A man in a blue worker's uniform took a puff of his cigarette. As Chen Yang spoke, it seemed his own suppressed frustrations were being stirred, and he began to vent.
"Who's to say? This good state-owned factory of ours, how can it be merged by private hands? Isn't that stealing from the state's resources? A few years ago, they'd have shot you for less."
"We were all proud, upright state-owned enterprise workers. If the factory is acquired, what do we become? Serfs on a landlord's estate?"
"I started working in the factory at sixteen, and I've been here for over twenty years. Now, in middle age, the factory is about to disappear. What does that make me?"
The man exhaled smoke, feeling a pang of anger.
"I'm puzzled too. Even if the Third Radio Factory is small, it's still a state-owned enterprise, with hundreds of employees. How could it be bought by a private individual?"
"You know how rich someone must be to afford such a large factory. I'd really like to see this person."
Chen Yang feigned sympathy, his real intention being to glean some information from the factory workers.
"I heard he's from Anhui province, and he's already established a factory in Jinling. So, it's all about fate."
"A few years ago, someone that rich would have surely been labeled a landlord. Who knew that now they're called 'boss,' and even the factory director has to show them respect."
"People's lives are all about fate."
The older worker sighed, finishing his cigarette down to the butt.
In those days, the sense of honor among workers was strong. They walked with their heads held high, precisely because of their identity as state-owned enterprise workers.
Though everyone wore the same blue work uniform, only workers had the right to wear it. It was a symbol of status and dignity.
If the factory were suddenly merged by a private owner, no one could guarantee if their "iron rice bowl" would remain intact, or if they'd continue to receive their monthly wages.
Most importantly, if the factory was merged, they would no longer be state-owned enterprise workers. And if the factory went bankrupt, they would become unemployed.
They would be worse off than farmers in the countryside, who at least had land and received rations from the production brigade. If they were laid off, what would they do? How would they survive?
"Brother, it's hard to say. I heard our factory's financial situation isn't good. Even if no one acquired it, it probably couldn't last much longer."
"When the factory closes down, you'll still be laid off."
"This private acquisition might not be entirely bad. However, the crucial question is whether they can guarantee our jobs and wages as workers. That's the primary concern."
"If they can still pay us our wages on time and in full, then perhaps it's acceptable."
Chen Yang's ears perked up upon hearing about someone from Anhui province who had also established a factory in Jinling. Besides Zhang Weiyang, he couldn't think of anyone else.
If someone was indeed doing the exact same thing as Zhang Weiyang, and at this time came to Shanghai to acquire a radio factory, he would accept it.
Now, knowing that the acquirer of the factory might be Zhang Weiyang, he felt compelled to speak in favor of the buyer, both logically and emotionally.
"What's your stance? Didn't you just curse the person merging our factory? Why are you defending him now?"
The worker, having finished his cigarette, was taken aback by Chen Yang's words. If he hadn't just smoked, he might have even sworn at him.
"I'm just a businessman. As long as your factory doesn't close down and you workers get paid, I don't care who owns the factory."
"Don't be angry, brother. Have another cigarette. It's all the same. If he pays you the same wages as before, what's the difference if the boss changes?"
Chen Yang still found it hard to comprehend the strong sense of identity and pride associated with being a state-owned enterprise worker in this era.
"Logically, that's the case. But if the factory changes hands, what kind of national workers are we then?"
"Ah, I'm not smoking anymore. I need to get back to the machines. I've been with these old fellows for decades. Without these things, what am I worth?"
The man didn't accept the cigarette, shaking his head with a troubled expression.
Listening to him, Chen Yang gained a deeper understanding of why mergers were so difficult in this era.
It wasn't just that higher-level policy decisions were difficult to pass; worker acceptance was also very low.
Even if you guaranteed the same wages, or even slightly higher, they were fundamentally unwilling.
To receive a national wage, to be a national worker, they were proud members of the working class everywhere they went.
If they received a private wage, wouldn't they be seen as inferior?
Moreover, could this private entity last?
It wasn't as strict as before, but who knew when things might revert to how they were a few years ago? If the private entity ran into problems, what would happen to the factory? What about the workers?
This problem wasn't just for now; even during the wave of layoffs and state-owned enterprise mergers in the 1990s, many people strongly opposed them. They were unwilling to accept the change in their identities.
Why was a perfectly good state factory being sold off so easily?
Why were state-owned enterprise workers being laid off so readily?
As the worker left, Chen Yang circled back. Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu gave him a thumbs-up. In a few quick exchanges, they had extracted a lot of information.
They were still too green, and their interactions with people couldn't compare to Chen Yang's effortless demeanor.
"Wait for me a moment. I'll see if I can get a meeting with the person acquiring the factory."
Chen Yang greeted Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu, then, with more cigarettes in hand, headed to the security room.
In the security room, a few old smokers, after Chen Yang had slipped them several packs of cigarettes, began to spill the beans while puffing away.
No one wanted the factory to be merged, and they had no reason to keep information about the buyer a secret from someone inquiring about them.
Whether it was malicious or not, the more malicious the better! If someone they disliked bought it, then the factory would be saved!
Thus, Chen Yang easily obtained detailed information. The person negotiating the acquisition of the Third Radio Factory in Shanghai was Zhang Weiyang, who was currently staying at the guesthouse opposite the factory.
Having gathered the information, Chen Yang didn't delay. He immediately took Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu to the guesthouse.
After not seeing each other for so long, Chen Yang was genuinely curious about what Zhang Weiyang had been up to in Shanghai.
"Let's go. I'll take you to meet the person buying the factory."
Chen Yang led the two directly to the guesthouse. His excited demeanor astonished the unaware Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu.
For a stranger who dared to acquire a state-owned factory, this big boss, Chen Yang's junior fellow student, showed no fear at all. They were both ashamed of their own lack of confidence and courage.
Especially Liu Xiangyu, seeing his fellow townsman display such boldness, he silently resolved to be brave and decisive in the face of any future challenges.
Only by daring to take responsibility and act could one achieve great things!