Chapter 173: Factory of Intrigue

Inside the State-run Bright Machinery Factory.

Xu Zhiquan and Secretary Qu strode ahead, with Xu Chen, Fang Jun, and the others trailing behind.

Zhao Feng and a dozen black-clad security guards moved in slowly, forming a protective circle around them.

Once they stepped through the main gate openly, the whole situation was set.

Xu Chen glanced back; the security captain Chen Xiong hadn’t followed. He still stood at the gate, looking stunned.

Xu Chen patted himself down for a while before pulling out his mobile phone and hastily dialing someone.

Xu Chen paid him no more mind.

Zhao Feng stepped closer and whispered:

“The finance office is under watch now…”

Xu Chen nodded and shot a look at Fang Jun beside him.

Fang Jun’s usually expressionless face finally broke into a smile.

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and chuckled along.

Xu Chen said quietly, “Director Yang, sorry I didn’t get a chance to fill you in. Things moved too fast.”

Yang Congxin laughed. “You had me on edge earlier, but it turns out everything was under President Xu and young Xu’s control. Ha ha ha…”

Li Rui caught up from behind, clapped Zhao Feng on the shoulder, and offered him a cigarette.

Zhao Feng grinned smugly. “Thanks, Brother Rui!”

Li Rui lit one for himself, and Zhao Feng flicked his lighter to help.

“Thanks, Brother Feng!”

…

Xu Zhiquan and his group headed straight for the grand auditorium.

As planned publicly, hundreds of factory workers were gathered there, waiting for the new owners to arrive.

What they didn’t know was that the acting director Jin Guiyuan had set up some obstacles at the entrance.

Right then, in the grand auditorium.

Every seat was filled.

Up on the stage, a large red banner hung:

“State-run Bright Machinery Factory staff warmly welcome President Xu and team from East Morning Star Co.!”

Workers, who had been on leave for months, sat packed in the audience, their faces uneasy as many whispered among themselves.

The factory’s sudden collapse left them fearful, worrying about jobs and futures.

Hearing that a local company bought it and promised to keep the old staff gave them a glimmer of hope and relief.

Yet, they felt curious about the new leaders and bosses, mixed with caution and worry…

Acting Director Jin Guiyuan, Chief Engineer Zhao Jihong, Old Secretary Ji Yusheng, and Union Chairman Zhang Minen—key leaders of the factory—sat in the front row.

Union Chairman Zhang Minen checked his watch and murmured:

“Why aren’t they here yet? Should we call and ask?”

Old Secretary Ji Yusheng sat straight and replied softly:

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Ji Yusheng was well aware of what was happening with Xu Zhiquan.

He had long been an inside man for East Morning Star, tipping them off about the security team.

And Zhao Feng’s group slipping in was thanks to his behind-the-scenes help.

Acting Director Jin Guiyuan smiled and said:

“No rush, let’s all stay calm.”

He was waiting for good news to come through.

In Jin Guiyuan’s plan, Xu Zhiquan’s group would get stopped at the gate.

Either they’d back down and leave, leaving hundreds of workers hanging and drawing their ire.

Or they’d bring people and clash with security, turning into quite a spectacle.

In his setup, Chen Xiong’s security team would act tough but pull back at the right moment…

Chen Xiong would play the victim, looking pitiful.

East Morning Star and President Xu, new to the scene, would ‘force’ their way in and hurt people, leaving a bad mark on the workers’ minds.

Of course, it wouldn’t stay hidden; East Morning Star might report to the city officials, but Jin Guiyuan could just pin it on Chen Xiong and let him go.

With backers behind him, Jin Guiyuan never worried about getting dragged in.

He felt untouchable.

…

Xu Zhiquan and his team moved quickly toward the grand auditorium.

Qu Fei puffed on a cigarette and chuckled. “President Xu, you’ve got some clever moves—I was in the dark too.”

“President Xu, you’ve got some clever moves—I was in the dark too.”

Xu Zhiquan replied, “It was unavoidable.”

We expected roadblocks, so we had to plan ahead.”

“But without solid proof at first, we couldn’t report it to you or the city—they’d just deny it anyway.”

“So, we waited for things to unfold before looping in Secretary Qu.”

Qu Fei smiled, then his expression turned serious.

He leaned closer to Xu Zhiquan and said quietly:

“The situation with Jin Guiyuan is complicated…”

He became acting director after a lot of weighing and discussion.”

Some opposed it, others backed him strongly.”

“But Vice Mayor Wu knows the score and is figuring out how to help you overcome the obstacles.”

The message was clear without spelling it out.

Jin Guiyuan had protectors, and Wu Yongming couldn’t step in directly yet…

Xu Zhiquan said:

“With those words from Secretary Qu, I feel more grounded.”

Qu Fei took a drag and casually added:

“If Jin Guiyuan leaves the factory soon, the leadership will likely breathe easier.”

It carried deeper meaning.

Xu Zhiquan pondered and replied:

“I’ll find a way to handle that.”

Qu Fei smiled and patted Xu Zhiquan’s shoulder.

Xu Zhiquan narrowed his eyes…

Taking down Jin Guiyuan was like a test of loyalty.

…

…

In the grand auditorium.

A worker’s phone rang in the front row; he glanced at it and saw it was from Security Captain Chen Xiong.

Jin Guiyuan frowned and said reproachfully:

“Didn’t we say to keep phones on silent?”

The worker apologized quickly but didn’t hang up; instead, he stepped to a corner to answer.

Soon, he hurried back and went straight to Jin Guiyuan.

Leaning in, he whispered a few words.

Jin Guiyuan’s eyes narrowed, his face darkening.

…

A moment later, someone entered through the main door and announced to the front-row leaders:

“The leaders, President Xu and his team are here and heading this way…”

Jin Guiyuan’s expression soured but he quickly forced a warm smile and said:

“Let’s go out and welcome them!”

Old Secretary Ji Yusheng adjusted his glasses, barely containing his excitement.

Union Chairman Zhang Minen noticed Ji Yusheng’s odd demeanor.

The leaders rose and followed Acting Director Jin Guiyuan toward the auditorium entrance.

Just then, Xu Zhiquan and his group walked in with smiles.

Union Chairman Zhang Minen turned and waved to the audience.

Hundreds of workers in the auditorium stood, erupting in thunderous applause…

Jin Guiyuan beamed, half-bowing as he went to greet them, shaking Xu Zhiquan’s hand warmly.

But when he spotted Qu Fei, his face twitched slightly.

Jin Guiyuan hadn’t expected Wu Yongming’s secretary Qu Fei to join them…

Why no word about this beforehand?

A wave of worry hit him; he wondered if Chen Xiong had left any loose ends at the gate…

Still, he kept his composure, smiling brightly as he said:

“Secretary Qu, what a surprise to have you here guiding us! You should have let us know in advance…”

Jin Guiyuan shook Qu Fei’s hand with feigned delight.

Qu Fei replied:

“This isn’t an official city or leadership arrangement; I’m here personally with President Xu.”

“Vice Mayor Wu always stresses getting into businesses and serving them, so I’m here to learn.”

Jin Guiyuan laughed. “President Xu must have incredible pull to bring Secretary Qu along.”

The comment hid a subtle jab of provocation.

Everyone there was sharp; they picked up on it, but kept up the warm facade.

Xu Zhiquan chuckled heartily but said nothing.

Qu Fei suddenly added:

“We got held up at the gate by your security—they said no one enters without Director Jin’s signature!”

Jin Guiyuan feigned shock:

“Really? That’s outrageous!”

He paused as if thinking, then continued:

“The security department was on break recently; maybe they’re out of the loop.”

He turned to Xu Zhiquan with a sincere look: “I hope they didn’t offend you or Secretary Qu?”

“On behalf of the factory, I apologize!”

“I’ll look into Security Captain Chen Xiong and discipline him!”

Xu Zhiquan paused. “So the one who stopped us was Chen Xiong?”

“Director Jin, you knew about him already…”

The remark left Jin Guiyuan looking awkward.

Qu Fei frowned, his irritation clear.

But Jin Guiyuan shrugged it off with a laugh: “The security department updated me yesterday; Chen Xiong’s the only captain left, so I knew.”

“He didn’t cause any real trouble for you two, did he?”

Xu Zhiquan stayed silent, but Qu Fei said:

“Not really—President Xu has everything planned out; a few pests won’t stop him.”

Jin Guiyuan chuckled, though a hint of unease showed.

…

Amid the applause, Jin Guiyuan led Xu Zhiquan and Qu Fei to seats on the stage.

Xu Chen, Fang Jun, and Yang Congxin sat in the audience, off to the side.

Li Rui and Zhao Feng stayed outside the auditorium, on guard in case anything happened.

…

Two tables were set up on either side of the stage.

The arrangement felt deliberate, creating a divide.

The left held the hosts: Acting Director Jin Guiyuan, Chief Engineer Zhao Jihong, and Old Secretary Ji Yusheng.

The right was for Xu Zhiquan and Qu Fei.

This split setup screamed opposition, not unity—it should have been one long table with Xu Zhiquan in the center.

Behind Xu Zhiquan’s table, there was originally just one chair, implying isolation, but they added another for Qu Fei.

Technically, Qu Fei should have been in the audience since he was here personally, but seeing the setup, he decided to back Xu Zhiquan on stage.

…

Above the stage, the large red banner read:

“State-run Bright Machinery Factory staff warmly welcome President Xu and team from East Morning Star Co.!”

Jin Guiyuan stepped to the podium.

He tapped the microphone, letting out a hum.

The applause died down as he waved for the standing workers to sit.

“For the State-run Bright Machinery Factory, today is a monumental day!”

“After twenty-four years of challenges, we’re turning a new page…”

Jin Guiyuan read from his speech, pouring on the passion and sincerity.

The hundreds of workers sat quietly, listening with numb expressions…

After his long talk, Jin Guiyuan turned to the right side of the stage.

“Let’s give a big round of applause to welcome East Morning Star Co.’s chairman and the future leader of our factory, President Xu Zhiquan…”

As applause thundered, Xu Zhiquan stood, shook Jin Guiyuan’s hand, and took the microphone.

Jin Guiyuan sat back, smiling and clapping.

The hundreds of factory workers looked up at Xu Zhiquan, their new leader, with uncertainty about the future.

After months without pay or work, their faces showed panic and confusion.

The factory’s downfall hit these state workers hard, like the sky falling—layoffs and self-employment seemed inevitable.

They felt angry, scared, and hopeless…

But a couple of weeks ago, good news arrived: a local company bought the factory and would keep the old staff.

That meant no layoffs, no need to fend for themselves…

These honest workers gazed at Xu Zhiquan on stage, respecting the boss who saved their livelihoods and hoping for change, yet wary of capitalists deep down.

As Xu Chen had analyzed earlier, building trust with these hundreds of workers was key to taking over the factory—whether for renovations or building the electric vehicle plant, they’d need these people.