Chapter 154:The boss is still the boss.

"So, here's the problem...

Just thinking about my logistics company possibly being named 'Black Express' or 'Black Speedy Delivery' gives me a headache.

As a low-key person, I'm not like that guy who even has his name printed on the trash cans of his own hotel (true story). Anyone who doesn't know might think I'm so ruthless that I even scold myself. Just thinking about it is embarrassing...

As for other names, there are some. Think about names like Deppon, YTO, ZTO, or SF Express from the future... Wait! SF? Wind?

'Let's call it East Wind Express! The logo will be designed with two interlinked E's, but make sure not to use wind imagery. Use a rocket instead! Rockets represent speed!'

This idea is brilliant!

Carter chuckled to himself, his mischievous sense of humor once again taking the high ground of his intelligence. Or rather, it wasn't taking over since the name 'East Wind' was quite fitting for a company based in southeastern Georgia... Very 'nuclear,' indeed!

'Why use a rocket instead of wind for East Wind Express? If it's about speed, why not just call it Rocket Express? I don't get your logic...'

Sure enough, Goodman was puzzled by the name 'East Wind,' with a logo unrelated to wind at all. He couldn't connect the name to a certain ballistic missile from the East...

'Hahaha, Rocket Express doesn't sound as good! That's the name! Oh, and I've also thought of the slogan or the company's spirit! "East Wind Express, mission must be achieved!" What do you think?'

'The slogan is good, it sounds motivating. But isn't the company name a bit long? How about just East Express?'

'East Wind Express, mission must be achieved!' Sure, it doesn't sound as crisp as 'East Express,' but changing it? No way!

'No, it has to be East Wind Express!'

...

...

'Ladies and gentlemen! Please settle down!'

While Carter was gleeful about his mischievous idea, the mood in Pearson was the complete opposite. When Reberding announced the cooperation plan between Pearson and HT Dining at the city council meeting, the scene erupted like a ton of Mentos dropped into a pool of cola...

Never before had the local government organized such large-scale direct engagement between local human resources and a commercial company. People accused Reberding of overstepping his authority and violating municipal rules, creating a scene of public outrage.

'Government-business cooperation is both necessary and inevitable! I want to assure the council members that the cooperation plan with HT Company is not a result of any private deal between me and Mr. Black, HT's chairman. On the contrary, when I first heard Mr. Black wanted to open a taco franchise in Pearson, I was firmly against it!'

'But now you're pushing this plan forward, aren't you? Mr. Reberding, please respect the facts. We are not children. We prefer to see what you do rather than hear what you say!'

'That's right, Mr. Reberding. We strongly oppose this plan. Even if we didn't, the public would never accept this sellout of a cooperation plan! Sending our Pearson citizens away en masse—how is this different from the slave trade of the past?'

Before he could finish, Reberding was once again interrupted by the council members. This had happened more than once during today's meeting...

'Chairman Kaufman, could you please maintain order in the room? And to all of you, as elites from various fields in Pearson, don't you have the patience to let me finish a sentence?'

Directly accusing the council members of lacking patience was practically calling them ill-mannered and rude!

Though everyone, including Reberding, knew that when interests are at stake, politeness? What's that? The city council turning into a marketplace wasn't new...

Knowing this and being called out publicly still made Chairman Kaufman uncomfortable. Under pressure from Reberding, he had to stand up and loudly call for order:

'Gentlemen, please quiet down! Any objections can be raised after Mr. Reberding finishes speaking.'

'Thank you!'

When the room finally quieted down, Reberding nodded slightly at Kaufman and continued...

In his opening remarks, Reberding spoke about his meeting with Carter and discussed Pearson's current situation and the potential benefits of this cooperation plan for Pearson.

This part of his speech was not much different from a regular business presentation, heavily focused on financial benefits. After these points, Reberding's speech began to take on the tone of a politician:

'Ladies and gentlemen, I understand that people are cautious and hesitant about new things and cooperation, especially when it involves many people. This is normal!'

'But I want to assure you, this is not unprecedented! For example, Pittsburgh strengthened government-business cooperation back in the 1960s. The city government established a special employment training fund to provide skill training for unemployed workers and signed training contracts with receiving companies.'

'In just six months, a batch of skilled workers could enter major factories for production, reducing corporate costs and attracting more companies to Pittsburgh. This also solved the unemployment problem and increased municipal revenue.'

'With more and more large companies settling in, today's Pittsburgh...'

'Mr. Reberding, sorry to interrupt!'

Just as Reberding was passionately speaking, another council member voiced an objection:

'Pittsburgh's situation is fundamentally different from Pearson's. Pittsburgh is a true industrial city, unlike our small town where the lumber industry is relatively more developed.'

'First, this special fund requires the government to have money, right? And trained personnel. In your plan, Mr. Reberding, these trainers are likely HT Company's chefs, correct?'

'So this means letting them into Pearson. If their costs are as low as you claimed, it would be a nuclear strike on Pearson's local dining industry! We can't create jobs while also creating unemployment, right? Or are you hoping HT Company will crush our local restaurants, forcing their owners into bankruptcy and making them HT's workers?'

'In a market economy, the strong survive! Although I don't want to admit it, under the current circumstances, most of our local restaurants wouldn't withstand HT's cheap food invasion.'

Facing the council member's accusations, which were practically indictments, Reberding sighed slightly. He knew this day would come when he brought the plan to the council:

'To address this, our cooperation with HT Company specifies a joint venture model for opening stores. The original restaurant owners can sell their properties and take more shares in the new stores.'

'The boss is still the boss. They might shift from sole proprietors to joint shareholders. As for the specific share ratio, that depends on how much each can contribute...'