Chapter 20: The Father Who Dug a Pit for His Son

Li Xueshan encouraged Chen Geng a few more times before asking, "Comrade Xiao Chen, how do you plan to carry out your work next?"

This question not only piqued his curiosity but also the interest of the bigwigs in the East China Military Region who knew Chen Geng was heading to the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory. The Third Military Equipment Repair Factory was now a half-disabled unit, relying on the salaries of officers and volunteer soldiers allocated by the state to maintain its workforce. As for business, there was only a bit of piecemeal work. Chen Geng was determined to go to the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory. Did he have a good plan to revive it, or was he just a young man who didn't know his limits?

"I do have some ideas," Chen Geng smiled shyly and said, "You might know that I studied automotive engineering in college, and I'm most familiar with cars. I even studied at the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Factory for a while."

"That's right, I know," Li Xueshan nodded, "I also know that you learned German from German experts during that time, right?"

"You even know that?" Chen Geng's face showed a perfectly appropriate surprise, as if he was honored that his leader knew so much about him.

Sure enough, Chen Geng's expression made Li Xueshan "very pleased," and he chuckled, "You are the first high-caliber graduate from Huqing University in our military region, and the leaders are very concerned about you. Haha... continue."

"Yes, the German expert who taught me German was very kind to me. He not only taught me German but also many other things..."

"He was a good teacher, then," Li Xueshan interjected.

"That's right, Mr. Kandler is my good teacher and friend, and he has helped me a lot," Chen Geng said sincerely. "Before coming to Lang堡 (Wolf Castle), he was a top expert in carburetors at the German Bosch company." Seeing Li Xueshan frown, clearly unfamiliar with Bosch, Chen Geng explained, "Bosch is the world's largest automotive parts company and has business relationships with almost all car manufacturers globally."

Li Xueshan nodded repeatedly, "Then Mr. Kandler must be very capable... yes, continue."

"Yes, Mr. Kandler is an expert in carburetors. He was very willing to help us when he learned that I wanted to return to help the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory..."

Chen Geng then recounted the plan he had discussed with Chen Hongjun, where Kandler would provide product samples, production equipment, and technology, and the products could be sold to Volkswagen. In the end, Kandler would take 30% of the profit. He cautiously asked, "Comrade Leader, does this violate any national regulations or policies?"

"Who said it violates any policy? It doesn't violate any policy at all!" Li Xueshan, his face flushed with excitement, couldn't help but curse, "Mr. Kandler is a true friend of the Chinese people. Even if it slightly oversteps the line, so what?"

After saying this, Li Xueshan had a look of "I didn't misjudge you." He patted Chen Geng's shoulder with satisfaction and said, "Xiao Chen, go ahead and do it boldly. No matter what happens, the military region leaders will support you. My only requirement is that you must produce qualified products, contribute to the localization of Volkswagen, and show the Germans that the Chinese can also produce world-class carburetors."

As for the fact that the carburetors were Bosch's products and patents, Li Xueshan conveniently forgot about it.

Li Xueshan forgot, and Chen Geng certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to bring it up.

As a bigwig in the military region, Li Xueshan was naturally very busy. After giving Chen Geng a few more instructions, such as not to feel pressured about his new job, and seeing that the time was right, Chen Geng and his father took the initiative to leave.

"Dad, did I do well?" As they walked out of the office building, Chen Geng asked his father with a hint of pride.

Before coming, Chen Hongjun had been worried that Chen Geng would be disrespectful to the leader, saying things he shouldn't or failing to say what he should. He had pulled Chen Geng's ear and given him a stern lecture, fearing that his son might offend the leader. To Chen Hongjun's embarrassment, his son was composed and articulate in front of the military region leader, showing no signs of nervousness, while he, the father, was intimidated by the leader's aura and couldn't even speak... although few people dared to speak freely in the office of a deputy political commissar of the military region.

"Not bad, just so-so," Chen Hongjun, trying to hide his pride, made a face as if to say, "You barely passed." "At least you didn't embarrass me."

When will this old man ever get rid of his obsession with saving face?

In the meeting room of the East China Military Region's Third Military Equipment Repair Factory, the atmosphere was strange and awkward... you can use any adjective you can think of to describe it.

Why was the atmosphere so strange? Think about it. A few days ago, you were patronizing a colleague's child, saying, "Young man, study hard, and you'll have a bright future. One day, you'll be better than me." But now, the person you were patronizing is your colleague. How strange is that?

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. There are many cases where fathers and sons work in the same unit, but can you accept a colleague's child being at the same level as you? You worked hard for over a decade to become a battalion-level officer and deputy factory manager, and this kid, just starting his career, is also a battalion-level officer and deputy factory manager?

What the hell! Where is justice?

Everyone was already cursing in their hearts: "What are the leaders of the military region thinking? This arrangement is making things very difficult for us, don't you know?"

But no matter how unhappy they were, orders were orders. Chen Geng had an appointment letter from the Political Department of the military region. In the military, you must follow orders, whether you understand them or not. Even if you have to grit your teeth, you must comply!

Now you understand why the atmosphere in the meeting room of the East China Military Region's Third Military Equipment Repair Factory was so strange, right?

Today was Chen Geng's first official day on the job. The factory leaders were in the meeting room to welcome the "capable and strong" comrade sent by the Political Department of the military region and to discuss his work assignments. Why are "capable and strong" in quotation marks? Because none of the factory leaders believed that a newly graduated young man like Chen Geng could be called "capable and strong."

"Cough..."

Factory Director Liu Qianjin coughed, reminding everyone in the meeting room: no matter what you think, the formalities must be followed. Indeed, after Liu Qianjin's cough, everyone perked up a bit. Liu Qianjin then said, "Comrades, first, I, on behalf of the East China Military Region's Third Military Equipment Repair Factory, warmly welcome Comrade Chen Geng! Everyone, please applaud!"

"Clap..."

Although there were only about 20 people in the meeting room, the applause was quite enthusiastic. After all, they had to give the factory director some face.

Chen Hongjun clapped while secretly glancing at his son, worried if he could handle the situation. The atmosphere and the applause were filled with a strong sense of rejection. His son had never been tested by society. Would he be okay?

But to Chen Hongjun's surprise, despite the strange atmosphere, Chen Geng seemed completely unfazed, with a perfectly appropriate polite smile on his face, remaining calm and composed.

This kid really has some skills, no wonder he studied with foreigners! Chen Hongjun's mind was at ease.

Chen Geng's performance also surprised Liu Qianjin. But thinking that he was a graduate of Huqing University, Liu Qianjin felt reassured. He pressed his hands down, and the applause stopped abruptly. Satisfied, Liu Qianjin continued, "Comrade Chen Geng is not only a capable and strong comrade sent by the leaders but also a child of our Third Military Equipment Repair Factory, a source of pride for our factory. Everyone knows this, but there is one thing you might not know: the leaders actually wanted to keep Chen Geng in the military region's organs. It was only because Comrade Chen Hongjun repeatedly persuaded Chen Geng that the higher-ups reluctantly assigned him to our factory..."

As Liu Qianjin spoke, everyone's eyes turned to Chen Hongjun. The look in their eyes... well, it was very complex, but the core message was the same: a father who could do this to his son is rare these days.

Liu Qianjin pretended not to see the looks... actually, he felt the same way... and continued, "This morning, Deputy Political Commissar Li of the Political Department of the military region called me personally and clearly told me that if our factory makes Comrade Chen Geng feel wronged, the first one to be held accountable will be me, haha..."

Everyone laughed along.

"I told Deputy Political Commissar Li that Comrade Chen Geng is a source of pride for our Third Military Equipment Repair Factory. Now that he has completed his studies and chosen to return to our factory instead of staying in the capital, it is a source of pride for our factory. If anyone dares to bully Comrade Chen Geng, I will be the first to hold them accountable! I will support whatever Comrade Chen Geng wants to do with all my efforts!"

Whether he would really support him with all his efforts was one thing, but how he expressed it in the meeting was another. As soon as Liu Qianjin finished speaking, the meeting room erupted in thunderous applause.