Chapter 79 Agreement (Third update, please collect)
London, winter.
Dense fog.
Although the visibility is poor, the weather is excellent, so there is no need to worry about bombing.
The car had just stopped in front of the North Borneo Company's London office. After waiting for a long time, Willy took the initiative to open the car door and saluted respectfully.
"Hello, boss."
I have to say that British people are always realistic and are absolutely 100% respectful to their employers, even if they are Chinese.
No way, I can’t live without a few taels of broken silver!
“Welcome to the company, colleagues in the office are waiting for your arrival.”
The company has changed its boss.
This was a good thing for the office staff, because... since the outbreak of the war, they had only been receiving half pay, and of course, they could resign if they didn't want to.
"...there were 37 staff members in the office before the war. Due to the war, there are only fifteen people left, seven of whom are female staff."
While speaking, he was threatening. Li deliberately glanced at the two women next to the boss with his peripheral vision. They were... so beautiful.
Fifteen people seems a bit much.
Capitalists will have to lay off workers if they don’t support idle people!
With this thought in mind, he had already walked into the office. A dozen employees were lined up respectfully waiting for the arrival of the boss.
No surprises, no surprises.
It was just an ordinary meeting, and then Li Yian introduced Stana and Ji Li to them, telling them clearly that they were his agents.
The next thing is a little more complicated. Willy will report the company's situation to the new chairman.
“…Over the past few years, our company has been forced to sell off assets in the UK in order to pay high interest payments on its debt. This included our former building, which has now also changed hands. Now, we can only rent other people’s offices, and the company has stopped paying for three months.”
Finally, at the end of the long and in-depth debriefing, Willy felt uneasy. He stared nervously at his boss Li Yian. The report in his hand was heavy, as if the hour-long report was just to be condensed into those two harsh words - "no money."
This is not only a lack of funds, but also the salary of employees has been in arrears for a long time.
Li Yian already had the answer in his heart, and he asked calmly:
"So, the company is on the verge of bankruptcy?"
Willy was silent for a moment, and then Nodding, facing the boss's eyes calmly, he said bluntly:
"Yes, you can think so."
His eyes were full of helplessness and heavyness, and every word was like a cry squeezed from the bottom of his heart. He knew clearly that this answer might cause a storm, but he still chose to be honest. "Even after the war when we returned to North Borneo, the situation was generally the same. I have been paying attention to the news there. Before the war, under the orders of the Colonial Office, the Board of Directors called North Borneo and asked them to blow up the port and destroy the water works. , power plants and other infrastructure. Even if these facilities are rebuilt by Japan, they will only be repaired briefly. After the war, we may need tens of millions of pounds to rebuild all of them. Boss, some things are unavoidable and your investment cannot stop it. The bankruptcy of the North Borneo Company, boss, from an investment perspective, your investment is not a wise choice."
Willy's honesty gradually broke the seriousness on Li Yian's face. A faint smile bloomed quietly at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were slightly relieved and appreciative.
This is exactly the person he needs.
“Okay, your job is saved!”
This sentence made Willy stunned. Looking at the boss, Willy's eyes were full of respect and gratitude for Li Yi'an.
"Thank you, sir, I won't let you down." "Well, Willy, I heard that he was working in the company before World War I, right?"
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“Yes, boss, I joined the company in 1910 and have been working in the company for 34 years now.”
“Then you should know the company’s situation very well and have a clear understanding of the company’s next steps. Do you have any opinions or suggestions for further development? ”
"This..."
Thinking of the boss's previous words, Willy thought for a while and said.
“Actually, the company is not without any hope.”
“Oh, tell me.”
“Boss, since the establishment of the North Borneo Company, the development speed has been The reasons are limited to two reasons. One is the shortage of labor force and the small local population. The other is the limited natural resources. There are no oil or other minerals in the company's territory. However, the lack of people is the fundamental reason that restricts the company's development. , even when the Immigration Agreement was signed in 1913, if it can be implemented seriously, perhaps North Borneo now has millions of people, and the consumption, production, and taxes of these people are enough for the company to obtain extremely generous returns. Because of the short-sightedness of the company’s board of directors, we have missed thirty years in vain.”
When Willy mentioned old things, his tone was full of regret.
"Immigration agreement? What immigration agreement?"
Li Yian asked confused.
"Boss, the company signed an "Immigration Agreement" with China in 1913. At that time, the company planned to recruit Chinese workers to engage in the development of Borneo. However, due to the war and subsequent shortcomings in the board of directors, the agreement was not continued."
“What? The immigration agreement signed with China?”
Li Yian said in surprise.
"Then why was it not implemented?"
"Because the company was worried that too many Chinese would affect the company's management of the colony, and worried that the locals would resist, but they completely ignored one point, there were not enough personnel , North Borneo cannot develop at all.”
Is there such a thing?
Li Yian didn't care at all about Willy's complaints. Now his mind is all on the immigration agreement.
Immigration deal with China!
“Does the company have a copy of the immigration agreement now?”
Before this, Li Yian had been thinking about how to introduce immigrants from the country, and now this agreement is simply falling from the sky. Pie, with this immigration agreement, there is a basis for North Borneo to legally recruit immigrants in the country. Although it was no longer implemented before World War I, it does not prevent Li Yi'an from continuing to implement the agreement.
As for the domestic side...it's nothing more than cannons to clear the way, no, it's a trade with that batch of materials. Who can refuse such a deal?
Soon the original copy of the immigration agreement was taken out from the archives. Looking at the agreement signed in English and Chinese in front of him, Li Yian's smile grew stronger.
"Willy, as you said, those people's short-sightedness ruined the company. However, I am not a short-sighted person."
The corners of his lips raised slightly and he said with a smile.
"It seems that we should go to the embassy."
While speaking, he glanced at the calendar, January 3rd.
You don’t have much time left for yourself, so hurry up!
(End of this chapter)