Chapter 251: A First Encounter with a Test of Strength

The Security Department staff checked the Introduction Letter, confirmed there was no problem, and handed it to Lu Cheng.

"Hello Comrade, keep the Introduction Letter safe; the Third Research Institute is entered by turning left from the courtyard, go up to the second floor, then the fifth door along the stairwell, which has a sign on it."

"Thank you, Comrade."

Lu Cheng secured the Introduction Letter, took two steps, then turned back: "By the way, Comrade, could you ask what the surname of the director of the Third Research Institute is?"

"His surname is Wu, named Wu Qiming."

"Alright, thank you, Comrade."

When Lu Cheng went up according to the directions, in the room bearing the Third Research Institute sign, someone looked at the time and said.

"Didn't we say there was a meeting today? Why hasn't the one surnamed Lu arrived yet?"

"Probably he's being arrogant."

"Arrogant? What does that mean? Do they expect us to go ask him?"

Someone glanced at Wu Qiming, who was only sipping tea and silent, and said: "Director Wu, why don't you come in later? You are the First Group leader; there's no reason to wait for a deputy group leader."

"Yes, Director Wu, once the one surnamed Lu arrives, we'll call you; you should make the final entrance."

Wu Qiming put down the Enamel Jar and said without any concern: "We are the technical side, don't bring the administrative stuff; I still say, if this guy called Lu Cheng really has skill, I'm willing to be his assistant."

"But if he truly has none, then my Research Institute is not a shelter; get out quickly."

After Wu Qiming spoke, the others stopped discussing; they all knew Director Wu possessed genuine technology, and the people they most admired in life were also technical talents.

Three minutes later, Lu Cheng found the Third Research Institute's sign and knocked on the door.

Wu Qiming called out: "Please come in."

As Lu Cheng entered, the others in the room turned their gazes toward him, and to their surprise, the newcomer was a young lad.

Everyone's first question was, being so young, what technology could he possibly understand?

Lu Cheng ignored the odd looks, walked straight to the leading middle‑aged man and said, "Hello Director Wu, I'm here to report in; my name is Lu Cheng."

Director Wu was also somewhat surprised that the newcomer was so young, but he still stood up.

"Hello Group Leader Lu, time is precious; let's skip the small talk and start the meeting directly."

Director Wu said so, which was a bit lacking in warmth, but Lu Cheng didn't mind; he actually appreciated this work attitude.

"Very well, Director Wu's proactive spirit is worthy of our learning; it seems this time we will definitely overcome the difficulty."

Wu Qiming extended his hand, "Please sit, Group Leader Lu."

After Lu Cheng sat down, he first surveyed the room; the desk was piled with thick blueprints, and there were few people—counting Wu Qiming, there were only four in total.

Lu Cheng slightly leaned to the side and said, "Director Wu, this time our snow‑removal machine research team seems a bit small, doesn't it?"

Before Director Wu could speak, Xiao Jia couldn't help but say, "Group Leader Lu, you might not understand the situation in our institute; the current projects aren't just snow‑removal machines, there are many other important projects as well."

"Indeed, Group Leader Lu, you didn't see that even our director personally joined the front; gathering four people is already good enough."

Lu Cheng slightly frowned as he listened; although the two were explaining, their words still felt edged.

He thought, I haven't offended anyone.

Nevertheless, Lu Cheng didn't dwell on it; after all, he came from an administrative background while the institute is technical, and administrative officers and technical officers have never gotten along.

Director Wu saw Lu Cheng's mood and said, "Sorry, Group Leader Lu, they speak rather bluntly; please don't mind."

Lu Cheng quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I understand your institute; after all, technical talent nationwide is scarce.

I was just wondering if we could pull some people from other units, combine forces; more people means more strength."

At this moment, Xiao Jia, after hearing it, intentionally gave him a warning.

"Alright then, Group Leader Lu, our institute really can't bring in more people; if you have the ability, please go get people, after all you're also the Deputy Chief Commander, you should do something concrete, right?"

Lu Cheng looked at Xiao Jia, who was speaking, and then at the silent Wu Qiming.

Wu Qiming leaned back, also wanting to see how much ability Lu Cheng truly had.

"Group Leader Lu, there's a telephone right here in the room."

Alright, Lu Cheng understood; it isn't just that administrative cadres and technical cadres can't get along—it's most likely that these technical staff, seeing a Junior Police Officer transferred in, look down on him.

"As the saying goes, losing people isn't losing the formation; if we truly can't transfer people today, we lose the momentum right away."

Realizing this, Lu Cheng stood up directly and said, "Connect me to the Shencheng Research Institute, please."

Seeing Lu Cheng's confident demeanor, Xiao Jia thought he was bluffing, and hurried two steps to make the call.

Director Wu didn't expect Lu Cheng to dial the Shencheng Research Institute directly; after all, Lu Cheng doesn't know anyone there, so why would they obey his orders?

Director Wu was thinking that when suddenly he heard Lu Cheng grab the connected phone and slam the table.

"Bang!" the sound startled the few people in the room.

Lu Cheng did this to intimidate the person on the other end of the line, and also to intimidate those in the room.

If you try to trip him up, he's not easy to deal with.

"Is this the Shencheng Research Institute?" Lu Cheng asked loudly after slamming the table.

【51】 The person on the other end was already stunned; usually only a high‑ranking leader can slam the phone like that.

Got it, Lu Cheng understood; it's not just that administrative and technical officers can't get along, it's probably that these technicians think a Junior Police Officer like him being transferred here looks down on them.

"Yes... it's the Shencheng Research Institute, you, who are you, sir?"

Lu Cheng, hand on his waist, said: "I am from the Iron Science Institute; we have just set up a snow‑removal machine development team. I'm asking what's going on; the orders have already been issued, why haven't you sent anyone over yet?"

The person on the phone looked utterly confused: "I heard about the snow‑removal machine development team yesterday, but the order you mention to send us people, I haven't heard of it."

Lu Cheng cleared his throat: "It might still be en route; currently, the snow‑removal machine development is top priority. As the frontline, Shencheng Research Institute has the duty and responsibility to cooperate with our joint effort. I now order you to immediately send several professional technical personnel to the capital. Understood?"

"I understand, I understand, but... who are you?"

"Who am I? I'm the Deputy Chief Commander!"

"Deputy Chief Commander"—those four words sounded like a high‑ranking official; the person on the phone dared not delay and hurriedly said they would report to the director.

Lu Cheng hung up the phone and told everyone, "It's taken care of."

Xiao Jia, standing aside, sneered, "You're just bluffing; we clearly didn't issue any transfer order, yet you brought people over."

Lu Cheng stared, "How can we call it bluffing? It's a fact we're short of staff; it's their duty to cooperate, isn't it just a missing transfer order? Director Wu, we'll need you to step in on this, and make up for it later."

Wu Qiming shook his head helplessly, not expecting Lu Cheng to handle things so unprincipled, acting first and reporting later.

Still, he quite liked Lu Cheng's temperament, especially in technical matters, where normally a project's approval has to go through many cumbersome steps.

First‑level approvals can take many days, wasting a lot of time, so sometimes R&D work actually needs someone like Lu Cheng who dares to ignore the rules.

Being able to transfer personnel isn't a real skill; Shencheng Research Institute already has the duty to cooperate with the Iron Science Academy on joint problem‑solving.

What Wu Qiming really wanted to see was whether Lu Cheng actually understood the technology.

"Group Leader Lu, let's hold a formal meeting."