Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

The factory director and leadership also spoke privately with the union chairman several times.

Effect……

The fact that Yang Jianguo is now involved in this matter already indicates that the problem remains unresolved.

Chapter 719 Gathering, Frenzy

Initially, there was concern that employees would be affected by the broader environment due to the progress of the times.

This resulted in a situation where workers were weak while officials were strong, leading to unfair oppression.

Now, Yang Jianguo has discovered that the situation seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Has the Ministry of Works gone too far?

Yang Jianguo was unaware that the boundaries of many things were blurred and changed with time and circumstances.

Today, perhaps it was the right decision.

Tomorrow, it will be a harmful and outdated custom.

Regret is useless; what's useful is learning from mistakes, correcting them, and doing better.

Therefore, Yang Jianguo wanted to participate in the union's activities to see just how domineering they really were.

"Boss, I'll go with you. You need a suitable identity too."

The workshop director, who had stood up earlier and was the first to expose the situation, offered to take him to the event.

"Thank you. I haven't asked your name yet, comrade." Yang Jianguo smiled and extended his hand.

The other person, feeling both reserved and honored, rubbed his hands on his clothes, but Yang Jianguo grabbed them first: "We're all old workers, why be so formal?"

"He Hongyao, leader." He Hongyao nodded with a sincere smile.

At the Workers' Cultural Palace, the trade union's mobilization activities are in full swing.

When He Hongyao appeared, it was clear that everyone's eyes were filled with hostility.

He was like a bear that had stumbled into a wolf's den...?

A somewhat aged but still robust black bear, rude, irritable, and a bit old-fashioned.

"Look who's here, our most dedicated leader, Director He Hongyao."

"Director He, what brings you to our small gathering?"

The hostile tone of his voice drew a sidelong glance from Yang Jianguo.

It seems that there is some long-standing grudge between He Hongyao and the labor union that he is unaware of.

"Liu Delong, I'm here to participate in the event, not to argue with you."

He Hongyao knew very well what his purpose was in coming here.

Besides, the top leader is right beside him.

"You're here to participate in the event?" Although Liu Delong found it suspicious, he didn't pay much attention to it.

Perhaps he wanted to hear what the union planned to do so he could go back and make preparations.

Since he's willing to listen, let him listen.

Anyway, what they were doing wasn't anything shady.

After the rally is over, the factory leadership will know what they want to do.

Whether you listen or not, and no matter who listens, it won't change the outcome.

"Who is this?" Liu Delong asked curiously, seeing the unfamiliar face beside him.

He Hongyao's heart tightened, and he said with a stern face, "Do I need to explain to you?"

"Ha~ Still as stubborn as a mule."

Liu Delong laughed and cursed, then turned back and walked towards the stage.

Seeing him leave, He Hongyao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say a few words to his leader to explain his attitude.

Then I saw him nod and lean close to my ear, saying, "Just pretend I don't exist, and do what you're supposed to do."

Yang Jianguo came here to be an outsider.

Although everyone expressed dissatisfaction with the union, he also had his doubts.

However, no conclusions will be drawn easily; a decision will be made only after he has learned all the details.

Whether the labor union has become so powerful that even the factory's management cannot cope with it remains to be discussed.

Liu Delong, standing on the stage, acted like a completely different person.

He was impassioned, excited, and full of passion, like a fighter, a true fighter.

“We made money for the factory, we did all the hard work... but we only get a meager salary, look at the wages offered by other factories…”

“That’s right, an apprentice’s salary is almost as much as mine as a level six worker.”

"That's just so unfair."

"Change is necessary. Pay raise, pay raise."

"Since the leadership won't agree to our demands, let's strike."

"Strike, strike, strike..."

Thunderous applause and shouts erupted from the crowd, whose faces beamed with fervent smiles.

It's clear that Liu Delong is very popular.

The workers' fervor for the strike was somewhat abnormal.

They didn't seem to have any demands; rather, their expressions should have conveyed a sense of grievance, resentment, and unwillingness to accept defeat.

But what he saw was a group of revelers excited about the strike itself.

"Okay, let's go!"

Yang Jianguo patted He Hongyao's stiff shoulder and turned to walk out.

On the stage, I could see two figures, one in front of the other.

It seemed that the stranger was the leader, while He Hongyao, who followed behind, looked like a little follower.

Their positions seemed to have been reversed in an instant.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, we'll inform the factory leadership this afternoon of the workers' demands..."

The lobby door closed, and Yang Jianguo stopped and turned around, saying, "This afternoon, please arrange a meeting with Liu Delong for me. I'd like to speak with him alone."

"Okay, boss." He Hongyao was overjoyed and readily agreed.

"Let's do it this way."

"That's right, to let them know how powerful we are, we need to contact more people."

"Everyone agreed, so why not agree to a raise?"

A group of people walked into the cafeteria arm in arm, discussing the details of the strike.

There was no attempt to conceal it; they were so flamboyant that they weren't afraid of anyone knowing.

A short while later, Liu Delong also entered the cafeteria surrounded by people.

It's clear that he has quite a few fans.

Upon entering the restaurant, Liu Delong noticed the leadership team in the corner.

The person surrounded by the leadership made Liu Delong's expression change.

"What's going on? Why are the factory manager and the others eating in the canteen today?"

"Oh, I heard it's a leader who came, the one sitting in the middle..."

"Are you sure?" Liu Delong's expression was not good, but he still remained calm.

"Absolutely! The person is sitting right there. Look at the factory director, deputy factory director, and a bunch of other leaders, all flattering him!"

Upon confirming what they said, Liu Delong felt a little flustered, but he quickly calmed down.

He knew that the big leader was coming. His panic just now was an instinctive worry, but he quickly realized that the big leader was a staunch supporter of the labor union.

It was with his support that the trade union was able to survive and grow.

Without him, there would be no union today, and the union might still be just a figurehead, like before.

"Chairman Liu, I'll go get you some food."

Liu Delong nodded habitually, then raised his hand and said, "Never mind, I'll go myself... When the leaders come, I should at least go and say hello."

Liu Delong gave a casual explanation and strode towards the food serving window.

Chapter 720 Self-Imagination, Comprehensive Salary Increase

"Factory manager, Old Ma, Old He..."

Liu Delong, carrying a yellow enamel basin, sat down next to the group.

"This person looks unfamiliar, is he a new comrade?"

Although he guessed Yang Jianguo's identity, Liu Delong did not reveal it directly.

Instead, they acted as if they knew nothing and had just happened to be there for a meal.

"Chairman Liu, this is a high-ranking leader from Beijing. You should have heard of him, Yang..."

"Yang Jianguo, it really is Minister Yang."

Liu Delong looked surprised, but then put down the enamel basin with a look of joy and grabbed his hand: "Oh my, I never thought that I, Old Liu, would meet a real person one day."

"Old Liu, the way you're talking makes it sound like something bad is about to happen."

Liu Delong clearly didn't mean that, but after being given that hint, the meaning of his words immediately changed.

"True Buddhas are hard to find, haven't you heard that saying?"

Liu Delong's mind raced, and he said with a sincere expression, "How could I, a mere employee, dare to dream of ever seeing the true Buddha?"

The flattery was so effective that no one present could refute it. 'His mind is really sharp; no wonder he was able to fool so many people into electing him as union chairman, a position he's held for so many years.'

"Comrade Liu Delong, sit down and let's talk!" Yang Jianguo said calmly, inviting him to sit down.

To judge a person's character, don't look at their words or actions. Instead, look at their resume from previous years and see what they have done and accomplished.

Before Yang Jianguo came to the restaurant, he looked at Yang Jianguo's resume, which was very impressive.

He didn't suddenly become the chairman of the union and gain power overnight.

He rose from a worker to a workshop director, and when conducting economic experiments, he was the first to take the lead and volunteer to serve as the head of the tertiary industry group.

At that time, he was already a member of the union.

However, in earlier years, labor unions were not powerful and were in an awkward position.

They do exist, indeed they do.

But what use is it? What right does it have?

It's completely useless; it's just for show.

People would be ashamed to say it out loud; I can't get anything done and have no say in the factory.

Union? What kind of union is this?!

Later, the trade union gained support and grew stronger, and Liu Delong was elected as its chairman.

He did this for over ten years, and other factory union leadership teams often sought him out for filming. Now, his dominance in the Gansu-Ningxia region is well-known.

All of this is thanks to the kind-looking little man sitting across from him.

Don't let Liu Delong's short stature fool you; he's only about 1.6 meters tall, but he's got plenty of muscle and strength.

When it comes to work, they are no slower than young people in their prime.

He rightfully occupies the position of union chairman.

"Comrade Liu Delong, when I came here, I heard from the comrades that you were organizing an event. Out of curiosity, I went to the scene without asking. You won't blame me, will you?"