Chapter 473: I Want to File a Complaint

Lu Cheng does indeed have matters, actually two matters.

"Captain Lei, my business isn't urgent; you probably haven't had breakfast, right? I haven't either—let's eat first and then discuss when we're back."

Lei Zhan Ge always puts work first, so he let Lu Cheng speak his business first, to resolve it on the spot.

Lu Cheng, helpless as ever, said: "Captain Lei, you're already in poor health, and you even transferred Director Wang away, leaving all the team's work on your shoulders. Not resting is one thing, but you have to at least have breakfast."

Lu Cheng's tone clearly carried a hint of blame, and Lei Zhan Ge knew it came from concern.

"Alright then, let's eat while we chat; I still have a meeting to attend later."

Fine, eating while discussing work is already a concession on Lei Zhan Ge's part.

When they arrived at the large Cafeteria, people kept greeting Lei Zhan Ge along the way.

Lu Cheng went ahead to the counter and ordered four meat buns, two bowls of rice porridge, and two servings of fried liver.

"Captain Lei, I've already ordered everything; you pay the bill."

Captain Lei shook his head helplessly and pulled him over, indicating he was the one to pay.

"Just get a few vegetarian buns; why eat meat?" Lei Zhan Ge complained, but still produced the Cafeteria meal ticket.

"No, Captain Lei, I'm about to head out on a mission and won't have meat for several days; I can only piggy‑back on your good meal."

Finding a vacant seat, as Lu Cheng set the utensils, Lei Zhan Ge sat down and immediately jumped to work matters.

"The last supply escort went smoothly, right? Report any issues at any time."

Lu Cheng handed Lei Zhan Ge a pair of chopsticks, then sat down: "No major problems; I can handle minor ones myself."

Lei Zhan Ge lifted the rice porridge and took a sip: "It still looks like there's an issue; tell me."

Lu Cheng had just taken a big bite of a meat bun when he heard Captain Lei's every sentence tied to work, and he hurriedly swallowed and gulped.

He finally managed to swallow, but that huge bite of meat bun somehow had no meat flavor.

He simply set the bun aside and didn't eat it; he realized that unless he finished the work discussion, the meal would have no taste.

So he quickly mentioned the iron rail issue at the forest farm and the plan to requisition some supplies from the warehouse.

Lei Zhan Ge nodded: "We're already borrowing someone else's iron rail, so you handled that correctly. The warehouse is under your responsibility, so just take whatever you need later. Anything else?"

Lu Cheng sat up straight; bringing some items to the forest farm as welfare was a minor matter. The next issue, however, was the most important.

"Captain Lei, regarding the development work on internal combustion engine trains, the Iron Science Academy has already started pushing forward. The Research Institute I'm in is brimming with talent, so I believe it won't be long before all the lingering issues of internal combustion engine trains are resolved."

"There is one point: the problem of replacing the trains themselves is easy to solve, but the personnel replacement issue is not, because operating this new type of train requires learning, and many drivers are veteran masters…"

Lei Zhan Ge understood Lu Cheng's words; these veteran drivers are excellent at operating trains, but they're all accustomed to old‑style steam locomotives, and once internal combustion engine trains are updated, they definitely won't be able to adapt operationally.

"You mean we'll phase them out in the future?"

"No, no." Lu Cheng waved his hand quickly: "Directly eliminating them is impossible; after all, they've made great contributions and are willing to stay on the job. If we just force them into retirement, it will chill their hearts, breed discontent, and could even spark collective unrest."

So my suggestion is to set up a training class, giving them a chance to learn to adapt.

Lei Zhan Ge listened intently; he hadn't considered this issue before, and was surprised that Lu Cheng thought so far ahead, covering every key point thoughtfully.

"Let's eat first; the buns have gone cold."

Lu Cheng, without eating, said: "Captain Lei, what's your take on this matter?"

Lei Zhan Ge laughed: "I'm not talking work with you, yet you cling to it…"

"Huh? How should I view this? What else can I say! Your suggestion is excellent—it solves the operational issue of the new locomotives while also considering the veteran drivers' morale, making them feel the Railway Department is a family that will never abandon them."

Lei Zhan Ge could sense that Lu Cheng, though often disregarding rules and others' feelings in his actions, is on some matters so thorough that no flaw can be found.

"Perfect, I have a meeting later; I'll bring up the training class to the higher‑ups."

Both matters were reported; as for the training class, it must go through the reporting procedure, so no result will come out in the next couple of days.

Taking advantage of the free time, Lu Cheng prepared to settle the forest farm's welfare.

He hopped on a bicycle and headed to the nearby Beijing Station warehouse; unexpectedly, the warehouse doors were wide open.

He asked the Comrade guarding the warehouse; it turned out they had just caught another case of Speculative Profiteering, confiscated a batch of goods, and hauled them to this warehouse.

Lu Cheng strode in and saw a familiar face—Deng Hairong.

"Sergeant Deng, long time no see."

Hearing Lu Cheng's greeting, Deng Hairong turned around: "Weren't you off transporting military supplies? When did you get back?"

Transporting military supplies is a prestigious assignment; though it sends you to battle zones and is dangerous, only then can one earn Merit.

Lu Cheng walked over: "I've only been back two days. By the way, Sergeant Deng, I heard you caught another Speculative Profiteering case—what did you confiscate this time?"

Deng Hairong patted the sealed supplies beside him, still unopened.

"Just some cigarettes, alcoholic drinks—foreign goods—hidden inside cotton‑padded jackets. They thought I couldn't detect them, but I'm so meticulous; no matter how deep they're hidden, they can't escape my eyes."

Lu Cheng smiled and nodded: "Indeed, Sergeant Deng, your nose is keener than a dog's; even the most tightly sealed hides can be uncovered."

"That's for sure… hey, wait, you're insulting me!"

"No, no, I'm praising you for earning Merit. So, don't leave it here; let me load it onto a cart and take it away."

These are foreign gadgets; in this era, not only are they not eaten, many people have never even seen them.

If we haul them to the Farm, those people will be thrilled beyond measure.

Sergeant Deng replied reluctantly: "What gadget are you taking away, and where? To your home!"

As Deng spoke, he suddenly recalled that Lu Cheng is the person in charge of this warehouse.

"Hey, that's not right—do you often take things home? I'm sure you do. That's not allowed; these are public assets; how can you take them home?!"

Seeing Lu Cheng ignore him and start moving things directly, Deng Hairong instantly flared up.

"You move one and see! I'll go report to Captain Lei!"