King of the Wilderness

And then there’s the manor’s overseer, Mrs. Elizabeth Gable. A lady in her fifties, elegant, meticulous in her demeanor.

She’s in charge of Eagle’s Nest and all the visitor cabins’ internal management, ensuring everything meets the standards of a seven-star hotel.

Under her command is an elite housekeeping team of 6 people, including the exclusive chef Irena and 5 multi-skilled manor attendants.

Independent under Mrs. Gable’s reporting system is the logistics supervisor, a middle-aged man named Fat Chef Jack.

He and his two assistant chefs are responsible for running the Bighorn Sheep Cafeteria, providing three meals a day for all ranch employees.

Additionally, there’s the finance and legal supervisor David Chen (recently hired); the mechanical supervisor Murphy, who, along with two skilled mechanics, is responsible for maintaining all vehicles and farm machinery.

Then there’s the security supervisor Sean O’Connor, leading a strong security team of 8 professionals trained by a security company, divided into two tactical groups, responsible for 24-hour patrols.

Lastly, there’s the veterinary supervisor Dr. Carter and his two assistants.

Furthermore, the two babysitters hired just yesterday report directly to the farm owner, focusing on taking care of the two little babies, thus not participating in ranch operational meetings."

This is the core personnel structure of the entire ranch: 8 supervisors, plus 35 professionals, a total of 43 full-time employees.

This is an extremely efficient and lean team. Each person is a carefully selected elite from their respective field.

They each perform their duties, like a precise Swiss clock, jointly supporting the smooth operation of this vast kingdom.

Lin Yu’an’s gaze calmly swept over each person. He did not immediately sit down but instead walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the cattle being herded slowly by cowboys outside.

The conference room was silent, everyone feeling that steady and powerful aura.

After a while, Lin Yu’an turned around, walked to the main position, and looked at everyone, especially pausing for two seconds on Hank Miller.

"Everyone," his voice was not loud, but extremely clear, with an undeniable penetrating power, "My name is Lin Yu’an, and I am the new owner here."

"I know that many of you have worked here for five years, ten years, or even longer. You’ve dedicated your youth and sweat to this land."

"Without you, there would be no glory for the Giant Stone River Heritage Ranch today, and for that, I express my sincere gratitude."

His opening words surprised everyone, lacking the overbearingness of a new leader trying to make a strong first impression, but instead full of respect and recognition. The expressions of the crowd seemed to soften slightly.

"I’ve invited you all here today to say three things."

"First, I will not change the mature operational model already in place here."

"Hank, you will still be the general manager of the ranch. You know more about cattle and pastures than I do."

"Maria, the horse farm will continue to be under your full responsibility. Mrs. Gable, this home also needs your management. Everyone shall perform their duties, and I will not interfere in your areas of expertise."

These words allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. This was the biggest recognition of their professional abilities and what they most hoped to hear.

"Second, what I need to change is your compensation."

This statement by Lin Yu’an made everyone’s hearts tighten again.

He slowly said, "I looked at the financial statements and also your pay slips. To be frank, I am not satisfied."

"Your salaries do not match your contributions and do not reflect the status of this top-tier ranch. Hank, as the general manager, a yearly salary of 150,000 US Dollars is simply a joke."

He turned to Arthur, who immediately stepped forward and announced clearly: "Starting this month, the salaries of all management personnel present will be increased by thirty percent."

"Mr. Hank, your new base annual salary is 250,000 US Dollars. Salaries of all ordinary employees will be increased by twenty percent."

"Moreover, if the ranch maintains last year’s profitability by the end of this year, everyone will receive an additional year-end bonus equivalent to three months’ salary, and if profits increase by more than ten percent, the bonus will be doubled."

"Boom!"

A suppressed exclamation and gasps rose in the conference room.

They could hardly believe their ears! Such a large salary increase and unheard-of generous bonuses were never seen under Mr. Hunter’s tenure!

Hank Miller’s weathered face showed an expression of disbelief for the first time.

He looked at Lin Yu’an, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Based on the adjusted number of employees, this decision means the new owner will pay nearly 700,000 US Dollars more in annual salaries!

For a business with an annual profit of over 1.6 million US Dollars, this is an extremely large and bold investment!

While everyone was still immersed in immense joy and gratitude, Lin Yu’an’s voice sounded again, but this time it carried a slightly undeniable coldness and sharpness.

"Third, and it’s my only request."

The room’s air, which had warmed up due to the jubilance, instantly cooled down.

Lin Yu’an’s gaze swept over each person present, his eyes seeming to penetrate their hearts.

"I provide you with the top-tier treatment in the industry; what I hope to see is results that match or even surpass its value. So, starting today, we need some new rules."

He first looked at the general manager Hank Miller.

"Hank, I respect your cowboy experience, but in the future, I need you to speak with data. Your year-end bonus will be directly tied to two core metrics."

"Firstly, increase the yield rate of top-tier marbleized beef (BMS rating above 10) by five percentage points from the current base."

"Secondly, reduce the calf mortality rate by 0.5 percent. All your operational decisions must revolve around these two targets."

Hank’s face instantly became serious; each of these indicators is extremely challenging, requiring extreme optimization and management of every aspect of ranch operations.

This is not a task that can be easily accomplished by experience alone.

Lin Yu’an scanned the room, and finally, his gaze fell on the veterinary supervisor Dr. Carter. This was a man in his forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and appearing quite self-confident.

"Dr. Carter," Lin Yu’an said in a calm tone, "Hank’s goal is to reduce calf mortality, and your task is to provide him with the top-tier medical support."

"I require your veterinary station to implement a 24-hour on-call system, at any time a livestock has an emergency on the ranch, I need your team to be on-site within twenty minutes."

"Additionally, you need to establish a whole new preventive medical system and submit a detailed report of the ranch’s animal health status weekly."

At this moment, Dr. Carter, who had been silent, suddenly frowned. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and, with a tone of apparent displeasure and arrogance, spoke.

"Mr. Lin, permit me to speak bluntly." All eyes focused on him.

"The compensation plan you proposed is irresistible. But from a professional standpoint, I find your 20-minute response and 24-hour requirements for the veterinary station unfeasible."

His voice was not loud, yet it instantly lowered the temperature of the conference room.