The Dog King of Siheyuan Tears and Rebirth

Sure enough, less than eight months after Director Yang took Cheng Guangyao away, in January of the following year, the steel rolling mill owed the workers four months' wages again. This time, Cheng Guangyao finally felt that He Yuzhu was right. If this continued, even if he could borrow more money, it would only last a few months. So he lay down and waited for the higher-ups to deal with him. He also planned to resign and go into business, but he hadn't figured out what he was going to do yet.

That day, the workers of the steel rolling mill gathered together again and came to the door of Cheng Guangyao's office to ask for an explanation.

Just as Cheng Guangyao was sitting in his office listening to the noise and reading the newspaper, his secretary walked in and said, "Director, your office door is surrounded by people and the workers are very emotional. Why don't you go out and say a few words to calm them down and get through this difficult time? Otherwise, I think it will be difficult for you to go home." said the secretary.

"Hey! What's there to appease? If I want the workers to leave, I must promise to pay them wages, but what can I use to pay? Even if I get more money, so what? In the end, it's just a matter of a few months. After a few months, the workers will make trouble again. Will it be useful?" Cheng Guangyao said.

"What should we do? This is not a solution. If something bad happens, you will be the first person responsible," said the secretary.

"I know what you mean. I will go and tell them right away. I will also report to the higher-ups. If I can't get the money and solution, I will resign." Cheng Guangyao said.

"Ah? Director, have you thought about resigning a long time ago? I don't see you're in a hurry at all recently." asked the secretary.

"Haha, you figured it out. To be honest, I don't think I can do this job as the factory director anymore. I feel I don't have the ability, so I decided to resign and ask the department to assign someone else." Cheng Guangyao said truthfully.

"Ah? Really? Then I..." the secretary stammered.

"Hey, don't worry. The next factory manager will definitely rely on you. After all, you know a lot about the situation in the factory." Cheng Guangyao explained.

"That's not what I meant. I also want to resign. If I didn't have some savings, my family wouldn't be able to make ends meet. I've inquired, and now I find that the salaries in some private enterprises are much higher. I just couldn't bear to give up this iron rice bowl before, but now it seems that the bowl is iron, but there is no rice in it!" said the secretary bitterly.

"Hahaha, that makes sense. Yes, the bowl is made of iron, but it can't withstand no food!" Cheng Guangyao laughed, "If you really resign, I will approve it now, and I will resign too. Screw the iron rice bowl. I haven't had any salary for several months."

So, soon, Cheng Guangyao came outside, and when he saw the factory director coming out, the workers instantly quieted down.

"Comrade workers, I know you came to me about wages. To be honest, I haven't received any salary for five months. Go home now! My wife doesn't even treat me well." Cheng Guangyao said loudly.

"Director, you have a high salary and may have some savings, but we can't! Our family has been in famine for five months now, and I don't know how to pay for my son's tuition next month. So, you must think of a way for us, even if it's just one month's emergency allowance!" someone said.

"Yes, Director, we really can't go on like this." Someone echoed.

So, one by one, everyone agreed with one goal: to get their wages, otherwise they would quit their jobs and block the factory director’s door every day.

"Quiet, quiet." Cheng Guangyao waved his hand to stop them. "Comrades workers, be quiet and listen to me."

……

"I know what you are thinking, so I'm here to make a promise to you. I will go to the department leaders right now. If I can't get the money, I, Cheng Guangyao, will resign. Do you think this is okay?" Cheng Guangyao said.

After hearing what the factory director said, the workers felt that he was telling the truth. After all, no one would joke about the iron rice bowl, so the workers consciously made way for him.

So, Cheng Guangyao quickly went to the department to report the situation, but the result was the same as countless times before. The department had no choice but to let him figure it out on his own. However, the department also gave him an order that he must start laying off employees as planned while improving product quality until the factory could become self-sufficient.

Cheng Guangyao also took the opportunity to resign, saying that he could not cope with the following situation. Since Cheng Guangyao was a close confidant of the old minister, the minister did not hesitate and approved his resignation immediately.

Just like that, when the workers were expecting the new factory manager to solve their problems, what they encountered was layoffs. As a result, batches of workers were laid off in a planned manner.

They had also made a fuss, feeling a little sad about losing their iron rice bowl, but there was nothing they could do. No matter how much they made a fuss, the factory just couldn't pay them. Besides, it wasn't just their problem; people from other factories were also being laid off.

Just like that, a huge wave of layoffs began. As the number of laid-off workers increased, those who did odd jobs outside were also affected, because those who had nothing to do went to the streets to look for work. Even the Yan family's shabby business was snatched away, and the number of people snatching it away was increasing.