Jack had barely returned home when Mo Fei called. Jack and Roy had essentially done what they were supposed to do, so Mo Fei needed to give them a little sweetness. It was an exchange, and it was also something Mo Fei needed.
"Jack, well done. Now tell me your specific ideas about the factory," Mo Fei said without beating around the bush.
"Here's the situation. Now that Jerry is gone, and we never divided the shares when we founded the company, I want to hand his portion directly to you. In return, you can help us keep building up capital, then buy back our old factory, upgrade some of the equipment and technology, and bring back those workers. They'll only need some training—they're all skilled workers," Jack said directly.
"Mm, not a bad idea. You and Roy know the factory well, but neither of you knows how to run a business," Mo Fei pointed out their weakness.
"Of course. I thought of that long ago. But the factory already had managers and sales staff, and they lost their jobs too. Some found new work, but some didn't. We can bring them back, and we can contact our former clients again. We can produce while renovating the factory, killing two birds with one stone."
"Fine. Start working on it now. Stay at home. When I use the account, I'll operate through your daughter's computer, and when the time comes, we'll say you did it. Also, study up on this. You only need to learn simple buying and selling."
"Understood. I'll have Roy gather the former workers and contact the bank to see how much it will cost to buy it," Jack said excitedly.
"Then it's settled!"
The next morning, Roy made arrangements for his wife at the hospital before heading straight to a bar beside the factory. It was a place where they used to drink often. The moment he walked in, he saw several former coworkers. "Hey, perfect, you're all here. Do me a favor and gather everyone who hasn't found work yet. Jack and I are planning to buy the factory."
"You're serious, Roy?" someone asked.
"Of course. Neither of us wants this to happen again, so we're taking over the factory. First, get the former management team back. I need them to help organize the documents and negotiate with the bank to see how much funding we need," Roy said seriously.
"This is fantastic, Roy! You and Jack haven't forgotten about us. We'll start calling people right now!" The former coworkers in the bar checked the phone numbers they had and began contacting people separately. The first person they called was one of the factory's former deputy managers. He still had not found a job. At fifty-seven, he was too old for anyone to hire easily.
After receiving the call, he hurried over in his car. "Roy, is what you said true?"
"Of course, Old John. You were a deputy manager, so you know this factory better than we do. It still has potential. America still imports steel wheel hubs every year, so why can't we rise again?" Roy said directly.
"You're right. We turned down a lot of orders. Without upgraded equipment, the profits were too low. Foreign investors backed out because of policy issues, but we can do it. We just need technology and new equipment."
"I know. Jack is handling that. Right now, I need the former sales staff, finance staff, and everyone else. We used to be workers. We can hire lawyers to negotiate with the bank, but you need to prepare the documents. Get moving, Old John!"
"Understood, future boss. Leave this to me. How could those bloodsuckers at the bank know the factory better than we do?" Old John said happily, then hurriedly began making calls. He had even more phone numbers.
Roy rented out the entire bar. Only their people were allowed in that day, and the drinks were on the house. Many hands made light work. Everyone who had not found a job was gathered back together. After more than three months of hardship, they had finally seen hope. Their numbers exceeded two hundred. Almost everyone in the bar was standing, with no room left to sit. Many people stood at the entrance holding beer bottles, making the nearby patrol officers extremely nervous.
However, nothing happened. The workers were all enthusiastically discussing the factory's situation. Then Roy's lawyer arrived and, together with Old John and the former administrative staff, continuously analyzed the factory's value and talked it down until it seemed worthless.
As for the attached condition concerning skilled workers, they completely ignored it. These workers hated that bank to the core. Now that their own people wanted to buy the factory, naturally they would no longer follow the bank's arrangements.
Moreover, Roy stated that once they bought the factory, they would sue the bank. His lawyer declared on the spot that although it might take some time, they would definitely win. The bank would not be able to withhold a single cent of compensation, and it would also have to compensate the workers for delaying them for so long.
Jack stayed home, listening to Roy's progress over the phone, while his daughter's computer remained on. Mo Fei had taken over the operations on it, buying and selling without pause. It was nothing more than simple high-buy, low-sell trading, yet its precision was utterly incomprehensible. Using his ability to monitor all of Wall Street, Mo Fei operated with more than three million dollars in capital. That was far stronger than the hundred thousand dollars they had started with.
In the financial market, capital was always king. With enough money, one could even pry loose a financial storm. Mo Fei was becoming increasingly skilled as well. He was no longer as cautious as before and was beginning to make bold, sweeping moves.
For now, though, their small amount of capital had not attracted anyone's attention. After all, transactions worth a few million dollars were small change on Wall Street. As Mo Fei continued trading, the funds began to grow visibly, leaving Jack staring in disbelief.
Over the next three days, under Old John's lead, the documents were prepared. Then Roy, Old John, and the lawyer formed a negotiation team and headed to Bear Stearns Wall Street Bank. It had resumed business, but hardly anyone seemed to visit.
The manager had been replaced. After all, the previous one had also been suspected and was currently at home waiting for the case to be resolved. His career prospects were bleak.
"We'd like to see your manager. We want to discuss the acquisition of that wheel hub manufacturing plant," the lawyer said directly. Upon receiving the news, the manager immediately came over. He had not wanted to take over this branch, but he had no choice unless he resigned.
"Welcome, welcome. May I ask how I should address the three of you?" The manager smiled broadly. At last, there was some business.
"We're here to..." The lawyer immediately began explaining the matter in detail. "Would it be possible to begin negotiations now?"
"Of course. Although that factory's equipment—"
"Wait." Old John stopped his introduction. "I was the deputy manager of that factory, and this is our boss. He used to be a worker there." His introduction was a little muddled. A worker had become the boss, while a former deputy manager now worked for that worker? "We know that factory better than you do. Including the land, we offer twelve million dollars. That is more than a fair price. If you agree, we can sign today!"
"Twelve million dollars? No, no, no. That's far too little. The land alone is worth that much, and there are also many skilled workers. Once you buy it, you can begin production immediately. I think you know that better than I do." The manager did not actually know much, but he instinctively began haggling.
"We know better than you do. We know the condition of that equipment inside out, and you don't need to worry about the skilled workers—they've already agreed to work for us. We'll also have to spend money clearing out the equipment. If the bank wants it, you can take all of it. We don't need it," Roy said forcefully.
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