Chapter 5 Doubts Persist

Upon hearing Wang Ye's voice, the young soldier turned his head and looked over. He gave Wang Ye a once-over, then tentatively asked, "Are you Comrade Wang Ye from Yanjing?"

Under the young soldier's scrutiny, Wang Ye smiled and nodded, saying, "If you're referring to Wang Ye from the Hongxing Machinery Factory."

"That would definitely be me."

Instantly, a hint of joy appeared on the young soldier's face. He quickly walked over and said, "Comrade Wang Ye, hello! I'm Director Liang's duty soldier."

"Director Liang is waiting over there. We're here specifically to pick you up."

"Come on, let me carry your luggage!"

Without waiting for a response, he strode forward and snatched the travel bag and bedding roll from Wang Ye's hands. Wang Ye's face showed a surprised expression, but he quickly thanked him and made a guiding gesture, saying, "Thank you, comrade. Let's hurry over. We shouldn't keep Director Liang waiting."

The "Director Liang" mentioned by Wang Ye and the young soldier was Liang Jinsong, the director of the Defense Management Office of Luqi Province. In terms of administrative rank, he was quite high, as he oversaw the entire military industry system of Luqi Province.

This was the reason for Wang Ye's surprise. He hadn't expected the director to come and personally greet him. After all, as the future director of the Hongxing Machinery Factory, if he hadn't undergone military-to-civilian transformation, Liang would have been his direct superior. In the officialdom, it wasn't common for superiors to personally greet their subordinates at the station.

Moreover, after completing the military-to-civilian reform, he would have no relationship with Liang. There would be no reason for Liang to come.

In Wang Ye's doubt, the two arrived at the side of the square in front of the station.

There was a rare small car parked by the roadside, with a military green color, a simple soft top, and a rough Jeep-style appearance. It was the 212 model Jeep produced by the Yanjing Automobile Factory. Thirty years later, this thing, known as "industrial waste," was enviable to everyone in this era. It was the standard means of transportation for cadres and leaders of state-owned factories.

As for more advanced imported assembly cars, such as the Santana model produced by Shanghai Automotive and German Volkswagen, it would take another three years to go into mass production. Moreover, with a price as high as two to three hundred thousand yuan, it was not affordable for ordinary people. It was equivalent to buying a private plane forty years later, or even more expensive.

Beside the 212 Jeep, under the shade of a tree, stood a middle-aged man in a yellow-green military uniform. He held a cigarette between his right hand's two fingers, the flame almost burning to his fingertips, but he seemed unaware, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.

"Director, I've received Comrade Wang Ye!" With the voice of the soldier, Liang Jinsong came back to his senses, instinctively tossing away the burning cigarette butt. Then he turned to look at Wang Ye.

Instantly, Wang Ye felt two sharp gazes, full of pressure, directed at him. If it weren't for his experiences in the previous life, Wang Ye would have instinctively avoided eye contact.

"Comrade Wang, hello!"

"I am Liang Jinsong, the director of the Defense Management Office of Luqi Province."

"Pleased to meet you!"

Next, Liang Jinsong's gaze softened, and he walked over to Wang Ye, extending his right hand in a not particularly enthusiastic manner.

"Director Liang, hello. I am Wang Ye."

Seeing Liang Jinsong, Wang Ye walked over and shook his hand. At that moment, Wang Ye could feel the calluses on Liang's rough and broad palm, especially at the base of his fingers, where they were so hard they scratched his hand. It was obvious that Liang was an old hand at handling guns, and with his age, he was almost certainly a veteran who had been on the battlefield. Wang Ye couldn't help but admire him a little more.

After exchanging pleasantries, silence fell between them.

Then Liang Jinsong carefully scrutinized Wang Ye once again. Finally, a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Indeed, you're quite talented! Comrade Wang, as someone who graduated from Huqing University, you should have better options, shouldn't you? Why did you decide to come to a small place like the Hongxing Machinery Factory?"

"I heard from the department that you volunteered for this position. Is that true?"

Wang Ye wasn't particularly surprised by Director Liang's question. He explained with a smile, "Yes, I did apply to the Fifth Ministry for this."

"As for the reason? There isn't really one. I just feel that I can do this job well."

Hearing Wang Ye's words, Liang Jinsong nodded slightly, then lowered his head as if lost in thought for a few seconds. He took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket, pulled one out, and handed it to Wang Ye, saying, "Do you smoke? Here, have one."

Wang Ye hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse. Obviously, Liang Jinsong had something to say, and smoking and chatting was a relatively harmonious environment for men to talk. Moreover, Wang Ye had been a heavy smoker in his previous life.

"Daqianmen, good cigarettes."

As the familiar scent of sulfur permeated the air, both lit their cigarettes. Amidst the swirling smoke, Liang Jinsong sighed and said, "Comrade Wang, I come from a military background and don't like beating around the bush."

"To be honest, if I were to speak from my personal perspective, I would be deeply honored and grateful that someone like you, a high-achieving graduate of Huqing University, volunteered to take on the role of director of the Hongxing Machinery Factory. I would warmly welcome you with open arms."

"But speaking from the perspective of the director of the Defense Management Office of Luqi Province..."

"To be honest, I'm not thrilled about your arrival."

"That's the truth."

"For one thing, I believe in you and your technical expertise and knowledge as a graduate of Huqing. But to lead a factory in such dire straits requires more than just knowledge and technical skills."

"Having youthful vigor isn't a bad thing. I admire your courage, your confidence, and your practical abilities."

"But the current situation at the Hongxing Machinery Factory is really bad, far worse than you imagine."

"On a personal level, talents like you should be contributing to the country in more suitable positions. You shouldn't be stuck in this quagmire. On a professional level, I'm not confident in handing over five to six thousand people from top to bottom to you."

"Ultimately, some things aren't as simple as wanting to do them well."

Having said that, Liang Jinsong threw away his cigarette butt and looked at Wang Ye seriously, saying, "So let's be clear about this from the start."

"Even though the management of the Hongxing Machinery Factory will eventually be transferred to the Yuntai Industrial Bureau."

"But the country has given a year of buffer time. I will be keeping an eye on you the whole time. If you don't do well, Comrade Wang, don't blame me for reporting you to my superiors and having you removed directly!"

To this, Wang Ye nodded with a smile and said, "I have no objections. Just watch me closely!"

"Watch how I lead the Hongxing Machinery Factory out of poverty and into prosperity!"