146: Jiang Guoqing: Poaching people with an annual salary of 500,000? Did I hear that correctly?

"Director Lu, is that really your classmate?" Zhou Cun asked curiously.

Lu Shenwei nodded and changed the subject: "Is everything arranged in Hong Kong?"

"After two normal transactions, we are convinced that the Desert Camel Company is quite reliable, so subsequent transactions will be conducted online," Zhou Cun said casually.

The longmao agricultural vehicles and Longying Drones purchased by Desert Camel can bring the factory 200 million in net profit annually; although it is not much, it is better than nothing.

"We must maintain a good relationship; we can sell other products there in the future as well," Lu Shenwei instructed.

Zhou Cun nodded and asked again: "They are still privately inquiring about the sales channels for Julong Steel and steel cylinders, hoping we can open a channel in Hong Kong."

"It is difficult; the higher-ups currently want us to control steel pipe exports, and we cannot violate import and export policies," Lu Shenwei said helplessly.

The Desert Camel region is in a state of perpetual war, and the steel pipes bought back would certainly be turned into shells by the rebels to use against the Heavenly Soldiers.

Lu Shenwei wanted to support them, but the situation did not allow it for the time being.

"Tell them privately that the Longying Drone is just as effective when strapped with bombs," Lu Shenwei said with a chuckle.

Zhou Cun smiled and said: "They know, but our steel pipes are more economical and practical, and isn't Desert Camel always short on shells?"

"There is nothing to be done about that; after all, our Dragon Xia loves peace, so we cannot open that channel."

Lu Shenwei paused: "I specifically called you back because our steel plant is expanding into a new business scope, and after much thought, you are the most suitable person to be in charge."

"New business expansion? Do you mean shipbuilding?"

Lu Shenwei nodded and took Zhou Cun to the large pit dug in the open space of the factory area.

"The ship was brought back yesterday, the blueprints will arrive the day after tomorrow, and we need to assemble the technical team ourselves. We could borrow a few people from Dalian Shipyard, but I haven't figured out how to bring it up yet," Lu Shenwei said.

Zhou Cun looked at the large pit and fell into deep thought: "Dalian Shipyard won't lend us any people?"

"General Manager Jiang is very straightforward; I hadn't even brought it up yet, and he proactively offered to lend people. However, I am worried that it might be easy to borrow but hard to return," Lu Shenwei expressed his concern.

"Are you afraid they won't want to stay?"

"No, I am afraid they won't want to go back."

Lu Shenwei had already inquired; the annual salary for a technical Expert at Dalian Shipyard is only 300,000, which is only slightly higher than that of the bench workers and lathe operators at Julong Steel.

Adhering to the principle of respecting technology, Lu Shenwei planned to give each Expert from Dalian Shipyard a monthly subsidy of 30,000, with food and accommodation included.

The compensation package offered was extremely high, but he was afraid that if they didn't go back, it would damage the friendly relations.

After all, Julong Steel is not Gaoliang Mobile, talking about building cars.

The executives at Jili kindly let the Monkey King of Gaoliang visit their new car, but the next moment, the Monkey King of Gaoliang poached their technical team with high salaries.

Is this something a decent person would do?

"Chairman, how about we first explain the situation to General Manager Jiang and let him decide on the personnel's stay or departure?" Zhou Cun suggested.

Lu Shenwei thought for a moment: "That is indeed a solution."

Half an hour later, Lu Shenwei dialed Jiang Guoqing's number, and General Manager Jiang was extremely polite.

"Dalian Shipyard lacks everything, but we don't lack veteran Experts. However, I must say this upfront: you can poach them, but you cannot send them back to me later."

"General Manager Jiang, rest assured on that point. I, Lu Shenwei, will not mistreat the Experts even if I have to live on bran and vegetables."

Lu Shenwei patted his chest to guarantee it, and only then did Jiang Guoqing relent.

"The monthly salary for a technical Expert cannot be lower than 30,000, and for a mid-level skilled worker, it cannot be less than 15,000. Can Director Lu accept that?"

This... is General Manager Jiang not treating the Experts as cadres? Is it really that affordable?

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you think the price is too high?"

Jiang Guoqing was worrying about where to place the veteran Experts; if he let them retire directly, it would be a huge loss for the shipyard, but if he rehired them, the shipyard didn't have enough positions or funds.

This phone call from Lu Shenwei solved an urgent problem, but some conditions had to be made clear.

"General Manager Jiang, you misunderstood. I was thinking, isn't that too little? Technical Experts should have a monthly salary of at least 40,000, and shouldn't mid-level skilled workers start at 20,000?" Lu Shenwei thought for a moment.

Reverse bargaining? Is Julong Steel that rich?

Jiang Guoqing was stunned: "Director Lu, you aren't joking, are you?"

Jiangbei is considered a new first-tier city in Dragon Xia, while Qinchuan is at best an inland second-tier city. The salary and benefits are higher than in Jiangbei?

"How could I joke about such a thing? The annual salary will be based on 13 months' pay, and in addition, all thirteen insurances and eight funds will be provided. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Jiang Guoqing finally realized that Lu Shenwei really didn't know the market rates and had simply offered a high price.

That's fine too; it counts as solving the problem for our shipyard.

"Director Lu is straightforward, and I won't dawdle either. It's settled then, but the employment contract must be signed for at least three years."

"Three years? Isn't that a bit..."

Three years is not enough; General Manager Jiang isn't trying to set a trap for me, is he?

"Too long?"

"No, it's too short. At least five years. What do you think?"

Five years is enough time to train a group of shipbuilding Experts exclusive to Julong Steel.

"Five years? Then it's a deal; you are not allowed to go back on your word."

"A person from Qinchuan always keeps their word; I will never regret it."

The next day, Jiang Guoqing called a meeting of the technical Experts who were nearing retirement.

"Little Jiang is about to make a move on us old folks."

"Isn't that right? Everyone here today is a veteran Expert."

"We're all fifty-seven or fifty-eight; it's time to make room for the young people."

"The shipyard's performance hasn't been good these past two years, and Little Jiang has been trying to find a way."

A few veteran Experts were whispering to each other when Jiang Guoqing, beaming with radiance, entered the room.

"Hello, uncles and Experts. You can probably guess the situation; I have found a good place for you."

Jiang Guoqing said with a smile, but an impatient Expert interrupted him directly: "Little Jiang, I knew you were up to no good. Just say it; it's just laying people off, right?"

"I watched you grow up from when you wore split-crotch pants and gathered seafood on the beach. There's nothing I can't handle. Who are you laying off this time?"

"Uncles, don't misunderstand. I really have found a good place for you this time, but the quota is limited; I only need two people," Jiang Guoqing said with a smile.

"Only laying off two people? We old guys can still keep three of us; you kid still have some conscience."

"Old Mu, your wife is still on medication and needs money; you stay."

"Old Li and Old Wang have situations at home too. Forget it, let's just go ourselves."

Two veteran Experts stepped forward, looking righteous and ready to face death.

Jiang Guoqing said awkwardly: "It really isn't a layoff. Listen to the conditions I'm describing before you decide."

"There's no need. If you can give us 5,000 in monthly living expenses, we'll pack up and leave."

"If that's really not possible, 4,000 is enough to live on; us old folks still have some savings."

Jiang Guoqing cleared his throat: "Have you thought it through? They are offering a 500,000 annual salary to hire veteran Experts. If nobody has any objections, then the two of you uncles can go."

What? A 500,000 annual salary?