Chapter 11: Unable to Refuse

"The radial and axial precision requirements for these bearings are extremely high," Zhang Guohua said. "The machine tool we have in our factory is the most precise in the entire city."

If we cannot manufacture them, no one else can.

The ministry official’s expression darkened further. "This won't work, that won't work—are you just sitting here waiting for the end? Can't you actively find a way to solve this?"

A provincial official hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "If our province cannot solve it, we will seek help from technologically advanced provinces. As long as it helps, spending a bit more is worth it. The provincial government can assist with inter-provincial coordination."

The ministry official turned to Zhang. "Comrade Zhang Guohua, I will give you one more week. If you still cannot resolve this, I will have no choice but to replace you with someone who can. You must ensure that this month’s production returns to normal levels."

The factory was too important; if it were to collapse, not only the provincial government but the ministry itself would be implicated and reprimanded. Furthermore, Zhang Guohua had been managing the automobile plant for a decade, yet technology had remained stagnant. If, after such a major issue, Zhang continued to offer vague excuses, it would be time for the ministry to appoint someone more capable.

Cold sweat beaded on Zhang Guohua's forehead. "Understood. I guarantee the task will be completed."

As the officials departed, Zhang Guohua sat alone in the conference room, his brow furrowed in distress. Suddenly, the security guard burst in, panting. "Factory Manager, good news!"

Zhang Guohua didn't even look at him, unwilling to be bothered. The guard stepped forward and handed a bearing to him. "Take a look at this."

Half-doubting, Zhang Guohua picked up a vernier caliper and measured the bearing. His eyes widened—this rough measurement actually met the requirements! Ecstatic, he immediately called for the technical staff.

After repeated measurements with professional instruments, the conclusion was clear: this bearing possessed even higher precision than what they had previously produced. It met their operational requirements perfectly.

"Where is the person who gave this to you?" Zhang asked urgently.

"Waiting at the gate," the guard replied.

Just then, Zhang Ziqiang walked in, muttering, "Dad, that kid at the gate has a grudge against me. No matter what, don't see him today."

Zhang Guohua was furious. "You scoundrel! How did I end up with a son like you? Idle all day, and you don't even do proper work when you’re at the factory. If you dare to offend our savior, don't blame me for beating you."

Everyone was accustomed to Zhang Guohua berating his son, so they simply looked away, pretending not to hear.

Zhang Ziqiang’s face flushed red, but he dared not talk back. Zhang Guohua called the gate, asking for Cheng Shi to be brought in.

"The comrade says he doesn't know the way and wants Comrade Zhang Ziqiang to come and escort him," the guard replied.

Ziqiang’s nose wrinkled in rage. "Me? I’m not going!"

Zhang Guohua glared at him. "What else can you do for this factory? You aren't as capable as your brother, who is born to be a leader. If you don't go, I'm docking your bonus for the month. If this expert refuses to help us, our factory won't even be able to pay wages next month."

Humiliated and seething, Ziqiang gritted his teeth. "Fine... I'll go, alright?"

At the factory gate, Cheng Shi stood with his hands behind his back, observing the reluctantly approaching Ziqiang with composure.

"The manager asks you to come in," Ziqiang muttered vaguely.

Cheng Shi tilted his head slightly. "What was that? I didn't hear you clearly."

Ziqiang clenched his fists, his face turning beet red. He enunciated every word clearly, "My father asks you to come in."

Cheng Shi nodded slightly. "Fine. Since your attitude in apologizing is so good, I’ll forgive you."

Ziqiang felt his blood pressure spike. "When did I apologize to you?!"

Cheng Shi looked at him with a faint, mocking smile. "Oh, right. You haven't called me 'brother' yet."

"In your dreams, I'm not—"

A phone rang, cutting him off. The guard answered it, then turned to Ziqiang. "The manager says to bring the expert in immediately."

Ziqiang gritted his teeth, swallowed his pride, and bowed to Cheng Shi. "Brother, I'm sorry."

*A little punk like you dares to act up in front of me?* Cheng Shi thought, suppressing a laugh. *Before I was reborn, I managed tens of thousands of people. What kind of person haven't I seen?* He strode into the factory.

When Cheng Shi entered the office, Zhang Guohua and the technicians were stunned.

*Are you kidding? He's just a high school student?* They had expected a white-haired expert or a veteran worker. Unless he was a child of a wealthy or scholarly family who had studied abroad, how could a young man possess such technical skill? Yet, looking at Cheng Shi’s washed-out trousers and shoes that looked ready to fall apart, it was clear he was a pauper.

*This is just a little con artist!* Zhang Guohua’s expression soured.

"These bearings probably aren't yours, are they?" a technician sneered.

Cheng Shi silently pulled out two more. The technician blinked, took them, and measured them. The precision was identical to the first. He nodded rapidly to Zhang Guohua.

"These three bearings are well-made, but the precision still doesn't meet our requirements," Zhang Guohua said.

*Heh, dishonest,* Cheng Shi thought, cold and unmoved. *Are you trying to get them for free, or are you trying to drive down the price?* "Alright then, give them back to me."

Zhang Guohua, who had hoped to exploit the youth’s lack of experience to buy them cheaply, was taken aback by Cheng Shi’s firmness. He had no choice but to say, "Although the precision isn't quite enough, they are barely usable. How much for each?"

*Regardless of where this kid got them, having three is better than none. I need to start production to ensure we don't end up with zero output this month; only then can I have the face to ask for an extension.*

"One hundred each," Cheng Shi replied.

"You—you know we’re desperate, so you're gouging us?!" Zhang Guohua almost shouted, but held it back. "Young man, you need perspective and a sense of duty; don't just look at immediate profit. Parts like these are worth ten each at most."

Cheng Shi didn't hesitate. "Perspective and duty? Can those fill my stomach? When you sell your cars for tens of thousands, why don't you talk about perspective or duty? You bought those CNC machines from Germany for over a hundred thousand, and they broke in less than twenty years. If you amortize the depreciation, maintenance, labor, and material costs for every part, the cost of a key component like this is several times higher than my asking price."

They talked about "giving young technicians a chance to show their ability," but in reality, they couldn't solve the problem themselves and were too stingy to pay the original manufacturer, so they were forced to swallow their pride.

"The point is," Cheng Shi continued, "I came to help you solve your problem, but you’re trying to take advantage of me with a clear conscience. That’s a bit shameless."

Zhang Guohua pursed his lips. *This kid is surprisingly knowledgeable.* But if he didn't agree now and the kid stopped selling, he wouldn't be able to report back to his superiors.