The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 234 The Leaders Hold a Major Meeting, and Qian Jin Makes Another Appearance
After the National Day holiday ended, all units stopped their celebratory activities and resumed their intensive work.

The largest strategic conference room in the provincial supply and marketing cooperative's headquarters building was currently closed, with heavy, dark green velvet curtains hanging tightly shut.

All six rows of brand-new fluorescent tubes on the ceiling were on, their pale, bright light unable to penetrate the layers of solidified blue-gray smoke walls, casting only mottled, flickering shadows of the crowd on the half-worn, yellowish-green paint of the walls.

The long conference table was made of heavy solid wood, covered with a military green cloth that had been washed until it was whitish and had worn edges; it was cold to the touch.

The table was scattered with piles of papers, red and blue pencils, enamel teacup lids with tea stains on the edges, and several stainless steel ashtrays that seemed to be smoking and panting.

Several key leaders from the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative and the Provincial Foreign Trade Bureau sat upright, their usual composure gone.

The person presiding over this meeting was not one of those high-ranking leaders who wielded considerable influence in the province, but an old man with thinning gray hair and a habitually furrowed brow.

This is Qi Youyang, Deputy Director of the Import and Export Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

The Import and Export Administration is one of the four core business departments of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade. The other three are:

Foreign Trade Administration Bureau, Department of Foreign Economic Cooperation, Department of Planning and Finance.

The Import and Export Administration Bureau is responsible for compiling the national import and export plan, approving import and export licenses, managing quota allocation and commodity catalogs, compiling the national import and export trade plan and foreign exchange receipts and payments plan, and implementing mandatory quota management.

Therefore, Qi Youyang's title is Deputy Director, which may not sound like much, but in the national import and export trade industry, he is undoubtedly one of the most powerful figures.

At this moment, the office was filled with a group of high-ranking local officials—

Aside from assistants and secretaries, the lowest-ranking official attendees were people like Wei Bin, the president of the municipal supply and marketing cooperative. None of them dared to speak loudly in front of Qi Youyang; at most, they could crack a joke.

However, Qi Youyang is a serious worker and doesn't like to joke around with people.

At this moment, he was holding a thick stack of documents, his fingertips twirling the edges of the pages, making a continuous, soft "rustling" sound, and he kept shaking his head.

Upon hearing this voice and seeing his behavior, the leaders of the provincial supply and marketing system and the provincial foreign trade system were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

Wan Chengfeng, the president of the provincial supply and marketing cooperative, had the worst expression at this moment.

His crisp, dark blue Zhongshan suit had a hole burned into the front by cigarette ash, but he didn't seem to care and kept smoking.

The expressions of the key leaders from the provincial foreign trade bureau opposite him were no better.

Han Maolin, the director of the Foreign Trade Bureau, was a round-faced, chubby man who always liked to joke and laugh with people, but at this moment his face was so gloomy that it looked like it could drip water.

He gave Wan Chengfeng a wink: "What's the deal with those documents?"

Wan Chengfeng naturally knew that Han Maolin was referring to the stack of foreign product brochures in Qi Youyang's hand.

Today they are holding a large-scale product selection meeting to launch the largest import of foreign goods into the province since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

When asked by his friend, he said with a complicated expression, "What else could it be? It was translated by a professional translator from our company's foreign affairs office."

Han Maolin lowered his voice and said, "Just those few quacks? You're letting them carry out such an important task?"

Wan Chengfeng was unhappy: "Aren't they all elites who graduated from foreign language institutes? How did they become 'three-skilled swordsmen'?"

Qi Youyang seemed to have overheard their conversation and threw the translation materials onto the table.

Wan Chengfeng's expression became even more complicated.

This was translated by his capable subordinates working day and night, word by word, and it was the first compilation of technical data on imported goods in the province.

These things should have been treasures, but now they're lying in the center of the table, like a hot potato.

"Dear leaders," Qi Youyang finally sighed heavily, speaking with a thick nasal tone.

He pointed to the document with his finger, his expression even more complicated than Wan Chengfeng's.

"It's not that I, Lao Qi, am picky, but this thing..."

The printed words under his fingers seemed to carry a cold malice in every single one.

"Is this chanting a spell? Or writing celestial script? We invite all leaders to try reciting these two lines themselves!"

He cleared his throat, which was already hoarse from smoking and drinking, frowned, and read aloud with difficulty, his reading halting and with a strange rhythm:

"...This nylon zipper...is made of...uh...'thick, elastic rubber similar to shoe soles'...and has excellent...uh...'strength and durability when stretched, preventing it from falling off'..."

He couldn't continue reading, so he slammed his hand on the table, causing the enamel cup lid to clatter.

I'm about to lose my temper!

At this moment, a middle-aged or elderly cadre sitting next to him said with a smile, "Director Qi, Director Qi, have some tea. This is a type of green tea produced in our Haibin City. I used to love this when I worked in Haibin City. It can help to reduce internal heat."

Qi Youyang took the teacup handed to him, took a sip, and shook his head repeatedly: "Deputy Director Yang, why don't you take a look at this translation result? I really can't stand it anymore."

Deputy Director Yang took it and handed it to Wan Chengfeng: "President Wan, there are indeed a few sentences in this translation that are not quite right."

Wan Chengfeng examined it carefully, his face gradually turning red.

He slammed his fist on the table and yelled at his secretary, "What's going on? What's wrong with our colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Office? How could they translate something like this for the leaders to see?"

"Look at this for yourself! What kind of rubbish is this translation! No wonder Director Qi is unhappy..."

"Something like rubber on a shoe sole? It's really sturdy when you pull it? This is more stuttering than a three-year-old talking!"

"Who are you trying to impress? How could you say something like that? If you read that out to Old Zhang, the gatekeeper at our workplace, he'd definitely think you're crazy and kick you out!"

As he spoke, the veins on his forehead bulged.

“And this!” Qi Youyang’s assistant, who was in charge of textile and daily necessities, chimed in.

"...This towel set...the fabric has been specially treated...it has the effect of 'preventing water from getting in quickly and preventing the lint from falling off too fast'..."

He read it aloud until his own face twitched, and finally shook his head and handed it to Wan Chengfeng.

Wan Chengfeng continued to rage: "How did the Foreign Affairs Office do its translation work?"

"Not letting water in? Not letting the fur fall down? That's really 'deep in the shallow'! So shallow that even the ground is exposed!"

"Even if the warehouse managers in our supply and marketing cooperative system have low levels of education, they can still read!"

"From now on, when these goods arrive, we'll label them according to this translation. How are people supposed to store and manage them according to technical requirements?! Isn't that just playing dumb?"

When Wan Chengfeng lost his temper, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly plummeted to freezing point.

The deputy leaders from the provincial supply and marketing cooperative didn't look too good; they felt a burning embarrassment, as if they'd been publicly humiliated.

This is, after all, something that's meant to be sold within their supply and marketing cooperative system!
If this level of translation gets out, it will be a huge embarrassment for the entire system!
The provincial foreign trade bureau is also in a rather awkward position.

They also translate product manuals and brochures.

Han Maolin checked a few documents, and his round face flushed red and then turned pale. His fingers on the table unconsciously curled up and then opened again.

He brought relevant experts with him.

At this moment, he looked at the "experts" behind him who claimed to be proficient in foreign trade and technology, his eyes blazing with anger!

The experts wished they could disappear into a crack in the ground, heads bowed low, scribbling meaninglessly on their notebooks with their pens in hand.

Wan Chengfeng was still angry.

Deputy Director Yang offered a few words of advice, and finally sighed and said, "I understand how you leaders feel, but please don't get angry yet. Let's lay things out on the table."

"Distinguished leaders, we are all familiar with the national situation. In the past few years, there has been a severe shortage of various talents in society."

"It's even more difficult to find translation talent because our country has too little contact with foreign countries and too little information to make those connections, which means they don't have a learning environment."

"In addition, foreign countries have developed very rapidly in recent years, you could say they are changing with each passing day. They have invented many new things, but our comrades have no access to these new inventions at all, so there are some deficiencies in translation. We should be able to understand that."

“Yes, yes, yes,” Niu Wenhua, deputy director of the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative, nodded repeatedly. “Comrade Yang Shengzhang is absolutely right.”

He looked at Wan Chengfeng and gestured with his eyes for his boss to quickly respond to what he was saying.

Unfortunately, Wan Chengfeng was the kind of leader who rose to power in a special era by virtue of his special abilities; he was very good at getting angry, but not good at getting things done.

He noticed the look in his subordinates' eyes, but didn't know what to do. So he swallowed and continued to vent his anger.

Han Maolin, standing next to him, felt a tightness in his throat.

He does understand his old friend.

What I did today was incredibly embarrassing.

So he decided to help his friend out.

How can I help?

He forced a smile, his tone reassuring yet subtly pleading: "Director Qi, please calm down, please calm down."

"This translation work is indeed highly technical. The professional terminology is too new and unfamiliar. It's not just the comrades in the Foreign Affairs Office who didn't do a good job; several key members of our bureau also stayed up for several nights in a row..."

He glanced at his hunched-over experts and softened his tone.

"How about this, everyone? We'll take the materials back first and let them look for, uh, maybe find some veteran experts in the relevant field to figure it out?"

"This time, I demand that they translate it thoroughly and meticulously! Make sure that what they bring to the next meeting is something that can be understood!"

This proposal, though seemingly a step back, is actually like pouring an invisible bucket of cold water on a blazing fire.

The key leaders of the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative exchanged a quick glance, the meaning in their eyes complex and inscrutable.

There was gratitude towards Han Maolin, but more than that, there was a sense of frustration and indignation at being held back by such a low-level problem, feeling powerless to exert one's strength.

This delay will put the product selection process at least half a month behind!

The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee is imminent.

The country is about to implement economic reforms.

These senior officials had already heard about this, so they understood the urgency of the work they were doing.

Qi Youyang clearly did not approve of this plan.

He didn't speak, just kept smoking with his head down.

But when he occasionally looked up to flick his cigarette ash, the leaders present could see that his face looked even more unpleasant, and his jaw was clenched tightly.

What does this mean?
The leader is gritting his teeth!

Just then, in an inconspicuous corner by the back wall of the conference room, Wei Bin, the president of the Haibin City Supply and Marketing Cooperative, who had been sitting upright all along, seemed to have finally waited for the right opportunity.

He tentatively raised his hand and said, "Distinguished leaders, may I say a few words?"

Wan Chengfeng was still angry.

Qi Youyang was still smoking.

Seeing his old leader awkwardly raising his hand, Yang Shengzhang could only frantically try to signal to Han Maolin with his eyes.

This is one of the three giants in the conference room today.

Han Maolin couldn't pretend not to see it, so he had to step in and say, "Oh, Comrade Wei Bin wants to say something? Then let's ask Comrade Wei Bin to say a few words."

Wei Bin stood up slowly and steadily, his movements as calm as an old piece of wood rising from the water.

He held a plain-looking, even somewhat outdated, brown paper document bag in his hand and said:
"Director Qi, General Manager Wan, Director Han, Director Yang, leaders and comrades, this is what I think."

"One person's plan is short, but two people's plans are long; three cobblers are as good as one Zhuge Liang. In addition to the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, our unit's Foreign Business Office has also taken on translation work for foreign-invested goods and has already achieved some results."

"So I was thinking, why don't we take a comprehensive look at the translation results? Perhaps our translations of those poorly translated product manuals from the Foreign Affairs Office are quite good."

Han Maolin nodded seriously and said to those around him, "Yes, that makes sense."

"Old Wan, Comrade Wei Bin's suggestion is good."

Wan Chengfeng finally stopped getting angry. He said with a gloomy face, "Alright, Lao Wei, take your translation results to Director Qi."

Wei Bin walked to the long conference table and respectfully handed over the documents.

As the sealing rope was untied, a fresh smell of ink wafted out. Qi Youyang took out the materials and began to examine them.

The paper is very ordinary; it's the most common type of office paper.

However, the handwriting on the paper was exceptionally clear and neat.

Unlike the chaotic and technically cluttered printed copy on the table, the document Wei Bin presented was well-organized and clearly focused.

Qi Youyang took one copy, and handed the other to Wan Chengfeng across the table.

"This is a draft translation of the technical data of some imported commodities in the same batch, prepared by the Foreign Investment Office under the Haibin City Supply and Marketing Cooperative. We would like to ask the leaders for their criticism and suggestions."

His tone was humble and gentle, and his whole demeanor was like a cup of clear tea.

Qi Youyang put on his reading glasses without much hope.

Behind the glasses, a pair of sharp eyes, red from years of reviewing documents, habitually swept over the printed words with a scrutinizing look.

As soon as he read the first line, his tightly furrowed brows, deeply etched with the character "川" (river), twitched almost imperceptibly.

His gaze darted around quickly.

That translated manuscript seemed to be enchanted.

Those convoluted and obscure "nylon tape" terms have been transformed into clear and distinct "high-strength nylon hook and loop fasteners" on the paper.

The original vague description of the characteristic as "thick rubber similar to shoe soles" has been changed to: "Using a new type of neoprene rubber base material, it has excellent elastic recovery and fatigue resistance properties."

Those absurd and nonsensical statements, such as "having the effect of preventing water from getting in quickly and preventing the fuzz from falling off too fast," have been compiled and summarized as follows:

"The fabric is treated with a highly efficient hydrophobic and anti-pilling fiber finishing process, which gives it durable water repellency and excellent fiber shedding inhibition properties."

Every technical term has been translated appropriately, fluently, accurately, and professionally, fully meeting the contextual requirements of commodity circulation and management within the supply and marketing cooperative system!
It's easy to read and doesn't sound awkward or forced!

It's as if a seasoned expert with years of experience is explaining the product in a clear and organized manner!
Qi Youyang's anger and irritation seemed to have been absorbed by a sponge.

His brows gradually relaxed, his gaze became more and more focused, his fingers unconsciously moved between the neat lines of printed text, and he silently recited to himself.

He didn't even realize that he had nodded slightly!

Han Maolin noticed this and said to Wan Chengfeng, "Old Wan, let me see yours."

Wan Chengfeng said impatiently, "What's your rush? I still need to see it."

His emotions were very complicated at that moment.

There was both surprise at Wei Bin's sudden appearance – what's a local branch doing getting involved?
There was also a hint of disdain—could it be that your subordinates are more capable than the experts I've invited from the province?
But when he saw less than half of the first page, all the negative expressions on his face froze, replaced by a sudden flash of shock!

He practically grabbed his own "expert draft" from the table, quickly glanced at it, and when he looked at Wei Bin's draft, his expression completely changed—

Shocked, incredulous!
"Wow! Great! This translation is excellent!" Qi Youyang blurted out almost without thinking.

His finger excitedly pointed to a line of translation about a certain high-end windproof jacket:
"Look, look at how they translated it! They used a breakthrough microporous membrane lamination technology to achieve highly efficient waterproof and breathable functions!"

"Although I don't understand what microporous membrane lamination technology is, it certainly looks and sounds like it!"

At this moment, he made no attempt to hide the surprise on his face, his voice was loud and clear, and his smile was radiant.

"Look at this, that's professionalism, that's translation! 'Microporous membrane lamination' and 'highly efficient waterproof and breathable' explain the principles clearly and concisely. The supply and marketing cooperative's store clerks and warehouse keepers will understand it at a glance, and those who know the ropes will also appreciate its high level of expertise!" Wan Chengfeng exclaimed in admiration.

Han Maolin was even more curious: "Give me a copy, and give me a few sheets of the documents you have."

Qi Youyang handed over the translation materials he had in his hand, then looked at Wei Bin with genuine curiosity:
"Comrade Wei Bin, which university's English department professor did you hire? Or did you specifically find an expert who is a veteran engineer and also speaks foreign languages? This level of expertise is incredible!"

Several leaders from the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative also gathered around to read the translated manuscript, and the atmosphere in the meeting room instantly changed.

Upon hearing Qi Youyang's praise, Wan Chengfeng's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on his lips.

He looked at Wei Bin with approval and curiosity, his words brimming with the satisfaction of regaining his honor:

"Old Wei, you've been hiding a treasure all this time, only revealing it now? You're a master of disguise, you almost put us at a disadvantage right from the start!"

"You've done a really great job! Tell me, which professor from the Foreign Languages ​​Department of the provincial university helped you?"

All eyes immediately turned to Wei Bin.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, the young and promising head of the seaside supply and marketing cooperative maintained his almost wooden composure.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze as honest as a piece of polished bluestone:

"Distinguished leaders, to be frank, this translation has not been handled by any university professors."

"This document, as I just mentioned, was translated by our unit's foreign affairs office, and the person in charge was the head of that department. Several of our leaders here should know him."

"Director Yang especially knows this, because this director was once Director Yang's capable subordinate—"

"Damn it, Qian Jin!" Yang Shengzhang couldn't help but swear.

Wei Bin nodded: "Yes, it's Comrade Qian Jin, the director of the Foreign Investment Office of our Haibin City Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

Dead silence.

Absolute silence.

The other leaders of the Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Director of the Foreign Investment Office?
A foreign trade sales officer at a local supply and marketing cooperative?
How did they manage to translate this kind of specialized technical material that even provincial experts couldn't figure out?
This sounds like a complete fantasy!

"Qian... Qian Jin?" Qi Youyang repeated the name after regaining his senses, his brows furrowing again with suspicion. "He's the director of your unit's foreign affairs office? How could he translate like this?"

"Was he a college student ten years ago? Or does he have experience studying abroad? Or does he have an older family member who studied abroad?"

Wei Bin shook his head: "No, he's not a college student. He's an exceptionally talented learner."

"Director Yang knows this better than I do, because he used to work under Director Yang for most of his time."

Yang Shengzhang nodded emphatically.

Qi Youyang asked curiously, "What kind of person is this comrade? Director Yang, do you have such a talented person under your command? Why didn't you take him with you when you went to Beijing?"

Yang Shengzhang was still a little incredulous. He gave Wei Bin a meaningful look, his eyes searching for meaning.

Wei Bin nodded solemnly at him.

Yang Shengzhang was relieved and smiled broadly: "Haha, so it was this kid who led the team to translate the manuscript?"

"This kid?" This time it was Wan Chengfeng who asked the question with a puzzled look.

Yang Shengzhang said, "He is in his early twenties."

Han Maolin looked at the experts he had brought with him in shock.

The youngest of these people must be at least forty years old.

The experts were dumbfounded.

They thought it was nonsense.

But they had no evidence.

Qi Youyang asked with interest, "Then tell me about him, what's his situation?"

Yang Shengzhang then winked at Wei Bin: "Although Qian Jin used to be my subordinate, we were both under Wei She's command back then. Let Wei She introduce us."

Wei Bin understood, so he moved his chair aside and took a step forward:
"Director Qi, General Manager Wan, distinguished leaders, Director Han."

"Comrade Qian Jin is currently the director of the Foreign Business Office under the Haibin City Supply and Marketing Cooperative. He has been with our system for less than a year. As for him..."

He paused, meticulously searching his mind for words to highlight Qian Jin's strengths:
"His situation is very complicated. He is extremely capable, exceptionally good at leading teams, and extremely good at fighting tough battles!"

"Let me first introduce a few of his glorious deeds. At the end of last year was the college entrance examination in 77. At that time, the examination venues in our coastal area were complicated. Many educated youth who had been sent to the countryside did not understand the situation of examination venues with similar names. As a result, they went to the wrong place on the day of the college entrance examination!"

"There must have been hundreds of students who got lost, went to the wrong place, and got confused. It was a cold day, and before the exam started, they realized they had gone to the wrong exam venue—some of them were dozens of kilometers away from the correct one. They were desperate."

"As a result, Comrade Qian Jin found out about this. At that time, he was not a cadre of our city commune, but just a porter. At the same time, he was also the captain of their Taishan Road Labor Commando Team."

"This comrade acted decisively, immediately contacting various units to arrange available vehicles, personally shouldering the pressure that would result from any problems, and arranging for vehicles to take the candidates to the correct examination venues..."

"In addition, he organized several special routes for the college entrance examination. He dispersed the vehicles and patrolled along the routes, connecting the examination centers in the city and sending all the candidates who went to the wrong examination center to the correct one..."

Yang Shengzhang nodded vigorously.

He was very clear about this.

Niu Wenhua nodded and added, "This matter was even reported in the Guangming Daily and in our internal propaganda materials."

After introducing this matter, Wei Bin went on to introduce other highlights of his work:

"During the preparation and establishment of the Foreign Investment Office, all members of the preparatory team will be reassigned and subject to performance evaluation."

"Comrade Qian Jin underwent the most difficult assessment. He was assigned to a supply and marketing cooperative in a very remote commune in our city as a salesman. At that time, he had just gotten married and was already a cadre."

"But he had no complaints about the work assigned by the organization, and immediately packed his bags to go to the countryside..."

"He successfully completed the assessment, thoroughly investigated the criminal activities of the commune's supply and marketing cooperative director, and brought him and his accomplices to justice..."

"Furthermore, he made full use of the differences in economic development between urban and rural areas, organizing labor shock brigades from Taishan Road to go to the countryside to support agriculture and donate supplies to families of martyrs and soldiers and those receiving the five guarantees in impoverished areas..."

Listening to Wei Bin's methodical introduction.

Han Maolin asked Wan Chengfeng in shock, "You have such a capable person under your command?"

Wan Chengfeng nodded with a blank expression but also with certainty: "I am good at leading teams."

Yang Shengzhang then said to Wei Bin, "You leaders must be wondering, how come Comrade Qian Jin, who is clearly a cadre in our unit, is also the captain of the Taishan Road Labor Commando Team?"

"Wei She, do you want to talk about this?"

Wei Bin, understanding the implied meaning, said, "Director Yang, you know more about this matter than I do, so you should explain it."

Yang Shengzhang smiled and said, "Some leaders may be unfamiliar with the Labor Commando Team. It is a rather unique street organization in our Haibin City."

"In recent years, with the return of educated youth from the countryside to the city, and with the emergence of some unemployed youth, violent incidents such as smashing, looting and robbery have been increasing in society."

"In order to manage these people and to provide a comfortable living environment for the residents of the old city streets, our city organized returning educated youth and unemployed youth into labor shock teams, organized by street."

"Comrade Qian Jin first worked in the labor shock brigade..."

"Under his organization, their labor shock brigade established a small collective enterprise called the People's Mobile Canteen..."

"Under his leadership, the labor commando team has made numerous meritorious contributions, including extinguishing a major fire in Jiagang on the first day of the Lunar New Year this year, protecting our supply and marketing cooperative's supplies, and arresting five criminals..."

Qi Youyang listened with great excitement: "A young hero! This is a young hero!"

"That's not all," Wei Bin exclaimed. "Qian Jin recently started a new small collective enterprise called Taishan Road People's Clothing Factory..."

Yang Shengzhang was taken aback: "Oh, this kid has a new idea again?"

He pondered, "Leaving him in the coastal city doesn't seem quite right."

"Yes, this is a waste of talent," Han Maolin said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

Qi Youyang said, "His English is so good, and he also has excellent leadership skills, um, um..."

Wan Chengfeng slammed his hand on the table: "Old Wei, you keep an eye on him and make sure he does a good job. He'll be a key young talent that our supply and marketing system will cultivate in the future!"

He then glared menacingly at the leaders around him: "The topic has gone off track. Come on, let's get back to the meeting's theme. The translated materials are accurate this time, so let's quickly discuss the product selection!"

"How about we discuss the selection process?" Han Maolin asked.

Wan Chengfeng glared at him: "Stop joking, hurry up and start discussing the product selection!"

(End of this chapter)