Chapter 027: Courtesy Before Force

Around nine-thirty.

In the meeting room at the west end of the third floor, the old pale blue ceiling fan creaked as it turned slowly, sending out cool breezes that dispelled the heat.

Wang Qiang was already facing the group selected by Liao Wenfeng—over a dozen people. From the earlier introductions, he learned that seated before him were six workshop supervisors, five from human resources, and six of Lu Dahai’s trusted confidants who were to be trained as safety officers. Naturally, Qin Xiaohui was among them.

Sitting at the head of the conference table, Lu Dahai joked, “Xiao Wang, all our factory’s upper management is at your command now. Feel free to issue your orders.”

The others looked at Wang Qiang with curiosity. They knew he’d been brought in by the boss to provide management training, but they hadn’t expected him to be so young.

Wang Qiang glanced around. Aside from one young woman and one young man among HR and the future safety officers, the rest were mostly in their mid-thirties to fifties. He cleared his throat and said, “Hello, everyone. My name is Wang Qiang. I was invited by Mr. Lu to share some management insights with you today. If anything I say doesn’t sit well with you or doesn’t seem right, I sincerely hope you’ll offer your guidance.”

The HR manager, Rao Xiaoyan, a woman in her forties, smiled. “Guidance? Since the boss invited you here, it’s us who should be seeking your advice.” She lifted her chin towards the others. “Isn’t that right?”

Director Du, the white-haired supervisor of the blending workshop, nodded. “Go ahead. We’ll cooperate.”

Perhaps because Lu Dahai was present, the others all behaved with enthusiasm.

“That’s right.”

“Xiao Wang, just tell us what to do and we’ll do it.”

Regardless of their motives for being so compliant, Wang Qiang was satisfied as long as they were willing to listen. He picked up the papers he’d written and distributed them according to each person’s role. “I prepared this in a rush—there’s only one copy of the management plan, so please make do as I explain it in detail.”

Everyone quieted down and, instead of reading, fixed their eyes and ears on Wang Qiang.

He raised his hand. “First, let’s discuss the HR responsibilities—tardiness, early departures, leave requests, absenteeism…” He began his explanation slowly.

The factory’s management listened intently, each of them resembling students in a classroom, listening to a young man of only seventeen or eighteen give a lesson.

…

Time slipped by.

The entire morning passed in this way.

Now it was noon. Having just finished lunch, Wang Qiang followed behind Liao Wenfeng, making his way along the scorching concrete walkway of the machinery factory toward the blending workshop.

It was midday in summer. The sun blazed in the sky like a giant fireball, heating the air to the point where it felt hard to breathe.

With Lu Dahai and his wife present earlier, Wang Qiang hadn’t been able to ask questions. Now that it was just the two of them, he couldn’t help but ask, “Director Liao, why did you have me agree to her request this morning?”

Liao Wenfeng glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice. “Xiao Wang, there are things I can’t disclose, but I can tell you this much: the boss deliberately allowed his wife to get involved in management. In any case, you’re only here for a week, so don’t worry about it.”

Wang Qiang nodded without further comment, but deep down, he had a vague premonition. From what he remembered, Lu Dahai would go on to become the chairman of a publicly-listed company worth over two billion, which meant he must be extremely shrewd. Qin Xiaohui was likely being played.

He could also guess why the decision-making was left to him—if Lu Dahai had agreed to Qin Xiaohui’s request too easily, she might have grown suspicious.

Wang Qiang gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. That’s the trouble with marriages of convenience, especially between a rich man and a young, beautiful woman—one marries for money, the other is always on guard. It’s such a tiring way to live. He found himself missing his own wife more than ever. Even if they’d argued before, at least they’d always been sincere with each other—none of these games.

Blending Workshop.

Stepping inside, away from the sun, it was much cooler.

Standing at the entrance, Wang Qiang tugged at his shirt collar to fan himself—the sweat on his body was sticky and uncomfortable.

Liao Wenfeng was in no better shape; his hair was damp, a few strands stuck to his glasses.

Inside, the workshop was bustling and noisy—after all, there were two or three hundred people there.

“Who knows what Old Lu’s up to this time?”

“Hey, why do you think he called us here in the middle of the day?”

“Who knows? We just had lunch, and now he wants a meeting? I’m tired!”

“Shut up, shut up!”

“Hush! Director Liao is here!”

The workers grumbled about their lunch break being interrupted, but when someone spotted the general manager approaching, they quickly hushed the others.

Liao Wenfeng strode forward and clapped his hands loudly. “Everyone stand up. I have a few things to announce.”

Wang Qiang stayed by the door, observing quietly. He wasn’t about to get involved in playing the bad guy.

A buck-toothed woman in her forties grumbled, “Director Liao, can’t this wait till the afternoon? Why interrupt our nap?”

“Exactly,” muttered a skinny, shirtless middle-aged man. “If we don’t get some rest in this heat, how are we supposed to work in the afternoon?”

The others broke into scattered complaints, making Wang Qiang smile despite himself. The workers were fiercer than management—a rarity in more modern enterprises, but understandable given the special circumstances of this machinery factory.

The six workshop supervisors shouted back at the rowdy employees.

“Xiao Zhao, what’s your problem?”

“Old Qian, stop complaining and listen to Director Liao!”

“What are you doing, stirring up trouble? Sit down!”

Director Du and the others scolded and barked orders until the workshop finally quieted, though the workers remained sullen.

Wang Qiang yawned. The stifling heat made him sleepy, but there was still work to be done. During lunch, he’d discussed the meeting agenda and key points with Liao Wenfeng. Now it was time to announce the new rules and regulations.

“I know you’re all tired after a hard morning’s work, so let me start with some good news,” Liao Wenfeng announced, clearly used to handling such situations, his face lit with a broad smile. “You don’t have to work this afternoon—just clean up the place!”

“Really?”

“Wow, no work?”

“Cleaning? Didn’t we just do a big clean-up last week?”

Two or three hundred workers began murmuring, but the mood was clearly better with the prospect of an afternoon off.

Even better news was coming.

Liao Wenfeng pulled out a sheet of paper, glanced at it, and continued, “The boss and I have discussed things. For the factory’s better development, we’ve decided to launch a rewards and penalties system, new safety regulations, and 5S management.”

Old Zhen, whom Wang Qiang had met yesterday, drawled lazily, “The factory’s doing fine as it is—why stir things up?”

Liao Wenfeng wasn’t bothered. He just kept smiling. “Is it stirring things up if it means you’ll earn more money?”

Old Zhen’s eyes lit up. “You mean a raise?”

Everyone looked on expectantly—who doesn’t want to earn more?

Wang Qiang saw that some were already beaming with joy.

“Not a raise,” Liao Wenfeng clarified. Afraid they’d start making a fuss, he quickly added, “Let me explain the reward system. Listen carefully—if you accomplish any of these points, there will be a reward.”

At the mention of rewards, the crowd held their breath, not wanting to miss a word—a far cry from their earlier commotion. People always care deeply about their own interests.

Liao Wenfeng nodded with satisfaction and began to read:

“First, those who work diligently, demonstrate skill, and complete major or special assignments on time will be rewarded with 50 to 1,000 yuan.”

“Second, each month, those who are exemplary in conduct and dedication and serve as models for all employees will be rewarded with 50 yuan. One will be selected from each workshop monthly.”

“Third, those with perfect attendance—no lateness, early departures, sick leave, or absences—will be rewarded…”

“Fifteenth…”

“…Twenty-first, for the factory’s development, each workshop will select six deputy supervisors and twelve group leaders, giving priority to those who have made significant contributions to the factory’s construction and growth. Group leaders will earn 450 yuan a month, deputy supervisors 600. There are only eighteen places—those who perform best will rise!”

The room erupted in a buzz of excitement.

“A chance at promotion?”

“Wow, Old Lu’s in a generous mood this time.”

“You mean we can earn 30 yuan just for turning up every day?”

“Work harder and get a 25 yuan production bonus?”

“I knew it—if we all pull together, he’ll have to give in.”

The workers couldn’t contain their happiness, their faces full of delight as if they’d just won a battle.

Wang Qiang chuckled to himself. He knew the mood would soon change. Twenty-one reward clauses sounded generous, but the penalty system he’d designed was even more extensive—thirty-five clauses, enough to give them a hard time.

“Any objections to the rewards system I just outlined?” Liao Wenfeng asked slyly, having boxed the workers in.

“None!”

“None!”

As expected, the workers answered in unison—no one refuses good news.

Liao Wenfeng adjusted his glasses, still smiling. “Good, with the rewards out of the way, let’s talk about the penalties.”

Wang Qiang smiled faintly. First the carrot, now the stick—it was time for the bad news.