Chapter 223: Fair and Just Vote

Li Jiaci has already decided.

Strike while the iron is hot, continue to expand the scale.

After taking Wang Yingna to inspect the factory, he summoned everyone to the office.

Preparing to hold a meeting, to formally announce it.

Hong Bo already knew his plan in advance, sitting dejectedly by the stove, sucking on a sullen cigarette.

Others are happy making money without worry; he gets more anxious the more he makes.

Because Li Jiaci has few people he can trust around him.

He and these five brothers total only six people.

Six people have to manage over a dozen factories and two companies.

They also have to run daily to Bei Bang and various freight yards to transport goods.

No matter how you count, this manpower is insufficient.

Since the Furniture Factory opened.

Hong Bo's sleep time each day has not exceeded five hours.

Everyone has lost a round of weight.

Wait until everyone is gathered.

Li Jiaci handed out tea and cigarettes to them.

"Well, before the meeting starts, let me ask you all: how has the Furniture Factory's performance been lately?"

Zhang Chuqiang said with a grin: "Brother, your question is unnecessary; since we got the approval documents, it's been like divine assistance—the furniture at the freight yards sells like crazy, those bosses keep chasing us for extra orders, but I've held back on giving them, fearing to overwork the workers!"

"I guessed as much; when I inspected the factory today and saw the long line of pickup trucks, I knew the furniture must be selling well!"

Li Jiaci knew the situation in his heart and immediately nodded in satisfaction.

His question was not unnecessary.

Rather, he said it for Hong Bo to hear.

Hong Bo took a drag of his sullen cigarette, without responding.

Li Jiaci rubbed his warming palms and said to the few: "I intend to strike while the iron is hot, continue expanding the company's scale—from the current four hundred to four thousand!"

"What?!"

Hong Bo was startled.

He knew Li Jiaci had a big appetite, but never imagined it would be this big.

From four hundred to four thousand?

That's ten times the current number!

How can we manage that?

Who could handle it?

Hong Bo immediately objected: "Boss, your decision is too hasty; we don't have enough manpower!"

"I think so too; things are fine as they are, profits are stable, no need to keep expanding!"

Liu Jiang expressed agreement.

So far there are two objections.

Li Jiaci is waiting for the others' attitudes.

After all, running a company isn't his alone to decide.

It must be a collective stance, deciding the future direction.

Otherwise, the few will not be of one mind.

Sooner or later something will go wrong.

Zhang Chuqiang hesitated a moment, then asked Li Jiaci: "Brother, are you confident?"

"If I weren't confident, I wouldn't be talking nonsense!"

"Alright, as long as you're confident, I'll follow you, brother!"

Zhang Chuqiang gave a hehe laugh.

He is the one among these few who has followed Li Jiaci out to work the most times.

Whenever Li Jiaci says he's confident about something, it never goes wrong.

So he's willing to go along.

He gained one supportive vote.

Li Jiaci felt much relieved inside.

Immediately after, Wang Lan also said: "Expansion for us has only benefits, no drawbacks; we've come this far—why not take a few more steps? Or are we waiting for others to surpass us?"

As soon as those words were spoken.

Zhao Chen quickly chimed in: "Since we opened the Furniture Factory, there have been many eyes watching us covetously; why? Because they think that with a little effort they can still outdo us!"

Three votes.

Wang Yingna took a sip of tea.

"Let me say a couple of things; actually I think..."

"You have no voting rights."

Li Jiaci interrupted her.

Then saw Wang Yingna furrow her brows, unconvinced, asking: "Aren't I the boss's wife? Why don't I have voting rights?"

"I don't either!"

Li Jiaci spread his hands.

The decision-making power lies in the hands of these six people.

Currently it's two to three, still very hopeful.

The final result fell on the usually most carefree Li Yihu.

Li Yihu stroked the stubble on his chin, making two tsk sounds.

"So, as long as I disagree, the big brother's decision doesn't count?"

"Hahaha, I never thought I, Huzi, would have this day!"

"This is really exhilarating!"

"Big brother, if you knew this would happen today, why bother back then?"

"If you usually treated me a bit better, this matter would be settled, right?"

Just as Li Yihu was feeling pleased with himself.

Li Jiaci suddenly chuckled and said: "If you disagree, at most it's a tie; what do you mean it doesn't count? In the end I'll flip a coin—if it lands heads up, you'll follow my decision!"

"Oh..."

Li Yihu pouted, spoiling the mood.

After a moment of contemplation.

He suddenly pretended to pick up a cigarette and held it in his mouth.

"That's how it is!"

"The company has developed to this point entirely thanks to our big brother charging ahead, breaking through obstacles and opening up new territory for us!"

"We have no right to oppose the big brother's decision!"

"Why? Because we are the beneficiaries; when the big brother gives us a push, we move forward a step!"

"Without our big brother, there would be no us today!"

"So I support the big brother's decision!"

"The vote is over!"

Li Yihu finished his remarks.

Everyone stared at each other, and the office fell silent.

Li Yihu lit a cigarette, narrowed his eyes, took a puff, and said: "Actually there's no need to be surprised; I can say these things because I learned them from the big brother. In business, in dealing with the world, you have to practice a bit."

"Huzi, are you awake?"

Zhao Chen rubbed his head, his expression relieved.

Before, this guy was just a hotheaded youth, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement; besides those few of us, he didn't put anyone else in his eyes.

His way of speaking was even more arrogant, like a 'two-five-eight-ten-thousand'.

In Li Jiaci's words,

This guy is prime material for ending up in jail.

Li Yihu smiled proudly: "Now that I'm also an assistant manager, when speaking and handling affairs I must have presence, otherwise the subordinates won't listen to me!"

"Alright, praising you a couple sentences and you're already getting carried away!"

Zhao Chen glanced at him.

Just as everyone was laughing together, Li Jiaci noticed that Hong Bo was also laughing along.

He said to Hong Bo: "Hong Bo, I know what you're worried about; since we've made this decision, I've certainly considered everything thoroughly—those things you're worried about aren't problems!"

"The boss already has a plan, right?"

Hong Bo asked calmly.

Obviously, he had already accepted this result.

Li Jiaci nodded.

Each factory selects two supervisors; the company's employees are evaluated for half a month, then one manager, two assistant managers, and five team leaders are chosen—this will lighten your burden considerably and free up your hands to help me expand the scale!

Hearing this, Hong Bo's expression relaxed, and he said reassured: "Then we'll just keep working, keep expanding!"

"Qiangzi, what about you?"

"What else can I say? The brothers aren't complaining, so I can't let the chain drop!"

Zhang Chuqiang is actually the hardest-working.

Besides driving every day, he also has to patrol the factories and meet with the cargo yard.

He opposed it, and Li Jiaci could completely understand.

"Qiangzi, I will also expand your car fleet and assign you two assistants!"

"Oh my, then I'll really have presence!"

The vote ended.

Li Jiaci was about to start deploying tasks.

"Hong Bo, please help me find nearby suitable factories and office buildings; price-wise you needn't worry—this time we're going for a big deal, and if we want returns, we must invest!"

Hong Bo stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and said: "What are we waiting for? I'm going now!"

"Good!"