Chapter 144 Lu Zheng is acting strangely
He Dong was taken aback. Judging from Shang Wu's posture, it seemed that he was going to make a big splash as a new official.
He turned and hurriedly went out to call for help.
Shang Wu turned around and sat down at her desk, took out the agreement and put it away, then waited quietly.
A dozen minutes later, all twelve dockworkers’ leaders followed Ho Tung into the office.
When everyone saw a woman sitting there with her hair half-tied up, wearing a simple yet elegant black dress, who was breathtakingly beautiful and exuded a powerful aura, their eyes widened.
They were all roughnecks, and the men looked at Shang Wu with undisguised, impolite greed.
Shang Wu's eyes turned cold as she swept them directly across the room.
"I am Shang Wu. I am now in charge of managing the labor union. Don't just stand there, come over and let's get down to business!"
When she spoke, her voice was sharp and domineering, unlike her appearance, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
Everyone quickly snapped out of their daze, no longer daring to look, and obediently walked to the table, but each person's expression contained a hint of disdain.
Before Shang Wu could speak, one of them spoke first.
“Miss Shang, I know that the Yu family has already made arrangements, saying that you will temporarily manage the work group, but no matter how you manage it, it will be useless.”
Shang Wu crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Tell me, how come you're no longer useful?"
“The wages of everyone in our labor union are not distributed fairly. If this problem cannot be resolved, no matter if you are a fairy from heaven or a beauty on earth, we will not give you any face. Things will remain the same as before!”
Shang Wu lowered her eyes, checked the agreement, and then looked up at them.
She said slowly, "I heard that you are now fighting over the place with the highest shipment volume at the border, starting to fight before dawn, and even fighting until they are bloodied. Is that true?"
The group looked at each other, none of them willing to concede to the other.
"There's nothing we can do about it. There are many prerequisites for high-volume shipments, so of course we have to fight for territory."
"Yeah, who would want to go to a border crossing where there's little money to be made?"
Shang Wu nodded knowingly, just like their answers.
She pondered for a moment and said, "I have a way to avoid you arguing and to make you accept the salary and benefits."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.
"Miss Shang, you are really arrogant. Over the years, Mr. Lu has tried all sorts of methods, such as taking turns on duty. Do you really think the method you've come up with can solve our problem?"
"Yes, Miss Shang, you're still young. We can't even come up with a solution internally, how could you possibly come up with one?"
Shang Wu stood up and looked at their worried expressions.
"Your demands are simply that the workload is the same, but the salary is different, and you feel it's unfair."
Everyone suppressed their smiles and nodded in agreement.
Shang Wu presented the agreement to them.
"Then take a look at this. I guarantee it will make your treatment very good."
The group gathered around, and after seeing the contents of the agreement, they were stunned.
At the same time, Lu Rang arrived outside with a large number of bodyguards.
Upon seeing the person outside the window, He Dong immediately pushed open the door and hurriedly greeted them.
"Young Master!"
When he saw Lu Rang arrive at the dock after a long absence, he immediately stood at attention and bowed respectfully.
"Why did the young master suddenly come here?"
A barely perceptible worry flickered in Lu Rang's eyes: "Where is Shang Wu?"
"Oh, you mean your girlfriend? She's inside negotiating with some dockworkers right now. Do you want to...?"
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Rang's expression hardened, and he walked over and pushed open the door.
His solemn gaze swept over everyone, and he paused when he saw the situation inside the room.
The room wasn't filled with the tense atmosphere he had imagined, nor was it filled with people eyeing him covetously, unhappy with Shang Wu's sudden visit, and ready to take action.
Instead, everyone sat down around Shang Wu, happily taking turns signing their names with pens.
When it was time for the last person to sign in, that person stood up and handed the agreement to Shang Wu with both hands.
“Every labor union has signed it. Could you take another look and see if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with?”
Shang Wu took it and read it. Then she nodded.
"Great, it's settled then."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone stood up and bowed to her, showing extreme loyalty.
Lu Rang raised an eyebrow, not expecting to see this scene after entering.
When Shang Wu saw him coming, she walked over and waved the agreement covered in signatures in her hand.
"The problem here is settled, let's go."
The bodyguards who were waiting outside were stunned when they saw her.
Shang Wu smiled at them.
"This is none of your business. Go back."
The crowd stood silently in the wind, completely bewildered by what was happening.
Seeing the leaders of the labor unions walk out with beaming smiles, the bodyguards stared wide-eyed, as if in a dream.
When do these factory workers' unions ever meet and not fight each other? They're like enemies, extremely hostile towards each other.
Why is everyone so happy and relaxed today? Nothing seems to have happened.
While they were still wondering what was going on, Lu Rang followed Shang Wu into the car and read the entire contents of the agreement.
No wonder they signed it.
This agreement resolved the internal conflicts that had plagued the dock for fifteen years.
Shang Wu blinked: "Lu Rang, does this mean I've already proven my ability?"
Lu Rang nodded and picked up his phone.
Seeing that he was about to call Lu Zheng, Shang Wu took his phone from him.
“I will speak to your father myself.”
Without hesitation, she pressed the call button.
The call connected, and Lu Zheng's voice came through.
"Hello."
Shang Wu then spoke up: "It's me. I called you to let you know that everything on the dock workers' side has been resolved, and the workers' group will not cause any more trouble from now on."
"What did you say?!" Zheng's voice suddenly rose, becoming somewhat abnormal.
This was the first time Shang Wu had ever heard Lu Zheng's voice sound so shocked.
She scoffed, "What, you're not going back on your word, are you? You promised me that as long as I resolve the Yu family's financial issues and the labor union's problems, I can marry Lu Rang."
"Your Yu family's marriage certificate must have my name on it, and now you're going to go back on your word?"
Lu Zheng smiled and said, "No, I just didn't expect you to solve it so quickly. May I ask what method you used?"
He said this with obvious confusion in his voice.
Over the years, he has tried countless ways to appease these labor groups, but none of them have worked.
However, Shang Wu resolved the matter in less than two hours after arriving at the dock.
It sounds like a fairy tale no matter how you look at it.
Shang Wu leaned back in her seat and clicked her tongue.
She scoffed, "You didn't solve it well, not because the problem was difficult, but because your brains and work abilities are insufficient."
Lu Zheng paused after being rebuked by her.
Lu Rang couldn't help but smile.
Lu Zheng, holding back his anger, said helplessly, "Then tell me, what method did you use?"
“These labor groups are simply demanding heavy workloads but unequal pay. If you combine all their commissions and wages and distribute the rest equally among everyone…”
"Do you think I didn't do that? But they all got the same salary. On the contrary, no one was willing to do the jobs that required more work and higher commissions. Everyone gets the same pay, so why should some people have to do more hard work?"
"Even if they take turns, they won't feel at ease. You're too young; you don't see things clearly at all."
Lu Zheng interrupted her, asserting that she was no good.
Shang Wu gave an impatient snort.
“I haven’t finished yet. We’ll recruit ten more people for each labor union at the dock and reduce their working hours from eight to five hours a day.”
"The salary is higher and more stable than before, and the workload has been directly reduced. Even a fool would know that this deal is more worthwhile."
Lu Zheng remained silent for a long time, then gasped for breath.
He hadn't expected Shang Wu to be so quick-witted.
Lu Zheng couldn't help but retort, "The more people you add to each labor corps, the lower their average wages become again?"
Shang Wu said calmly, "That's why I emphasized in the agreement that these people would not participate in the distribution of their long-term employees' salaries, which would be paid from the sea freight."
It's so unfair that those companies send different goods every time, yet they pay the same customs clearance fee.
From now on, let them pay according to the amount of goods shipped. This way, the extra money can be distributed to these new employees, killing two birds with one stone.
Shang Wu told Lu Zheng what she was thinking.
Lu Zheng remained silent on the phone for a long time, but where Shang Wu couldn't see, he revealed a cryptic smile.
"Shang Wu, you are really capable to the point that I admire you. It seems that you will soon be able to solve all the problems of our Yu family."
Shang Wu snorted, "I just want to remind you to prepare the marriage certificate as soon as possible and be mentally prepared. I'm determined to join the Yu family."
Lu Zheng smiled.
He showed no aversion to her at all; on the contrary, his easygoing manner made Shang Wu feel like she was dreaming.
“I will talk to the elders. I will also hold an engagement ceremony for you. Once all the problems that need your help with the Yu family are resolved, I will immediately hold an engagement banquet for you.”
Shang Wu was taken aback. "An engagement banquet?"
"Yes, this is the first time in so many years that our Yu family has married a woman from outside the family who is not part of an arranged marriage. Of course, we want to make it a grand and spectacular affair for you," Lu Zheng replied.
The more Shang Wu listened, the more she felt something was wrong. She frowned slightly and turned to look at Lu Rang.
Lu Rang also showed a surprised expression.
Neither of them expected that Lu Zheng would not only soften his stance and become more agreeable, but would also take the initiative to propose holding an engagement banquet.
This is not in line with the Yu family's style.
They're putting too much importance on Shang Wu.
Shang Wu felt like she was dreaming, and she always felt that something was wrong.
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