Chapter 028: Implementation

The air was stifling, and the workshop was eerily quiet.
The workers exchanged uncertain glances, only now realizing that what the general manager had mentioned was a “reward and punishment system,” not just a reward system. So there was a catch after all. Some clever ones immediately understood—how could Lu Dahai, a capitalist, be so generous as to offer rewards without corresponding penalties?
A tall, attractive woman in her thirties furrowed her brow almost imperceptibly, sensing something amiss.
A few seasoned workers felt a sinking in their hearts and even suspected that this round of management reform was aimed directly at them. Still, whether it was Old Zhen, Lu Xiaoqing, or any of the other old hands, they all quietly reassured themselves that Lu Dahai wouldn’t dare do anything drastic. Most likely, this was just for show, to make everyone a bit more disciplined.
Feeling tired from standing, Wang Qiang crouched down, his gaze occasionally drifting over. Since he had agreed to help Boss Lu with management training, he had to produce results; otherwise, the seven hundred yuan fee would be hard to justify.
Liao Wenfeng’s usual smile had vanished, replaced by a stern expression. His tone grew sharp: “The purpose of the punishment system isn’t for the factory to take advantage of you, but to ensure you meet and maintain the required standards of work. By correcting mistakes and preventing future ones, we safeguard both the factory’s and employees’ mutual and long-term interests.”
Old Zhen felt a jolt of fear. Anyone with sense could hear from these words that the factory was serious about dealing with their group of slackers.
Those prone to shirking work realized the same.
“Director Liao, we’re all pretty disciplined. There’s no need for a punishment system, is there?” Old Zhen said anxiously. He might not take Lu Dahai seriously, but if things really came to a head, leaving the factory wouldn’t make life any easier. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want it to come to that.
The bucktoothed woman tried to speak up, but as soon as she uttered, “I—” Liao Wenfeng interrupted her solemnly, “So you think there’s no need for a reward system either?”
Old Zhen was stumped, unsure what to say. He certainly didn’t dare claim the reward system was unnecessary. Everyone worked for a fixed wage, and extra income was hard to come by. If he ruined that, his furious coworkers would tear him apart.
Wang Qiang saw Liao Wenfeng finally display the authority befitting a general manager, satisfaction flashing in his eyes. This was the assertiveness a leader needed. Even if these words had been coached by himself, a weaker leader would never be able to put them into practice.
From the start, Wang Qiang knew that not everyone in the factory would be unified. There were many who genuinely wanted to do a good job, but the atmosphere had soured because of a small group.
You loaf around all day and earn this much.
I work hard and also earn this much.
Why should I put in more effort than others? Naturally, those who wanted to work hard grew disheartened and slacked off as well.
To change this, drastic measures were needed.
A reward and punishment system was just the prescription—encouraging honest workers while intimidating the crafty ones.
If the system was implemented and the workers behaved, Wang Qiang would gladly step back. After all, making a living wasn’t easy for anyone. But if some still insisted on pushing their luck, he’d have no choice but to make an example out of them. He didn’t want things to become irreparable.
Liao Wenfeng swept his gaze over the crowd and said sternly, “If anyone thinks the reward system is unnecessary, step forward!”
Silence.
No one was foolish enough to become a target.
Seeing everyone quiet, Liao Wenfeng straightened the papers in his hand and continued coldly, “Let’s move on to the punishment system. Later, a printed copy will be distributed to each of you, including the reward system. Memorize them well. If anyone breaks factory rules, don’t come begging to me.”
Director Du chimed in, “That’s right. We’re all adults and should take responsibility for our actions. Director Liao, please proceed.”

Liao Wenfeng cleared his throat and continued formally, “There are two types of punishment: financial and administrative. Financial penalties involve fines. Administrative penalties include warnings, demerits, serious demerits, dismissal, and expulsion. Both types can be applied separately or together. Of course, as you’re public employees, the factory can’t truly expel you, but you will be sent back to the town, and the mayor and party secretary will decide where to reassign you. One thing is certain—you won’t be working at Jin Gong Machinery Factory again.”
Old Zhen’s heart sank. Now it was clear the factory was serious.
Lu Xiaoqing and the others listened with grim faces.
Liao Wenfeng began to announce the penalty regulations:
“First, anyone late or leaving early by less than thirty minutes will be fined two yuan.”
“Second, chatting or wandering between posts during work hours will be fined three yuan.”
“Third, being late to meetings will be fined one yuan.”
“Fourth, bringing unauthorized visitors into the workplace will be fined five yuan.”
“Fifth, littering or damaging the factory’s cleanliness will be fined one yuan…”
He hadn’t finished reading when a commotion erupted.
“That’s unfair!”
“What kind of rule is that?”
“Fined for littering?”
“This is outrageous!”
The crowd was indignant, eager to argue with Liao Wenfeng.
Seeing the unrest, Wang Qiang stood up. If Liao Wenfeng couldn’t convince them, he would have to play the villain himself. He’d rather not, but these rules had to be accepted, or their work would never progress.
Fortunately, Liao Wenfeng was capable. Even as he echoed Wang Qiang’s words, his tone was irrefutable: “Let me ask you—when you litter, doesn’t someone have to clean up? If your labor is paid for, is the labor of those cleaning up your mess not also paid? Why should the factory pay extra because you break the rules?”
Three pointed questions left the crowd speechless.
Wang Qiang had long prepared these key points with Liao Wenfeng, and they were ready with responses. To implement new rules, you had to win people over, whether by force or persuasion—so long as the goal was achieved.
“Does anyone have any objections?” Liao Wenfeng asked coldly. When he saw someone fidgeting, he called out, “Lu Xiaoqing, do you have any objections?”
All eyes turned to Lu Xiaoqing.
The old hands looked at him hopefully, some even signaling for him to speak up.
But he disappointed them, forcing a smile, “The leadership is right, how could I have any objections?” He had no intention of being used as a pawn—youth didn’t equate to foolishness.

Wang Qiang saw that even Lu Xiaoqing, one of the old hands’ representatives, had backed down, and knew that today’s announcement of the punishment system had succeeded.
Sure enough, as Liao Wenfeng continued to read each rule, discontent lingered, but no one dared speak out. They could only swallow their frustration for now.
The factory’s actions had caught them off guard. They wanted to resist but hadn’t yet figured out how.
The penalties continued.
Seven articles.
Twenty articles.
Thirty-four articles.
“…Anyone accumulating three serious demerits within a year will be dismissed.” Liao Wenfeng concluded, closed the papers, and declared solemnly, “This reward and punishment system will take effect immediately. Work hard, earn more bonuses, and avoid penalties. The safety guidelines and 5S system will be printed and distributed to you along with these rules. The boss’s wife and I will give on-site guidance this afternoon. That’s all—meeting adjourned.”
With that, he turned and left with Wang Qiang.
Only once the general manager’s back disappeared did the workers burst into a chorus of complaints.
The short, stout man shouted, “What right does the factory have to do this?”
“Exactly, what right?” Old Zhen echoed.
The bucktoothed woman challenged Lu Xiaoqing, “Xiao Lu, why didn’t you speak up earlier?”
Lu Xiaoqing looked at her strangely and shot back, “Why didn’t you?” Sensing the old hands’ displeasure, he quickly explained, “I wanted to object, but the rules are watertight. I couldn’t think of any reason to argue.”
Old Zhen muttered gloomily, “I analyzed them as I listened, and these rules are simply airtight—every angle covered, not a single loophole. Who on earth came up with this?”
Indeed—
Who had come up with it?
Everyone wondered the same. The rules blocked every path for slacking, and some even cursed inwardly—not just lacking common sense, but downright malicious, as if designed to make their lives miserable.
But now that the factory had announced the rules, they had no choice but to accept them.
Still, a handful of people clung to the hope that this was all for show and wouldn’t actually be enforced.
If Wang Qiang knew some were thinking this way, he would have laughed aloud. Not enforce them? He was just waiting for someone to set an example. If anyone dared to break the rules knowingly, there would be a thunderous reckoning.
Just wait and see.