Chapter 79: The Hands-Off Manager
Suburbs. Sugar Factory!
As Li Yi headed toward the textile factory with the two women, Wang Anguo arrived at the sugar factory once again on his bicycle.
After identifying himself, he headed straight for Liang Yukuai’s office.
At that moment, Liang Yukui was in a meeting in the conference room.
Yesterday’s comprehensive safety inspection of the factory grounds had indeed uncovered numerous issues.
In particular, electrical safety hazards were the most serious; the slightest mishap could lead to a fire.
So last night, staff from the technical department immediately carried out emergency repairs on the factory’s wiring. After working through the night, they finally replaced all the aging wires before dawn.
First thing this morning, Plant Manager Liang gathered all the mid- and senior-level managers and made arrangements for resuming operations.
Just as the meeting was getting underway, an assistant hurried in and whispered a few words into Director Liang’s ear!
After hearing the assistant’s words, Plant Manager Liang immediately asked Deputy Plant Manager Guo to take over the meeting while he left the conference room.
Back in his office, he saw Wang Anguo standing by the window, watching the employees coming and going outside, lost in thought.
“Anguo, aren’t you busy? What brings you over here so early in the morning?”
Wang Anguo snapped out of his reverie and said with a grave expression, “Brother Liang, I just went to see that expert!”
After identifying safety hazards in the factory premises yesterday, Liang Yukuai had personally visited the county bureau and then briefed Wang Anguo on the situation.
Seeing that there were results, Wang Anguo didn’t keep it from Liang Yukuai and immediately explained the source of the information.
However, he did not reveal Li Yi’s identity, referring to him simply as “the expert.”
Although Liang Yukui was deeply shocked inside, after hearing Wang Anguo recount how he had come to know this “master,” he chose to believe him and pulled out 200 yuan as a token of gratitude.
So when Wang Anguo mentioned that person again, Liang Yukui hurriedly asked, “What did that ‘wise man’ say?”
“He said you’ve only uncovered some minor issues and told you to keep investigating!”
“Continue the inspection?”
“Yes, and he also said you should focus on inspecting the structural safety of the factory buildings!” Wang Anguo said.
“Our factory buildings were all newly constructed just a few years ago. There shouldn’t be any problems, right?”
“Brother Liang, we can’t rely on ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ here. I still think it’s better to check them out. After all, everything that expert has said so far has been spot on!” Wang Anguo said.
Liang Yukuai thought for a moment and said, “Alright, we’ve already wasted a day anyway, so what’s another day?”
After saying that, he told Wang Anguo to wait a moment while he went to make the arrangements and would be right back.
When Liang Yukuai returned to the office, he had barely sat down when Deputy Director Guo said, “Old Liang, I’ve already given the orders. In a moment, the workers will resume production immediately. And just as we decided earlier, they’ll work overtime to try and exceed the quota!”
However, no sooner had the words left his mouth than Liang Yukui said in a deep voice, “Suspend the resumption of production!”
The room erupted in an uproar at his words!
The decision to resume production had been made by Director Liang just moments ago during the meeting. Less than half an hour had passed—why the sudden change of course?
“Old Liang, what’s this?” Deputy Plant Manager Guo asked, furrowing his brow.
“Old Guo, I feel that yesterday’s inspection wasn’t thorough enough—especially regarding the safety of the production workshops and other buildings. To be on the safe side, we’ll conduct a comprehensive inspection of all factory buildings and facilities today!” said Plant Manager Liang.
“But what about our production targets?”
“Production targets are important, but workplace safety is even more so.”
Director Liang continued, “If the safety inspection delays production and ultimately affects the completion of our targets, and if higher-ups hold us accountable, I will take full responsibility myself!”
Everyone was stunned by Director Liang’s words—this was essentially staking his own career on the line!
The higher-ups were keeping a tight grip on the sugar mill’s production targets; even with three shifts running, meeting the schedule was far from guaranteed.
Now, with time needed for plant maintenance—which would set us back at least two days—production would inevitably become even more strained.
If the quota isn’t met and higher-ups investigate, Director Liang would almost certainly face disciplinary action.
While he might not be completely fired, a demotion or a formal warning was very likely.
But since Plant Manager Liang had said that, they couldn’t really say anything else.
Soon, under Director Liang’s arrangements, all employees of the sugar factory continued with the comprehensive safety inspection.
……..
In contrast to the busyness and anxiety of Director Liang and the others, Li Yi was unusually relaxed.
He knew Wang Anguo would certainly notify the sugar factory as soon as possible; barring any surprises, the sugar factory workers would definitely not be coming out today.
So Li Yi decisively drove the mule cart over to the textile factory!
Since there were only a little over a hundred portions of liangpi, and Li Yi also wanted to give Li Na some practice, he let her set up the stall on her own.
He and Tang Xue stood by watching, with no intention of helping.
However, Li Na’s performance left Li Yi and Tang Xue utterly astonished. Though she seemed a bit flustered at first, she quickly got the hang of it.
She sold all 100 portions of liangpi in less than half an hour, and even the two or three hundred liangpi wrappers on the cart were completely sold out.
Watching Li Na handle the stall with such ease, even Li Yi felt that his third sister was a natural at business.
The three of them packed up their things and immediately set off back to the village in the mule cart!
On the way, Li Na suddenly asked, “Xiao Yi, what do you think of how I did today?”
“Great, really great!” Li Yi replied.
“Then how about I set up a stall with you from now on? You go over to the sugar factory, and I’ll go to the textile mill!” Li Na suggested.
Tang Xue also thought it was a good idea and immediately said, “I think that’s a great idea. If the two of you each take charge of one spot, you’re sure to make a good profit every day!”
However, Li Yi shook his head and said, “No way!”
“Why not?” Li Na asked, puzzled.
“It’s way too dangerous!”
“The police aren’t arresting us, so why is it still dangerous?”
Li Yi smiled and said, “People just assume I’m running a street stall, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come after you! Don’t you see that even I wouldn’t dare set up in the city like this? I’m afraid of being reported.”
“If just one or two people report us, maybe it’ll be fine, but once there are too many reports, not even Captain Wang and his team can protect us!”
“Then what’s the point of me learning how to run a business?” Li Na said disappointedly.
“Of course it’s worth it. I plan to hand over the stall here at the sugar factory to you!” Li Yi said.
“What about you?”
“I’ll be back home with my wife and kids, of course! Hahaha!” Li Yi roared with laughter.
Tang Xue blushed and said, “You can’t expect a dog to spit out ivory!”
Li Na also realized Li Yi was joking with her. She sighed and said, “When will I ever be able to earn as much as you do in a day? No, I’d be happy just to make 10 yuan a day!”
“Ten yuan a day? Is that all you’re aiming for?” Li Yi said with a smile.
Li Na rolled her eyes at him and said, “You think everyone’s like you? You’re a freak!”
Tang Xue chimed in, “10 yuan isn’t bad—that’s 300 yuan a month!”
Li Yi smiled and said, “Sis, what I told you earlier was true. You should come set up a stall over at the sugar factory from now on. I’ve got other things to do!”
“What could be more important than making money?”
“There is. First, I need to plan my wedding with Xiao Xue. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event—I have to make sure it’s a grand affair!”
Li Yi continued, “The liangpi business slows down in the winter. While I have the time, I need to figure out some other ways to make money!”
“Are you really planning to walk away from it?” Li Na asked in surprise.
“It’s not that I’m walking away—I’ll still have to handle the liangpi myself. I just won’t be the one manning the stall anymore!” Li Yi said.
“Let’s talk about this later. I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle it!”
“Yeah, let’s see how it goes for a few days first!”
“Okay!”
……..