Chapter 16: Producing Samples

While the meeting was taking place in the conference room, many workers and their families from the factory couldn't help but leave and return to the staircase on the second floor or even gather outside the office building, trying to eavesdrop.

"Can you hear anything? What are they saying?"

At the staircase, standing there were the mid-level managers of the factory, such as workshop leaders and foremen, whispering to each other, unable to resist discussing.

"I can't hear anything. Shall we move forward?"

"But we shouldn't risk making a mistake! I guess the meeting is almost over, right? We'll know soon enough."

"We're transitioning from military to civilian production. Why worry so much?"

"Hmph! Rules are rules. As long as we are a military factory for a day, we must maintain secrecy every day!"

"Forget it! Forget it! Let's smoke!"

As a military factory, Red Star Mechanical Factory naturally adhered to strict rules of secrecy. For example, the large conference room on the second floor was only used for important meetings, and everyone on the floor had to leave during such meetings to prevent eavesdropping.

Because of this, the mid-level managers gathered at the staircase, guarding the area because going further would cross the "red line" and constitute eavesdropping, breaking the confidentiality rules.

"Although this young factory manager, Wang, is a graduate of Huaying University and a genuine top student, why do I feel he's so unreliable?"

"He's too young! He really is! Feels like he's about the same age as my son."

"Can he be relied upon?"

Finally, a middle-aged man with long arms and legs sighed and sat directly on the stairs, then pulled out a dark little pouch from his pocket. He took out pre-cut squares of newspaper and a handful of pale yellow tobacco, quickly rolled a "cigarette" after moistening it with saliva, lit the big end with his mouth, and started puffing on it. The slightly irritating smoke mixed with the faint scent of newspaper ink lingered in the air.

Seeing him like this, others lost interest in eavesdropping and took out their own activities. Soon, the stairwell was filled with smoke.

"Laohu, let me ask you, do you think Little Wang, the factory manager, is unreliable?"

"If your son, after graduating from Huaying, came back to become the factory manager here, do you think it would be reliable?"

Hearing this, the man puffing on the makeshift cigarette paused, seeming to deeply consider the hypothetical scenario of his son returning to be the factory manager...

Next moment, he laughed and cursed, "He wouldn't dare! If he dares to come back, I'll beat him to death with my shoe! A prestigious Huaying graduate coming back to our Red Star Mechanical Factory? Is he crazy?"

"Damn it, I won't spare him. If he can't leave, I'll beat him until he can't stand up. My surname isn't Hu!"

With this statement, a suppressed laughter filled the stairwell. Someone laughed outright, "It's all right, Laohu. No need to get angry. Your son won't even pass the exam!"

Amidst the laughter, the short and wiry middle-aged man said with a grin, "That's why I say! We worry for nothing. Let's trust Little Wang, the factory manager."

"At least his determination and courage are extraordinary. Moreover, since the country dares to send him here, they must trust him. What reason do we have to worry here?"

"Besides, even if it doesn't work out, Little Wang has a bright future ahead. The leaders won't just ignore us."

"Agreed, everyone? Do you think so?"

The analysis was met with unanimous agreement from the people present.

At the same time, outside the office building, ordinary workers and their families couldn't help but wait and discuss amongst themselves. A group of women sewing and mending clothes were chatting animatedly.

"I say, if our transition to civilian production is successful and we start getting our full wages, maybe even bonuses, how do you plan to spend the money?"

"Meihua, you go first!"

Hearing this, Meihua hesitated for a moment, glanced at the five or six-year-old boy next to her who was still wearing patched trousers, scratched her head with the needle, and said, "First, I'll buy a few yards of good fabric to make new clothes for the dog."

"Then, I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a pound of fatty meat, at least four fingers thick. I'll roast some oil-fried breadsticks. Niuniu and my husband have been craving them for ages, and the leftover oil can be used to stew vegetables in winter."

"Oh, right! I'll also buy a bottle of Wulong liquor for my husband. We finished the last bottle a long time ago."

With Meihua's words, the other women also began discussing excitedly.

"Hey? You mentioned children and men, but aren't you going to treat yourself?"

"Right, according to me, I'll buy at least a good quality half-sleeved shirt! I saw someone wearing it at the market last time, oh my! So stylish!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Let's go together when the time comes!"

"I'll pass. I heard it's expensive!"

Just then, from the window on the second floor, there suddenly came hearty laughter, and instantly everyone's conversations stopped. They all turned to look at the window, full of anticipation for good news.

At the same time, inside the meeting room behind the window, after all the agreement documents were signed, Zhao, the one-armed man, stood up excitedly.

"The documents are ready. Shall we hurry up and produce the sample?"

Neither of the other two disagreed with this suggestion. For Wang Yexin, who had been anticipating this plan for days since he devised it, and for Liang Jinsong and Li Gang, they were equally eager for this explosive gas tank!

After all, the gas tank had to be produced first to undergo an explosion test. Only if the explosion test was successful and the power met expectations could the subsequent business be conducted smoothly.

"Good! Lao Zhao, lead the way!"

"It's still early. I think we can get it done today!"

Liang Jinsong seemed quite spirited, waving his hand and speaking confidently.

A moment later, when the door of the meeting room was pushed open, the group of people from the staircase hurriedly surrounded them, clamoring:

"Are the meetings over, two directors? What should we do?"

"Old Factory Manager, has the state assigned us production tasks?"

"Little Wang, what's our plan for the future? We'll follow your orders!"

Amidst the noisy voices, Old Factory Manager Zhao waved his hand to quiet everyone down and then explained:

"The state hasn't assigned us production tasks."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present changed abruptly, and the previous joy vanished. Just as they were about to ask further questions, Old Factory Manager Zhao chuckled and continued:

"But our Little Wang, the factory manager, has designed a new product for us."

"This product isn't just for production and sale in the domestic market; it's for export overseas, to earn foreign exchange!"

"Everyone knows how lucrative earning foreign exchange can be. Those units are fat and dripping with oil!"

In an instant, the dim eyes of the people present brightened once again. After all, the province of Luqi had been earning foreign exchange for two years now, and everyone knew about the subsidies from the local finance according to the market exchange rate, which had led to envy for those units earning foreign exchange!

"Is it true? What kind of product is it?"

"No wonder he's a graduate from Huqing! Director Wang is impressive!"

Amidst a mix of excitement and sincere admiration, the old factory director mysteriously took out the notebook with drawings and showed it to everyone. In an instant, the previously cheerful faces of the people froze in astonishment!

"Director... Director, is this a missile? Is it military hardware? Exporting military hardware... Can that be done?"

Just as the slightly built middle-aged man was about to speak, the old factory director cut in with a stern expression:

"Don't talk nonsense. This is a gas tank! Whoever dares to say it's a bomb, be careful, I'll smack them!"

"Let's go, to the mechanical workshop. We'll have this prototype made tonight!"

"Don't ask about anything else!"

The old factory director exuded authority like a general, and although the people still had doubts, their long-standing habits made them obediently keep quiet. They followed the old factory director to the mechanical workshop, exchanging uncertain glances with each other along the way.