Chapter 57: The Order Secured!

Outside the door, Zhou Meiniang and the others were waiting. Seeing the two men come out, each stood behind their respective leaders.

“Director Wang, please come with me,” Shen Guodong said, leading Wang Zhongshan toward the production workshop. Inside, the roar of machines was constant.

Shen Guodong’s earlier display of authority had had some effect. In these times, iron rice bowl jobs were seldom lost, but he was different—if targets weren’t met, dismissal was non-negotiable. Although Li Longhui and the others had been fired for disrespecting leadership, rumor had twisted the story. In truth, few knew the real reason; most believed Shen Guodong simply did as he pleased, firing at a whim. Now, no one dared slack off.

The workshop was a hive of activity.

“What’s your daily output now?” Director Wang asked, more out of formality than curiosity. Procedures had to be followed, especially with company people present—word getting out otherwise would not be good.

Standing to the side, Shen Guodong smiled. “At full capacity, we run two shifts. Daily output is about two hundred units. We can fully meet your steel plant’s routine needs, even in peak season!”

“That’s good.”

Wang Zhongshan only made a brief circuit, but the new production line was indeed impressive. Satisfied, he nodded.

That afternoon, Wang Zhongshan signed the agreement with Shen Guodong: all orders from Fengtian Zhonggang would be entrusted to the Fengcheng Lathe Factory.

With this order, the factory’s previous excess capacity could be put to use. As for the wager with Yuan Junfeng, Shen Guodong was already close to winning.

News of Fengtian Zhonggang’s contract spread swiftly, startling the factory’s leadership. Even the old director, who once personally sought connections, had only managed to secure part of the orders. For the Fengcheng Lathe Factory, even that had been significant.

But now? Shen Guodong had somehow secured the entirety of the orders. To be honest, it was nothing short of astounding! When Yuan Junfeng learned of it, he was utterly shaken. That very morning, he had raised the stakes with Shen Guodong, convinced the other man could never achieve his goal within a month.

Yet now, a major contract had already been won. The thought left him reeling in disbelief—that was a sight beyond his imagination.

The wager they’d made had already been more than half fulfilled by Shen Guodong, a fact Yuan Junfeng found hard to accept.

...

In Director Xu’s office.

When Shen Guodong entered, Director Xu grew visibly excited, his eyes crinkling with a broad smile. “Xiao Shen, you really were a dormant lion! Who would have thought your abilities were so formidable? It’s almost unimaginable. Tell me, how did you manage to win over Fengtian Zhonggang? You know, even the old director couldn’t crack that nut, no matter how much face he used!”

Shen Guodong didn’t really know how to answer. He couldn’t very well tell Director Xu that he’d seized upon someone’s weakness to secure this opportunity. That would be hard to admit.

“I didn’t do much, really. I just explained to Director Wang from Fengtian Zhonggang how our upgraded production line could give them an advantage. I also invited him to see our manufacturing process. He was persuaded by what he saw,” Shen Guodong replied vaguely.

Of course, Director Xu didn’t quite believe it, but some things were better left unexamined. As long as Shen Guodong’s actions benefited the factory, that was enough.

“Well done. As the new head of sales, you’ve already brought us a pleasant surprise. The leadership will surely be delighted. With this contract, we’ll stand out among our subsidiary factories! Besides your usual commission, the factory will probably give you an extra reward,” Director Xu said happily. “I’ll submit your commendation right away. If upper management doesn’t approve it, I’ll make up the difference myself.”

Shen Guodong didn’t react much, but he knew people always had their weaknesses—greed for money, lust for pleasure.

Leaders liked their subordinates to have some personal hobbies; it made them easier to control. Otherwise, for a leader, it might not be a good thing. Everyone has vulnerabilities; if you’re neither greedy nor lustful, you must have an unusual hunger for power. When your work capabilities are this strong, it could be a threat to your superiors. So even though Shen Guodong felt nothing inwardly, he still let his face show happiness.

“Director Xu, how much is the commission this time? To be honest, I’m a bit strapped for cash lately. When will it be paid?” he asked.

“You rascal, you haven’t been gambling again, have you? Xiao Shen, you have a bright future. Don’t let those things ruin you—if you do, your life will be destroyed. I may be your boss, but I consider you like my own nephew. Let me give you some advice: a little recreation is fine, but don’t get addicted,” Director Xu counseled earnestly.

Shen Guodong nodded. “I know, but sometimes it’s hard to resist the itch to play a few rounds.”

“You’re a grown man; I won’t say more. This time, with the Fengtian Zhonggang contract, your commission will definitely be higher than last time—at least five thousand. But when it’ll be disbursed depends on upper management. It should be by the end of the month. If you’re really short, let me know—I can lend you money, and you can pay me back after payday,” Director Xu offered.

“That won’t be necessary. I have enough for living expenses—the factory gave me a thousand last time, after all,” Shen Guodong replied with a smile.

This was exactly what put leaders at ease. Director Xu valued Shen Guodong now, but having spent a lifetime in rivalry with Wang Chenliang, he was hardly someone without ability. Compared to Wang Chenliang, Director Xu was understated and inscrutable—a trait far more dangerous. If Shen Guodong ever became a threat, Director Xu would not hesitate to oppose him, striking ruthlessly at the opportune moment.

Shen Guodong was well aware of all this.

Thus, he would never reveal his true self to Director Xu. In business, truth and falsehood intermingle—no one can ever quite tell which is the real you.

“By the way, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Director Xu said abruptly at that moment.