Chapter 565: Cultivating Mid‑Level Strength

On this responsibility pledge, the signature has already been written; only the final step of stamping remains, and then the next step will be to start transporting the computer.

But Dean Gao stopped at this critical moment.

"Wait a moment, Lu Jingzhang, I got a bit too excited just now, and I want to ask: did your Captain Lei really praise me like that? I feel like it doesn't sound like what he said."

Watching the Official Seal linger above the paper, Lu Cheng felt increasingly anxious.

Helpless, he could only keep holding it.

"Dean Gao, you may doubt my sincerity, even question my enlightenment, but you must never doubt my admiration for you…"

Dean Gao waved his hand: "No, no, I'm a bit high‑spirited right now; give me a moment to calm down first."

Lu Cheng couldn't let him calm down.

"Dean Gao, Captain Lei said you have more resolve than he does; you absolutely cannot fall behind at this moment. One step behind leads to falling behind step by step, otherwise Captain Lei will catch up to you."

Dean Gao nodded: "Hmm, you're right; at any moment one must not fall behind. Ha~"

He let out another sigh toward the bottom of the Official Seal, and Lu Cheng watched helplessly as the seal slowly descended; when it was a centimeter above the paper, Dean Gao stopped again.

Lu Cheng almost wished he could snatch the seal and stamp it himself to finish the matter.

"Dean Gao, do you still have any concerns? How about I repeat the praise Captain Lei just gave you?"

Dean Gao placed the Official Seal aside: "I think, since we're determined to bring the computer over, we must ensure it's absolutely flawless.

It's not a matter of how much compensation; if a real malfunction occurs, pulling it back is useless—it's as good as pulling it for nothing."

Lu Cheng understood that Dean Gao also wanted to borrow the computer, but because the device is so valuable, any loss would carry heavy responsibility.

So at this moment, Lu Cheng had to make his stance clear.

"Rest assured, Dean Gao, I fully grasp the enormity of this mission. To guarantee the computer equipment is flawless, I can apply through the bureau for a Special Train to escort the computers."

Hearing Lu Cheng say that, Dean Gao seemed to relax a little.

"Lu Jingzhang, don't blame us for being timid; it's not that we fear responsibility. The computer equipment is simply too precious—if it gets damaged, it would be a huge loss to our country."

In the end Dean Gao still stamped it; Lu Cheng received the signed and sealed responsibility pledge, which should have made him happy, but standing there, looking at the gray sky, his mood was unusually heavy.

Because of Dean Gao's final words, perhaps in America's eyes, such lagging computers are already obsolete devices.

But Dean Gao and his people regard them as treasures.

What does this show? It shows that the technological level is so backward that Dean Gao hesitates to tinker with that batch of computer equipment.

Precisely because of this, Lu Cheng became even more determined to build factories to earn Foreign Exchange; only by introducing more new technology can we learn and surpass.

Lu Cheng went straight to the Research Institute; everyone had already been informed in advance about the plan to borrow the computer.

But whether it had been arranged remained uncertain, so when Lu Cheng entered the office, everyone stopped their work and looked his way.

Seeing Lu Cheng's solemn expression, it was clear everyone grew tense as well.

Until Lu Cheng produced the sealed responsibility pledge: "Comrades, I have a good announcement— the computer matter has been settled!"

Before anyone could cheer, Lu Cheng continued: "So for the next few months, everyone will have to work hard; we may even have to sleep in this office."

That means the upcoming continuous shifts will be grueling, and everyone can already imagine how hard it will be.

But no one complained or lost heart; instead, on everyone's faces was a resilience and optimism that grew stronger in adversity.

Deputy Director Zheng Guoping raised a hand, signaling quiet: "Comrades, the revolution is not yet victorious; we must lift this great banner, march toward victory, and reap the fruits of triumph!"

Someone clenched his fist: "March toward victory, reap the fruits of triumph…"

Others echoed: "Reap the fruits of triumph…"

Perhaps to later generations this scene seems somewhat comical, but without being in this era and environment, it's hard to feel the power it contains.

It truly stirs excitement, blood‑pumping passion, even tears of hot emotion.

Lu Cheng took a deep breath, and amid the successive cheers, called the quiet Wei Shu sitting in the corner out into the yard.

"Lao Si, I have a task for you."

"Okay."

Wei Shu spoke as sparingly as ever, not even asking what the task was, whether it was difficult, or if he could accomplish it.

Perhaps Wei Shu had no such concepts; he simply trusted and supported Lu Cheng unconditionally.

"The details, in a few days I'll explain them fully."

"Okay."

Lu Cheng, as if accustomed, stood quietly with Wei Shu in the yard; no one said a word.

Lu Cheng didn't send him back to the office; Wei Shu just remained there.

He stood for half an hour, just letting Wei Shu relax his mind.

When Lu Cheng was about to leave, he took out ten Great Unity notes and handed them to Wei Shu: "Send them home."

"Mm."

Afterwards Lu Cheng hurried back to the team and reported to Director Tang about the meeting with Dean Gao of the Iron Science Institute.

"To be honest, Xiao Lu, when you went to see Dean Gao about this, I didn't expect you could succeed; I was preparing to have department leaders step in."

Tang Qiusheng was indeed trying to push this through, but didn't expect Lu Cheng to manage to seal the deal.

Lu Cheng laughed: "You have no idea how I closed the deal! I showered him with endless compliments, and somehow left Dean Gao dazed by the flattery."

Tang Qiusheng also laughed: "Fine, fine, regardless of white cat or black cat, catching the mouse makes a good cat."

Actually Dean Gao's concerns are understandable; so as you suggested, to ensure this batch of computer equipment is flawless, we'll set up a Special Train, and you handle the specifics.

"Yes, Director Tang."

Lu Cheng was about to leave when Tang Qiusheng suddenly said: "You don't need to go personally; starting today, you should begin sharing some of the team's work."

"What about the Special Train…"

"Just pick one among the several captains; you can't do everything yourself, otherwise even with three heads and six arms you'd be overwhelmed."

Lu Cheng understood Tang Qiusheng's meaning: now it's time to cultivate a core mid‑level force, injecting fresh blood into the Railway Industry.

Following Tang Qiusheng's words, Lu Cheng summoned all the sheriffs to the meeting room.

Everyone still didn't know what kind of meeting they were going to hold.