Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

In the afternoon, Jiang Cheng met Director Zhang in the office of the Ministry of Machinery Industry. Director Zhang was in his early fifties, with his hair neatly combed and speaking in a calm and unhurried manner; he was clearly a seasoned bureaucrat.

"Comrade Jiangcheng, Old Zhou mentioned you to me." He gestured to a chair. "Sit down."

Jiang Cheng sat down and got straight to the point: "Director Zhang, I've come to ask you something."

"you say."

"What long-term plans does the ministry have regarding the renovation of aging equipment?"

Director Zhang looked at him, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes: "Why are you asking this?"

Jiang Cheng said, "After working at the grassroots level for a while, I discovered a problem—relying on the efforts of a single factory or province cannot solve the fundamental problem. There is too much old equipment, and it cannot be upgraded in time. A mechanism needs to be established at the national level to coordinate the overall situation."

Director Zhang's expression changed. He put down his pen and looked at Jiang Cheng seriously: "Continue."

"My idea is to first conduct a number of pilot projects to understand the modification solutions for various types of equipment. Then, we will standardize and regulate these solutions and promote them nationwide. At the same time, we need to train a group of skilled workers to specialize in equipment modification. These people are like seeds; wherever they are sown, they will take root and sprout."

Director Zhang was silent for a moment, then asked, "Did you come up with this yourself?"

"Yes."

Director Zhang stood up, walked to the window, and with his back to Jiang Cheng, said, "Xiao Jiang, let me tell you the truth. The ministry does have this idea, but we haven't found a suitable person to take the lead. What you just said coincides with the ministry's thinking."

He turned around and looked at Jiang Cheng: "But do you know how difficult this is? It involves dozens of ministries, hundreds of large factories, and thousands of types of equipment. Just coordinating them will be a huge headache."

Jiang Cheng said, "I know it's difficult. But someone has to do it."

Director Zhang looked at him and suddenly smiled: "You and Old Zhou are both stubborn."

He walked back to the table, took a document from the drawer, and handed it to Jiang Cheng: "Take a look at this."

Jiang Cheng took it; it was an internal document titled "Preliminary Ideas on the Technological Upgrading of Old Equipment Nationwide." He quickly glanced through it, his mind reeling—the core idea of ​​this document was almost exactly the same as what he had just said.

"This document was drafted by Mr. Zhou and has been discussed several times within the ministry," said Director Zhang. "But it hasn't been finalized yet because a crucial link is missing—people to implement it on the front lines. We have the theory, the policy, and the money; what we lack are people who can turn the blueprints into machines."

He looked at Jiang Cheng, his eyes filled with expectation: "Jiang Cheng, are you willing to be this person?"

Jiang Cheng's heart raced. He knew this was a tremendous opportunity, but also a tremendous responsibility. Once he took on this responsibility, he would go from being a technical innovation team leader in a factory to a participant in a national-level project. But at the same time, his opponent would change from Zhou Chuanming alone to an entire interest group.

"Director Zhang, I'm willing," he said, "but I have a request."

"you say."

"This matter cannot be rushed. We must proceed step by step. Let's start with that hydraulic press in Shanghai, make a prototype, and then promote it."

Director Zhang nodded: "Old Zhou also agrees. Let's start from Shanghai then."

He took another piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to you: "This is for you. It's an appointment letter for a special technical advisor from the ministry, with compensation comparable to that of an associate researcher. Take it first; it'll make things easier for you in the future."

Jiang Cheng accepted the letter of appointment, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Just a few months ago, he was a ostracized fitter. Now, he held an appointment letter from a national ministry, ready to go to Shanghai to lead the renovation of key national equipment.

"Director Zhang, thank you."

Director Zhang waved his hand: "No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. You're a capable person, and this era needs people like you."

He paused, then said, "But I have to warn you. Zhou Chuanming won't let this go easily. If you cause any trouble in Shanghai, he'll definitely be watching. Be prepared."

Jiang Cheng scratched his head: "You've heard about this too?"

"Hey, you little monkey, you almost caused a major disaster! Even if I wanted to pretend I didn't know, I couldn't stop the news from getting into my ears all the time."

Jiang Cheng felt a little embarrassed.

It was already dark when Jiang Cheng left the Ministry of Machinery Industry. Standing on Chang'an Avenue, watching the cars come and go, he suddenly felt a urge to roar to the sky.

He knew that from this moment on, his life had entered a new phase. He was no longer the bullied fitter, but a man with status, position, and powerful connections. But these things weren't for showing off; they were for getting things done.

The following evening, Jiang Cheng and Chen Siyuan boarded a train bound for Shanghai.

In the hard sleeper carriage, Jiang Cheng slept in the lower berth, and Chen Siyuan slept in the upper berth. After the lights were turned off, Chen Siyuan leaned down and asked, "Comrade Jiang, are you nervous?"

Jiang Cheng smiled: "A little."

Chen Siyuan laughed too: "Me too. The first time I went on a business trip with Professor Zhou, I was so nervous that I couldn't sleep all night."

Jiang Cheng asked, "How long have you been with Old Zhou?"

"It's been three years," Chen Siyuan said. "I was a worker-peasant-soldier student, admitted through an exam at a factory. Old Zhou said my foundation was weak and told me to work more in the workshop."

Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat: "You've worked in a factory before?"

"I've been a fitter for five years," Chen Siyuan said. "So when Old Zhou asked me to pick you up, I was especially happy. Finally, someone who can speak human language has arrived."

Jiang Cheng was amused by him. As the two chatted, Chen Siyuan suddenly lowered his voice: "Comrade Jiang, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"Someone from Zhou Chuanming's side is inquiring about your whereabouts. They probably already know about your trip to Beijing."

Jiang Cheng's heart sank: "So fast?"

Chen Siyuan nodded: "Old Zhou asked me to remind you to be careful when you get to Shanghai. Zhou Chuanming has people there too."

Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment, then asked, "Did Old Zhou say who's behind Zhou Chuanming?"

Chen Siyuan hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm not too sure about that either. But from what Old Zhou said, it's not just one person, it's a network. You messed with his people in Liaoning, which is like stirring up a hornet's nest. They won't let you off the hook."

Jiang Cheng lay back on his pillow, staring at the upper bunk, his mind racing. He knew he wasn't fighting alone anymore. Old Zhou, Director Zhang, Section Chief Wang, Vice Minister Li—these people were all supporting him. But his opponent wasn't alone either.

This is a game of chess, and he is the piece that has been pushed to the front.

The train rumbled forward, crossing the North China Plain and Shandong Province, heading towards Shanghai. Jiang Cheng closed his eyes, but his mind was preoccupied with something else—he needed to achieve results in Shanghai as soon as possible. Only by producing tangible results could he solidify his position and give his supporters more confidence.

In the evening, the train finally arrived at Shanghai Station.