Garde's so-called factory was located in a construction site in the southern suburbs of the city.
Since he was traveling with the CEO of the department, Roland did not have to drive his minivan anymore. Instead, he took the opportunity to experience what it felt like to be the boss of a luxurious car.
He had to admit that lying in a spacious seat that was softer than a sofa and drinking iced champagne from the refrigerator in the back was really addictive.
Of course, it would be even better if the champagne was replaced by Coke.
When the car drove off the flat road and onto the bumpy temporary road, the roar of machinery became endless. Trucks and excavators could be seen everywhere.
Roland could see the banner "Clover Construction Engineering Co., Ltd." hanging on the row after row of prefab houses. Towering piles were as dense as a forest in the distance.
Garde probably sensed Roland's curiosity, so he took the initiative to explain, "The group plans to build a modern new energy car city here. Currently, the construction department is responsible for the construction, and when all the facilities are completed, it will be handed over to the manufacturing department. This project has been approved for a long time, and it was only implemented a few months ago. "
It was no wonder that Garcia had stopped protesting against the forced demolition recently. It seemed that the Clover Group had temporarily shifted its target.
"What about the factory?"
"It will be demolished," Garde replied. "It used to be an agricultural machinery factory. It has gone through several reforms, but in the end, it can't keep up with the needs of the times. Considering that your requirements are special, I can leave a factory for you to use. Although it's not under my management, I've already talked to them, so it's not a big deal to leave it for the time being. "
"Is it still staffed?" Compared to the site, Roland was more concerned about the professionals.
"Almost all of them have left," Garde said with a shrug. "Only an old master who is about to retire and a dozen workers are left. They are all family members. When the car city is built, they will probably be transferred to new positions."
"Well, it sounds a little shabby..." Roland could not help but think to himself. Nevertheless, it was better than nothing. Although it was still far from the legendary Design Bureau that he had expected, it was still a start.
When he arrived at his destination, he lowered his expectations again. What he saw was a slightly dilapidated factory with an area of about 500 square meters. The steel plate walls were already showing signs of rust. Walking into the factory, the dust in the corners could almost make footprints. The scattered machine tools weren't much better. It was obvious that no one had taken care of them for a long time.
Following Garde up the stairs at the head of the factory and approaching the management room, Roland keenly heard the conversation in the room.
"Sigh, I don't know when the company will demolish this place … Sitting in the same place every day, my butt is going to rot."
"There's nothing wrong with being idle. Anyway, I won't get a raise when I'm transferred to a new company. I might even have to work overtime every day. I'd rather sit still."
"What are you talking about?" a rather elderly voice interjected. "Young people should be full of energy."
"Vitality can't be eaten … If I could retire and get my salary now, I promise I'd agree to it without hesitation."
"By the way, Master Xie, you should retire this time, right? I heard that the boss has tried to persuade you several times. In fact, even if you don't clock in now, I don't think the boss will say anything. "
"I just don't want to leave this place … I've been here for almost 30 years. I should take one more look at this place before it's demolished."
"Do you want me to take a few photos for you?"
"Brat, can photos be the same as the real thing?"
"Wait, someone's here —"
Suddenly, there was a rustling sound in the room.
When Garde's secretary opened the door, everyone in the room had returned to their original positions. Some were tidying up the documents on the table, and some were sitting in front of the computer, typing away as if they had been busy since the beginning.
"Jia … Mr. Garde, why are you here?" Seeing Garde, everyone was stunned. Obviously, the "boss" they were talking about was not this member of the board of directors. It was as if a government official had suddenly come to an unknown village.
"I brought my friend here to visit." Garde looked at the oldest person in the crowd. "You're Master Xie, right? I heard that you've been working here for decades? "
Roland also looked at the man. Judging from his appearance, he was about 60 years old. His hair was sparse around the top of his head, and a pair of huge reading glasses hung over his nose. He was skinny and held a thermos cup in his hand. Apart from his spirited eyes, he looked no different from the old men who came and went in the apartment complex.
Perhaps the only thing that Master Xie was able to show off was his long service years.
"Yes, you're right." Master Xie rubbed the thermos and replied in a flattering tone, "It's been 29 years since I joined the factory."
Alright, this temperament is also far different from those experts who have unique skills and are indifferent to everyone … Roland's expectations in his heart dropped to the bottom. It seems that I'll have to recruit people on the Internet by myself.
"Thank you for your hard work." Garde smiled. "This young friend of mine is interested in the factory. Show him around and tell him about the factory."
"Okay, okay." Master Xie looked at Roland in surprise. "But the factory is going to be …"
"If he likes this place, he can keep the factory."
As soon as he said this, Roland noticed that Master Xie's eyes suddenly lit up.
"How should I address you?"
"Just call me Roland."
"Okay, Mr. Roland. Please follow me!"
Master Xie led him to the factory building area. When he was about to introduce the long history of the factory, Roland interrupted him. "Compared to that, I'm more interested in what kind of work you've done before."
"Almost everything …" Master Xie laughed. "From a bench worker to a workshop supervisor. Later, I was the deputy director for a while. When I was busy, I had to do the work of three or four people. During the day, I arranged assembly lines, and at night, I taught the young men how to repair machines. I didn't have any free time until I couldn't see clearly. "
Roland stopped and asked, "Have you done design before?"
"Well, of course. Although I didn't go to a formal university, I did work night shifts in the factory, so I learned a lot by myself. But a pen and a ruler are no match for a computer. Besides, the company set up a special design department a few years ago, so people don't care about paper drawings anymore. "
"If I want a caterpillar tractor with different specifications and requirements from the market, can you make it?"
"A tractor? Ha, I know it better than my wife. I'm not bragging, Mr. Roland. If I have a few apprentices, I can make it with my eyes closed. "
He asked in surprise, "If that's the case, why didn't the Clover Group hire you to work in the design department?"
"Alas, they can't do anything without computers nowadays. I heard that all the production lines in the new factory are automated. Mechanical arms and robots take care of most of the work, and the people in the old factory are all engaged in sales and administration. Even if they hire me, I can't do anything. "
Master Xie's tone revealed a hint of loneliness.
However, Roland's opinion of him had changed completely.
Ordinary image? Such an employee wouldn't steal the limelight.
Honest temperament? Honest team members are easier to manage, aren't they?
It's not a problem that they don't know how to use computers. There are so many cheap draftsmen.
"Good, very good." Roland couldn't help smiling and nodding.
"Ah?" Master Xie was stunned, as if he didn't understand what was good about it.
"The factory won't be demolished," he said directly. "I'll transform this place into a new design bureau, and you'll be my first chief designer."
"Design … bureau?"
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