If Director Tang Guohua, the old factory director, had adopted an elder's demeanor, he could have brushed this matter aside.
However, at this moment, he had no intention of doing so.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Second Factory had indeed wronged Yu Zhou. Whether it was Liu Dalong who carried out the actions or some other reason, the fact that Jiang Jie was almost violated by Liu Dalong was something any man would find unbearable.
Did he, the old factory director, or the management of the Second Factory at that time bear no responsibility at all?
In Tang Guohua's view, it wasn't entirely so. Because if they had resisted fiercely at the time, the overall situation of the entire Second Factory might not have been so dire.
But at least, they could have made Liu Dalong exhausted and prevented him from having absolute control over the entire factory.
It was just a pity that at that time, factory directors and management alike believed that Liu Dalong had powerful backing, so they chose to ignore everything and dared not confront him directly, refusing to clash with that well-connected individual.
This led to many factory employees, especially female employees, being victimized by Liu Dalong. How many families were torn apart and ruined because of this incident?
If Yu Zhou hadn't fought back with all his might and completely fallen out with Liu Dalong, he would likely have been one of those whose families were ruined.
Those in leadership roles naturally bore responsibility. Merely standing by and doing nothing was enough to confirm their guilt, leaving no room for excuses.
"Old Director Tang, I'll say something I perhaps shouldn't. I might have been impulsive at the time, but I truly didn't want the Second Factory to collapse."
"Regardless, I once considered the Second Factory my home."
"Therefore, even if there are problems within the family and they come to me, I will help where I can, as long as it's within my capabilities."
"So, I accept your apology."
If Yu Zhou were someone who held grudges, perhaps this would be his happiest moment.
The director of a factory, the leader who had seen him unceremoniously dismissed, was now back at his home, apologizing and asking for his help.
What could be more humiliating than this? If Tang Guohua hadn't already given up struggling and was at his wit's end, he would never have done something like this.
"Good, good!"
"I knew you, young Yu, were someone who didn't hold grudges and still cared about the factory!"
"Before coming, I told those old fellows that you definitely wouldn't just stand by and watch. Now it seems I was right!"
Tang Guohua's face lit up with a smile. Although he had guessed that Yu Zhou might not dwell on past grievances when he came, guessing was one thing, and having it confirmed was another.
From what he could see, he had judged the person correctly. Yu Zhou hadn't become arrogant in front of them, the elders, just because he was now wealthy or the boss of the First Factory, thinking that he wanted all the past grievances repaid.
This, this had already exceeded Tang Guohua's expectations before his arrival.
"Actually, the solution is simple, still selling the factory."
"However, I cannot acquire this factory under my name. At most, I can hold a small stake, and only a very small one."
"I know a boss in the garment business. If the Second Textile Factory can lower its price to a range he finds acceptable, I'm confident I can persuade him to invest in acquiring the Second Textile Factory."
"Of course, I will also co-invest, but I will not participate in management. This is the only thing I can do for the Second Factory now."
After contemplating for a while, Yu Zhou began to articulate his thoughts one by one.
However, as soon as he spoke, Tang Guohua was momentarily stunned.
Immediately afterward, he was ecstatic. This method was excellent.
They were currently desperate for restructuring and acquisition, yet no one was interested.
Yu Zhou could introduce a business friend to acquire it, and even hold a stake himself. How could this not be a great thing?
Then why did he say that he wouldn't agree, and even the entire factory would find it difficult to agree?
In the blink of an eye, Tang Guohua's ecstatic expression changed, and he fell into deep thought.
"Old Factory Director, that's not how it works."
"Although the Second Textile Factory is currently on the brink of survival."
"But as long as you understand the restructuring process, you won't say this is a miraculous cure for revival."
"Public to private, the vested interests involved are multifaceted. If it were just about enduring some grievances, then so many state-owned factories wouldn't have been so resistant to restructuring."
Yu Zhou looked at Tang Guohua with some helplessness.
Even if he were to co-invest because of himself, changing the situation after restructuring would be extremely difficult.
He couldn't invest all his capital for the sake of a small Second Textile Factory, nor could he take charge of it.
Therefore, even if they were to find partners, the partners would hold the majority.
Such restructuring would mean facing the factory's heartlessness, which would undoubtedly be a huge ordeal for the Second Textile Factory.
This ordeal could even be considered no less severe than bankruptcy liquidation.
After all, the current Second Textile Factory was still a relatively well-known state-owned enterprise in the city.
Even if it went bankrupt, it was impossible for the city to remain completely indifferent.
But once restructured, from state-owned to private, if done well, many well-connected individuals would leave. If not done well, there would be no compensation, and employee rights would not be protected.
In this era, the only places where a factory that closed down would compensate its employees were those municipal and state-owned enterprises.
"Ah? What do you mean?"
Tang Guohua clearly had not fully understood the regulations for public-to-private restructuring, nor did he have more than a superficial understanding of general company takeovers.
Upon hearing Yu Zhou's words, the old man was completely bewildered. Who should he listen to?
"Public-to-private restructuring essentially means changing the owner from the state to an individual or a private company."
"During this process, the private company or individual needs to pay a large restructuring fee, as the assets and employees of each factory have value."
"And this value, strictly speaking, is determined by the city."
Yu Zhou began to analyze the problems of restructuring for the old factory director, point by point.
As someone who had previously benefited from restructuring, he naturally knew the mindset of most businessmen towards it.
Similarly, he also understood what this restructuring meant for the current Second Textile Factory.