Chapter 153: Dog Eat Dog

Chen Huajiang smiled, knowing that the other party’s words should neither be fully believed nor entirely dismissed.

He still shared some insights with him regarding the strategy of "hunger marketing." While the concept itself is easy to understand, the real difficulty lies in making consumers feel that buying the product is an absolute bargain. In other words, the core remains the product itself. However, he had no intention of revealing this to Jin San-shun, who, as a middleman, did not manufacture products anyway.

As Chen Huajiang spoke, Jin San-shun nodded from time to time, his eyes growing increasingly bright.

"Boss Chen, you truly have a sharp mind. I, Jin San-shun, always thought I had a good grasp of human nature when it comes to sales."

"But compared to you, Boss Chen, I am but a minor sorcerer in the presence of a great one. I am truly impressed."

Jin San-shun cupped his hands in respect, his expression sincere. He meant every word; through Chen Huajiang’s explanation, he quickly grasped the core of hunger marketing. This strategy hinges on one thing: the human desire to "get a bargain." Taking advantage of a good deal is human nature, and the vast majority of people cannot resist it.

Afterward, the two parties signed a preliminary contract. Chen Huajiang would supply him with six hundred to twelve hundred coal stoves per month, and Jin San-shun’s sales outlets would coordinate with the Kunlun coal stove pricing.

After seeing Jin San-shun off, Chen Huajiang went to the Red Flag Factory to find Liang Long, telling him to continue recruiting workers, especially welders and metal-rolling specialists.

"Brother Chen, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that the Red Flag Factory—there’s no one left to poach."

"The factory’s coal stove workshop is currently accelerating production, and they’ve even transferred quite a few workers from other departments."

"Wu Min has personally issued strict orders, and Wu Lei is supervising the workers every single day. Even getting the masters we’ve already hired to take on private work has become incredibly difficult, let alone poaching more people."

Liang Long said with an embarrassed and anxious expression.

Chen Huajiang frowned and began to ponder. He quickly realized that everything was unfolding exactly as it had in his previous life. As the only profitable department in the entire factory, the coal stove workshop naturally pushed its production to the limit. At first, it earned enough money to help stabilize things for a while. Later, however, the Wu family embezzled the funds, eventually leading to a situation where the more they produced, the more they lost.

But in his previous life, it didn't seem to be happening at this time. Could it be?

Chen Huajiang’s gaze sharpened. He guessed that it was likely related to the Wei Mei Xian restaurant. In the final run on the restaurant, Chen Huajiang had calculated that Feng Weizhi had moved over ten thousand in cash flow. If it hadn't been for his bribery of the South Morning Daily to report on the situation, Wei Mei Xian would have almost certainly weathered the crisis. Chen Huajiang had considered many times who provided that money, and the Wu family supporting Feng Weizhi was a strong possibility. After all, Feng Weizhi’s business partners were fixed; it wasn't hard to guess.

"Liang Long, keep a close eye on the Wu family during this time. I suspect they are embezzling funds. Try to get your hands on some evidence."

Chen Huajiang said, narrowing his eyes. He knew this was a prime opportunity. In a couple of years, such evidence would be useless, as the factory would have already rotted from within, with everyone from top to bottom scrambling to line their pockets. Trying to sanction the Wu family for embezzlement then would be virtually impossible, and might even backfire on him.

"Understood."

"Oh, right. There’s something else, though I’m not sure if I should tell you."

Liang Long nodded, then hesitated as he remembered something.

"Go ahead," Chen Huajiang said, encouraging him to speak.

Liang Long explained the situation regarding the logistics department. The Gou family was responsible for logistics, and the rain shelters they installed for the staff dormitories hadn't even lasted three days before rotting away. Furthermore, the insulation layer didn't even contain any insulation cotton; it was as if they hadn't installed anything at all.

"Everyone suspects the Gou family is skimming off the top, but there’s no proof," Liang Long said indignantly, as several of his own men lived in those dormitories. Most of the security staff were young, and young employees rarely qualified for welfare housing.

Chen Huajiang nodded, realizing that Gou Weidong had likely also been funneling money to Feng Weizhi.

"Look into Gou Weidong as well. See if you can find any dirt on him," Chen Huajiang instructed.

"Will do," Liang Long nodded.

The two were smoking, and Chen Huajiang intended to leave once he finished his cigarette.

"It’s bad, Captain! A fight broke out!"

Just then, one of the security team’s underlings ran over and shouted urgently at Liang Long.

"What’s going on!? Stay calm."

"Which workshop? When did it start? Who is fighting who?"

The subordinate, Xu Xie, was only shouting that something had happened without providing time, location, or the people involved, which annoyed Liang Long.

"Outside the coal stove workshop. It’s... it’s Wu De and Gou Weidong."

Xu Xie finally caught his breath and gave a rough account of the situation.

Wu De and Gou Weidong?

Liang Long and Chen Huajiang exchanged a look, both seeing the surprise on the other's face.

"Let’s go!"

"Have they lost their minds? Fighting inside the factory? Do they think I, Liang Long, don't exist?"

Liang Long adjusted his cap, shook the baton at his waist, and strode forward. He didn't get along with either Wu De or Gou Weidong, so this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Chen Huajiang followed. Before long, they saw the two sides outside the coal stove workshop. To be precise, it was one side attacking and the other being attacked. Gou Weidong was isolated and surrounded by Wu De, his brother Wu Lei, and a group of workers from the coal stove workshop, who were giving him a brutal beating.

"Damn you! Trying to threaten me? I’ll beat you to death!"

"Gou Weidong, I gave you face, but you don't want it, do you? I’ll crush your face!"

Wu Lei and Wu De were furious, raining blows down on Gou Weidong.

"Liang Long is here!"

"The security team is finally here!"

"Move aside, let the security team through!"

Soon, the crowd of onlookers noticed Liang Long and breathed a sigh of relief.

However—

Halfway there, Liang Long stopped.

"Brother Chen, do you think we should watch the show for a bit?" he said with a playful tone.

This made Chen Huajiang laugh. It was rare to see such "dogs biting dogs" behavior.

"Captain!?" Xu Xie didn't understand the underlying tensions and asked anxiously from the side.

Liang Long rolled his eyes at him and finally walked over.

"Everyone stop! Are you out of your minds? Fighting like this!"

"Tell me, what is this fight about?"

Liang Long paced forward, waving his baton to disperse the crowd. When Wu Lei tried to step up, Liang Long merely lifted his baton and gave him a look of disdain, causing Wu Lei to recoil in fear, though he shot a cold, dark glare at Liang Long. He wasn't stupid; "quelling a fight" was exactly the kind of thing that fell under the security department's purview. Even if he had been beaten, it might end up being recorded as Liang Long’s credit.

"Speak up, why are you fighting?" Liang Long asked, looking at Gou Weidong once Wu Lei had backed off.

"Bumped... we bumped into each other while walking."

"Then we started fighting. It’s... it’s nothing, really."

Gou Weidong’s eyes darted around as he came up with a flimsy excuse.

"What about you two?" Liang Long asked, turning his gaze toward the Wu brothers.

"He bumped into us first, so naturally we bumped back, and then we started fighting."

"Anyway, that’s all there is to it. Since Gou Weidong says it’s fine, we’re fine too."

"Gou Weidong, remember to watch where you're going next time. Let’s go!"

Wu De went along with Gou Weidong’s story, threw out one last threat, and waved his men back toward the coal stove workshop. However, as they left, they cast a cold, sharp glare at Chen Huajiang, who was standing in the distance.