Chapter 3: Youthful Words and Impulsiveness

Another debt collector said: "Sister Guo, I know that Boss Song is wronged. The Song family built the distillery from the ground up, and their wealth was flourishing. Now, however, it has been confiscated by the government, leaving only a loss-making canning factory in their hands. You must feel very aggrieved as well. But you should also consider our perspective; our glass factory is a small business, and the entire factory is relying on those hundreds of thousands in payment to pay salaries!"

These individuals are all aware that the Song family has fallen from grace; if they do not come to ask for money now, they will have no opportunity in the future

Song Qizhi stated: "In the past, gifts were primarily given in the form of malted milk and canned goods. Now, gifts have shifted to health products, and only a small number of farmers still consider canned goods as gifts. Furthermore, I have heard that Europe and the United States have joined forces to impose anti-dumping measures against Chinese canned goods. Those large canned food enterprises are unable to export, so they resort to price competition domestically to secure their market share, leaving small and medium-sized canned food factories with no choice but to wait for their demise"

Yes, we only want money

Brother Song, smoking a cigarette, said helplessly: "Why not just apply for bankruptcy"

... ...

... ...

Song Weiyang said: "Have you ever considered changing the positioning of canned products? We do not sell canned goods as gifts, but rather as everyday consumer products"

Do you think you can obtain money by coercing like this

Perhaps the Song family can truly turn their fortunes around

... ...

A wise choice! Song Weiyang said with a smile

After a brief discussion, my mother began to frantically make phone calls

Boss Song, your canned goods are simply unsellable; you must refund a portion of the payment.

"Mother, do not worry, there is still a chance to appeal for a reduced sentence," Song Weiyang comforted.

Surrounded by layers of people, they encircled Song Qizhi tightly, fearing that he might escape, and urged, "Director Song, we will follow you to make money."

"Alright, we will trust you this once!" The debt collectors from the glassware factory with the highest debts suddenly expressed their stance, stating that the canned goods factory owed them over 800,000, and it was impossible to forcefully collect the full payment.

Song Weiyang analyzed: "In other words, competitive pressure is increasing, while the market size is decreasing"

This is an era that believes in miracles, where news of sudden wealth in society emerges incessantly

Guo Xiaolan shook her head and said: "The father-in-law has a proper demeanor; he probably hasn't saved much money either"

Previously, it was a smile and a promise, but now it has directly turned into a threat. Song Weiyang squinted and coldly laughed, "So you won't give me a chance, huh? Then let's go down together. I will apply for bankruptcy tomorrow and auction off the factory's fixed assets to repay the debts. According to the law, the first to be repaid are the bank loans, and only then will your three million be addressed! This money will be repaid proportionally, and ordinary workers will receive at most a few dozen yuan in wages! Moreover, by that time, the Song family will be able to legally evade debts, and if you come to collect debts then, it will be illegal!" This money will be repaid proportionally, and ordinary workers will receive at most a few dozen yuan in wages! Moreover, by that time, the Song family will be able to legally evade debts, and if you come to collect debts then, it will be illegal!

To the extent that the Song family had never considered filing for bankruptcy in their previous life. It was not until six months after the death of Brother Song that the court and the bank jointly initiated liquidation and auction proceedings. As a result, the land and machinery surprisingly went unsold at auction, remaining idle for ten years before a real estate developer finally purchased them for development.

Who is this

Song Weiyang wanted to say more, but his elder brother had already gone to discuss strategies with their mother, and the family did not believe in his abilities at all

Director Song, please settle our wages first

Song Weiyang recalled his mother's aging and haggard appearance, remembered the hardships endured by his sister-in-law, and scenes from his past vividly surfaced before his eyes

Mother was somewhat moved and expressed her concern, saying: "I am just afraid that the government will not approve it; our city has no precedent for private enterprises going bankrupt."

"Stop talking so much, just settle our wages first!" the workers shouted

We have plenty of time, what we need is money

In a short period of time, it is impossible for the father to be extricated. The crimes he committed are too serious and have already alarmed the provincial authorities, leaving no one daring to overturn his case

Song Weiyang did not speak again; no matter how much he claimed, his family would not believe that he truly had that ability. His only contribution was proposing a way out of bankruptcy, at least leaving a retreat for his mother and brother

Mother decisively stated: "I will go find the leader tomorrow"

Hello, Manager Li

Song Qizhi has no way to make money, he can only deceive by saying: "Please give me a little more time, just a little more time!"

Of course, there are also those who do not think this way, such as the workers in the canning factory

Students who understand nothing, quickly go away

Cai Fanghua's father was also a factory director in a state-owned enterprise, but he retired three years ago. In her family, only her elder brother is working at the archives bureau.

The workers were instantly dumbfounded; they had no idea that it could be played this way, nor did they know that workers' wages take precedence over social debts—of course, bank loans take precedence even more, and this point was not misrepresented by Song Weiyang

Song Weiyang's family also did not believe it. After returning home, his mother and elder brother sat in silence with furrowed brows, racking their brains but unable to come up with a quick way to make money

Song Weiyang also said: "We can make it"

Sister-in-law Cai Fanghua has returned from the hospital with her son. She said, "Shall I go back to my parents' home and ask?"

The second son of the Song family is still studying; I have seen him before

Boss Song, you have not yet paid for the sweet oranges you received last year

Guo Xiaolan seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. She nodded and said, "Mom knows, you need to work hard in your studies, as the college entrance examination is next year."

Brother Song pulled Song Weiyang back and said anxiously, "Younger brother, do not cause trouble; I will take care of everything."

Song Qizhi, on the other hand, was quite optimistic, reassuring his mother and younger brother: "From now on, I will take care of the family. When Dad comes out in three to five years, we can make a comeback!"

A seventeen-year-old high school student claims that he can earn several million in half a year, which no one would believe.

"Brother, can the canning factory still resume operations?" Song Weiyang asked

"Enough said," Song Qizhi did not wish to continue the discussion. "The canning factory is undoubtedly beyond saving; it is not just our factory, but the entire canning industry in China is in the same predicament. Little brother, I know you want to help the family, but there are many things you do not understand. You should focus on your studies instead; aim to get into a good university next year, and after graduation, work in a foreign enterprise in a big city. That is the way to live with dignity."

The wages of these workers are not high; they have only been owed a few months' salary, totaling only about one to two thousand yuan per person.

Useless, "Song Qizhi shook his head repeatedly, "Who buys canned food just for fun? With that little spare money, it would be better to buy drinks, biscuits, and candies.

... ...

Perhaps the opportunity for rebirth granted to him by fate is meant for him to return and make amends to his family

Without waiting for his mother to speak again, Song Weiyang suddenly said sternly, "Let me tell you, the canning factory is currently in debt by over 3 million, not including the bank loans, but the Song family only has a few tens of thousands in cash, and the bank accounts have long been frozen! There are now more than 100 of you, and with those who are absent today, there are even more. How much can you get if we divide a few tens of thousands among you? Each person can get at most a little over a hundred!"

Brother Song's smile did not last long; he was soon taken aback by the situation at the courthouse entrance

Although Song Shumin has been imprisoned, his reputation remains intact, and people still harbor a sense of respect and admiration for him. As the son of Song Shumin, even though Song Weiyang is still just a student, the creditors instinctively develop an inexplicable sense of trust towards him

Director Song, the payment for the canned bottles you purchased has been overdue for two quarters

The person said earlier: "So what do you suggest? Should the debt be forgiven?"

State-owned enterprises represent the most sensitive area, and there is absolutely no chance of escape if one encounters it

Song Weiyang began to help his elder brother organize his thoughts: "Brother, have you ever considered why our canned goods are not selling?"

Indeed, every time there is a delay, do not think you can escape today!

These individuals did not require Song Weiyang to write any letter of guarantee, and with mixed emotions, they dispersed in groups of three or two, engaging in animated discussions.

In the previous life, the elder brother planned to divorce his wife, intending to give her the remaining tens of thousands of cash in the household and secretly have her take care of their mother and younger brother. However, the sister-in-law firmly disagreed. After the elder brother's unexpected death, she supported her mentally ill mother-in-law through wholesale clothing, raised her young son, funded Song Weiyang's university education, and even repaid more than half of the Song family's several million debts.

First, there was a promise to reason, followed by outright threats; these debt collectors were finally "persuaded" by Song Weiyang

Guo Xiaolan made more than ten phone calls in one breath, all to friends with whom she had previously been close. The result was quite clear; she did not borrow a single cent.

Those debt collectors do not believe; they are merely intimidated by the threat of bankruptcy, fearing that they will end up with nothing. In the mid-1990s, a wave of bankruptcies suddenly swept through China, with most engaging in the trick of "false bankruptcy, real debt evasion"

Song Weiyang immediately said: "My father is the most successful entrepreneur in Rongping City, and I am his son. Are you willing to take a gamble? I bet that within six months, I can turn tens of thousands into millions! If I win the bet, you will be able to recover the debts, and I will still pay the interest. If I lose, each of you will only lose about a hundred or so! Now, make a choice: should we push the Song family to the brink and settle for a small amount, or should we take a risk to recover all the debts and interest!" Now, make a choice: should we push the Song family to the brink and settle for a small amount, or should we take a risk to recover all the debts and interest!

On one hand, they indeed believe that coercion yields no results, as tens of thousands of yuan are simply insufficient to be divided; on the other hand, they are somewhat confusedly influenced by Song Weiyang, whose expression and tone are so confident, reminiscent of the once formidable entrepreneur Song Shumin.

The person exclaimed earlier: "I have already given you time; ever since Boss Song was arrested, not a single cent of the payment from the canned goods factory has arrived, and it has been several months!"

In the eyes of the public, Song Weiyang is merely a foolish young man who is unaware of the gravity of the situation. However, this foolish young man did not take the several million in debt seriously, and boldly declared: "I can make a military pledge and write you a guarantee. As long as I cannot repay the debt within six months, I will give you my life in compensation"

The year 1993 was a rather awkward period, as the central government was cautiously exploring reforms while the populace was recklessly charging ahead. The entire nation was aware of the necessity for reform, yet the specifics of how to reform and to what extent remained unclear to everyone.

Hello, President Zhang, this is Guo Xiaolan... You have a meeting, right... Alright, let's talk another day

So there is no way out! Song Qizhi said, raising his hands in resignation

Hello, I am looking for Director Yang... I am Guo Xiaolan from Jiafeng Distillery... Director Yang is not available... Alright, I will call back later

Seeing the debt collectors press in, already starting to grapple with the elder brother, Song Weiyang took a deep breath, stepped in between, and said: "Everyone, please do not resort to violence; let us speak civilly. The money is not an issue, I will repay it, but I need six months' time!"

They are truly afraid that the Song family will play the bankruptcy trick

Military order, a term rich in historical connotation, is more down-to-earth than oaths or charms.

No money, no life

Mother Guo Xiaolan also said: "Yangyang, stop making a fuss and go back to study with peace of mind"

Dozens of workers have arrived at the factory, along with enterprises collaborating with the canning factory, fruit farmers, and distributors, creating a dense crowd of over 100 people. As soon as the Song family appeared, these debt collectors immediately surrounded them, clamoring:

Song Weiyang wanted his father to be released from prison as soon as possible, and there was only one viable way to achieve this, which was to strengthen the power of the Song family, striving for sentence reductions, sentence reductions, and further sentence reductions

Guo Xiaolan glanced at the reporters and the crowd who had not yet left and said softly, "We should also head back"

Guo Xiaolan hurriedly argued: "If you want money, you must give us time to raise it slowly"

Although China had the Bankruptcy Law in the 1980s, it was not until the early 1990s that private enterprises were allowed to declare bankruptcy. Even now, this practice has not become widespread, and in some local governments, there is outright opposition to the bankruptcy of private enterprises

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, suddenly at a loss for words

Brother Song said: "Although people leave and the tea cools, my father's reputation still holds some weight. By leveraging connections, applying for bankruptcy should not be difficult"

Song Qizhi lamented, "What is there to open for business? The warehouse is already full. I have been running the market for the past two months, spending hundreds of thousands on advertising, yet the canned goods in the factory simply cannot be sold."

He must smile, making others believe that he has the ability to repay the money, while the sadness of his father's imprisonment can only be set aside temporarily

A debt collector sneered, "What do I want your life for? I only want money"

The trial concluded more than ten minutes later, and it was only when the staff cleared the courtroom that Guo Xiaolan, in a daze, left her seat, stumbling slightly, while Song Weiyang and her elder brother quickly supported her

Faced with more than 100 debt collectors blocking the road, and with reporters and onlookers nearby, Brother Song dared not lose his temper recklessly. He could only grit his teeth and promise loudly: "I will definitely find a way to get the money. Even if I have to sell everything I own, I will repay everyone!"