Chapter 59: Taking Over the Factory and Starting Work

Xu Sangluo had no objections. To be honest, she was in dire need of people, and the work she was doing wasn’t difficult.

Even though most of the workers at the plastic factory were men, it didn’t mean they couldn’t be useful.

For example, they could make patterns, draw threads, move goods, transport goods, etc.

Moreover, she planned to develop the factory into a small company.

Besides workers, she would need to develop other departments and recruit talented people.

It would be best if she had ready-made personnel.

However, she felt that most of these workers probably wouldn’t want to stay.

After all, she was just a private factory, and it was just starting out. The work was different from what they were used to, and there was a lot of uncertainty.

Manager Zeng took out the contract that had already been stamped and handed it to her.

As soon as she signed it, the factory would be hers.

Xu Sangluo carefully reviewed it. For a moment, the office was silent except for the sound of paper turning.

After reading it and confirming that there were no problems, she signed her name at the end.

Manager Zeng took the contract, the rent, and the deposit. He looked even more dejected.

He wiped his face, tried to cheer up a little, and asked, “When will you need it? I’ll arrange for the machines to be taken away as soon as possible. Do you need me to help you clean up?”

Xu Sangluo said, “I’m in a hurry to get the goods out now, so it’s best to do it as soon as possible. If you can, please help me clean it up.”

“Okay, I’ll try to finish it today. You can move your things in tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

Xu Sangluo nodded, “Then now…”

Manager Zeng sighed, stood up, and picked up a stack of money and pay slips.

“Come on, I’ll take you to meet the workers first.”

“Okay.” Xu Sangluo also stood up and followed him out.

The four old technicians also stood up and followed.

But one of them walked next to Xu Sangluo and suddenly asked, “Factory Manager Xu, I wonder how long you plan to run this factory.”

His question was a bit abrupt.

After all, if possible, everyone would want to run it forever.

Manager Zeng frowned and said helplessly, “Old Wang.”

But Xu Sangluo knew what he meant and smiled, “I can’t just say anything now, and you wouldn’t believe me. But I dare say, as long as I’m here, the factory will never close down.”

This was quite a bold statement. Considering her age, normal people would only think she was bragging.

At most, they would secretly sigh, “What a young and fearless calf.”

Everyone was speechless for a moment and silently continued walking outside.

Outside, a group of workers stood up when they saw them come out.

Manager Zeng walked ahead, stood on the steps, and introduced Xu Sangluo to everyone, explaining the situation.

Then he started reading the names and handing out wages.

When they learned that they would get an extra month’s salary, their heavy hearts were slightly relieved.

After everyone had received their wages, Manager Zeng handed the stage over to Xu Sangluo.

Xu Sangluo first made some polite remarks and briefly explained the factory’s current development and future plans.

Then she gave everyone the choice.

Those who wanted to stay could report their previous work and expertise.

Those who didn’t want to stay could leave now.

In the end, as expected, very few people chose to stay.

Out of 112 workers, only 32 stayed.

The 32 who stayed were mostly older, and most of them were just ordinary workers.

Actually, they were only in their forties.

There were also some young people, probably from poor families who didn’t have time to buffer.

As long as they could continue to receive wages, they would stay for now.

“Future things can be dealt with later.”

Manager Zeng helped find the introduction forms of these 32 workers, which included their basic information.

Xu Sangluo was surprised to find the old technician who had asked her a question earlier.

He was a level 6 repairman.

Logically, someone with this level of skill should be able to easily find a job at other factories, but he chose to stay.

Xu Sangluo asked him why, and he simply said that he was old and didn’t want to move.

Seeing that he didn’t want to say more, Xu Sangluo didn’t ask further. It was best if such a talented person was willing to stay.

Although they didn’t have many machines now, she would definitely fill them in slowly when she had the chance.

A factory needs to be mechanized to become big and strong.

Xu Sangluo didn’t tell them about their work or pay yet. She just told them to start work the day after tomorrow and that she would arrange everything then.

The workers left with a sense of unease and dejection.

Xu Sangluo felt relaxed. The only pity was that the truck driver didn’t stay.

But it was understandable. In this era, truck drivers were in high demand everywhere and wouldn’t stay at a small, uncertain factory like hers.

She had to find a driver as soon as possible. She didn’t need someone with great skills, just someone who could drive a small truck.

At noon, in a detached courtyard with five rooms in Quyang Town.

Wang Congjun pushed his old bicycle into the courtyard.

Two children, about three years old, were playing in the sand.

As soon as they saw him, they shouted, “Grandpa!”

Seeing the two little ones coming to hug his legs, Wang Congjun’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He smiled and patted their heads, handing them a paper bag.

“Wow, Grandpa, what is this?” The little girl took the paper bag and her big eyes lit up.

“It’s peanut brittle. Take it inside and eat it.”

At this time, a middle-aged woman, also in her fifties, came out of the house.

She was a little surprised, “Why are you back so early today?” It wasn’t time for work to end yet.

Wang Congjun waved his hand, parked his bicycle, and walked into the house with the two children. He opened the paper bag and gave them each a piece of peanut brittle.

After the two children happily went to eat on the side, he poured himself a glass of water. After finishing it, he sighed heavily.

“The plastic factory is gone.”

“What? What do you mean, gone?” The woman was also anxious.

The family was now relying on her husband’s salary. If the factory was gone, then…

The woman’s face changed, and her anxiety grew stronger.

Wang Congjun waved his hand, “The factory couldn’t survive. Manager Zeng transferred the factory to someone else to run as a private factory. Actually, I had anticipated this.”

The woman was even more anxious, “Then, what do we do now? You’re a level 6 technician. Didn’t you ask Manager Zeng to apply for a transfer?”

Wang Congjun sighed, “Factories are all struggling now. Every factory is cutting staff. What’s the use of having a high level? If you go to another factory, you’ll just be taking up space. I’m staying at this new factory for now.”

The main reason was that Wang Congjun knew the situation of the factories in this area of the county.

Every factory had a limited number of senior technicians.

It was no longer like before, when there were many technicians and factories were competing to hire them.

He could ask Manager Zeng to do him a favor and force him to take him in.

But first, he couldn’t really ask Manager Zeng to lose face for him.

Second, even if he was forced in, he would most likely be sitting on the bench.

If he transferred to a factory in another place, he would have to move, and he might even have to move across provinces or cities.

It was inconvenient for them, two old people with two toddlers.

So, he decided to stay for now and see what happened.