Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Chapter 24 The Crowd Disperses

He pointed to the foundry workshop beside him: "Director Wang, look, what's this? It's the foundry workshop, the hardest and most tiring place in the whole factory. But right here, there are more than a dozen old machines, and every single one of them has a problem. They're inefficient, inaccurate, and break down every few days. The workers are cursing as they try to fix them, and if they can't fix them, they just make do with them."

He pointed outside again: "How many of these old machines are there in the entire factory? Dozens. How many are there in Shenyang, Liaoning, and all of China? Countless."

"How many new designs can I come up with in a year at the research institute? How many papers can I publish? But how many machines can I modify in a year at the factory? How many workers can have an easier job? How much money can I save the country from wasting on imported equipment?"

Jiang Cheng looked at Director Wang with a frank gaze: "Director Wang, I'm not just making empty promises. I just feel that with my abilities, I can accomplish more practical things here than in the research institute."

The audience was silent.

Director Wang looked at him, his gaze complex. After a long while, he slowly nodded: "Well said. Go on."

Jiang Cheng continued, "Besides, my master is here, my coworkers are here, and my wife is here too." He glanced at Zheng Yanxi in the distance, smiled, and said, "I'd feel stifled sitting in an office in the provincial capital all by myself. I was born to do manual labor."

Some people laughed. Director Wang also laughed, but his laughter was tinged with emotion.

"Comrade Jiang Cheng, you remind me of someone," he said.

"Who?"

"My mentor when I was young," Director Wang said, "was also a fitter who never left the workshop his entire life. On his deathbed, he told me: 'People in industry are rooted in the grassroots. When you become an official in the future, don't forget this.'"

He looked at Jiang Cheng, his gaze holding something indescribable: "What you said today is exactly the same as what my master said back then."

Jiang Cheng was stunned for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Director Wang patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, I understand what you mean. The province won't force you. However—" He changed the subject, "I will report what you just said to the provincial leaders in full. I believe that more people will remember you."

Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat. Provincial Party Committee Leader? What level is that?

Director Wang seemed to sense his confusion and lowered his voice, saying, "Xiao Jiang, this matter has caused quite a stir. Not only does the Machinery Department know about it, but people in the Provincial Party Committee are also paying attention. That deputy director's matter won't end so easily. By siding with me, you've offended his faction. Be careful in the future."

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I know."

Director Wang added, "But don't worry too much. You're not without support. I'm not the only one in the province who supports you. It's just—" He paused, "...there are some things I can't say right now. Go back and focus on your work; what's meant to come will come eventually."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and waved to the people behind him: "Alright, that's enough for today. When you go back and write the report, emphasize Comrade Jiang Cheng's spirit of being rooted in the grassroots and willing to dedicate himself. Understand?"

The reporters nodded repeatedly.

The group left. The workshop gradually quieted down. The workers gathered around, asking questions all at once:

"Jiang Cheng, are you crazy? You're not even going to the provincial capital?"

"That's a research institute! A place where you can have a secure job!"

"Are you stupid, kid?"

Jiang Cheng just smiled and said nothing.

After the crowd dispersed, Huang Deqing walked over. He stood in front of Jiang Cheng, looked at him for a long time, then patted him on the shoulder and said, "Chengzi, I didn't misjudge you."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Zheng Yanxi walked over and stood beside him. Neither of them spoke; they simply stood side by side, looking out at the gray sky.

After a long while, Zheng Yanxi asked softly, "Why aren't you going?"

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Yanxi, do you know what I'm most afraid of?"

Zheng Yanxi shook her head.

"What I fear most is that one day when I'm old, I'll look back and realize I haven't accomplished anything in my life," Jiang Cheng said. "Research institutes are good, but they're too far from the machines. When you're far from the machines, you can't hear them. If you can't hear them, you don't know where they hurt or itch."

He looked out the window and continued, "My skill, to put it bluntly, is dealing with machines. Wherever the machines are, that's where I am. They're here, so I have to be here."

Zheng Yanxi looked at him, her eyes slightly red. After a long while, she said softly, "My dad is right, you are a special person."

Jiang Cheng laughed: "Special? Specially silly, isn't it?"

Zheng Yanxi laughed and gently slapped him.

The two stood side by side, neither of them speaking.

Jiang Cheng knew perfectly well that in this era, people with real skills at the grassroots level were more likely to attract the attention of those above. After going to the provincial capital, he, a greenhorn, would easily become a victim of power struggles. His status as a martyr's family member was far from enough.

If I remember correctly, when the movie "Wolf Warrior" was released in 2015, the opening scene was about an orphan and a widow being forcibly evicted, which later attracted the attention of the state and prompted relevant legislation.

He needs to lie low and build up his strength gradually.

In the afternoon, Factory Director Zhou sent someone to find him. Jiang Cheng went to the factory director's office and found that there was more than just Factory Director Zhou inside. There was also a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit and glasses, with a refined and scholarly air.

"Xiao Jiang, come here quickly." Director Zhou greeted him warmly, "This is Vice Minister Li from the Provincial Party Committee's Industrial Department."

Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat. The Deputy Minister of the Provincial Party Committee's Industrial Department! This was the highest-ranking leader he had ever seen since his transmigration, and he must be the powerful backer behind Director Wang.

"Hello, Minister Li." He quickly greeted him.

Vice Minister Li smiled and extended his hand: "Comrade Jiang, I've heard so much about you. Director Wang has already reported what you said in the workshop this morning to me. Well said!"

Jiang Cheng was a little embarrassed: "Minister Li, you flatter me. I was just talking nonsense."

"Nonsense?" Vice Minister Li laughed. "If you're talking nonsense, then all those engineers in the province should just find a block of tofu and smash their heads against it."

He gestured for Jiang Cheng to sit down, then sat down himself, and said seriously, "Jiang, I've come today to have a formal talk with you."

Jiang Cheng was a little nervous, but he remained calm on the surface: "Minister Li, please speak."

Vice Minister Li looked at him, his gaze scrutinizing yet also tinged with admiration: "Director Wang gave me a detailed introduction to your situation. I understand your technical skills, your character, and your choices. To be honest, I admire you."

He paused, then continued, "But you also need to understand that this matter isn't going to end so easily. That deputy director, Zhou Chuanming, has worked in the industrial system for twenty years and is deeply entrenched. He also has connections at even higher levels. You publicly humiliated him this time, and he won't let it go."

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I know."

"Good to know," Vice Minister Li said. "But you don't need to worry too much. Director Wang isn't the only one in the province who supports you. I'm here today to tell you—go ahead and do it. As long as you're in the right, no one can touch you."

He knew that someone above him was backing him up. Although he had seen too much infighting and deceit in his previous life, he was still somewhat moved when he heard Vice Minister Li's words.

No wonder he's a leader; his speaking skills are top-notch.

"Minister Li, thank you," Jiang Cheng said sincerely.

Vice Minister Li waved his hand: "No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. You're a man of action, and this era needs people like you."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the factory area outside, and suddenly asked, "Xiao Jiang, what are your thoughts on our country's industry?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback. This was a huge question; he didn't know how to answer it.