Chapter 1499: Chapter 274: Annual Salary of 240,000!
As it turns out, Zhang Yidong is still the same Zhang Yidong as before.
He can’t go three sentences without mentioning his superiors; his eyes are always looking upward.
However, to be fair, many leaders nowadays are like that.
Han Yu was just wondering if he was a bit "unaware of his own blessing," knowing so many leaders and having good personal connections but rarely reaching out to them. Shi Shengyong suddenly asked curiously, "Instructor Li, what’s up with Ge Diao today that he doesn’t even have time for lunch?"
Li Weiguo hesitated for a moment and then laughed, "Today, a boss is visiting him personally to invite him back into action."
"A boss?"
"Yes, a big boss from Hong Kong!"
"Why would a big boss from Hong Kong want him back?" Zhang Yidong was equally curious.
Li Weiguo turned to look at Old Zhang, smiling as he explained, "Didn’t Ningning help introduce a Hong Kong businessman to Changzhou? The investment agreement has been signed, and the land usage fees have been transferred to the Changzhou Finance Bureau’s account. The project is about to commence, and since the person is not familiar with the place, they want to hire Ge Diao as the Deputy General Manager."
Han Yu remembered his senior mentioning this and couldn’t help but laugh and ask, "Wasn’t it said they wanted Ge Diao to be an advisor?"
"They initially wanted him as an advisor, but then thought it would be more straightforward to hire him as the deputy general manager directly."
Ah, understood!
Old Ge, to showcase his "worth," was putting on a show again. Otherwise, why would he immediately run to Lang Mountain to live in the "General Building" upon returning to Bailong Port, taking his master’s wife and little Siqi with him?
Finding it amusing, Han Yu heard Zhang Yidong pressing on, "Does Ge Diao want to go?"
"He should be willing," Old Zhang picked up the towel just handed over by the waiter to wipe his hands, smiling as he replied. "Taking up a second job at a Hong Kong-funded enterprise in Changzhou doesn’t violate any regulations. Those guys are loaded, and the salary they’re offering won’t be low, so why wouldn’t he want to go?"
Old Li jumped in, "Actually, the Road and Bridge Company wants him to contribute his accumulated knowledge too. They offered a good salary, but the Road and Bridge Company is a Linghai enterprise. It used to be under the Transportation Bureau; now, with the separation of the government and enterprises, the supervising unit is still the Transportation Bureau. Considering all these aspects, he might have opted not to go."
When many leaders are in office, some big bosses will flatteringly say that with your ability, if you join my company, you would at least be a vice-president, and your annual salary would be such and such.
But if you were to actually leave your job and work for their company, it’s not about your ability but about the power you hold.
Such incidents aren’t uncommon; some leaders, caught in the heat of the moment, end up with miserable situations after quitting to enter the business world.
They say the tea cools when people leave, but Old Ge is quite the opposite; people come inviting him to contribute his knowledge right after he retired!
Zhang Yidong was quite envious and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Director Han, they all say the Linghai Reserve Camp gained fame in the 1998 flood relief, and I believe the same goes for Ge Diao. If he hadn’t gone with you to fight floods and perform rescue at Beihu, how could he have been promoted? How would he have been awarded as an anti-flood model or have the prestige he has now?"
Do you think Old Ge got lucky?
Han Yu sarcastically thought for a moment and then said deeply, "Mayor Zhang, Ge Diao didn’t go with me for the flood relief, it was the City Committee and Municipal Government that arranged for him and Secretary Wang to support us in the fight against the flood. During the flood control and rescue period, Ge Diao made irreplaceable contributions, his contributions were visible to all. To be honest, without Ge Diao, it would have been tough for us to hold the flood line for over two months."
...
At the same time, Old Ge was taking a stroll on a mountain path with Mr. Bao.
Before today’s visit, Mr. Bao only knew that Old Ge was an inland official equivalent to a Vice Mayor before he retired. During the 1998 flood relief, he made tremendous contributions and was recognized by the nation as an anti-flood model, having been greeted by national leaders.
It was only upon visiting today that he learned Old Ge was more than just a retired official; he had a military background!
Living in the "General Building" located in a scenic area with high security in the military management zone, with armed police on guard at the door.
They had lunch at the mess hall of the nearby naval unit, accompanied by a Navy Colonel, who even reported to him on the arrangements for the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the Binjiang Ship at Number Four Pier of Binjiang Port tomorrow.
Just moments ago, while passing a military camp, a liberation army soldier standing guard saluted him at the gate.
Doing business inland requires connections indeed.
Mr. Bao realized he found the right person, and with much anticipation, he said, "Ge Sheng, during lunch, I stepped out to take a call from Chairman Xu of our board of directors. He asked me to send you his regards and mentioned that should you be willing to join our company, the salary and all are negotiable."
"Mr. Bao, you and Mayor Han invited us guests to Binjiang, you trust me to invest here, and I can’t let you down. Even if I don’t join your company, I can’t just ignore you if you encounter any issues in the future."
"Ge Sheng, it’s not the same; we greatly anticipate your joining."
"To speak my mind, though I’ve retired, I always wanted to do something, but considering all aspects, it seemed somewhat inappropriate. As for the salary, I receive a pension, and even when I’m sick, I stay in the cadre’s ward at the hospital. Money isn’t really that important."
"I know you don’t lack money, but we genuinely need your help."
Mr. Bao roughly guessed what Mr. Ge was concerned about. After all, he was a government official before and even had a military background, making his identity quite sensitive. Afraid that Mr. Ge might not be willing to stoop to the position, Mr. Bao continued after a thought, "Before this unexpected visit, I called Mayor Han for advice. Mayor Han said that since our company is investing in Changzhou and not Linghai, where you served, you joining us doesn’t violate state regulations."
"Did Mayor Xiao Han really say that?"
"If you don’t believe me, I can call Mayor Han."
"Mr. Bao, are you saying that I have no choice but to become your colleague?"
"Ge Sheng, to be honest, I even consulted Secretary Wei, who also said you are the perfect person for the position of Deputy General Manager in our company."
"Alright, alright, I’ll join, okay?"
"Ge Sheng, Mr. Xu will be very pleased to know you are willing to step in."
"Your Chairman Xu is quite the amiable person, and we hit it off back when I was in Shenzhen." Old Ge sighed and then changed the subject, "Mr. Bao, I can join your company, but let me finish what I have on hand first. You heard at lunch too, Binjiang Ship is coming back to Binjiang tomorrow, and I can’t rest until I see it firsthand; after all, I still serve as a member of the expert team in the Binjiang Naval Reserve Rescue Boat Brigade."
"No problem, we can wait!"
With such a well-connected former government official overseeing the company, what worries could there be in the future?
Mr. Bao, elated beyond measure, seized the opportunity and said, "Mr. Xu stated on the phone that if you are willing to join us, your salary will match that of the Deputy General Manager of our East Guang branch. A monthly salary of 20,000 RMB, with an annual salary of 240,000, how does that sound?"
Old Ge was taken aback, "An annual salary of 240,000!"
Mr. Bao, thinking Mr. Ge found it too low, quickly added, "Ge Sheng, I know it’s a bit low, but our group has so many branches in Mainland China, and our group is a Hong Kong Exchange-listed company, with a set salary guideline for employees in Mainland branches.
But Mr. Xu mentioned that apart from the salary, the group also offers some perks, like inviting you and your wife and daughter to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and other places for vacation annually. Plus, there’d be a pretty decent medical and business insurance package for you in Hong Kong, which doesn’t conflict with your insurance in the Mainland."
Old Ge, gathering his composure, reined in his excitement and said with feigned nonchalance, "240,000 is quite a lot, not to mention I shouldn’t disrupt the group’s rules for my sake."
"Thank you, Ge Sheng, for understanding."
"What Ge Sheng, from now on, we’re colleagues, and you’re my superior."
"Ge Sheng, you have quite the sense of humor. I’m merely... just your nominal superior, and I’ll undoubtedly need your support in the future."
"No, no, no, if the name isn’t right, the words won’t be in order. Since I’m joining your company, I’ll have to adhere to company rules. Otherwise, I’ll continue to call you Mr. Bao, and you, call me President Ge. What do you think, Mr. Bao?"
"Sure, President Ge, take it easy, it’s steep here."
"Okay, okay, thank you. As we age, we must be more careful with our legs and feet."
With an annual salary of 240,000, work hard for a few years, and you can save 500,000 to 600,000.
Having savings of 500,000 to 600,000 means no worries about not having money for your daughter when she grows up!
Moreover, with the company arranging trips to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and even Australia, where else could you find such a principled yet well-paying offer?
In high spirits at the happy occasion, Old Ge continued accompanying Mr. Bao on a tour of Lang Mountain, secretly calculating that after working for a few months and earning tens of thousands of RMB, he’d first pay off the loan he took from the bank for a second-hand house, and save the rest for Little Siqi!
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