Chapter 57: Chapter Fifty-Six: Remembering the Old Ones

The car drove into a hunting ground dozens of kilometers outside Pingyang’s urban area; when Li Dongling stepped out, Yao Zhengru was already waiting there.

As Li Dongling got out, Yao Zhengru said to him, “Mayor Luo is inside!”

This hunting ground had once, over a hundred years ago, served as an imperial hunting ground; the hills were covered with poplars, oaks, acacias, and wild pears, and once even hosted leopards—though of course, none remained now.

Li Dongling and Yao Zhengru walked inward; today’s hunt was mostly limited to the outer edges of the grounds—shooting wild rabbits, mountain goats, wild boars—nothing deep into the forest.

“What’s your decision on the Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1?” Yao Zhengru asked Li Dongling, probing his stance so he could make a decision when facing Luo Junwu.

“Dongling High-Tech will not acquire Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1!”

Li Dongling said this directly to Yao Zhengru; the latter’s face showed a flicker of disappointment, but no real surprise.

“But I have a proposal that might help Pingyang resolve the problems of Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1!”

Before Yao Zhengru could ask further, the air filled with the scent of gunpowder, followed by the crack of several rifle shots.

As Li Dongling, Yao Zhengru, and Yang ZhiGao approached, they saw a man in his forties or fifties, tall and vigorous, raising his rifle and aiming at a target ahead.

Seeing the man’s shooting stance, Yang ZhiGao glanced twice—he immediately recognized that Luo Junwu had served in the military.

“Bang!”

After the smoke cleared, a mountain goat collapsed in the distance; Li Dongling, Yao Zhengru, and several others nearby applauded.

“I’m old now,” Luo Junwu shook his head. “Back in my company days, I was a crack shot. Now I need three shots to hit one!”

He removed his gloves, turned, and walked toward Li Dongling. “You must be Director Li—I’ve heard much about you, and today I finally meet you!”

“Mayor Luo is too kind,” Li Dongling said, shaking Luo Junwu’s hand.

This hunting ground, aside from designated areas where a few rifle shots were allowed for sport, was essentially a tourist attraction; inside it also housed a restaurant.

At this time, the concept of tourism had not yet taken off; only municipal agencies and corporate executives had the time and money to come here for hunting or sightseeing.

As Luo Junwu walked toward the hunting ground’s restaurant, he said to Li Dongling, “Yindiao Mice has become a nationally renowned brand—Pingyang now has its own high-tech company!”

“If more college graduates like you returned home, Pingyang might produce several more high-tech firms!”

Hearing this, Li Dongling smiled without replying; Yao Zhengru and others who knew the truth could not interject—Li Dongling had been assigned back to Pingyang, endured a rough time at Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1, and founded Dongling High-Tech entirely on his own, with no help from the factory.

Inside the hunting ground’s restaurant, the chef had already prepared the meal; after raising a glass, Luo Junwu steered the conversation to the point.

“Mayor Yao must have already mentioned it to you—the city hopes Dongling High-Tech will acquire Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1. As for the terms, the city is flexible!”

Li Dongling looked at Luo Junwu. “Dongling High-Tech cannot acquire Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1 now. It’s beyond what Dongling High-Tech can save.”

Luo Junwu chuckled. “Practice reveals truth. Young people should be bolder—you won a lawsuit against Microsoft, so why fear Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1?!”

Luo Junwu genuinely hoped Li Dongling would acquire Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—not only to rid Pingyang’s municipal government of this liability, but also because it concerned the livelihoods of two or three thousand families, forcing him to proceed with caution.

Li Dongling shook his head. “Mayor Luo, we both know Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1’s problems go beyond its debts. Whoever tries to revive such a deeply troubled factory will be overwhelmed. With Dongling High-Tech’s current state, we simply cannot take such a risk!”

Hearing this, Luo Junwu still wanted to plead further for Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—for his old comrade Xu Yongjin, so he wouldn’t retire in disgrace.

“Mayor Luo, Director Li—perhaps there’s a new idea worth hearing,” Yao Zhengru interjected.

Luo Junwu glanced at Yao Zhengru, then at Li Dongling, and after a moment, nodded as if recalling something.

“I know some of Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1’s situation. The biggest issue now is the workers’ collective investment debt.”

Li Dongling said, “Dongling High-Tech can establish an electronics industrial park. For 3.5 million yuan, we will purchase the ‘Feiyan’ brand and the already-idled radio production line. In return, Pingyang’s municipal government must approve a factory site for Dongling High-Tech!”

“Dongling High-Tech’s production base can prioritize hiring former workers from Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—but only after review. And these individuals must be retired or resigned employees from Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1!”

Luo Junwu and Yao Zhengru exchanged glances—they both understood Li Dongling’s implication: he wanted no deep ties between Dongling High-Tech and Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1.

Yet while this proposal differed greatly from Luo Junwu’s expectations, it did solve Pingyang’s biggest problem: with this money, the city could pay off the workers’ collective investment with minimal additional funds, and provide new employment for laid-off workers.

Luo Junwu was no indecisive man; Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1 could not be delayed further. He had already made up his mind, but still asked Yao Zhengru, “What’s your opinion, Mayor Yao?”

“I think it’s feasible. It resolves the most urgent problem, and allows Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1 to move forward unburdened.”

Yao Zhengru said bluntly—it was as if Pingyang’s municipal government was giving it one final push, then abandoning it entirely to fend for itself. The city had done all it could.

“This matter still requires a decision from Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—but I approve in principle,” Luo Junwu declared decisively.

“However, Mayor Luo, before Dongling High-Tech proceeds with this deal, I request the city conduct a thorough audit of Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—to prevent anyone from sabotaging this transaction!”

Li Dongling suddenly said. Luo Junwu paused, then exchanged a knowing smile with Yao Zhengru; both had heard rumors of Li Dongling’s past conflicts with certain individuals at Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1—even his technical support mission to Shangguan Town’s Yuanqi Factory had hidden tensions.

Looking at Li Dongling, Luo Junwu’s eyes held resolve. “It’s time for a proper investigation. Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1 reached this state because of corrupt elements. Those who deserve scrutiny must be scrutinized, those who deserve arrest must be arrested—no more letting these pests run wild!”

After Li Dongling left, Luo Junwu turned to Yao Zhengru. “Lao Yao, I heard Luoying works at Dongling High-Tech. If you want a son-in-law like Li Dongling, you’d better move fast!”

Hearing Luo Junwu’s teasing tone, Yao Zhengru waved his hand. “Young people’s affairs aren’t ours to decide. You know Luoying’s temper—when has she ever listened to us?”

“I’ve asked friends in the provincial capital for information. When Li Dongling studied at Hanxi Jiaotong University, he had a girlfriend—daughter of Director An from the Provincial Propaganda Department. He had a falling-out with the An family, which is why he returned to Pingyang.”

“Whether Luoying and Li Dongling end up together isn’t just about them—it affects whether Dongling High-Tech stays in Pingyang. If An’s daughter wins him over, Dongling High-Tech might relocate to the provincial capital one day…”

Yao Zhengru’s face remained calm, as if unconcerned—but inside, his heart tightened.

The next day, Li Dongling had Yang ZhiGao drive him to the provincial capital—he was going to negotiate with Hanxi Jiaotong University about establishing a joint R&D center.

Dongling High-Tech’s R&D lab must be located in the provincial capital. Hanxi’s provincial capital alone hosts over sixty universities, plus numerous defense contractors—there were plenty of researchers. Only by building the lab there could Dongling High-Tech recruit more talent and collaborate with more universities and institutes!

Meanwhile, as Li Dongling headed to the provincial capital, inside a residential building in Pingyang, Liu Jiande put on his freshly washed Zhongshan suit, stood before the mirror, and studied himself for a long while—satisfied.

But when he turned and saw Liu Shirong sprawled on the sofa, lazily watching TV, Liu Jiande frowned. “All you do is watch TV—look at yourself! You haven’t even shaved!”

He sighed. Ever since that day, in front of Luo Junwu and all the city leaders, Liu Shirong had defecated on the floor and become the city’s laughingstock, he had refused to leave home, hiding from gossip.

In the past, Liu Jiande had despised Liu Shirong for being idle, wasting time chasing women—but even that was better than this.

He placed several banknotes on the table. “Clean yourself up. Go find Zhao Wanrong. Tell her that soon, I’ll arrange for you to transfer to another unit—and I’ll increase the bride price.”

Even saying this made Liu Jiande wince. After Liu Shirong’s scandal, Zhao Wanrong vanished without a trace, refusing even to see him—another blow. Yet Liu Shirong, as if bewitched, insisted on her alone.

Tired of being hounded, Zhao Wanrong set a condition: if Liu Shirong could get transferred to another unit and pay a bride price so steep even Liu Jiande winced, she would marry him.

“Dad, is the Wireless Factory reopening?!” Liu Shirong’s eyes lit up—if the factory reopened, his father would be Manager Liu again, and he’d regain his former glory.

“Not yet. But the city found a buyer who purchased the already-idled radio production line and the ‘Feiyan’ brand, raising funds to repay the workers’ collective investment.”

“Once the workers quiet down, we’ll borrow from the bank, and the factory can reopen. I told you—how could the city ignore thousands of workers who need to eat?!”

Liu Jiande spoke with smug satisfaction, dreaming of the factory’s revival, humming an opera tune as he pedaled his bicycle toward Xicheng Wireless Factory No. 1.