Chapter 105: Funding Problem

Lei Zhan'ge stamped out his cigarette, placed both hands on the table: "Regarding the document issued by the General Bureau, the next focus of Beijing Station has shifted to cracking smuggling cases. I will hold a special meeting to inform each Train Service Line."

Lei Zhan'ge said, turning his head: "Xiao Lu, you heard that, right?"

Lu Cheng, stuffing tea leaves into his pocket, said: "I heard you, Captain Lei. Rest assured, other groups can't guarantee it, but our Sixth Group will do our utmost to crack smuggling criminals."

Tang Qiusheng nodded: "With Captain Lei stationed at Beijing Station, the General Bureau feels very reassured. Captain Lei is selfless; given his seniority, his Administrative Treatment rank should even be above mine."

Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand: "Never mind that. I'm old, the yellow earth is up to my neck. I just want to use my last breath to give the country one final contribution."

Tang Qiusheng lowered his head slightly: "That's exactly what I'm talking about. Captain Lei is devoted to the public, his heart tied to the people…"

Lei Zhan'ge hurriedly cut in: "Alright, Lao Tang, your words are all praise for me; there must be some bad news. Just say it directly—I've seen every storm and wave!"

Tang Qiusheng sighed: "Fine, I'll be blunt. Regarding your recent proposal to the General Bureau to add several Train Service Lines to Beijing Station next year, the General Bureau held a meeting about it…"

Lei Zhan'ge realized: "No need to say more; it definitely wasn't approved."

Tang Qiusheng replied: "It's not that it was completely rejected. Considering our current national conditions and capabilities—vast land, abundant resources, large population—if you look at the railway network nationwide, most lines are still the old routes from before liberation, and long‑distance trains are the primary choice, so the common people face great travel pressure."

"The General Bureau naturally hopes to add more Train Service Lines, even to expand railway lines so that trains can reach every corner of the country, thereby easing current travel pressure. As for extending railway lines, that's even more difficult to achieve right now."

"As for increasing Train Service Lines now, we need to manufacture trains or buy them outright, but whichever method, money is indispensable, so the General Bureau's stance is to put it on hold for the time being."

After hearing Tang Qiusheng, Lei Zhan'ge rested his forehead on his hand, looking very exhausted.

"Can't the Department Committee step in and coordinate with other brother Department Committees to build a few trains first? I know it's hard, but we've gotten through harder challenges before; everyone just tighten their belts and hold on a bit longer."

"Old Tang, you know I'm not doing this for myself, but for the country, for the common people. Our generation can endure a bit more hardship, so that the next generation can have a good life."

Tang Qiusheng inhaled: "I share the same sentiment; you're not the only one, Old Lei, with this awareness. We all came from the revolutionary era, and as you said, workers have strength and can endure hardship, tighten their belts; peasants can also endure hardship, saving grain to supply us workers…"

"But Lao Tang, our industrial base is too weak, and we face many technical challenges. The cost to build a train is not less than the money to buy one outright."

"Other brother Department Committees are also having hard times; there's no reason to help you for free. Lei Zhan'ge can't not understand this, but the more he understands, the deeper his despair."

"If we can't increase Train Service Lines, then training a chief for next year's lines now would be meaningless."

Lei Zhan'ge, exhausted, leaned back in his chair and let out a helpless sigh.

"Being backward invites being beaten; that's been true since ancient times. Our great nation has endured hardships, yet we have dignity, rising again and again, never submitting to anyone. Now we are lagging decades behind—how can we catch up?"

"Old Tang, to be honest, I'm old; if I don't act now, there will be no more chances."

Tang Qiusheng was silent for a long while: "Old Lei, don't lose heart. The General Bureau isn't rejecting your suggestion; they're just putting it aside for now, waiting a bit. We'll get better and better."

"You must have confidence; by then, not only adding Train Service Lines but even opening new routes and expanding railway lines will be no problem."

Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand and shook his head; he knew Tang Qiusheng was merely consoling him.

Because of the Train Service Line issue, the two men over fifty, faced with harsh reality, fell into a wordless, deeply worried silence.

Lu Cheng listened for a while, remaining quiet. Moved by the two elders' concern for the nation and the people, he slowly raised his hand.

Lei Zhan'ge glanced, then said, "My mind slipped—I forgot you were still here!"

"Xiao Lu, you were listening just now; our next objective at Beijing Station is to crack smuggling criminals, so pay more attention in the future. That's all, you have no further business here; go to the Platform first."

Lu Cheng didn't leave: "There's still an hour before departure. Cracking smuggling criminals is my duty, so you needn't worry. I was thinking I might be able to secure funding from the Department Committee to purchase trains."

Lei Zhan'ge and Tang Qiusheng exchanged a glance, then both shook their heads.

"Alright, Xiao Lu, I know what you're worried about. If we can't buy trains, we can't add Train Service Lines; without adding lines, we can't promote chiefs, but my Small Group Assessment remains unchanged—do what needs to be done."

Even if we can't add Train Service Lines, the current assessment method for the group can still be applied; without rewards or punishments, there is no motivation.

Lu Cheng replied: "Captain Lei, I'm serious."

Lei Zhan'ge flatly doubted: "No way. If even the Department Committee has no solution, what can a junior comrade like you do to raise funds? Fine, hurry to the Platform, help the passengers more. Put the tea box there; you emptied it in an instant."

Tang Qiusheng, standing aside, said nothing; he knew Lu Cheng was full of tricks, but such a major issue can't be solved by tricks alone.

"Old Lei, the youngster has ideas—let him speak. After all, we old brothers are idle. A young person's ideas are good; we should support them, regardless of right or wrong, just listen for fun."

Lei Zhan'ge nodded: "Alright, Director Tang lets you speak, so go ahead, but don't make grand promises."

Lu Cheng sat down again: "That might disappoint Captain Lei; that statement is indeed a bit bold."

Tang Qiusheng laughed: "No problem, speak up. I guarantee Captain Lei won't criticize you."

"Alright, with Director Tang's words, I feel reassured."

Lu Cheng recalled, then stretched his neck and said mysteriously: "According to reliable reports, over in West Germany, there's an old decommissioned destroyer recently slated to be placed in a local park for exhibition."

Lei Zhan'ge didn't understand: "I want to buy trains, and you tell me a destroyer is useful? It can't even run on railway tracks!"

"Look, you're getting impatient again; that old habit of yours needs fixing—you won't let anyone finish speaking." Lu Cheng finally took out a handful of tea leaves and put the box back on the table.

Lei Zhan'ge spread his hands: "Hey… that kid even retorted me!"

Tang Qiusheng, still interested, gestured: "Xiao Lu, continue."

Lu Cheng leaned back, his face serious.

"A destroyer obviously can't run on railway tracks, but if we can purchase it cheaply and then sell it to other brother departments, the Railway Department could pocket the price difference. Even a dilapidated destroyer can be worth a fair amount."

Lei Zhan'ge involuntarily went "huh", the plan was indeed good, but it also raised many other issues.

One can only say this scheme is harder than scaling heaven, yet Lu Cheng looked as if success was inevitable.