and a hammer, and see who dares to stop me!

What Chen Geng didn't know was that the retired old men almost came to blows over the housing. Why? Everyone wanted to go, fearing there wouldn't be enough spots. Some old men who originally planned to work for two more years before letting their children take over were so regretful that they pounded their chests.

What Chen Geng also didn't know was that the leaders of SAIC Engine Factory were in a bind. These old men, even after retirement, often helped the factory solve technical problems. Now, with so many leaving, the factory leaders had no reason to stop them, especially considering it was about their housing. No one dared to stop them!

But considering the possible technical problems that might arise in future production, the factory leaders refused to let the few old workers who planned to retire internally and let their children take over retire.

The second reason, of course, was the high consulting fees Chen Geng offered.

The factory provided food and accommodation, and a monthly salary of over 200 yuan... In their eyes, what were consulting fees if not a salary... A 14-month salary in a year, more than the combined salary of their entire family, what was there to hesitate about?

Why not take the opportunity to save some money for their children while they could still work? Even if they couldn't get a house, saving money for a housing fund would be good.

Regardless of the reason, 30 to nearly 40 retired technical workers were willing to follow Chen Geng, which made him very happy. He immediately said, "This is good, this is more convenient. In the future, we can regularly rent a car to bring everyone back for a few days each month."

Teacher Xia's eyes lit up, and he also thought this was a good idea. But after the excitement, he felt a bit depressed, "Alas, it's a pity that I can't go back with you."

He was one of the few teachers who the factory refused to let retire internally. To appease Xia Shifu, the factory leaders even promised to help his son, who was a temporary worker, get a permanent position within a year.

Chen Geng frowned. In his original plan, Xia Shifu would serve as a bridge between him and the retired master craftsmen from SAIC Engine Factory. Now that Xia Shifu couldn't go, what should he do?

There was always a solution. After thinking for a moment, Chen Geng said, "Since that's the case, why don't you take a part-time job? You can stay in Shanghai, and when we have technical problems we can't solve, you can help us. We'll see if you can come over later."

"That's the only way," the old man said helplessly.

PS: Today is Women's Day, so everyone can understand... But there will definitely be two updates today. This is the first update, and the second will be around 11:30 PM.