Chapter 96: Who wouldn't want a piece of this fatty meat?

Tao Director first froze, then instantly reacted: "That's natural. Our school-run factory may belong to our Ha Gong Da, but we only produce military equipment. Military folks are the most stubborn: right is right, wrong is wrong, black and white distinct. Once you make a mistake, you'll face military punishment. Sigh... the pressure is huge."

The two speakers' voices weren't loud, but... they happened to fill the gap when Yang Guizhi was at a loss, so the words clearly reached her ears, instantly startling her.

She wanted to find a good job for her brother, but she absolutely didn't want to harm him.

She knew her brother's character well; to get a job he'd have to become an official, but all he wanted was to indulge in the feeling of authority, to throw his weight around—he had no real ability, just a useless fool, though he was bold. If put in charge of money, who knows how much he'd embezzle.

The Red Flag Boiler Factory is actually going to produce military equipment—she knows how serious this is; if something goes wrong, it could be as disastrous as a single peanut!

"Hey, Old Tao, wait a moment!"

Yang Guizhi chased after Tao Director.

"What's up?"

"Is that Red Flag Boiler Factory going to switch to military production?"

"Well... this is a secret, sister-in-law; you just need to know it, don't go spreading it around."

"How did it suddenly have to switch to military production?"

"It's needed down south—secret, secret!"

Down south!

Yang Guizhi had completely given up hope; the south is at war, and if anything goes wrong, she'll definitely end up eating peanuts!

Watching Tao Director and a student walk away, Yang Guizhi sighed: "Let's go."

"Sis, I'm not leaving; I still want to be..."

"Stop dreaming, just go!"

Yang Jianming got another hard knock on his forehead, so he could only follow Yang Guizhi away, unwilling.

Creak... the office door opened a crack; Cui He'nian glanced outside, people finally left, and he let out a long breath.

"Old Tao, thanks a lot this time!"

Tao Director smiled: "Don't thank me, this was San Shui's idea."

Qin Miao shook his head: "I didn't say anything, but... Section Chief Cui, between husband and wife, the most important thing is mutual support, not holding each other back; sister-in-law like this will sooner or later..."

Qin Miao didn't go on, since even an honest official can't settle family matters, and besides, he's not married yet—what right does he have to criticize a mid-level school leader?

"Sigh." Cui He'nian's face bore a bitter smile.

"Sixty years ago, when we had just married, we ran into a famine. Back then I only cared about school work, knew nothing about the household; when I came home hungry I'd just eat. Later one day, after finishing my meal I went to work, took only a few steps before realizing I'd forgotten to bring something. I went home and saw... my wife had poured some water into the plate I'd left over and was eating that... dishwater."

Speaking of these things, Cui He'nian's expression grew complex.

People's hearts are made of flesh; with such a wife, what else could Cui He'nian say? His wife lacks education, she's just an ordinary rural woman who doesn't understand grand principles, but... Cui He'nian cannot forget the affection they once shared as husband and wife.

As he said these things, Cui He'nian's eyes slowly grew moist.

Qin Miao's mood was also complex.

"Section Chief Cui, someone like your brother-in-law should just join the army, get forged in the military's great furnace, possibly become a fine piece of steel. Even if we arrange a job for him now, it might not be good; once our military district's troops return from rotation, I'll go say hello to the troops."

Cui He'nian's face was full of gratitude.

Qin Miao had just gotten him out of a bind, and then gave him a correct idea—the key being that if the troops go south for rotation and come back safe, it shows he's thought things through thoroughly.

"Thank you!"

"Section Chief Cui, you just hadn't thought of doing this; you surely have connections with the military too. I merely happened upon it and offered a rotten idea. Right, Tao Director, shall we go?"

"Go! Today you have to stay in our Department Four..."

"Section Chief Cui, Tao Director, Du Section Chief, all go to the meeting! Hey, Qin Miao is also here? Let's go to the meeting together!"

Meeting room.

"We at Ha Gong Da are all researchers; managing a factory? We definitely lack experience." The city's Leader Wang, seated at the head, chuckled: "Taking your actual situation into account, the city has decided to dispatch some outstanding officials to bolster the Red Flag Boiler Factory—rest assured, we will surely manage this factory well."

Cui He'nian froze instantly.

His own brother-in-law still wants to be a leader? What a joke—the city treats this factory like a delicacy!

Yesterday they went to the city meeting, pushing hard to sell off the Red Flag Boiler Factory, trying to dump the burden; today, upon learning Ha Gong Da decided to take over the factory and seeing the profits inside, they want to stick their foot in?

Everyone else in the meeting room stayed silent; President Liu's hand rested on his teacup, he lifted it to his lips several times, blew on it, but ultimately didn't drink.

Qin Miao's expression was complex; after the founding of the PRC, the old Northeast contributed great strength to the motherland, but after reform and opening up, the South developed rapidly while the old Northeast fell behind! Even later, there was talk of not investing past the Shanhai Pass.

After decades of development, many deep-rooted problems have arisen!

When the South encounters a problem, it thinks of new solutions; when the North encounters a problem, it flips through the old almanac to see how things were solved in the past.

Southerners, when handling affairs, first consider proper procedures; Northerners, when encountering a problem, first think of pulling strings...

Take Ha Gong Da as an example: in '85 it established the Weihai Campus, and in 2017 it set up the Shenzhen Campus, which also recruits independently; soon the Shenzhen Campus's admission scores surpassed those of the main campus! One can only say Ha Gong Da's leadership decisions are exceptionally wise—going south to run schools can alleviate many northern troubles.

Thinking this through, Qin Miao was truly infuriated,

What's wrong with the city leaders? Our Ha Gong Da isn't under the city's management! President Liu, toughen up—what are you afraid of? Worst case, we fight the city and then develop elsewhere!

At that moment, seeing President Liu's refusal, Leader Wang scanned the room and noticed Qin Miao.

"Qin Miao, what do you think of the city's proposal?"

President Liu's face changed: "Leader Wang, Qin Miao doesn't understand these matters; we invited him today just to discuss... we didn't expect the city to send people. Qin Miao, go attend to your business; Tao Director, take him with you."

He had originally wanted to laugh it off, but the city leaders wanted to pressure Qin Miao—no way! Today he'd rather break with the city than let them make things difficult for Qin Miao!