PDLP Chapter 32 Smart People
Chapter 32 Smart People
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. Then Old Zhou laughed: "Xiao Jiang, you're even smarter than I thought."
"So, what should we do?"
"That's settled then. But you have to hurry. The department meeting is next Monday, so you have three days."
Jiang Cheng hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Three days to write a complete renovation report and compile all the data. This workload was going to be a nightmare.
Chen Siyuan, who had listened to the whole thing, said, "Comrade Jiang, I'll help you."
Jiang Cheng looked at him and nodded: "Thank you."
For the next three days, Jiang Cheng and Chen Siyuan worked day and night to finish the report. Jiang Cheng was responsible for writing the technical parts, while Chen Siyuan was responsible for organizing the data and drawing diagrams. When they were tired, they would take a nap at the table, and then continue working when they woke up.
When Chief Engineer Liu heard about this, he specially sent two technicians to help. He also made a phone call to Old Zhou: "Old Zhou, I fully support Jiang Cheng's matter. If you need anything, just let me know."
Late on the third night, the report was finally completed. Jiang Cheng checked it from beginning to end, and after confirming that there were no errors, he had Chen Siyuan take the train back to Beijing that night.
When Chen Siyuan left, Jiang Cheng saw him off at the train station. Chen Siyuan, carrying his bag, turned back to look at him: "Comrade Jiang, aren't you afraid?"
Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid. But what I'm even more afraid of is doing the right thing, but being too afraid to do it."
Chen Siyuan looked at him and suddenly laughed: "You're just like my master, stubborn as a mule."
Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "Go ahead, be careful on the road."
After Chen Siyuan left, Jiang Cheng stood on the platform, watching the train disappear into the night. He knew that what followed was a tough battle—not a technical one, but a manpower one.
Indeed, even after so many years of human civilization's inheritance and reproduction, its fundamental nature remains unchanged.
The next day, he received a call from Zhou Lao: "The report has been received. After Director Zhang finished reading it, he slammed his fist on the table and said that this is what a person who gets things done should write. The ministry has decided to hold a meeting to discuss it tomorrow. You wait for news."
That night, Jiang Cheng didn't sleep a wink. He lay in bed, his mind racing. He knew that this battle wasn't just for himself, but also for his master, for Yan Xi, and for everyone who had been bullied by Zhou Chuanming.
The next afternoon, Mr. Zhou called.
"Xiao Jiang, the results are in." Old Zhou's voice was a little hoarse, but with a smile. "The ministry has adopted your report and determined that the hydraulic press modification plan is scientifically feasible. Zhou Chuanming's report has been rejected."
Jiang let out a long breath and leaned against the wall.
"Furthermore," Old Zhou continued, "Director Zhang made a suggestion to the ministry—to compile your experience in modifying that equipment into a teaching material and promote it nationwide. The ministry has agreed in principle."
Jiang Cheng was taken aback: "A textbook? I'll write it?"
"You write it. Didn't you say you wanted to promote this experience nationwide? Now the opportunity has come."
Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Professor Zhou, writing the textbook is fine. But could my mentor help me write it? He's more experienced than me, and he can explain some things more clearly."
Old Zhou smiled and said, "Alright, let your master come along too."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Cheng walked out of the guesthouse and stood on the streets of Shanghai. The sun was shining brightly, warming him comfortably. He suddenly thought of Zheng Yanxi and her words: "You should go to a bigger place."
Now, he has truly gone to a bigger place.
When I returned to Shenyang, it was already late autumn.
The old locust tree at the factory gate was covered in fallen leaves, and Old Liu, the gatekeeper, was dozing off wrapped in a cotton-padded coat. Jiang Cheng walked in carrying his luggage. Old Liu opened his eyes, startled, and asked, "Chengzi? You're back?"
"You're back, Grandpa Liu."
Old Liu sized him up and down: "I heard you got involved in a big project in Shanghai? It was even reported in the provincial newspaper!"
Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "It's alright."
As he walked into the factory, everyone he met greeted him with a smile. Someone shouted, "Jiang Cheng, you're finally back! The factory has missed you so much!" Another yelled, "I heard you met a big boss in Beijing? That's awesome!"
Jiang Cheng dealt with them one by one, but his mind was on Huang Deqing. He quickened his pace and headed towards the logistics warehouse.
Pushing open the door, Huang Deqing was squatting on the ground, staring blankly at a pile of parts. Hearing the noise, he looked up, saw Jiang Cheng, paused for a moment, and then slowly stood up.
"You're back?"
"You're back, Master."
Huang Deqing walked over, looked him up and down, and then patted him on the shoulder: "You've lost weight."
Jiang Cheng's nose tingled with emotion: "Master, you've lost weight too."
Huang Deqing smiled, a smile that showed both relief and a sense of accomplishment: "It's good to be thinner; you'll be more energetic."
The master and apprentice squatted in the warehouse, one smoking, the other drinking water. Jiang Cheng recounted everything that had happened in Shanghai and Beijing. After listening, Huang Deqing remained silent for a long time, then said, "Chengzi, you've grown a lot."
Jiang Cheng remained silent.
Huang Deqing stood up, took a new notebook from the drawer, and handed it to him: "I wrote this down after you left. I've recorded the operating status of every machine in the factory. You'll need it when you write your teaching materials."
Jiang Cheng took the notebook, opened it, and found it filled with densely packed notes. The handwriting was neat and precise, every stroke exactly the same as the previous notebook.
"master--"
"Alright, stop getting sentimental." Huang Deqing waved his hand. "Go back and see your wife. She talks about you every day."
Jiang Cheng stood up, walked to the door, then turned back: "Master, have you heard about Zhou Chuanming's matter?"
Huang Deqing nodded: "I've heard about it. Vice Minister Li came to the factory and said that the ministry rejected his report. This time, he's completely finished."
Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Master, he won't let this go."
Huang Deqing looked at him, his gaze steady: "So what? You're capable, you have powerful backers, why are you afraid of him?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head: "I'm not afraid."
"That's good then." Huang Deqing patted him on the shoulder. "Go on."
"Oh, right, Master, I forgot to tell you, you and I can work together on compiling the teaching materials. Old Zhou has agreed." In the afterglow, Jiang Cheng waved his notebook at Huang Deqing.
"You brat!" Huang Deqing chuckled and scolded, his eyes slightly moist. Jiang Cheng saw his master rub his eyes.
After leaving the logistics department, Jiang Cheng walked towards his dormitory. When he got downstairs, he saw Zheng Yanxi standing at the door, holding a glass of water and looking at the sunset in the distance.
She had lost some weight, but looked radiant. She wore a faded blue shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail, revealing her fair neck. The setting sun cast a golden glow upon her.
"Yanxi".
Zheng Yanxi turned around, saw him, and froze. The cup slipped from her hand, fell to the ground, and shattered into pieces.
"You're back?" Her voice trembled slightly.
Jiang Cheng walked over and stood in front of her: "You're back."
Zheng Yanxi looked at him, her eyes slowly reddening. She reached out and touched his face, as if to confirm that he was real.
"I've lost weight," she said.