Chapter 25: Acquiring the Assembly Line

“Director Pei, you’re overthinking it! What I signed with you is a ten-year lease. The contract hasn’t expired yet—how could I possibly break it unilaterally?” Wu Ya smiled as he gave Director Pei a reassuring promise.

Just as he expected.

His clothing sales had already created a sensation. Every idle textile factory in the suburbs was watching ‘Morning Thought’ with envy! If the contract were really terminated, Wu Ya would be snatched up instantly!

Monthly rent payments? That was no longer a privileged condition.

But he couldn’t do that!

Leaving aside the ethics of such behavior, even from the perspective of a profit-seeking businessman, Wu Ya would never break the contract lightly!

Because in his terms, if there was a demolition within ten years, the rent compensation would be three times the amount!

Three times—how much would that be?

Thirty thousand a year, three hundred thousand in ten years. Three times ninety thousand!

Nine hundred thousand in the year 2000!

A staggering sum!

How could he possibly give up such a fortune already in his grasp?

“So you mean…” As long as Wu Ya wasn’t planning to break the contract halfway, everything was negotiable. How should he cooperate? Director Pei had already decided to comply with whatever Wu Ya wanted.

“I want to buy an assembly line in the name of Morning Thought!” Seeing Director Pei relax, Wu Ya threw another bomb at him.

Boom!

The smile Director Pei had just managed to muster froze instantly, looking worse than crying.

To buy assembly line machinery in the name of Morning Thought? That meant using the factory as collateral.

He wanted Pei to guarantee the purchase!

Otherwise, why use Morning Thought’s name? If he had the money, that would be enough!

“This… This is a big deal. I need to consult with the neighborhood committee! After all, this is a collective enterprise, owned by the street, and I have no authority to use it as collateral!”

Director Pei, who had just been ready to comply with whatever Wu Ya wanted, now wore a look of helplessness so thick it could almost be touched.

Wu Ya was crazy.

Did he have that authority?

Of course he did!

Could he guarantee for Wu Ya?

No!

If anything went wrong, he’d have to take the fall! Not only would he lose his job, but he’d be in deep trouble.

So, invoking the neighborhood committee was the perfect excuse—neither offending Wu Ya nor sounding unreasonable.

After all, he was just an eighteen-year-old kid. Even if he had business talent, he might not know all the ins and outs, right?

But clearly, he was mistaken!

“Heh, as the director of a collective enterprise, you not only have absolute authority, but also absolute autonomy! Isn’t that right? So you don’t need to consult the neighborhood committee—you can make the decision yourself! Director Pei, you just don’t want to cooperate with me, do you?”

Wu Ya exposed the truth in one sentence!

Reform.

It was all about changing the system!

Breaking the old ways, granting autonomy.

The directors who once had to seek approval for everything now became true decision-makers.

It made management easier and freed them from endless red tape.

Lightened the burden, allowed them to pursue bold ventures.

But alas.

Despite the generous policies from the state, these directors, long accustomed to comfort, lacked both courage and vision!

They sat idle, watched the market slip away, and waited for the inevitable decline.

“How… How did you know?” Director Pei’s helplessness turned to shock.

How old was this kid?

Eighteen!

How could he feel as though he was facing a seasoned, cunning businessman—a giant who had weathered storms and could see through everything at a glance?

“Heh, don’t worry about how I know! The point is, Director Pei, will you let me use Morning Thought’s name to buy the assembly line or not?”

Wu Ya’s face grew cold, impatience clear in his tone.

And his words carried an obvious threat…

If you refuse, I’ll break the contract immediately!

Once he walked out the door, there’d be a swarm of people trying to win him over.

With monthly rent no longer a privileged condition, the factory guaranteeing the equipment purchase became the only unique advantage!

Would they agree?

“This…” Director Pei was in tears.

Half was water, half was fire.

If he agreed, he’d take on risk.

If he refused, Wu Ya would leave without hesitation.

And outside, there would be plenty of others ready to accept him.

What to do?

A question that would determine Director Pei’s comfort for the rest of his life was placed squarely before him.

Wu Ya watched his expression, a faint smile in his heart.

“It seems Director Pei’s courage isn’t quite enough to support my growth. In that case…”

Wu Ya spoke, stood up, and turned as if to leave.

Hesitating?

Fine.

He’d apply some pressure.

There wasn’t time to deliberate—he was eager to purchase equipment and get production underway.

And there was a mountain of tasks waiting for him back at the shop.

How could he waste time here?

Sure enough.

“Wait! Boss Wu, I’ll agree, I’ll agree, isn’t that enough?”

Seeing Wu Ya about to leave, Director Pei panicked.

His face was bitter, yielding in compromise.

He had no choice!

Wu Ya was the hottest commodity now.

If he left, the factory would halt production!

The consequences would be unimaginable!

First, the workers would tear him apart!

They’d finally gotten work and pay, but hadn’t enjoyed it for a few days before he drove Wu Ya out.

One could imagine the anger!

Not to mention the heads of the neighborhood committee.

Factory operations weren’t just his achievement—they were the pride of those leaders!

The official report said their policies had brought the factory back to life!

But if it died in a few days, how would they explain it?

Was it lack of water or nutrients?

Neither excuse would suffice!

“Good! I knew it—Director Pei isn’t someone without vision or courage! Rest assured, I won’t put you in a difficult position, nor will I let you take any risk!”

Wu Ya abruptly stopped, turned around, and offered Director Pei some flattery.

Having restored his pride, he then gave him another reassurance!

No risk?

Director Pei’s tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxed.

“Really?”

“Of course!” Wu Ya replied without hesitation.

Then he continued, slowly, “Although we’ll use the factory’s name as a guarantee externally, letting me pay just a down payment to take all the equipment, internally, I’ll still complete a procedure with you.”

A procedure?

Director Pei’s attention was completely captured by Wu Ya.

His ears perked up, desperate not to miss a single word.