19: Chapter 19: Discussions from All Sides, Dong Baili's Purpose!

Xu's Heavy Industry, new workshop area.

A group of workers gathered in the rest area of the factory.

It was break time, and everyone was gathered together to rest, chat, and shoot the breeze.

"Have you all seen the news online these past few days?"

A relatively young worker asked.

"What news?"

"Yeah, what news? Sanwazi, if you know something, just spit it out. You young people are always online, you know more than us."

Several older workers urged him.

"These past few days, the internet has been badmouthing our Xu's Heavy Industry. They're saying the machinery Xu's Heavy Industry builds has problems, that they're behind on wages, and even that they're evading taxes."

The young man known as Sanwazi said.

He had been following the news about Xu's Heavy Industry for the past few days.

Seeing the marketing accounts and netizens online frantically cursing Xu's Heavy Industry, he actually felt a bit uncomfortable.

After all, it was the company he worked for now, and he had at least a little bit of attachment to it.

But at the same time, the things being exposed online also stirred up different feelings in his heart.

Did the agricultural machinery products manufactured by Xu's Heavy Industry really have problems?

Were they really behind on workers' wages?

And, had Xu's Heavy Industry really evaded taxes?

You have to know, tax evasion is a very serious matter.

At the very least, it means temporary suspension and paying back taxes. At worst, it means being shut down permanently and banned from operating again.

"Huh? How did so much dirt on our company suddenly get exposed?"

"Wasn't everything fine just a while ago? This... we just received a new order, and then dirt gets exposed online. Could it be that another company is jealous?"

"No wonder when I arrived this morning, there was a huge crowd of people with microphones at the company entrance. It looks like they were here to interview our chairman."

Sanwazi's words immediately caused the workers in the rest area to discuss among themselves.

Some workers were just watching the spectacle, while others had faces full of anxiety and worry.

"Sigh, our company hasn't received a new order in nearly a year. Now that we've finally got a new order, this kind of thing happens. It won't be like before, will it..."

Liu Degui said, dejected.

With graying temples and a slightly hunched back, he was clearly a veteran employee.

Indeed, he had spent most of his life at Xu's Heavy Industry, watching it rise to prominence and then watching it slowly fall.

Now, just as it showed signs of improvement, this kind of thing happened.

His heart... was also going through ups and downs.

After all, he had stayed at this company for so long, and his pay and benefits had never been lacking. He had long developed a deep affection for Xu's Heavy Industry.

There were quite a few employees who felt the same way as him.

For a time, the rest area was filled with gloom, and a look of worry washed over everyone's faces.

In contrast to their worries, the group of employees who had left with Engineer Li were now in high spirits.

In the workshop at Tangs Heavy Industry, Engineer Li was on the production line, surrounded by a group of employees.

After arriving here a few months ago, he had now been promoted to workshop team leader and was leading a group of employees.

Of course, these employees were all people he was familiar with, all of whom had followed him out from Xu's Heavy Industry.

Since he had been promoted, he couldn't treat these people poorly.

"Engineer Li, have you seen the news online? Xu's Heavy Industry is completely finished!!"

During the break, Xiao Wang brought over a stool and placed it under Engineer Li. Then he grabbed the thermos, unscrewed it, and handed it to Engineer Li.

Engineer Li took a sip of tea, gulped, and looked very content.

"What? What news have you dug up now, you little rascal?"

Engineer Li asked with a half-smile.

Having been promoted, received a raise, and gained power, Engineer Li now felt a subtle sensation whenever he heard news about Xu's Heavy Industry.

The treatment he was getting now was something he wouldn't have dared to even imagine back at Xu's Heavy Industry.

"Haha, Engineer Li is too focused on work, he definitely doesn't have time to go online."

"Yeah, Engineer Li not only works hard but also takes care of his wife and kids at home. Why would he pay attention to the trivial nonsense about Xu's Heavy Industry online?"

Other colleagues chimed in.

After they finished speaking, Xiao Wang continued.

"The internet is exposing all sorts of dirt on Xu's Heavy Industry, saying that the agricultural machinery they built doesn't meet quality standards, delaying farmers' planting; that they're behind on workers' wages, harming workers' rights; and even if that wasn't enough, they even exposed that Xu's Heavy Industry is evading taxes!!"

Xiao Wang said in surprise.

He was also shocked when he saw this news.

Although he wasn't very well-educated, thanks to the explanations from various keyboard warriors online, he knew how serious tax evasion was.

"Hmm?"

Engineer Li took a drag of his cigarette, and before he could exhale the smoke, he heard what Xiao Wang said.

His pupils constricted involuntarily, and his face was filled with shock.

"There's actually such a thing?"

Engineer Li's face still showed some disbelief.

He knew that Xu's Heavy Industry was already struggling to operate due to the lack of orders.

As for the matter of being behind on workers' wages, as a former employee, he knew that part was just made up.

Whatever else might be said about Xu Hao, he never owed them a single cent of their wages.

But tax evasion... that he wasn't sure about.

However, since it had been exposed online like this, it must be mostly true.

"Right? I didn't expect such a large company like Xu's Heavy Industry to actually evade taxes."

Xiao Wang tutted and shook his head repeatedly.

"Sigh, I didn't think Xu's Heavy Industry was that kind of company."

"Whew, it's a good thing we got out fast."

"It's a good thing Engineer Li had the foresight to take us and get out first."

"Haha, a company like Xu's Heavy Industry is better off closing down sooner..."

For a time, these employees who had come from Xu's Heavy Industry were, to varying degrees, gloating.

Some of the younger employees had already taken out their phones and started watching the drama surrounding Xu's Heavy Industry online.

Baili Heavy Industry, Chairman's office.

Chairman Dong Baili sat in his executive chair, browsing the information online with satisfaction.

Seeing public opinion completely one-sided, all attacking and cursing Xu's Heavy Industry, his face was immediately filled with smiles.

"Hahaha... Xu Hao, oh Xu Hao, you're still too young to fight me."

Chairman Dong Baili shook his head with a sneer, reached out to pick up a cigar, and held it in his hand. Seeing this, the secretary immediately helped him light it.

"Chairman Dong, Xu's Heavy Industry is in a bad situation right now. I believe it won't be long before they can't hold on anymore."

The secretary said with a smile.

"Hmph, nothing I've set my sights on has ever slipped through my fingers."

"Xu Hao thinks too highly of himself, or perhaps he underestimates the power of the internet. These netizens only want to believe what they see. As for whether it's true or false, it's fundamentally unimportant."

"False or true, it has all become true now..."

"I reckon... not only do the netizens believe the online exposes now, but even that greenhorn Xu Hao must be secretly panicking and hurriedly trying to verify things, hahaha..."

Chairman Dong Baili laughed wantonly, feeling very content.

These pieces of dirt could be said to be mostly fabricated; they had made them up themselves.

However.

Only they themselves knew this.

"Chairman Dong is brilliant!" the secretary praised from the side.

"Now, we just need to wait for public opinion to continue fermenting and for the authorities to intervene. At that point, we can enter the fray. Xu's Heavy Industry will definitely be mine!!"

Chairman Dong Baili looked like he was determined to win.

"Chairman Dong, why... have you always wanted to take down Xu's Heavy Industry? In terms of market value, Xu's Heavy Industry isn't even as good as some small heavy industry enterprises right now. It's not worth you going to such great lengths to acquire it, is it?"

The secretary frowned and asked, puzzled.

"You don't understand..." Chairman Dong Baili shook his head and took a puff of his cigar.

"Years ago, when Xu Hao's father was still alive, Xu's Heavy Industry was a leading enterprise. Therefore, there is a lot of key technology still inside Xu's Heavy Industry, including some patents. For the past few years, Xu's Heavy Industry hasn't completely collapsed just because they have been collecting patent royalties. Otherwise... Hmph!"

Chairman Dong Baili snorted coldly, secretly feeling annoyed.

If it weren't for these patents at Xu's Heavy Industry, and that large factory site, would he have set his sights on this half-dead Xu's Heavy Industry?

Hearing Chairman Dong Baili's explanation, the secretary finally nodded in understanding.

"We aren't the only ones eyeing Xu's Heavy Industry. Remember, keep a close watch on other heavy industry enterprises for me, especially Tangs Heavy Industry!"

Chairman Dong Baili instructed with a serious expression.

"Yes!" the secretary nodded earnestly.

"Sigh, I didn't expect that one day, a veteran heavy industry enterprise that was founded at the same time as mine would be dealt a fatal blow by me. However, this is the business world!!"

"In a few days, Xu's Heavy Industry will go bankrupt and disappear completely!"

"Xu Hao, oh Xu Hao, I can't wait to see your helpless expression, hahaha..."