Chapter 147: Strategies for Factory Revival

After their discussion, everyone not only saw a glimmer of hope again but also felt a surge of real confidence.

Just as Director Yang had said earlier, East Morning Star Co., which was originally the least favored, now looked like the strongest contender.

Xu Chen glanced at Yang Congxin and spoke up:

“So, on this matter, we might need Director Yang to lend a hand again!”

Yang Congxin paused for a moment:

“What do you need me to do?”

Xu Chen:

“The old workers at the mechanical factory should have channels to voice their appeals, right?”

Yang Congxin: “Yes, ever since the bankruptcy restructuring was announced, the city and the factory set up a restructuring committee together…”

Xu Chen explained:

“For the old workers at the mechanical factory, what they really need isn’t just a fixed compensation sum—it’s ongoing, stable employment.”

“But not everyone realizes that.”

“So, first, Director Yang needs to find ways to make at least some of them understand the reasoning behind it.”

“Then, second, we need to channel their demands for this kind of employment through appropriate routes to get them heard.”

“That way, the city will know what the workers want.”

“What the workers fear isn’t the factory going bankrupt—it’s losing their jobs…”

Yang Congxin thought it over and said:

“Alright, I’ll handle this.”

“At least, my workshop and production line workers can reach a consensus on this.”

“We’ll use legitimate channels to escalate it upward.”

“I believe most mechanical factory workers feel the same way.”

Fang Jun:

“In that case, Changsheng Chemical and Fengrong Commerce, which were originally top picks, will face huge obstacles.”

“Then, our East Morning Star really has a shot.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“This way, we might finally get a seat at the table.”

“What was once just a side player will now be taken seriously.”

He turned to look at Yang Congxin:

“Director Yang, we can’t delay this. At the latest by the 13th, ideally in the next couple of days, you need to make a move and get that voice heard upstairs.”

Yang Congxin:

“Don’t worry, President Xu!”

“I’m fully committed to working with you.”

“Besides, this is for my own future and that of my old colleagues at the mechanical factory!”

“After you talked to me before, I knew the electric vehicle path could save the factory.”

“And after hearing Xu Chen’s analysis, I can’t stand by and watch the factory get sold to chemical or real estate folks!”

“I’m still a mechanical factory worker—I won’t let a chemical plant go up next to the dormitory, and I won’t let a bunch of old colleagues lose their jobs!”

……

After their talk, Fang Jun took Xu Chen to review the current report plan in detail.

The group brainstormed and made several major adjustments and optimizations to the plan.

First, they emphasized the transition and resettlement of the old workers.

They also added how the electric vehicle factory would create over a thousand jobs and generate over a hundred million in taxes for the city in the future.

Second, they detailed the path to realizing the electric vehicle factory.

They needed to show the Review Committee that East Morning Star Co. had the real capability and determination to make this happen.

This covered investment and financing plans, the transformation from the old mechanical factory to the electric vehicle factory, plans for introducing electric vehicle production lines, and more.

Following Xu Chen’s suggestion, they even created a detailed ‘Project Timeline Chart’.

The chart listed key milestones, like when to secure production line imports, when to complete financing for how much, when to finish designing and producing the first vehicle model, and so on…

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and couldn’t help saying:

“This all feels like it’s just made up on the spot—kind of unreliable…”

Xu Chen smiled:

“It’s for the report, not something we’d actually follow to the letter.”

“Outlining a detailed timeline like this is to give the Review Committee plenty of confidence.”

“It shows we’re not just winging it—we’ve done the research and planning. If East Morning Star gets the mechanical factory, we can follow through step by step!”

Fang Jun looked at the freshly made timeline and said:

“Actually, it’s not just for the report—this timeline can really guide our future work.”

“We can adjust the dates ahead or push them back as needed in real execution.”

Yang Congxin nodded and added:

“With all the news about chemical factories these past few years…”

“Should we bring that up in the meeting? Or even pull out a news example?”

Xu Zhiquan shook his head:

“Just get the residents near the mechanical factory talking about it, so the higher-ups hear the public voice—that’s enough.”

“We can’t get involved publicly, especially not in talks with the Review Committee—don’t mention it at all.”

“After all, letting the chemical factory into the ‘intention communication meeting’ involves some behind-the-scenes stuff.”

“You never know if saying the wrong thing might offend the wrong people.”

……

That evening, they discussed until after 10 p.m.

Xu Zhiquan was in high spirits and treated everyone to barbecue and late-night snacks.

This marked the first real gathering of the East Morning Star Co. electric vehicle team.

Xu Zhiquan had a few drinks, his laughter booming.

Director Yang looked refined, but he could really hold his liquor.

That made Xu Zhiquan happy—finally, someone in the company who could drink with him.

Before, his fourth uncle Xu Zhilin could handle a bit, but his maternal uncle Zhang Yongqing would pass out at the first sip.

Most of the time, Xu Zhiquan couldn’t enjoy himself fully.

With Director Yang around, the two threw arms around each other and kept going.

Fang Jun sat quietly next to Xu Chen, just eating without a word.

Now and then, he’d raise his glass of cola and clink it with Xu Chen’s.

Li Rui sat beside Xu Zhiquan, eating on his own while still helping with the hosting.

They didn’t wrap up until around 11 p.m.

Xu Zhiquan looked around and said to Li Rui:

“Li Rui, drive Director Yang and Fang Jun home first, then come back for me and Xu Chen.”

“I need to walk off this buzz anyway!”

Li Rui agreed.

Fang Jun felt a bit awkward and said:

“No need to worry about me—I’ve got someone arranged to pick me up at home…”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily, and the group bid ‘Teacher Fang’ farewell.

Fang Jun finished his cola, said his goodbyes, and headed toward the street.

There, a stretched S-class car had been waiting for a while—no one expected it was for her.

Watching Teacher Fang get in, Yang Congxin shook his head and said:

“I envy people with good backgrounds!”

He was clearly tipsy, arm around Xu Zhiquan’s neck, mumbling:

“President Xu, I envy you too—for having such a capable son!”

“My little boy can’t even do basic math, and beating him does no good.”

Xu Chen: “……”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and reached across the table to ruffle Xu Chen’s hair.