Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Chapter 26 I've long admired you

Vice Minister Li smiled: "Xiao Jiang, let me introduce you. This is Director Zhang from the Ministry of Machinery Industry."

The middle-aged man in the Zhongshan suit extended his hand: "Comrade Jiang Cheng, I've long admired you."

Jiang Cheng quickly shook hands. The Ministry of Machinery Industry! That's a central government department!

Vice Minister Li then introduced the elderly man: "This is Professor Zhou from the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, a disciple of Mr. Zhou Peiyuan, and a renowned mechanical expert."

The old man extended his hand, looking at him with a smile: "Young comrade, I've heard about your deeds. Remarkable indeed."

Jiang Cheng was flattered: "Mr. Zhou, you flatter me. I'm just a fitter."

"So what if I'm a fitter?" Old Zhou laughed. "I started as a fitter too. Young man, don't underestimate yourself."

The group walked towards the workshop. Jiang Cheng accompanied them, explaining as they went. When they reached the modified sand mixer, Old Zhou stopped, examined it carefully for a long time, and asked several questions. Jiang Cheng answered them one by one.

After listening, Mr. Zhou nodded: "The idea is right, and the method is right too. What's most commendable is that you solved the biggest problem with the least cost. This approach is worth promoting."

He turned to Vice Minister Li: "Old Li, I want this young man."

Vice Minister Li was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"I'll take him to Beijing," said Professor Zhou, "to participate in our institute's equipment upgrade project."

The entire room fell silent.

Going to Beijing? The Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences?

Jiang Cheng's mind went blank. Beijing! That was a place he wouldn't even dare to dream of!

Vice Minister Li was silent for a moment, then said, "Old Zhou, we need to ask Xiao Jiang himself for his opinion on this matter."

Old Zhou looked at Jiang Cheng: "Young comrade, would you like to come to Beijing with me?"

Everyone was looking at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng's heart was pounding. Going to Beijing, going to the Chinese Academy of Sciences—that was an opportunity that so many people dreamed of! But his mind kept flashing back to Huang Deqing's face, Zheng Yanxi's face, and those familiar faces in the workshop.

He took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Zhou, thank you for your kindness. But I can't go."

Old Zhou was stunned: "Why?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Old Zhou, I just took on the equipment renovation project from the province, and I promised Minister Li that I would do a good job on the pilot project. The work here isn't finished yet, so I can't leave."

Old Zhou looked at him, his gaze complex: "Do you know what going to Beijing means?"

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I know. But Mr. Zhou, someone has to do the work here. The project must be pushed forward. If I don't do it, someone else will. But since I've agreed, I can't give up halfway."

Old Zhou remained silent for a long time. Then he smiled, a smile tinged with emotion.

"Old Li, you've found a good prospect," he said. "This young comrade has backbone."

He patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder: "Alright, I won't force you. But remember this—the doors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are always open for you. Come find me whenever you want."

Jiang Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Elder Zhou."

After Mr. Zhou left, Vice Minister Li pulled Jiang Cheng aside and whispered, "Jiang, do you know what kind of opportunity you just missed?"

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I understand."

Do you regret it?

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Minister Li, it would be a lie to say I don't regret it. But I feel that if I leave now, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Vice Minister Li looked at him, her gaze holding an indescribable quality. After a long while, he nodded: "Okay, I understand."

He turned to leave, then stopped, turned back, and said, "Xiao Jiang, Zhou Chuanming might be making some moves soon. Be careful."

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I know."

Vice Minister Li left. Jiang Cheng stood there, watching the jeep disappear into the dust, and suddenly had a strange feeling. He was sure that he and Old Zhou would cross paths again today.

He knew he had made the right choice. But the right choice often means a more difficult path.

That evening, he went to see Huang Deqing and told him what had happened that day. After listening, Huang Deqing remained silent for a long time, then said, "Chengzi, you've grown up."

Jiang Cheng remained silent.

Huang Deqing stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to him, and said, "When I was young, I also had a similar opportunity. I didn't seize it and regretted it for the rest of my life. You seized it today, but then let it go. I don't know if you will regret it later, but I know that you are a person with your own opinions."

He turned around, looked at Jiang Cheng, and said with tears in his eyes, "That's enough."

Jiang Cheng stood up, walked over, and stood next to his master.

"Master, I won't let you down."

Huang Deqing nodded and patted him on the shoulder.

Outside the window, the moonlight was bright. In the distance, the machines in the factory were still humming. It was spring of 1979, a season full of hope.

A month later, the factory received a document—the pilot units for the province's equipment renovation project were being adjusted.

Factory Director Zhou, holding the documents, looked ashen-faced. He found Jiang Cheng and slammed the documents on the table: "Jiang Cheng, take a look at this yourself!" Perhaps realizing he had lost control of his emotions, he added, "Jiang, I'm not targeting you."

Jiang Cheng waved his hand to indicate that everything was alright, and after looking at it once, he understood.

"Factory manager, was this made by Zhou Chuanming?"

Factory Director Zhou nodded: "Who else could it be but him?"

Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Factory Director, I'll figure out a way to handle this."

Factory Director Zhou looked at him: "What's your idea?"

Jiang Cheng didn't say anything, and turned to leave.

Jiang Cheng asked, "Minister Li, if we do it ourselves, without relying on provincial funding, is that feasible?"

Vice Minister Li was taken aback: "Do it yourself? Where does your factory get the money?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Our factory has several old pieces of equipment. If we upgrade them, we can save a lot on maintenance costs. We can use that money as capital. In addition, we can take on jobs from other factories and earn some extra income."

Vice Minister Li thought for a moment and said, "The idea is correct, but it's difficult to implement. Does your factory's financial system allow it?"

Jiang Cheng said, "I'll go and discuss it with Director Zhou."

Vice Minister Li nodded: "Okay, you can go back first. I'll keep thinking of a solution."