Chapter 170: Factory Intrigue

Fang Jun set up a private meeting between Xu Zhiquan and the old secretary Ji Yusheng at noon the next day.

Meanwhile, the Xu family officially took over Bright Factory, with the date finalized through coordination among the city center, East Morning Star, and Bright Factory.

An official document was issued to both Bright Factory and East Morning Star Co.

The date was set for next Monday.

Bright Factory extended a welcome to East Morning Star Co., planning a reception ceremony in their grand auditorium next Monday.

…

That afternoon, Xu Chen was alone in the office.

He sat at his workstation, tweaking documents on the computer.

Renhe Pharmaceuticals had moved forward with their project, and Fu Disheng and Ren Jing had signed on as endorsers.

As per the original project contract, Xu Chen still needed to finalize the shooting script revisions.

While East Morning Star Advertising wouldn’t handle the actual filming, Xu Chen might still need to review and suggest changes.

The shooting plan was mostly set, but the endorsers had suggested a few minor tweaks that didn’t amount to much, so Xu Chen quickly adjusted them.

…

The glass door swung open, and Xu Zhiquan walked in with a cigarette in his mouth, followed by Fang Jun.

They had just met with Bright Factory’s old secretary Ji Yusheng at noon.

“How did it go? Any breakthroughs?” Xu Chen stood up and asked.

Xu Zhiquan: “Let’s talk in the reception room.”

With that, he puffed on his cigarette and strolled into the reception room, hands clasped behind his back.

…

Fang Jun brewed a pot of Pu’er tea, and the three of them sipped it under the cool air conditioning—a relaxing break.

After a couple of cups, Xu Zhiquan lit another cigarette and spoke slowly:

“It’s clear the old secretary genuinely welcomes us…”

“For our smooth takeover of Bright Factory next Monday, Ji Yusheng and the union chairman Zhang Minen have already handled a lot behind the scenes.”

“The key was communicating with the existing hundreds of employees.”

“This is crucial—after all, to take over Bright Factory successfully, the biggest hurdle is convincing those five hundred workers we’re reliable.”

“Once the electric vehicle factory is up and running, we’ll still need them on board.”

Xu Chen thought of his classmate Nie Sen Sen and chimed in:

“It should be fine.”

“I have a classmate whose family works at the mechanical factory.”

“A few days ago, he sought me out to express his thanks.”

“They were bracing for layoffs, but our takeover plan keeps the old workers, which is a huge relief for them.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“It’s like doing a good deed.”

He took another sip of tea and continued:

“From what I see, the acting factory director Jin Guiyuan is definitely a problem.”

“Ji Yusheng shared the same view today.”

“Jin Guiyuan was probably planning to sell Bright Factory to Fengrong Commerce—that’s pretty much confirmed now.”

“But he overestimated himself; he and his backers couldn’t control the deal, so the city center organized a public bid.”

“That’s what gave us our chance…”

“The trouble now is we can’t fire Jin Guiyuan right away.”

“Our agreement with the city center includes retaining the current employees and management.”

“There’s a specific clause about the ‘current acting factory director’—we can’t dismiss him for three years.”

Xu Chen: “That seems odd.”

“If he has connections, why stick around? He should have better options.”

“He must know that staying with East Morning Star for three years means no real trust or advancement.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“So there might be some motive or concern behind it.”

“Fang Jun and I discussed it on the way—though we can’t fire him for three years, we can sideline him.”

“Keep him away from core info, treat it like a dead-end job.”

“I checked the current employee salaries; even as acting director, his pay isn’t high, and I can afford it.”

“Ideally, he’d quit on his own, or we find a way to remove him later—keeping him around feels like a ticking bomb.”

Xu Zhiquan frowned, took a couple of drags, and went on:

“No major issues, from what I’ve figured.”

“We’re legally taking over Bright Factory, and Vice Mayor Wu Yongming fully supports us. A couple of minor players might cause annoyances, but they won’t derail things.”

He paused, then added:

“Though, there might be a small hiccup right now.”

Xu Chen: “What kind of hiccup?”

Xu Zhiquan didn’t speak; instead, Fang Jun said:

“Ji Yusheng mentioned that Jin Guiyuan suddenly started hiring security guards through the security department, and it’s urgent.”

“But with the mechanical factory struggling to pay wages, recruiting new guards is suspicious.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled:

“Security department hiring new guards…”

“More like bringing in a bunch of thugs.”

“This is aimed at us, so when we go to take over Bright Factory next Monday, we might face some intimidation.”

“They won’t dare go too far, but they could try to embarrass us.”

“We need to think carefully about how to handle it.”

Xu Chen pondered:

“It’s definitely intimidation…”

“The issue is, we can’t respond with force—the hundreds of workers at Bright Factory are watching.”

“How we handle it will shape their future attitude toward us.”

“It’s a clever trap we can’t ignore.”

Xu Zhiquan:

“Exactly…”

“So people like Li Rui and Fang Tao—we can’t bring them.”

“If we show up with our own crew, it plays right into their hands.”

Fang Jun: “Luckily, Ji Yusheng tipped us off today, or we’d be walking in blind next Monday.”

“If a direct clash happened, it could mess up the whole takeover.”

Xu Zhiquan:

“I’ve thought it through; it’s not a big problem.”

“After all, we have city leaders backing us…”

“I’ve already talked to Vice Mayor Wu Yongming—his secretary Qu Fei will join us next Monday.”

“If Jin Guiyuan or anyone pulls tough moves, Qu Fei won’t stand by.”

“He represents Wu Yongming, after all.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“Is it possible they’re hiring guards to actually protect something?”

Fang Jun: “Like what?”

Xu Chen: “Jin Guiyuan sticking around is strange anyway.”

“Maybe he’s staying to protect or cover something up…”

“Once he feels it’s safe, he might leave on his own.”

Xu Zhiquan had already lit another cigarette:

“That analysis makes sense.”

Fang Jun: “But what could they be protecting or hiding?”

Xu Chen: “They’re rushing to hire guards, so whatever they’re protecting might come to light next Monday.”

“When we go over, besides the welcome ceremony, are there other key tasks?”

Fang Jun paused, then glanced at Xu Zhiquan.

They both murmured almost in unison:

“The accounts!”

Taking over Bright Factory next Monday meant one crucial step: reviewing their financial records.

Xu Zhiquan said:

“That fits perfectly!”

“There must be irregularities in Bright Factory’s accounts, and they don’t want us to see them.”

“Talk about hiding in plain sight!”

He smiled at Xu Chen:

“No matter what, consulting with my son always uncovers the key points!”

Fang Jun thought for a second and added:

“Bright Factory’s financial records are still under city audit, wrapping up just next Monday before handing them over…”

“So, are they planning to use those guards to seize control of the records in a worst-case scenario?”

Xu Zhiquan: “They might not be that bold.”

“Maybe just use the guards to block us, buying time to destroy or hide some records.”

Xu Chen considered it carefully:

“We really need to sort out these three issues and come up with a solid plan.”

Fang Jun frowned:

“Which three?”

Xu Zhiquan smiled at Xu Chen:

“Son, do you have an idea already?”

Xu Chen: “I have some thoughts, but we need to refine them together.”

“And we’ll all have to play a part.”

Fang Jun: “Whatever the plan, just say it—I’ll fully cooperate.”

Xu Chen smiled: “No rush; let’s brainstorm the strategy first.”

He paused:

“The first and most critical is Vice Mayor Wu Yongming’s secretary, Qu Fei.”

As soon as Xu Chen spoke, Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun looked surprised.

They hadn’t expected him to bring up Qu Fei first…

Xu Chen: “Securing the mechanical factory and now taking over Bright Factory, plus building the electric vehicle factory—we’re relying on city support behind the scenes.”

“That’s the core of it.”

“Qu Fei represents Vice Mayor Wu Yongming and the city.”

“As long as the officials are on our side, whether it’s Jin Guiyuan or anyone else, they’re no threat.”

“So, handling Qu Fei is the top priority.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“Makes sense.”

Fang Jun: “Yeah, it does.”

Xu Chen continued:

“Monday will likely bring some challenges.”

“But no matter what happens, we can’t let Qu Fei step in—he should just observe.”

Fang Jun: “Just observe?”

Xu Chen: “When Qu Fei reports back to Wu Yongming and the city, we want him to see us facing obstacles and resistance in the takeover…”

“That way, we might gain more help from the vice mayor and city in the future.”

“It’ll make them aware of potential enemies early…”

“At the same time, we have to resolve any troubles ourselves, without leaning on Qu Fei or the city at all.”

“And we need to handle it decisively and effortlessly, showing that President Xu and East Morning Star are in full control!”

“This builds confidence for Wu Yongming and the city—that East Morning Star has the skills and guts.”

“The more confident they are in us, the more support they might offer down the line.”

“If we can’t even manage minor issues and need them to intervene, it’ll erode trust…”

Xu Zhiquan straightened up:

“Spot on!”

“Excellent point!”