Most people held a pessimistic view of the situation.
Everyone emerged from the workshop with low spirits and gathered in the factory courtyard.
Xia Yuqing was also among the crowd, her face pale, her hands instinctively clenched tightly.
The thing she least wanted to happen was about to occur. The job that had supported her entire family was about to be lost.
Wang Fugui had yet to recover from his earlier excitement.
His face flushed red, and he excitedly waved his hands, directing the workers to form a line.
This action sparked dissatisfaction among the employees. They had worked alongside him for many years, and now, with poor performance, the boss was selling the factory and showing no concern for them, the workers.
If it were just that, it would have been one thing, but he was displaying such excitement.
A murmur erupted among the crowd below.
"Everyone, please be quiet. Please be quiet."
Factory Director Wang, looking at the more than nine hundred workers before him, grabbed a loudspeaker to maintain order.
After all, he was still the boss for now. Although the workers were displeased with his behavior, they stopped their discussions and stared at him with unfriendly expressions.
"I have good news to tell everyone."
"Our processing plant has now been transferred by me. The new owner is even more capable than I am."
Everyone's expression changed again. Did he speak words meant for human ears?
To announce this as good news when everyone was about to lose their jobs was audacious. Director Wang had always been a decent person; how could he be so shameless today?
They had truly misjudged him back then.
"Next, let us invite the new owner to speak."
Wang Fugui seemed oblivious to the crowd's emotions and excitedly led the applause.
The crowd below shook their heads helplessly, clapping their hands perfunctorily. If not for the fact that a month's wages were still in the boss's hands, these people would likely have dispersed immediately.
Song Qiao adjusted his collar and walked onto the podium under everyone's watchful eyes.
"Hello everyone, I am Song Qiao, the new owner who has just taken over this factory."
Below the podium, Xia Yuqing's mind went blank. She then entered a daze. She could never have imagined that the one taking over the factory was her own husband.
No wonder he had assured her a week ago that she wouldn't be laid off.
A few of Xia Yuqing's workmates, who were familiar with Song Qiao, also recognized him, their faces lighting up with excitement.
"Yuqing, the boss on the podium, he looks like the one from your family."
Xia Yuqing could no longer hear them. She was completely stunned, frozen in place.
"I will now announce the first matter."
Seeing the indifferent crowd below, Song Qiao smiled slightly and raised his voice.
"After I took over this factory, all employees will be retained."
"You will absolutely not be dismissed for any reason that does not meet the requirements."
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy courtyard fell silent.
Including Xia Yuqing, everyone wore a smile of disbelief.
Did the boss intend to continue operating this struggling chemical plant? If so, bankruptcy would only be a matter of time.
Seeing the confused gazes, Song Qiao did not keep them in suspense and continued to explain:
"The company's development direction will definitely be adjusted. I plan to transform it into a branch factory of Xiangpiaopiao Stinky Tofu Processing Plant."
This statement caused many faces to change again. They had not expected this boss to be the owner of Xiangpiaopiao, the company that had recently taken the city by storm.
"Boss Song, I have a question?"
The young man who had been discussing earlier could no longer hold back and raised his arm.
Song Qiao smiled at him and nodded, signaling that he could ask.
"We don't have the technology to process stinky tofu. What if we can't produce it?"
This was a question that worried most of the employees present.
"Everyone, please don't worry. Food processing is not as high a barrier to entry as chemical engineering; it's very easy to pick up. Moreover, we will send some experienced employees from the main factory to teach you hand-in-hand."
"Of course, if anyone wishes to continue in the chemical industry, they can submit their resignation to me."
"However, as long as you are willing to stay, your original salary and benefits will remain unchanged."
Song Qiao continued to elaborate to the crowd, each point like a bombshell, causing a great stir.
After all the terms and conditions were laid out, the crowd was completely convinced and had already accepted Song Qiao as their boss.
In the end, not a single person submitted a resignation.
It was a joke. The chemical industry was so sluggish now; who knew when they would find another job after leaving here? Now, someone was willing to hire them without concern for their lack of experience in a new industry, offering the same salary. It was a godsend.
Who would be foolish enough to resign at this point?
After calming the crowd with these terms, Song Qiao also began to announce some new management rules.
Clear rewards and punishments were the best way to manage an enterprise. This made Wang Fugui nod in approval.
No wonder Song Qiao had been able to make Xiangpiaopiao so successful in such a short period. His ability alone probably surpassed many other bosses.
Finally, when Song Qiao announced the end of the meeting, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Many even cheered loudly.
Song Qiao was very satisfied with this outcome. He then singled out several workers, including his own wife, Xia Yuqing.
He had Ah Wei lead them to the conference room, where Song Qiao held another small meeting with them.
As the saying goes, hold small meetings for big matters and big meetings for small matters.
In this meeting, based on the information he had, Song Qiao reformed the factory's management style.
He assigned detailed tasks to these employees, who were originally the backbone of the factory, and readjusted each person's authority.
Xia Yuqing was naturally appointed as the workshop supervisor.
Not a single worker raised any objections to this. She was the factory director's wife, and the factory belonged to her husband. It was only natural for her to be a workshop supervisor.
Furthermore, Xia Yuqing had always been polite and courteous to everyone at the factory, and she was well-liked, earning their respect.
Xia Yuqing was still in a state of confusion, numbly accepting the promotion from Song Qiao.
Afterward, Ah Wei explained production safety matters on Song Qiao's behalf, and then announced that everyone could be dismissed.
Only the boss and his wife remained in the conference room.
"Song Qiao, what exactly is going on?"
"Even if our factory is doing poorly, it would take seven or eight hundred thousand to acquire it outright. Where did you get so much money?"
As soon as everyone left, Xia Yuqing immediately questioned her husband.