But that despicable Hu Weimin wouldn't allow Uncle Song to rest and even deducted a significant amount of performance points!
Li Deng looked around and saw that everyone else was pale, emaciated, and listless, lacking any spirit.
Li Deng clenched his fists tightly and told himself he couldn't go on like this.
If he continued like this, he estimated he wouldn't last two months before working himself to death at his station!
He had to resist!
He had to change things!
Just as Li Deng was lost in thought, a sudden commotion arose.
Everyone looked over and saw a group of well-dressed men in suits escorting a handsome young man as they walked towards the workshop.
Li Deng had seen these people before; they were all high-ranking officials from the Third Military Factory. To them, these people were lofty, untouchable figures.
He had only seen these big shots from a distance a few times. They almost never set foot in the dirty and chaotic workshop.
Yet, the workshop supervisor, Hu Weimin, was bowing and scraping at the back of the crowd.
This man, who held life-and-death power in the workshop, wasn't even qualified to stand next to that young man, looking more like a petty lackey, completely insignificant...
Li Deng couldn't help but feel a bit curious. Who was this young man?
He stared intently at the youth, and a sudden surge of resentment and anger welled up in his heart.
This young man was about his age, so why was there such a vast difference between their statuses?!
---
This young man, who was the center of attention, was naturally Qin Jun.
He had chosen to visit the Third Military Factory.
After all, the Third Military Factory was an extremely important place, producing weapons and equipment, which was essential for maintaining combat power in the apocalypse.
Given that the levels of the current Evolvers weren't very high, the army was still the deciding factor in battles for the time being.
Hu Weimin, squeezed out of the crowd, was filled with unease.
His nerves were on edge. Though he was a figure of authority in the workshop, within the larger scope of the Third Military Factory, he was merely middle management.
Not to mention, Qin Jun was the eldest young master of the Qin family!
If Qin Jun was even slightly displeased with him, it wouldn't take Qin Jun himself to act—just the higher-ups at the Third Military Factory would tear him apart!
He glanced at the workers' lunchboxes, feeling bitter.
He had swapped out the workers' meal rations. After all, grain had become a hard currency, and Hu Weimin had used the embezzled grain to exchange for a few beautiful women to keep outside.
He thought nothing would come of it—after all, who would care about these slaves?
But he hadn't expected Qin Jun to suddenly come and inspect the Third Military Factory!
And he had chosen to visit the workshop under his management!
And it just so happened to be during mealtime, when the workers were eating! What bad luck!!!
Qin Jun was originally satisfied with the Third Military Factory. After all, it was no easy feat that the factory was still operational and maintaining some level of production after the catastrophe.
However, when he saw the workers' gaunt, lifeless faces...
And then noticed the workers' lunchboxes filled with a nauseating black paste...
Qin Jun frowned.
He knew that the Eastern Capital had implemented grain rationing, so the food for the lowest-level workers couldn't be expected to be very good.
But this paste was a bit excessive.
This slop was likely made from cockroaches and other insects, just barely enough to fill the stomach, with no real nutritional value.
Qin Jun calmly asked, "Do all the workers eat this kind of food? Who is in charge of this workshop?"
The director of the Third Military Factory immediately replied, "It's Hu Weimin."
Hearing this, and seeing the displeasure on Qin Jun's face, Hu Weimin was nearly scared out of his wits!
To him, even a minor branch member of the Qin family could decide his fate.
Let alone Qin Jun, the eldest young master of the Qin family, the future lord of the Eastern Capital!
Hu Weimin, with a face full of fear, quickly rushed to Qin Jun, unable to hide his terror. "Young Master, I am the supervisor of the second workshop, Hu Weimin."
Qin Jun calmly said, "If I recall correctly, the food standard for these workers shouldn't be like this, right?"
This sentence directly made Hu Weimin collapse to his knees in fright.
"Young Master, I was momentarily foolish! I didn't manage things well. I'll change the meals tomorrow—no, tonight!"
Hu Weimin was quite shrewd. He knew that if he tried to make excuses or argue, his death would be miserable.
But if he confessed his mistake honestly, there might be a sliver of hope.
Seeing the usually arrogant and domineering Hu Weimin kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy, the workers couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
But they also felt a growing sense of awe towards Qin Jun.
After all, in their eyes, Hu Weimin was a big shot, yet this young man could frighten Hu Weimin half to death with just one sentence.
Who exactly was he?
Li Deng also felt quite relieved. He suddenly shouted, "It's not just the poor food; we're forced to work thirteen hours a day.
We can't take it anymore!
This Hu Weimin exploits us every day, doesn't let us rest, and even withholds our performance points!"
Hearing Li Deng's complaint, Hu Weimin's heart filled with hatred. He thought viciously that if he got through this, he would make sure Li Deng wished he were dead!
Qin Jun, hearing Li Deng's words, looked over at him.
In Li Deng's eyes, Qin Jun saw a strong sense of defiance and determination.
A slight smile appeared on Qin Jun's face. "What's your name?"
Li Deng shouted loudly, "Li Deng! I was a student at Eastern Capital University!"
Qin Jun nodded, smiling at him. "Not bad, you're quite good."
Then he turned to Hu Weimin and said, "Supervisor Hu, improve the workers' food standards and reduce their work hours by three hours a day."
Hu Weimin quickly nodded. "Yes, Young Master, I will do so immediately!"
As soon as he said this, the workers erupted in cheers!
They all knelt down, sincerely grateful to Qin Jun!
What a benevolent lord!!
Their lives would be much better from now on!
Li Deng, however, clenched his fists. Although Qin Jun's words had improved their conditions significantly, it still wasn't enough in Li Deng's eyes!
But Li Deng didn't say anything more and instead started to think. Qin Jun seemed to be kind and gentle.
Could he perhaps try to win Qin Jun's support in the future?
...
Qin Jun didn't linger and continued to inspect the other workshops. Afterward, he got into his car amidst bows from the high-ranking officials.
However, he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he waved for Hu Weimin to come over.
Hu Weimin quickly ran up, bowing, ready to listen to Qin Jun's teachings.
"Supervisor Hu, do you know why I didn't punish you?"
Hu Weimin looked grateful. "Because, Young Master, you are magnanimous!"
Qin Jun smiled and shook his head. "It's because you're talented. You managed to turn this group of people into a pack of pigs in just one month."
Hu Weimin was stunned. He hadn't expected Qin Jun to say such a thing.
Qin Jun smiled faintly and said, "Now, do you know why I decided to improve the workers' conditions?"
Hu Weimin cautiously asked, "Because, Young Master... you want to win their hearts?"
Qin Jun burst into laughter, as if he'd just heard a hilarious joke.
"What value is there in winning the hearts of slaves? They're just livestock.
However, Supervisor Hu, even though they're pigs, pigs have their value. If you squeeze them too hard, they'll die within half a year, and we'll have to recruit and train a new batch of people.
Plus, with these kinds of conditions, their work efficiency is very low.
So, improving their conditions slightly so that these pigs can work better and produce more value for us is the most cost-effective method.
Do you understand?"
Hu Weimin was stunned. Qin Jun had improved the workers' conditions for this reason!
He himself was ruthless, not hesitating to push workers to death.
But looking at the gentle and refined Qin Jun, Hu Weimin felt a chill rise from the depths of his heart, making him shiver!
The eldest young master of the Qin family truly didn't see them as human!
Hu Weimin quickly nodded, with only one thought in his mind.
He absolutely could not displease Qin Jun, absolutely not!
This man was the real monster who devoured people without spitting out the bones...
"And there's one more thing." The smile on Qin Jun's face slowly faded, replaced by a cold expression.
"That man named Li Deng—I don't like him. Make him disappear."
_______
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