Chapter 38: Do You Want a Free Ride?

After Director Li finished speaking, Wang Ye fell into silence, furrowing his brows as he pondered.

Seeing this scene, Director Li lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, unable to suppress a secret smile in his heart. After all, Wang Ye had always appeared confident and in control in everything he did before. It was rare to see him stumped like this!

To be honest, having such a competent subordinate had both its advantages and disadvantages.

The positives were obvious, but the negatives were equally clear. Compared to his own abilities, the leaders like himself seemed more like placeholders.

Of course, Director Li didn't know that at this moment, Wang Ye was struggling to hold back his laughter!

To the leaders like Director Li, the three conditions they had laid out seemed extremely stringent. However, they didn't realize that in this era of rapid development, as long as there was a loophole, one could find a path to success. And these conditions were hardly worth mentioning!

Not being able to dismiss employees? That was fine. In their eyes, middle-aged women who seemed like burdens and inexperienced youth could quickly become skilled artisans after some basic training.

In the tidal wave of reform, the South had produced large quantities of inexpensive handcrafted goods with the help of these people, earning their first pot of gold!

As for wages and subsidies, given a little initial capital injection into large enterprises and finding the right direction for development, they could gradually become self-sufficient without needing any subsidies!

Judging the post-contract large collective based on past experiences with large-scale tea making? Wasn't that a joke?

If anything, the only potential difficulty would be the third point. Not because of paying corporate and business taxes, but because of the issue with materials. Currently, the planned economy still predominated over the market economy. Purchasing a large quantity of materials posed challenges, and to some extent, might even be illegal.

Because the materials purchased from the black market were mostly not produced by state-owned units as part of their planned production tasks, but rather were excess goods smuggled out through various channels, including legitimate products that had been overproduced and then sold through multiple channels. Most were planned materials obtained through various channels, known as "official smuggling".

For instance, in Wang Ye's hometown of Shanjing Province, even during the most exaggerated times, the amount of coal sold on the black market surpassed what was submitted to the state!

However, in this era of rampant development, people were daring enough to do anything. Eventually, after multiple confrontations, this became a massive unstoppable force.

"Director Li, these conditions are a bit too stringent."

"We're not talking about merit but hardship. I also want to do something for our Yuntai City."

"But... how can we do this under such conditions?"

As time passed, Wang Ye's expression became increasingly grim. While Director Li had been sitting pretty, expecting Wang Ye to struggle, Wang Ye finally spoke up.

Hearing Wang Ye's voice, Director Li also breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, not only the Industrial Bureau, but the entire city committee and even the provincial leadership, had generally expressed approval for Wang Ye's request. After all, the national directive on large collective reform had already been issued, and when no one else had any ideas, Wang Ye stepped forward!

Such behavior was worthy of commendation.

Therefore, although a series of meetings had resulted in the proposal of three stringent conditions, it didn't mean these conditions couldn't be negotiated. If Wang Ye had directly backed down after hearing these three conditions, that would have been trouble!

To put it bluntly, without the scapegoat to step on the landmine, who would bear the burden?

"Right, right! Director Li, could we be more flexible?"

The old factory director couldn't help but chime in, his face full of anxiety. After all, no one was more eager for the reform of the large collective than the old factory director, hoping it would become better and better.

At this moment, Director Li coughed lightly and said, "Of course, the leaders also understand the difficulties involved."

"So if you have any questions, feel free to bring them up. Let's discuss!"

Hearing Director Li's words, Wang Ye breathed a sigh of relief. The reason he had made such a sour face was to get some benefits, after all.

"I have three questions."

"First, you said we can't dismiss workers. But what if they refuse to cooperate?"

In the entire process of reforming the large collective and state-owned enterprises, this issue was very prominent. Wang Ye's decision to improve employee benefits was essentially to address this problem. Although the machinery factory was currently stable as a whole, Wang Ye still needed to be fully prepared.

Director Li breathed a sigh of relief. This question wasn't out of line!

"It's simple. If there really are such people, just write a note and send them back to the machinery factory, handing it to the old factory director!"

With these words, the old factory director vigorously nodded in agreement, while Wang Ye continued, "Second question."

"You said that after contracting the large collective, we won't enjoy planned materials. I understand that. But how will we get our production materials? You can't expect us to buy from the black market, right? What if we buy smuggled goods, wouldn't that be a mistake?"

Regarding this question, Director Li waved his hand and said, "In theory, buying from the black market is definitely not allowed."

"So, a solution has been provided. While you won't have access to cheap planned materials, you can purchase some excess materials produced outside of the plan at market prices, and our Industrial Bureau will be responsible for coordinating this. However, it's understood that the materials purchased can only be used for production, not for resale!"

"As for the final sale of your products, it will be completely market-oriented, without any need for various certificates!"

"This is a big concession!"

Hearing this, Wang Ye finally showed a hint of joy on his face. Director Li's statement that buying from the black market wasn't allowed meant that it could be done surreptitiously. And the solution provided was quite sincere!

Although they wouldn't have access to cheap planned materials, trading wouldn't require paperwork. This was a great convenience!

After all, nowadays, you needed a ticket to buy a bicycle, and a TV ticket to buy a TV. And tickets were essentially a form of money. In other words, to buy a TV, you not only had to pay money but also find a way to get tickets. And the main way to get them was to buy them from the black market, where prices were more than half the price of a TV!

"Alright! Let's do it!"

"But I have one last question!"

"You must arrange for me to contact a bank or credit union. I need a loan; otherwise, how can you cook without rice?"

Hearing Wang Ye's agreement, Director Li breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "No problem. The payment for your factory has already been received. When the time comes, just write an IOU, and I'll lend you a hundred thousand!"

"As for the issue of ownership, it was decided in the meeting."

"The entire large collective enterprise is valued at a hundred thousand yuan. The machinery factory will contribute with the land, accounting for 20%. Our Industrial Bureau will contribute 20,000 yuan, buying 20% from the machinery factory. What about the remaining 60%? How do you plan to acquire it?"

"Do you have sixty thousand yuan?"

Finally, Director Li looked at Wang Ye with a smile.

Wang Ye wasn't surprised by Director Li's statement. Without hesitation, he said, "No, but the machinery factory can sell me the 60% stake as a debt, and I, as the major shareholder, will guarantee it with the profits of the large collective, agreeing to repay the principal and interest within the next five years."

Hearing Wang Ye's words, Director Li was completely dumbfounded, hesitating for a moment before saying, "What if there are losses? What if there are no profits?"

Under everyone's gaze, Wang Ye shrugged and sighed, saying, "Then I'll return the large collective to the machinery factory, the machinery factory will return the 20,000 yuan to you, and I'll slowly repay the interest with my salary, right?"

Director Li was completely dumbfounded, asking again, "What about the hundred thousand loan? What if it all goes south?"

And Wang Ye just chuckled before saying, "Of course, I'll go to the machinery factory."

"After all, I've already returned the large collective to them!"

With Wang Ye's voice, everyone present was stunned. After a moment, Director Li seemed to be in pain, sucking in a breath of cold air and saying, "Ouch! Wang Ye, it seems you've taught me another lesson!"