CIATB Chapter 1573 Commitment
Chapter 1573 Commitment
Chapter 1573 Commitment
Among the five-star hotels in the ancient city, the most expensive and the most famous one is the Ancient City Hotel. Although the name is a bit hard to complain about, just like the best inns and hotels are often the name of a country's capital plus a hotel, in the short glorious history of the ancient city, it has also been linked to some historical events.
"Once upon a time, a warlord proclaimed himself emperor here. His surname was Lu, and it is said that this was his palace."
"It has nothing to do with me. Ahem, I mean, there is such a thing. You know me. I didn't study history well."
There is a small private room on the second floor of the hotel with a loft facing outwards, where you can drink tea and watch people coming in and out of the hotel.
At the entrance of the hotel, the sign "Class 9603 Reunion of Gucheng No. Middle School" is particularly eye-catching.
Lu Ping'an was sitting on the second floor. This time he was not wearing a military uniform, nor was he wearing that ridiculous camouflage of a simple shirt and trousers. He was no different from any other passerby.
Lu didn't dress up specially, but he was clean and tidy. He looked like a well-dressed young office worker who had only worked for one or two years and had not been tortured enough.
"Uh, I remember that you, Lao Lu, were the top student in the liberal arts department. You were known for having a photographic memory. Haha, it's you who really doesn't want to remember anything you're not interested in."
The person talking and laughing was also a young man, with gold-rimmed glasses, long hair, a handsome face, and a well-fitting suit that looked very expensive.
".I didn't expect that you would see through me from the TV. I obviously put on good makeup."
Lu Ping'an was too lazy to go around. Instead of spending time testing the waters with a classmate he wasn't that familiar with, he might as well make good use of the time to catch up on some sleep.
"Haha, actually I have been following you. Don't get me wrong, I am normal. It's just that you not only got admitted to the extraordinary major of Gucheng University, but also directly transferred to the special forces. I have a relative in the special forces."
Liu Yu, a rich second generation from the steel industry, or the future IT generation.
In Lu Ping'an's world line, there is also such a classmate who used his family's funds to invest, seized the wave of the times and jumped up, becoming one of the trendsetters.
When he was interviewed, he said, "What I am best at is knowing people, and knowing how to use them is the key to my success." But ironically, in the following few years, he completely collapsed because he trusted the wrong people.
Just as Lu Ping'an is a legend in Liu Yu's mouth, in Lu Ping'an's memory of that world line, he is also a legend. Compared with Liu Yu, who was at his peak at that time, Lu Ping'an's achievements are quite average.
It was also because he remembered this person that Lu Ping'an did not refuse the invitation after receiving it.
"So, you organized this class reunion? There's no need to beat around the bush, just come to me directly."
Hearing this, Liu Yu showed a bitter smile. You are a lieutenant general and a rule-level official, and I even heard that you have become a warlord over the world. How dare I mess with you?
Test the personal relationship first, then cooperate if it’s possible, and if not, it won’t be considered an offense. Even if there is an offense, it’s only on a personal level.
Of course, that's not what it says.
"It's just a casual gathering of some old classmates who are still in the ancient city. In fact, we have this every year, but it's rare to see you around."
This is also the truth, but this time it was at least two months earlier, so naturally he took the opportunity to meet Lu Ping'an.
".I heard that you have a big project here?"
Finally, let’s get to the point.
"Well, are you interested?"
This is the reason why Lu Ping'an would attend the meeting obediently.
The person in front of him was the second generation of a local steel company. If Lu Ping'an remembered correctly, with the development of the times, this group of companies were actually not far from death at this point in time, and were barely surviving by relying on government subsidies.
This is not simply for their survival. The steel industry is well-known for its large-scale employment, and it is common for an entire community to work for one company for decades.
Old industrial cities may even become the "rust belt" of the steel and equipment manufacturing industries. Once a chain collapse occurs, the number of laid-off workers alone can shake the foundation of the entire city.
"Yes, my family's business is doing well and I have some spare money."
This was not what Lu Ping'an had expected, but after thinking about it, he nodded.
The biggest difference between the two world lines is that the ancient city has indeed taken over the expertise of new technologies. "Car manufacturing" and "shipbuilding" both require a large amount of steel, so the old steel companies naturally ushered in a second spring.
Even if the technology is outdated, it is not a fatal flaw. As long as there are enough new orders, they can use the money to support researchers to upgrade. What they fear most is actually the collapse of the "manufacturing industry", which will bring down the entire upstream and downstream.
"In my case, it may be the ability of the biology department, which may not be related to your steel company."
"It's related, it's related. In fact, it's not just my family. My family is nothing. According to the latest statistics from the Iron and Steel Union in this city, more than 10% of the workers have been laid off in the past two years."
Hearing this, Lu Ping'an put down his tea and frowned.
This is something that is expected. Although the world seems to have no plans to reduce steel production capacity, with the upgrading of technology and demand (new types of steel), production efficiency has naturally improved, and a certain degree of layoffs has also begun.
For example, a new type of rebar production line hired some technical backbones and young employees, but as a result, the workers in the old boiler group were directly laid off.
After adding and subtracting, a 10% layoff rate may not seem like much, but if you consider that any steel mill has thousands or even tens of thousands of employees, the number of unemployed people may have reached five digits.
"They estimate that more than 20% of the workforce will be laid off, at least 50,000 people, and most of them will be over 40 years old."
Now, Lu Ping'an completely understood.
The old classmate in front of him did not come for him at all. I was afraid that the one who appointed him to contact him was the United Union of Steel Workers.
"Why don't you go to the development zone? Just ignore what I said."
The employment there is actually overloaded, and most of the people there are phosphorus spreaders.
Lu Ping'an thought back to his past timeline. The wave of layoffs came later than expected and was just as hopeless. After all, it was actually an industrial upgrade brought about by technological innovation. It was not anyone's fault to be eliminated or laid off. It was just that they were in an industry that could not sustain itself at a not-so-good time.
".let me consider it."
Lu Ping'an was a bit troubled. He just wanted to invest in a project and take a flight back home, but how did he get dragged into such a complicated incident?
He understood a little
“Are you afraid that I will use foreign workers?”
"I didn't say that. But if conditions permit, it's still best. Ahem, take care of the people back home."
Although the ancient city has now enacted "equal pay for equal work", the actual operation includes a series of methods such as "tax exemptions", "extra bonuses" and "medical assistance". For companies, using foreign workers who do not need so many welfare benefits may still cost less than half the money. At the same time, these foreign workers are really willing to work hard and study.
Among the huge number of "refugees", there are naturally various elite talents. Their ability to adapt to the environment, especially their learning ability, is quite outstanding. For enterprises, as long as it can reduce costs, is there anything they can't do?
"I'll think about it. I can't promise you now that I will take care of my hometown people."
At this time, Lu Ping'an could only say this.