Chapter 2288: Rising in Rank and Getting Rich

The meeting hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Zhou Andong scanned the front with a sharp gaze; he could even clearly see the shocked expressions on the faces of those sitting in the first two rows.

Zhou Andong laughed, his laughter sounding particularly abrupt and loud in such a silent environment.

"My friend's greatest dream was to rise in rank and get rich. Actually, if you think about it, who in this world doesn't want to rise in rank and get rich? I think there is no one. Rising in rank and getting rich is everyone's dream, regardless of gender. Naturally, I, Zhou Andong, am no exception. Therefore, I have come to the Woolen Mill to be the factory director."

Speaking of this, Zhou Andong paused slightly, then continued: "As for how to rise in rank, for the vast majority of cadres, it is not a difficult matter.

As long as you rent out the power you hold, it's fine. You pay me a sum of money, and I, in turn, use the power in my hands to help you accomplish the things you want to get done. Isn't that simple?

But... power rent-seeking, using the power in your hands as a bargaining chip to seek personal gain—can you sleep soundly at night? Won't you be walking on eggshells all day, constantly afraid of the day when the matter is exposed and you are taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation?"

The more Zhou Andong said, the more confused the people below became. They really couldn't guess what medicine Zhou Andong was selling in his gourd. Therefore, they listened very carefully, because they knew in their hearts that the answer would soon be revealed.

Zhou Andong had a smile on his face, and one couldn't tell what he was thinking inside: "Rising in rank and getting rich—these four words sound so tempting, but in fact, rank and wealth cannot be obtained simultaneously. Once you become an official, as long as you dare to reach out and take what you shouldn't, you will definitely be caught."

Speaking of this, many people's faces changed, especially those factory leaders like Shi Guoqiang, Hu Dajun, and Zhang Qun. Their eyes flickered, and their hands were clenched into fists. They believed that this was Zhou Andong declaring war on them.

And at this moment, Zhou Andong's gaze happened to sweep toward them, which made them even more certain that this was Zhou Andong's provocation, making them feel even more angry inside.

A smile curled at the corner of Zhou Andong's mouth: "Now I can tell everyone that in the Woolen Mill, it is possible to both rise in rank and get rich, and it is reasonable and legal. You will never have to worry about being taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission one day."

Hearing this, some people below were confused, some had eyes that clearly lit up, and some were disdainful. Wang Jianmin and Zhao Zhenshi were energized, looking at Zhou Andong on the stage with burning eyes.

And for those people like Shi Guoqiang, Hu Dajun, and Zhang Qun, their inner unease grew increasingly intense.

Zhou Andong had a smile on his face and spoke slowly: "Everyone, wanting to both rise in rank and get rich is actually not difficult. Next, the Woolen Mill will usher in a major reform, which is the shareholding system reform.

What does this mean? Everyone in the factory, whether you are a leading cadre or an ordinary worker on the front line of production, will have the opportunity to subscribe for shares!"

Zhou Andong paused slightly, observing the reaction of the crowd below, and continued: "Think about it, everyone. If we can work together to make the product quality excellent and strong, the sales volume will naturally rise steadily.

Once sales go up, we can naturally earn more money. As long as we have money, not only can we raise wages, but we can also get dividends and build staff apartments—the kind of elevator buildings with dozens of floors.

As long as the staff's pockets are bulging and they can live in elevator buildings with dozens of floors, eat meat and wear new clothes every day, won't political achievements come naturally? With political achievements, isn't rising in rank a matter of course? With shares, isn't making money also reasonable and legal? In this way, can't rising in rank and getting rich be achieved simultaneously?"

Zhou Andong's words caused the meeting hall to fall silent once again. Some people clearly had light in their eyes, some had very complex expressions on their faces, and others were looking down, not knowing what they were thinking.

But regardless of what thoughts they had, they didn't have any doubts about Zhou Andong's words. Because the Yugong Group was a living example; its predecessor was a small local winery with fewer than two thousand staff.

Now look at the development of the Yugong Group after the reform. Whether it's the senior management of the group or ordinary staff, even those without share dividends, who wouldn't envy or be jealous of the wages and benefits that exceed the average level?

Shi Guoqiang, Hu Dajun, and Zhang Qun's faces changed drastically. Their inner unease finally found its source. They weren't afraid of Zhou Andong using some iron-fisted methods, because the tougher he was, the more intense the resistance would be.

Moreover, based on their understanding of Zhou Andong, Zhou Andong was the type of person who would fight heaven, fight earth, and fight everything, fearing nothing. Haven't you seen this fellow scolding this and that in the newspapers, offending people everywhere?

Therefore, they believed that Zhou Andong coming to the Woolen Mill would definitely use strong-arm tactics to solve all problems. By then, these people in the factory would definitely unite to resist in order to protect themselves.

It's just that they never dreamed that this bastard Zhou Andong would change the way he played, no longer clashing head-on with force, but tempting them with profit, catching them off guard.

Wang Jianmin and Zhao Zhenshi's expressions moved. They both knew about the Woolen Mill's reform plan, but they didn't expect Zhou Andong to use this matter to buy people's hearts, and looking at the reaction on the scene, the effect was actually quite good.

Zhou Andong gave the crowd below a little time to think, not long, just a few dozen seconds, but for some, it was enough to have a certain inclination. And Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun's plans had developed a crack at this very moment.

"The situation in the Woolen Mill now, everyone knows in their hearts. Why has it become like this? It's because some people are short-sighted, staring at their own little patch of land all day, engaging in mountain-topism, treating the enterprise as their own private property, and are very afraid of others coming to snatch it. How can this possibly run an enterprise well?

The leaders above are not blind or deaf, and the staff below have bright eyes and sharp ears. Who is idling away their time and seeking personal gain through power? Who is truly capable and sincerely planning for the development of the enterprise and the welfare of the staff? Everyone has a scale in their hearts."

Zhou Andong's words caused many people to project themselves into the situation, causing quite a stir in their hearts. They all thought Zhou Andong was talking about them, so they all looked very restless.

Actually, this is what Zhou Andong wanted. First, give them a sweet date that they can see and touch, then he raises his knife and clearly tells them that the sweet date is what I give you. If you want to eat it, then show the attitude you should have. If you don't want to eat it, see the knife in my hand? I will chop it down without hesitation.

Feeling that it was about time, Zhou Andong continued: "I've said what I needed to say. Next, I announce two things. First, the establishment of a Supervision and Inspection Office, referred to as the Supervision and Examination Office.

It is an agency responsible for supervising and inspecting departments and their staff. Its main responsibilities include supervising and inspecting the administrative behavior, work style, and work efficiency of departments, ensuring the transparency, fairness, legality, and compliance of work.

Investigating and handling the disciplinary and illegal acts of staff, holding violators accountable, evaluating the administrative efficiency of departments, and putting forward improvement suggestions. Accepting reports from factory staff and investigating and handling problems reflected by staff."

"The establishment of the Supervision and Examination Office is of great significance for maintaining the image of the Woolen Mill and improving work efficiency. On one hand, it can effectively prevent and correct the disciplinary and illegal acts of leading cadres. It can also promote the self-improvement of departments and improve work efficiency and quality..."

Below, there was dead silence, so quiet that one could clearly hear a needle drop on the ground. Especially Shi Guoqiang, Hu Dajun, and Zhang Qun—they only felt their scalps tingling, as if countless ants were crawling on them, and cold air was rising from the back of their necks.

Because they knew deeply that if this Supervision and Examination Office were truly established, it would undoubtedly become a sharp, invincible blade in Zhou Andong's hands.

By then, Zhou Andong could chop wherever he wanted and chop whoever he wanted. Their original plan to sideline Zhou Andong would be completely bankrupt.

In addition, there was an even more important point: accepting reports from staff. This thing was the most fatal, because they knew perfectly well what kind of character they had.

If they really accepted reports from all staff, calculated based on the scale of nearly forty thousand staff in the factory, the report letters against them could probably be hauled by trucks.

"I object!"

Hu Dajun only felt as if countless bees were buzzing in his brain. He was completely stunned and had completely lost the ability to think. This shout was entirely out of instinct, and also because he had become accustomed to being overbearing, so it just blurted out like that.

The meeting hall, which had been so quiet that a needle drop could be heard, had its peace broken by this sudden shout. The sound was like a thunderclap, and everyone was startled, turning their gazes toward Hu Dajun in unison.

And at the moment he shouted these words, Hu Dajun shuddered, and a chill rushed from his spine to his forehead, making him sober up instantly. However, words spoken are like spilled water; no matter what, they could not be taken back.

Hu Dajun was sitting in the front row. He didn't have eyes on the back of his head, but he could feel those gazes with extreme clarity, like steel needles piercing his back. At this moment, he was truly sitting on pins and needles.

What was even more fatal was that Wang Jianmin and Zhao Zhenshi, these two big shots, were sitting right beside him, and their serious expressions and sharp eyes made Hu Dajun break out in a cold sweat.

At this time, Zhou Andong laughed lightly: "It seems that Hu Dajun's feelings for our Woolen Mill are truly extraordinary. Even though he has already left his post, he still can't forget to reach out and manage the factory's affairs."

Originally, Hu Dajun already felt incomparably embarrassed, but now, being spoken to like this by Zhou Andong, his face instantly flushed red, like a pig's liver.

Zhou Andong would not easily let go of such a good opportunity to strike at Hu Dajun. Only then did his expression suddenly turn serious, and his tone became stern.

"As the successor to the Woolen Mill's factory director, I have a great deal of respect for Comrade Hu Dajun. Since he has raised an objection, let's all listen together to the old factory director's thoughts.

If the reasons given by the old factory director are indeed reasonable, then I naturally won't be stubborn and will certainly abandon the establishment of the new department without hesitation."

Sitting in the back row, Tong Yuanxi stared fixedly at the back of Hu Dajun's head, his lips moving slightly, muttering "idiot." But his originally iron-blue face looked much better after Hu Dajun suddenly popped up.

The establishment of the Supervision and Examination Office, to put it bluntly, was to carve up the power in his hands, especially in a situation where the secretary and the factory director were in cahoots. If he didn't actively cooperate with their work arrangements, then the various functions of the Factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department would undoubtedly be completely replaced by this newly established Supervision and Examination Office.

Tong Yuanxi truly hadn't expected Zhou Andong to be so insidious and cunning, announcing the establishment of a new department at the appointment meeting to break the hidden resistance, thereby being able to stand firm in the Woolen Mill faster.

He understood, but he was powerless. There was no way; the secretary and the factory director were in cahoots, so even if everyone in the factory expressed opposition, it would be of no use.

Hu Dajun was put on the spot by Zhou Andong. His flushed face squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying, and then he stood up slowly, his tone very sincere.

"I personally believe that the functions undertaken by this Supervision and Examination Office overlap to a large extent with the Factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department. Since that is the case, wouldn't setting up such a new department specifically be a pure waste of resources?

Whether it's manpower, material resources, or financial resources, they will all be consumed in vain; there is absolutely no need for this. As for myself, I have just stepped down from my original position, and for a moment, I really haven't been able to adapt well to this change in identity, so I just couldn't help but shout out an objection in a moment of impulse.

Here, I want to solemnly apologize to you, Factory Director Zhou. Please forgive me and be generous with my oversight. To tell you the truth, I have worked conscientiously in our Woolen Mill for more than ten years and have deep feelings for every blade of grass and tree here. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope that the Woolen Mill can develop better and better."

Zhou Andong had a smile on his face: "I understand the old factory director's concern for the Woolen Mill, and his words are not unreasonable. But next, the Woolen Mill will usher in an unprecedented major reform. There are overlapping functions between the Supervision and Examination Office and the Factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department. When the time comes, I will make adjustments based on the actual situation. In addition, the Supervision and Examination Office will be merged into the Factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department..."

Before Zhou Andong finished speaking, Tong Yuanxi felt a joy in his heart, but immediately after Zhou Andong's words, his face turned gloomy again.

"The Deputy Director of the Supervision and Examination Office will be concurrently held by Comrade Tian Hongwei, according to work needs. After the Supervision and Examination Office is merged into the Factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department, they will implement a system of one department with two signboards, independent of each other."