While Dong Hua and the other old hands remained kneeling, their heads bowed in apology, they exchanged smug glances through their lowered gazes.
These newcomers were too green; when things went south, one had to admit fault proactively.
Wang Yu, no matter how capable, was still just a young man, barely out of his teens, and they had managed to easily get away with it.
Despite the triumphant glint in their eyes, they maintained a facade of deep repentance towards Wang Yu. Some, with impeccable acting skills, even shed tears and snot, feigning profound regret!
"You've all been veterans of our factory for a long time," Wang Yu said with a smile. "You've been with us through thick and thin. Even if you haven't earned merit, you've certainly put in the effort.
Furthermore, our factory's business is currently very demanding. Losing too many management personnel at once could easily lead to problems."
Wang Yu seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps to them.
Hearing this, Dong Hua and the others hastily expressed their fear and shame, confessing that they had erred due to a momentary lapse in judgment and pleading for a chance to reform.
Clearly, this was an offer for Wang Yu to save face, to let him off the hook with a light punishment after a severe warning.
Although they would likely have to write self-criticisms and perhaps pay a fine, they figured the matter would be dropped, the storm weathered.
After all, this was the way of the world, the inevitable outcome of a society built on relationships.
Everyone present, even those who hadn't offered bribes, assumed Wang Yu would handle it this way, as it was only human nature.
The law, after all, often bent to personal connections.
Even though it left a bitter taste in their mouths!
As expected, Wang Yu spoke again.
"It wouldn't be appropriate to simply dismiss you all. However, doing nothing would make it difficult to command respect; otherwise, people would accuse me of favoritism and differential treatment.
So, should I not punish you properly?"
Wang Yu's tone was one of consultation, yet his words were conclusive. The seasoned veterans understood the unspoken meaning and eagerly chimed in.
"We have deeply recognized our mistakes and implore the young factory manager to punish us!"
"That's right, young factory manager, punish us as you see fit, don't hold back. Otherwise, you won't be able to command respect!"
"Exactly, we've acknowledged our errors, and you must give us a chance to correct them!"
...
They all spoke rapidly, as if afraid of being left behind.
"Is that so? You all have no regrets?" Wang Yu repeated, his tone peculiar. "You will accept any punishment I mete out?"
"That's right, we will accept the young factory manager's punishment without any complaints!"
They all said in unison, exchanging knowing glances.
"Since that's the case..." Wang Yu feigned contemplation. "Given your past contributions and the pleas of so many, I will administer a minor disciplinary action.
First, each of you must submit a 50,000-character self-criticism. And it must be handwritten! If anyone is found to have hired a ghostwriter, they will be dismissed on the spot."
Wang Yu said with a smile, making them grind their teeth.
Fifty thousand characters? Their hands would fall off from writing! And no ghostwriting? This...
They agreed!
Compared to their future prospects, a mere self-criticism was nothing.
Seeing no objections, Wang Yu continued.
"Second, each of you must pay a fine. As for the amount... how about a year's income based on your current salary?"
A year's income?
Another wave of gasps swept through the room. Those in management positions at the automobile factory earned at least one to two thousand yuan a month. A year's income would be at least ten to twenty thousand yuan!
Wang Yu was truly ruthless!
But... they gritted their teeth and accepted it.
"Very well. In that case, this matter is concluded. However, there will be some adjustments to your positions. Can you accept that?"
Wang Yu's final question was met with resigned nods.
When senior cadres made mistakes, internal transfers were a common measure. Wang Yu's actions were, in essence, normal, and they could only hope for a better placement later.
Soon, with Wang Yu's arrangements, all matters were settled. Those among the external recruits who hadn't offered bribes were immediately hired and assigned to positions based on their skills and abilities.
Internally, with nearly half of the management positions vacated, many cadres were promoted and reassigned.
It seemed to be a happy ending for everyone, except for Brother Hu, who had become the target of everyone's ire, and Fatty Wang, whose mouth had been stuffed with a rag, who had performed a one-man show only to be reasoned with in the end. Everyone else found their place.
With the internal cleansing complete and fresh blood infused from the outside, the automobile factory quickly regained its vitality and returned to high-speed operation.
...
A week later, several voices of indignation echoed through the automobile factory.
"Impossible? We are veterans of this factory, and you expect me to clean toilets?"
Dong Hua roared in disbelief, with several other old hands who had been the first to admit their mistakes behind him.
Their faces were pale, their expressions contorted with rage.
After laboring to write their self-criticisms and reluctantly paying substantial fines, they had thought it was over.
Then came the notification of personnel adjustments: they were to be transferred to the Sanitation Department.
The Sanitation Department, which managed the factory's hygiene, wasn't lucrative, but at least it seemed like a comfortable posting.
With this thought, Dong Hua and the others reported to the Sanitation Department, only to immediately sense something was amiss.
Why were they all transferred here? The Sanitation Department only had a director and a deputy director. Were they to become team leaders?
But when they learned the truth, they cried out in despair, for Wang Yu had assigned them as ordinary sanitation workers, tasked with cleaning the toilets!