Chapter 23

Chapter on Striving and Not Striving: Part 2

"Exactly! For this project, we must elevate it to the level of the entire factory," Liu Qianjin first affirmed Peng Qianjin from a political perspective, then said seriously, "Comrade Chen Geng, your task is very arduous. You must ensure that Mr. Kindler chooses to cooperate with us! Absolutely cannot let this cooked duck fly away."

"Please rest assured, I will definitely complete the task!" After a pause, Chen Geng said jokingly, "For Mr. Kindler, it's also a bit of a gray area..."

Chen Geng stopped there, but everyone immediately understood: Yes, we certainly hope to get this opportunity to cooperate with Kindler, but for Kindler, what he is offering is indeed infringing, and he needs to at least appear to sever ties with it. This means that mutual trust with his partner is very important, and as a foreigner, how many people can he know in our country?

Chen Geng perfectly meets his requirements for a partner: First, Chen Geng was previously a student with little social experience, so there's no need to worry about him playing tricks. Second, when Chen Geng was studying at Pusan, Kindler had mentored him for a while and had a good understanding of his character and conduct. Third, China at the time did not take intellectual property rights seriously.

With these three points, even just the first two, it would be enough for Kindler to choose Chen Geng. In a sense, Chen Geng might be the only choice for the German.

Thinking of this, everyone felt a bit excited: Doesn't this mean that we have a firm grip on this project?

But a hint of worry flashed in Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin's eyes: Yes, Chen Geng is the best partner for Kindler, but for the Third Armament Repair Factory, Chen Geng is also the only link to the other side... It seems that Chen Geng's work on this matter cannot be handled as before.

Liu Qianjin exchanged a glance with Peng Guangming, who then said, "Since Comrade Chen Geng brought in this project, and he will be dealing with Mr. Kindler in the future, I suggest that Chen Geng be in charge of this project. Does anyone have any objections?"

No one objected. They looked at each other and then began to shake their heads one by one.

Everyone knew the huge benefits of this project and wanted to take it on, but first, the project was brought in by Chen Geng. Second, not only did they not speak German, but in the entire Third Armament Repair Factory of the East China Military Region, only Chen Geng spoke German. Even in the entire East China Military Region, there wouldn't be more than a handful of people who could speak fluent German.

This was a serious problem, meaning that no one except Chen Geng could handle this project. Realizing this, although some were reluctant, they had no choice.

But what surprised everyone was that Chen Geng actually declined the appointment.

"I just started working and have no experience, but the carburetor project is crucial to the future of our Third Armament Repair Factory. We must mobilize all our resources to ensure its success. Therefore, I believe we should choose a respected and experienced comrade to lead it," Chen Geng explained to the puzzled looks of the others, "I assure you, as a party member, no matter who the organization chooses to lead this project, I will fully support their work."

If everyone was initially shocked, after Chen Geng's words, they were left with nothing but admiration: His awareness is truly remarkable, no wonder the military region leadership values him so much.

But what did Chen Hongjun think?

"I think the same," Chen Hongjun said, meeting the surprised and admiring gazes of the others, "This kid can help out and run errands, but he's not ready to take on the main responsibility."

Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming were stunned for a moment, then they both laughed in relief: Good kid, very smart.

Lighting a cigarette, Liu Qianjin did not make an immediate decision but turned to ask Peng Guangming's opinion, "Old Peng, what do you think?"

"Comrade Xiao Lin does lack experience," Peng Guangming nodded, and with the good impression he had just formed, he now found Chen Geng particularly likable, "But Chen Geng is right. This project is of great significance to our factory. It's not an exaggeration to say it concerns the survival of our factory. We emphasized that it should be treated as a major offensive. Therefore, I suggest we form a carburetor project leadership group. Old Liu, you will be the group leader, I will be the deputy leader, and Comrade Chen Hongjun will be the second deputy leader. Comrade Chen Geng will also contribute and serve as a deputy leader. Together, we will work in unison to secure this project... Old Liu?"

"I think it's a good idea," Liu Qianjin said with a smile. Being the group leader means he would get the biggest share of the credit. Since the project was brought in by Chen Geng, the Chen family's share cannot be overlooked. Moreover, both father and son are deputy factory managers, so it makes sense for them to be deputy leaders. As for who else should be in the leadership group, well... we can take our time.

"Good, let's do it this way," Peng Guangming's proposal considered the interests of all parties, and Liu Qianjin was very satisfied with the arrangement. After a brief pause, Liu Qianjin added, "But with this arrangement, the issue of Comrade Chen Geng's position... Old Peng, what do you think?"

The large meeting room suddenly became tense.

Despite the Third Armament Repair Factory's modest size, covering over 1,200 acres with only about 600 people, it was only a medium-sized factory. However, its leadership was bloated, with one factory manager, one deputy factory manager, nine deputy factory managers, and seven deputy secretaries, totaling 18 leaders!

With so many leaders, even the heads of logistics and the union were deputy factory managers. As a deputy factory manager, Chen Geng had to lead a department, but the problem was that there were no positions available. Think about it, even the head of the union is a deputy factory manager, so how could they arrange a position for Chen Geng?

Liu Qianjin was worried, and so was Peng Guangming. Not arranging a position was definitely not an option!

Not only must a position be arranged, but it must be a good one!

But how? There were no positions left!

It was a difficult situation!

Just as Peng Guangming and Liu Qianjin were at a loss, Chen Geng slowly spoke up, "Factory Manager, Political Commissar, I heard that the Third Industry Office is still short of a person?"

"What?" Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming were both stunned.

What is the Third Industry Office? The Third Industry Office, also known as the Third Industry Bureau, or the Labor Service Company, is a common institution in all state-owned enterprises. The purpose of setting up the Third Industry Office is to provide employment for the children of factory workers who are reaching working age when the factory cannot hire them on a large scale.

Earning money is good, but if not, the parent factory will support them.

Although all Third Industry Offices, or Labor Service Companies, are independent enterprises, in reality, very few of them make money. Most are supported by the parent factory, and the Third Industry Office is often synonymous with a mess that no one wants to touch. That's why, in the Third Armament Repair Factory with 18 leaders, none of them were willing to go to the Third Industry Office.

Meeting everyone's surprised gazes, Chen Geng nodded, "I think the Third Industry Office is a good place."

Chen Geng had just brought in such a big project for the factory, and on principle, Liu Qianjin could not assign him to the Third Industry Office. He said with a troubled look, "Chen Geng, you grew up in our factory. You know the situation with the Third Industry Office. How about this, you assist me for a while, mainly responsible for liaising with Mr. Kindler, what do you think?"

But Chen Geng actually declined.

He smiled, "The conditions at the Third Industry Office are indeed tough, but it has its advantages. No matter what I do, it won't cause much trouble. I've made up my mind to go to the Third Industry Office, but I need some support from the factory."

"Old Chen has a good son," Liu Qianjin said with a sigh, nodding heavily at Chen Geng, and now looked at him with admiration, "You can make any requests, and the factory will do its best to meet them."

"First, I should have the final say at the Third Industry Office. No one should interfere with my decisions as long as I don't break the law or violate the factory's regulations, right?"

"Of course."

"Second, I hope the factory can provide some start-up funds, about 10,000 yuan, and some technical support and business guidance for the next three months. Of course, I guarantee it won't affect the factory's daily operations."

"Technical support is no problem, but the funds..." Liu Qianjin agreed readily, but when it came to money, he frowned. Did the factory have that much money? He turned to look at the finance department head, Xue Fulin.

Xue Fulin said with a pained expression, "Factory Manager, we only have 13,546.43 yuan in the factory's account..."

If they gave Chen Geng 10,000 yuan, the entire factory would be left with nothing.

A large factory with only a few thousand yuan in its account? Was it really that bad? Even though Chen Geng had expected the factory's situation to be poor, this still exceeded his most pessimistic predictions.

Unable to meet this request, Liu Qianjin felt embarrassed and said with a bitter smile, "Chen Geng, what do you think of this situation... Can you tell me why you need so much money?"

"I have a general understanding of the situation at the Third Industry Office. I want to use this money as start-up capital to find some projects and help everyone become self-sufficient."

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