Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 425 Departmental Independence, Giving a Greeting
Zhou Fengnian was a bit hungry at this moment, as he hadn't eaten much at noon. In the afternoon, he was in a hurry to pick up Old Man Zhou for his serum injection, and he was busy for quite a while.

Zhou Fengnian was starving as soon as dinner time arrived, so he ate while listening to the audio.

After finishing a bowl of rice, Zhou Fengnian finally caught his breath, took a sip of tea, and then spoke to Wang Mingjie.
"I think I understand now. Liao Jinxuan isn't the kind of person who gets things done. Or rather, he might want to get things done, but he wants to promote his people to do it."

If he weren't someone who gets things done, he wouldn't have been promoted to this position. So his current performance shows that he and Pan Heng and Wang Mingjie have different goals and paths.

All three deputy directors were promoted by Liao Jinxuan, which is also the reason for Wang Mingjie's dissatisfaction.

He didn't do anything wrong, so why was the new minister in such a hurry? He was practically trying to remove him from his post. If it weren't for Director Pan Heng's open opposition, he probably would have been transferred.

What is this for?
However, Wang Mingjie didn't dare to openly express his dissatisfaction with Liao Jinxuan. He and Pan Heng combined couldn't overpower Liao Jinxuan. If it weren't for the other deputy leaders in the department, they probably would have been transferred long ago.

"This guy seems to be the deputy class monitor from Jiangsu Province. I don't know much about what he did before, but he does seem to have a tough personality. I'll ask Luo Yifeng first."

Zhou Fengnian's only remaining acquaintance in the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building was Luo Yifeng. Although he knew many other directors, he couldn't really talk to them.

"By the way, Mingjie, when did you leave? Was Comrade Luo Yifeng still in the ministry before you left?"

Wang Mingjie quickly replied, "I left when it was time. Leader Luo should still be here then; his driver's car is downstairs."

Zhou Fengnian took out his phone and dialed a number while asking, "Let me ask first. If that doesn't work, I'll ask the leader if he's been busy with other things lately and has overlooked them."

He only took charge of technical issues, pushing aside all non-technical matters, and the Institute of Biological Cells consumed most of his energy.

After the call connected, Zhou Fengnian said, "Old Luo, this is Zhou Fengnian. I have something I'd like to ask you."

Luo Yifeng, on the other end, said, "It's about the communications business department, right? I was thinking you'd call me soon, but I didn't expect it to be so late."

"Hehe, I was focused on other projects before, so I didn't know a lot of things. I just heard the news myself, much later than you guys."

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "Is this matter confirmed?"

Luo Yifeng on the other end of the phone said, "Well, it's basically confirmed. The deputy leader just had a meeting with us half a month ago, and the address has been chosen. It's quite close to where you are, right on Sanqian Street."
However, in a bountiful year, Comrade Liao Jinxuan is really hard to work with. I now understand why he was transferred here; it's because he has such a strong personality.

Luo Yifeng seemed to have suffered enough grievances, and he started complaining to Zhou Fengnian on the phone, telling him a lot about Liao Jinxuan's past.

Back in Jiangsu Province, he, as deputy squad leader, pressured the squad leader to focus on development. While this approach yielded good results, it also created discord among the squad members.

The squad leader was instructed to report directly to the city government, indicating that Liao Jinxuan's contributions were the reason for his transfer to the city – a lateral promotion.

When he arrived at the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, he still didn't change his old ways.

“Fengnian, I’m not saying this to be mean, but it would be better if you hadn’t left; you would have been better off staying than Comrade Liao Jinxuan.”

"You're too kind, you're too kind."

Zhou Fengnian quickly replied that he hadn't been involved in anything at the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building before, and it was impossible for him to stay there.

If he were still a deputy leader, he could stay, but given his and Liao Jinxuan's temperaments, they would clash sooner or later if they were together.

"Luo, tell me about the communications business department. What's going on? I can't ignore it now. Both of our secretaries are from this department, and now it seems like they're considering a transfer."

"In a bountiful year, the department will not be completely independent until after the next general meeting, but for now, we will definitely separate the office locations and personnel arrangements."

Luo Yifeng quickly told Zhou Fengnian everything he knew. There was no need to hide anything; given Zhou Fengnian's relationship with the deputy leader, it wouldn't be difficult for him to find out.

It's a bit of an overreaction to go to the leader for two secretaries, so I'll handle things myself if I can.

After finishing his call with Luo Yifeng, Zhou Fengnian had a better understanding of the situation. It was roughly as he had predicted; after becoming independent, it would most likely be a department on par with the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry. The only uncertainty was personnel changes; if this news got out, many people would definitely want to send their own people there.

"Okay, Lao Luo, I got it. Thanks for today."

After thanking him, Zhou Fengnian hung up the phone and then fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Wang Mingjie didn't dare to disturb them and just waited quietly by their side.

Two minutes later, Zhou Fengnian spoke up: "Your positions will definitely not change, so don't worry about that. But when will Pan Heng be back next month?"

Wang Mingjie replied, "It should be number three, but I can ask right now."

"No rush. You two can come see me again after he gets back, and we can discuss it in detail then."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he was about to leave. He stood up and said to Wang Mingjie, "Mingjie, don't think too much. I created the communications business department myself. As long as you don't make any mistakes, no one can transfer you."

"Thank you, leader."

Wang Mingjie quickly stood up and said that if he had made a mistake, he would be too ashamed to come to Zhou Fengnian; having served Zhou Fengnian for nearly seven years, how could he not know what kind of person Zhou Fengnian was?

If he makes a mistake, then it's too embarrassing to come knocking on his door.

------

After leaving the Imperial Kitchen, Zhou Fengnian took a car home.

"dad!"

However, as soon as he got home, Zhou Xianyang, who came out of the courtyard, grabbed his arm and held on tightly.

"What are you doing? How old are you? Let go of me."

Zhou Fengnian quickly said, but his son was like a leech, and he couldn't shake him off even after trying a couple of times.

Zhou Xianyang leaned closer and asked, "Dad, did you take Grandpa to get some extra nutrition today?"

Zhou Fengnian nodded and said, "You found out so quickly?"

"What? With Grandpa like that, it's hard not to know."

Zhou Xianyang looked envious, then let go of Zhou Fengnian and said, "As soon as I got back today, Grandpa challenged me to an arm wrestling match. Goodness, I lost even when I used all my strength. Grandpa's strength is not that of a seventy-year-old man."

Grandpa still wants to go back to the fertilizer factory to continue contributing, and he doesn't even want to take care of his great-grandson anymore.

"Why is this old man showing off?"

Zhou Fengnian quickly instructed, "Go and talk to your grandfather right away, and tell him not to talk about these things outside."

Zhou Xianyang waved his hand and said, "Grandpa knows, he was just showing off to me. Dad, when will it be my turn? This was too effective!"

I go out frequently, and sometimes even security can't protect me. Having this is a good precaution.

Zhou Fengnian said disdainfully, "Don't talk nonsense and curse yourself. After your grandma finishes her injection next year, if no one in our family needs it, then we'll consider you first."

(End of this chapter)