A series of arrangements concluded, and just as Wang Yu was about to catch his breath, a commotion erupted outside the factory gate.
A group of people pushed and shoved their way in. Old Sun, the gatekeeper at the reception room, tried his best to block them, but couldn't stop the more than ten people who had barged in.
"Who are you people? What do you want?"
Old Director Li Ming stepped forward to question and stop them, but Wang Yu grabbed his arm.
"From the Metallurgy General Plant, here to collect a debt."
The leader of the group was a young man with a fair complexion, possessing an air of scholarly refinement, and an outwardly arrogant demeanor. His tone was decidedly haughty.
"The Metallurgy General Plant, here to collect a debt?"
Wang Yu glanced at the man and noticed a work ID badge hanging from his chest, bearing the name "Section Chief Xu Jinsong."
"When are you going to repay the money owed by our Jiangyang County Automobile Factory?" Section Chief Xu Jinsong asked Wang Yu directly.
Wang Yu was aware of the debt he mentioned. Before the factory's restructuring, the previous director had incurred a significant loss in engine production.
Due to substantial external debts and a lack of funds for salaries, the factory had used its own equipment as collateral last year to borrow eighty thousand yuan from the Metallurgy General Plant.
Ultimately, the factory couldn't survive, and this eighty thousand yuan became just another debt among many.
"Didn't we discuss with Director Xu before, agreeing to a three-month extension?"
Wang Yu frowned slightly. He had encountered the Metallurgy General Plant demanding payment as soon as he transmigrated here.
However, at that time, the automobile factory was in the crucial phase of transitioning from state-owned to private. With the coordination of county leaders, they had managed to cajole the Metallurgy General Plant into granting a three-month repayment grace period.
Why were people showing up to demand payment after only half a month had passed?
"Hmph! That three-month grace period was granted under the premise that your factory was genuinely struggling and out of funds. But I've heard that your Jiangyang Automobile Factory has just received a substantial sum of money!"
Section Chief Xu Jinsong's tone was affected and insidiously smooth, making anyone listening feel uncomfortable.
"Over ninety thousand yuan is more than enough for you to repay the debt! Yet you're concealing it and refusing to pay. According to the previous collateral agreement, we are to repossess your equipment today."
Section Chief Xu Jinsong's words were righteous and imposing.
"Nonsense! Do we not need to purchase raw materials, or pay salaries?"
Among the assembled workers, someone immediately shouted back. It was true that they had received over ninety thousand yuan from the brake modification order, but the cost of various materials was also considerable!
After deducting material costs, they still had to pay workers' salaries, and ongoing factory operations required capital!
How could they possibly repay the entire eighty thousand yuan immediately?
If they repaid it all, the factory would have no reason to continue its meager existence and could simply shut down.
After all the hard work by the young director, things were finally looking up, and now these scoundrels were causing trouble. Were they trying to completely ruin them?
The workers were not stupid. They might not understand grand principles, but they knew who would pay their salaries if there was no money.
"Oh ho, not only deliberately refusing to repay a debt, but also maliciously insulting others. Factory Director Wang, you certainly have a lot of authority!"
Xu Jinsong stared coldly at Wang Yu.
"You..." The workers were about to get agitated again.
"Quiet, everyone!" Wang Yu's commanding shout silenced them.
He scrutinized Xu Jinsong without speaking.
"Hey! What do you mean? Are you not going to pay?"
Feeling uncomfortable under Wang Yu's piercing gaze, Xu Jinsong lost his composure and began to bluster.
"A debt is a debt, and it must be repaid. We will naturally not evade our obligations," Wang Yu said softly. "However, the factory currently lacks surplus funds. Please grant me another half a month. By the end of the month, I can repay it. Not only will the entire debt be settled, but I will also offer an additional ten thousand yuan as interest."
Ten thousand yuan in interest! How exorbitant was that?
Everyone was shocked. Some workers were about to make a fuss, but seeing the authority in Wang Yu's young and inexperienced face, they sheepishly fell silent.
Wang Yu wasn't boasting. He currently had orders for forty-seven vehicles. As long as he was given some time to deliver the vehicles and recover the funds, this debt would not be an issue.
After all, relying on his skills, Wang Yu had at least ninety-nine ways to make money. The interest could be considered a tribute.
"Heh heh, ten thousand yuan interest? Factory Director Wang, you really know how to brag!"
Xu Jinsong sneered dismissively. "Do you think I'll fall for such a childish trick?"
"Two thousand yuan interest, totaling one hundred thousand yuan including the principal!"
Wang Yu spoke coldly again, this time increasing the interest by another ten thousand. He added,
"Words are not enough. A written guarantee will serve as proof. I can draw up a promissory note!"
"Young director!" Even Old Director Li Ming couldn't help but exclaim.
Eight thousand yuan in interest for an eighty thousand yuan loan was higher than usurious rates, and even Huang Shiren wasn't that ruthless!
"Don't speak!" Wang Yu raised his hand, silencing everyone.
If it were before, people might have had the thought that "a young man with no beard is unreliable" and followed the young director outwardly but not inwardly.
However, after a series of events, everyone in the Jiangyang Automobile Factory, from the cadres to the workers, had become completely convinced and utterly devoted to this young director, down to their very souls.
So, when Wang Yu raised his hand, everyone fell silent and fixed their gaze on Section Chief Xu Jinsong.
"What do you say, Section Chief Liu?"
"You..." A hint of struggle appeared on Liu Jinsong's face, after which he gritted his teeth and sneered.
"You're talking nonsense here, offering two thousand yuan in interest. It's getting more and more ridiculous. Why don't you say twenty thousand?"
"I'm telling you, don't treat others like three-year-olds! Today, you must repay the debt, otherwise, we will repossess your factory's equipment as collateral!"
Liu Jinsong's gaze swept over a row of cars parked behind Wang Yu.
"Not only the equipment, but these cars must also be taken away for appraisal and to offset the debt!"
"Take them away!"
With a wave of his hand, Liu Jinsong instructed the more than ten people behind him.
"Yes!"
Upon receiving Liu Jinsong's command, those men immediately stepped forward, clearly preparing to seize the vehicles.
"Don't you dare move!" Wang Yu suddenly stepped forward and shouted sternly, blocking their path.
"The agreement is not yet expired. Who do you think you are, coming here to forcibly seize equipment and cars? Who gave you the authority and right?"
"What's with all the nonsense? Repaying a debt is a matter of course. Your words, no matter how eloquent, are useless."
Liu Jinsong yelled impatiently, "All of you, get to work!"
"Let's see who dares! Uncle Ming, call the Public Security Bureau!"
Wang Yu was equally unapologetic, grabbing someone to block Liu Jinsong.