Chapter 118: Taking Flight

As time passed, the sun gradually climbed higher in the sky.

A growing crowd had gathered at the entrance of the Chensi Textile Factory. It was a bustling throng, consisting of both the original textile workers and the newly recruited garment production line staff. A rough count put the number at nearly eight hundred; the actual figure was seven hundred and thirty-six.

Wu Ya, though his name had yet to become widely known, had already become a formidable entrepreneur, a presence unmatched throughout the Suiyan District.

"Hey, tell me, has anyone here ever seen what an assembly line actually looks like?"

Among the crowd, workers craned their necks and began to whisper, their faces glowing with irrepressible excitement and curiosity. The term "assembly line"—a concept that sounded incredibly modern—was making its first appearance in the Suiyan District.

"I heard that an assembly line is like a long dragon, winding along the ground! We just have to stand on the side and supervise its work," someone answered immediately.

"Pfft! Isn't that just common knowledge? During our training, we were lined up on both sides of a long path! Isn't that machine just a long dragon?" another retorted with a look of disdain.

The newly hired production line workers had already completed their pre-job training. While they had yet to see a real assembly line, under Factory Manager Pei's guidance, they had been trained in specific formations. Each task had been clearly assigned, ensuring that once the machinery arrived, they could start production immediately. This maximized Wu Ya’s goal of saving time and launching production at once—a major reason why he felt such deep gratitude toward Manager Pei. He knew that if he had to manage it himself, he would never have accomplished it. Although he was a transmigrator, his strengths did not lie in management.

"Tch, acting all mysterious when you know exactly what it is! Who are you showing off for? It’s just an assembly line, what’s there to be so smug about?"

The textile line workers, who were watching the spectacle, were not pleased. Even though they worked in the same factory, the installation of the assembly line had created a chasm in income between the two groups. The garment production line operated on a piece-rate system, where earnings were directly proportional to output. The textile workers, however, were limited by their equipment and could only earn a fixed wage.

Consequently, becoming a production line worker had become the envy of everyone, not just at the Chensi Textile Factory, but throughout the entire Suiyan District. The finished products rolling off the line represented cold, hard cash in their pockets. Seeing their earnings increase daily, who could suppress their excitement? Especially since Wu Ya had set a generous piece-rate: eighty cents per garment. A single line was estimated to produce three thousand pieces a day. That amounted to twenty-four hundred yuan. With only one hundred and ten people per line, that broke down to over twenty yuan per person every single day—a sum equivalent to the monthly salary of a county-level official in those days. How could people not be jealous?

"Exactly! I watched a bit of their training, and they call that skill? In my opinion, even a pig could do it!"

"What? A job a pig could do pays over six hundred a month? Since when did pork become so expensive?"

"Nothing to be done about it! Haven't you heard the saying? As long as you stand in the right wind, even a pig can fly! Maybe they are those flying pigs!"

"Hahaha..."

As the first person retorted in dissatisfaction, the textile line workers began to jeer. It was understandable; anyone in their position would feel a deep sense of imbalance and intense jealousy. After all, they were all in the same compound, under the same sky. Yet, others were earning high wages while they were stuck with fixed salaries, barely scraping by. Even then, many others couldn't even get those jobs. Due to layoffs and factory closures, many had left their former workplaces, struggling daily to make ends meet, never daring to dream of prosperity.

"Hmph, some people just have bad luck but blame the heavens. When you were on the payroll of a collective enterprise, you were much more arrogant than us!"

"That's right! When we were laid off, weren't you gloating? Now that the tables have turned, why are you so unbalanced?"

"Sigh, they are permanent employees of a collective enterprise, while we are just laborers serving a private boss. They have guaranteed security, while we are like chickens pecking at rice."

"Like chickens pecking at rice"—earning only what you work for each day. Compared to guaranteed security, it seemed arduous, yet it was full of potential for wealth. Each word cut like a knife, deepening the divide between the two groups.

It was true: their different status determined their different treatment. The textile line consisted of official employees of the Chensi Factory, while the assembly line workers had been recruited by Wu Ya himself under the Chensi banner—a private unit within a collective enterprise. Naturally, the salary structure was dictated by Wu Ya. Moreover, his production costs had plummeted from ten yuan per piece at the tailor shop to eighty cents. Even with water, electricity, and other expenses added in, it didn't even reach one yuan and fifty cents, so why shouldn't he increase the workers' income accordingly?

"Manager Pei, did you hear that? This will be a problem in the future. The income gap is causing internal disharmony. If this continues, conflicts will inevitably arise!"

The discussions and mutual attacks reached Wu Ya’s ears. He hadn't realized this before, but now he had to take it seriously. Income was invisibly dividing seven hundred people into two camps, severely affecting internal unity. And this was before production had even started. As the real production began and the income gap became reality, it would only further stimulate envy. At that point, all sorts of things could happen, such as work slowdowns. If the textile workers, who were on fixed wages, started dragging their feet, it would directly affect the supply of raw materials for the garment line, creating hitches in Wu Ya’s "one-stop" production design.

"You're right. This issue must be resolved soon. The sooner, the better," Manager Pei said, his face heavy with concern. As a leader with over a decade of experience, he knew that internal unity was the lifeblood of any enterprise. But the obstacle was the existing system; the income of employees in collective enterprises was strictly regulated by official documents. Changing it at will was beyond his authority. How could he benefit the workers without violating regulations? His mind raced at high speed.

"Heh heh..." Wu Ya suddenly laughed, seeing the distressed manager.

"Hmm? Boss Wu, have you thought of a solution? Why are you still keeping me in suspense? Once the assembly line arrives, the conflict will escalate immediately!" Manager Pei looked up, his face full of annoyance.

Seeing that the manager was truly upset, Wu Ya quickly withdrew his smile. "Manager Pei, although you cannot change the wage system, you have the authority to issue bonuses, don't you?"

Issue bonuses? A spark of light flashed in Manager Pei’s eyes. He was right! As a factory manager, he was permitted to issue bonuses. This method was neither against the rules nor difficult to implement. It would be a point of pride for him to increase his workers' income during his tenure.

*Slap!*

In his excitement, Manager Pei smacked his thigh, but his hand stopped mid-air. The light in his eyes dimmed. Issuing bonuses was fine, but where would the money come from? Other than retaining enough for wages, all of Wu Ya’s contracting fees were turned over to the neighborhood office. That was the rule. With the current economic downturn, the factory’s finances were under strict control. He was powerless.

"Hahaha, Manager Pei, why the sudden change of heart?" Wu Ya teased with a sidelong glance.

"Why else? Your idea sounds good, but it’s just a hollow hope!" Manager Pei replied gloomily.

"It’s all about money! Such a brilliant man like you, Manager Pei, brought to his knees by a lack of funds. Truly, a single penny can baffle a hero!" Wu Ya continued to joke heartlessly, as if the workers’ wages had nothing to do with him.

This thoroughly angered Manager Pei. The conflict was sparked by Wu Ya, and if it escalated, Wu Ya would be the one to suffer the most. Yet, he was acting so indifferent, making the manager feel like he was the only one truly concerned. He stopped talking, hanging his head and staring at the ground, his face clouded.

Seeing that he had truly angered the manager, Wu Ya stopped joking. He leaned in closer and whispered, "We can sign another agreement. The core content will be to set tiered production targets. If you meet my requirements, I will provide you with cash in the form of bonuses. That way, you’ll have the funds and the freedom to distribute them, and it will be perfectly legal for any audit because the agreement justifies the source!"

Tiered production targets—awarding the Chensi Factory bonuses based on milestones. For every hundred bolts of fabric, a bonus; for every ten bolts over the target, an additional bonus. This method was widely used in the future to stimulate raw material suppliers to maximize their output and prevent supply chain bottlenecks. It was known as a long-term cooperative supply agreement, or "Long-Xie." Wu Ya was introducing it to this era—a move that was not only ahead of its time but also solved his immediate crisis without violating any regulations.

"Hahaha, I knew it! Whenever you put your mind to it, you come up with nothing but gems! A brilliant idea! A truly ingenious idea!" The gloom on Manager Pei’s face vanished instantly, replaced by irrepressible excitement. Improving employee benefits—this was a legacy that would be etched into the hearts of the people and the history of Chensi.

Wu Ya’s garment empire, with these complex issues resolved, was finally ready to take flight.

"Look! The assembly line is here!" someone shouted.

Hundreds of eyes turned to the end of the road. There, a caravan of over a dozen large trucks was speeding toward them, kicking up a cloud of dust. The rumbling engines and blaring horns sounded like a powerful rhythm, shaking the hearts of everyone present. Their faces flushed with anticipation for the future.