Chapter 45

The next day, I called Xiao Hua and Da Jun over.

Our group company needs to hold an internal meeting.

Regarding what happened last night, I didn't mention a word.

They also seemed as if it never happened,

This meeting mainly discusses stopping two construction sites and focusing our main efforts on the construction projects of Qinghua Garden, Guanghua City, and Four Seasons Garden.

Shi Jinhe first explained, construction materials are currently in short supply at the sites; if we start work on a large scale, the sites may very well experience idle work.

I then said: 'Just now Jinhe explained the situation; the company's cash flow is extremely tight now, and Zaocheng Bank's loan will not be available until next month,'

Our accounts receivable are low while expenditures are high.

Fund turnover is difficult,

Only if we finish those three projects first can we, by September's golden sales period, sell half of the units in those three neighborhoods and then repay Southern Group's debt.

Otherwise, our entire company will have to give in to Southern Group. Our group company must reach internal unity, which means stopping those two newly developed projects.

Just as my words fell,

Da Jun followed my words and said: 'Dad, I disagree. Those two plots are what we fought to obtain after relocating a village; if work stops and we can't deliver the houses on time, we'll also have to compensate the relocated villagers. This loss would be huge.'

Xiao Hua also said: 'Da Jun is right; not only compensation, but we'd also have to pay the villagers' rent and subsidies, etc. This would increase our housing costs.'

We would only be able to make a profit by selling at a higher price.

But Zaocheng's housing prices are already this high, they've reached the limit. I also disagree with stopping work. Next month the loan will come down; we'll just think of a way and get past it.

Shi Yong then said: 'Xiao Hua brother, think of a way, tell us what you can come up with; we mainly have no money. Just now our elder brother said, didn't he, that the working capital is gone.'

Including the six projects of Guanghua Garden progressing simultaneously, this requires substantial financial support. I agree with the chairman's opinion: we must stop work.

Da Jun said: 'Uncle Yong, you say stop and we stop, but who will bear this loss?'

I looked at Da Jun and said: 'It was me who said to stop. We'll talk about the loss later; for now we mainly need to ensure those three projects finish quickly. The company still has several million in working capital, all to be used to purchase building materials. Xiao Hua, tell Xiao Feng that this money cannot be moved without my order.'

Xiao Hua said: 'Brother, wasn't it said we would give everyone heatstroke prevention allowance?'

I became anxious,

'Xiao Hua, what's important? Not paying the heatstroke allowance won't kill anyone from heat. But if the construction site stops work due to material shortage, our loss will be great.'

All unnecessary expenses must be stopped.

Starting today, the group employees' wages will temporarily not be paid,

we must first pay the workers on the construction sites.

Just as my words fell,

Da Jun said: 'Dad, this isn't right; we currently rely mainly on group sales for revenue. If we don't pay wages, they'll have no motivation, and our working capital will become even more difficult.'

I glanced at Da Jun,

'Da Jun, you don't need to worry about the housing sales. I said we're temporarily not paying, and that means we're not paying. Anyone who doesn't want to work can resign; our company has too many idle people.'

'Brother, I'll reiterate: there are no idle people; they all got in through various connections. The group company's wasted expenses mainly come from various donations; if we stop them, we can save a lot of money.' Xiao Hua said.

Again, there are no idle people.

The various donations refer to my wasting money and wealth.

I directly said: 'Starting today, all assistance donation projects are completely stopped; our company will not donate a single cent.'

The group internally will stop paying wages.

Shi Yong stood up at this moment,

'I support the chairman's decision to stop wages; let's first get through this difficulty and then talk.'

Shi Jinhe also stood up,

'I support the chairman; we must first pay the workers on the construction sites, otherwise we can't keep them.'

Xiao Hua said helplessly: 'I reserve my opinion. Since you agree, then issue the order.'

Da Jun was very angry,

'Dad, if everyone doesn't get wages, how can they go to work?'

I ignored Da Jun, called Director Feng over, and had him write a notice,

which is that the group company will first temporarily stop paying wages and other bonuses,

stop the two projects.

After the meeting ended,

I had Shi Yong readjust the security department,

so it can be mobilized in emergencies.

As for finance, I still haven't taken control of it.

As long as I get finance back in my hands, then the company will truly be under my control.

I also called Ya Li over and briefed her on the meeting's content; company affairs cannot be kept from her.

After hearing my decision, she was very supportive.

Then she said: 'Chairman Zhao, last night I communicated your opinions to Director Zhang.'

'His opinion is that you must exercise authority in the chairman's position, because Director Zhang only trusts you.'

'If your company's main leadership were to abstain, then our group company has the right to recall the debt early.'

After hearing Ya Li finish speaking,

I gratefully said: 'Thank you, Director Kang, for your support, and even more thanks to Director Zhang for your trust.'

'Once the company returns to normal, I will definitely go to Southern Group to express my thanks in person. Without Director Zhang's support, I, Zhao Jianqiang, could not get by.'

Ya Li said: 'Chairman Zhao, gratitude is one aspect, but you also need to think about self-rescue. Your company's management is too chaotic; I've discovered too many problems.'

Orders simply cannot leave the group company; especially many subsidiaries basically do not implement the group's decisions.

The orders continue without stopping,

"Such hidden dangers are endless."

I hurriedly said, "Manager Kang, management has been a bit out of touch these days; if I just go back to the company, there will be no problem; none of the problems are really problems."

My words had just fallen,

Then I heard someone downstairs start to make a fuss,

I quickly had Nurse Lin go downstairs to see what was happening.

Nurse Lin hurried downstairs, and after a moment ran back up,

She said to me, "Chairman Zhao, the staff downstairs are asking about wages; they seem dissatisfied with the wage suspension."

I said, "Push me downstairs, I'll explain to everyone."

Ya Li hurriedly said, "Chairman Zhao, you shouldn't go downstairs; if something happens, what then?"

Nurse Lin said, "Manager Kang is right, Chairman Zhao; you can't go down."

I said, "I must go down; it's fine. If I can't even handle this, then I shouldn't be this chairman."

After I finished speaking, I gestured for Nurse Lin to push me downstairs.

Downstairs, there was a commotion; Shi Yong, with the security guards, was shouting at this crowd,

"Who the hell dares to go upstairs and disturb the chairman? I, Shi Yong, will slap him to death."

"Damn, who's afraid of whom. This is a lawful society; we're a legitimate company, not a gang—try hitting me." One young man named Chang Kai shouted at Shi Yong.

Shi Yong then raised his fist.

I could see clearly from downstairs.

I shouted at Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, stop!"

Shi Yong looked up, saw it was me, and lowered his fist.

I, accompanied by Nurse Lin and Ya Li, came to the first-floor lobby.