Chapter 108 Extra Update

Chapter 108 Extra Update

On Friday afternoon, Jiao Yang, the Deputy Director of the Department of Industry, had no meetings scheduled and was in his office reviewing documents organized by his secretary when he suddenly received a call from Vice Governor Hong of the province.

After hanging up the phone, Jiao Yang hurriedly went to the provincial government building with his secretary. Vice Governor Hong's secretary met them at the stairwell and said with a smile, "Vice Governor Hong and others are already in the meeting room. Director Jiao, you can go directly there."

Jiao Yang paused slightly, "They?"

He smiled and casually asked, "Secretary Luo, do you know why Vice Governor Hong asked me to come?"

Secretary Luo smiled, "A subordinate enterprise is here to report work. Vice Governor Hong probably wants you to listen together. I'm not sure about the specifics. You might understand once you meet them."

Being a leader's secretary requires sharpness. Since Vice Governor Hong personally called Jiao Yang and didn't specify the reason in the call, there must be his considerations. Secretary Luo naturally wouldn't say more.

But saying nothing at all could easily offend this Deputy Director Jiao, who is rumored to be somewhat narrow-minded. So Secretary Luo vaguely responded.

Jiao Yang frowned slightly, thinking that none of the people around provincial leaders are easy to deal with.

Secretary Luo's words seemed to give him some information, but upon closer thought, they actually revealed nothing.

Subordinate enterprise? Which subordinate enterprise? Why would an enterprise come to report work to the Vice Governor?

As for understanding once you meet them... it should be someone he knows. But the Department of Industry oversees all enterprises in the province, and as the Deputy Director, Jiao Yang knows many enterprise leaders.

Jiao Yang's first thought was that some state-owned large factory in the provincial capital had come to Vice Governor Hong to complain.

Production targets, production materials, special funds... there are many disputes between enterprises and the Department of Industry. He just didn't know which shameless one had brought the dispute to the provincial leader.

Thinking this, Jiao Yang quickly entered the meeting room. Seeing the people sitting inside, he was stunned. Except for Vice Governor Hong sitting at the head, he didn't recognize any of the others.

But when he saw the particularly young and beautiful female comrade, his heart skipped a beat.

Among the larger enterprises in Southern Province, there are not many female leaders, and even fewer young female leaders.

She must be an enterprise leader; otherwise, how could she have the qualification to sit here?

Jiao Yang thought of someone, and immediately four words popped into his mind: "They come with ill intentions."

"Old Jiao, Director Shen said she hasn't met you, which surprised me. She came from the South Province Embroidery Factory, where you were the director at that time, right?" Vice Governor Hong said with a gentle smile.

Shen Moer stood up and greeted Jiao Yang, smiling, "I was just a small soldier back then and didn't have the qualification to meet the factory leaders. Today, I am fortunate to meet Deputy Director Jiao, fulfilling a long-cherished wish."

She introduced the people beside her, "This is Gu Yangbo, the County Magistrate of Lingjiang City, and this is Deputy Factory Director Feng Wei of the No. 2 Embroidery Garment Factory, in charge of personnel and logistics."

Gu Yangbo and Feng Wei greeted Jiao Yang accordingly.

Jiao Yang glanced at Gu Yangbo, his heart sinking further.

Lingjiang City is not an outstanding region in the province, neither bad nor particularly good, just average. But since Gu Yangbo became the mayor, he has implemented many innovative policies. Whether in economics or agriculture, Lingjiang City has shown good performance in the past two years.

In the current domestic situation, those who engage in class struggle and ideological movements are bound to be abandoned by the times, while practical leaders like Gu Yangbo are on the rise.

This young and capable mayor, no one dares to say that he won't reach a height that they can't even aspire to.

Honestly, unless necessary, Jiao Yang really doesn't want to confront such a person.

But it was Gu Yangbo who first raised the issue. As soon as Jiao Yang sat down, Gu Yangbo smiled and said, "Deputy Director Jiao, I heard that the Provincial Department of Industry issued a document requiring the relocation of the Southern Province No. 2 Embroidery Garment Factory. I wonder why this document wasn't copied to Lingjiang City. When people from Jiangbei County brought the document to me, I almost thought it was fake."

Jiao Yang also smiled, "The Southern Province No. 2 Embroidery Garment Factory is a directly affiliated enterprise of the Provincial Department of Industry. Relocating back to the provincial capital is something the Department of Industry can decide internally. Issuing the document to Jiangbei County is because the factory is located there, and it's appropriate to inform the local authorities."

Gu Yangbo's smile remained unchanged: "That's one way to put it, but the situation of the Second Embroidery Factory is quite special. The workers in the factory are all from Jiangbei County. Moving the factory isn't just about relocating equipment; it also means transferring the workers. A mass migration like this is highly complex and comes with a host of challenges. The relevant leaders from Jiangbei County came to me to complain, saying that many workers feel it's hard to leave their hometown and don't want to move to the provincial capital. I’m curious how the Department of Industry plans to address this?"

Jiao Yang maintained his smile: "We understand this, so the issued document clearly states that some equipment and projects will be left behind to accommodate these people."

He glanced at Shen Moer and Feng Wei, saying: "The workers are more manageable, but if the factory's leaders want to stay, they will be at a disadvantage. Even if they keep their ranks, their roles will still shift. So my suggestion is that Director Shen should bring the entire team to the provincial capital."

Shen Moer smiled and said: "I’m grateful for Vice Director Jiao’s consideration, but my husband is in the brigade, and my child is still young. The circumstances just don’t permit it, so I really can't come to the provincial capital."

Jiao Yang insincerely said: "That’s truly unfortunate."

Gu Yangbo laughed: "Indeed, it’s a loss for the Department of Industry, but a win for Lingjiang City. Vice Director Jiao, we’re here today to request Vice Governor Hong’s mediation. Since your Department of Industry wants to move the Second Embroidery Factory back to the provincial capital, and since Lingjiang City wants to establish a local embroidery factory, and since there are a group of cadres and workers from the Second Embroidery Factory who are unwilling to relocate, our city has discussed it. The Second Embroidery Factory can go ahead and move to the provincial capital, and those who stay won't need the Department of Industry to find ways to accommodate them. Our Lingjiang City Embroidery Factory will absorb them directly."

Jiao Yang frowned: "How is that possible?"

Gu Yangbo still smiled: "Why can't it be? These people are unwilling to relocate and are prepared to resign from the Second Embroidery Factory. It’d be a shame to let these skilled workers return to farming. It's better to let them return to the workshop."

"To be honest, no one can make decisions for others. I came here today to discuss the equipment issue with Vice Director Jiao."

Gu Yangbo spoke quickly: "From the establishment of the Ninth Workshop to the annual expansion of the Second Embroidery Factory, our local government has supported it with funding, land, and tax incentives. Strictly speaking, this factory is partly owned by the province and partly by Jiangbei County. Now that the factory is to be relocated, the Department of Industry, flush with resources, surely won’t miss a piece of equipment here or there. Jiangbei County is very poor and would find it difficult to re-equip the factory."

After a pause, Gu Yangbo got to the point: "So we’re asking to keep equipment proportional to the number of people staying."

Jiao Yang: "That’s impossible! This equipment was bought with provincial money!"

Gu Yangbo reminded him: "Only the first batch of equipment was partly funded by the province. The subsequent equipment was purchased in batches using the factory's retained profits, not provincial funds."

Jiao Yang wanted to say that this was outright robbery, but after glancing at Vice Governor Hong, who sat quietly without speaking, he held back his words and said: "This isn’t my call to make."

Gu Yangbo lightly tapped the table. There were several documents on the table in front of him, and he hinted: "From what I understand, Vice Director Jiao is fully in charge of the Second Embroidery Factory’s relocation, and the documents were also signed by Vice Director Jiao. If Vice Director Jiao can't make the decision, who can? We’re not asking for all the equipment, just enough to match the number of people staying. This isn’t an unreasonable request, is it? Otherwise, if Jiangbei County doesn't release the people, what good would it do for the Department of Industry to haul back all the equipment?"

Jiao Yang: "..."

Gu Yangbo was playing by his own rules.

Who in their right mind would hint in front of a vice governor about holding people hostage for equipment?

But this threat was indeed effective.

As Gu Yangbo said, if they held back the household registrations and didn't release the people, what use would it be to just bring back the equipment?

Jiao Yang's face darkened.

Vice Governor Hong smiled and said: "Old Jiao, Lingjiang City wants to establish its own embroidery factory, and our Director Shen also wants to resign from her position at the Second Embroidery Factory and stay in Jiangbei. In this situation, it's not excessive to ask the province for some equipment and financial support."

Jiao Yang instinctively felt that this couldn't be agreed to. There was clearly a trap here, such as the condition of keeping as much equipment as there are people staying... What if a lot of people stay?

But he also felt it was unlikely.

Putting himself in their shoes, if he were a small worker in a poor rural area and suddenly had the chance to leave the small county town for the bustling provincial capital, wouldn't he seize this rare opportunity?

Jiao Yang frowned tightly, momentarily hesitant.

Vice Governor Hong had spoken, and out of respect, he had to oblige, but Gu Yangbo and Shen Moer had traveled all the way to the provincial capital and specifically sought out Vice Governor Hong. Was it really just to haggle over such minor details?

Or did they think that getting a little back would count as a win?

The meeting room fell into a long silence.

Jiao Yang couldn't gauge the other party's intentions and remained silent for a long time. After much deliberation, he finally said, "I can't make the decision on this matter. I need to seek instructions from Director Qiu."

Vice Governor Hong waved his hand, "No need. Director Qiu has already expressed his stance to me. This matter is your responsibility, and you have the authority to make the decisions."

Jiao Yang found himself in a dilemma. After a while, he confirmed again, "How many people and how much equipment will be left?"

Gu Yangbo nodded, "Of course, if there aren't enough people, leaving too much equipment would be useless. The same logic applies to the province. Bringing back all the equipment would be pointless. Why not just bring as many people as there are, along with the corresponding equipment?"

With the equipment in place, we can always recruit more people later.

Of course, Jiao Yang also knew that arguing with Gu Yangbo at this point was meaningless. He was in a difficult position and, in the end, resolved to take a calculated risk, thinking that it was unlikely that half of the people wouldn't want to come to the capital city of the province. As long as he could move the majority of the people and equipment to the capital city of the province, he wouldn't have to worry about the factory's future development.

With this thought, Jiao Yang gritted his teeth and finally conceded, "Alright."