Chapter 17

However, not everyone was moved by Hu Jiefang's words. To Hong Yijue, Hu Wenhui was just a young upstart. Why should he be in charge of such a major project?

Even if the development of the simulation machine was to be promoted, it should be led by him, the head of the technology department. How could a man in his thirties and forties listen to the orders of a child in his teens?

Just from the perspective of his dignity as the head of the technology department, he could not agree to such a thing. But Hong Yijue knew his own capabilities. With his knowledge structure, could he really tackle the technology of the simulation machine?

So, from Hong Yijue's standpoint, the simulation machine project was best if it brought in money. As for what would happen to the factory in the end, what did it have to do with him?

"Since you, the factory manager, have said that you will not avoid relatives when recommending people, do you not know that the public security, procuratorate, and court have a principle of recusal? Appointing Hu Wenhui, a child, as the leader of the research group, aren't you afraid of any impropriety? I, Old Hong, may not say much, but I have a good reputation in the factory. I will take the lead in this research group and definitely support Hu Wenhui's research!"

Hong Yijue's calculations were shrewd. It seemed that Hu Jiefang was determined to push the simulation machine project. If so, he should first take control of the project and, more importantly, the financial authority. At that point, how the money was used would be up to him, and he wouldn't have to share it with the entire factory. If the project failed, Hong Yijue could easily shift the blame, saying that Hu Jiefang was the one who insisted on it, and he had reserved his opinion at the meeting.

If there were any problems, he could always throw mud at Hu Wenhui, a high school student of seventeen or eighteen. How could he possibly understand the intricacies of the factory? Whatever he said would be taken as the truth.

However, from Hu Jiefang's perspective, Hong Yijue's proposal did have some feasibility. After all, Hu Wenhui was his own son. Although he lacked the dignity of a father, he could still control him. As long as the project could move forward, what did it matter if Hu Wenhui lost some face?

"Hmm, what Old Hong is saying..."

"I disagree!"

A somewhat immature voice sounded from outside the door. Hu Jiefang turned around to see Hu Wenhui push the door open and stride in.

"Director Hong, if you don't want to be under me, I have no objection. You can withdraw from the project. As for whether the project can proceed, I can responsibly say that as long as I lead this research group, the project will definitely be completed."

"Haha, Factory Manager Hu, you truly have a tiger father and no dog son. Whether or not he has the skills, at least his confidence is impressive." Hong Yijue, a senior leader in the enterprise, was not afraid of what Hu Jiefang could do to him—indeed, he could do nothing. The personnel and financial authority of Factory 501 were in the hands of the city's industrial bureau.

Of course, this was also a "superiority of socialism." Workers could argue with the factory manager, and the manager could do nothing about it, which was not uncommon in China at the time.

"Wenhui!" Hu Jiefang's mindset was not easily changed. He still hoped to push the project forward through conventional means: "Director Hong is your senior. It would be good for you to learn from him."

"Hah, learn from him?" Hu Wenhui was tired of Hu Jiefang always treating him like a child. How could he gain equal standing? In this era, the deeply ingrained patriarchal attitude in China meant that no matter how much you achieved, if you were young, you were not to be trusted. People did not treat you as an equal but as a subordinate.

Hu Wenhui decided that he needed to speak his mind, not just to Hong Yijue but to Hu Jiefang as well, so that he would truly understand his stance.

"Who is Hong Yijue to me? What can I learn from him, how to eat himself into a ball?" Hu Wenhui turned to Hu Jiefang, deciding to give him one last strong dose: "I am not Hong Yijue's father, and I have no close relationship with him. Dad, you may have a responsibility to him as the factory manager, but that doesn't mean I have any obligation to him. If he wants to die, why should I pull him back?"

"Rebellion! Rebellion! You little brat, who do you say wants to die? I'm telling you right now, this project is either him or me, not both!"

"Then you, Hong Yijue, get out!"

A thunderous voice sounded again from the door of the technology department office. Two elderly men with white hair walked in together.

"Secretary Luo! Master Hu!"

All the employees of Factory 501 present stood at attention and respectfully greeted the two men.

Luo Likou, 55 years old, had been working in Factory 501 since it was still a Northeast Army arsenal. He was one of the earliest underground party members in Northeast China and had even fought guerrilla warfare in the deep mountains with Yang Jingyu.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he had almost single-handedly rebuilt Factory 501. Even if he were not the party secretary of the factory, his respect would not be diminished.

This pillar of Factory 501, who had supported it through thick and thin, had just thundered out those words at the door.

The man standing next to Luo Likou was none other than Hu Wenhui's grandfather and Hu Jiefang's father, Hu Shiwu.

"Secretary Luo..."

Even as the factory manager of Factory 501, Hu Jiefang could not put on any airs in front of Luo Likou.

Luo Likou, however, seemed to ignore him and turned to Hu Shiwu, saying, "Old Hu, you have a good grandson!"

This one sentence made Hu Jiefang's face turn red. The implication of Luo Likou's words was clear: he praised Hu Shiwu's grandson but did not mention Hu Jiefang, suggesting that the grandson was good, but the son was not.

Hu Shiwu shook his head and snorted, "This generation, used to being big shots in the factory, has long forgotten how to take care of themselves."

"Dad..."

Hu Shiwu did not give Hu Jiefang a good look, glaring at him and saying, "Step aside, you're disgracing the Hu family!"

...

Hu Jiefang's face turned red, but he did not dare to show any anger, obediently standing to one side and not daring to say another word.

Luo Likou slapped the table, and everyone present shrank back, listening in silence as he pointed at Hong Yijue and said, "Hong, if you don't want to do this, get out now! This Factory 501 is nominally the state's, but every brick and every scrap of iron was hard-earned by me. What do you think you are!"

Luo Likou's shout shocked everyone. Was this the same old secretary who was usually kind and rarely involved in affairs? The factory had not heard him speak so sternly in years.

"Old, Old Secretary..." Hong Yijue's lips trembled, almost unable to speak.

"I don't deserve the title of your old secretary. I see that Factory 501 can't contain you, Hong Yijue. The factory manager is trying to negotiate with you, but who do you think you are? Are you trying to ruin Factory 501? All you care about is your position and your petty schemes. Where do you put me, the factory manager, and Factory 501? I think Hu Wenhui is right. He's not your father, so why should he pull you back from your own destruction? I think you should die a good death to teach the spoiled workers a lesson!"

Luo Likou had come through the war years and had seen Factory 501 rise from the ruins. In his generation, they could not stand the current behavior of the workers. His decades of experience had given him a clear understanding of human nature and the world.

This made him understand Hu Wenhui's words more deeply. In the current world, Factory 501 could not have a "good" factory manager but needed a strong authority to lead everyone forward.

If the factory's production discipline and labor efficiency were not strictly enforced, the result would be the collapse of both the factory and the workers.

This was absolutely unacceptable to Luo Likou, who had dedicated his life to Factory 501.

In Hu Wenhui's simulation machine project, Luo Likou saw the key to reviving Factory 501. Using the simulation machine as a catalyst, he could reorganize the factory's labor discipline and production system to adapt to the current social situation, which was often referred to as "reform."

Since Hong Yijue was blocking the path of reform, Luo Likou had nothing more to say. As Hu Wenhui had said, if he was not cooperative, he should be asked to "die a good death."

Hong Yijue was drenched in sweat and stammered, "Secretary Luo, you misunderstand me. I didn't mean that. I just, just... No, I am willing, willing to work under Hu Wenhui's leadership on the simulation machine project."

"Hmm, Comrade Hu, what do you think of his statement?" Luo Likou turned to Hu Wenhui and asked with a kind expression.

Hu Wenhui looked at Hong Yijue and shook his head, "Grandpa Luo, I don't want to work with someone who is not sincere."

"Ah?" Hong Yijue and even Hu Jiefang were stunned, not expecting Hu Wenhui to say such a thing. Hong Yijue had already conceded, and Hu Wenhui was still not letting him off!

Hu Wenhui added, "I don't know if Hong Yijue is truly willing to support my work, but I don't want to waste my limited energy on meaningless intrigue."

Luo Likou pondered for a moment, then nodded and waved his hand, "Hong Yijue, then you will no longer be the head of the technology department. Starting tomorrow, report to the logistics department!"