62: The aircraft needs a new livery

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he looked at everyone.

Xu Minghao certainly had no objections, and the newly appointed executives even more so dared not voice any. The rest of the people were all from Xinghe, so they had no objections either.

Jiang Chen always believed in democracy. Seeing that no one had any objections, he immediately decided to officially rename Cathay Pacific Airways to Xinghe Aviation once the planes received their new livery.

As the saying goes, “one word from above means a thousand miles of running below.”

Jiang Chen had only mentioned the name change, but the preparatory work below was extensive. Flight attendants needed new uniforms designed, and Jiang Chen also asked Xu Minghao to find someone to design a brand-new livery for the aircraft.

According to Jiang Chen’s original words, he wanted people to recognize at a glance that the plane belonged to Xinghe.

The uniforms were easy enough, but the aircraft livery was difficult because the entire company only had twenty to thirty workers capable of painting planes. Aircraft painting wasn't a simple spray-and-go job; it involved a significant level of difficulty.

Stripping the paint from one aircraft and then reapplying a new livery, followed by drying, would take at least three days.

The company owned 236 aircraft of various models, making it impossible to complete all the painting in a short period. Moreover, all the company’s aircraft were currently in operation, so painting one aircraft meant grounding it for three days, which would inevitably affect the company’s operational status.

This was why Fang Yan, the Director of Aircraft Maintenance, was incredibly anxious.

He was under immense pressure and, in desperation, could only approach Xu Minghao to explain the situation.

Fang Yan’s heartfelt and logical explanation caught Xu Minghao’s attention. He hadn't realized that repainting the aircraft could potentially impact overall operations.

After understanding the situation, Xu Minghao decided to go with Fang Yan to Cathay Pacific Airways’ aircraft maintenance workshop at Hong Kong International Airport for an on-site inspection, hoping to resolve the issue there.

When Xu Minghao walked into the hangar and saw only about twenty workers painting an aircraft, his face darkened. He asked Fang Yan, “Are these staff members responsible for all of this painting work?”

Fang Yan nodded and truthfully replied, “Yes, President Xu.”

Xu Minghao’s expression grew even darker. He scolded him, “Are you stupid? Don’t you know to find more people to complete the painting?”

Fang Yan was startled, then began to explain, “President Xu, it’s not that I don’t want to find people, but there are only about thirty skilled workers in the company who can complete the painting work…”

Before Fang Yan could finish, Xu Minghao waved his hand to interrupt him. Hearing his excuse, Xu Minghao grew even angrier. This Fang Yan clearly hadn’t understood his meaning.

With a dark face, Xu Minghao loudly declared, “Director Fang?! I think you really are stupid! If the company is short-staffed, don’t you know to find people from outside?”

“Ah?”

Xu Minghao pointed at the working laborers and angrily said, “With so few people, when will Chairman Jiang’s assigned task ever be completed?!”

Fang Yan recoiled. To be honest, he had considered it, but he felt that hiring external workers for the painting would be too costly. He had just taken office and wanted to reduce company expenses, but he hadn’t expected Xu Minghao to get so angry.

Seeing Fang Yan’s expression, Xu Minghao became even more infuriated. He had thought it was a major problem that would affect overall operations, which was why he had rushed to the front lines amidst his busy schedule to check the situation.

And the result was just this? When would these twenty or thirty workers complete the painting of all 236 aircraft, as ordered by Jiang Chen? The thought alone made him incredibly angry.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Minghao continued to tell Fang Yan, “Director Fang, I’ll give you three days…”

Xu Minghao might have truly been angered; he spoke halfway, then changed his tone:

“No!”

“Two days!”

“I’ll only give you two days. You must do your utmost to find workers capable of painting. Search with no reservations! If there are none in Hong Kong, find them in neighboring Shenzhen. If there are none in Shenzhen, find them across the entire country!”

“I want three shifts, 24 hours a day, non-stop, to complete the painting of these 236 aircraft in the shortest possible time!”

“For money and manpower, I will have the entire company cooperate with you. In three days, I want to see the aircraft beginning to receive their new livery!”

“Do you understand, Director Fang!?”

Fang Yan knew he had made a serious work error. He had brought his previous philosophy of reducing company expenses to this situation.

Fang Yan did not explain his thoughts to Xu Minghao, as that would only be counterproductive.

He firmly told Xu Minghao, “President Xu, I am making a military pledge to you here: in three days, the painting work will officially begin.”

“In one month, I guarantee that all aircraft will have their new livery completed!”

Then, fearing that Xu Minghao might consider this time too long, Fang Yan cautiously explained, “President Xu, this one-month period is already the most ideal, because we also need to keep most of the aircraft operating. So this time is actually very fast.”

Xu Minghao pondered for a moment. Combining this with Fang Yan’s earlier report, he also thought this timeframe was relatively reasonable.

“Alright, I’ll give you one month.”

“In one month, I must see all aircraft wearing our new livery!”

Fang Yan promised, “President Xu, thank you for giving me time. I guarantee I will complete the task you’ve assigned!”

“Alright, let’s talk when you’ve completed it.”

“Remember not to delay the time.”

Xu Minghao waved his hand impatiently, signaling him to hurry up and get to work.

Earlier, when Fang Yan came to report, he had made it sound so serious, which was why he had come to the front lines with Fang Yan to solve the problem. Yet, this Fang Yan actually fantasized about completing the painting with only the twenty or thirty workers within the company.

If he delayed Chairman Jiang’s plans for the name change, could he bear the responsibility!?

He had already labeled this Fang Yan as someone who didn't understand Chairman Jiang's instructions. If Fang Yan failed to complete this painting work in a month, Xu Minghao was prepared to fire him.

After Xu Minghao left, Fang Yan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly contacted Fang Zikun, the Director of Human Resources, to tell him what had just happened.

Fang Zikun was also speechless after hearing it. This Fang Yan actually thought he could complete the painting of 236 aircraft with only the few workers within the company.

He really didn't know what he was thinking. Didn't he understand that Chairman Jiang's message was to complete it as quickly as possible?

You deserve to be scolded by President Xu for not even understanding Chairman Jiang’s intentions.

Although Fang Zikun was complaining internally, upon hearing Fang Yan mention that Xu Minghao wanted the entire company to cooperate, he assured Fang Yan that he would find all the necessary personnel within two days.

Listening to Fang Zikun’s assurance on the phone, Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up.

“Sigh, I meant well, thinking I’d save the company money, but I didn’t realize I made a mistake here…”

He really hadn’t expected to make a mistake so soon after taking office. He only hoped to complete the aircraft’s new livery within a month to give Xu Minghao a satisfactory explanation.

Since Xu Minghao was already there, and seeing that it was still early, and he had already canceled his other work for the day, Xu Minghao decided to take the opportunity to inspect the situation in other front-line departments.