The reading room of Dafeng Factory was packed. Li Dakang and Sun Liancheng were on one side with about fifteen people, while on the other side were Chen Yanshi and Zheng Xisuo, leading twenty employee representatives from Dafeng Factory.
The firefighters and safety inspectors had gone to work, and Li Dakang began to work as well. He first asked the employee representatives to speak freely, not to rush to reveal their cards, but to see what the other's cards were first.
But no one spoke first. Even though Li Dakang had a warm smile on his face, the employee representatives were still hesitant, no one wanted to be the first bird to fly out.
Thus, Chen Yanshi's role came into play. Li Dakang looked at Chen Yanshi and said, “Old Chen, you care so much about Dafeng Factory, why don't you start the conversation?”
Chen Yanshi didn't hesitate, and seized the opportunity to raise a difficult question: “Secretary Li, the employees’ demands are basically two points, equity and relocation. The interests of everyone should be guaranteed.”
He had a bellyful of grievances towards Li Dakang and naturally wanted to take this opportunity to raise difficult questions. The equity was ruled by the court to belong to Shanshui Group, and Shanshui Group was unwilling to pay for the relocation. It was up to Li Dakang to figure out a solution.
“You’re right, the interests of the employees should be guaranteed.” Li Dakang nodded and turned to Zheng Xisuo: “Comrade Zheng Xisuo, you also have something to say?”
Zheng Xisuo quickly replied: “Secretary Li, Old Chen has already spoken for us. Everyone cares about the equity and relocation issues.”
Li Dakang asked further: “Tell me more about this equity and relocation problem. What are your specific demands? We can only proceed with the discussion after understanding your specific demands.”
Zheng Xisuo was stumped. He was a good person, but he lacked the ability and courage to make decisions. Whenever he encountered something, he either sought advice from Cai Chenggong or Chen Yanshi.
“In terms of equity, Shanshui Group should pay compensation for the employees’ equity. In terms of relocation, it is necessary to address the employment problem of the employees after Dafeng Factory is demolished.”
Chen Yanshi continued to challenge Li Dakang with more difficult questions. Considering that Dafeng Factory had over 1,300 employees, the difficulty of addressing their employment issue was imaginable.
Li Dakang calmly asked again: “Old Chen, what do you think is the appropriate amount of compensation that Shanshui Group should provide for everyone’s equity?”
Chen Yanshi said: “The land of Dafeng Factory is worth over ten billion. Let’s assume it's ten billion. Employees hold 40% of the shares, Shanshui Group should compensate the shareholders with four billion.”
Li Dakang couldn't help but retort: “Old Chen, you said that the land of Dafeng Factory is worth over ten billion, which is a little unrealistic. At most, this piece of land is worth three or five billion.”
Chen Yanshi immediately said with a stern face: “Secretary Li, it’s not me who said this land is worth over ten billion. Cai Chenggong and many others have said so. You can investigate and find out.”
Li Dakang said calmly: “Old Chen, take Chinese cabbage as an example. It costs two or three yuan per piece in the vegetable market, but in a big hotel, it can be made into dishes that sell for dozens or even hundreds. We can’t say that a piece of Chinese cabbage is worth dozens or even hundreds, right? The value of land is similar. We cannot use the value of developed commercial real estate to measure the value of land.”
Chen Yanshi felt a little embarrassed and said reluctantly: “I understand what you are saying. I am not measuring the value of the land of Dafeng Factory based on the value of developed commercial real estate. Even if it’s not ten billion, the land is worth a few billion.”
Li Dakang said solemnly: “Old Chen, Cai Chenggong has mortgaged the equity of Dafeng Factory to Shanshui Group. From a legal standpoint, no matter how much this land is worth, it has nothing to do with the employees of Dafeng Factory.”
Chen Yanshi retorted impatiently: “Cai Chenggong can only dispose of his own 60% of the shares, he has no right to dispose of the 40% of the shares owned by the employees.”
Li Dakang's mind stirred, he casually dug a pit for Chen Yanshi: “Old Chen, what do you think of Cai Chenggong?”
Chen Yanshi jumped into the pit without hesitation, saying: “Cai Chenggong has many shortcomings, but he is not a bad person by nature. He’s much better than those cunning businessmen from Shanshui Group. Cai Chenggong has given everything that should be given to the employees.”
Li Dakang showed a playful smile: “Really given everything? For example, relocation fees, did Cai Chenggong give that?”
Chen Yanshi was taken aback and asked back: “Why should Cai Chenggong give the relocation fees? Shouldn’t it be Shanshui Group?”
Li Dakang said solemnly: “Besides the 60 million yuan bridge loan, Cai Chenggong also took 35 million yuan relocation fees from Shanshui Group, just that this money didn’t reach your hands.”
Chen Yanshi felt his face burning. He just said that Cai Chenggong was not a bad person and had given everything to the employees, but Li Dakang immediately revealed that Cai Chenggong had embezzled 35 million yuan of relocation fees.
Hearing such explosive news, the twenty employee representatives present were shocked. They had never heard Cai Chenggong mention that Shanshui Group had given 35 million yuan relocation fees.
Some were angry that Cai Chenggong had taken 35 million yuan relocation fees without giving it to them. Others were worried that Secretary Li was speaking for Shanshui Group and was going to force Dafeng Factory to accept Shanshui Group’s robbery.
“Cai Chenggong embezzled our relocation fees. He never mentioned this!”
“Is it true or not? Did Shanshui Group really give relocation fees?”
“Secretary Li, you have to speak up for us.”
“If Dafeng Factory is demolished, what will we do for our livelihood?”
“Shanshui Group can't demolish Dafeng Factory without addressing the relocation problem.”
The employees were outraged, but Li Dakang was unmoved. This was the outcome he wanted.
First, give the employees a less favorable expectation, then give them a good result, everyone is happy.
The nature of people is greedy. If the initial expectations for the employees were set too high, it would be difficult to satisfy them.
Therefore, Li Dakang first revealed that Shanshui Group had already given the relocation fees, in order to lower the employees' expectations.
The subtext was that regardless of whether the employees received the relocation fees or not, Shanshui Group had already paid it, it was Cai Chenggong’s problem.
Chen Yanshi immediately became anxious and glared: “Regardless, if Shanshui Group wants to demolish Dafeng Factory, it has to compensate the shareholders and solve the employment problem of the employees!”
He never expected that Shanshui Group had given the relocation fees to Cai Chenggong. Cai Chenggong was nowhere to be found, and it was likely that Cai Chenggong had absconded with the money. Even if they found Cai Chenggong, …
This was Chen Yanshi’s unreasonable place. He only cared about the result, not the reason. Since he couldn’t find Cai Chenggong, he went to Shanshui Group. Anyway, he had to address the employees’ relocation compensation and employment issues.
Li Dakang said slowly and calmly: “Old Chen, Dafeng Factory was sold by Cai Chenggong. Shanshui Group has the right to it. If we want to resolve the issue, we need to be realistic and we can’t ask for the moon, right?”
Chen Yanshi sang a high-pitched tune: “Shares are the employees’ life’s blood, jobs are their future livelihood. Secretary Li, we can’t let Shanshui Group get away with their robbery!”
Li Dakang smiled: “Old Chen, it’s not that once Dafeng Factory is demolished, the employees’ shares and jobs are gone. For example, if we build a new Dafeng Factory, wouldn’t the employees' shares and jobs still be there?”
“Secretary Li, are you saying that we will build a new Dafeng Factory?” Zheng Xisuo was overjoyed and interjected, other employees were also excited. Building a new Dafeng Factory was more attractive than just being given some money and losing their jobs.
Losing their jobs and livelihood, they would soon run out of money. But building a new Dafeng Factory would be different. Everyone could continue to work and earn money, and they would also have share dividends. Wasn’t that better than a one-time relocation fee?
Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the employees, Li Dakang felt reassured. As long as Chen Yanshi didn’t cause any trouble, the 60 million yuan he got from Shanshui Group would be enough for the employees of Dafeng Factory to happily agree to the demolition.
Chen Yanshi was not a bad person, but after his retirement, he lacked the power he once had. He couldn't bear to be idle and liked to get involved in everything, showing his presence through this kind of elder-bullying behavior.
…