Chapter 146: Whispers of Strategy

Xu Zhiquan picked up a large, red apple from the table and handed it to his son with a smile:

“Xu, stop teasing us—do you have a plan already?”

Xu Chen took the apple with a grin, bit into it deeply, and while chewing, said:

“For instance, Changsheng Chemical would be relatively easy to make the decision-makers drop out.”

Due to historical reasons, the State-run Bright Machinery Factory is very close to downtown, and its location is prime.

“I think that’s why the other two real estate companies are eyeing it too.”

Around the factory, there are two or three large residential communities, plus an elementary school and a kindergarten.

Not to mention the existing worker dormitories and related facilities.

“If news gets out that a chemical plant is going up nearby, how do you think the residents will react?”

“In recent years, there have been plenty of stories about chemical issues.”

“Factory explosions, pollution contaminating drinking water, lung diseases…”

“Truth is, even considering a chemical plant in downtown is irresponsible to public safety…”

Xu Chen finished his rough explanation and smiled as he took another big bite of the apple.

The three in the room fell silent.

Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun had fully understood, but they were still pondering it.

Yang Congxin spoke up:

“Since the city allowed a chemical plant to join this machinery factory reform, doesn’t that mean it’s been reviewed?”

Xu Zhiquan shook his head:

“Not necessarily. Letting them join the intent communication meeting and submit proposals is part of the review process itself.”

“The chemical plant is profitable, generates taxes for the city, and creates jobs, so the city is probably still weighing it.”

Yang Congxin:

“But what if it gets approved in the end?”

Fang Jun said:

“What Xu Chen means is, we just don’t let them get reviewed.”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses: “Huh?”

He thought it over seriously and finally caught on, saying quietly:

“So, what you’re saying is, leak the news that a chemical plant might go up at the machinery factory site…”

“And let the public oppose it?”

Xu Chen smiled and replied:

“Exactly, anyone would worry about a chemical plant popping up next door.”

“Especially with all the recent news—things have even happened in nearby Laicheng.”

“Once the public starts opposing it, the media jumps in, and Changsheng Chemical might get dropped from the review process altogether.”

“Then, out of the two currently favored ones, we’d knock out one directly…”

Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun glanced at each other, exchanging a knowing look.

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses again and said:

“Can we really… do that…?”

Clearly, this Director Yang was a pure ‘technical guy’ with straightforward, honest thoughts.

He’d never been involved in such business competitions, probably just focused on impressing leaders with his plans…

He’d never imagined these kinds of under-the-table moves to undermine rivals.

At that moment, he couldn’t help but feel a doubt that even he thought was ‘naive’:

“Is this what business wars are like?”

In Xu Chen’s previous life, that chemical plant didn’t end up taking the machinery factory—apparently, the city and the Review Committee reviewed it and rejected the acquisition plan.

Now, by stirring public opposition, Xu Chen was basically saving the city some review effort.

Too bad for the mysterious figure backing Changsheng Chemical—they’d be disappointed early…

…

Xu Chen ate his apple and continued:

“If we do this, it has to be quiet—no connecting it back to us at all.”

“It doesn’t need to be complicated—just find a way to tip off the nearby residents about the possible chemical plant.”

“People will spread it like wildfire, and then they’ll speak up on their own with objections.”

“When it comes to something that affects their lives or survival, everyone will angrily oppose it—even cause a scene.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“I’ll handle the chemical plant issue—don’t worry about it…”

He didn’t elaborate, and the others didn’t press further.

Fang Jun turned to Xu Chen: “What about the other two?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“The other two are real estate companies, right?”

Fang Jun: “Yeah.”

“Fengrong Commerce has a Hong Kong background, strong funding, and they’re a top contender. They’re likely to put up a lot for the acquisition—they’ll turn the factory into a real estate project, but they didn’t detail how at today’s meeting.”

“Xixi Cultural Tourism focuses on tourism real estate, and from what I see, the Review Committee isn’t too impressed with them.”

Xu Chen flipped through the materials on the table before adding:

“In our proposal, besides the old factory renovation and future operations plans, there’s one key thing we need to add.”

He pondered a bit more and went on:

“The machinery factory’s reform has a big lingering issue—the placement of existing workers.”

“If the factory shuts down, that means they’ll all be laid off…”

Fang Jun nodded:

“That’s right, so every proposal includes a special compensation plan for the old workers.”

“Our acquisition bid already factors in those costs.”

Xu Chen shook his head:

“Just compensation isn’t enough—what they really want might not be that money; they want decent jobs…”

Xu Chen remembered clearly that in his previous life, the factory was sold to Fengrong Commerce, and a bunch of workers got laid off.

“Fengrong is in real estate development, so they couldn’t absorb all those old workers anyway.”

The laid-off workers got a decent amount in compensation,

but a few years later, some former factory workers spoke up again.

The main reason was that their ongoing job issues hadn’t been truly resolved.

A group of ex-state-owned enterprise workers struggled to find suitable work in Tiancheng after layoffs—they ended up with small businesses or running little eateries.

Their income and lives became highly unstable.

And this could be East Morning Star Co.’s breakthrough.

Xu Chen continued:

“Fengrong and Xixi, being real estate companies, can’t solve the old workers’ placement—they’ll just offer compensation and call it done.”

“The city and the Review Committee will definitely consider future stability—hundreds of laid-off workers mean hundreds of families affected.”

“We’re planning an electric vehicle factory, and we’re eyeing the machinery factory for its assets—that includes the buildings, equipment, production lines, and yes, those skilled old workers.”

“Among the competitors, only East Morning Star Co. and future Chenfeng Technology can perfectly handle this worker issue.”

Yang Congxin straightened up, nodding with excitement:

“You’re spot on, Xu… Teacher!”

He’d quietly switched to calling Xu Chen ‘Teacher’.

“Over the past couple of months, the old workers at the machinery factory have been on edge.”

“Especially the younger ones—they’re worried about what comes after the factory closes.”

“Many are actual university or college graduates there—they have the skills, but after layoffs in Tiancheng, they don’t know what to do next.”

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette and nodded:

“Xu Chen, this idea and reminder are crucial!”

“Employment and layoffs tie into stability—that’s a big concern for the city, and the Review Committee can’t ignore it.”

“We can really help the city with this!”

“Our current plan doesn’t highlight this part enough.”

“Addressing the old workers’ placement could be our key advantage in securing the factory…”

Xu Chen nodded and added:

“Of course, on the execution side, there’s some flexibility.”

“Before the electric vehicle factory gets going, Chenxin Nurseries can serve as a bridge.”

“The seedling company is short on labor right now.”

“Those who want compensation can take the money and go.”

“Those who stay can transition to the seedling company first—it’s not too hard to pick up, and Maternal Uncle can train them no problem.”

“If the electric vehicle factory runs smoothly, they can move right over.”

Yang Congxin sat up straighter, his expression lively:

“Most of the machinery factory workers could transition straight to the electric vehicle factory.”

“A few days ago, when I went with President Xu to Jiangsu Province to visit, I saw the production lines…”

“With some unified training, the old workers from the current lines could adapt easily!”

Fang Jun thought for a moment and said:

“On the worker placement point, those two real estate companies can’t compete with us.”

“They’re just about buying land, building houses, and selling or renting them out.”

“They won’t solve the old workers’ jobs…”

Yang Congxin beamed with excitement:

“That chemical plant might have created some jobs, but we quietly shut it down first!”

“After your analysis, Xu Teacher, we were the least favored with the lowest chances…”

“But now, it looks like we’re the most suitable!”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled:

“Our advantages go beyond that.”

“If we get the electric vehicle factory up and running, it’ll not only fix the current layoffs but also create future jobs for the city.”

“That’s something the city and leaders value highly!”

“And it’s not what those real estate companies can offer—they’re just emptying people’s wallets and moving on.”

“Only businesses like ours, building real enterprises, create lasting jobs and profits for Tiancheng!”

After their discussion, the meeting room’s atmosphere had lightened considerably.

It was a sharp contrast to the heavy mood when Xu Zhiquan and Xu Chen first entered.