Chapter 44: with translation of chapter title

How did the power go out?

Yeah, what's going on?

In the workshop, the workers still on the job wore doubtful looks, while outside, the drivers waiting to load cargo were also anxious.

Quick, call the power department to ask what's happening!

Just as everyone was chattering away, a person with a grim expression walked out.

Everyone, I'm sorry, our factory may no longer be able to produce pressure cookers!

Director Qin?

Why?

Ah, just today we discovered that the factory's Personnel Section Chief, Zhao Guoqing, abused his authority and did many things he shouldn't have. The factory decided to suspend him, but who would have thought he'd hold a grudge, go to the district and ask his maternal uncle, a leader in the power department, to cut our power?

These days, similar incidents happen often; if it happened to others, we could just watch for fun, but now… it's affecting our own interests, and that's unacceptable!

Our factory might face a prolonged power outage; we'll find a solution, even if we have to equip ourselves with generators, we will absolutely not compromise under others' pressure, but we need everyone to wait a while—maybe we won't be able to resume production until after the new year.

That's unacceptable!

The goods we ordered before the year are just waiting to be sold during the New Year!

Exactly, these New Year goods can't be delayed! Director Qin, don't worry, I'll go back and find the leaders of our Dongfeng Market! We can't let petty people ruin the production and operation of Qingshan Machinery Factory!

Exactly, this is nothing short of digging at the foundations of socialism; we will absolutely not stand by idly. The leaders of our Capital Department Store know the city's big leaders; let them investigate thoroughly just how arrogant the Men Gou District Power Department is!

Seeing everyone filled with righteous indignation, Qin Jianhua also felt a myriad of emotions; how fortunate his son has returned, otherwise…

Just then, a car slowly drove up outside, didn't enter the factory, and stopped at the intersection.

What's going on over there? It looks chaotic.

I don't know, Leader Zhang; please wait, I'll go ask.

No need! Zhang Wanhe opened the car door, was about to step out, then glanced at his daughter: "Stay in the car, don't run around!"

Oh.

Zhang Wanhe walked toward the crowd, listening to their angry voices.

Such a fine factory, and yet its power was cut—this is clearly using public authority for private vengeance!

Exactly, I never expected Men Gou District to have such a leading cadre!

Zhang Wanhe's face darkened.

Qingshan Machinery Factory has already been held up as a model by the capital; transitioning from military to civilian use is no easy feat, and forging a successful path is even harder—yet now such an enterprise is being targeted by those in power?

That Zhao Guoqing assigned the factory's last ten worker slots entirely to his relatives and bribe-takers; even after being exposed, he shows no remorse, trying to force the factory to submit this way—it's outrageous!

The clamor was already enough for Zhang Wanhe to know what had happened.

He turned and strode back.

To the Men Gou District Government.

Yes.

At this moment, Zhang Wanhe was only thinking about how to handle what comes next, and didn't even notice his daughter had already gotten out of the car!

Men Gou District, Power Department.

In this era, the power department lacked a uniform appearance; here in Men Gou District it was a standalone two-story building, with a hall on the first floor, a 1.2-meter-high counter where well-paid clerks who ate the imperial levy collected electricity fees; the second floor held various offices and meeting rooms, and behind the building was a courtyard where several power department vehicles were parked.

At that moment, in the largest office on the second floor, Zhao Guoqing was speaking with his maternal uncle.

This time I'll make sure those people at Qingshan Factory know exactly who has the final say in the factory! If we don't give them a taste of their own medicine, they'll still think they're in the military-industrial system!

Mao Guangguang chuckled: 'Of course, this time I'll make them remember it well! Old Huang over there has already called me several times—hmph, he's a leader parachuted in with no base, and we're not afraid of him!'

Mao Guangguang wasn't in a position to show himself, so he asked Huang Leader, who had taken office just half a month ago, to promote his nephew; he never expected that even such a small matter would be mishandled, leaving them no choice but to resort to force!

'A higher official can crush a person to death'? There's also the saying, 'A strong dragon cannot overwhelm a local snake.' Many parachuted leaders sent to new places simply can't get any work done!

I've heard that behind Huang Leader there's someone else…

Nothing to fear.' Mao Guangguang produced a document: 'See? The Capital Power Bureau sent this notice—electric demand is tight, we must conserve power; our district's electricity usage exceeded the limit last month, so this month we must cut power to certain areas!'

In the 1950s–60s, the capital developed rapidly, power supply couldn't keep up, severe shortages meant the capital often resorted to rolling blackouts.

Later things improved a bit, but after entering the 1980s, with reform and opening up and economic development, electricity shortages became severe again; by 1982, they were even forced to adopt a contracted electricity system—each unit's usage was tracked, and if you went over, you'd have to cut power next month to make up the difference!

Only with this method did the electricity shortage ease; true resolution didn't come until 1985, when the Datong–Fangshan 500kV high-voltage transmission line was completed.

Mao Guangguang smirked triumphantly: 'Even if the mayor himself came, he couldn't find fault with us; in short, we must vent this anger!'

Bang!

The door was suddenly kicked open.

Damn, who dares kick my door… Old Huang, did you take the wrong medicine?

Outside the door stood a crowd, but here at the entrance it was mainly Huang Leader and a middle-aged man; Mao Guangguang only recognized Huang Leader among them, his fury sputtering—even if you're a superior leader, what does it matter? This is Men Gou District, you're alone, a single palm can't make a sound!

Huang Leader's face fell: 'Comrade Mao Guangguang, come, let me introduce you—this is Zhang Leader, who oversees industrial construction in the city.'

He's come from the city!

Mao Guangguang was momentarily dumbfounded; after regaining his composure, he hurried to the door: 'Welcome, Leader Zhang, for your guidance! Why didn't you give us advance notice? The entire power department staff should go out to greet you!'

Zhang Wanhe's face turned ashen: 'I now issue several orders: first, immediately restore power to Qingshan Machinery Factory; no matter how tight the power supply, we will never allow a power cut to Qingshan Machinery Factory again!'

Zhao Guoqing's face turned deathly pale—Qingshan Machinery Factory actually has backing in the city, and it's even overseen by the official in charge of industrial production? How could that be!

'Even if an occasional power outage occurs, we must organize emergency repairs and restore power within two hours!' Zhang Wanhe added.

'Yes, yes, yes.' Sweat poured from Mao Guangguang's forehead.

'Second, Mao Guangguang, head of the Men Gou District Power Department, who used his authority for personal gain and retaliation, is to be removed from office immediately and handed over to the relevant departments to investigate leadership responsibility!'

Mao Guangguang's legs went weak, and he could barely stand.

'Third, the former Personnel Section Chief of Qingshan Machinery Factory, Zhao Guoqing, who colluded with relatives, artificially created obstacles to achieve his goals, and also engaged in abuse of power and embezzlement, is to be arrested immediately and turned over to the relevant departments to investigate criminal facts!'

Plop! Zhao Guoqing fell to the ground and fainted instantly!