Chapter 303: Is Going Abroad Really That Great?

Tang Mingtai knocked on the door of the Third Mechanical Plant's office; Li Ye and the others could only wait outside.

"Comrade Director Yu, the customer who ordered sewing machines has arrived—tell Director Qu to open the warehouse so they can inspect the goods!"

"Hey, Xiao Tang, have you cleared up your issue? Inspecting goods? For whom? These are factory secrets—what if they leak to spies?"

"What do you mean 'spies'? They're the director of a garment factory, with an introduction letter—and this isn't just our plant's achievement; my classmates from the Beijing Institute of Industry and the research institute provided the blueprints; everyone contributed."

"No matter whose it is, we handle official business officially—until I receive formal notice, no one may view the equipment."

"Besides, which garment factory just hands out U. . dollars so casually? Hand over the dollars first, and wait for investigation and handling."

"Hand over? I spent my own money buying motors from Shanghai and bearings from Luocheng just to test the new equipment—I've nearly pawned my pants."

"When did Tang Mingtai become so selfless, spending his own money?"

"Director Yu, speak with conscience—since last year, you issued a notice that the technical improvement team could advance funds under special circumstances, and the factory would reimburse and reward any results."

"I'm in charge of technical reform—why haven't I seen your funding application? You didn't even report such a major matter? Tang Mingtai, what's your real intention? Do you think I'm a fool?"

"."

Hearing the growing argument inside the office, those outside felt a mix of emotions, their expressions varied.

Cao Zhisheng from the institute and Duan Zixiong from the research institute were both flushed red, teeth clenched, breathing heavily with anger.

They had indeed received research funding, but driven by passion, they'd truly spent their own money to prototype the equipment—though not to the point of pawning their pants, they'd covered nearly half the cost.

The factory provided only materials; even the overtime pay for workers during their free time came from their pockets.

Now, with two words, the whole thing was swallowed whole by others.

Hao Jian and Jin Peng had always been private operators, implementing Li Ye's performance management system, so they understood only vaguely and treated it as entertainment.

But both were social types; seeing Cao Zhisheng and the others furious, they quickly whispered words of consolation to the two engineers.

Li Ye had long said: don't be fooled by these old factories' sluggishness—these technical backbone staff are gold buried beneath sand.

Three men, in just two months, improved a new device—even if earlier ideas existed, such efficiency and skill? Would they bow down for a few thousand yuan?

Hmm, the harder they bow, the better—otherwise, why should anyone follow them for a meal?

In 1983, big enterprise names still carried heavy weight; money was strong, but not yet overwhelmingly dominant.

Ten minutes later, Tang Mingtai stepped out of the office, his face dark as if he could squeeze water from it.

He didn't dare speak to Pei Wenhui, so he pulled Li Dayong aside and whispered: "Find a way to tell them—give me two days. I guarantee I'll get the equipment out for them."

Li Dayong immediately understood what "get it out" meant.

His maternal family worked in the power system; people often "took things out" from their units.

Li Dayong nervously told Li Ye and Hao Jian; Hao Jian smiled and waved, calling over his accountant.

The accountant pulled two thick bundles of cash from his bag and handed them to Hao Jian.

Tang Mingtai froze, then hurriedly said: "No, no—don't give so much! You can't spoil them like this!"

But Hao Jian shook his head with a light laugh and walked into Director Yu's office.

"Hello, Director Yu, sorry for barging in uninvited—we truly wish to purchase some sewing machines. Look, we've brought the deposit; if the machines are suitable, we'll sign the contract immediately."

"This violates procedure—we haven't even decided yet!"

"Of course you need to reconsider! Here's my business card."

"."

Li Dayong was deeply uneasy—he felt it was humiliating for Pei Wenhui to see all this.

So he whispered to her: "This is a special case—we didn't plan ahead and broke some rules."

But Pei Wenhui looked at Li Dayong and smiled faintly: "Why are you explaining this to me?"

"This happens everywhere! My brother once reached management in a giant corporation—but after his hard-won achievements were stolen, he quit in anger and started his own business."

Li Dayong: "."

Fine—she understood perfectly.

Hao Jian was inside the office for only five minutes before stepping out.

Tang Mingtai was about to speak to Pei Wencong, but Pei Wencong smiled and waved his hand, returning the two bundles of cash to the accountant's bag.

What went in was what came out—every single bill accounted for.

Soon after, Director Qu was summoned by Director Yu, accompanied by security personnel, to lead Pei Wencong and others to inspect the equipment.

But at the warehouse door, Tang Mingtai, Cao Zhisheng, and the others were barred entry—only Pei Wencong and two technicians entered.

Duan Zixiong from the research institute whispered to Tang Mingtai: "Are we being shut out? Didn't we tell them we kept a secret upgrade?"

Cao Zhisheng muttered: "They have to believe us! To laypeople, a sewing machine is just a lump of iron!"

But Tang Mingtai shook his head: "I don't think so—wait and see. Our equipment won't meet their standards."

Cao Zhisheng snapped: "How's that possible? We tested it—6, 00 rpm without issue, vibration and noise reduced by several times!"

Duan Zixiong was equally baffled and deeply annoyed.

"Sigh~"

Tang Mingtai sighed: "If you two could figure this out, why are you still lecturers and assistant researchers? You'd have been promoted long ago."

"."

"You're just a workshop deputy director—whose joke is this?"

"Yeah, who thinks they're smarter than the rest of us?"

"I'm smarter than you two."

"Spit~"

"Pfft~"

But half an hour later, the facts proved Tang Mingtai was the smartest.

After Pei Wencong's two technicians emerged, they looked disgusted: "What is this junk?"

"Overseas machines—even secondhand ones—run at 8, 00 rpm without a shiver. This thing vibrates like an 80-year-old epileptic at 6, 00 rpm."

"And it doesn't just shake—it drifts. Step wrong and the fabric slips away—you feel like your hands are being bitten."

"."

Everyone present felt doused in cold water—even Li Dayong felt a hollow ache inside.

Was the mainland truly inferior to overseas? Couldn't even make a decent sewing machine?

True, mainland materials were weaker—but the technical demands were also lower!

Director Qu locked the warehouse and returned to the office to report.

Tang Mingtai grabbed a technician from Pengcheng Seventh Plant, offering him a cigarette.

The worker waved it off: "Thank you, sir, I quit smoking."

Tang Mingtai apologized: "I didn't have any on me—my salary barely covers decent smokes."

The worker chuckled: "Don't misunderstand—I used to smoke worse than yours! But now the factory's fire safety rules are strict, so I just quit."

Tang Mingtai tucked the cigarette away and smiled: "Master Tong, your accent—aren't you from Xicheng? May I ask your surname?"

The worker replied: "My surname is Tong—formerly from Xicheng Yuejin Garment Factory. Your accent sounds northern?"

Though both were Beijingers, dialects differed: north firm, south smooth, west proper, east mixed. Tang Mingtai used accent to build rapport, instantly bridging the gap.

Tang Mingtai raised a thumb: "Master Tong, you understand—I'm from Changping. Were you brought here to inspect their equipment?"

"No, no," Master Tong shook his head. "I retired. Pengcheng Seventh Plant didn't mind my age—they gave me a workshop director position. Lets me contribute again."

"That's great! So you're earning double salary? How much do they pay you monthly?"

"It's not fixed—if you do well, you earn; if not, barely anything. But sitting idle at home? I've two kids unmarried—I need to get them the 'three big items' and thirty-six legs."

"Thirty-six legs? Master Tong, you're really generous!"

After chatting warmly for a long while, Tang Mingtai suddenly asked: "Master Tong, be honest—was our equipment really that bad?"

Master Tong narrowed his eyes, smirking: "Bro, you asked the wrong person, you know?"

Tang Mingtai glanced—following Master Tong's gaze—to Li Dayong and Li Ye.

Li Ye, Li Dayong, and Wang Qiang had stayed three days at Pengcheng Seventh Plant, prompting a three-month overhaul. As a witness, Master Tong could guess the gist.

Tang Mingtai bowed slightly to Master Tong in thanks—even though he said nothing, it was more than enough.

Tang Mingtai found Cao Zhisheng, whispered to him, and asked him to summon Li Dayong.

Cao Zhisheng looked embarrassed: "Li Dayong, can you ask what's really going on?"

As Li Dayong moved to ask, Tang Mingtai added with a smile: "Better still—ask how much Master Tong earns monthly."

Li Dayong replied: "I roughly know—last summer I interned at the factory; he earned 470 that month."

"."

"How much?"

"470. RMB."

I know it's RMB—but even a bureau-level official doesn't earn 470!

Two hours later, Pei Wencong was escorted out the main gate by Third Mechanical Plant staff, farewells filled with reluctance.

Then the three technical experts were invited onto the Volga.

"Gentlemen, let's find a place to discuss technology transfer fees."

"."

Cao Zhisheng and Duan Zixiong, both in their thirties, were suddenly speechless.

For the first time, they felt the true value of technology.

But Tang Mingtai cleverly asked, "Can it all be paid in foreign exchange?"

Cao Zhisheng and Duan Zixiong instantly blushed; they had never seen anyone so pushy.

Pei Wenhui smiled and said, "Of course, but why do you need foreign exchange?"

"."

Foreign exchange is useful! If you give us one to two, we can trade it at one to six.

But who would dare say that? Tech guys have pride, don't they!

Tang Mingtai quickly replied, "We want to study abroad, so we need foreign exchange."

"Oh~"

Pei Wenhui blinked and said, "Studying abroad—is it really that good? If you can get all the overseas benefits and conditions while staying on the mainland, why go abroad?"