Chapter 350: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony I

After spending a night at the Guesthouse, I was taken by the dispatched car to the Vehicle Factory early in the morning.

Today's plant was very lively; besides many local leaders of various levels coming to support the event, leaders from other districts also rushed over to visit.

Lu Cheng also met Zheng Changzhang, the factory director of Chuncheng Yigangchang; during the last transport of military supplies that hit an avalanche, it was this director who coordinated over two hundred people.

"Director Zheng, long time no see."

Indeed it had been a long time since we last met; upon seeing Lu Cheng, Director Zheng was both pleased and surprised.

"Brother Lu, why are you here too?"

"Well, I…"

"Lu Jingzhang, why are you here? I've been looking for you everywhere," Pan Jihai hurriedly walked over, and upon seeing Director Zheng also present, added, "Director Zheng, do you know each other?"

Director Zheng nodded, "It's more than just knowing each other; we're very familiar. Why did I hear you call him Lu Jingzhang?"

Pan Jihai smiled and teased, "So you two aren't that familiar! Lu Jingzhang has already become a police chief, and you didn't know! Moreover, today's Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony has you as the closing speaker, so you better listen carefully later."

Director Zheng was surprised; he recalled it hadn't been long ago, so how did he become a police chief in the blink of an eye?

"Hey, brother Lu, you didn't mention it just now—when did you become so modest? This won't do; you need to bring back the swagger you showed at the tavern that day."

Lu Cheng recalled the last time he got drunk and bragged, and his face instantly flushed.

"Alright, Director Zheng, stop making fun of me. From now on I'm in charge of the Jingha Line, so I won't be able to avoid bothering you."

Director Zheng was very generous: "There's nothing to say; when you pass through Chuncheng, I won't dare say much, but I'll make sure you never go hungry."

After a brief small talk, Lu Cheng followed Pan Jihai to the site; because the snowplow machine is huge, it couldn't be assembled inside the plant, so the later assembly work was moved to the iron rail ten kilometers away.

Before getting on the vehicle, Lu Cheng suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure: Lin Zhenfeng had rushed over with his lover, but Lin Qingyan was nowhere to be seen.

"What's up, Lu Jingzhang, you saw someone you know?"

Pan Jihai on the vehicle asked, and Lu Cheng, not wanting to explain much, simply got on the car.

A short while later they arrived at the site; the podium was already set up, and the weather was fine—sunny and breezy.

The venue was packed with workers, including locals who came to watch the spectacle; crowds of people filled every corner, all with dark hair and notably thick hair.

Lu Cheng assisted Pan Jihai in on-site command for a while, and then the leaders arrived one after another from the Vehicle Factory.

On the stage there was a row of tables with six chairs, reserved for senior leaders; even a director like Pan Jihai could only sit in the front row below.

When Lu Cheng looked up, aside from the familiar Dean Gao of the Iron Science Institute, most were strangers; with Pan Jihai's introductions, he roughly learned each person's identity.

"That one is the director of our Vehicle Factory, and the comrade sitting in the third seat—you don't know him; honestly, it's my first time seeing him either."

Lu Cheng, looking at the senior figure on the stage, casually said, "I do know his surname is Lin."

"Yes, his name is Lin Zhenfeng; reportedly he was transferred from your Capital City, and is currently the deputy director of the Ha City Metallurgical Department."

Lu Cheng nodded; so he is still responsible for the metallurgical sector.

The Metallurgical Department not only oversees the development of various ore veins, but also handles production planning for steel.

For example, if we vigorously pursue railway construction in the future, steel will inevitably be needed, and we'll certainly have to coordinate with the Metallurgical Department.

Lu Cheng thought to himself, it's impossible to be a Train Police forever; to achieve great feats, one must start with railway construction, so later he'll likely be unable to avoid this senior figure.

While he was daydreaming, the conference officially began.

First, the director of the Vehicle Factory represented the plant, speaking about the snowplow's project initiation through to successful manufacturing, detailing the various difficulties encountered and how each was resolved.

Everyone listening was moved; completing a large snowplow required massive manpower and resources, and only the workers involved could truly grasp the hardship.

The leaders on stage felt an even deeper sentiment: the difficulty of heavyweight industry in a great nation.

The director spoke with great passion, but Lu Cheng felt little; the director mentioned many people, yet omitted Tan Kaiping.

Sensing Lu Cheng's mood, Pan Jihai patted his shoulder.

"Lu Jingzhang, don't entertain any thoughts; Director Tan's status isn't suitable for appearing at such a conference, so for now he can only be an unnamed hero."

"Unnamed hero?" Lu Cheng heard those words and felt rather helpless.

He knew the director avoided mentioning the name mainly out of fear of causing repercussions.

Because Tan Kaiping has a blemish, at such a grand moment his stain must stay hidden in the shadows and must never be exposed to the light.

While Lu Cheng was pondering, after the director finished speaking, the other leaders each gave brief remarks.

After that came the formal Ribbon-Cutting and plaque-unveiling ceremony, hosted by Pan Jihai.

This was the most thrilling moment; the gazes of the thousands inside turned toward a massive object on the iron rail not far away.

From a distance it looked like a small hill; up close? It couldn't be seen yet, as a huge red silk cloth covered the front, and they had to wait for it to be lifted.

Pan Jihai stepped forward, holding a microphone wrapped in red cloth, and began to speak:

"Comrades, good morning. I hereby represent the Shencheng Vehicle Factory to preside over this Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. Next, let us welcome Director Liu of the Municipal Revolutionary Committee, Secretary Song of the Shencheng Vehicle Factory, Dean Gao of the Iron Science Institute, and… Deputy Chief Commander Lu Cheng, comrade responsible for this project. The four will step forward together to cut the ribbon; please welcome them."

As thunderous applause erupted, a sudden uproar spread below; the three in front were senior leaders, so how did an unknown junior commander slip in?

When Lu Cheng, following last, stepped forward, some people in the crowd stood on tiptoe to watch.

Everyone thought Lu Cheng was too young; could he be the child of a senior leader…

Most likely he was placed there to lend his name, step forward to show a face, then return for a guaranteed promotion.

Listening to the crowd's chatter, Lin Zhenfeng, watching from below, looked somewhat surprised.

"Lu Cheng is here?"

For a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony like this, aside from the local Revolutionary Committee director taking the lead, only those who made major contributions to the project are qualified to participate.

Whether it's the Vehicle Factory or the Iron Science Institute, the snowplow's production depends on the coordination between these two units.

Secretary Song and Dean Gao are the top representatives of the two units, but how did Lu Cheng also get up there? The introduction said he is the deputy chief commander of this project.

Lin Zhenfeng was full of doubt; isn't Lu Cheng a Train Police? How did he, as a chief commander, become involved in such a large project?

He hadn't realized before; does this kid even have such ability?

Lin Zhenfeng was quite astonished; even as a deputy director, he isn't qualified to take part in the Ribbon-Cutting at such an important conference today.

Meanwhile, his lover Yu Wanrong, upon seeing Lu Cheng, couldn't help but clench both fists.

Noticing his lover's angry mood, Lin Zhenfeng whispered, "Wanrong, whatever it is we'll discuss it another day when we have a chance; today's setting isn't appropriate, and besides, you see, Lu Cheng's representative status today is rather unusual."

"I don't care; that little brat is being far too abusive. After finally getting a chance to see him, I'll have to find him later and have a proper talk about this. Rest assured, I know my limits."

Seeing Yu Wanrong clench their teeth and grind their jaw, Lin Zhenfeng couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.