Starting out as a drug dealer in 1988

"Is that Zhao Wenhao, the boss of Hengyuan Electronics? He looks so young and promising!" someone exclaimed.

Another person echoed: "Yeah, I didn't expect that he could achieve such success at such a young age. It's really admirable."

"Oh, it would be great if he wasn't married yet. My daughter is pretty and might be a good match for him!" said a middle-aged woman expectantly.

Before she could finish, someone beside her immediately started pouring cold water on her: "Don't dream, Lao Mu! He's a billionaire boss, how could he be interested in ordinary people like us?"

"I don't have any other expectations now, I just hope that Hengyuan Electronics can acquire our factory. Otherwise, if things continue like this, our factory will definitely go bankrupt within half a year, and then everyone will be laid off and starving!" someone said worriedly.

"That's right. The factory's performance has been very poor in the past two years. We've only been paying half our wages for three consecutive months. This month is even worse, we haven't received a cent. We're even asked to find a way to sell those overstocked TVs!"

Some people began to complain.

"But the key issue is that Hengyuan Electronics is a private enterprise. Once our factory is acquired by them, its nature will completely change." Some people expressed concerns.

"Yes, by then, the boss will have the final say and can fire anyone he wants. We will have no protection at all. Even if we want to cry, we will have nowhere to cry!" Others echoed.

The factory was not in operation at that time.

When the workers learned that Vice Governor Zhou was coming with the leaders of Hengyuan Electronics to inspect the site, they gathered around.

Some of them showed obvious resistance, arguing that although the provincial television factory is now in trouble, it is still a provincial state-owned unit after all.

If they are acquired by private enterprises, these former employees of state-owned enterprises will become employees under the boss.

This change of identity is really hard for them to accept.

Of course, only a minority of people hold this view, and they are mainly concentrated among the older generation of employees.

Another group of people seemed particularly excited and expectant.

Because Hengyuan Electronics enjoys a high reputation in the province, its annual turnover reaches billions, and it is rumored to be going public soon.

Such a large and profitable enterprise will inevitably provide employees with more generous salary packages.

Compared to the current dilemma they face of not being able to get their salaries on time, they are more eager to switch to a new owner.

At least this way they can keep their family afloat.

Led by factory director Feng Zhen, Zhou Xian, Zhao Wenhao and others visited the workshop, R&D center, dormitory, office building, canteen and other places in turn.

Nearly two hours later, everyone returned to a small conference room.

Zhou Xian picked up the white porcelain teacup on the table, opened the lid, scratched the freshly brewed tea leaves with the lid, took a sip, and then looked up at Zhao Wenhao opposite him.

Zhao Wenhao gave a wry smile. He certainly understood what Zhou Xian meant.

But what can you see if you just take a quick look around?

What's more, he had never thought about acquiring this factory in the first place. He was simply pushed into it and had no hope at all.

"Mr. Zhao, what do you think of our provincial television factory?"

Seeing that Zhao Wenhao had remained silent, Zhou Xian had no choice but to speak first to break the silence. In fact, he had no other choice.

Every day the provincial television factory lasts, the province needs to pay one more day.

Thousands of people need to feed, and the province has already allocated a lot of money from its fiscal funds just for this expense.

But this situation cannot continue forever.

This is a bottomless pit, unless the province is willing to take the plunge and invest tens of millions of dollars to upgrade existing production lines and develop new technologies to meet market expectations.

But what if it fails? Then these tens of millions will be thrown directly into the water without even a sound.

Who can take on such responsibility?

You know, there are already several well-known TV brands in China, not to mention major international brands. Why did the provincial TV factory think it could be reborn from the ashes with an investment of tens of millions?

Therefore, after many consultations, the provincial government finally felt that it would be more appropriate to ask a company to take over.

It just so happens that there is such a leader in the home appliance industry in the province, so Hengyuan Electronics became the best candidate.

"Governor Zhou, Director Feng, do you think this is okay?" Having been pushed to this point, Zhao Wenhao could only bite the bullet and say, "I've also brought people from the technical department, production department, and finance department with me today.

Let them contact the relevant personnel of your company first, so that I can understand the specific and actual situation, and then we can discuss it. What do you think?

Of course, Zhao Wenhao's doing this is a delaying tactic.

It will take at least several days to figure out the situation.

At that time, they will find another excuse, saying that the provincial TV factory has too many negative assets and the company is unable to bear it.

Unfortunately, Zhou Xian also knew what Zhao Wenhao was thinking and didn't want to let him get away with it.

"How many days? Mr. Zhao, how many days do you need? Is a week enough? Let's hold this symposium again in a week. By then, everyone will put forward their own conditions, and our provincial government will act as the middleman."

Zhao Wenhao thought, how did the provincial government become the middleman? This is clearly your business, he is the most innocent one!

Unfortunately, there are some things that you should just think about in your mind and definitely not say out loud.

It seems that the province has made up its mind and requires him to take over this mess no matter what!

"Then let's do it a week later." Zhao Wenhao was quite helpless, but finally agreed.

However, he only agreed to discuss it again a week later, instead of deciding to acquire the provincial television factory a week later.

These are two different things and must not be confused.

If the final data shows that the company's investment will not be too much and there will be gains after the acquisition, then he will help the province this time. After all, his company is in Huining, and with this help, if he encounters any problems in the future, he can also seek help from the province.

But if the negative assets are too heavy, then he will not accept such a mess even if it offends others.

This is mutual in itself.

"Okay, it's settled then. We'll stop here for today, and we'll discuss this again in the provincial government conference room a week later."

Zhou Xian was quite happy, at least Zhao Wenhao didn't say anything final.

As for Feng Zhen, he seemed indifferent.

He certainly had some responsibility for the provincial TV factory's current state, but now that things had come to this, there was nothing he could do.

As for the way out, it is not a problem for management like him.

At worst, he could just change his job and start over. His administrative rank was there anyway, so it was impossible to lower his salary.

Besides, he is already 56 years old, and he can retire after working for a few more years.