Chapter 56 Remembering Old Acquaintances

The car drove into a hunting ground located a few dozen kilometers outside the urban area of Pingyang. When Li Dongling stepped out of the vehicle, Yao Zhengru was already waiting there.

Seeing Li Dongling alight, Yao Zhengru approached him and said, "Mayor Luo is inside!"

Over a century ago, this hunting ground had once served as an imperial hunting reserve. Mountain poplars, oaks, prickly ash, and manchurian pears blanketed the hills. In earlier times, it was even home to leopards and other wildlife, though such creatures were naturally gone now.

Li Dongling and Yao Zhengru walked inward. Today’s outing was ostensibly for hunting, but in practice, they would merely bag a few wild hares, goats, or boars on the periphery of the preserve, without venturing deep into the mountain forest.

"What are your thoughts on the matter of the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory?!" Yao Zhengru asked Li Dongling, probing for his stance so that he could make a decisive response later in front of Luo Junwu.

"Dongling Hi-Tech will not acquire the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory!"

Li Dongling answered Yao Zhengru directly. Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flickered across Yao Zhengru's face, though he was not overly surprised.

"However, I do have a proposal that might help the Pingyang municipal government resolve the trouble at the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory!"

Before Yao Zhengru could press further, the air suddenly carried a faint smell of gunpowder smoke, followed by the reports of several hunting rifle shots.

As Li Dongling, Yao Zhengru, and Yang Zhigao, who followed behind, approached the spot, they saw a man in his late forties or early fifties, still tall and full of vigor, lowering a hunting rifle and aiming at a target ahead.

Observing the man's posture with the rifle, Yang Zhigao couldn't help taking a few extra glances. From that stance alone, Yang Zhigao could tell that Luo Junwu had undoubtedly served in the military.

"Bang!"

Following the muzzle flash, a wild goat in the distance dropped to the ground on cue. Li Dongling, Yao Zhengru, and several others nearby began to applaud.

"I'm getting old," Luo Junwu said with a shake of his head. "Back when I was in the platoon, I was a sharpshooter. Now it takes me three shots to hit anything!"

Removing his gloves, Luo Junwu turned and walked toward Li Dongling. "You must be President Li. I've heard a great deal about you, and today we finally meet!"

"Mayor Luo is too kind!" Li Dongling said, shaking hands with Luo Junwu.

Aside from firing a few rounds in designated areas to satisfy one's craving for shooting, this hunting ground was essentially used for sightseeing and tourism. There was also a restaurant located within the grounds.

At present, the concept of mass tourism had yet to take off. Those who had the time and spare cash to come here for hunting and sightseeing were basically municipal officials or executives from various corporations.

As Luo Junwu walked toward the hunting ground's restaurant with Li Dongling, he remarked, "The Silver Sable mouse has now become a well-known domestic brand. Pingyang can finally be considered to have its own high-tech company! If more college graduates like you, Dongling, were to return, perhaps our Pingyang could give rise to several more high-tech companies."

Hearing this, Li Dongling smiled without answering. The few individuals present who knew the inside story, like Yao Zhengru, could not interject. Li Dongling had been assigned back to Pingyang to work, but his time at the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory had been far from smooth. Founding Dongling Hi-Tech was an act of establishing his own independent venture, with no assistance from the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory whatsoever.

Entering the hunting ground's restaurant, the chef had already prepared the meals. After Luo Junwu raised a toast, he steered the conversation toward the main topic with Li Dongling.

"Mayor Yao should have already mentioned it to you. The municipal leadership hopes that Dongling Hi-Tech can acquire the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory. As for the terms of the acquisition, the city is open to negotiation!"

Li Dongling looked at Luo Junwu. "Dongling Hi-Tech is in no position to acquire the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory right now. That factory is beyond what Dongling Hi-Tech can save."

Upon hearing this, Luo Junwu chuckled and said, "Practice is the sole criterion for truth. Young people should be a bit bolder! If you could win a lawsuit against Microsoft, why would you be afraid of the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory?!"

Luo Junwu genuinely hoped that Li Dongling would take over the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory. Apart from wanting the Pingyang municipal administration to rid itself of this ticking time bomb, the livelihoods of two to three thousand families were at stake, forcing him to handle the matter with extreme caution.

Shaking his head, Li Dongling said, "Mayor Luo, we are all well aware that the problems plaguing the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory go far beyond its debts. Anyone attempting to rescue a moribund enterprise plagued by such deep-seated maladies would likely find themselves unequal to the task. Given Dongling Hi-Tech's current circumstances, we simply cannot afford to take such a massive risk."

Hearing this, Luo Junwu wanted to press the case further for the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory, partly for the sake of his old friend Xu Yongjin, hoping to prevent him from retiring in disgrace and leaving his career under a cloud of regret just before stepping down.

"Mayor Luo, President Li, perhaps he has some new ideas. It wouldn't hurt to listen," Yao Zhengru chimed in at that moment.

Luo Junwu glanced at Yao Zhengru, then turned his gaze back toward Li Dongling, before nodding as if recalling something.

"I am somewhat aware of the situation at the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory. The most pressing issue right now is the debt owed from the employee fundraising campaign."

Li Dongling stated, "Dongling Hi-Tech can establish an electronic industrial park and purchase the 'Flying Wild Goose' brand from the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory for 3.5 million, along with the long-idled radio production line. In addition, the Pingyang municipal government must allocate a plot of land for a factory site to Dongling Hi-Tech.

"Dongling Hi-Tech's production base can give hiring priority to former employees of the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory, but they must pass a screening process before being recruited. Furthermore, these individuals must be personnel who have already retired or resigned from the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory."

Luo Junwu and Yao Zhengru exchanged glances. Both of them could read between the lines: Li Dongling wanted to avoid having Dongling Hi-Tech become overly entangled with the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory.

However, although Li Dongling's proposal fell considerably short of what Luo Junwu had originally envisioned, it would indeed help the Pingyang municipal government untangle a massive knot. With this sum of money, provided the municipality chipped in a little more, the issue of the factory employees' pooled funds could be resolved, and new employment opportunities could be provided to the laid-off workers of the wireless factory!

Luo Junwu was not a man of indecision. The situation at the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory could not be dragged out any longer. He had already made up his mind, but he still asked Yao Zhengru, "What is Mayor Yao's opinion?"

"I believe it is feasible. It resolves the most immediate crisis, allowing the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory to move forward unburdened in the future," Yao Zhengru replied directly.

This was tantamount to the Pingyang municipal government giving the factory one last helping hand while completely cutting it loose to sink or swim on its own thereafter. The municipal administration had already done everything within its power.

"This matter still requires a formal resolution by the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory, but in principle, I agree," Luo Junwu said with finality.

"However, Mayor Luo, prior to Dongling Hi-Tech finalizing this transaction, I hope the municipal government can conduct an audit of the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory to prevent anyone from maliciously sabotaging the deal!" Li Dongling added abruptly.

Luo Junwu was momentarily stunned, then exchanged an understanding smile with Yao Zhengru. Both of them had heard whispers of the grievances between Li Dongling and certain figures at the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory, and even his stint providing technical support at the Shangguan Town Appliance Factory had deeper roots.

Glancing at Li Dongling, a resolute look crossed Luo Junwu's eyes. "An investigation is indeed in order. The fact that the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory has reached this state is inseparable from certain corrupt elements. What needs to be investigated must be investigated, and what needs to be arrested must be arrested. We can never allow those black sheep to continue wreaking havoc!"

After Li Dongling took his leave, Luo Junwu turned to Yao Zhengru. "Old Yao, I heard that Luoying is currently at Dongling Hi-Tech. If you want a son-in-law like Li Dongling, you'd better move fast!"

Hearing Luo Junwu's mildly teasing remark, Yao Zhengru waved his hand. "Young people's affairs are not for us to decide. You know Luoying's temper—when has she ever listened to the two of us?"

"I actually had some friends in the provincial capital check into things. When Li Dongling was at Hanxi Jiaotong University in the provincial capital, he did have a girlfriend—she's the daughter of Director An from the provincial propaganda department. Li Dongling had some falling out with the An family before returning to Pingyang.

"Whether Luoying can end up with Li Dongling concerns not just the two of them, but also whether Dongling Hi-Tech will remain in Pingyang in the future. If Director An's daughter were to end up with Li Dongling, who knows when Dongling Hi-Tech might pack up and move to the provincial capital..."

Hearing this, Yao Zhengru's expression remained calm and unruffled, as if he didn't care at all, yet his heart inevitably tightened a fraction.

The second day, Li Dongling had Yang Zhigao drive him toward the provincial capital. He was going to meet with Hanxi Jiaotong University to discuss the establishment of a joint research and development center.

Dongling Hi-Tech's R&D laboratory could only be located in the provincial capital. Hanxi's provincial capital boasted over sixty colleges and universities of various kinds, coupled with numerous military-industrial enterprises, meaning there was a substantial pool of research talent. Only by building the laboratory in the provincial capital could they recruit more R&D personnel and forge partnerships with a broader array of universities and research institutes.

Meanwhile, as Li Dongling headed toward the provincial capital, inside a residential apartment building in Pingyang, Liu Jiande put back on his freshly washed Zhongshan suit. Standing before the mirror and inspecting himself for a long while, Liu Jiande felt quite satisfied.

Turning back, however, he caught sight of Liu Shirong, who was slouching sloppily on the sofa watching television. Liu Jiande's brows furrowed deeply, and he snapped impatiently, "All you know how to do is watch TV! Look at what state you've reduced yourself to—you can't even be bothered to shave!"

With that, Liu Jiande let out a heavy sigh. Ever since that day when he had made a complete fool of himself in front of Luo Junwu and the assembled leadership of Pingyang—turning into the laughingstock of the entire city—Liu Shirong had been cooped up at home hiding from the gossip, refusing to step outside ever again.

Previously, even though Liu Jiande had resented Liu Shirong for lacking a proper work ethic, idling away his days chasing after women, it was still preferable to this pathetic state.

Pulling out a few bills, Liu Jiande placed them on the table and instructed, "Clean yourself up and go find that Zhao Wanrong. Tell her that after a while, I'll pull some strings to get you placed in another work unit, and at that time, we can increase the bride price."

Mentioning this caused a twinge of financial pain in Liu Jiande's heart. After Liu Shirong's scandal broke, that Zhao Wanrong had immediately fled without a trace, refusing to even meet Liu Shirong once, dealing him yet another heavy blow. Yet, under some strange spell, Liu Shirong remained utterly fixated on Zhao Wanrong.

Pestered endlessly by Liu Shirong, Zhao Wanrong had laid down her conditions: as long as he could secure a position in another work unit and pay a bride price so hefty it made even Liu Jiande's heart ache, she would register their marriage and enter his household.

"Dad, has the wireless factory resumed operations?!" Liu Shirong asked, a spark of hope finally returning to his eyes. Once the wireless factory resumed work, his old man would once again be the glamorous Manager Liu, and he could bask in that reflected glory.

"Not yet, but the municipal government has stepped in and found a buyer. They bought the long-idled, useless radio production line and the 'Flying Wild Goose' brand, raising a sum of money to first pay off the employee fundraising debts.

"Once those people stop making a fuss, we can take out a bank loan, and the factory can resume production. I told you so—with so many people depending on the wireless factory for their livelihoods, how could the city possibly wash its hands of it?!"

Liu Jiande declared with a sense of triumph, indulging in daydreaming about the scenes at the wireless factory after work resumed. Humming an opera tune, he hopped on his bicycle and headed toward the Xicheng No. 1 Wireless Factory.