Chapter 227: Recognition

Lu Cheng did not intend to reject Lei Zhan'ge.

"Captain Lei, whether these smuggled goods can be sold, or how to sell them, are minor issues; whether a reform can be carried out is the real big issue right now."

"We can now conduct a small reform by selling the smuggled goods; if even this small reform cannot be implemented, the road to Railway construction will, as you can imagine, be extremely difficult."

Lei Zhan'ge fell silent for a moment.

Lu Cheng turned a question about selling smuggled goods into a question of whether to carry out a reform.

The huge gap between the two has left Lei Zhan'ge unable to digest it up to now.

Although he hasn't digested it, in his heart he has already begun to approve.

He also clearly realized that if Lu Cheng, this young man, is cultivated properly, just by proposing this small reform today, he will surely achieve great things in the future.

Given his current entrenched thinking, he doesn't know if this is right, but deep down he wants to give Lu Cheng a chance to test.

He doesn't want to crush the younger generation's ideas, because his own generation is already old; the future belongs to the young.

Young people should be this lively, bold, full of vigor, like a newly risen sun.

"You could be a bit more specific."

Seeing Lei Zhan'ge finally start to loosen up, Lu Cheng felt great joy.

"Being more specific is easy; each Railway Division can take charge of cooperating with the local Supply and Marketing Cooperative to sell the seized smuggled goods. The funds obtained— the local division keeps a portion, and the rest is remitted to our department."

"Whether kept by the local division or by our department, the money must be earmarked solely for Railway construction, to improve the livelihood of the common people."

Lei Zhan'ge was indeed moved, nodding continuously as he listened.

Selling the smuggled goods and using the proceeds for Railway construction is certainly better than letting them rot there.

"How about this: I'll call Director Tang of the General Bureau…" Lei Zhan'ge said, picking up the telephone on the desk.

Lu Cheng waited quietly, almost falling asleep from waiting; he had just gotten off the train, hadn't had time to rest, and had rushed over to say all this, his body and mind exhausted to the limit.

And Lei Zhan'ge's phone call lasted a full one and a half hours.

After hanging up, Lu Cheng could barely keep his eyes open, feeling a pang of compassion for Lei Zhan'ge.

"Xiao Lu, you should go back and rest first."

Lu Cheng jolted upright: "What did Director Tang say? Without that confirmation, how could I possibly sleep?"

"Hmm? It's still too early to say. Of course, after I spoke with Director Tang, he was quite approving, and gave a high appraisal to the reform you proposed."

"So that means Director Tang agreed?"

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head: "This isn't a minor matter; it needs to be reported to the department for study. Moreover, Director Tang asked you to produce a feasible plan, which will help secure a higher success rate."

Lu Cheng, after hearing that, could only settle for now; as long as it's not an explicit refusal, it indicates there is still a possibility of implementation.

"Alright, Captain Lei, I'll go back and draft a plan, but regarding Director Cheng…"

Lei Zhan'ge sighed: "You, you really feel obliged to keep your promises, but now you can only ask him to wait a while; if that truly doesn't work, I'll give Director Cheng a call…"

"Then perhaps it's better not to; if you call him yourself, he'll be scared stiff."

Lei Zhan'ge, holding a Chief Hall Official Rank, calling Cheng Jianhua, who is Section Rank, probably Cheng Jianhua wouldn't even dare ask for that money.

This is also why, when Lu Cheng goes down to grassroots units, he must be received by the local division's Deputy Bureau, simply because his direct superior is a Chief Hall Official.

A Chief Hall Official like this, given Cheng Jianhua's position, would hardly ever see each other in a lifetime.

While Lei Zhan'ge continued busy with work, Lu Cheng still showed no intention of leaving.

"By the way, Captain Lei, if the department agrees, could I decide the location for our cooperative sales?"

Lei Zhan'ge raised his eyebrows: "You decide? Didn't you just say the local division should cooperate with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative? Then our Beijing Station should cooperate with the State‑owned Store, shouldn't it?"

Lu Cheng leaned forward: "I think we don't need to cooperate with the State‑owned Store; they're a big operation, they won't value our small items, and even if they did, our profit would be low because the State‑owned Store would want the biggest share."

Lei Zhan'ge found it reasonable: "But if we don't work with the State‑owned Store, who else? We can't have Railway staff selling on the street, can we? That would be ridiculous."

"Of course we can't have them sell it ourselves; I have a good spot here with very strong shipping capacity."

Lei Zhan'ge inhaled: "Then tell me, aren't purchases supposed to go to the State‑owned Store? What other place is there?"

"It's the tea stall at the entrance of our Beijing Station; that tea stall is jointly run by the Street Office and our Train Station Logistics, already staffed by our own people, so letting them sell is most appropriate."

Lei Zhan'ge recalled: "Oh, you mean Director Zhao Changfeng."

"Yes, that's him."

"Hmm, that could work, but can the tea stall sell these items?"

"You don't need to worry about that; I'll coordinate with Director Zhao later, you won't have to worry."

Lei Zhan'ge agreed without hesitation: "Fine, if the department truly approves this reform, you'll have full responsibility thereafter."

Lu Cheng was overjoyed; after selling the smuggled goods, he could allocate three thousand yuan to Cheng Jianhua and increase the division's income, but even that wasn't enough to excite him.

What excited him most was that through this matter, his sister's tea stall could be elevated, and consequently her speaking authority would increase.

Although they can't do business now, his sister now controls these resources; once favorable winds come, it will be even easier for them to take off in the future.

In the future, the most important things are connections and resources; both are indispensable.

The Lu family aspires to rise to prominence, to occupy a sphere of influence in the Capital City, and now must start paving the way.

After chatting with Lei Zhan'ge for so long, Lu Cheng was indeed exhausted; when the bus stopped at the platform, he showed his monthly ticket and went home.

It was already evening; every household in Hu Tong Li was cooking, and pots, bowls, and pans clanged chaotically.

Chen Xianglan was washing clothes in the courtyard, and was surprised to see Lu Cheng return, dragging his exhausted body.

"San'er, you're back. Why was this duty so long? I haven't cooked yet; let's start now."

Lu Cheng headed toward the West Wing Room: "Mom, I'm a bit tired, I'll nap first."

"You have to eat before sleeping; Mom will stir‑fry an egg with scallions for you, it'll be quick…"

"We'll eat at dinner; when my sister comes back, have her wake me up; I need to tell her something."

After saying that, Lu Cheng closed the door and collapsed onto the bed.