Chapter 34: Thought He Was Preparing a Masterstroke, Only to End Up Dropping a Turd
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As he walked out of Liu Jiande’s office, the director of the Production Section spat viciously onto the ground. He had long known that Liu Jiande was no good—he took all the credit for himself and left his subordinates to shoulder every mess.
What he had not expected was that Liu Jiande truly refused to get his hands dirty. Even the sort of work that offended people was left entirely to him, while Liu Jiande did not show his face at all. Once something went wrong, Liu Jiande would certainly claim that he had known nothing about it.
Though helpless, the director of the Production Section had no choice but to grit his teeth and get on with it. After all, a higher-ranking official could crush a man with a single word.
The wages currently offered by the Yuanqi Factory were not low. Yet for most people, the status of being a state-owned enterprise employee still mattered greatly. After the First Xicheng Wireless Factory announced that it was resuming operations, more than half of its permanent workers returned to work there.
As for the temporary workers, they did not care in the slightest. Since they had never possessed permanent-employee status anyway, it made little difference where they worked.
For the Yuanqi Factory, their departure was no obstacle. Who knew how many people were desperate to get into the Yuanqi Factory now? Moreover, the production process had already been standardized. With experienced workers leading newcomers on each production line, output could be raised within a few days.
The Pingyang municipal government attached great importance to the First Xicheng Wireless Factory’s return to production. The factory had once been one of Pingyang’s major taxpayers and had provided a large number of jobs. If the Wireless Factory could regain its former glory, it would unquestionably be good news for the city government.
There had also been rumors that the now-thriving Yuanqi Factory in Shangguan Town had been rescued by technical personnel from the First Xicheng Wireless Factory. Because of this, Pingyang Mayor Luo Junwu and the other city leaders who had come that day were filled with anticipation.
Seeing celebratory banners hanging throughout the factory grounds to mark the launch of the color television production line, as well as banners welcoming his inspection, Luo Junwu smiled at Xu Yongjin, the old director of the Wireless Factory.
“Old Xu, we’ve known each other for more than a decade, haven’t we? This is your final battle. Surely nothing can go wrong this time, right?”
“Rest assured, Mayor Luo. You’ve known me for all these years—when have I ever made a mistake?” Xu Yongjin replied with complete confidence. The day before, Liu Jiande had ordered Xu Yiqiao from the Technical Section to sign a military pledge on behalf of the factory leaders. If anything went wrong, Xu Yiqiao would take full responsibility.
“That’s true. In the blink of an eye, more than a decade has passed. You’re about to retire soon, too.” Luo Junwu sighed.
When they entered the production workshop, several reporters from the Pingyang Daily and Pingyang Television Station were already waiting there. They were preparing to film the Flying Wild Goose brand color televisions rolling off the production line—a moment that would be recorded in the city’s annals, informing the people of Pingyang that the city had produced its first locally made color television that day.
“I have long heard of the First Xicheng Wireless Factory’s Technical Department. You not only saved the Yuanqi Factory in Shangguan Town; you also saved countless families. On behalf of the Pingyang municipal government, I thank you for your contributions!”
As Luo Junwu finished speaking, a wave of applause broke out. He pressed his hands downward, then asked with a smile, “Who are the key people in your Technical Section now? Let us and our friends from the media meet them as well.”
His meaning was obvious: this was a sign that he intended to promote someone. If one caught Luo Junwu’s eye, a meteoric rise might well follow.
“It’s Liu Shirong. He’s currently one of the key members of our Technical Section. This color television production line could never have been put into operation so smoothly without Shirong!”
Xu Yiqiao suddenly spoke up and pushed Liu Shirong forward.
Liu Jiande’s expression immediately changed. From within the crowd, he fixed Xu Yiqiao with a furious stare. As Liu Shirong’s father, could he not know exactly how capable his son was? Liu Shirong knew nothing about technology.
The day before, to prevent any mishap from implicating him, Liu Jiande had forced Xu Yiqiao to sign a military pledge on behalf of the factory. If anything went wrong with the color television production line that day, Xu Yiqiao would take the blame. What did any of it have to do with him?
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When this immense fortune suddenly landed in his lap, Liu Shirong puffed out his chest even farther under the envious gazes of the other people in the Technical Section, wearing an expression that suggested he was born for the role. As for his father, Liu Jiande, frantically winking at him from the crowd, Liu Shirong did not notice him at all.
Xu Yiqiao’s decision to push Liu Shirong forward came as something of a surprise to Xu Yongjin. He looked around the Technical Section several times but could not find Zhou Wenyan anywhere. As for Li Dongling, he was nowhere to be seen either. Yet with so many people present, Xu Yongjin could not say much.
Among the group of Pingyang municipal leaders standing behind Luo Junwu, Yao Zhengru watched the scene with an expression that was both angry and amused. He then shook his head helplessly. He was curious to see what kind of grand farce the Wireless Factory would put on that day.
“Young and promising indeed!”
Looking at Liu Shirong, who was dressed to impress with his hair slicked until it shone, Luo Junwu pointed at him and said to Xu Yongjin, “Old Xu, you’ve taught him well. It seems the First Xicheng Wireless Factory has no shortage of successors.”
After checking the time, Luo Junwu said, “Begin production. I brought plenty of money today. I’m just waiting to take a Flying Wild Goose color television home!”
A rumble rang out, and the production line began to operate. Luo Junwu even called Liu Shirong over and asked him to explain the process to everyone present.
At once, Liu Shirong felt guilty. He had never touched the production line, had barely even entered the workshop, and had not yet learned to recognize all the machines. What on earth was he supposed to explain?
“Looks like Little Liu is a bit nervous,” Luo Junwu said after Liu Shirong remained silent for quite some time. “People in technical fields are practical and let their skills speak for them. Speaking certainly isn’t their strongest suit. Everyone should understand that. Still, you can’t be like this when you give speeches in the future.”
Hearing that he might be giving speeches in the future, Liu Shirong grew even more excited. But at that moment, he truly had no idea what to say.
Just as Liu Shirong was at a loss, a strange noise suddenly rang out. The color television production line, which had only just begun operating, abruptly stopped again. Liu Shirong could not help feeling relieved.
For the first few minutes, Luo Junwu paid little attention. Accidents like this were unavoidable, especially at the start of production, and he could understand that.
But when more than ten minutes passed without the problem being fixed, Luo Junwu’s expression began to darken. Even so, he still smiled at Liu Shirong.
“Little Liu, it seems the Technical Section really can’t do without you. Why don’t you step in?”
“Me?!”
Liu Shirong stared blankly. His expression was identical to the look worn by Benbo’er Ba in the television series Journey to the West—the same series whose ratings remained sky-high no matter how many times it was rebroadcast—when the Nine-Headed Demon ordered him to eliminate Tang Monk and his disciples.
With so many people watching, Liu Shirong had no choice but to go. He braced himself and walked toward the production line. At that moment, however, Xu Yiqiao called the other technicians back, including the old workhorse Song Yajun, leaving Liu Shirong the stage to perform alone.
The atmosphere quickly grew heavy. The laughter and conversation vanished, leaving only Liu Shirong’s solitary figure as he worked frantically.
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After more than an hour had passed, the production line had been started several times without producing a single television. It had even suffered a short circuit. Luo Junwu was so furious that he laughed.
Clapping his hands, he said to Xu Yongjin, “Old Xu, you’ve certainly opened my eyes today!”
With a cold snort, Luo Junwu turned and walked away. As Yao Zhengru followed him, he looked back at Xu Yongjin, Liu Jiande, Xu Yiqiao, Liu Shirong, and the others.
Xu Yongjin was trembling with rage. Before he could explode, Xu Yiqiao tore off the factory uniform bearing the name of the First Xicheng Wireless Factory and threw it to the ground. He shot Liu Jiande a sidelong glance.
“I’m done serving you!”
The production line had been plagued by problems from the beginning. When Liu Jiande had forced Xu Yiqiao to sign the military pledge the previous day, Xu Yiqiao had already known that he would be made the scapegoat. But if he was leaving, he had to drag someone down with him. What Liu Jiande had never expected was that Xu Yiqiao would have the nerve to do it.
The news that the First Xicheng Wireless Factory had made an utter disaster of its television launch spread throughout Pingyang that very day. Xu Yongjin was so enraged that he was sent to the hospital before the day was over. Liu Shirong was fired outright. Liu Jiande somehow retained his position as general manager, but no one knew when the First Xicheng Wireless Factory’s television project would ever begin production.
The money owed to the bank, along with the funds raised from the workers, still had to be repaid.
The news about the First Xicheng Wireless Factory was recounted to Li Dongling by Yao Luoying with such vivid detail that one might have thought she had witnessed the entire scene herself.
“Chairman Li, you should have seen Liu Shirong’s expression. His face had turned the color of pig liver. He looked as though he was one step away from dismantling the whole production line!”
Yao Luoying looked at Li Dongling.
“I really don’t understand how the people at the First Xicheng Wireless Factory could have been so blind. They actually drove you away for the sake of someone like Liu Shirong.”
“The First Xicheng Wireless Factory has nothing to do with me anymore.”
Li Dongling shook his head indifferently. Once he had left, whether the First Xicheng Wireless Factory prospered or collapsed had nothing to do with him. It was true that his first fortune had been made possible with help from that place.
However, if the First Xicheng Wireless Factory were to fall, the time would come for Li Dongling to settle his entire account with Liu Jiande.
“The New Year is only half a month away. Arrange an annual banquet for Dongling High-Tech. And make sure the gifts and bonuses are prepared as well.”
Li Dongling gave Yao Luoying his instructions. Ever since she had joined Dongling High-Tech, she had helped him handle the company’s affairs and saved him a great deal of trouble.
Li Dongling was no longer the ruthless miser he had once been, nor was his heart as hard as before. Although he had said that Chen Tao and the other employees in the Technical Department would have to work overtime over the New Year, he would certainly let them rest during the New Year holiday and spend the time with their families. New Year bonuses and the like would naturally be distributed as well.
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