Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

"This is the non-destructive testing report done by the Provincial Machinery Research Institute. It clearly states that there are micro-cracks inside the rolls, caused by material fatigue. This report was done before the machine was disassembled. It proves one thing—"

He raised his head, looked at the audience, and said, word by word, "The malfunction of that machine was not caused by improper operation; it was due to a problem with the design or the materials themselves. The conclusions of some experts are wrong."

The meeting room erupted in uproar.

The deputy director's face turned ashen, and he jumped to his feet: "What nonsense are you spouting? That report is fake!"

Director Wang also stood up and said calmly, "Deputy Director Zhou, whether it's fake or not can be verified by a third party. But what Comrade Jiang Cheng said is true. I suggest that an investigation team be set up to re-verify this matter."

The room was filled with murmurs. The two experts were pale and speechless.

The host quickly tried to smooth things over: "This...this issue is rather complicated, we'll discuss it later. Let's continue the meeting—"

But no one was listening anymore. Jiang Cheng's speech was like a bomb, causing an uproar in the entire meeting room.

After the meeting, Director Wang called Jiang Cheng to his office. With a smile on his face, he patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder and said, "Jiang, well said! Let's see how they try to argue now."

Jiang Cheng, however, was not happy. He knew this was just the beginning. The real contest was yet to come.

Sure enough, the news spread throughout the province's industrial system the next day. Some supported it, some opposed it, and some remained neutral. The deputy director declared that Jiang Cheng had fabricated evidence and that he would be held accountable. Director Wang, on the other hand, publicly expressed his support for Jiang Cheng and demanded a thorough investigation.

The two factions officially went to war.

Jiang Cheng stood at the eye of the storm.

Five days after the provincial capital meeting concluded, Jiang Cheng became famous throughout the province's industrial system.

"A fitter publicly humiliated two experts!"

"The non-destructive testing report was slammed on the table, leaving the deputy director utterly humiliated!"

"With Director Wang personally endorsing this, a major change is brewing!"

All sorts of rumors spread like wildfire through factories in Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun, and Benxi. By the end, the versions had become outrageous—some said Jiang Cheng was the grandson of a certain old leader, some said he was a technical envoy secretly sent from Beijing, and others said he was a descendant of an expert who studied in the Soviet Union in the early days of the People's Republic of China.

Jiang Cheng ignored these rumors. He went to work as usual every day, did his job as usual, and carried ladles of molten iron in the foundry as usual. But the way people looked at him had completely changed.

"Jiang Cheng, tell me honestly, do you have connections in high places?" Director Ma leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "Director Ma, I really don't have anyone above me. My father has already sacrificed himself, and it's just me and my mother left."

Director Ma was skeptical: "How dare you? That's a deputy director-general!"

Jiang Cheng didn't answer. What could he say? That he had traveled from forty years in the future and knew the country's future trajectory? That he had spent six years studying for a doctorate at a military research institute and had met even higher-ranking officials? Who would believe such words?

He could only smile and continue working.

But the storm has already arrived.

On the morning of the sixth day, three jeeps drove into the factory gate. A group of people got out—some in Zhongshan suits, some in uniforms, and some carrying cameras. Leading them was Director Wang from the Provincial Machinery Bureau.

Factory Director Zhou was already waiting at the door, greeting him with a broad smile: "Director Wang, welcome, welcome!"

Director Wang nodded and asked directly, "Is Comrade Jiang Cheng here?"

Factory Director Zhou was taken aback: "In, in the foundry workshop—"

"Take me to see him."

The group marched in a long procession toward the foundry. Along the way, workers made way for them, whispering amongst themselves. Someone with sharp eyes recognized the two men following behind—it was the same two experts who had come to investigate last time, Engineer Han and Engineer Liu. But this time, their faces were ashen, their heads bowed, looking like wilted eggplants.

In the foundry workshop, Jiang Cheng was squatting on the ground inspecting a sand mixer. Hearing a noise, he looked up and saw a group of people standing in front of him.

"Comrade Jiang Cheng," Director Wang said with a smile, extending his hand. "I'm here again."

Jiang Cheng stood up and shook his hand: "Director Wang."

Director Wang nodded, then turned to the people behind him and said, "Gentlemen, this is Comrade Jiang Cheng. He's the one who discovered the problem with that imported rolling mill. He also submitted that non-destructive testing report."

The person carrying the camera immediately raised it and snapped several photos. Jiang Cheng was blinded by the flash, but he understood—they were there to "vindicate" him.

As expected, Director Wang continued, "After re-verification by the provincial joint investigation team, the cause of the imported rolling mill's malfunction was indeed a design flaw in the equipment itself, unrelated to operation. The original investigation report issued by the Provincial Machinery Research Institute was erroneous and is hereby revoked. The relevant responsible persons will be dealt with separately."

As he spoke, he glanced at Engineer Han and Engineer Liu. The two men lowered their heads even further, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

The entire room fell silent. Then, someone started clapping, and the applause grew louder and louder until it became a continuous chorus.

Jiang Cheng stood amidst the applause, yet his heart was surprisingly calm. He saw Huang Deqing, who had arrived at some point, watching him from afar with a smile on his face. He saw Director Ma and the foundry workers clapping enthusiastically, their hands red from clapping. He also saw a figure in blue overalls at the back of the crowd—it was Zheng Yanxi, standing in a corner, her eyes slightly red, but her smile beautiful.

After a brief pause in the applause, Director Wang continued, "Furthermore, Comrade Jiang Cheng's achievements in equipment improvement have also received high recognition from the province. It has been decided, after deliberation, to award Comrade Jiang Cheng the title of 'Provincial Industrial System Technological Innovation Pioneer,' with a reward of 500 yuan and a one-level salary increase."

Applause rang out again. Jiang Cheng was pushed forward and accepted the large red certificate of merit.

But that wasn't all. Director Wang cleared his throat and announced the most important decision: "The Party Committee of the Provincial Department of Machinery has decided to transfer Comrade Jiang Cheng to the Provincial Machinery Research Institute as an assistant researcher, enjoying cadre benefits. The transfer procedures will be processed immediately."

The entire room fell silent again. Everyone was looking at Jiang Cheng.

The Provincial Machinery Research Institute! That's the highest institution in the province's industrial system! Countless engineers would kill to get in, and now, a fitter has been exceptionally transferred in and even given cadre status!

Factory Director Zhou's expression changed; he seemed about to say something, but then swallowed his words. Huang Deqing's smile froze on his face. Zheng Yanxi's hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly.

Jiang Cheng was silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"Director Wang, thank you for your high regard," he said, "but I don't want to leave the factory."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Director Wang was also stunned: "Why? The conditions in the province are much better than in the factory, you can play a greater role—"

Jiang Cheng shook his head: "Director Wang, please let me finish."

He glanced at the familiar faces around him, took a deep breath, and said, "It's not that I'm ungrateful. I know the provincial government is good, the research institute is good, and the cadre status is good. But why am I unwilling to go? Because I've figured it out—where should I really put my skills?"