Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Vice Minister Li turned around and looked at him: "Say whatever comes to mind."

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Minister Li, I think our country's industry has a weak foundation and started late, and it lags far behind developed countries. But we also have our advantages—a large population and a big market. As long as we follow the right path, we can catch up quickly."

Vice Minister Li nodded: "Go on."

"I think what we lack most right now is not imported equipment or foreign exchange, but technical personnel who can make good use of the old equipment," Jiang Cheng said. "We have so many old factories and so much old equipment. If we can upgrade a batch of them, they can replace new equipment. Upgrading one machine can save enough money to buy several new ones."

Vice Minister Li's eyes lit up: "Your line of thinking aligns perfectly with the recent directives from the Central Committee. Xiao Jiang, you're a thoughtful person."

He walked back to his seat, sat down, and looked at Jiang Cheng with a more serious expression: "Xiao Jiang, I have an idea and would like to hear your opinion."

"Please speak."

"The province is preparing to launch an 'Old Equipment Renovation Project,' selecting a few pilot factories to gain experience before promoting it throughout the province," said Vice Minister Li. "I'd like you to serve as the technical advisor for this project, while also overseeing the pilot work at the Hongxing factory. What do you think?"

Jiang Cheng was stunned. Technical consultant? In charge of the pilot project? This was no small responsibility.

"Minister Li, I'm just a fitter—"

"What's wrong with being a fitter?" Vice Minister Li interrupted him. "You just said that what we lack most are people who can use old equipment well. You are that kind of person. Your status doesn't matter; what matters is that you can get things done."

Jiang Cheng was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Minister Li, I have a condition."

"explain."

"I want my mentor, Huang Deqing, to participate as well," Jiang Cheng said. "He's been doing this for decades and has more experience than me. With him around, I feel more at ease."

Vice Minister Li smiled: "Alright, include your mentor. Anything else?"

"Also, I'd like to have the factory set up a technical innovation team specifically for equipment upgrades. I'll pick the personnel and assign the tasks."

Vice Minister Li nodded: "No problem, I'll talk to Director Zhou."

He stood up and extended his hand again: "Xiao Jiang, do a good job. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to me."

Jiang Cheng grasped his hand, a strange feeling suddenly welling up inside him. He knew he was standing at a new starting point.

After Vice Minister Li left, Factory Director Zhou kept Jiang Cheng behind, closed the door, and said in a low voice, "Jiang, you've really hit the jackpot this time. With Minister Li personally inquiring about you, your life will be much better from now on."

Jiang Cheng smiled but didn't say anything.

Factory Director Zhou added, "But don't be too happy. That Zhou Chuanming is not someone to be trifled with. He suffered a loss this time, and he'll definitely try to get revenge. Be careful in the future, and don't give anyone a handle to use against you."

He completely forgot how Sun Jianguo had suppressed him in the first place to avoid offending him. Jiang Cheng understood that this was the nature of opportunists, and it wasn't worth getting angry with such a person. He figured that as long as he did well in the future, Sun Jianguo would only fawn over him and wouldn't harm him.

Jiang Cheng nodded: "Factory Director, I've got it."

It was already dark when Jiang Cheng left the factory director's office. He walked alone in the factory area, his mind a jumble. Vice Minister Li's words, Director Zhou's reminder, and Director Wang's warning kept replaying in his head.

He knew he had completely chosen sides this time. He had sided with Director Wang and Vice Minister Li, offending Vice Director Zhou's faction. His future path would not be peaceful.

But he doesn't regret it. Some things have to be done by someone. Some people have to be offended by someone.

He walked to the door of the logistics warehouse and saw that the lights were still on inside. He pushed the door open and saw Huang Deqing squatting on the ground, staring blankly at a pile of parts.

"master."

Huang Deqing looked up: "You're here?"

Jiang Cheng walked over, squatted down beside him, and recounted what had happened that afternoon. Huang Deqing listened in silence for a long time.

"Chengzi, do you know how difficult this road is?" he asked.

Jiang Cheng nodded: "I understand."

"You knew that, yet you still left?"

"I'm leaving," Jiang Cheng said. "Master, I don't want to be a fitter for the rest of my life. It's not that I think being a fitter is bad, but I feel that my skills shouldn't be wasted like this."

Huang Deqing looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Good, you've got potential."

He stood up, dusted himself off, and said, "Since you want to leave, your master will go with you. Anyway, these old bones of mine don't have many more years to spare."

Jiang Cheng stood up, looked at his master, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"master--"

"Alright, enough with the sentimentality." Huang Deqing waved his hand. "Go back to sleep. Let's get to work tomorrow."

That night, Jiang Cheng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He thought of the days before he traveled through time, of the instruments in the laboratory, of those dreams that once seemed unattainable. Now, he stood on the land of 1979, facing a path he had never imagined.

He didn't know where this road would lead, but he knew he had to keep going.

Perhaps, it could influence the future direction of the country?

The next day, the factory officially announced the establishment of a technical innovation team. Team leader: Jiang Cheng. Deputy team leader: Huang Deqing. Members were drawn from various workshops; all were outstanding young people with exceptional technical skills.

When the news spread, some people were envious, some were jealous, and some were waiting to see him fail, but Jiang Cheng didn't care. He led his team members and plunged into the workshop.

The first machine to be modified was the old sand mixer in the foundry workshop. This machine had been used for over ten years, breaking down every few days, and the workers were full of complaints. Jiang Cheng led his team to disassemble and reassemble it repeatedly, testing it over and over again. Huang Deqing stood by, giving instructions, occasionally grumbling, and occasionally nodding in agreement.

Three days later, the sand mixer modification was completed. The moment it started, the machine ran smoothly, with less noise and higher efficiency. Director Ma tried it out on the spot and was overjoyed: "It works great! It works even better than the new machine!"

The news spread throughout the factory, and people came knocking on their door in droves. The machine repair workshop, the processing workshop, and the assembly workshop all asked them to modify their equipment. The technical innovation team was extremely busy, but everyone was full of enthusiasm.

A month later, a notice came from the province: Vice Minister Li would be coming to inspect the area in person.

That morning, colorful flags fluttered at the factory gate, and Director Zhou and a group of people were waiting early. Two jeeps drove in, and Vice Minister Li got out, followed by several people—some in Zhongshan suits, some in military uniforms, and an elderly man in his sixties with a refined demeanor, clearly not an ordinary person.

Vice Minister Li shook hands with Factory Director Zhou and asked directly, "Where is Comrade Jiang Cheng?"

Factory Director Zhou quickly sent someone to look for him. Jiang Cheng ran over from the workshop, his hands covered in oil and his work clothes stained with dust. He paused for a moment when he saw the people behind Vice Minister Li.