Chapter 13 — The Promise of a Demobilized Soldier

The news that Thanh Phong had to humiliately bow his head in front of his business partners spread quickly, not only in the business world but also to all company workers within just one day. Some secretly captured images of that moment, somehow, appeared on several social networking groups specializing in discussing business in the area, accompanied by unsympathetic comments, some people criticized him for being weak, others expressed sympathy but also implicitly doubted his leadership ability during this difficult period.

The next morning, when Thanh Phong entered the company with a heavy mood, mentally preparing to face the judgmental eyes, maybe even disappointment from the workers, what he received was completely different from what he feared.

All workers gathered in the factory's front yard early, standing in neat rows like a formal flag-raising ceremony. When Thanh Phong walked up, Ben, standing at the front of the line, shouted a familiar command from his military days. The whole group simultaneously stood to attention, raised their hands in salute according to military protocol, everyone's eyes were filled with determination and unwavering loyalty.

Thanh Phong was stunned at that scene, his throat choked, he was speechless for a moment.

"Mr. Phong." Ben stepped forward, his voice echoing loudly enough for everyone to hear clearly. "We know what happened yesterday. We also know that you bowed your head not because you were a coward, but because you wanted to protect each and every one of us here. Our brothers, no one thinks differently of you because of that. On the contrary, we trust you more and more, and we are more determined to stand by your side, no matter what difficulties lie ahead."

Toan, from his wheelchair, also spoke up, his voice still containing the familiar humor but this time containing a rare seriousness. "Brother Phong, we were once on the line between life and death on the battlefield. Humiliation or difficulty in this market is nothing compared to what we have gone through. Just keep believing, we won't go anywhere, no matter how difficult the company is."

One by one, other workers also spoke up to express their support. Some told their own stories when Thanh Phong came to help them in their most difficult time, some simply said a short but powerful sentence: "Brother Phong, there are brothers here."

Thanh Phong stood silently in the middle of the yard, looking at each familiar face, people with all kinds of injuries but their eyes full of vitality and loyalty. His emotions were so overwhelming that he had to try very hard not to let his tears fall in front of everyone.

"Thank you guys." He said, his voice choked but full of sincerity. "I'm sorry for making everyone worry and having to witness me being humiliated like that. But I promise you, I will not let this end in humiliation. We will find a worthy response, not with violence or hatred, but with truth and justice."

In the middle of that solemn row of people, there was a woman named Lanh, who lost a hand in an accident while on a mine clearance mission with an engineering unit before being discharged, stepped out of the row, and stood in front of Thanh Phong, her voice trembling but full of determination. "Mr. Phong, I've been working here for five years. Before that, no one would accept me because of this amputated arm. People were afraid that I wouldn't be productive and that it would affect the company's image. Only you dared to trust me with work and teach me how to use support tools to work like a normal person. You gave me more than just a job, you gave me back faith in myself. Yesterday, I don't care what other people think, I just know, people like you deserve it." to be protected by our brothers, not to suffer humiliation alone."

Those sincere words brought tears to the eyes of many people around, including the toughest men in the veteran ranks. Another person, named Dat, who lost both legs due to being hit by a mine during a border patrol, sitting in a custom-made wheelchair, also spoke up to add his story, telling about the desperate days before Thanh Phong personally came to his home, convincing him to leave the dark motel room to work in Binh Minh, giving him a reason to continue living meaningfully every day.

The stories follow each other like this, each person has a different situation, a wound, but they all have one thing in common: they were all given a second chance in life by Thanh Phong, when outside society sometimes still has many prejudices against people with disabilities, especially those who have suffered injuries from war. Therefore, for them, Binh Minh is not simply a place to work, but a second home, a community where they are recognized for their true value, and Thanh Phong, not just a boss, but someone who has given them a life worth living.

That morning, although nothing materially changed, the company's financial situation still had many difficulties ahead, but the spirit of the entire company was revived stronger than ever. No one left their position, even though in recent months salaries had been somewhat delayed compared to before, everyone still silently encouraged each other to overcome, trusting in the leader who had repeatedly proven his sincerity and responsibility.

That afternoon, Bao Chau came to Thanh Phong in the office, bringing a cup of hot tea as usual. She saw him sitting quietly in front of the desk, his eyes looking distantly out the window, where one could see the entire factory scene bustling with activity again.

"What are you thinking?" She asked, gently placing the teacup on the table.

"I was thinking, I'm so lucky to have such brothers by my side." Thanh Phong replied, his voice still filled with emotion from the morning. "But I'm also thinking, I can't just rely on my brothers' loyalty to survive forever. I need to find a way to truly confront the Diep brothers, not only to protect my company, but also because many other people out there are suffering the same situation of being oppressed but don't dare to speak up."

Bao Chau sat down opposite him, his eyes became serious. "Mr. Phong, I was thinking about this all night last night. I think, instead of just being defensive, maybe it's time for me to proactively learn more about Dong Thinh Group's business practices, especially the agricultural product consumption contracts they sign with farmers in the area. If it's true as what Ben heard, that they are systematically oppressing farmers, that is their biggest weakness, something that if exposed, will seriously affect the country." reputation and image of a successful businessman that Chan Vi has worked hard to build for a long time."

Thanh Phong looked at her, a new light flashed in his eyes, a direction he had never thought of before. "You're right. We can't always be on the defensive, waiting for their every attack. It's time for us to proactively find the truth and use justice to confront them, instead of just relying on tenacity and endurance."

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with new determination, knowing that the road ahead would still be very difficult, but at least now they had a clearer direction, a real hope to not only save the company, but also bring justice to the countless people who were silently suffering injustice at the hands of the Diep brothers.

"But I need to be careful." Bao Chau added, his voice low and full of worry. "If they find out we're investigating, they certainly won't sit idly by. We need to do this very discreetly, collect all the evidence before revealing anything."

"I get it." Thanh Phong nodded. "I will ask Ben to quietly contact my network of veterans in neighboring communes to see if anyone knows farmers who have signed contracts with Dong Thinh. She will continue to review public legal documents to see if there are any loopholes in the way they draft the off-take contract. We must do each step very firmly, no negligence is allowed."

Bao Chau nodded in agreement, her eyes shone with the determination of a silent warrior, ready to join Thanh Phong in a new war, a war without gunfire but just as tough and risky as the old battlefield he had experienced.