Chapter 281: Rotten Idea

Director Wu agreed?

Lei Zhan'ge muttered, Director Wu works in R&D and has always been rather meticulous; if Director Wu has agreed, then it's worth hearing.

Speak up, get to the point, and don't go back and forth!

Lu Cheng sighed helplessly; they're treating him like some kind of person, and he's never liked idle talk!

Captain Lei, my method is to first designate Tan Zonggong as a suspect…

Suspect? On what grounds do you label someone a suspect?

Hold your horses, I haven't finished; it's only a pretended suspect! I've already drafted the charge: someone accuses Tan Zonggong of smuggling a batch of factory machines, then the Railway Bureau issues an Arrest Warrant and brings Tan Zonggong back for a full explanation.

Lei Zhan'ge didn't quite catch it: "Chief Engineer Tan was reassigned because of an academic issue; by doing this, aren't you adding an extra crime to him?"

Lu Cheng explained: "So it's just a pretense. Publicly we claim he's a suspect, but once he's brought over, we actually have him help us finish the Snow Removal Machine Project. After the project is completed, we'll publicize that an investigation cleared Tan Zonggong of any wrongdoing, restoring his innocence."

Hiss! Lei Zhan'ge was a bit overwhelmed; after a while he managed to mutter a curse.

What a rotten idea!

How could that be a rotten idea? With this method, you could say, isn't it possible to bring Chief Engineer Tan back?

Lei Zhan'ge was instantly at a loss for words; his sharp Eagle Eye flashed twice.

It does seem like a viable method, and it appears that only by bypassing official procedures could we possibly bring Tan Zonggong back.

But… if the Commune in the middle asks for the person, what then?

Lu Cheng wasn't worried: "No need to handle it; just say Tan Zonggong's case is complicated and not yet fully investigated. As for how long the investigation lasts, that's up to us."

Lei Zhan'ge was speechless; frankly, this approach borders on robbery.

Hah! You really have a belly full of devil ideas; only you could come up with such a harmful scheme.

If anyone else tried, they wouldn't dare do it.

Lu Cheng chuckled, "Thanks for the compliment, Captain Lei, for calling me smart."

Lei Zhan'ge wore a helpless expression: "I'm not praising you at all! Do you realize that if this gets out, the consequences would be very serious."

Lu Cheng obviously knew, so he didn't mention it at the procurement station.

"Captain Lei, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! To put it mildly, Chief Engineer Tan's issue is merely academic; he hasn't committed murder, arson, nor any crime of assaulting women. Even if it were such a crime, no matter how learned he is, I certainly wouldn't want him."

Moreover, our goal is to quickly produce the Snow Removal Machine and put it into service; the public's travel problems would be solved a day earlier. For the revolutionary masses, I think this risk is worth taking.

Lu Cheng rattled off a long speech, and Lei Zhan'ge was actually a bit moved.

Ah, your mouth really knows how to talk, kid.

Lei Zhan'ge seemed outwardly helpless, but inside he greatly admired Lu Cheng.

Sometimes, sticking to procedure isn't the best; only by using such means can we get things done.

Just like this Snow Removal Machine Project: from being scheduled to now being halfway done, it's truly lightning fast.

If we followed the proper procedures, just the paperwork and approvals would take three or four years at least.

Captain Lei, if you agree… that is, this matter should be kept confidential; the fewer people who know, the better.

Lei Zhan'ge smiled, "Heh, you still understand the seriousness! Rest assured, if anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."

Lu Cheng knew that with Lei Zhan'ge's words, he could act freely without any concerns.

The departure date was set for five days later, awaiting Chief Engineer Tan's family's arrival in the Capital City.

Having settled the matters, Lu Cheng was about to leave when Lei Zhan'ge suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Xiao Lu, since you're already here, no need for a separate notice; go to the Logistics Department and collect a box of ice lollies to take back."

Ice lollies?

【7】 Actually it's the Railway Boss; the workers' welfare is great. To cope with the summer heat, they built a dedicated ice lolly production line.

It turns out it's Iron Boss, the employee benefits are just great; to cope with the summer heat, they built a dedicated ice‑pop production line.

Many large factories do the same.

Lu Cheng hopped on his bicycle and headed straight to the Logistics Department to pick up a box.

Unfortunately, his home has no refrigerator; if he doesn't eat it in time, it will melt.

Looking at the whole box of ice cream, Lu Cheng inexplicably thought of his little niece; if Qing'er were here, she'd surely finish it.

He turned a corner and parked his bicycle at the entrance of a department store.

The department store now has two large storefronts; a constant stream of people passes the entrance, and business is booming.

In fact, it mainly relies on Big Bowl Tea to draw crowds; with the heat, passersby buy a bowl of Big Bowl Tea to quench their thirst.

He opened the box on the back of his bike and carried it inside.

Come, come, come, today I'm treating everyone to ice lollies.

There are two kinds of ice lollies: the white‑sugar lolly made from sugar water, sold for three cents each, and the mung‑bean lolly, a bit fancier, five cents each.

Compared with the myriad ice creams of later eras, in this material‑scarce age, a simple white‑sugar lolly is a luxury coveted by countless children.

When they heard ice lollies were being served, Zhao Bin and the others immediately gathered.

Sure, Lu Cheng, good stuff to eat, and you even think of your pals, but it's not that hot yet, so there's no need to lug a whole box.

Don't worry, it's from our bureau; we're in trial production and have a box for now.

A box has more than twenty sticks; even if each person took one, it wouldn't be all gone. Lu Cheng scanned the crowd but didn't see his sister Lu Ying.

Where's my sister?

Zhao Bin, while unwrapping the ice lollies, said, "Director Lu is in the back office; for this kind of menial work, we don't need Director Lu to handle it."

Lu Cheng laughed, "You keep calling him Director Lu every time; why not call Ying Ying sister?"

"That's not allowed; Director Lu said we must use titles during work hours, and later we'll formalize development."

"Alright, I'll check the back." Lu Cheng took two lollies and went to the back office, next to a warehouse used for storing goods.

He kicked the door open; inside, Lu Ying was startled, about to erupt, but upon seeing her brother, she instantly glared.

Are you sick? Don't you know to knock?

Lu Cheng walked over, smiling, and said, "Why are you so impatient, little sister? I'm just kindly bringing you ice lollies to eat."

"Hmm, put it there." Lu Ying didn't even lift an eyelid, and nonchalantly picked up the Newspaper and began to read.

Lu Cheng pursed his lips: "Yo yo yo, I said Director Lu, I've never seen you read a newspaper at home, but you're acting like you do now."

Having grown up together as close siblings, who doesn't know each other? Seeing the act was about to fall apart, Lu Ying reluctantly set the newspaper down slowly.

"Where did you buy that popsicle? You've got money but nowhere to spend it, right? It's not that hot now."

Lu Cheng opened a mung‑bean popsicle, took a sip: "It wasn't bought, it's a benefit from the bureau."

"Oh!" Lu Ying took another, held it in hand without eating, and just looked at it.

"The weather is gradually getting hotter, huh, I think our department store should also start stocking some popsicles."

Lu Cheng thought that could work; it's summer, the perfect season for hot‑weather goods to sell well.

The department store has already established supply agreements with several factories, all negotiated by Lu Ying, gradually giving her the image of a female powerhouse.

Not staying long at the department store, Lu Cheng rode his bicycle home.

Five days later, Lu Cheng met Tan Zonggong's family.