Chapter 146: Future Layout

Regarding Ning Weidong's statement, Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen could not help but ponder with serious expressions.

After a moment, Ning Weiguo did not speak, and Wang Yuzhen spoke first: "Weidong, then in what direction do you think it would be best for your eldest brother to develop in the future?"

Ning Weidong had long been prepared and replied: "Sister-in-law, if you ask me, it would be best for Eldest Brother to enter a specialized department as a Technocrat and cultivate it deeply."

Ning Weiguo also became interested: "Tell me in detail."

Ning Weidong said: "Eldest Brother, to walk steadily on the official career path, there are two necessary conditions."

Ning Weiguo thought for a moment and chimed in: "Are you saying having someone above?"

Ning Weidong nodded: "It is good to be an official when you have people in the imperial court; this is what historical experience tells us."

Wang Yuzhen said: "Then what is the other one?"

Ning Weidong said: "The other is irreplaceability. If a person offends their superior and has no one in the court to protect them, they are certainly finished. But if they play an irreplaceable role in a major project, they can be just as steady as Mount Tai."

"Irreplaceability?" Ning Weiguo repeated softly to himself.

Ning Weidong continued: "And this kind of irreplaceability can often only exist in Technocrats, especially after modern times, as various disciplines become subdivided and technical barriers become higher and higher, which is the very soil that breeds Technocrats."

Speaking of this, Ning Weidong looked at Wang Yuzhen: "Sister-in-law, I don't mean anything else by this. In the future, there won't be much of your family's political resources that can fall to my eldest brother..."

Wang Yuzhen did not mind and nodded.

Regarding this issue, both she and Ning Weiguo knew it well; Wang Yuzhen still had two older brothers above her, and political resources would certainly be prioritized for the sons first.

Ning Weidong looked at Ning Weiguo: "So, Eldest Brother, if you want to go further in your official career, you can only take the path of a Technocrat. In the circle of Technocrats, you have background and connections, and among ordinary officials, you understand technology..."

Ning Weiguo raised an eyebrow and said: "Tian Ji's horse racing?"

Ning Weidong said: "Something like that~ Politics is nothing more than three major areas: Military Administration, Financial Administration, and Executive Administration. Military Administration needs no explanation. Executive Administration is the management system from top to bottom. Financial Administration..."

Speaking of this, Ning Weidong paused to let Ning Weiguo digest it before continuing: "Finally, Financial Administration is the most critical. In the first thirty years of our founding, we solved the problem of survival. Today, the Western world led by America is willing to give us money, which shows that in their hearts, they have already acknowledged the objective reality. Including the Soviet Union..."

Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen nodded, agreeing with Ning Weidong's view.

Ning Weidong continued: "Therefore, in the foreseeable twenty or thirty years, we must certainly restrain our claws and teeth and focus our main energy on developing the economy. Poverty has never been socialism! At that time, the country's resources and strength will also be concentrated in the economic field. And to do the economy well, it will inevitably involve many technical fields, such as coal, such as electricity, such as railways, such as infrastructure... Choose one field, cultivate it deeply, and become an expert..."

Speaking of this, Ning Weidong stared at Ning Weiguo: "Eldest Brother, as long as you can do this, plus some assistance provided by Sister-in-law's family at critical moments, if you bury your head for twenty years, it is not impossible for you to reach the level of my Uncle Wang now."

Ning Weiguo could not help but have his expression change.

To be fair, he had never considered such a long-term issue before.

It was not that Ning Weiguo had no long-term goals, but rather that one should not discuss government affairs if one is not in that position; for him to think so much in his current position would be aiming too high.

Ning Weiguo pursed his lips, looked at this younger brother with even more admiration, and said in a deep voice: "Then Weidong, which field do you think I should choose?"

Regarding this, Ning Weidong had also considered it and replied: "First of all, electricity and railways should be ruled out."

Wang Yuzhen asked in surprise: "Why?"

Ning Weidong said: "Because they are too good. Railways are known as the 'Iron Boss' and are the great arteries of the whole country; the competition inside is too fierce. Our original intention in choosing this path is to save political resources. If you enter the railways, you won't have that effect."

Ning Weiguo nodded; he still had some understanding of this aspect, and the difficulty of seeking a decent position in the railway department was no less than that of a leader of the same level in the local government.

Wang Yuzhen asked: "Then what about electricity?"

Ning Weidong said: "The logic is similar, and that is already someone else's territory; I'm afraid we would get half the result with twice the effort if we tried to insert ourselves there."

Ning Weiguo nodded slowly, knowing what Ning Weidong was referring to.

Ning Weidong continued: "In addition, I do not recommend energy-type industries like coal and oil."

Ning Weiguo frowned.

In fact, just now when Ning Weidong was speaking, the first thing that reacted in his mind was the coal industry.

Because Wang Yuzhen's father himself had a resume in the Coal Ministry and had accumulated some experience there.

Furthermore, in the future, with economic development as the main focus, coal as an energy foundation would certainly have further development.

He did not expect Ning Weidong to block the energy industry first.

Ning Weidong saw Ning Weiguo's situation and explained: "Eldest Brother, the energy industry looks like a Financial Administration department, but it is actually an Executive Administration department."

Ning Weiguo raised an eyebrow.

Ning Weidong said: "In the energy industry, compared to technology, what is more important is the local resource endowment. Whether it is coal mines or oil, if it's there, it's there; if it's not, it's not. Technology only serves to extract these resources under that premise. To put it bluntly, no matter how advanced your technology is, if there is nothing underground, you are just climbing a tree to catch a fish."

Ning Weidong paused: "Therefore, any department related to resources will inevitably be entangled with local forces and will be in a relatively passive position, eventually having to compromise and concede when facing local forces."

Ning Weiguo's expression was serious, and his gaze looking at Ning Weidong was full of complexity.

He did not know when this younger brother, whom he had always regarded as a child, had grown to this point.

Wang Yuzhen was also somewhat surprised.

Although Ning Weidong had shown some brilliance before, this was the first time he had expressed himself so systematically and openly, and spoken so deeply and straightforwardly.

At this moment, Wang Yuzhen felt gratified in her heart; looking at Ning Weidong, who was full of confidence and talking eloquently, this brother-in-law had finally not been raised to be a waste.

Ning Weidong said: "Therefore, since we have emphasized taking the path of a Technocrat, we must avoid these industries that have no technical content or have relatively low technical thresholds."

Ning Weiguo leaned on the sofa and took out a cigarette without a word.

Although he smoked, he rarely smoked at home, especially after moving into an apartment building; he would only light a cigarette when encountering difficult problems or studying articles.

Ning Weiguo took a deep drag, the taste of tar stimulating his nerves, making him feel his mind was clearer.

Ning Weidong was not in a hurry to speak either; he reached out and took the cigarette box to take one as well.

After a moment, Ning Weiguo said: "If that's the case, then only the two choices of light industry and heavy industry in the manufacturing sector remain."

Ning Weidong nodded: "Between the two, I am more inclined toward the latter. The light industry department has fast investment and quick results. Once foreign capital is opened up later, it will definitely use the light industry department as an entry point. Foreign capital will not invest in long-cycle heavy industry projects here because they are worried about policy changes; it will definitely be short, flat, and fast. By then, light industry will usher in a wave of great development in the southeast coastal areas..."

Ning Weiguo understood instantly.

Although light industry would develop greatly, this was mainly driven by foreign capital and had little to do with the relevant management departments.

In this situation, there are plenty of perks, but it is very unfavorable for future development.

The superiors are not blind; they know exactly what is going on. Ning Weidong said: "At this time, the corresponding heavy manufacturing industry will instead usher in a very difficult stage. And this is precisely an opportunity. With our scale and history, even if there are losses, it is impossible to abandon the military and heavy industries. Therefore, the more difficult it is, the more it will be supported. Strong winds reveal sturdy grass; time reveals a person's heart. If you can settle down at this time, polish your business, and do some solid work, you will definitely be rewarded in the future."

Ning Weiguo took a deep drag of the cigarette, the glowing red of the tobacco on the cigarette tip lasting for nearly ten seconds, and then he exhaled a puff of smoke: "This cold stove is probably not easy to light!"

Ning Weidong smiled: "Of course it's not easy to light. If you really step into it, it's ten or twenty years; if you endure to the end, that is victory."

Ning Weiguo also followed with a smile, then asked, "What about the specifics?"

Unexpectedly, Ning Weidong waved his hand: "I won't give you ideas on this. Once the general direction is set, you and your wife can discuss the specific details; that's a tactical issue, and it's not for me to manage."

Ning Weiguo said: "Hah~ give you an inch and you take a mile. If tactical issues aren't for you to manage, does that mean you only handle strategic issues? You don't even want to be a general, you're jumping straight to being a marshal, huh~"

Ning Weidong chuckled, instantly dispelling the somewhat serious atmosphere from just a moment ago.

This matter concerned Ning Weiguo's future planning and was a life-altering decision; it had to be considered carefully, not decided on a whim.

The reason Ning Weidong brought it up today was mainly to let Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen, as a couple, consider leaving their current position more seriously.

Compared to a plan spanning twenty years and aiming for the Ministry in the future, this current section-level position was naturally nothing to regret.

It wasn't until after seven in the evening that Ning Weidong left Ning Weiguo's home.

Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen saw him out to the downstairs together, and after watching him ride his bicycle away, the two returned home, heavy with thoughts.

In the hallway, both of them tacitly refrained from speaking.

Not until they were back home and the door was shut did Wang Yuzhen ask: "Weiguo, what do you think about what Weidong said just now?"

Ning Weiguo clicked his tongue and said: "A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation; the ancients truly do not deceive me! Ever since the New Year, Weidong has suddenly had a breakthrough, as if he's become a different person. His current level of thinking and breadth of vision are beyond what I could have anticipated. Listening to his words today... it's better than ten years of study!"

While sighing with emotion, Ning Weiguo paced in circles on the floor, rubbing his hands together to suppress his excitement.

It wasn't Ning Weidong's performance, but rather that these words of Ning Weidong's had allowed him to see a much clearer direction.

As long as he followed this direction, relying on his unremitting efforts and the assistance of the Wang Family, Ning Weiguo could see the future.

Although the road ahead was still long, the mist had cleared to reveal the blue sky.

Ning Weiguo said solemnly: "Yuzhen, when I go home next week, I plan to talk to Dad. What do you think?"

At the mention of this, Wang Yuzhen's expression became cautious.

Their honor and disgrace were tied to Wang Fu alone.

Ning Weidong had painted a flowery picture here, and she and Ning Weiguo had listened with surging hearts, but if her father said one word of "no," everything would be in vain.

Wang Yuzhen pursed her lips and said with some worry: "Is it that urgent? It would be best to wait until Weidong and Zhao Ruyi are officially married."

Ning Weiguo had indeed been a bit too excited just now.

That's why the old saying goes: a man with a virtuous wife avoids disaster.

Wang Yuzhen's reminder acted as a brake for him, and at the same time, he calmed down from his agitated state.

Ning Weiguo nodded slowly: "Indeed, there is no need to rush."

After speaking, he looked at Wang Yuzhen and suddenly gave her a "smack" of a kiss: "Yuzhen, it's so good to have you~"

Wang Yuzhen blushed, hurriedly wiped her face with her hand, rolled her eyes at him, and said: "We're an old married couple, and you still have no sense of propriety."

Ning Weiguo chuckled: "I'm proper in front of outsiders and proper at work, but when I get home, I'm still proper~ If I were too proper, when would Xiao Lei ever get a little brother?"

On the other side, Ning Weidong was riding his bike home.

Just as he reached the entrance of the alley and was about to turn in, he suddenly heard someone call his name.

Ning Weidong turned his head toward the sound and was somewhat surprised: "An Ning?"

He saw that at the intersection of Fuchengmen Street and the alley, under the second street tree, An Ning was standing there, graceful and poised, wearing a stylish women's trench coat and leaning on a ladies' bicycle with a slanted frame, smiling.

Ning Weidong squeezed his brake and stopped: "Sister An, looking for me?"

As he spoke, he arrived in front of An Ning.

An Ning was dressed very beautifully today, with her hair in a high, ladylike bun, and under her trench coat, she wore a pair of blue jeans in the America style.

At this point in time, this outfit was quite striking, but it didn't count as bizarre clothing.

Because of the opening up to the outside world, many young men and women from well-off families on the streets of Beijing had already started wearing jeans.

An Ning smiled like a flower: "Long time no see."

Ning Weidong said: "It hasn't been that long, has it~ It hasn't even been a month yet~"

The two came together.

Ning Weidong knew that An Ning coming to find him on her own initiative certainly wasn't a whim.

Ning Weidong said: "Shall we go to my place or sit somewhere outside?"

An Ning said: "Let's go to your place and see~ I heard Brother Weiguo and his wife moved out, so you're living alone now?"

Ning Weidong said with a half-smile: "Why? Sister An, do you have some ideas?"

An Ning said: "What, are you afraid I'll eat you? Or is it that if I go to your courtyard, you're afraid of people gossiping?"

Ning Weidong said: "What am I afraid of~ I'm a grown man, let's go~"

As he said this, he pushed his bicycle and turned into the alley.

An Ning followed closely behind, pushed her bicycle onto the curb, tapped her feet lightly, as nimble as a butterfly, got on her bike, and followed Ning Weidong to the Dazayuan.

When the two arrived at the gate, they attracted quite a bit of attention as soon as they entered.

On a Sunday evening, many people were chatting outside after eating, and when they saw Ning Weidong bringing back another beautiful woman dressed in an unconventional way, they were all taken aback.

(End of chapter)