mtl008 Chapter 657 Clarification
Chapter 657 Clarification
Sure enough, Zhang Jianguo came again early the next morning.
This time, his expression was noticeably less relaxed than yesterday.
"Mr. Li, I heard you raised the workers' wages yesterday?" Zhang Jianguo asked bluntly.
“Yes,” Li Xiangyang said calmly, “workers create value for the factory, so the factory should naturally let the workers share in the results.”
"So, what are your thoughts on our cooperation proposal?"
Li Xiangyang picked up his teacup and took a slow sip: "Manager Zhang, I don't think we're a good fit for each other."
Zhang Jianguo's expression changed: "Why? Our terms are already very generous."
“It is indeed very generous,” Li Xiangyang put down his teacup and looked directly into Zhang Jianguo’s eyes, “but there’s no such thing as a free lunch. I’d better keep my distance from companies like your Tianhua Trading.”
Zhang Jianguo was visibly stunned, clearly not expecting that Li Xiangyang already knew the details of their company.
“Mr. Li, it seems you have some misunderstanding about our company.” Zhang Jianguo tried to maintain a smile. “How about this, we can start with a small-scale cooperation.”
"No need," Li Xiangyang said, rising to see him off. "Manager Zhang, take care."
After Zhang Jianguo left, the office fell into a brief silence.
Li Xiangyang walked to the window and looked at the busy workers in the factory area. Sunlight streamed through the glass onto his face, but his expression was unusually solemn.
"Xiangyang, this matter isn't going to end so easily." Wang Ergou pushed open the door, holding a stack of documents. "I've found out some details about Tianhua Trading."
Li Xiangyang turned around: "Tell me."
“This company has some powerful backing,” Wang Ergou said, putting down the documents. “They’ve brought down three food factories before, using similar methods. First, they acquire them at high prices, sign exclusive agreements, and then try every means to control the sales channels.”
Li Xiangyang picked up the documents and flipped through them. They detailed Tianhua Trading's "achievements"—a cannery, a pickle factory, and a condiment factory, all of which went bankrupt in less than two years after cooperating with Tianhua Trading.
“Most importantly,” Wang Ergou lowered his voice, “I’ve heard they have a habit of sabotaging things if they can’t reach an agreement.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Xiaowei rushed in.
"Factory manager, something terrible has happened! The power lines at the new base have been cut, and the entire workshop is without power!"
Li Xiangyang's eyes instantly turned cold.
The three hurried to the new base, where they saw an electrician inspecting the distribution box.
"Director Li, this is clearly sabotage," the electrician said, pointing to the severed main cable. "The cut is very fresh; it must have been done last night."
Li Xiangyang crouched down to examine it closely. The cable had been cut cleanly, clearly done with professional tools.
How long will the repair take?
“At least half a day,” the electrician wiped his sweat. “The key is that we don’t have this type of cable in stock; we’ll have to get it from the county.”
The half-day production halt meant that Hualian's orders would be delayed again. Li Xiangyang took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.
"Xiao Wei, immediately arrange for people to patrol in shifts 24 hours a day, especially around important facilities." Li Xiangyang stood up. "Er Gou, you take a few quick-thinking brothers and guard this place tonight."
"Xiangyang, should we report this to the police?" Tian Guoqiang suggested.
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "The evidence is insufficient, and even if we report it to the police, it might not be useful. Since the other party dared to do this, they must have already planned their escape route."
That afternoon, the cable was repaired and the production line was restarted. But Li Xiangyang knew this was just the beginning.
Sure enough, a series of accidents occurred in the following days.
First, someone spread rumors at the factory gate, saying that the factory's products had quality problems; then, the suppliers received anonymous reports that the factory was evading taxes; even the bank received "reports" questioning the use of the factory's loans.
Although these were all baseless rumors, dealing with them consumed a great deal of time and energy.
"This can't go on." That evening, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun discussed countermeasures at home. "The other side is clearly trying to wear us down."
Holding her two-year-old son, Li Wangchen, Li Xiaoyun frowned. "Xiangyang, how about we lay low for a while? Temporarily shut down the factory?"
“Stopping production will play right into their hands,” Li Xiangyang shook his head. “Besides, we have so many workers to support; we can’t afford to lose our composure because of a few clowns.”
Just then, the phone rang.
"Mr. Li, it's me, Lin Yajing." Lin Yajing's anxious voice came through the phone. "I just received news that Tianhua Trading is spreading rumors everywhere, saying that your factory is insolvent and could go bankrupt at any time. Several clients are already worried."
Li Xiangyang gripped the microphone tightly: "Is the impact significant?"
"It's alright for now, but if we let these rumors continue to spread, the consequences will be unimaginable." Lin Yajing paused for a moment. "President Li, I suggest you take the initiative; we can't keep passively taking hits."
After hanging up the phone, Li Xiangyang paced back and forth in the room.
Li Xiaoyun walked over and gently took his hand: "Xiangyang, I know what you're thinking. But please don't act impulsively. We have a family and a career; we can't afford to take any risks."
“I won’t act impulsively,” Li Xiangyang turned around, his eyes flashing with determination, “but I will absolutely not sit idly by and wait to die.”
The next morning, Li Xiangyang made a decision that surprised everyone—to hold a press conference.
"Factory manager, isn't this too high-profile?" Zhang Xiaowei asked with some concern.
"High-profile? "They've already openly attacked us behind our backs, what are we afraid of being high-profile for?" Li Xiangyang sneered.
At 2 p.m., Li Xiangyang held a unique press conference at a guesthouse in the county town.
A dozen or so reporters and some other business owners were sitting in the audience.
"Friends, I've invited you all here today to clarify some facts," Li Xiangyang said in a loud voice as he stood at the front of the stage. "Recently, some people have been maliciously spreading rumors that our Sanheshan Treasures Company is experiencing financial difficulties and is about to go bankrupt."
Whispers arose from the audience.
“What I want to say is,” Li Xiangyang said, pulling out a thick stack of financial statements, “that our company is not only not experiencing operational difficulties, but is actually developing well. Here is our latest financial report; everyone is welcome to review it.”
A reporter raised their hand and asked, "Mr. Li, there are rumors that your company's products have quality problems. How do you respond?"
"Quality issues?" Li Xiangyang smiled slightly. "Our products have passed all relevant departmental tests, and large clients like Hualian Supermarket are very satisfied with our product quality. If anyone has any questions, they are welcome to visit our factory for inspection at any time."