Factory Management

The next day, 9 AM.

The sun was shining brightly, its warmth characteristic of early spring, bathing everything in a gentle glow.

At the official government building in Jiangzhou City, two Santana sedans and a Passat drove out from the main gate.

Attached to the front of the Passat was a license plate whose numbers immediately caught the eye: 0002!

This small convoy of three vehicles was none other than the Deputy Secretary and his entourage, heading to the Jiuzhou factory for an inspection.

Meanwhile, within the Jiuzhou factory grounds, Xu Yifan and his team were already prepared for the reception.

The Jiuzhou Mini vehicles, produced by the factory and ready for delivery, were neatly parked in the designated area.

Nearly a hundred cars of the same model but in different colors, parked together, presented a considerable visual impact.

A high-spec model had also been specially prepared for the officials to examine upon their arrival.

In addition, the employees had been briefed today: if any officials came to inquire about the situation, they should simply answer truthfully based on what they knew.

Everyone was asked to wear their work uniforms as cleanly as possible and to be a bit more mindful of their conduct while working.

The cafeteria chefs were instructed to prepare their best dishes today. Although it was uncertain if they would be having a simple meal at the factory, preparations were still made.

While many of these actions were merely for show, something Xu Yifan himself used to despise, it was still necessary to make some effort. He could only ask everyone to be a little more mindful without putting undue pressure on them.

With all preparations for the reception complete, Xu Yifan and the factory's department managers waited at the factory entrance.

Among this group, Xu Yifan and his secretary, Lin Wanxia, were the youngest, at twenty-two and twenty-three years old respectively.

Next was Lu Jingping, the R&D department manager, at thirty years old (a Four-star R&D talent, specializing in physical chemistry and electrochemistry, a Doctor from Xiamen University).

The security department manager, a retired soldier Lian Ming'an, was thirty-three (a Five-star talent, master of close combat, firearms, and wilderness survival, a retired Special Forces King!).

Wen Ye, the financial department manager, was thirty-two (a Four-star financial talent, with a Master's degree from Modu University of Finance and Economics).

Ji Shenghai, the sales department manager, was thirty-seven (a Three-star talent, with a high school education but extensive work experience and strong learning ability).

Feng Mingyuan, the logistics department manager, was forty-two (a Three-star logistics management talent, with a college degree and rich work experience, skilled in management).

He Minghao, the procurement department manager, was forty-one (a Three-star procurement talent, diligent and without any blemishes on his record).

Ma Youlong, the HR department manager, was forty-five (a Three-star talent, diligent in his work).

Zhou Fengyan, the production department manager, was fifty-one (a Three-star production talent, a Three-star management talent, a jack-of-all-trades, stable and reliable in his work).

Looking at these talents he had meticulously selected, Xu Yifan was quite satisfied.

Especially Lian Ming'an, one of the two high-star talents who had joined recently, and currently the highest-rated manager in the factory, the Special Forces King, felt like he had struck gold. If there was an opportunity in the future, he would let him pilot a Gundam!

With an average age just over thirty, this was a very young and promising leadership team. Coupled with himself as the leader, why worry about not achieving greatness!

What was most important in the 21st century? Talent!

And during the New Year, with significant population movement across the country, the Jiuzhou factory seized the opportunity, offering high salaries to recruit high-end talent returning home for the holidays.

Where one works is still work, so why not try working in one's hometown?

In the past, there was no choice. Local wages were too low, and employment was difficult.

Now that there was a choice, some talents naturally preferred to stay in their hometowns, able to stay close to their parents and family while also earning money!

Thus, the department manager positions, previously held by several ordinary employees part-time, were now filled by these talents.

The early spring sun was not as scorching as in summer, and as it shone on people, it dispelled the chill of the long winter.

Sitting on a plastic stool, attentively brought over by a security guard, Xu Yifan idly gazed at the scenery outside the factory grounds and struck up a conversation with the managers beside him.

"You know, with this weather, it's quite nice to just bask in the sun!"

Industrial parks in most cities were mostly built in uninhabited areas, lacking commercial shops or tourist attractions.

Especially in the current era, industries were not as developed as they would be later. Even around the factory grounds, one could still see a lot of wasteland overgrown with weeds.

By the roadside outside the Jiuzhou factory, green trees were sprouting new leaves, and small flowers were growing tenaciously from the soil. A faint scent of earth even drifted in the breeze.

Spring had arrived, and all things were reviving. The vast grasslands were once again home to animals...

His thoughts wandered. If only there was a bed!

Unlike Xu Yifan's slight boredom, the department managers beside him appeared somewhat nervous.

Sitting on the plastic stools, they chatted with each other.

Feng Mingyuan of the logistics department looked up at the sky and said, "The weather is indeed good today, but I don't really feel like sunbathing. You, Factory Director, are much more relaxed. Even the Mayor inspecting our factory is treated as a routine matter."

Wen Ye, who had only recently joined Jiuzhou Auto but was directly responsible for the finance department and was thirty-two this year, was still a bit nervous. "This is my first time seeing the Mayor. I wonder what these officials are like. Will they cause trouble for us?"

Xu Yifan comforted them, "If it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, it can't be avoided. Just act normally, as if you're meeting a leader from another factory to discuss cooperation."

Lian Ming'an, the security department manager and former Special Forces King, said with a serious expression, "I've met some commanders before. Hmm, it's nothing much. As long as you do your job well, that's all that matters."

Ma Youlong, the HR department manager, sighed with emotion, "I never would have imagined that in just a few months, not only would the factory be revived from the brink, but even the Mayor would come for an inspection!"

Zhou Fengyan, an old hand at the factory, the production department manager and technical engineer, also expressed his feelings, "Actually, people have visited before, but most of the time they left disappointed, and gradually stopped coming. They haven't come even once in the last two years."

Ji Shenghai, the sales department manager who was rushing back and dealt with people frequently, was slightly excited. "An inspection by leaders! This might be an opportunity for our factory."

"If the work is done well, we are certainly willing to help the factory, as it is a mutually beneficial matter."

Xu Yifan said with a smile, "Look, if there are benefits, that's naturally the best. If not, we'll take it as it comes. Hmm, if there's suppression, we'll see."

Recalling the officials he met with his father during the Chinese New Year, Xu Yifan thought to himself that if things really didn't work out, he could still try to pull some strings...

For the factories below, it was best if they encountered local officials who were good. The factories and the local government would work together to develop the city and the factories better.

If they intended to make things difficult, the factories would have a hard time developing.

Just as everyone was wondering whether the coming events would bring fortune or disaster, Lian Ming'an, who was sitting bolt upright, received a message from his walkie-talkie.

"Target sighted, target sighted. Three vehicles are heading towards our base camp, estimated to arrive in five minutes. Please respond."

This was the information sent back by the security guards who had been sent out to scout ahead...

"Received, received. Pull back," Lian Ming'an replied calmly.

Putting away his walkie-talkie, Lian Ming'an stood up and said to Xu Yifan.

"Boss, the Deputy Secretary's inspection convoy has entered the industrial park and will arrive at our factory entrance in about five minutes."

"Very good, everyone get ready!"

They put away their stools, tidied their clothes, and the group, bathed in the early spring sunshine, waited quietly.