Rebirth 1990: Rise of the Tycoon

Generous profits Part 20

The talent market is always bustling with crowds. Urban employment hasn't fully opened up yet, but rural populations are slowly converging toward the cities, ensuring no shortage of labor.

Lu Feng circled around, found a high platform, and stood up to shout, "The canned food factory is hiring! Two shifts, 70 yuan for men, 50 yuan for women!"

As soon as he spoke, people turned to look at him and then crowded around. The wages were undoubtedly high. Even skilled workers were earning about the same amount.

Not far away, a middle-aged man smoking a cigarette looked displeased. He studied Lu Feng for a while before asking the local labor recruiter next to him, "Who is that guy? I saw him here recruiting last time too."

"I heard he runs a small factory that recently opened. It's doing pretty well—selling to rural areas."

"Rural areas? Rural people don't have much money. Who's buying? I supply goods to rural cooperatives, and sales are mediocre at best."

"You don't know the whole story. He exchanges goods for grain, then sells the grain directly to state grain depots. Plus, he gives the intermediaries a generous cut. Last time he came to recruit, he was penny-pinching, but today he seems flush with cash!"

The middle-aged man stubbed out his cigarette and looked annoyed. The recruiter smiled and said, "Mr. Wei, he's not in your line of business. Let him recruit his people first."

"I'll go meet him," Wei said as he walked over.

In less than ten minutes, Lu Feng had already recruited more than 30 people and was about to lead them back to the workshop. Before he had gone far, the middle-aged man approached him.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly. Lu Feng recognized the man—his outfit hadn't changed: a suit, leather shoes, and a beeper. The saying "rivals meet on a narrow path" couldn't be truer.

"Hello, I'm the owner of Wanyuan Food Processing Factory. My surname is Ren," the man said, handing over a business card.

"I make canned food. No business cards. Call me Lu Feng," Lu Feng replied, glancing at the card. It bore the name Ren Qianbo—a fitting name indeed.

"Lu, your business seems to be thriving. Just a few days ago, you were here recruiting, and now you're expanding again!" Ren Qianbo said with a congratulatory smile, though his tone carried a hint of jealousy.

"Mr. Ren, your business is doing well too. You're here recruiting workers as well," Lu Feng replied, understanding Ren's implication. He continued, "Mr. Ren, let's not cross paths unnecessarily. You stick to your small shops and cooperative routes, and I'll focus on my grain trade."

"Don't overthink it, Mr. Lu. Just making friends," Ren Qianbo said with a wide grin, extending his hand for a handshake.

Lu Feng left with a cold expression. Ren Qianbo watched his back, squinting his eyes before returning to his recruiting efforts.

Where there is a market, there is competition. Lu Feng hadn't expected it to come so quickly. As a businessman, he knew that where there is enough profit, others will enter the game.

Back at the workshop, Zhou Hao had just hauled away another truckload of goods. Before the shift was even over, a few workers were already squatting outside smoking. Da Tou looked troubled and ran over when he saw Lu Feng return.

"Boss, they say they're tired and need a break."

Lu Feng nodded and cut him off. He waved at the newly recruited workers and entered the workshop, shouting, "Everyone, stop for a moment!"