Era: Starting from the local police station

"It has just been confirmed that someone has seen the deceased. Although that person was not a formal employee of our factory, his deduction is similar to that of Deputy Director Jiang, and he is closely related to one of our factory's temporary workers."

Seeing everyone's blank expression, Cheng Mingli took two deep drags on his cigarette and explained in a deep voice, "This man's real name is unknown. Everyone just calls him Hou San. He often brings temporary workers into the factory and gets along very well with our personnel officer, Hu."

"What does this Officer Hu do?"

"His name is Hu Decai. He is one of the temporary worker managers. When the factory needs temporary workers, he will have four managers in the factory recruit and take charge of the work."

Qiao Fuping and the others all looked puzzled.

Jiang Zhenghua's heart skipped a beat.

People these days are so simple and honest.

If you understand the outsourcing companies of later generations, you'll understand what Hou San did.

Cheng Mingli smiled wryly and said, "This Hou San is a cunning fellow. He gets on good terms with Hu Decai, so when there are temporary jobs, he'll find someone to bring them to him and take the work. He'll then take a cut in the middle, making a profit off the temporary workers' hard-earned money and earning a 'middleman's fee'."

The "middlemen" of this era were similar to real estate agents in later generations, but they were mostly involved in buying and selling houses, providing guarantees, and mediating neighborhood disputes.

Qiao Fuping slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang: "Damn it! It's been so many years since liberation, and there are still capitalists like this right under our noses, living off the blood of ordinary people. They deserve to die!"

Zhang Chongguang was also very angry.

But he still let out a long sigh and patted his old partner's arm: "Director Qiao, don't be angry. He's gotten what he deserved."

Cheng Mingli's heart tightened. He couldn't let this fire spread to him. He said with a guilty expression, "This is because our security department failed in its duty, allowing the capitalists' tentacles to reach into the factory. I will apply to my superiors for punishment."

Qiao Fuping realized what was happening and gave an awkward smile: "Section Chief Cheng, I didn't mean to blame you, it's just..."

Cheng Mingli waved his hand: "I know, I do bear some responsibility for this. I failed to do my job properly, which allowed the enemy to take advantage of the situation."

Jiang Zhenghua chuckled: "You two leaders really don't need to be angry."

Zhang Chongguang echoed, "Deputy Director Jiang is right. I firmly believe that one day the sun will shine into the dark corners and wipe out these shady characters."

Qiao Fuping sighed, "These people are really too cunning. They actually profit from the factory's welfare benefits for those without employees. It's really hard to guard against them."

Cheng Mingli's expression softened slightly: "Who can argue with that? If these people had the brains, they could use them for good and contribute to the country's development."

"Why don't these temporary workers report it? They could easily find out the price of temporary work by asking around."

As soon as Qin Weijun finished speaking, the expressions of the others changed drastically.

Cheng Mingli's expression turned ashen, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

"What if they did it voluntarily?"

Everyone's expression froze for a moment, then they all turned their gazes to Jiang Zhenghua, who had spoken.

Zhang Yi asked, puzzled, "Deputy Director Jiang, how could anyone willingly be exploited?"

Jiang Zhenghua glanced at everyone: "Have you all forgotten who those temporary workers are from?"

"They're from the countryside, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"How did they find out the factory was hiring? And how did they get into the factory and get hired?"

Qin Weijun's expression froze: "Of course...it is..."

"They all live in the countryside; they can't possibly stand guard at the factory gate every day, asking about job openings, can they? Also, how much do temporary workers earn per day at this factory? And how much do the commune members receive in a year?"

Faced with Jiang Zhenghua's series of questions, everyone fell silent.

Everyone knows that, according to the data released by the government last year, in rural areas, a person can work themselves to the bone and only receive 23 yuan in cash at the end of the year.

The situation was slightly better in the old city area, where members of advanced cooperatives could earn around 26 yuan, which averaged about 7 cents a day.

Temporary workers at the machinery factory earn at least 9 cents a day, a tenfold difference. How could those farmers be unwilling to give the middleman some benefits?

Zhang Yi murmured, "There's a tenfold difference between them. If it were me, I would also..."

Cheng Mingli gave a wry smile: "I didn't expect it to be for this reason."

He looked at Jiang Zhenghua: "If that's the case, then it will be difficult to completely eliminate it. Are we just going to turn a blind eye?"

"Zhenghua, now that you've identified the crux of the problem, is there any way to solve it?"

Everyone looked at Jiang Zhenghua with curiosity.

The latter sighed: "These people are actually exploiting the information gap. Once that information gap is gone, they will naturally have no room to survive."

After saying that, Jiang Zhenghua stopped talking and picked up his teacup to drink.

Everyone was muttering the words "information gap" under their breath, pondering the key to it.

Qiao Fuping's eyes suddenly lit up, and he turned his gaze to Cheng Mingli.

Cheng Mingli felt the gaze directed at him, and was taken aback at first, but then seemed to understand.

"Section Chief Cheng, whether this matter can be resolved depends on you."

"Don't worry, Director Qiao, I will report this matter truthfully and will definitely ask the higher authorities to reward Deputy Director Jiang."

Jiang Zhenghua waved his hands repeatedly: "I didn't say anything. It was you, the director, and the instructor who came up with it. What does it have to do with me?"

"This is clearly the problem you identified and the solution you proposed, how could I..."

Jiang Zhenghua's attitude was firm: "It really has nothing to do with me, it has nothing to do with me at all, it was your and the director's idea."

Seeing that Cheng Mingli was about to say something, but Jiang Zhenghua's attitude was firm in refusing, Qin Weijun and the others began to feel envious and were somewhat puzzled by his rejection.

Zhang Chongguang seemed to have thought of something and immediately interrupted, "Gentlemen, let me say something."

Everyone immediately turned their attention to him.

"Cough cough..."

Zhang Chongguang coughed twice: "This matter involves too many people, it's not good to let Deputy Director Jiang bear it all alone."

Everyone immediately understood.

This kind of thing is probably not an isolated case; it happens in every company.

On the surface, it seems like a big problem has been solved.

However, there is a huge chain of interests involved. If people knew that Jiang Zhenghua was the one who discovered and resolved it, how many people would hate him to death?

After figuring it out, everyone looked at Jiang Zhenghua with a different kind of admiration.

It is possible to resist such benefits, maintain a clear mind, and not be blinded by greed.

This leads to the consideration of interests and consequences, which is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.

I really couldn't do it.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Chongguang said, "I suggest that Section Chief Cheng from the machinery factory report it, and that the external report be submitted in our collective name, saying that it is a conclusion reached through collective wisdom."

"I think it's fine. We should jointly report it under the name of the special task force and the security department of the machinery factory. This is the safest way to handle it."

After saying that, Qiao Fuping looked at Jiang Zhenghua gratefully.

Cheng Mingli nodded, "Then it's decided. Thank you, Deputy Director Jiang. I owe you a huge favor. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, and I will never refuse."

I owe someone a favor.

But this achievement is enough to make up for the mistakes made by the security department of the machinery factory in this case.

"Section Chief Cheng, you flatter me."

The atmosphere in the meeting room became more relaxed.