Chapter 88

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The day passed quickly, and it was 5 PM, the designated end of the workday at Factory 760. The workers in the workshop turned off their lathes as usual, but unlike other days, they did not rush to leave. Instead, they gathered around Zhang Jianguo's lathe, waiting to see the result of the bet between Zhou Ming, the capitalist, and Zhang Jianguo.

Seeing the growing crowd, Su Han, who had come to accompany Zhou Ming after lunch, pouted in dissatisfaction: "These people are so annoying. They don't dare to wait here all day like you, Zhou Ming, and only come to watch the spectacle when the result is about to be revealed."

Hearing Su Han's complaint, Zhou Ming smiled indifferently: "It's not their fault. After all, they still have work to do. We can't let the factory stop production for a whole day just because of my bet. Besides, didn't you also come after lunch?"

Su Han rolled her eyes at Zhou Ming: "That's all because of the task you gave me!"

Zhou Ming was about to tease Su Han a bit more, but at that moment, Zhang Jianguo's lathe suddenly stopped. Zhou Ming turned around and saw Zhang Jianguo standing on the platform, carefully inspecting the mold to check for any issues.

After waiting all day, this was the moment they had been waiting for!

Zhou Ming thought to himself. Zhang Jianguo finished his inspection and called for the crane to remove the mold from the machine. The workshop supervisor then came forward to check and nodded to Zhou Ming, indicating that there were no problems.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were on Zhou Ming. After all, everyone had stayed past the end of the workday to see the result of the bet between Zhou Ming and Zhang Jianguo. Now that the workshop supervisor had confirmed there were no issues and no rework was needed, it was up to Zhou Ming, the capitalist, to make his move. Would he renege on the bet or pay up as agreed?

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhou Ming slowly walked up the steps next to Zhang Jianguo's lathe and said, "I know everyone is here to witness this moment."

Zhou Ming then invited Zhang Jianguo to join him on the platform. Zhang Jianguo, facing the crowd, appeared somewhat nervous, but Zhou Ming reassured him.

"Today, I will, in front of all of you and with your witness, personally hand over the 500 yuan I promised to Zhang Jianguo."

Zhou Ming then, as if by magic, pulled out 500 yuan and, under everyone's watchful eyes, handed the money to Zhang Jianguo.

The moment Zhang Jianguo received the money, the scene erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

"500 yuan, there really is a 500 yuan bonus! Zhang Jianguo really got 500 yuan! It seems Zhou Ming, like his father, is a man of his word and would never deceive us workers!"

Some people sighed in regret: "Zhang Jianguo is so lucky. If I had been looking at the bulletin board this morning, I would have also made this bet with Boss Zhou. I don't understand why others didn't take this opportunity. This is 500 yuan! It's almost half a year's salary for us. I really don't get it."

Others were hopeful: "Boss Zhou, can we also complete four molds every day? Will you still give us a bonus?"

"Of course!" Zhou Ming said, "However, this bonus will be part of the new wage system starting next month. If you can complete this many tasks every day, you will earn an additional 100 to 200 yuan. The more tasks you complete, the more you will earn. Can you earn more?"

"Of course!" all the workers shouted in unison.

In the crowd, some tried to protest: "Don't be fooled by Zhou Ming! He's trying to get you to accept the new wage system. Our basic wages have been cut in half. He's cutting our pay!"

But these words were immediately met with backlash: "That's because you're lazy. You can't even complete one task in days. Why should you get the same pay as us? Your pay should be cut!"

Others commented on the new wage system: "I've also looked at the new wage system. The floating wage can reach up to 200 yuan. Even without the basic wage, I could accept it! Not to mention, the floating wage and basic wage are added together. It's a shame it won't start until next month. I wish it could start this month."

Zhou Ming had done it. He had really done it. He was truly amazing!

Su Han stood at the front of the crowd, listening to the discussions. She was very happy for Zhou Ming's success, and her eyes were filled with admiration.

Zhou Ming walked down the steps, leading Su Han and Jiang Xia out of the workshop. As Zhou Ming left, Zhang Jianguo, for some reason, suddenly shouted, "Long live Boss Zhou!"

His shout immediately infected everyone else, and they all began to chant, "Long live Boss Zhou!"

Hearing the chorus of voices behind him, Jiang Xia was taken aback. He looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief.

Jiang Xia, who had worked at Factory 760 for thirty years and was considered a veteran, had never seen a factory leader like Zhou Ming. Without any prior organization, he had managed to win the workers' support and have them chant "Long live Boss Zhou." Even the most respected old factory manager had never received such treatment.

How could a young man like Zhou Ming achieve what even the old factory manager and county leaders could not?

Moreover, the story of "moving the log to establish trust" was just a story, and the ancient people had simpler minds. The workers in the factory were very shrewd. How could they be so easily swayed to not only accept the new wage system but also cheer for it? This morning, they had been deeply opposed to the new wage system. What magic did Zhou Ming possess?

Zhou Ming felt Jiang Xia's gaze and turned to ask, "Do you find it hard to believe?"

Jiang Xia nodded dumbly, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."

Zhou Ming smiled, "There's nothing to believe or disbelieve. Workers will support someone not because of their high status or power, but because that person can bring them tangible benefits, like the increased wages I offered."

Zhou Ming paused and continued, "As for the story of 'moving the log to establish trust,' it's essentially about setting an example."

"Comrade Jiang, imagine why, this morning, no matter how much we tried to promote the new system, no one would accept it. It's because, no matter how many grand principles we explained, people didn't have a concrete concept. Only when someone actually received the money did everyone want to get it too, and they had to convince themselves to accept it." Zhou Ming said, "A thousand grand principles are not as effective as one concrete action."

Zhou Ming's final comment made Jiang Xia draw a sharp breath. As the saying goes, anyone can talk about it, but not everyone can put it into practice.

Jiang Xia looked at Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, I can't believe you are so young. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought you were a university professor in your fifties or sixties."

This made Zhou Ming laugh heartily, "Maybe I am indeed in my fifties or sixties."

It was 1987, not thirty years later when穿越 and 重生 stories were popular. Jiang Xia, hearing Zhou Ming's words, felt completely bewildered.

At that moment, Jiang Xia could only tell himself that Zhou Ming was joking, but he could never have imagined that Zhou Ming was telling the truth. If you counted his previous life, his mental age was indeed in his fifties or sixties.

Because Zhou Ming had the memories of the next thirty years, he was even more grateful for today's events.

In Zhou Ming's memory, breaking the "big pot meal" system and changing fixed wages to performance-based wages was an incredibly difficult task. As he had said, everyone has a lazy devil in their heart. If you can get the same pay whether you work hard or not, why would you accept a system where you have to work hard to get the same pay?

Fortunately, everything went smoothly today. Zhang Jianguo stepped up at the right time and completed the task on schedule, allowing everything to proceed smoothly. If there had been any issues, the outcome might have been different.

"Zhou Ming, the most critical step in the reform of Factory 760 has been passed, right?" Su Han suddenly asked.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Yes, as long as we break the 'big pot meal' system and introduce a performance-based wage system to foster competition, it will be easy to improve our production efficiency. In this era where everyone is eating from the 'big pot,' if our factory can improve efficiency, it will be easy to revitalize the entire factory!"

Originally, Su Han would have been very happy to hear this, but her mood was not high. She looked up at Zhou Ming, "So, you're leaving, right?"

This sudden question caught Zhou Ming off guard. He then remembered the call he received from Du Peng in Nanjiang this morning, saying that the land speculation he had predicted had finally begun. Du Peng, who had never experienced such a situation, was unsure of what to do and urgently called for Zhou Ming to come to Nanjiang to help.

Of course, if it were just Du Peng, Zhou Ming could wait a few more days. After all, land speculation wouldn't reach its peak in a month or two. However, around noon, the mayor of Nanjiang, Chen Yunfei, also called, urging Zhou Ming to come to Nanjiang as soon as possible.

This made Zhou Ming take it seriously.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming said apologetically to Su Han, "I'm sorry, I haven't been able to spend much time with you."

Su Han shook her head, "That's not what I mean. I know you, Zhou Ming, are destined to be a great person and can't always stay at Factory 760. I... I just can't bear to see you go."

At that moment, words seemed superfluous. Zhou Ming simply pulled Su Han into his arms and held her tightly.

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