104: Chapter 105 Renovation Dispute: Double Wages Crushing the Enemy

Qian Xu and Kim Min-jun walked out of Yeouido Park.

The setting sun cast long shadows.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, the Korean album recording is finished!"

"All six songs are complete!"

"Would you like to come and listen?"

Qian Xu smiled.

He replied.

"Okay."

"I'll be there right away."

He put away his phone.

He looked at Kim Min-jun.

"Let's go."

"To Hongdae."

"The T-ARA Korean album recording is finished."

"Let's go listen."

Kim Min-jun smiled.

"Okay."

"I'd like to listen, too."

The two drove to Hongdae.

On the way.

Qian Xu looked out the window.

The office buildings of Yeouido.

Glittered in the sunset.

He thought to himself.

Store No. 3.

Boutique supermarket.

White-collar customer base.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

And all of this.

Was just the beginning.

Arriving in Hongdae.

At the entrance of STAGE 28.

Qian Xu had just parked the car.

His phone rang.

It was the person in charge of the renovation team calling.

"Chairman Qian, something has happened."

His voice was urgent.

"What's wrong?"

"The workers have gone on strike."

The person in charge said.

"This afternoon."

"They suddenly said they wouldn't work anymore."

"The reason is..."

"They think the wages are too low."

Qian Xu frowned.

"They think the wages are too low?"

"Yes."

The person in charge lowered his voice.

"I suspect someone is playing tricks behind the scenes."

"Lotte Mart."

"They might have intervened."

Qian Xu was silent for a few seconds.

"Alright, I understand."

"I'm heading over now."

Hanging up the phone.

Kim Min-jun looked at him.

"What happened?"

"The renovation team went on strike."

Qian Xu said.

"They claim the wages are too low."

"It's likely Lotte Mart playing tricks."

Kim Min-jun's expression changed.

"Those people."

"How shameless."

"Resorting to dirty tricks when they can't win."

Qian Xu smiled.

"It's normal."

"They're getting desperate."

"Let's go."

"Let's go take a look."

The two drove to the main street of Hongdae.

In front of Store No. 2.

A dozen or so workers were squatting by the side of the road.

Smoking and playing on their phones.

Seeing Qian Xu arrive.

They all looked up.

But no one spoke.

The renovation supervisor ran over.

A Korean man in his forties.

Looking very worried.

"Chairman Qian, you're here."

"What's going on?"

Qian Xu asked.

The supervisor lowered his voice.

"At three o'clock this afternoon."

"They suddenly demanded a raise."

"They said the current market rate is higher."

"150,000 won per day isn't enough."

"They want to increase it to 200,000."

"I said I needed to discuss it with you."

"They just stopped working immediately."

Qian Xu glanced at the workers.

"Who is the leader?"

"That one."

The supervisor pointed.

A man in his thirties.

Shaved head.

Tattoos on his neck.

Smoking a cigarette.

Looking this way.

Qian Xu walked over.

"Hello."

The man with the shaved head stood up.

"Chairman Qian?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I heard you think the wages are too low?"

"Yes."

The man with the shaved head exhaled smoke.

"The current market rate."

"Renovation workers get 200,000 a day."

"You're paying 150,000."

"It's too little."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Market rate?"

"Which market?"

The man with the shaved head paused.

"I mean..."

"The renovation market."

"Labor is expensive now."

"No one will work for 150,000."

Qian Xu looked at him.

"Then why did you..."

"When we signed the contract."

"Not think it was too little?"

The man with the shaved head was speechless.

"Back then..."

"Back then was back then."

"Now is now."

"Prices have gone up."

"Wages have to go up, too."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Alright."

"Then how much do you want?"

The man with the shaved head's eyes lit up.

"250,000 a day."

"250,000 per person per day."

"We won't work for a penny less."

Qian Xu smiled.

"250,000?"

"Yes."

The man with the shaved head nodded.

"This is the lowest price."

"If you don't agree."

"We won't work."

"Anyway, there's plenty of work right now."

"We won't have trouble finding any."

Qian Xu looked at him.

"Alright."

"Then let me ask you."

"How many of you are there in total?"

"15."

The man with the shaved head said.

"15 people."

"250,000 per person per day."

"That's 3.75 million a day."

"110 million a month."

"You do the math."

"Is it worth it?"

Qian Xu smiled.

"It is."

"Of course it is."

The man with the shaved head was stunned.

"You agree?"

"I agree."

Qian Xu nodded.

"But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"Stop working for today first."

The man with the shaved head frowned.

"Stop working?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu said.

"Rest for today."

"Come back tomorrow."

"By then."

"I will give you a surprise."

The man with the shaved head looked at him.

"A surprise?"

"What kind of surprise?"

"You'll know tomorrow."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You'll still be paid for today."

"Go back and rest first."

The man with the shaved head hesitated for a moment.

"Alright."

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

The workers dispersed.

The supervisor walked over.

"Chairman Qian, are you really going to raise them to 250,000?"

"No."

Qian Xu shook his head.

"I'm giving them 300,000."

The supervisor was stunned.

"300,000?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"But there is a condition."

"What condition?"

"You'll know tomorrow."

He took out his phone.

Dialed a number.

"Hello, Old Zhang."

"Chairman Qian?"

On the other end of the phone.

Was the voice of a Chinese man.

"It's been a long time."

"Is something up?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu said.

"Are you in Seoul?"

"Yes."

Old Zhang said.

"I'm in Guro District."

"I have a renovation team with me."

"30 people."

"All Chinese craftsmen."

"Good craftsmanship."

"Fair prices."

"What's up?"

"I have something to ask of you."

Qian Xu said.

"I opened a new shop in Hongdae."

"The renovation is being blocked by Korean workers."

"I want you to do it."

Old Zhang laughed.

"Sure."

"I'll bring some people over tomorrow to take a look."

"Alright."

Qian Xu said.

"Wages at market rate."

"300,000 per person per day."

"One month duration."

"If you do a good job."

"There will be a bonus."

Old Zhang paused.

"300,000?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"It's higher than the market rate."

"But I demand quality."

"And speed."

"Can you do it?"

"Yes."

Old Zhang laughed.

"Don't worry, Chairman Qian."

"When we Chinese work."

"We never cut corners."

"Tomorrow morning at eight."

"I'll bring the crew over."

"Alright."

Qian Xu hung up the phone.

Kim Min-jun looked at him.

"Mr. Qian, are you going to switch to a Chinese renovation team?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Didn't the Korean workers want a raise?"

"Then I'll use Chinese workers."

"The wages are higher than theirs."

"The craftsmanship is better than theirs."

"Let's see what they do."

Kim Min-jun frowned.

"But are Chinese craftsmen in Korea..."

"Legal?"

"Yes, legal."

Qian Xu said.

"Old Zhang's renovation team."

"They have legal work visas."

"They've been working in Korea for five years."

"They have a very good reputation."

"It's just that Koreans look down on them."

"And pay them low prices."

"Now."

"I'm paying double wages."

"They will definitely work hard."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"Then tomorrow."

"When those Korean workers come."

"What should we do?"

"Let them go."

Qian Xu said.

"I gave them a chance."

"But they wanted a raise."

"Then they can stop working."

"Chinese workers."

"Are more reliable."

The next morning.

Eight o'clock.

Hongdae main street.

In front of Store No. 2.

Old Zhang brought 30 Chinese workers.

They had already arrived.

They were all young men around thirty.

Wearing work clothes.

Wearing hard hats.

Their tools were neat.

They were in high spirits.

"Chairman Qian."

Old Zhang walked over.

Over fifty years old.

Dark skin.

Calluses on his hands.

You could tell at a glance he was a veteran who had been working for decades.

"Long time no see."

"Long time no see."

Qian Xu shook his hand.

"Sorry to trouble you this time."

"No trouble at all."

Old Zhang laughed.

"You're giving us an opportunity."

"We will definitely work hard."

"One month duration."

"We guarantee to finish on time."

"Quality."

"You can rest assured."

"When we Chinese work."

"We never cut corners."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Alright."

"Then let's start."

Old Zhang turned around.

Shouted to the workers.

"Brothers!"

"Let's get to work!"

"Today we start by demolishing the old renovation!"

"Tomorrow we start laying the water and electricity lines!"

"After finishing this job!"

"Everyone gets a 1 million bonus!"

The workers cheered.

"Great!"

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang!"

"We guarantee we'll do a good job!"

At this moment.

The man with the shaved head brought those 15 Korean workers.

And arrived.

Seeing the Chinese workers at the entrance.

They were stunned.

"Chairman Qian, what is this..."

"A Chinese renovation team."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Didn't you want a raise?"

"I'm using Chinese workers."

"300,000 per person per day."

"50,000 more than what you asked for."

The man with the shaved head's expression changed.

"Chairman Qian, this is..."

"Not following the rules."

"Rules?"

Qian Xu smiled.

"You were the ones who didn't follow the rules first."

"We signed a contract."

"And you wanted a raise halfway through."

"You were the ones who broke the rules first."

"Now."

"I'm using Chinese workers."

"Higher wages."

"Better craftsmanship."

"Do you have a problem with that?"

The man with the shaved head looked at him.

His eyes were gloomy.

"Chairman Qian, are you trying to go against us?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"You wanted a raise."

"So I replaced you."

"It's very simple."

"Market economy."

"Use whoever is cheaper."

"Use whoever is better."

"If you don't work."

"There are plenty of people who will."

The man with the shaved head was silent.

The other Korean workers.

Also looked at each other.

Someone whispered.

"300,000..."

"Higher than what we asked for..."

"Should we do it too?"

The man with the shaved head glared at him.

"Shut up!"

He looked at Qian Xu.

"Chairman Qian, you win."

"But we won't let it go just like that."

"Just you wait."

He turned around.

"Let's go!"

The 15 Korean workers.

Followed him and left.

Kim Min-jun watched their retreating figures.

"Mr. Qian, they won't give up easily."

"I know."

Qian Xu smiled.

"But I'm not afraid."

"They play dirty tricks."

"I'll use Chinese workers."

"Let's see who can outlast whom."

He turned around.

Watching the Chinese workers working.

Feeling warm inside.

These compatriots.

Struggling in Korea.

It's not easy.

Now.

He gave them an opportunity.

Gave them respect.

Gave them the pay they deserve.

This is what he wanted.

His phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

Qian Xu opened it.

[Chinese Craftsman Team Arrived]

[Renovation Progress: Accelerating]

[Estimated Completion: 10 Days Early]

He smiled.

Put away his phone.

"Let's go."

"To STAGE 28."

"Listen to T-ARA's new songs."