Chapter 31: Poaching Talent

The car sped along the national highway west of Pingyang’s provincial capital, with Gao Peng and Yang Zhigao taking turns behind the wheel. It was their first time driving the Huwu Ben, and Gao Peng was even more excited than Li Dongling.

This trip to the provincial capital was for Li Dongling to seek out technical experts. Pingyang still lacked top-tier talent; even offering high salaries, there were few places to recruit from. The provincial capital’s level of scientific research and talent was far superior to Pingyang’s.

“Is he no longer at Pingyang West City Wireless Factory No. 1?!”

Below the provincial TV station building, An Ruoxue held the returned letter in her hand and couldn’t help but ask the postman in front of her.

“Miss An, I specifically asked a colleague from Pingyang’s postal service. That Li Dongling is indeed no longer at Wireless Factory No. 1. I heard it’s due to work-related transfers; he’s already been relocated,” the postman said.

Hearing this, An Ruoxue clenched the envelope tightly. “Do you know where he went?”

“Well... I’m not sure about that,” the postman replied.

Holding the returned letter, An Ruoxue returned to the provincial TV station office. Staring at the unopened envelope, she stood up resolutely. She needed to take leave and go to Pingyang.

“Come in!”

There was a knock on the door of the provincial TV director Kong Weiming’s office. Hearing a voice from inside, An Ruoxue pushed the door open.

Seeing An Ruoxue enter, Kong Weiming immediately smiled. “Ruoxue, I was just looking for you…”

“Director, I need to take a few days off,” An Ruoxue said straightforwardly.

Kong Weiming frowned at once. “Ruoxue, normally I’d approve any leave you request, but today the central TV station in Yanjing just sent us the list for further training. Each provincial station can recommend only one person. The station has already decided that spot is yours. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to be absent now.”

“Let someone else have the spot, I really need to take leave!” An Ruoxue insisted.

Kong Weiming’s expression darkened further. He slammed the table. “An Ruoxue, what do you take this station for? The nomination submitted to the central station can’t just be changed on a whim! Even if I am your father’s old subordinate, that doesn’t give you the right to disregard station rules. If something goes wrong, who would bear the responsibility?”

Then his tone softened, and he poured her a glass of water. “Xiaoxue, I’ve watched you grow up. You’re just starting your career and should focus on your work. Besides, you can’t let me become a laughingstock. If I can’t even manage one person, where would I put my face? This training in Yanjing lasts only three months. Can’t you wait three months? Think of it as doing me a favor, will you?”

Seeing Kong Weiming’s humbled attitude, An Ruoxue found it hard to refuse and nodded. “I’ll go pack.”

“No need. The station will send someone to accompany you to Yanjing by plane today. They’ll provide all daily necessities there, and the station will subsidize you. If you’re missing anything, just buy it there,” Kong Weiming said.

An Ruoxue was surprised. “So soon?”

“This concerns the station’s honor. You must go early to prepare and familiarize yourself with the environment to avoid any discomfort,” Kong Weiming said sternly.

After An Ruoxue left, Kong Weiming waited a few minutes before making a call. “Sister Du, I’ve arranged for someone to accompany Ruoxue to Yanjing. Don’t worry, nothing will go wrong!”

Du Fengying’s voice came from the phone. “Old Kong, thanks to you this time. That girl’s been restless lately. I figured she wanted to go to Pingyang to find that Li fellow. Old An and I owe you one!”

“You flatter me. Director An was my old superior. This is just my duty, no need to talk about favors.”

“Alright, I won’t disturb you. Next time Old An’s free, you should come over for a few drinks and catch up,” Du Fengying said.

Walking through the campus of Hanxi Jiaoda University, Li Dongling looked at the familiar scene. Though the university wasn’t yet the modern, high-rise, high-tech campus it would become, it was still bustling with life, much like in later years.

Suddenly, a soccer ball flew over and rolled to Li Dongling’s feet.

For a moment, Li Dongling was lost in thought. When he was at Hanxi Jiaoda, he used to play soccer here with friends. Back then, a girl always waited on the sidelines, cheering whenever he made a good shot.

Someone playing in the distance ran over and shouted, “Hey buddy, kick it back!”

Snapping back to reality, Li Dongling kicked the ball hard towards the goal. The ball sailed through the air and hit the net dead center.

He looked up at the sky and sighed deeply. Turning to Gao Peng and Yang Zhigao who were carrying large bags behind him, he said, “Let’s go.”

Professor Liu Youguo of Hanxi Jiaoda’s Radio Technology Institute returned to his residence after class. Seeing a Mercedes parked downstairs, he glanced at it but didn’t think much, heading straight upstairs. The past few years in research had been tough, especially for theorists like him. His graduate students weren’t doing well either, so no one came to visit him.

As he reached the door, he heard his wife’s laughter inside—a sound he hadn’t heard from her in a long time.

Opening the door, several people looked up at him. One called out, “Professor Liu!”

Seeing the familiar faces, since he had left the school only months ago, Liu recognized them immediately. “Dongling, what brings you here?”

“I came mainly to see you and madam,” Li Dongling replied.

Liu Youguo looked at the pile of stuff Li Dongling had brought, then at Gao Peng beside him. “Is that Mercedes downstairs yours?”

“Never thought you’d go into business. I remember you had a knack for design. I even considered recommending you to the Design Institute or research lab!”

“You old codger, you don’t hope for people to do better so they don’t follow in your footsteps. Nowadays, making atomic bombs isn’t as profitable as selling tea eggs; surgeons aren’t as in-demand as barbers. You’re barely making enough to eat meat or go out to eat!”

Liu’s wife mercilessly pointed out his shortcomings. Liu Youguo’s face darkened but he couldn’t argue—it was the harsh reality. While many had become millionaires or billionaires, most salaries were still low.

Especially in education and research, funds were scarce. Professors like Liu Youguo earned less than some small restaurant owners—this was the truth.

“These are just temporary. When the economy improves, research will get more attention and salaries for R&D staff will rise!” Liu Youguo protested.

“I hope that day comes soon. Then I can live a little better too. Following you all these years, I’ve suffered far more than enjoyed,” his wife retorted.

Liu Youguo’s face darkened further. “Watch your tongue! There are still people here!”

“Dongling didn’t come just to bring gifts to an old retiree like me, right?” Liu Youguo asked bluntly.

Li Dongling smiled. “Why not? I came especially to see you and madam. If you don’t mind, I’ll visit every year.”

“That sounds good. I’ll be waiting for that day every year!”

This caught Liu Youguo off guard, leaving Li Dongling no room to refuse. Henceforth, whenever he returned to the provincial capital, he would have to make sure to visit Liu Youguo.

Li Dongling looked at the old man, realizing he wasn’t as rigid as the rumors suggested. Clearing his throat, he said, “Besides visiting you, I do have another favor to ask.”

“I’ve started a company in Pingyang, developing electronic products. I need talents in mechanics and electronics. I hope you can recommend some people.”

As a professor at Hanxi Jiaoda, Liu Youguo had connections. He knew better than most where talented graduates worked. Getting a list from him was far better than Li Dongling wandering the provincial capital in search.

Just then, Liu Youguo’s wife came out and said, “He’s made the effort to come to the provincial capital. Don’t do anything to waste his trip!” She tapped the pile of belongings, reminding Liu that Li Dongling had brought valuable things and they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Liu Youguo took a sip of water, set the cup down hard, then after a moment said to Li Dongling, “You’ve probably heard of Chen Tao, right? A few years older than you, now at the West Plain Electronic Engineering Institute. Things aren’t going great for him either. I can call him for you, but whether you can hire him depends on your own skills.”

Hearing Chen Tao’s name, Li Dongling’s eyes lit up. He had heard of Chen Tao’s reputation as an electronics genius. Back in the day, he built many electronic products from common components. Even years after graduation, Li Dongling had heard Chen Tao’s name multiple times as a chief technical officer at a company, developing advanced products and technologies.

“Professor Liu, if you find suitable talents in the future, please recommend them to my company. I will definitely visit you and madam every year,” Li Dongling said.

Before leaving, he reminded Liu Youguo to help poach more talents, much to the old professor’s dismay. For Liu Youguo, helping Li Dongling recruit was like losing staff to other institutions, making him uneasy.

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End of pages 1 to 3.