"Please have a seat, everyone."
Wang Yu gestured with a smile, clearly unfazed by their collective arrival.
However, the others weren't afraid of Wang Yu knowing. What if he did know?
Just as Factory Director Huang had said, this was an open scheme. No matter how displeased Wang Yu was, he would have to grudgingly accept it!
Moreover, seeing Wang Yu's gentle and polite demeanor, it was evident he intended to concede.
Thus, with arrogant confidence, they all took their seats, their gazes fixed on Wang Yu.
"I've invited everyone here today to discuss the recent price increase."
Wang Yu said with a smile, "We all signed cooperation contracts previously. Why is there a sudden demand for a price hike? Our automobile factory hasn't treated you unfairly, has it?"
Heh heh!
They all scoffed inwardly, while their eyes looked at Huang He with admiration.
Just as old Factory Director Huang had predicted, Wang Yu was starting with the contract. This was the only tactic he had left!
"That's not quite how it works, young Wang,"
Huang He coughed lightly and then, with everyone's anticipation, spoke,
"We're all facing difficulties, you see. We have so many workers under us who need to eat, and they're all demanding higher wages. It's unavoidable.
It's out of necessity that we're asking you to consider raising the prices.
Otherwise, if the workers strike and refuse to work, and we halt our supply, it'll just be a loss for us.
But for you, failing to deliver goods could mean direct bankruptcy! Don't you agree?"
Huang He said with a smile, his words clearly reminding Wang Yu to consider the implications.
As for the supposed excuse of worker strikes, it was all nonsense.
In these times, having a job was difficult enough. Who would be picky?
Believe it or not, if the workers here quit, there would be plenty of others scrambling to take their place.
"Yes, it's precisely because I haven't considered the implications that I've invited you all here to discuss it properly."
Wang Yu said with great sincerity, "We've been cooperating for quite some time now. Can we give each other some face and show some consideration?"
"Consideration? And face?"
Someone in the crowd interjected, their tone sarcastic,
"Director Wang, you say it so easily. We've given you face and shown you consideration. Who will show us consideration? We all need to eat, and we have so many workers to support. It's not easy for us either.
Since you've made so much money, why not just share a little with us?"
"That's right. Since you've earned so much, we've all heard that your workers earn several hundred, even over a thousand, a month. Why not pay them a little less, and we can all share?"
"Just earn a little less. It's better than us all falling out and going our separate ways."
...
They all spoke up, some appealing to emotions, some to reason, some with enticements and others with threats. In essence, their message was singular.
The price must be increased!
They were determined to squeeze this rich man, Wang Yu!
"Everyone, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Wang Yu's expression suddenly turned grim,
"We had an agreement beforehand. Now you're directly tearing up the contract. Aren't you afraid that such a breach of contract will affect others' willingness to cooperate with you in the future?"
The future? They were concerned with the present. As long as they could make money now, who cared about the future?
They all sneered inwardly and began to clamor.
"Wang Yu, stop bringing up the contract. At worst, we'll pay the breach of contract compensation. But you need to think carefully. If you cut off our supply, what will be your fate when you can't deliver the goods?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"That's right. Think carefully and weigh the pros and cons!"
...
They continued to chatter, while Huang He remained silent, quietly taking out a cigarette.
Dajinmen short filter, this was not easy to buy!
He lit it with a match and blew a smoke ring directly into Wang Yu's face.
Although there were no words, the insult was clear and unmistakable. Anyone could sense it!
"Young Wang, you've made so much money. Why cling to this point so stubbornly?"
Huang He spoke in a leisurely manner, slowly smoking his cigarette, appearing confident and in control.
"You're a smart person, so you should think carefully!"
In response, Wang Yu took a deep breath, letting the pungent secondhand smoke envelop him.
"Uncle Huang, is there really no room for negotiation? Even if you breach the contract, you still want to raise the price?"
"That's right, it can't be helped,"
Huang He said with a smile, and the others behind him nodded in agreement.
"Yes, even if you say we're breaching the contract, we'll accept it!"
"Alright, if that's the case, then I can only..."
Wang Yu paused slightly, slumping back in his seat with a helpless sigh.
Seeing this, they exchanged joyful glances.
Indeed, after all that bluster, he had to concede in the end!
Then they heard Wang Yu continue,
"I admit I have made quite a bit of money..."
Upon hearing Wang Yu's words, they all smiled knowingly. He was softening his stance!
"However, while I've made a lot of money, not a single cent is superfluous!
So, I can only apologize and tell you all that, according to the terms of our previous contract, our cooperation ends here.
As for the breach of contract fees, I will arrange for our legal team to discuss them with you tomorrow."
After speaking, Wang Yu leaned back in his chair and remained silent.
...
The conference room fell silent, the smiles frozen on everyone's faces.
"Wang Yu... Director Wang, you need to think this through carefully!"
Huang He stopped smoking his cigarette, his expression serious as he looked at Wang Yu.
His tone was solemn, carrying a warning.
"Do you know what the consequences of your decision will be?"
"Consequences?" Wang Yu spread his hands slightly. "The consequences will likely be that you all will have to pay a considerable amount in breach of contract fees. Don't worry, I'll calculate them clearly."
Wang Yu smiled.
"Wang Yu, are you trying to burn all bridges?"
"You need to think this through. This stalemate will benefit neither of us!
Don't expect us to pay your breach of contract fees before you go bankrupt and shut down due to your inability to deliver!"
"Ah, that?" Wang Yu chuckled and lightly clapped his hands. Immediately, the conference room door opened, and a group of people walked in.
"Allow me to introduce my new suppliers and partners, everyone. They are from the Ice Bear Kingdom.
Well, as a friendly reminder, their prices are only three-tenths of yours."
Suddenly, the room was in complete silence!