Chapter 387: Can That Spirit Still Be Passed Down?

The inspection team didn't stay long in the office building before stepping out.

Some seasoned veterans saw Li Zhongfa and Wang Qinshan with grim expressions, and already began pondering how to cultivate connections after returning home, determined not to be "streamlined" into the workshop.

The higher-ups had been shouting about "streamlining" for years, but it was always thunder without rain—even some units had formed new streamlining teams, adding yet more full-time personnel.

But looking at the situation before them, it was better to prepare in advance!

Only when the inspection team entered the factory workshop did the gloomy atmosphere gradually give way to curiosity.

The automation level of Pengcheng Red Bull's canning production line was far higher than that of Changbei Machinery Company; although canned drinks weren't sewing machines and the technical difficulty differed greatly, a single glance made it clear: this was "advanced," wasn't it?

"Look, how many cans do they fill per minute? Making money this fast is faster than counting it."

"It really is faster than counting cash. Our instant noodle production line is about to start operating—it'll be the same."

"How could it be the same? Their Pengcheng Red Bull cans sell for over two yuan each, while our instant noodles cost only a few jiao per bag—we use flour, beef, and beef bones; they use water and flavoring."

While the inspection team focused on how Pengcheng Red Bull generated profits through advanced technology, their leader had already stopped paying attention to the equipment and turned his gaze to the workshop workers.

The workers were all busy, working with intense focus; when they noticed the inspection team approaching, they barely glanced up, and never paused their tasks.

Wang Qinshan whispered to Li Zhongfa: "Brother Li, do you think these workers are putting on a show for us?"

Li Zhongfa shook his head: "I don't think so. They didn't even assign many people to greet us—why would they need to stage a performance?"

Wang Qinshan stared for a long time, then said coldly: "I see now—they're being forced. Forced by this production line."

"Don't believe me? Look—if they slow down even a little, the whole line falls apart. This is classic capitalist exploitation."

"Not necessarily, not necessarily, Factory Director Wang, you mustn't say that—where's the exploitation in our mainland?"

Li Zhongfa, still highly conscious, immediately corrected Wang Qinshan's view.

But Wang Qinshan retorted: "Then why are they working like slaves? Is it for the March 8th Red Flag Bearer award? Or for being named a model worker? Isn't it all just for a few pitiful yuan?"

Chen Yanhong had been following Li Zhongfa and the others, answering their questions, but now she fell silent.

No wonder General Manager Fu refused to receive you! You came here to condemn capitalists!

So Chen Yanhong smiled and said: "Dear factory directors, we don't practice exploitation here. This production speed was approved by a vote of the workers themselves—if we lowered it now, they'd be unhappy."

"Oh? They wouldn't want it lowered?"

Factory Director Wang smiled and suddenly asked: "How much do your workers earn each month?"

Chen Yanhong shook her head with a smile: "I can't disclose exact figures, but I can say their wages are directly tied to output and quality—the higher the output and quality, the higher their pay."

"You're still keeping secrets!"

Wang Qinshan was reluctant, but Li Zhongfa pulled him forward.

"Come on, let's move faster—we've still got so much left to see! Even a cursory tour takes a full day; don't keep them from finishing work."

Wang Qinshan said: "Brother Li, if we don't get clear answers, what's the point of this inspection?"

Li Zhongfa whispered: "You! They only said it's inconvenient to disclose—they didn't say you can't ask the workers. If you want to know, just ask them later when we split up."

Wang Qinshan: "..."

This was essentially a "flexible thinking" problem, just like a tragic story from the future.

An elderly man in a residential compound suddenly fell ill and urgently needed a defibrillator, but the ambulance he called hadn't arrived yet.

Just then, another ambulance—called by someone else—entered the compound, so the man's children went to borrow the defibrillator.

The ambulance crew clearly said: "The defibrillator is right behind our vehicle, but regulations forbid us to lend it out."

The children complained, posted online—the ambulance crew's fate was unknown, but they certainly suffered consequences.

Don't you think the ambulance crew were unfairly treated?

I told you the defibrillator is right behind the vehicle—just take it! I won't stop you. Why force me to break the rules?

Hearing Li Zhongfa's words, Wang Qinshan seized an opportunity to give orders; his dozen or so subordinates immediately understood and acted, gathering information within ten minutes.

"Boss, it's unbelievable—ordinary workers here earn this much monthly."

"Same here—I heard the same number, but team leaders earn more."

The Changbei Machinery inspection team all extended fingers: some held up two, others three.

Wang Qinshan froze.

He knew perfectly well this couldn't mean twenty or thirty—two or three hundred yuan per month? What did that wage level even mean?

Wang Qinshan hurriedly asked: "How many people earn this? Is it only the Hong Kong staff, or do others earn this much too?"

"Everyone earns this much. Some earn only over a hundred, but they're very few—and their work is much easier."

Wang Qinshan stood stunned for a long while, then turned to ask Li Zhongfa: "Brother Li, how much do you earn each month?"

"Heh."

Li Zhongfa held up one finger: "Over a hundred. What about you?"

Wang Qinshan slowly shook his head and walked forward in silence.

At Changbei Machinery Company, few workers earned over a hundred yuan; those who did were only the Hong Kong staff—a tiny minority, isolated by the masses.

But at Pengcheng Red Bull, high wages were the norm.

So who was the one being isolated?

Pengcheng Red Bull was large—the inspection team started touring at nine in the morning and hadn't finished by noon, so naturally they were invited to lunch.

But the host's attitude toward the lunch was far too casual.

"We're eating with the workers? We came all this way—no seafood at all?"

"Shh, haven't you noticed our bosses' faces turned dark? This might be part of the inspection—don't say too much; the first bird shot down."

Chen Yanhong directly led Li Zhongfa and the others to the staff cafeteria, eating alongside company workers.

The only difference was they used a different serving counter, with more dish options.

Li Zhongfa and Wang Qinshan carefully observed the cafeteria food—and their expressions grew even graver.

Because the cafeteria meals here were far better than those at either of their own companies—and by a wide margin.

Both loaded their trays generously, ate while observing, and noticed the workers had good spirits—some even joked and played, showing no signs of "exploitation."

Chen Yanhong came over to ask Li Zhongfa and Wang Qinshan: "Dear leaders, how do you find the taste? If it's not to your liking, we can order special dishes."

Li Zhongfa smiled and shook his head: "The food is fine. Your logistics management is excellent—worthy of our learning."

"Director Li, you flatter us—our cafeteria learned from Pengcheng Factory Seven."

"Pengcheng Factory Seven? I know it."

Li Zhongfa suddenly understood—Hao Jian had told him about it: Pengcheng Factory Seven's cafeteria was personally overseen by Li Ye, and ranked among the best-rated in all of Pengcheng.

But after observing for a while, Wang Qinshan asked Chen Yanhong: "Why do your managers have a separate area and a different serving window? Is this special treatment also copied from Pengcheng Factory Seven?"

Chen Yanhong glanced over and said: "That window isn't special treatment—it's for paid orders. Staff meals are free; if you want better food, you pay extra. Managers generally earn more, so most prefer to order their own meals."

"You..."

Wang Qinshan hesitated, then said: "This is still class division—unreasonable."

Chen Yanhong paused, then couldn't help asking: "May I ask, when you're at your own units, do you eat the same meals as ordinary workers?"

Wang Qinshan immediately replied sternly: "Of course! I line up every day with the workers—no special treatment."

Li Zhongfa: "..."

Brother, you mean when you're not hosting guests? When I visited you, the food was quite good!

Of course, Wang Qinshan had recently visited Qinghe River Food Company, and Li Zhongfa had treated him well too—this was just human nature, understood by all.

In the afternoon, Li Zhongfa and the others went to the accommodation arranged by Pengcheng Red Bull, when Wang Qinshan suddenly found Li Zhongfa.

"Brother Li, the sugar-coated bullets are fierce—they haven't given up on destroying us!"

"That's a strange thing to say."

"Ah."

Wang Qinshan shook his head and asked Li Zhongfa: "Brother Li, you and I both came from that era—we worked hard without expecting rewards. Do you think that spirit can still be passed down?"

"If it can't be passed down, are we criminals of history?"

Li Zhongfa had no answer.

Because that era of mass mobilization achieved countless feats—how could that spirit be easily abandoned?

(End of Chapter)