Chapter 10: The Foreign Exchange Earning Mission

After a moment, the onlookers dispersed, leaving only Wang Ye and others with several leaders from the machinery factory.

At the same time, Wang Ye couldn't help but admire inwardly. Although Liang Jinsong had just described himself as a rough man, the reality was quite the opposite. He clearly possessed the capability and tactics required for his high position.

During their initial encounter, Liang had been very direct in expressing his attitude. Even the way he smoked hadn't aroused much resentment from Wang Ye, achieving the intention of laying out his "ugly words" and subtly pressuring his subordinates.

Now, facing the enthusiastic workers of the factory, Liang's attitude was completely different. He expressed maximum trust in Wang Ye, providing a thorough introduction of his own resume and achievements to the workers and their families.

Ultimately, the goal was to help Wang Ye gain a preliminary understanding of the factory. As a subordinate, Wang Ye felt a sense of gratitude toward his superior, with no complaints.

In terms of the bigger picture, Liang's words helped Wang Ye gain an initial grasp of the factory, facilitating his future work. This was of positive significance for advancing the reform of military-civilian transformation. Even if he were to fail, and Liang recommended his dismissal, Wang Ye wouldn't hold any grievances. After all, Liang had done everything a leader should do.

"These old hands are quite experienced," Wang Ye couldn't help but marvel.

"Wang Ye."

"I've been blind to the Mount Tai!"

"You, as a graduate of Huqing University and a top student, can't possibly argue with an old guy like me!"

At this moment, Zhao Laohan, the one-armed man standing there, suddenly spoke apologetically to Wang Ye. Hearing Zhao's voice, Wang Ye quickly bent down slightly, shaking Zhao's hand while smiling.

"You're being too polite. Your concerns and everyone's worries, I completely understand."

"Besides, as the factory director, your concerns are just fulfilling your duty. If you had readily agreed without saying anything, that would have been extremely irresponsible towards the factory and the country!"

"So, why would I mind?"

"Moreover, you're an elder. Your words make me, the younger one, feel ashamed!"

"In the future, we'll rely on you a lot. When the time comes, if I need to instruct you, you can't refuse. And if you think I'm doing something wrong, you must speak up! We can't be polite with each other!"

"We mustn't be polite with each other!"

Wang Ye's respect for this elder was sincere.

However, despite the respect, he was about to take over the factory soon and embark on many important tasks. He couldn't afford to be ambiguous due to respect, delaying the progress of development. So, while being polite, he pointed out an important point: as the factory director, he, as the executive deputy director, had the authority to command him!

Hearing Wang Ye's words, Liang Jinsong and Li Gang next to him naturally understood the implications in Wang Ye's words. They laughed heartily, with Li Gang even giving a thumbs-up.

"Well said! In the future, you two will be a team in the factory."

"Relying on each other, one must push the military-civilian transformation to a splendid victory!"

At the same time, Zhao Laohan, holding Wang Ye's hand, chuckled and said, "If you say that, young Wang, I won't be polite. I'm already at retirement age. If it weren't for the poor situation in the factory, the country wouldn't have asked me to continue as the director."

"Now that you're here, I should retire directly. But since you think I can still contribute, I'll work a few more years!"

"So, in the future, if you need anything from this old man, don't hesitate to ask. And if I think you're doing something wrong, I'll speak up, and you better listen!"

"That's a deal between us."

"Haha!"

With a hearty laughter from the group, Wang Ye and Zhao Laohan shook hands firmly. Then, Zhao waved his hand and said, "Let's go! Let's go to the meeting room upstairs."

"What are you standing there for?"

Everyone nodded, and after a moment, they arrived at the only meeting room on the second floor of the office building. They sat around the paint-spotted conference table, and a young girl with a bamboo woven thermos began pouring water and making tea.

"Come on, Director Wang, let me introduce you..."

While pouring water, Zhao Laohan introduced the attendees that Wang Ye didn't recognize. At the same time, Wang Ye got a general idea of the leadership structure of the entire machinery factory.

In addition to Wang Ye, Liang Jinsong, Li Gang, and Zhao Laohan, there were five other leaders in the factory.

They were respectively the head of production, the head of finance, the head of technology, the head of security, and the head of logistics and women's union. Simply put, these five, along with Zhao Laohan, formed the leadership team of the entire factory.

From their job titles, it was clear that they were responsible for different areas. Because the Red Star Machinery Factory was a military factory, the position of the head of security was relatively high. As for the head of logistics and the women's union, they were in charge of the overall factory's food, clothing, and women's and children's issues. They were also the only woman in the leadership team.

Now, with the addition of the newly appointed Wang Ye, Wang Ye and Zhao Laohan were the highest leaders, and the other five were their subordinates.

After Zhao Laohan introduced the attendees, Liang Jinsong and Li Gang briefly repeated the conversation they had at the door, explaining some of the difficulties and policies of the two leading departments of the Red Star Machinery Factory.

After they finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Wang Ye, the new factory director.

"Director Liang, what you said is correct."

"In theory, after we were transferred to the jurisdiction of the local industrial bureau, you should have assigned production tasks to us, right?"

After a brief moment of thought, Wang Ye decided to test the waters and looked at Li Gang, asking this question. Li Gang, with a cigarette in his mouth, smiled bitterly and said:

"To tell you the truth, Wang Ye, leaving aside whether your Red Star Machinery Factory can produce or not..."

"Even if I wanted to assign tasks to you, there aren't any!"

"The annual planned production tasks are only so much. They're divided among so many factories in the city. Except for a few special state-owned factories, the vast majority of factories are in a semi-operational state."

"For example, the Laoyang Iron and Steel Plant near your county. Their production tasks this year are just some farm tools and kitchen utensils like plows, hoes, hammerheads, iron pots, and spatulas. Nothing else."

"In fact, I just went there this morning and told them that this year's subsidy can only be based on fifty percent of last year's, or they can take on the task of earning foreign exchange..."

Listening to this, Wang Ye, who had been sitting there listening attentively, suddenly lit up and asked Li Gang:

"Earning foreign exchange?"