Su Jianguo's expression was solemn.
"Just as I suspected. They're slowly boiling the frog..."
Just as the two brothers were discussing their strategy, accountant Lao Wang rushed in in a panic.
"Factory manager, something terrible has happened! Zhao Laosi's son, Zhao Laoda, is leading a dozen or so young commune members, saying they want to resign!"
"What?"
Su Jianguo suddenly stood up.
"What happened?"
"I heard that Green Harvest Group privately promised them triple their salary and made all sorts of other promises..."
Old Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
Without saying a word, Su Jianguo strode towards the staff dormitory area.
From afar, a group of people could be seen gathered there. Boss Zhao stood on the steps, waving a piece of paper and giving a passionate speech:
"...Fellow villagers! What kind of conditions do those foreign companies offer? A monthly salary of 300 yuan! That's three times what we're making now! They'll even give us a house after five years of service! We're working ourselves to the bone in this lousy cooperative, and all we get in year-end bonuses is a pittance!"
Some of the young onlookers had already begun to whisper among themselves, their eyes darting around.
Zhao Laosi stood on the periphery of the crowd, his face ashen, but he remained silent.
"Boss Zhao!"
Su Jianguo shouted, and the crowd immediately fell silent.
What are you holding in your hand?
Zhao Laoda visibly flinched for a moment, but quickly straightened his chest.
"Uncle Su, as the saying goes, people strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill. This is an employment contract with Green Harvest Group, which I and more than a dozen brothers have signed. We're here today to complete the resignation procedures!"
Su Jianguo took the contract, glanced at it, and was shocked.
This is not an ordinary labor contract at all, but a high-level employment contract that includes non-compete clauses and confidentiality agreements, with a penalty of up to 500,000 yuan for breach of contract!
"Boss Zhao, have you carefully read these terms and conditions?"
Su Jianguo pointed to the small print on the last page of the contract.
"You're banned from similar work for five years, and you'll have to pay 500,000 yuan in compensation for leaking confidential information... You've practically sold yourself out!"
"Uncle Su, don't scare people."
Old Zhao disagreed.
"Mr. Lin said these are just formalities, mainly to protect trade secrets. What secrets could we farmers possibly have?"
Su Jianguo wanted to persuade him again, but Zhao Laoda had already turned around and shouted to the others.
"Those who are willing to come with me, go pack your bags now! Green Harvest's car will come to pick you up this afternoon!"
A dozen or so young people followed him, while the rest looked at each other, their eyes filled with hesitation and wavering.
Su Jianguo knew that the cooperative was facing an unprecedented crisis.
The intrusion of foreign capital is not only coming from the capital level, but more frighteningly, it is eroding the trust and unity that the villagers have built up over many years.
Back in his office, Su Jianguo immediately dialed Lin Shirong's number.
"Mr. Lin, let's speak frankly."
Su Jianguo got straight to the point.
"Poaching my people privately, isn't that against business ethics?"
Lin Shirong's relaxed laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Mr. Su, in a market economy, talent flows freely. Green Harvest simply offers more competitive salaries; the choice is theirs."
"Since that's the case."
Su Jianguo suppressed his anger.
"There's no need for us to continue negotiations. The cooperative will not accept any form of investment. Goodbye."
"Mr. Su."
Lin Shirong's voice suddenly turned cold.
"You may not yet realize the consequences of rejecting Greengrass. Our international distribution channels are powerful enough to ensure your product never gets exported."
Su Jianguo sneered.
"Is Mr. Lin threatening me?"
"No, no, no, I'm just stating the facts."
Lin Shirong resumed his smooth tone.
"Alright, I'll give you another 24 hours to consider. I hope to hear good news from you by this time tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Su Jianguo fell into deep thought.
He knew that fighting against a multinational giant like Greengrass required more than just passion.
To win this unequal business war, one must find the opponent's weaknesses.
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open, and Su Mingqiang peeked in.
"Dad, I've made an important discovery."
Su Mingqiang led his father to an experimental field on the west side of the base, where the cooperative's latest cold-resistant cucumber variety was planted.
As the sun sets, the automatic sprinkler system in the fields is in operation, and the water mist forms a small rainbow in the sunlight.
"Dad, look over there."
Su Mingqiang pointed to a clump of bushes beside the field ridge, his voice very low.
Su Jianguo squinted and vaguely saw two figures behind the bushes, squatting on the ground fiddling with something.
One person was holding a metal instrument, while the other used a small shovel to dig up soil samples and put them into a sealed bag.
When was it discovered?
Su Jianguo asked in a deep voice.
Around 3 PM.
Su Mingqiang answered.
"When I went to the warehouse to get pesticides, I saw an unfamiliar car parked on the side of the road. The two people in it were acting suspiciously, so I followed them."
The father and son quietly approached, using the crops as cover, and came within a dozen meters of the two men.
Now you can hear their conversation clearly.
"...Engineer Wang, this is already the fifth sampling point, isn't that enough?"
The younger man asked, wearing a hat with the "Greengrass Agriculture" logo.
“Take two more points.”
The older "Engineer Wang" didn't even look up, focusing intently on operating the pH meter in his hands.
"President Lin requires a complete data analysis report; it cannot be taken lightly."
The young man sighed.
"If you ask me, it would be so much easier to just buy it directly. Why bother with all this..."
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