"So you mean to decline?"
Yu Hongchang knew very well what Yu Zhou was thinking.
If something was doable, his son would never refuse or reason with him. Since it wasn't, he would naturally lay everything out in the open.
Yu Zhou, while eating breakfast, didn't immediately commit to being unable to handle it.
Truth be told, he might not have had much sentiment for Textile Factory No. 2, but his own family, his wife, and even his relatives had all worked there.
If he completely ignored this matter, it would be inexcusable.
They asked his father to speak up, and Yu Hongchang did so directly. What did that signify? It meant that Yu Hongchang himself had feelings for the factory he had spent his life in.
If there was even a sliver of possibility, he wouldn't want to see the factory go bankrupt and be liquidated at this time.
All the employees would lose even the chance to earn a living.
However, this matter was simply too big. It was so big that even Yu Hongchang didn't believe Yu Zhou could truly revive Textile Factory No. 2 and make it profitable.
Compared to the factory, he naturally valued his son more. Therefore, he didn't want to put his son in a difficult position, but deep down, he still hoped that if there was any possibility, his son would try to find a solution.
"No matter what, Factory No. 2 has supported me for many years. Moreover, I met Xiao Jie at Factory No. 2. So, if there's any way, I won't abandon Factory No. 2."
"However, if I propose a plan to the old factory director, he might scold me."
Yu Zhou had actually thought about the factory's situation before.
Even though he was on the list of the first batch of laid-off workers and was indeed laid off, the one who caused trouble was Liu Dalong, not the factory itself.
It was impossible to say that Yu Zhou had no feelings for Factory No. 2; it just depended on how those feelings were calculated.
At least, he would never do something foolish like constantly pouring money into maintaining Factory No. 2's development or supporting his old acquaintances.
Such methods certainly existed, but at this moment, Yu Zhou couldn't guarantee that the old factory director, or others, would accept them.
"Tell me, I want to hear. Factory No. 2 is in urgent need of rescue now. If we had any other options, we wouldn't have considered actively participating in the city's reform."
Suddenly, as soon as Yu Zhou finished speaking, a familiar, aged voice reached their ears.
It was an old man wearing an old-fashioned Zhongshan suit, with hair already turning gray.
He was the factory director when Yu Zhou first joined the factory, named Tang Guohua, an old acquaintance of his.
However, he hadn't expected that this old man, who was nearing retirement, was still enduring his frail body, tirelessly working for the old Factory No. 2.
Strictly speaking, Yu Zhou held a certain degree of respect for this old factory director. After all, he was an elder who wholeheartedly dedicated himself to his public sector job.
While not necessarily upright and incorruptible, he had made significant contributions to the factory during his tenure. Furthermore, he had treated Yu Zhou, as an employee, quite well.
However, it was a pity that even as the director of Textile Factory No. 2, the old man couldn't influence the reform matters at that time. After all, the reform office was a department independent of Factory No. 2.
No matter how much Liu Dalong caused trouble, this factory director, the old man, could not stop him, nor could he seize power from Liu Dalong.
"Yu Zhou! I've always wanted to apologize to you for what happened before. Now, this old bone of mine has come to your house to beg you. Let's speak frankly. Whatever this old bone can do, I will do it without question."
"After all, I've worked at Factory No. 2 my entire life, and I truly don't want to see such a fine factory be destroyed like this."
The elder walked into the main hall and a hint of complexity appeared on his face as he saw Yu Zhou.
Perhaps when Yu Zhou was still at Textile Factory No. 2, he hadn't truly paid much attention to this junior. But one couldn't deny that he had never targeted Yu Zhou.
Even when Yu Hongchang wanted his son to take over his position, he had provided some assistance.
However, as he grew older, and with people like Liu Dalong gaining power through their connections, he gradually lost his voice and became a transparent figure in Factory No. 2.
At that time, many people wished this old factory director would stand up and completely change the situation at Factory No. 2. Unfortunately, even though the elder had some capabilities, his lack of proper connections ultimately prevented him from succeeding.
Liu Dalong still held sway at Factory No. 2, and even he, the official factory director, had no say.
It was only after Liu Dalong was directly imprisoned that the elder gradually regained some control over Factory No. 2. In the following months, he implemented several reforms, attempting to turn losses into profits.
Alas, the current Factory No. 2 was like a leaky ship, always in danger of sinking once in the water, and beyond saving.
"Old Director, you're here?"
"Why must you do this? Those matters were caused by Liu Dalong. Now that Liu Dalong is gone, these things can't be blamed on Factory No. 2. I understand this logic."
"It's not because of what happened before that I'm saying this, but based on the current situation of Factory No. 2."
"No matter what, Factory No. 2 was my former factory. I still have some feelings for the factory."
Yu Zhou quickly stood up and said solemnly.
This matter had nothing to do with personal grudges. Since Liu Dalong was completely imprisoned, although Yu Zhou didn't want any further dealings with Factory No. 2, he didn't hate the current factory.
After all, Factory No. 2 had supported his family, and even many relatives and friends.
Even if Factory No. 2 had been struggling back then, didn't it still pay them their wages on time? Without Factory No. 2, their family wouldn't exist as it does now.
Was he really supposed to go back home and farm with his own father? Even if he had the intention, he didn't have the skills!
"But no matter what, that incident was still a wrong committed by Factory No. 2 against you!"
"As the factory director of Factory No. 2, apologies and compensation are rightfully due."
Tang Guohua didn't let go of this issue. Although he was drinking tea, he still wanted to resolve this lingering grievance.