Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”Build a branch factory in Xucheng?”

In the private room, Chen Yansen seriously considered Xu Zhenhui’s proposal.

Generally speaking, site selection for a mobile phone assembly factory focuses on factors like infrastructure, industrial support, labor resources, and the policy environment.

Xucheng’s labor costs were low, but there were no component suppliers in the city or its surrounding areas. And before the Beijing-Hu and Longhai railway lines opened, its accessibility was far worse than Shencheng City’s.

Besides, a mobile phone factory large enough for over ten thousand employees would take at least a year and a half to go from site selection, planning, design, and approval to construction, inspection, and finally, operation.

Xu Zhenhui had been in charge of Xucheng’s affairs for two years. By the time the factory was built and showing results, he could use it as leverage for a promotion. But his five-year term was also nearly over.

It remained to be seen whether his successor would be willing to secure the same tax breaks, land discounts, and financial subsidies for Orange Technology.

”What are your concerns, Mr. Chen?”

Xu Zhenhui pressed.

In a formal setting, his form of address for Chen Yansen had changed from Chen Tongxue to Mr. Chen.

”Chairman Xu, the truth is, the current production capacity of the Orange Phone Factory is just enough to cover our monthly sales. If I were to add another medium-sized factory, I wouldn’t have any orders for it.”

Chen Yansen gave a wry smile, a troubled expression on his face.

”But I heard that the Orange Phone Factory has rented another fifty thousand square meters of factory space in the Zhongsha Science and Technology Park.”

Xu Zhenhui couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush and called him out directly.

”All the more reason we don’t need one.” Chen Yansen smiled faintly, not a trace of embarrassment on his face as he firmly refused.

He wasn’t intimidated by Xu Zhenhui in the slightest.

After all, the Orange Phone Factory in Shencheng City provided over 6,000 jobs. Cloud Speed Express had moved its headquarters to Hu City, and across the country, it had nearly twenty thousand couriers on its social security payroll.

He, Chen Yansen, was no small fry to be pushed around.

Xu Zhenhui’s expression faltered. He hadn’t expected Chen Yansen to be so blunt, but then a thought occurred to him, and he understood Chen Yansen’s reasoning.

”There’s an eighty-thousand-square-meter factory at the intersection of East Second Ring Road and Port South Road. It used to be the Boyang Industrial Zone, but they’ve moved to Lu City, leaving the site vacant. It’s fully equipped with water, power, and communications, and it’s also relatively close to the bus and train stations.”

”Once Orange Technology finishes hiring and calibrating the production lines, you can begin production immediately.”

Xu Zhenhui spoke slowly, having clearly done his homework.

Chen Yansen’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected the man to be so persistent, even picking out a factory site for him before they met.

But he was still reluctant. If he built a factory in Xucheng, he would have to assemble a whole new management team, and he didn’t have any suitable candidates on hand at the moment.

Simply put, the effort outweighed the reward; it was a thankless task.

Xu Zhenhui sighed at his reluctance. ”Chen Tongxue, you may not be a Xucheng native, but you’re a student at Xuyuan. Once this factory is up and running, it could solve the unemployment issue for over ten thousand people.”

Chen Yansen couldn’t help but laugh. He chose his words carefully as he replied, ”Chairman Xu, I’d really like to do my small part for Xucheng. But when it comes to transportation and industrial support, Xucheng can’t meet the needs for the Orange Phone Factory’s growth. I’m sorry.”

”I have the authority to sell the factory to Orange Technology for the cost price of 16 million. As for tax rates and subsidies, I can also secure the most favorable policies for you.”

Xu Zhenhui’s tone was sincere as he stared at Chen Yansen.

’A factory with over 80,000 square meters of floor space for only 16 million?’

Chen Yansen was inwardly shocked. Xu Zhenhui probably wasn’t bluffing; the price was indeed at cost.

To put it in perspective, the annual rent for a factory of the same size in Shencheng City was over 14 million.

’How is that any different from getting it for free?’

”Chairman Xu, I’ll go back and consider it. After all, establishing a branch factory presents a considerable challenge to Orange Technology’s management and coordination.”

Chen Yansen relented slightly, but he didn’t give a direct answer.

Xu Zhenhui felt a flicker of disappointment, along with a sense of helplessness. Compared to the major first-tier cities, Xucheng’s infrastructure was indeed lacking.

He could understand why Chen Yansen refused him.

Afterward, Xu Zhenhui changed the subject, chatting about the recent progress of Pinbei and Orange Technology. He added with a smile that his previous promise still stood: if Chen Yansen ever ran into trouble in Xucheng, he could contact his secretary anytime.

Chen Yansen gave a noncommittal response, but he didn’t change his mind just because Xu Zhenhui was treating him with such courtesy.

Building a factory in Xucheng wasn’t out of the question, but the other party would have to offer up the right bargaining chips.

Policies like tax breaks, land discounts, and financial subsidies—with Orange Technology’s current standing, they could get similar treatment in any city in Huian.

After the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, Xu Zhenhui made to get up and leave.

Chen Yansen walked him to the first floor. Not until the man’s car drove away did Chen Yansen glance at his watch, intending to drive back to Xuyuan.

”You drive.”

Chen Yansen tossed the car keys to Ye Qiuping.

”Okay, Boss.” Ye Qiuping caught the keys and replied obediently.

On the way back, Chen Yansen sat in the passenger seat, his mind drifting back to the year they had first met.

Back then, Ye Qiuping had been stunningly beautiful, driving her Audi convertible to work every day. She had often taken him speeding along Hu City’s Central District under the night sky.

He had learned a great deal from her, in more ways than one.

”Are you settling in alright at Orange Technology?” Chen Yansen asked softly after a long moment, snapping out of his reverie.