Chapter 2121: Arrangements (4000 words)

By the time Zhou Andong and the others dispersed, it was already past nine o'clock. With this gathering, the matters regarding the automobile manufacturing plant were completely settled.

Tomorrow, Young Master Pu would go to register, Shen Mingsheng would sign the contract, Zhang Yihao would find the media, and Zhang Hua would go to poach talent.

Then came selecting a site in Jiangzhou, purchasing equipment, building the plant, recruiting workers, and so on. If things went quickly, it would be mostly finished by June next year.

The main concern was the power laboratory; this stuff was high-end, and he didn't know if it could all be finished by June next year. As for engine research and development, he really wasn't worried.

In his previous life, the strategy of "trading the market for technology" was completely sound: introduce, absorb, digest, and then innovate.

Introducing advanced technology, absorbing its essence, digesting it, and achieving re-innovation on that basis was very much in line with the current domestic reality.

But damn it, some people in those state-owned enterprises only stopped at the stages of introduction and absorption, while the subsequent digestion and re-innovation were thrown to the back of their minds.

They executed the "take-it-ism" thoroughly: I took it and used it, and then there was no "then." They enjoyed the ready-made results with peace of mind, and no one thought about how to further improve and develop.

The most typical examples were BAIC and FAW; they possessed deep foundations but clung to "take-it-ism" and refused to make progress. In their minds, since I can lie down and make money, why must I walk a few steps?

Consequently, in the decades after the Reform and Opening-up, automobile sales grew significantly, and wealth rolled in, but the domestic automobile industry not only failed to rise, it was actually dragged through the mud by certain car companies, losing the trust of consumers.

Facing this situation, some people not only felt no shame, but were actually complacent, thinking that since everything could be bought anyway, why spend huge sums of money on R&D?

In the end, the slogan of "trading the market for technology" became empty talk, and the market was completely handed over. If it weren't for the private car companies finally exerting their strength, who knows where China's automobile industry would have headed; it wouldn't even have been able to switch to the new energy track.

It would have been even more impossible to have the later new energy vehicles that were far ahead, looking down on the world, and causing the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea to collectively break their defenses.

Thinking of this, Zhou Andong let out a long breath. That was why he wasn't worried about being unable to develop an engine. He had experienced it once in his previous life; so many brands of cars were equipped with domestic engines, and the technology was very mature. How could he not develop one himself?

Moreover, in engine R&D, we weren't truly a blank slate; we had our own technology, it was just relatively backward compared to foreign countries.

Therefore, as long as he was willing to spend money and poach all the high-end talent, he believed that within five years, he would definitely be able to develop an engine with good performance and stability.

When he arrived home, Jian Qiu was already asleep. Su Su wasn't there; she was either sleeping with Fourth Sister or at Grandma's.

Fearing he would wake Jian Qiu, he retreated on tiptoe and slept in the guest room for the night.

Early in the morning, as soon as he got up, he heard Old Xishuai chatting with Comrade Old Zhou in the courtyard.

Zhou Andong put on his clothes, pushed the door open, and came out, only to see Comrade Old Zhou leaning on a cane and walking around the courtyard.

He looked like he was walking very steadily now, unlike before the New Year when he would pant after a few steps, and his legs would shake constantly.

"It's so early in the morning, why did you run over here?"

Zhou Andong greeted Old Xishuai first, then looked at Comrade Old Zhou.

"How are you feeling?"

Comrade Old Zhou was in very high spirits, without the gloominess he had felt when missing home yesterday afternoon.

"I threw away the cane and can circle this small courtyard five or six times. If I lean on the cane, I can walk from the front gate to the east exit of the alley and then walk back."

"Amazing, Comrade Old Zhou!"

Zhou Andong gave a thumbs up. He was truly happy; Comrade Old Zhou's recovery had exceeded his expectations.

Now, except for needing someone to watch him while bathing, he could completely take care of his own daily life, and he didn't even need a wheelchair to go to the dining room for meals.

At this rate of recovery, by this time next year, it would be no problem for him to completely throw away the wheelchair and take a stroll nearby with a cane.

But to recover to a normal level, being able to run and jump, that was a long-term process; don't even think about it for five or six years.

Moreover, after this New Year, Comrade Old Zhou would be fifty. Even if he hadn't been injured, how many steps could he run, and how high could he jump?

So, in Zhou Andong's view, as long as Comrade Old Zhou didn't have any major illnesses, recovering to normal walking was enough.

Old Xishuai said with a smile: "For over a year now, I've seen Old Brother Zhou's changes with my own eyes. Every time I come over, I can see changes, both physically and mentally."

Comrade Old Zhou sat in the wheelchair and picked up the towel draped over the armrest to wipe his sweat.

"Back when I just had the surgery, during recovery therapy, I could feel the strength in my body, but my two legs just wouldn't listen; it was all relying on equipment and caregivers."

As he spoke, Comrade Old Zhou patted his thighs hard, the smile on his face becoming brighter and brighter.

"But it's different now. My two legs can completely follow my commands. I can go wherever I want, just not too far yet."

"Old Brother Zhou!" Old Xishuai took out a cigarette and lit one for Comrade Old Zhou: "By this time next year, you'll truly be able to go wherever you want."

"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words, Old Brother." Comrade Old Zhou laughed heartily.

Zhou Andong took the cigarette Old Xishuai handed over and took out a lighter to light it: "You came over so early, is there something up?"

"The courtyard of the Second Squire's family is for sale. Besides, if you're interested in those thirty-plus courtyards in front, he can act as a middleman and help you find the owners to talk."

Old Xishuai puffed on his cigarette: "You just got back yesterday, and I had some things to deal with, so I didn't talk to you."

"The work in front isn't finished yet. Tang Lin will definitely come over today; let's ask him then."

Zhou Andong looked at Jian Qiu, who was walking over, and stood up: "You came so early, you must not have had breakfast. Eat here, and wait for Tang Lin to come."

It wasn't the first or second time eating here; Old Xishuai wouldn't be polite at all and agreed readily.

Zhou Andong supported Jian Qiu: "Why are you up so early too?"

Jian Qiu stroked her belly and said helplessly: "I was kicked awake by this little thing."

Old Xishuai asked: "Almost time to give birth, right?"

"The due date is at the end of the month."

Zhou Andong supported Jian Qiu into the dining room, while Comrade Old Zhou stood up with his cane and followed Old Xishuai into the dining room.

At this moment, Sister Wu and several nannies were sitting around chatting. Seeing Zhou Andong and the others enter, they immediately stood up to greet them.

They all came from the countryside, Zhou Andong was also from the countryside, and Comrade Old Zhou and Yuan Liying had been farmers their whole lives.

Therefore, there were no rules in this large courtyard; they didn't need to hold brooms and rags all day, looking for work even when there was none, fearing the masters would be unhappy.

As long as they finished their own duties, they could freely manage their time; chatting, sleeping, playing cards, or asking for leave to go shopping were all fine.

And they also knew that this job didn't come easily, understanding that the masters were good to them; they could relax, but they couldn't be indulgent. They always maintained self-restraint, silently observing the invisible guidelines in their hearts.

Sister Wu and the nannies brought up breakfast: steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, porridge, and several kinds of small pickles.

They were just eating when Tang Lin and Zhang Zuo, those two idiots, arrived. As soon as they entered, they shouted "Uncle" at Comrade Old Zhou and then sat down.

Sister Wu brought them another set of bowls and chopsticks. The two didn't stand on ceremony either, picking up steamed buns and taking bites.

"I knew you guys would come today, but I didn't expect it to be so early." Zhou Andong took a sip of porridge and looked up out the window: "That's right, the sun rises in the east."

"I have a lot to do today, I have to get up early."

Tang Lin couldn't swallow the food in his mouth. He took two invitations out of his bag, placing one in front of Jian Qiu and one in front of Comrade Old Zhou.

"Uncle, Sister-in-law, I'm getting married on August 1st. These are the invitations; you must go."

Comrade Old Zhou opened the invitation and said happily: "Good, your aunt and I will definitely go."

Tang Lin and Zhang Zuo, these two guys, would come over to take a look whenever they had nothing to do, especially these past few days, cleaning up the courtyard in front, they ran over every day to mooch meals.

Comrade Old Zhou and Yuan Liying also treated them like their own nephews. Now that Tang Lin had personally delivered the invitation, how could he not be happy?

Jian Qiu held the invitation, her face full of regret: "I might not be able to attend your wedding."

"It's okay!" Tang Lin stuffed the half-eaten bun in his hand into his mouth and mumbled: "Brother Dong going is enough."

After he swallowed the bun in his mouth, he took another invitation out of his bag and placed it in front of Old Xishuai.

"Old Xishuai, if you have time, come have a wedding drink too. Don't bring anything; I'm not accepting gifts. Just come and show your support."

Old Xishuai really didn't expect to have his own invitation, which surprised him greatly. The two were acquaintances, but couldn't be called friends. Being able to receive Tang Lin's invitation on this occasion was definitely because of Zhou Andong.

But regardless, being able to receive an invitation to the wedding of a son of a large courtyard family like Tang Lin was an acknowledgment of him, which made him very happy and moved.

"President Tang, rest assured, I will definitely arrive on time."

Zhou Andong put down his chopsticks and drank the little bit of porridge left in his bowl.

"Old Xishuai came over today to ask if you're interested in those thirty-plus courtyards in front."

"I am!" Tang Lin was immediately energized: "They all want to sell?"

Zhou Andong explained the situation: "Let Old Xishuai take you to find the Second Squire. Since he said so, he can definitely convince the owners. But there are over two hundred households living there now. Before signing the sales contract, you must communicate well with these two hundred-plus tenant households to see if they are willing to move out."

"No problem." Tang Lin said confidently: "I'll arrange apartments for them, and the rent won't go up too much. They'll definitely move."

Zhou Andong believed this. People in this era, there wasn't one who didn't want to escape the crowded courtyards. The tenants of those four courtyards before were moved away just like this; one by one, they moved in a hurry, fearing Tang Lin would go back on his word.

"Fine!" Zhou Andong said: "You handle it."

Jian Qiu also put down her chopsticks and said to Zhou Andong: "Grandpa knows you're back and wants us to go over for lunch."

Zhou Andong asked: "Dad has already gone to Guangdong Province, right?"

"He left at the end of last month." Jian Qiu stood up with one hand on Zhou Andong's shoulder and moved around a bit: "Mom didn't go; she'll go after I finish my postpartum confinement."

Zhou Andong also stood up, supporting Jian Qiu as she moved back and forth in the dining room: "It'll be September by the time you finish your confinement. There's only one month left until the wedding date. It's better to wait until after the wedding to go."

"No!" Jian Qiu shook her head: "Her organizational relationship has already been transferred. It's enough that she can wait for me to give birth and serve me during my confinement. If she delays another month, what will the leaders think?"

Zhou Andong curled his lip: "If you ask me, she should just retire early. She's been spinning around in the Women's Federation and the Youth League Committee, doing all these trivial things; what's the point?

If she retired early, she'd be free and easy. If she wants to accompany Dad in Guangdong, she can; if she wants to come back to Beijing to bring up her grandson, she can. How good that would be."

Jian Qiu rolled her eyes at Zhou Andong: "I think it's pretty good too. You tell her."

"Fine, I'll find a chance to tell her."

Zhou Andong agreed readily, but after saying it, he automatically blocked the matter out.

"What's the situation with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative?"

Jian Qiu was a bit tired, so Zhou Andong supported her as she sat down.

"Tang Bei has already contacted the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives with her team. Although the other side is also very active, there are many issues involved, the most important being share distribution.

There's no problem with us wanting to hold a controlling stake, but how much we can actually get—if we don't argue for two months, there won't be a result."

"Daddy!"

Su Su's voice came from outside, and immediately after, the dining room door was pushed open. The little girl rushed in on her short legs, throwing herself at her father.

Zhou Andong hurriedly bent down, picked up the little girl, placed her on his lap, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Did you miss Daddy?"

"Missed you!"

The little girl hugged her father's neck and kissed Zhou Andong with a "smack."

At this time, Fourth Sister came in with her schoolbag on her back and a small schoolbag in her hand. Seeing the people inside, she greeted them one by one and then started complaining.

"Brother, Sister-in-law, can you manage your daughter? Day after day, she doesn't carry her own schoolbag and always makes me carry it."

"Who told you to be the aunt?" Zhou Andong hurriedly comforted Fourth Sister: "When your niece grows up, she will definitely carry your schoolbag for you too."

"Sigh!" Fourth Sister shook her head and sighed, sitting down on a chair: "I'm not counting on her to help me carry my schoolbag; it's enough if she doesn't always make me angry."

Looking at the lifeless expression on Fourth Sister's little face, he couldn't help but laugh out loud, picking up a steamed bun and putting it in her bowl.

"Eat quickly, don't be late for school."

Then, Zhou Andong picked up another steamed bun to feed Su Su: "Fourth Sister, are you almost having exams?"

Mentioning exams, Fourth Sister immediately became energized: "Exams are in a week, and then it's vacation."

At this time, Yuan Liying also arrived. Tang Lin, Zhang Zuo, and Old Xishuai hurriedly greeted her.

Zhou Andong checked the time and handed Su Su to Yuan Liying: "Su Su, eat well with Grandma. I'm going out with Mom to handle some things."

"Okay!" Su Su waved her little hand: "Goodbye Daddy, goodbye Mommy."

"Goodbye Su Su." Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu also waved.

After leaving the dining room, Zhou Andong supported Jian Qiu as they walked toward the front gate: "First go with me to RT-Mart; I have some things to instruct Tang Bei on. Then we'll go to Rifeng. I've been so busy day after day that I haven't been able to take care of things there. It's just right to take advantage of having time today to go take a look."

……………………

It wasn't opening time for RT-Mart yet, but quite a few people were already queuing at the front gate, and they were all old men and women. This made Zhou Andong very suspicious—was RT-Mart holding an event and giving out eggs?

Zhou Andong had Wang Wentian park the car on the side of the road, then he supported Jian Qiu as they got out of the car. Just then, he heard funeral music coming from afar.

Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu turned their heads to look, only to see a long funeral procession turning at the intersection, looking like there were over twenty cars.

And there was no lack of luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz and Crowns. One look and you could tell this family was either powerful or rich.

As the funeral procession got closer, the old men and women queuing up also ran over to watch the excitement.

A thin old man said: "Who died, such a big display? Look at the front, several big Mercedes and Crowns."

Another old man said enviously: "When I reach this day, if I can have such glory, I'll have no regrets even in death."

The thin old man snorted: "I can see it now, you'll die with plenty of regrets."

That old man glared at the other: "Old guy, can you even speak?"

The thin old man stuck out his neck: "What I said is the truth." ===== CHAPTER 2122 =====