Among the five-star hotels in the ancient city, the most expensive and famous is the Gucheng Hotel. Although the name makes people feel helpless to complain, but just like the best hotels, the hotel is often the name of a country’s capital plus a hotel. In the short time of the ancient city
In its glorious history, it has also been linked to some historical events.
"Once upon a time, there was a warlord who proclaimed himself emperor here. His surname was Lu. It is said that this was his palace."
"It has nothing to do with me. I mean, this kind of thing actually happens. You know I didn't study the history course well."
The small private room on the second floor of the hotel has an outward-facing attic. You can drink tea here and watch the people entering and exiting the hotel.
At the entrance of the hotel, the sign "Gucheng No. 19 Middle School Class 9603 Alumni Association" 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 the ridiculously disguised shirt and trousers. He was no different from the passers-by.
Lu didn't dress up specially, but he was also clean and tidy. He looked like a well-groomed young social beast who had only been working for a year or two and had not been tortured enough.
"Well, I remember, Lao Lu, weren't you the number one in liberal arts? Back then you claimed to have a photographic memory, haha, but it turned out that you didn't want to remember anything you weren't interested in."
The one who was talking and laughing was also a young man, with gold-rimmed glasses and long hair, a handsome face, and a decent suit that looked valuable.
"I didn't expect that you would see through me on TV. I obviously wear good makeup."
Lu Ping'an was too lazy to go around. He had time to spend time testing with classmates he was not so familiar with, so he might as well seize the time to catch up on his sleep.
"Haha, actually I have been paying attention to you. Don't get me wrong. I'm normal. It's just that you not only got admitted to the extraordinary major of Gucheng University, but also directly transferred to the special service team. I have a relative who is in the special service team."
Liu Yu, the rich second generation of steel companies, or the future IT generation.
In the world of Lu Ping An, there is also a classmate who invested his family's funds, jumped onto the wave of the times, and became one of the trendsetters.
When he was interviewed, he said, "What I am best at is knowing people. Knowing people and utilizing them well is the key to me getting to this point." But ironically, in the wave of the following years, due to his wrong belief,
People, completely collapsed.
Just like Liu Yu said that Lu Ping An was a legend, and in the memory of Lu Ping An in that world line, Lu Ping An was also a legend. Compared with Liu Yu, who was at his peak at that time, Lu Ping An's achievements were quite average.
It was also because he remembered this person that even after receiving the invitation, Lu Pingan did not refuse.
"So, you held this class reunion? There's no need to go around like this, just come to me directly."
Hearing this, Liu Yu showed a wry smile, "You are a lieutenant general, a regular level, and even vaguely heard that you have become a warlord overlord in the world. How can I dare to offend you casually?"
Let’s test it out on a personal basis first, and then cooperate if possible. If not, it’s not considered offending. Even if you are offended, it’s still on a personal level.
Of course, that's not what it said.
"It's just a casual gathering of some old classmates who are still in the ancient city. In fact, we do it every year, but it's rare to meet you when you are around."
This is also true, but this time it was at least two months in advance, so I naturally took the opportunity to meet Lu Ping'an.
"I heard that you have a big project here?"
Finally, we got to the point.
"Well, are you interested?"
This is the reason why Lu Ping'an will attend the meeting honestly.
The person in front of me is the second generation of a steel company in this city. If Lu Ping'an remembers correctly, with the development of the times, these companies are actually not far from death at this point in time, and they are barely surviving on government subsidies.
.
This is not just to keep them alive. Steel companies are famous for being a large-employment industry. It often happens that families and communities all work for one company for decades.
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Old industrial cities may even become the "rust belt" of the steel and equipment manufacturing industries. Once a chain collapse occurs, just the number of laid-off workers can shake the foundation of the entire city.
"Yes, my family's business is doing well and I have some spare money."
This was different from Lu Ping'an's budget. But after thinking about it, he nodded.
The biggest difference between the two world lines is that the ancient city has indeed taken over new technology professions. "Car making" and "ship building" both require a large amount of steel. The old steel companies have naturally ushered in a second spring.
Even if the technology is old, it is not a fatal injury. As long as there are enough new orders, they can use money to support researchers to upgrade. What they are most afraid of is the collapse of the "manufacturing industry", which will bring down all upstream and downstream.
"On my side, it may be the ability of the biology department, but your steel company can't relate to it."
"Relevantly, relatedly, in fact, it's not just my family, my family is nothing. According to recent statistics from the city's United Steel Federation, more than 10% of employees have been laid off within two years."
Hearing this, Lu Pingan put down his tea and frowned.
This is to be expected. Although the world does not seem to have plans to reduce steel production capacity, with the upgrading of technology and demand (new varieties of steel), production efficiency has naturally improved, and layoffs have also begun to a certain extent.
For example, a new type of rebar production line hired some technical backbones and young employees, but as a result, the worker group of the old boiler was directly laid off.
Adding and subtracting, it seems that a 10% laid-off rate is not much, but considering that there are tens of thousands of people in any steel factory, the number of unemployed people may have reached five figures.
"They estimate that more than 20% of the workforce, at least 50,000 people, will be laid off next, and most of them will be over 40 years old."
Now, Lu Ping'an completely understood.
The old classmate in front of me is not here for him at all. I am afraid that the person who appointed him to come here to contact me is the entire United Steel Workers Union.
"Why don't you go to the development zone? Just pretend I didn't say anything."
The employment there is actually overloaded, and it’s mainly people who spread phosphorus.
Lu Pingan recalled his past timeline where the wave of layoffs came later than expected, and there was no cure. In the final analysis, this thing is actually an industrial upgrade brought about by technological innovation. It is no one's fault to be eliminated and laid off.
It's just that I was in an industry that I couldn't support at a bad time.
"let me consider it."
Lu Ping'an had a headache. He just wanted to invest in a project and fly to his hometown. Why did he get involved in such a complicated incident?
He somewhat understood
“Are you afraid that I will use foreign workers?”
"I didn't say that, but if conditions permit, it's best. Ahem, take care of your hometown people."
Although the ancient city has now legislated "equal pay for equal work", the actual operation includes "tax exemptions", "extra bonuses", and "medical subsidies". For companies, it may still be difficult to use foreign workers who do not need so many welfare benefits.
As long as the expenditure is less than half of the money, at the same time, these foreign workers are really willing to work and are willing to study.
Among the huge "refugees", there are naturally all kinds of elite talents. Their ability to adapt to the environment, especially their learning ability, is quite outstanding. For companies, as long as they can reduce costs, is there anything they can't do?
"I'll think about it. I can't make a promise right now that I will take care of my hometown people."