Chapter 175: West Ridge Canned Food Factory (Part 1)

In the General Manager's office at the 760 Factory, Zhou Ming was seated at his desk, handling documents. Su Han had moved a stool to sit beside him, assisting Zhou Ming. After most of the primary documents were dealt with, Su Han looked at Zhou Ming, who was writing plans for the Eight Treasures Porridge Factory and preparing approval documents for the county. Curious, she asked, "Zhou Ming, are you really planning to build an Eight Treasures Porridge factory here?"

"It's not exactly starting from scratch," Zhou Ming replied. "As Director Li mentioned earlier, we already have a workshop capable of producing cans. I just need to introduce a production line for Eight Treasures Porridge."

"But Eight Treasures Porridge is something almost every household in our rural area makes. Will anyone buy it?" Su Han expressed her concern.

"Of course people will buy it," Zhou Ming said. "While it's common in rural areas, it's not as widely made in cities. Plus, the current market offerings are quite limited. If we produce it, there will definitely be buyers. I've seen Eight Treasures Porridge being sold in Port City, and it sells quite well."

Zhou Ming was speaking from experience. Eight Treasures Porridge was well-known and many people made it at home, but it was considered too ordinary to see its commercial value. It wasn't until 1992 that a Taiwanese enterprise began selling Eight Treasures Porridge, leading to a surge in similar products from other companies, making it one of the best-selling food items.

With several years until that Taiwanese enterprise entered the mainland market, launching a brand of Eight Treasures Porridge now could capture the market early.

Moreover, the production process for Eight Treasures Porridge wasn't complex. With a canning workshop already in place, Zhou Ming only needed to introduce a canning production line. The only challenge would be perfecting the taste of the porridge, but Su Han, with her cooking talent, could handle it well. Zhou Ming had tasted her porridge before and believed that once she quantified the recipes, they would be set.

"If you're determined to make Eight Treasures Porridge, my hometown has a fruit canning factory. Do you think it could be useful?" Su Han asked.

"It would be useful, of course!" Zhou Ming said. "Our 760 Factory mainly handles mold and metal processing and can only produce can bodies. We can't actually produce the canned goods. If we can buy a canning production line directly, that would be ideal. It would be even better if they have a research and development department. But I wonder about the factory's profitability and whether they are willing to sell their production line."

Su Han thought for a moment and answered, "They should be willing to sell. I heard that their profitability is very poor, and they haven't paid wages for half a year."

"Although it sounds a bit like schadenfreude, this is actually good news! The worse their situation, the better our chances," Zhou Ming said. "Let's go check it out tomorrow."

Su Han nodded in agreement.

...

The day passed quickly. Dealing with Cai Zhongxian's group didn't cause any turmoil in the factory, which was reassuring for Zhou Ming. This indicated that the factory's system was well-established and not dependent on just a few leaders.

After work, Zhou Ming and Su Han went home together. However, Su Han wasn't going to Zhou Ming's place; she had rented a house nearby. Zhou Ming felt that since they weren't married, it wouldn't be good for her reputation if she stayed at his place all the time. Additionally, Zhou Ming's mother didn't like Su Han. So, Zhou Ming first took Su Han home before returning to his own house.

As soon as Zhou Ming got home, his mother, Wang Fengqin, hurriedly asked, "Zhou Ming, I saw many police cars at the factory this morning. I heard that Cai Zhongxian was arrested. Is that true?"

Zhou Ming had informed his parents before leaving in the morning that everything was fine. Fearing trouble, his parents had refrained from going to the factory. Now that Zhou Ming had returned, they were understandably anxious.

"Mom, that's just a rumor. The police cars were there to maintain order; no one was arrested. However, Cai Zhongxian has been expelled from the factory, so we don't have to worry about him anymore," Zhou Ming said.

"Expelled?" Wang Fengqin looked surprised. "Cai, the deputy factory director, was dismissed just like that?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Of course. Mom, I've already told you that I bought the entire 760 Factory. I can dismiss whoever I want."

"That's great!" Wang Fengqin said. "I was worried you might suffer because of Cai Zhongxian. Now that he's been expelled, it's a relief."

"Mom, let me put it this way: the entire 760 Factory is now our private property. Our family is the emperor of the factory, and you're like the Empress Dowager!" Zhou Ming said.

"You're just trying to flatter me with talk of Empress Dowagers," Wang Fengqin said, rolling her eyes.

Zhou Ming chuckled. He didn't elaborate further because he knew his parents, coming from an older system, found it hard to accept the transformation from a public to a private enterprise. But as long as his parents were happy, that was enough.

That evening, Zhou Ming had a pleasant dinner with his parents. After dinner, he accompanied them outside to enjoy the cool evening and chat when Cai Zhongxian arrived with his family.

Seeing Cai Zhongxian, Wang Fengqin immediately stood up and asked, "Director Cai, what brings you to our house at this late hour?"

Cai Zhongxian quickly explained, "Director Wang, Mr. Zhou, please don't misunderstand. I'm here to apologize."

"Apologize?" Zhou Ming's parents looked at each other, puzzled, but Zhou Ming understood immediately.

Zhou Ming reassured his parents and approached Cai Zhongxian, saying, "You don't need to apologize. If I said I was going to expel you, then it's happening. No need for further discussion."

"Mr. Zhou, I realize my mistakes now!" Cai Zhongxian said, "I was temporarily misguided and had improper thoughts. Today, you've taught me a lesson. I truly understand my mistakes. Please, Mr. Zhou, have mercy and don't hold it against me. Just consider it as if I've done nothing wrong. I beg you, please, I'm on my knees!"

Cai Zhongxian and his family indeed knelt before Zhou Ming.

Seeing them kneeling, Zhou Ming's parents hurriedly helped them up, saying, "Director Cai, what are you doing? Please, let's discuss this calmly."

But Cai Zhongxian refused to get up, even slapping himself, "I deserve this! I'm sorry for betraying Mr. Zhou's trust!"

Zhou Ming looked down at Cai Zhongxian and said, "Director Cai, you should have considered the consequences before plotting against me. If I said I would expel you, it's happening. If you continue to cause trouble, don't blame me for expelling all your relatives and friends too!"

Cai Zhongxian was stunned, staring at Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, are you really going to be ruthless?"

"Ruthless? How dare you speak that way to me?" Zhou Ming said. "When you spread rumors about Su Han, did you think about being ruthless? When you forced my parents out of the factory, did you think about being ruthless? When you removed Su Han from the general manager's office and orchestrated a vote to remove me, did you think about being ruthless? Now that you're in trouble, you're complaining about me? Think about why you did all this in the first place!"

"I realize my mistakes now…"

Before Cai Zhongxian could finish, Zhou Ming cut him off, "Realizing your mistakes doesn't mean it's okay. I could just say I'm sorry too, but that won't solve anything. So please, stop bothering me."

"You're an adult. If you have the courage to do something, you should also take responsibility. Don't come here throwing a tantrum. I'm telling you, it won't work with me!" Zhou Ming said. "If you continue to make a scene, I will indeed expel all your relatives and friends and have you arrested. Believe me, I mean what I say. Don't test my patience!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Cai Zhongxian seemed defeated, sitting there as if he had lost everything.

...

The next morning, Zhou Ming drove the factory's Crown luxury car with Su Han to Xiling Township, north of Linyang, because Su Han had mentioned a fruit canning factory in her hometown that might be useful. Zhou Ming was going to check it out.

On the way, Su Han asked Zhou Ming, "I heard Cai Zhongxian went to your house last night. Was everything okay?"

Zhou Ming shook his head, "What could have happened? His wife and relatives are still working at the factory. Even if he wants to make a scene, his family won't support him. As long as we hold on to this, he won't dare to do anything."

Su Han sighed in relief, "That's good. I was worried he might do something irrational."

"He might want to act irrationally, but with his family involved, there will be some rationality left. Besides, his children are still in school and need money. As long as his mind is functioning properly, he'll have to

 hold back," Zhou Ming said, glancing at Su Han. "Do you think I went too far? Dealing with people like him requires firmness. If given a chance, they'll come back to cause trouble. People who make mistakes should face the consequences. Let's focus on the Eight Treasures Porridge. That's our factory's future."

Su Han nodded, understanding that with the city revoking 760 Factory's status as a designated production enterprise, they had to find their own way to survive.

"That fork in the road ahead is where the canning factory is," Su Han said, pointing to the road.

Zhou Ming drove past, and soon, the factory's walls came into view. But as they got closer, Zhou Ming looked surprised, "Su Han, are you sure this is the canning factory?"