Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Chapter 19 Thoughtful

"What I mean is, repairing machines sometimes relies on your hands, your ears, and your experience," Jiang Cheng said. "I've worked in the factory for so many years, I can tell what sounds are normal and what sounds are abnormal just by listening. This isn't something you can learn from books."

Engineer Liu's expression changed; he wanted to retort, but couldn't find the words.

Engineer Han coughed, steer the conversation back on track: "Even if you noticed it, it doesn't prove the crack is a design flaw. Our last inspection concluded that the crack was caused by improper operation leading to bearing seat misalignment, which in turn caused uneven stress on the rolls. What's your opinion?"

Jiang Cheng looked at them, his mind perfectly clear. They were there to "set the tone." They weren't there to investigate, but to solidify their conclusions. If he went along with their wishes, the matter would be over. If he didn't, he would be going against his superiors.

He remembered his master's words: Sometimes it's harder to stay still than to move. But now, he didn't want to endure it anymore.

"Mr. Han, may I ask you a question?"

"ask."

Was the machine still running when you last came to inspect it?

Engineer Han was taken aback: "No, it's already stopped."

"How did you determine that the bearing seat had shifted?"

Engineer Han's expression changed. Engineer Liu said from the side, "We deduced this based on the traces at the scene and the operation records."

"Inference?" Jiang Cheng laughed. "Engineer Han, Engineer Liu, if I may be so bold as to say something, after that machine was disassembled, I measured the position of the bearing housing with a level, and the error was within the allowable range. The claim of displacement is untenable."

Han Gong jumped up: "What do you mean? Are you saying our conclusion is wrong?"

Jiang Cheng also stood up: "Engineer Han, I didn't say you were wrong. I just said that what I saw with my own eyes doesn't match your conclusion."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Old Meng tried to smooth things over, saying, "Xiao Jiang, don't get agitated. Engineer Han and the others are just doing their job—"

"Section Chief Meng, I'm not agitated," Jiang Cheng said. "I just want to clarify the facts. I discovered that machine, and my master repaired it. The crack was right there; anyone could see it. If this was due to improper operation, why didn't it have any problems in the previous years? Why did it suddenly malfunction that one time? If improper operation can cause a crack, how do you explain the depth of the crack? How do you explain the angle of the fracture?"

A series of questions left Engineer Han and Engineer Liu speechless.

Factory Director Zhou hadn't spoken until now, then he coughed and said, "Engineer Han, why don't we go back first and discuss this further?"

Engineer Han's face turned ashen. He packed up his documents, said nothing, and turned to leave. Engineer Liu followed behind, glancing at Jiang Cheng before leaving with a complex expression.

The door closed, and the office fell silent. Director Zhou lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then looked at Jiang Cheng.

"Xiao Jiang, you've gotten yourself into trouble this time."

Jiang Cheng remained silent.

"Those two people were sent by the provincial government," said Director Zhou. "Their conclusion was based on instructions from higher-ups. By standing up to them like that, you've not only offended them, but also the people behind them."

Jiang Cheng said, "Factory Director, I was just telling the truth."

"The truth?" Factory Director Zhou gave a wry smile. "Sometimes the truth is the least valuable thing. Believe it or not, someone might come and investigate you tomorrow? Investigate your background, your history, whether you've ever made a mistake?"

Jiang Cheng's heart sank. He knew that what Factory Director Zhou said was true. In this day and age, it was too easy to get rid of someone. Any excuse could be used to make things very difficult for them.

"Factory manager, what should I do?"

Factory Director Zhou looked at him and remained silent for a long time. Then he stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Jiang Cheng.

"Xiao Jiang, you know, when I was young, I was just like you. Stubborn and unwilling to back down. Later, I suffered a lot before I understood a principle—"

"What's the reasoning behind that?"

"Some things, you can't win just because you're right." Factory Director Zhou turned around. "You may be right, but they have the right. How can you fight back?"

Jiang Cheng was speechless.

"However—" Director Zhou changed the subject, "you might not necessarily lose this time."

Jiang Cheng looked up.

"That Director Wang from the provincial government has a good impression of you," Factory Director Zhou said. "He called me yesterday to ask about your situation. I told him about it, and he said he would keep an eye on it."

Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat. Director Wang... the leader he'd met a few times during the training course, the one who'd helped him contact the research institute. He hadn't expected this leader to take the initiative to inquire about his affairs.

"Factory manager, Director Wang, he—"

"Don't ask too many questions." Factory Director Zhou waved his hand. "Go back to work. Let's wait and see how things develop."

It was already dark when Jiang Cheng emerged from the factory manager's office. He walked alone through the factory grounds, his mind a jumbled mess. He knew he was standing at a crossroads. Moving forward might mean a bloody crash. Moving back might ensure his safety, but it would mean a lifetime of humiliation.

He recalled his days in the laboratory before he traveled through time. Those were simpler times; he analyzed data on computers, conducted experiments on machines, and the data didn't lie, the formulas didn't deceive him. But now, he had to face not machines, but people.

As he walked, he found himself standing at the entrance of the logistics warehouse. Light shone through the crack in the door, and Huang Deqing was still inside.

He pushed the door open and went in. Huang Deqing was squatting on the ground, staring blankly at a pile of parts. Hearing the noise, he looked up.

"You're here?"

"Um."

Huang Deqing looked at him and suddenly laughed: "I heard you refuted the experts from the province today?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback: "Master, how did you know?"

"What could possibly be hidden from me in this factory?" Huang Deqing patted the stool next to him. "Come and sit down."

Jiang Cheng sat down. Huang Deqing handed him a cigarette and lit one for himself. The master and apprentice smoked in silence.

After a long while, Huang Deqing spoke up: "Chengzi, do you know why I was transferred to logistics?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

"Because I'm stubborn," Huang Deqing said. "They told me to shut up about that rolling mill, but I didn't. They told me to sign something, but I didn't. And what happened? I ended up here."

Jiang Cheng felt a pang of sadness: "Master, I've dragged you into this."

"Bullshit." Huang Deqing glared at him. "What do you mean by 'implicate'? You're my apprentice, if I don't protect you, who else should I protect?"

Jiang Cheng felt a lump in his throat and couldn't speak.

Huang Deqing took a drag of his cigarette and said slowly, "But you did the right thing today. Some things have to be said, and some things have to be done. You did it, and that's commendable."

"Master, what should we do next?"

Huang Deqing looked at him, his eyes holding something Jiang Cheng had never seen before—a calm that came after weathering storms.

"wait."

"wait?"

"Yes, wait," Huang Deqing said. "You've already said what you wanted to say, and the rest is beyond your control. Now, whatever you do will be wrong; you can only wait. Wait for the other side to make a move, wait for an opportunity to arise."

Jiang Cheng seemed to be deep in thought.

"But there is one thing you can do," Huang Deqing said.

"What?"

Huang Deqing stood up, walked to the corner, rummaged through a worn-out wooden box, pulled out a yellowed notebook, and handed it to Jiang Cheng.