Chapter 353: Leave of Absence Without Pay

At noon, Jiang Jiancheng took Zhang Ping'an and the other man to eat an authentic local Shanghai-style meal, featuring dishes like Braised Pork, oil-popped shrimp, white-cut chicken, and crystal shrimp.

"Director Zhang, is General Manager Li still getting used to the food?"

"Hmm... it's, it's not bad, it's just, hmm, a bit sweet." As an old Sijiucheng native, Li Huaide still preferred salty flavors.

"Hahaha, General Manager Li, this sweetness is a major characteristic of our local Shanghai-style cuisine."

"Indeed, it felt a bit unusual at first, but after savoring it, it has its own unique character."

In the afternoon, the group of three visited all the locations Jiang Jiancheng had mentioned, and the foot traffic was indeed quite impressive.

Zhang Ping'an rubbed his chin, recalling the famous 4S Dian hubs in Modu from his past life; these locations did not seem to be among them.

In his past life, he had only worked in Shanghai for two years, and the districts in his memory had not yet been established.

"Ping'an, which of these places do you think is suitable?"

"Hmm... Li Ge, I'm not entirely sure either. Jiancheng, where do you think is most suitable, considering the space is large enough, vehicle access is convenient, and the foot traffic is sufficient?"

"This..."

"It's fine. Li Ge and I are both from out of town; it's impossible to determine the address based on just one afternoon. You are a local, so you definitely have a better understanding."

"Director Zhang, General Manager Li, how about we go to my second uncle's house tonight to discuss it in detail?"

Jiang Jiancheng did not want to make the decision on his own, even though his second uncle had already communicated with him last night.

"Hmm, that works."

Zhang Ping'an and the other man exchanged a glance and agreed; it seemed the Jiang family was willing to take a stake.

Afterward, Jiang Jiancheng settled the two in a Reception House in Jing'an District and went home to report the news.

"Ping'an, how much of a stake do you think the Jiang family will want?"

"Hmm, two to three tenths, I'd say."

Based on Zhang Ping'an's understanding of Jiang Zhenbei, he shouldn't be the type to be ungrateful, and he would also pay for this stake.

"Hmm."

Li Huaide nodded; this was about what he had estimated. If it were too little, they probably wouldn't bother joining, and if it were too much, the two of them certainly wouldn't agree. Anything not exceeding three tenths was just right.

In the evening, Jiang Jiancheng came to pick them up again, and Zhang Ping'an and Li Huaide bought some tea leaves and pastries nearby to bring along.

Twenty-some minutes later, the car stopped beside a villa.

"Director Zhang, General Manager Li, please."

"Haha, alright."

As soon as the two entered the villa, Jiang Zhenbei walked over with a loud laugh.

"Factory Director Li, Brother Zhang, welcome, welcome."

"Brother Jiang."

"Factory Director Jiang."

"Factory Director Li, let's stop calling each other Factory Director. I believe I'm a year older than you, so I'll be bold and call you Brother Li."

"Haha, alright, Brother Jiang."

"Hahaha, come, please, inside."

"Please."

Jiang Zhenbei's home was a two-story Republican-era villa, and the interior decor was also full of that style, very similar to the old Modu period Zhang Ping'an had seen in his past life.

The three sat down as host and guests, while Jiang Jiancheng sat to the side, responsible for pouring the wine. They chatted about this and that for a good while before getting to the main topic.

"My two brothers, you don't need to worry about the land. When Brother Zhang mentioned this to me yesterday, I kept an eye out. There are currently three options."

"I'm a person who likes to be direct. Brother Zhang helped me a lot in the early stages, so the cost of the land is on me. As for the shares, I want two tenths, and of course, I will pay for them according to the investment ratio."

"You have already made De'an Automobile City famous, so I will pay a premium."

"Brother Jiang is a straightforward person. How about this, Brother Jiang: the land cost being on you is no problem. As for the premium, it's unnecessary. Let's set the shares at two and a half tenths, but someone needs to be here to oversee things."

"It's hard for Li Ge and me to stay in Modu for long. Brother Jiang, you also know I'm still at the Rolling Mill, and Li Ge has to be responsible for Sijiucheng."

Li Huaide naturally had no objections; he and Zhang Ping'an had already discussed it at the Reception House. As long as it didn't exceed three tenths, they would go with whatever Zhang Ping'an said.

"Hahaha, that's simple. Ping'an, you know Jiancheng, right? How about letting him come?"

"That would be great. Jiancheng's ability is outstanding among the younger generation."

In fact, the age difference between Jiang Jiancheng and Zhang Ping'an was not large, yet now he was a generation lower.

"Director Zhang, you flatter me."

"Haha, I'm not praising you, I'm speaking the truth."

Afterward, the group discussed the details, and all three parties were satisfied; the atmosphere during the meal became even more enthusiastic.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an prepared to head home. Everything that needed to be said had been said last night, and having Li Huaide here was enough.

"Ping'an, send over your training materials and architectural blueprints when you get back. We need to recruit and train workers here in time as well."

The Jiang family would be responsible for the land and construction, following the blueprints from Sijiucheng. Employee training had to be done as soon as possible, and they would then need to intern at the Sijiucheng automobile city before they could officially start work.

"Done."

Back home, Zhang Ping'an also prepared to take leave without pay. Although there were two deputy directors, Zhu Jianshe and Xu Kun, and his presence or absence didn't have much impact, the current Rolling Mill was, after all, no longer in the Li Huaide era.

Regarding the candidate for director, Zhang Ping'an was inclined toward Xu Kun in his heart, but his seniority was too shallow compared to Zhu Jianshe's, and he still needed to accumulate experience. It was better to recommend Zhu Jianshe directly, which would also earn him a favor.

Of course, a recommendation from Zhang Ping'an didn't guarantee success; after all, the current Factory Director was Yang Zhiguo, and that Yang Guangming was very likely to take the position of director or deputy director.

"Xiaokun, I'm preparing to go into business like your uncle-in-law. I will recommend Zhu Jianshe for this director position."

"Hmm... I understand. Brother Zhang, actually, I want to go into business too."

"......"

Xu Kun did indeed want to go into business, especially after learning that Li Huaide had earned more than others' lifetime wages in less than half a month. Moreover, he was still young and didn't want to be cooped up in the factory every day.

"Hmm... if your father doesn't object, then go into business."

Xu Kun immediately pulled a long face and stopped talking; it would be strange if his father agreed, at least he wouldn't agree right now.

"Alright, I know you have the ability. If your father agrees one day, I will keep a logistics manager position open for you here."

Regardless, cadres who have been tempered in state-run factories are all the main force for future private enterprises; they lack neither ability, nor insight, nor background.

"Good."

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an appeared in Yang Zhiguo's office with his resignation letter.

"Director Zhang, have you thought it through?"

"Mm."

"Good."

Yang Zhiguo also signed his name very readily; after all, with Zhang Ping'an resigning, it would be easier for him to manage logistics.

"What? Zhang Shu, you've resigned?"

Xu Damao and Shazhu, who were now in-laws, were both shocked; they had finally managed to wait until their respective fathers retired, and now they were also at the Director (Deputy Section Chief) level.

Yet Zhang Ping'an, this department head, said he was quitting and just quit; suddenly they felt that being a Deputy Section Chief wasn't even appealing anymore, feeling a sense of dullness, even more so than the post-coital refractory period.

Xu Damao's son Xu Guoqing and Shazhu's daughter He Ying had been bickering and playing around, but they really did become a family, having already married last year.

"That's right, I'm planning to do some business."

That evening, Zhang Ping'an found He Daqing and brought up the idea of partnering to open a restaurant.

"Hmm..."

Since retiring, He Daqing had spent his days researching various foods and looking after his grandson, otherwise he was just bored out of his mind.

"Good, then let's do it."

Then the two of them began to discuss the specific scale, model, profit sharing, and so on for the restaurant, which made Shazhu, who was listening on the side, feel an unbearable itch to join.

"Um, Dad, Zhang Shu, how about I join in too?"