Chapter 524: Unless You

(Third watch repays debt) (Third watch repays debt) →:

"Xiao Ye, tell me, how's your management ability?"

Li Kaibian asked this with gritted teeth—his own son didn't trust his management ability, and now even his father didn't.

His father was untouchable, so he'd better ask his son properly.

But Li Ye replied frankly: "If it's managing a company, I'm definitely worse than you—by a wide margin."

As for earning money, Li Ye knew he was strong—very strong.

He knew where the opportunities lay and where to invest for profit, but when it came to management ability, he could only say he was average.

In his past life, his highest position was a weary middle manager—he never got the chance to truly run a company.

If you never reach the top-tier position, you can't truly grasp the problems a top leader must solve; imagination and guesswork are nothing compared to reality.

Just one thing—"how to spend money"—is a vast subject.

You don't know the cost of rice, oil, salt, and firewood until you manage a household. A factory with hundreds of people already has tangled finances and interpersonal messes—what about a company with thousands or tens of thousands?

Thousands of people mean thousands of minds, thousands of opinions. The interpersonal experience and power-interest distribution required can't be learned in any MBA course.

Li Ye had no experience or knowledge in this area, so if forced to personally manage a company, not even Grandpa Li Zhong or Mom Fu Fu Guiru would trust him—he might even be worse than Li Kaibian.

"You're being too modest."

Li Ye's honest admission that he was inferior to Li Kaibian made Li Kaibian feel slightly embarrassed—after all, Li Ye's abilities had been confirmed by his father, Li Zhong.

Li Ye smiled and said: "Dad, do you know the story of Han Xin and Liu Bang?"

"The Emperor cannot lead troops, but he excels at leading leaders—that's why Han Xin was captured by him. And what the Emperor calls heavenly gift is not human effort."

Li Ye indeed lacked certain skills, but he understood the principle: "Leading troops is not as good as leading leaders."

I just lay out the ideas and demands. Others get paid a yuan; I pay you one point eight. Get to work—no delays, no complaints.

A 999-gold-brick "thwack" lands on your forehead—whether you're a once-in-a-century genius or an industry elite—tell me, are you dizzy?

Li Ye and Li Kaibian left. Li Zhong and Wu Wu Juying fell silent.

After a long while, Wu Wu Juying said: "Maybe we shouldn't transfer Aiguo after all?"

Li Zhong slowly shook his head: "If she wants Aiguo in the Grain Bureau, let him go to the Grain Bureau. Do you think she'll believe you now?"

"Hey, Xiao Yu, have you missed me?"

"You ask if I missed you—why don't you ask yourself if you missed me? What date is it now? Are you really going to wait until the first of the month to return to Beijing?"

"I've been busy these days, but it's almost over—I'll be back in Beijing soon. Don't start fixing the house yet; I'll handle it when I get back."

Listening to Wen Wen Leyu's playful scolding, Li Ye scratched his head, embarrassed.

He and Wen Wen Leyu had planned to stay in Qingshui County for ten or so days, then return together to finish the last bits of renovation on the Sihe Academy on Fuyoujie.

But after hearing Li Ye's words, Li Kaibian kept pestering him for a technical improvement plan to prepare for future tech imports.

Li Ye didn't understand chemical engineering—he could only have Li Li Dayong record every detail, send it to the technical team in Changbei, and have them verify whether to import advanced overseas production lines or develop their own assembly technology.

In 1965, China's first urea plant successfully test-ran at the Wu Jing Chemical Plant in Shanghai and produced its first batch of high-efficiency urea fertilizer.

But by the 1970s, the mainland still imported massive amounts of urea from Japan, and people used urea bags to make clothes.

Popular rhymes like "Front says Japan, back says urea," or "Big cadres, small cadres, everyone gets a nylon pant—black ones, blue ones—but none for the commune members"—all reflected the backwardness of the mainland's fertilizer industry.

Who could have imagined that decades later, the mainland's fertilizer industry would become the world leader?

"You don't need to fix the house at all—Xiao Xia Yue has been helping me clean up! I'm just worried you won't make it back by month-end—if you delay the overseas paperwork, I'll have gotten excited for nothing! Mom finally agreed to let me travel with you."

Understanding Wen Wen Leyu's empathy, she gently comforted Li Ye instead.

Li Ye also sensed the girl's anticipation—she'd been sheltered by Teacher Ke and had never traveled alone before.

"Mm, I'll be back in the next couple of days—no delays guaranteed."

After Li Ye gave repeated assurances, he hung up.

But he'd barely put the phone down when it rang again.

When Li Ye answered, it was Principal Chang.

"Li Ye! The college entrance exam scores are out—hurry and bring your sister to check the list."

"Scores are out?" Li Ye was startled, then smiled: "Do I even need to come? Can't you just tell me how many points I got?"

"Stop talking nonsense—get over here right now!"

"Beep beep beep"

Li Ye looked at the disconnected call and couldn't help smiling.

From Principal Chang's excitement, he knew his sister had done well.

"Xiao Juan, come out—check the list."

"Huh? I-I-I'm coming!"

Li Juan froze for a moment, then rushed out of the room—she'd been anxious these past days.

The two got in the car and sped to County No. 2 High School. From far away, they saw Principal Chang standing by the big red notice board, lecturing a crowd of students.

"Our school has never lacked outstanding students. Those of you who didn't take the exam—ask yourselves: Did you study with focus? During evening self-study, did you hope the bell would ring sooner so you could go home and sleep?"

"There are no shortcuts in anything—whether studying or working. Don't rely on luck or be distracted. Only by focusing fully on one thing can you get the best results."

Li Ye found Principal Chang's words oddly familiar—he suddenly remembered they were from his own speech when he got into Beijing University, delivered at various high schools.

"Oh, Li Juan's here! Everyone, make way!"

Principal Chang spotted Li Ye and Li Juan, smiled, waved, and everyone immediately cleared a path.

Li Juan walked nervously forward, standing before the red score board.

Then tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her name was at the very top of the list.

"Brother, I—I scored six hundred and six."

Li Ye smiled but said nothing, only ruffled Li Juan's hair—a quiet, heartfelt congratulations.

That score meant little decades later, but in 1985, it was enough to proudly shout, "I'm a top student."

Principal Chang walked over, filled with emotion: "Li Ye, if only you were a teacher at County No. 2, we'd have students getting into Beijing University every year."

Li Ye quickly said: "Principal Chang, don't say that. My sister got this score entirely through her own effort—it has nothing to do with me."

Principal Chang stared at Li Ye for a long time, then chuckled softly: "Save that for your report session—don't tell me."

"Our school hasn't had a student give a report in three years. This time, you two siblings should share your study experience together."

"I don't have time."

Li Ye flatly refused Principal Chang's attempt to "draft" him—he was now making hundreds of thousands per minute; he didn't have time to give lectures to a bunch of kids.

"How don't you have time?"

"I'm returning to Beijing today to handle paperwork and prepare for an overseas visit—I'm leaving this afternoon."

Principal Chang stared at Li Ye for a long moment, then turned to Li Juan: "Li Juan, get ready—you've got to do better than your brother did."

Li Juan looked helplessly at Li Ye—she had no idea how to give a report.

Li Ye sighed: "From now on, you're a young woman—you've got to learn to walk on your own."

Li Juan's face instantly turned into a bitter gourd—she tasted the troubles of growing up for the first time.

Li Ye truly left that afternoon. As he drove off, he met his aunt Li Li Mingyue head-on—her dark expression clearly came from Li Juan's exam results.

You believe me now? Too late!

Li Ye and Li Li Dayong took turns driving and returned to Beijing that night. The next morning, he planned to sleep in, but his sister Li Xia Yue showed up early.

Li Ye asked in surprise: "Why so early? Something urgent?"

Li Xia Yue said: "Not urgent—I just wanted to discuss whether to give the sales manager position to Zou Zou Zhiguo for now, while I learn more."

Li Ye froze, then reached out to feel her forehead: "Sis, are you tired? Feeling unwell?"

Li Xia Yue swatted his hand away, reproaching: "Don't imagine things—I'm perfectly fine. But since I've taken over the distribution channels, I feel… unnecessary."

"Unnecessary?"

Li Ye thought for a moment, then asked: "Sis, do you think Zou Zou Zhiguo is more capable than you? That's why you're uncomfortable taking the sales manager role?"

Li Xia Yue sighed: "Not just Zou Zou Zhiguo—Ma Qianshan is more capable too. I feel everyone's eyes on me differently now—I feel guilty."

Li Ye smiled, poured her a glass of water, then said: "Don't think that way. When Zou Zou Zhiguo and Ma Qianshan first started in sales, they were far worse than you—they were like ducks forced onto a stage. Look at them now."

"So you don't need to feel guilty. If you don't know something, let them help you. You sit in the manager's chair and learn—it's the same thing."

In terms of personal ability, Zou Zou Zhiguo or Ma Qianshan could both handle Jin Peng's old position.

But compared to Li Xia Yue, they weren't suitable for the current situation.

Pengcheng Factory No. 7's sales network grew wildly in its early days, accumulating many problems. Now, with a new boss, it's time to clean house.

Though Li Xia Yue has less seniority, both Jin Peng and Hao Hao Jian and Pei Pei Wencong will stand behind her. Any subordinate who resists? One slash—no one dares to complain.

If you replaced her with Ma Qianshan or Zou Zou Zhiguo, they'd start bickering about seniority, dragging things out, wasting effort.

Once Li Xia Yue gains experience step by step and rises to higher positions, Zou Zou Zhiguo, Ma Qianshan, and others will naturally rise with her.

Li Xia Yue listened to Li Ye's explanation and asked: "Xiao Ye, is what we're doing… nepotism?"

Li Ye chuckled: "Sis, this is a private company. Unless you're a complete idiot, we're going to stick with nepotism."

Li Xia Yue blinked, stopped resisting—she'd always been stubborn since childhood.

Besides, if she kept refusing, wouldn't that mean she admitted she was an idiot?

(End of chapter)