The Jingnan Group's official launch was ultimately set for November, but even by late October, the personnel changes triggered by the merger at the Light Vehicle Company had yet to be fully settled. The process of settling them was a gathering of storms and dragons locked in battle—lively beyond measure.
Li Ye's side had gone relatively smoothly. He promoted two Deputy Factory Directors, transferred in an experienced Personnel Section Chief from the main factory, and had several young cadres who would follow him to the Group to build the stage and put on the show.
That was only because Li Ye was riding high and enjoyed immense prestige within the First Branch Factory. Once he and Lu Zhizhang had discussed and finalized a candidate, practically no one objected.
But things were much livelier over at the main factory. For a single position, everyone showed off their skills, scrambling and fighting until their heads were bloody.
Often, the moment someone was chosen, that person's competitor would refuse to accept it and seek out their connections, crying injustice and grievance, even slamming tables. In short: "Why pick him instead of me? If you don't pick me, then I'm lying flat from now on!"
And Li Ye finally understood why so many people at the main factory lay flat, why so many leaders kept drawing pies for their employees, and why rumors about him and Zhou Ziqing had appeared at a time like this.
It was all caused by the shifting of power.
The main factory was unlike the First Branch Factory. Its employees were all very young, and everyone had started from scratch together. Moreover, the First Branch Factory followed a merit-based selection system—whoever had the ability got promoted.
But that system would not work at the main factory. It had accumulated