Chapter 715: So you are all son-in-law parties!

"Three-employee family, can save half a house in a year? Is this a joke?"

"Whether it's a joke, you'll know when you see it."

After Master Mu and Master Miao and others told the crowd the information they had probed, everyone was skeptical.

And then, at the strong request of the crowd, the

And then, everyone became envious.

A large expanse of brand-new five-story buildings, looking dusty but making people's eyes burn with envy. Moreover, according to Wang Qinshan's explanation, most of the people living inside were frontline workers.

First, because frontline workers have higher wages and are more capable of affording housing.

Second, because the ratio of management to workers at the Changbei Machinery Company is now one to eight; workers already make up the vast majority.

Master Mu and the others could no longer sit still. Dozens of people were buzzing with whispers, talking to each other non-stop.

"They build a dozen buildings a year, while our unit has been shouting about it for five or six years and only built two, and there wasn't even a share for us workers."

"Shh, don't air our dirty laundry in public; don't let them hear you."

"So what if they hear? It's not me being laughed at; Old Lu is the one taking the heat at the front! He only got one apartment allocated."

"."

Lu Zhizhang was indeed feeling a bit embarrassed.

He is the director of the factory office. According to the rules, he naturally gets priority for new housing. After moving, deciding who gets the old apartment is still a huge favor! No one dares to say a word against it.

But now, as everyone looked at this vast concrete jungle before them, the resentment they had bottled up for decades became a bit hard to suppress.

However, Wang Qinshan's next words relieved Lu Zhizhang of his predicament.

"Director Lu, it seems the situation in your unit is about the same as ours used to be!"

"Oh? Deputy Director Wang, what you mean is... hahahaha."

Wang Qinshan let out a breath and said in a deep voice: "I won't hide it from you; three years ago, I was the factory director of this Changbei Machinery Factory. Allocating housing, raising wages, adjusting positions—I had the final say on all matters, big and small."

"."

The crowd was stunned for a moment, and their gazes toward Wang Qinshan became somewhat strange.

A former top leader is now a deputy manager—are you a "defeated general" from the past?

Facing the strange gazes of the crowd, Wang Qinshan showed no indignation, but instead said calmly: "Three years ago, Hong Kong capital increased its investment ratio and achieved foreign control..."

"At the time, I was very uncomprehending. How could our country's enterprises be left to outsiders to decide? But after just two years, I was convinced."

Wang Qinshan pointed to the dormitory buildings before them and said: "After Hong Kong capital achieved control, the first to benefit were the workers, and the second was the state."

"You also know that our state-owned enterprises have to turn over profits when they have them, and if they want to use money, they have to submit reports again."

"Although we still have to turn over profits proportionally after Hong Kong capital took control, we have more liquid cash on hand. Building workshops, constructing dormitories, engaging in R&D—the factory changes day by day."

"In just three years, our unit is now a major taxpayer in Changping County, and our superiors are very satisfied with us."

"We are also the unit with the best worker benefits in the whole county. I don't know how many people are pulling strings and using connections to try to transfer into our unit."

"In the past, our unit's workers had a really hard time finding a wife; no house, no money. Now, it's the opposite—matchmakers block our unit's front gate every day."

"."

Wang Qinshan's eyes were unfocused, as if he had returned to those days two years ago when he couldn't figure things out no matter how hard he tried.

"When I transferred to the factory, the old factory director told me that even if we struggle for a lifetime and risk our lives, we must modernize the factory and let the workers live a good life."

"I've been in the factory for twenty years, working diligently and conscientiously, but not only did I fail to meet the old director's requirements, I almost ran the factory into the ground."

"But look at the Hong Kong capital—it's only been three years. Look for yourselves; where do we fall short compared to them?"

Wang Qinshan smiled faintly, pointed to his own head, and said: "We fall short in our backward thinking. If you're backward, you have to learn; if you're backward, you have to be convinced!"

"."

Wang Qinshan's words left everyone in deep thought.

People like Master Mu were thinking about whether the newly separated First Branch Factory would be like the Changbei Machinery Company—satisfying superiors, satisfying employees, and making outsiders envious.

And Lu Zhizhang considered it on a deeper level, because he knew the unit's drawbacks and dilemmas.

According to regulations, state-owned enterprises must turn over 10% to 15% of their profits annually; some special industries are even higher, potentially exceeding 20%.

But this is just the regulation. Some low-level state-owned or collective units are not so law-abiding.

For example, district-owned enterprises or enterprises under the neighborhood office sometimes face special situations where a phone call comes in and all the cash in the unit's account is wiped out.

The unit belongs to the state, so this operation is understandable, but when the unit needs technical upgrades or expansion, the funds issued from above might be "loans."

This model certainly has its original intent and logic, but if the unit's profits aren't that high, the enterprise's development will fall into difficulty.

Private enterprises' profits all go into recirculation—R&D, expansion, etc. Thus, the two are equivalent to a 10%–15% difference in efficiency; it's obvious which is more flexible.

【Sigh, difficulties are everywhere!】

Lu Zhizhang had no confidence, because wanting the top leader to be like Wang Qinshan and willingly admit he is backward... he dared not think about it, he dared not think about it!

After Wang Qinshan expressed his emotions, he returned to normal.

He said to Lu Zhizhang and the others: "Today we have one last place to visit. Everyone, please follow me to the R&D workshop to take a look! To be honest, the R&D workshop is generally off-limits; even I can't just walk in."

"Is that so? Then we are truly honored, hehehe~"

Lu Zhizhang gave a chuckle and followed Wang Qinshan toward the R&D workshop.

The R&D workshop was indeed not to be entered casually; of the visiting group of dozens, fewer than ten finally went in.

After everyone entered, the first thing they saw was a Jingcheng 130 produced in-house.

This 130 vehicle was fixed on a rack, with the rear axle tires removed and a load device installed; it was likely simulating the state of the car running at full capacity.

Master Mu said in surprise: "Deputy Manager Wang, this is our factory's product! What are you researching?"

"Researching the gearbox!"

Li Ye climbed down from the driver's seat of the 130 and explained to the crowd: "Changbei has introduced advanced gearbox technology from the Lighthouse Country, which happens to meet the technical requirements of the 130 and 136 models. There are quite a few 130 manufacturers across the country; this is a huge market."

Only then did everyone notice that there wasn't just the Jingcheng 130 in the workshop, but also the Jincheng 130, the Blue Sword 130, and so on.

Master Mu said subconsciously: "Lighthouse gearbox technology? That must be very advanced."

But Li Ye said with a smile: "Whether it's advanced or not, that's for professionals like Master Mu and Master Miao to decide!"

"Then let me try!"

Master Mu didn't act coy; he climbed into the driver's cab, operated it for a while, and then frowned and said: "This Lighthouse car gearbox doesn't have a synchronizer either?"

Before the eighties, car gearboxes produced in the interior basically didn't have synchronizers. Later, the Dongfeng 140 started having them, making gear shifting easier, which was unanimously praised by drivers.

But this advanced Lighthouse gearbox didn't have a synchronizer; if the throttle wasn't coordinated well, the gear shifting would make a clanking sound.

At this time, Li Dayong explained: "We introduced two types of gearboxes—one with a synchronizer and one without. This one has a lower cost and is more durable."

"Oh, if it's durable, that's true, but the driver will be a bit more tired."

Master Mu climbed down from the car and nodded, but one look at his expression showed he was just being polite.

In this day and age, drivers work for the state; ease of driving and comfort are the primary requirements. As for whether it's sturdy or durable, that's not something a state-employed driver should worry about.

The car breaks down easily? Isn't that just right? If it breaks, throw it to the repair shop, and I can just rest for a few days.

Only self-employed drivers would consider the durability of the car!

Let's put it this way: as long as the car is their own, even if it tires the driver to death, they will choose durability.

Seeing Master Mu's dismissive expression, Li Dayong continued to ask: "Masters, how many tens of thousands of kilometers do you think this gearbox needs to be under warranty for to meet the requirements for vehicle installation?"

"Warranty for how many tens of thousands of kilometers?"

Master Mu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Old Master Miao.

For the cars they drive, there is no such thing as a warranty for tens of thousands of kilometers.

Old Master Miao said in a deep voice: "Little Master, how many kilometers do you think would be appropriate for a warranty?"

Li Dayong opened his mouth, looked at Li Ye, and then reported a number: "It should be at least fifty thousand kilometers!"

"."

That evening, the Changbei Machinery Company hosted a grand banquet—truly all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink.

Lu Zhizhang, as the "lead sheep," predictably got drunk.

Li Ye didn't drink because he was driving, so he helped Lu Zhizhang into his Santana.

But after getting into the car, Lu Zhizhang became much more sober.

He asked Li Ye: "Section Chief Li, your classmate said he is willing to promise a fifty-thousand-kilometer warranty—he's not joking, is he?"

Li Ye said while driving: "Of course not. He actually wanted to guarantee eighty thousand kilometers, but I told him to be cautious, so we set it at the major overhaul mileage, which is about the same as the engine."

In the eighties, gasoline engines needed a major overhaul at around fifty thousand kilometers.

Lu Zhizhang smiled and said: "No, I mean, does your classmate have the final say? After going back today, Master Mu and the others will definitely leak the news. Once words are spoken, it's hard to take them back."

"Oh, he definitely has the final say. Even if he loses money, he has to own it."

"."

Seeing that Lu Zhizhang still didn't quite believe it, Li Ye said with a smile: "My classmate has been interning at Changbei for three years. In terms of practical technology and experience, he is richer than many engineers. Besides, he is currently dating Pei Wencong's younger sister!"

"."

Lu Zhizhang was a person Li Ye intended to win over, so revealing a little secret to him was normal, and this wasn't a secret in Changbei either.

But Lu Zhizhang was stunned.

He had seen Pei Wencong at Li Ye's wedding—that's a big boss!

"So... you are all part of the son-in-law faction!"