I can travel back and forth in 1986

Chapter 91 Settling Accounts at the Door

In order to resolve the trouble as soon as possible, Liu Jianguo revised the materials all night, so that he could hand them over to Chen Mingyuan as early as possible this morning.

Chen Mingyuan knew that this matter was urgent and he didn't want to delay for too long. What if Zhang Beichuan changed his mind and didn't want to take over the contract?

That morning, he brought the complete plan and knocked on the office door of Zhou Haifeng, the director of the Second Light Industry Bureau.

After listening to the proposal, Zhou Haifeng frowned.

He was particularly dissatisfied with the plan to pay workers' wages in installments and the fact that the bureau needed to advance some of the funds.

"Mingyuan, this plan is putting a lot of pressure on the bureau," Zhou Haifeng sighed. "Our bureau is also short of funds; how can we just step in money like that? Besides, this Zhang Beichuan... he's too young. Ten thousand yuan in start-up capital doesn't sound very reliable!"

Chen Mingyuan was well-prepared, using the booming success of Beichuan Department Store, run by Zhang Beichuan, as evidence of his business acumen, and also emphasizing the potential of the lighter market.

"Director, I understand your concerns," Chen Mingyuan said earnestly. "But right now, the Dongfeng factory is a ticking time bomb. The workers are protesting every day, and it's having a terrible impact. At least get the machines running again, give the workers some hope—it's better than letting it explode in our hands, isn't it?"

Zhou Haifeng remained silent for a long time, fully aware that this was like drinking poison to quench thirst.

As for the lighter that costs only two yuan, he didn't believe it at all. If Zhang Beichuan really had that ability, would he still be staying in the county?

In his view, Zhang Beichuan simply wanted to use contracts and connections to act as a middleman, reselling materials such as polyethylene, nylon, and resin; everything else was just an excuse!

After thinking it over for a long time, there really wasn't a better choice. It was better for the bomb to be blown up in Zhang Beichuan's hands than in the bureau.

Anyway, if Zhang Beichuan messes things up, he will be held responsible in the end, and he will just get a scolding from his superiors.

Finally, he rubbed his temples and reluctantly relented.

"Alright... The bureau can only scrape together 10,000 yuan at most, not a penny more. I happen to have to go to the municipal government this afternoon to report to Vice Mayor Lu, who is in charge of the economy and industry, and see if that helps."

Chen Mingyuan felt relieved. As for how the bureau chief would persuade Vice Mayor Lu, that was no longer his concern.

In the workplace, ability and problem-solving skills are not important.

The important thing is to ensure the matter is reported before it gets delayed; otherwise, everything will be fine!

......

At 3 p.m., the atmosphere in the office of Lu Dajiang, the vice mayor in charge of economy and industry, was somewhat heavy.

Zhou Haifeng carefully reported on the situation of Dongfeng Injection Molding Plant, emphasizing the highlights such as the willingness of social forces to take over, revitalize state-owned assets, and solve the employment and stability problems of workers.

"...Mayor Lu, that's roughly the situation. Zhang Beichuan is a quick-witted young man, and his Beichuan Department Store in the county town is doing very well. We've done a preliminary assessment of his proposed lighter assembly project, and it seems to have market potential..."

Although Zhou Haifeng himself didn't believe it, he had to hold his nose and speak well of Zhang Beichuan in an attempt to persuade Lu Dajiang.

Lu Dajiang leaned back in his chair, his face growing increasingly grim.

After Zhou Haifeng finished his rambling, he raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Director Zhou," his voice wasn't loud, but it carried an imposing air, "you call this a good thing?"

Zhou Haifeng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly put on an apologetic smile.

"Mayor Lu, what I mean is, it's better for someone to take on this hot potato than for it to rot in our hands. At least it's a direction for solving the problem..."

"Direction?" Lu Dajiang suddenly straightened up, slammed his hand on the table with a dull thud, "I think your Second Light Industry Bureau is just trying to get rid of its burdens, are you crazy?"

Zhou Haifeng was startled by the sudden outburst of anger, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

"A young man in his early twenties, with a few thousand yuan in start-up capital, thinks he can revive a state-owned factory that's been heavily in debt and shut down for almost half a year? And he wants to make lighters? The cost is only two yuan?"

Lu Dajiang roared, "Zhou Haifeng, do you take me for a three-year-old, or a fool?"

He got angrier and angrier as he talked, and stood up, pointing his finger at Zhou Haifeng's nose and continuing to curse.

"Is your department out of talent, or do you think I'm an amateur and easy to fool? You're trying to fob me off with this ridiculous plan?"

"No, Mayor Lu, please let me explain..."

Zhou Haifeng was so anxious that he could hardly speak. He had heard people say that the newly appointed deputy mayor was difficult to approach, but he never expected him to be this difficult!

"Explain what? Explain how you treat state-owned assets like a joke?" Lu Dajiang was furious. "The factory is losing money, what have you been doing? If you ask me, you all should be dragged out and shot!"

"Damn it, now they want to find some hothead to take the blame, and they even have the nerve to call it 'social forces'? Let me tell you, Zhou Haifeng, this plan won't pass me!"

As he spoke, he grabbed the document on the table, didn't even look at it, and threw it on the ground, scattering the papers all over the floor.

"Go back! Think of another way! If you can't come up with a feasible solution, you're fucking fired! Go home and take care of your kids!"

Zhou Haifeng's face turned ashen, and he nodded repeatedly, inwardly cursing Chen Mingyuan to the core!

"Yes...yes, Mayor Lu, I...I will definitely re-examine it when I get back, I will definitely re-examine it..."

He practically backed out of the office, not even daring to pick up the materials on the floor.

In the office, Lu Dajiang was still furious, his chest heaving.

The people here all think they're taking him for a fool, that he's an amateur and easy to fool!

He was well aware that the Dongfeng Factory problem was a troublesome one, but he couldn't accept the Second Light Industry Bureau's attempt to shift the blame!

Just then, the secretary came in, saw the documents scattered all over the floor, and quickly squatted down to pick them up.

He quickly gathered the papers together, and unintentionally placed the page containing the contractor's basic information on top.

The secretary gently placed the organized materials back on the edge of Lu Dajiang's desk and whispered.

"Boss, please calm down."

Lu Dajiang waved his hand irritably, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the top page of the materials.

"Zhang Beichuan...male...26 years old, from Shihe Village, Yingcheng County..."

Zhang Beichuan?

This name... why does it sound so familiar?

Lu Dajiang frowned, his anger temporarily suppressed by a hint of doubt. He felt he had heard this name somewhere before.

Just then, the secretary who had just left came back in.

"Sir, Comrade Lu Ya is here, insisting on seeing you."

Upon hearing the name Lu Ya, Lu Dajiang's angry expression froze instantly, then transformed into a mixture of guilt and headache.

"Go away... just say I'm not here, I've gone down to inspect the area, get them out of here right now, hurry up..."

Before he could finish speaking, the office door was pushed open with a bang.

Today, Lu Ya wasn't wearing her police uniform, but rather a polyester shirt. She stood at the door, her eyes fixed on Lu Dajiang like two small knives.

"Lu Dajiang!"

Lu Dajiang's heart skipped a beat. The imposing manner he had displayed when he slammed the table and glared at Zhou Haifeng just now vanished without a trace.

He subconsciously shrank his neck and forced a dry smile.

"My little one, why are you here? You didn't even call ahead. I was so busy..."

As he spoke, he frantically tidied up the scattered documents on the table, trying to create the illusion that he was extremely busy.

"If I make a phone call, would Vice Mayor Lu, who is so busy with work, be able to find the time to meet with me?"

Lu Ya's voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, but Lu Dajiang's back was already sweating.

She then continued, "I heard that you were the one who ultimately decided on my job transfer?"

Seeing this, the secretary quickly withdrew.