Chapter 178: Factory Foundations

Fang Jun nodded.

“I’ll definitely find it out, just give me a little more time…”

She paused for a moment, then continued:

“Aside from these problematic ledgers, we can push ahead with everything else.

Inventory the current assets and arrange funds for debt repayment—these can proceed smoothly without issues.

For the old factory overhaul and introducing new production lines, we still need Director Yang’s detailed budget.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded.

“Alright, I’ll follow up with Director Yang.

As for the new production lines, we’ll need to make another trip to Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.

This time, with the city backing us, we should negotiate the import costs down significantly!”

Xu Zhiquan took a couple of drags from his cigarette and smiled as he said:

“Teacher Fang, Teacher Xu, we’ve nailed the big stuff!

The rest is just minor details—keep pushing forward!

Those pests like Jin Guiyuan are no longer a real threat!”

Xu Chen smiled.

“Congratulations, President Xu!”

Fang Jun, who had kept a straight face until then, couldn’t help but smile.

“Congratulations, President Xu!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily.

“I should congratulate you both too, and thank you!”

He thought for a moment, then added:

“Teacher Fang, are there any issues with those few people in the finance department?”

Fang Jun replied:

“They’re fine, just a bit timid and not the sharpest.”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily again.

“Then, Teacher Fang, go ahead and hire a couple of sharp ones later!”

Fang Jun: “We’re building a new factory, and East Morning Star’s funds are still tight, so let’s not use up the recruitment budget for now, President Xu.

The initial ledger sorting is crucial, so I’ll handle it myself first. Later, I can bring in Gu Xuewei and the others to help.”

Xu Zhiquan couldn’t help but sigh:

“Teacher Fang, recruiting you was like finding a treasure!”

Fang Jun smiled, a touch of embarrassment showing.

…

…

In the following days, the takeover of Bright Factory proceeded smoothly and systematically.

Fang Jun remained buried in the financial room, working late into the night every day.

Xu Zhiquan grew concerned and for several nights, personally brought her some food.

As the security captain, Zhao Feng and his team took shifts around the clock, guarding the financial room while handling their meals and rest there.

Luckily, the factory grounds had dormitories and a cafeteria, making everything convenient.

…

Yang Congxin compiled a summary of the current employees and coordinated with Xu Zhilin and Zhang Yongqing.

They then grouped the employees based on age, gender, and skills, and Zhang Yongqing conducted two days of intensive training.

Xu Zhilin assigned them to various ongoing seedling projects, and they all got to work with enthusiasm.

Additionally, for Chenfeng Technology’s construction, particularly the old factory upgrades, Yang Congxin was working overtime on plans.

This mainly involved deciding which equipment and lines to scrap or sell, and which ones needed upgrades or modifications ahead of time…

Meanwhile, the nominal ‘Deputy Director’ Jin Guiyuan was now completely sidelined.

He no longer had access to the core finance and technology areas.

There were a couple of minor incidents in between.

Jin Guiyuan bypassed Xu Zhiquan and directly contacted Yang Congxin, trying to inquire about the old factory upgrades and new production line plans.

Yang Congxin naturally refused, saying there were no concrete plans yet, and reported it to Xu Zhiquan.

Jin Guiyuan was furious and snapped at Yang Congxin:

“Do you still see me as your ‘old leader’?!”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and calmly replied:

“My old leader is Secretary Ji, and my new one is President Xu…”

“You…”

When Xu Zhiquan learned of this, he just told Yang Congxin:

“Ignore him. If he asks again, tell him to come to me.”

…

One morning, Jin Guiyuan showed up at the financial room with a few bottles of mineral water, handing them out to Zhao Feng and the others on guard.

But when he tried to enter, Zhao Feng stopped him.

Zhao Feng didn’t look particularly imposing while seated, but standing up, he appeared sturdy and rugged, his fierce face making Jin Guiyuan hesitate a bit.

Still, Jin Guiyuan felt slighted and snapped coldly:

“As the deputy director, can’t I even bring a bottle of water to Teacher Fang?”

Before Zhao Feng could respond, Fang Jun cracked the door open a sliver.

With a blank expression, she reached out, took the mineral water from Jin Guiyuan’s hand,

then said flatly, ‘Thanks,’ and slammed the door shut with a bang…

Leaving Jin Guiyuan stunned and even more annoyed…

…

…

At noon, on the South City Highway.

At a seedling greening project site.

Xu Zhiquan and Xu Zhilin sat on the curb, smoking quietly.

The fourth brother, Xu Zhilin, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a smile:

“Big bro, you’ve really saved my skin!

I was desperate for workers on these projects, and you came through with hundreds of people.

With them on board, not only will we meet the deadlines, we can even speed things up and take on more projects…”

Xu Zhiquan laughed and pulled out two packs of good cigarettes, handing them to Xu Zhilin:

“Old four, we’re all destined for hard work!

The busier we get, the happier we are!”

Xu Zhilin paused, then burst out laughing:

“Big bro, you’re right!

Now that the seedling business is booming, I’m thrilled every day!

Even my wife gets up at four every morning to make mung bean soup for the workers on site!”

Xu Zhiquan looked thoughtful and patted Xu Zhilin’s shoulder:

“Our days are only going to get better!”

…

…

Two days later, at the same section of the South City Highway, Secretary Qu organized a leadership visit.

Several true ‘big leaders’ showed up that day, bringing cooling drinks and meals to the Mechanical Factory workers on site.

The city TV station sent a crew, and President Xu along with a group of employee representatives gave interviews.

Xu Zhiquan brought his fourth brother, Xu Zhilin, to meet a few city leaders.

“This is my fourth brother, Xu Zhilin, also the deputy general manager of Chenxin Nurseries.”

Xu Zhilin wasn’t used to such settings and seemed a bit awkward, just following his brother and smiling constantly.

The leaders highly praised Xu Zhiquan’s arrangements.

They solved the Mechanical Factory workers’ income issues while supporting Tiancheng’s highway construction, positioning Xu Zhiquan as a model local entrepreneur.

Through this visit, Xu Zhiquan networked with a couple more key city leaders, even one from the province handling development and reforms.

It was another boost to his connections…

That day, Jin Guiyuan showed up shamelessly, even wearing work overalls with a towel around his neck.

During the leaders’ visit, he tried several times to chat more, but the big leaders were focused on Xu Zhiquan, leaving him out.

Maybe he regretted not dressing more professionally instead of like a laborer.

He might have thought he should have been like Xu Zhiquan—working without the suit but putting it on to mingle with leaders…

In the TV station interviews, Jin Guiyuan was completely overlooked, not even getting a spot on camera.

Instead, the old secretary Ji Yusheng gave an interview.

Ji Yusheng spoke with genuine emotion, thanking the city and President Xu, his words sincere without any pretense.

…

That day, Xu Chen was at home watching TV when he suddenly saw his father, Xu Zhiquan, in the news interview.

He sat on the couch and watched closely for a while, then burst out laughing.

His father looked quite the part of a big-time entrepreneur on TV.

This visit and media coverage had a major hidden benefit…

It would bring more projects to ‘Chenxin Nurseries’.

With this official endorsement from city and provincial leaders, it was a strong backing.

Whether for Tiancheng’s local seedling projects or those in surrounding counties, they’d be easier to secure.

In fact, compared to a few months ago when Xu Zhiquan had to chase clients, now projects were coming to them!

Chenxin Nurseries had gained a ‘scale advantage’, becoming the leading seedling company in the area in just under six months.

As Chenfeng Technology starts up, it needs heavy funding; besides Fang Jun’s financing and loans, the steadiest cash flow comes from Chenxin Nurseries’ ongoing support.

…

Regarding the National Games, the city’s publicity department has contacted Xu Chen and sent over some requirement documents.

Xu Chen skimmed through them; most was official jargon and fluff.

From the lengthy text, he barely pulled out a couple hundred words of core demands.

As Secretary Qu mentioned, it was mainly about using Xie Bingran’s medal win at the National Games to promote Tiancheng as her hometown.

With a budget of just 250,000, it’s peanuts for a promo campaign, so it’s all about making a big impact with little.

Xu Chen already had some ideas, but as his father said, he’s not ready to present them yet.

Let the publicity department review some flawed proposals and hit roadblocks first.

Most importantly, he doesn’t want to deal with endless revisions based on poor feedback.

Overall, Xu Chen is eager to take on this project.

After all, it involves Bing Ge, and he doesn’t want other PR firms meddling.

Simply put, he’s worried a dumb plan from elsewhere might tarnish her image.

It’s not urgent; he’ll set it aside for a couple of days.

As for Xie Bingran’s performance at the National Games, Xu Chen is very curious and expectant.

Last time in Shanghai, the national team coach told her there were ‘three and a half people’ ahead.

Based on past records, those three and a half were in front of her.

To win a medal, she’d need to overtake at least two.

But Xu Chen never doubted her abilities.

…