Chapter 104: Workers Besiege the Factory Manager's Office

The due diligence report of Red Star Food Processing Factory was quickly delivered to Chen Yang.

He took a look and found some discrepancies with the data Xu Li provided.

Financially, besides the five million yuan in external debt mentioned openly, Red Star Food Processing Factory also owed workers half a year's wages.

In production, the products the factory has turned out in recent years have had lax quality control. Repeatedly exposed for serious product quality defects and hazards, its market image is extremely poor. Many purchasers that originally had close cooperation have terminated their contracts.

Moreover, all four of the factory's existing workshops have serious safety hazards. To resume production, a huge sum of money is needed for repairs.

In other words, aside from the land of the factory site, everything else is a pit.

Chen Yang didn't want to take over this hot potato, and felt embarrassed to refuse Xu Li directly, so he had Shen Anna take the due diligence report to communicate with her.

Unexpectedly, after an in-depth talk with Xu Li, Shen Anna actually agreed to take over Red Star Food Processing Factory. Her reason was that the government was willing to transfer a plot of ten thousand square meters of land near the factory to the Old Citizens Agricultural Products Trading Company for building a cold storage.

Chen Yang didn't really understand this; he questioned Shen Anna: "If we want to build a cold storage, we can just buy a plot of land near the agricultural products wholesale market—why bother taking over this mess of Red Star Food Processing Factory?"

Shen Anna explained: "Although Red Star Food Processing Factory has many problems, its production line is related to our company's business. With just a little rectification, it will help the future diversification of our company's products."

Chen Yang still wasn't convinced. He said: "Even if the company is interested in getting into processed agricultural products, wouldn't it be better to directly cooperate with a capable processing plant?"

Seeing that she couldn't convince Chen Yang, Shen Anna smiled and frankly said: "Alright, I admit I'm reluctant to give up that plot of land at the factory. As long as the factory's internal problems are properly resolved, that plot is actually a huge potential wealth."

Chen Yang also wanted the land, but feared trouble, so he told Shen Anna: "I'll leave this work entirely to you to handle."

"No!" Shen Anna firmly refused: "There are still many things waiting for me to handle in Xingcheng. Let us stay here, unless you go to Xingcheng to take over my work?"

"Then let's forget it!" Shen Anna has a habit of frequent meetings, while Chen Yang's biggest headache is endless meetings.

Seeing Chen Yang's low spirits, Shen Anna comforted him: "Boss, for the company to grow quickly, just bear the hardship for a moment!"

Chen Yang naturally also wanted to strengthen the company's strength, but didn't want to wear himself out. After thinking, he said: "Then have Luo Xue transferred over to handle the workers' resettlement issues."

Seeing Chen Yang compromise, Shen Anna readily agreed: "No problem! However, she is the Personnel Manager, and leaving the headquarters for too long is not ideal. You need to settle this quickly!"

Chen Yang said unhappily: "Whether we can settle this quickly depends on whether Luo Xue has the ability."

"Rest assured, I believe Luo Xue can handle it."

After finishing communication with Chen Yang, Shen Anna drove back to Xingcheng.

Chen Yang remembered that among Lin Feng's comrades, there was one named Zheng Yun who was a family member of a Red Star Food Processing Factory employee. He had Qin Qin and Qian Duo Duo handle the contract transfer procedures, then drove to the warehouse management office of the Old Citizens Agricultural Products Life Supermarket at Shuanglin Market to find Zheng Yun.

Upon hearing that Chen Yang was interested in acquiring Red Star Food Processing Factory, Zheng Yun was delighted and expressed willingness to act as a guide.

Under his guidance, Chen Yang drove to the outside of the Red Star Food Processing Factory gate.

This place is a bit far from the urban area; said to be a suburb, it's actually no different from the countryside. Apart from a large factory surrounded by red bricks, the surroundings are either mountains or farmland. And the plot Shen Anna mentioned that could be used for a cold storage is a wasteland to the right of the factory.

The gatekeeper, who is also a member of the Old Citizens Agricultural Products Life Supermarket, recognized Chen Yang at a glance.

"Yo, Yun Wazi, you've got some face—even having the boss personally pick you up and drop you off."

"Chun Ye, open the gate a bit—I'll take the boss around the factory." Zheng Yun politely handed the old man a cigarette.

The old man took the cigarette, lit it, took a puff, but didn't open the gate. "Yun Wazi, you guys shouldn't go in—it's chaotic inside right now."

"What's going on?" Zheng Yun asked curiously.

The old man sighed and said: "It's not anything else—it's about the wages. The big guys have blocked the factory manager in his office, waiting for him to give an explanation!"

Chen Yang said: "I heard your factory is out of money financially; even if you block the manager, it won't solve the problem, right?"

The old man snorted angrily and said: "The factory's money has all been squandered by these factory leaders; if they can't come up with the money, we'll sue them!"

"Old man, may I go in and have a look?"

"No, my duty is to guard the gate and not let anyone in or out."

Chen Yang took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from the car and handed it to the old man, saying: "I'll park the car outside; can I go in and have a look?"

Upon seeing Chen Yang offering a good cigarette, the old man's attitude changed immediately. He happily took the cigarette and praised: "Young boss, you're handsome and kind-hearted—much better than our damned factory manager." After saying that, he directly opened the gate.

Chen Yang thanked him, then continued driving inward. Not long after, he saw a large crowd surrounding a three-story office building ahead—men and women, old and young.

"Hey Huang, if you don't pay the wages today, don't even think about leaving."

"Fellow workers, it's not that I don't want to pay your wages; the factory really has no money!"

"Don't fool me! If there's no money for wages, how can you have money to eat well and drink spicy every day?"

"Exactly, I heard you bought a new house in the city. Where did the money for that house come from?"

"That goes without saying—it's definitely taken from our wages. Hurry up and pay the wages, or we'll go sue you in the city!"

"Suing me won't help either; the factory truly has no money!"

"You won't let us live, huh? Everyone, rush him and beat him to death!"

Chen Yang watched from afar as the factory workers stormed the manager's office; he did not go up to dissuade them.

On one hand, he is not yet the owner of this factory, so he has no obligation to handle internal conflicts.

On the other hand, he also thinks this factory's management deserves to die. Of that five million yuan in debt, a large portion consists of IOUs signed by these people for eating, drinking, and entertainment outside.

However, to avoid loss of life, Chen Yang hesitated a moment, then still had Zheng Yun go persuade the angry crowd.

Xu Li already knows about the factory's wage arrears; she will surely have the relevant authorities investigate. When the time comes, the law will naturally punish those corrupt elements.