Chapter 125 Blood and Qi Surge

"That's not what I meant. These kinds of projects usually require several factories to work together. Finding someone you know at least ensures things won't fall apart."

Factory Director Yang burst into laughter.

"Okay, whatever you say. I'll go with you this afternoon."

Heavy machinery factory.

Secretary Jiang did not expect the two of them to come.

He came out of the office with a smile on his face.

"Hey, what brings you two here?"

Factory Director Yang pointed at Li Jianguo.

"You son-in-law, you never forget me when something good happens. You always have to drag me along."

Secretary Jiang glanced at Li Jianguo, a smile in his eyes.

"Let's go inside and talk."

A row of flowers was placed on the windowsill in the office, and several calligraphy scrolls hung on the wall, all signed by Secretary Jiang himself.

Factory Director Yang plopped down in the chair.

"Your room is much more comfortable than mine."

"Your room looks like it's been through a war zone, how can you compare?"

The two exchanged a few words, and then the secretary brought in tea.

After taking two sips of tea, Secretary Jiang asked.

"Speak, what is it?"

Director Yang explained his purpose.

After listening, Secretary Jiang remained silent for a few seconds.

"I know about the steam locomotive project, and our factory also wants to contribute. But as you know, we just merged not long ago, our foundation is weak, and we have few people. It's going to be tough for us to do this independently."

That's why I'm looking to collaborate with you.

Factory Director Yang pointed at Li Jianguo.

"It was his suggestion. The two factories should work together, submit the report, and get the project approved as soon as possible. We can't let others beat us to it."

Secretary Jiang looked at him.

"Your factory can do it itself, right? Are you trying to give me a hand?"

"Come on, you."

Factory Director Yang waved his hand.

"Our factory's main focus now is automobiles; we rely on that for foreign exchange. If all the staff are transferred, will the higher-ups agree? Besides, we've squeezed almost all the profits out of the automobile sector. If we want to move upmarket, we'll have to wait for things like electronics and communications, or new materials, to catch up. Those are matters of the broader environment, not my concern."

Li Jianguo added a sentence.

"So I want to change tracks. The country is in dire need of reconstruction, and we can't keep relying on past achievements in one place."

Secretary Jiang looked at him for a long time, then nodded.

"Okay. Just because of what you said, I'll take this project."

He stood up, walked to the door, and called out.

"Call everyone to a meeting!"

The conference room was full of people.

The leaders and engineers from the heavy machinery factory all arrived, their eyes wide and fixed on Li Jianguo.

Secretary Jiang stood at the front.

"These two are Director Yang and Director Li from the steel rolling mill. They're here today to discuss cooperation. The two mills will work together to develop our own diesel locomotive."

There was a buzzing sound from below.

Someone raised their hand.

"Director Li, I'd like to ask, could you please give me a detailed explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of internal combustion engines and steam engines?"

Li Jianguo stood up and walked to the blackboard.

"Steam engines burn coal and have a thermal efficiency of less than 6%. Of the 100 pounds of coal burned, 94 pounds are wasted. Internal combustion engines burn oil and have a thermal efficiency of over 30%."

"Then why not develop electric locomotives?"

"Power grid." Li Jianguo drew two lines on the blackboard. "The electric locomotive itself is fine; we have the technology. But if you want the train to run, you need a power grid along the route. From Beijing to Shanghai, it's over a thousand kilometers. How much would it cost to lay power lines all over it? Right now, ordinary people don't even have electricity in their homes."

Another engineer raised his hand.

"What about materials? Can our current steel production capacity support the development of internal combustion engines?"

"Yes, but it will take time."

Li Jianguo wrote a series of numbers on the blackboard.

"What we lack right now is precision machining capability. But you can't just think about it; you have to do it. You'll get the hang of it as you go.

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Then questions came one after another.

Li Jianguo stood in front of the blackboard and answered each question one by one.

Factory Director Yang and Secretary Jiang sat in the back, watching his retreating figure.

Director Yang lowered his voice.

"You're a great son-in-law."

Secretary Jiang's lips curled up.

"Of course."

The meeting ended when it was already dark.

Engineers crowded around, eager to sign up.

Li Jianguo accepted all offers without hesitation.

Factory Director Yang and Secretary Jiang discussed the details of the cooperation. However, Factory Director Yu of the Heavy Machinery Plant was not present, so some things could only be agreed upon verbally for the time being.

After they finished all that, Secretary Jiang held onto them, not wanting them to leave.

"You've come all this way, and you're just going to leave without even eating? What kind of person would I be? Come on, it's a state-run restaurant, my treat."

State-run restaurant.

A small blackboard hangs by the door, listing today's dishes.

Braised pork belly.

Secretary Jiang's eyes lit up.

"What a coincidence! The chef at this restaurant used to be a royal chef; his braised pork is absolutely divine!"

The three of them sat down, ordered food, and got a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

After a few rounds of drinks, Director Yang became more talkative.

"I don't know what's going on lately, but projects all over the country are being rushed. It's like if you're slow, you'll fall behind. I feel like something's not right."

Secretary Jiang thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"Everyone wants to live a good life, so it's normal to be a little impatient. But there is indeed a sense of rushing things. But that has nothing to do with us; we just need to do our own jobs well."

Li Jianguo listened without saying a word.

He knew what was going on.

But he also knew that he was just a nobody and couldn't change the bigger picture.

All he can do is to do his job well.

Once productivity increases, many problems will naturally be solved.

We've almost finished drinking.

All three of them were a little tipsy.

Li Jianguo was probably the most clear-headed one.

He glanced at the restaurant and wanted to find a designated driver.

Then it dawned on me that these days, there aren't many people who can drive, so where would a designated driver come from?

He resignedly stood up and shoved the two men into the car.

Factory Director Yang delivered it to his home.

Then I'll send it to Secretary Jiang.

At the entrance of the Jiang family's residence.

When Jiang's mother opened the door, her face immediately fell.

"You've drunk yourself to this state again! I've told you so many times to drink less, but you just ignore me!"

Li Jianguo was a little embarrassed.

"Auntie, we were in a good mood today, so we had a few drinks with Director Yang. Don't worry, we'll be careful in the future and won't let Uncle drink so much."

Jiang's mother looked at him, suppressing the anger in her eyes.

"You've had a few drinks, why don't you stay at my place tonight?"

As soon as Jiang's mother said these words, Jiang Min, who was standing behind her, blushed instantly.

Jiang's father, now sober, seemed to be thinking something, and glared at Li Jianguo, trying to push him out. "You're coming out with me. You're not even married yet, and you're already rushing to our house to fawn over us. Do you think my daughter is so easy to marry?"

Seeing him acting like he was guarding against a thief even when he was drunk, everyone laughed.

"I have to go to work tomorrow and go back to organize the data." Li Jianguo didn't plan to stay—it wasn't the right time yet.

Jiang's mother didn't stop him anymore, gave him some food, and then let him go.

As the car drove into the courtyard, Li Jianguo felt the effects of the alcohol build up.

He swayed as he walked into the room, his mind still racing about how to distribute the documents to the engineers. There was too much material for one person to read; it had to be distributed according to skill level. Maybe a test?

Lost in thought, he didn't even notice that the door lock had been tampered with.

With a push, the door opened.

Li Jianguo was stunned. "I left the door unlocked when I went out?"

He strode in.

"Director Li, you're back!"

A sticky sound came from the bed.

Li Jianguo sobered up a bit. How come there was a woman in his room?

"Who are you? Where did you come from?" he glared at her. "Get out of here now!"

Yu Li was a little hurt. She thought for a long time before coming up with this plan. Li Jianguo was a good man, and she didn't want to let him go. The best way was to force the issue. Once they were together, he wouldn't be able to escape.

They didn't have many opportunities to get close on a regular basis, but He Yushui gave her an idea. Taking things slowly was useless; she might as well catch them in the act at home. In any case, he cared more about his reputation than she did. Besides, he wasn't married yet; if people knew about their affair, maybe she could marry into the family.

"Why are you so fierce?" She lay on the bed, her clothes barely covering her body peeking out from under the covers, striking a pose. "I've been waiting for you for ages. A good night's sleep is worth a fortune, hurry up and get on!"

Li Jianguo was so angry that his blood was boiling.