"You're quite the successful boss now, how can you still be like this?"
Yu Huai looked at Yu Zhou, his expression utterly speechless.
Logically speaking, his younger brother had achieved considerable success. Especially with the factory he was currently running, it had set an example for the entire Jiangbei region.
After all, in the eyes of many, developing the economy in such an environment was incredibly difficult for at least the next few years.
Factory restructuring itself was no simple matter; it required time and, more importantly, involved numerous complex issues.
Yet, Yu Zhou had transformed a small dried fruit factory into what it was today.
From fewer than 300 employees, it had grown to nearly 2,000. Just this alone provided livelihoods for so many people.
It was precisely because Yu Zhou maintained such an indifferent demeanor, as if these achievements were trivial, that other district officials readily offered their utmost sincerity when he wanted to open a new factory.
This was fundamentally a matter of employment. With high employment rates, both people's livelihoods and all other aspects could be secured.
Anyone could understand the significance of Yu Zhou's flourishing state, and naturally, no one would obstruct him in such circumstances.
"Dad! Zhang Dongliang wants you to return to the Second Textile Factory. He's offering you the position of Office Director! Do you want to consider it?"
Yu Zhou didn't boast to his elder brother and father at this moment. He spoke with a tone of helplessness.
While he could make decisions about other matters, he had no authority when it came to his own father.
In his eyes, his father hadn't worked for many years, dedicating his time to farming in the suburbs. This wasn't because he truly enjoyed farming.
"What? Me return to the Second Textile Factory? As Office Director?"
Hearing this, even Yu Hongchang was taken aback. Clearly, he hadn't anticipated this.
Back then, although he worked in the factory administration, he was merely a clerk.
He belonged to the sales department, with very little authority and few responsibilities in the Second Factory.
He had even spent a considerable sum of money when Yu Zhou took over his position.
And now, they wanted him to return as Office Director? Shouldn't this position be reserved for the new boss's confidant?
He had heard that even the previous Office Director, despite his strong connections, had been reassigned from his post.
The new boss brought new changes; everyone understood this clearly. They strategically placed their own people in key positions, gradually enacting a complete overhaul.
These were standard practices.
Yu Zhou had done the same at the dried fruit factory. Otherwise, even as the owner with 100% control of such a large dried fruit factory, it would have been incredibly difficult for him to manage it completely.
Under such circumstances, for a new owner to implement changes, it was unavoidable to reassign key figures from their original positions.
But why would such an important position as Office Director be offered to a man in his fifties who hadn't worked for years? If one were to claim he had the ability, it would be quite absurd.
"Actually, this is very normal. Because you are now the most suitable candidate."
"Not only are you a former employee of the Second Textile Factory with established relationships, but the more crucial reason is that I own 20% of the shares."
"Although this 20% isn't a large amount, it represents a great deal."
"I cannot directly interfere with the affairs of the Second Textile Factory myself; this was something I agreed upon with Zhang Dongliang beforehand. However, if I have no representative at the Second Textile Factory, the new boss won't be at ease either."
Yu Zhou began to explain to his father with a hint of amusement.
Once a business grows, or when a company hires many people and you have money, the inevitable political maneuvering begins.
Unless you are the absolute boss, leading the company to prosperity, it is impossible to gain complete control.
The Second Textile Factory was currently in such a situation.
"So, my rejoining the Second Factory is essentially a symbol for you?"
"Even if I do nothing, just holding the position, it still serves a purpose?"
This demonstrated that Yu Hongchang, as a veteran employee, understood the intricacies of the workplace, even without a promotion.
Who in the entire Second Textile Factory was more suitable for the position of Office Director than him?
The answer was no one. Because the new boss couldn't entirely act according to his own will. After all, even though the Second Textile Factory had been restructured, the local power structures remained formidable.
Unlike Yu Zhou's previous restructuring of a small factory with just over two hundred employees, the Second Textile Factory was a massive enterprise with decades of history. Furthermore, its senior management and long-term employees were firmly entrenched.
Even those who had been laid off before the restructuring possessed immense, unshakeable influence.
Why couldn't Zhang Dongliang find a way to break through?
The primary issue was the overwhelming local power within the Second Textile Factory. Even with his efforts to install his own people in various critical departments, gaining complete control of the factory would take a long time.
After all, the employees and the new management, despite both desiring the best for the Second Factory, had fundamentally different objectives.
The position of Office Director was a crucial one. Appointing someone who wasn't directly under the boss's command, but who was also a former employee of the Second Factory and the father of the second-largest shareholder, made perfect sense.
Even if this person did nothing but hold the title, their importance was undeniable. It served as a signal from the new boss, a signal that could reassure the veteran employees and the old guard of management within the Second Factory.
"Now that you've explained it, I understand. No wonder they approached me. So, I'm just a mascot!"
Yu Hongchang looked at his son speechlessly. Despite years away from the workforce, he was fully aware of these dynamics.
Naturally, he knew what role he was expected to play.